Semi-Sappy Empty Nest Post...

Our boys are gone. The house is really quiet and strangely clean. The laundry is not constantly going and meals are a little weird and easy with them not here. I have not blogged for a few days. My emotions are feeling just a little raw. This morning my husband asked me to blog. I know he knows it will be about our kids. My Mom asked a few days ago if I had blogged about the boys because she did not want to read it and see my heart bleeding all over the pages. Well...those were not her exact words but that is what she meant.
Blogging is weird. Sometimes I shake my head and think, "What in the world am I doing putting my heart thoughts out there for anyone in the world to look at?" Somehow though it is good.

Anyway...I did not cry on the way home from helping them move in. I have gotten pretty good at just putting sad things away and saving tears for later. Funny thing about that though is you can't tell when it will hit you and you will be moved to tears. By the way, Mom...I am ok. Don't worry that I am a complete basket case because I am just not. I have to say that it is great that we are only 2 hours away from our children and in my mind it is comforting to think I could be over there in that short of time. They would not like me constantly being on their doorstep, so that won't be happening much but it is a good thought.

As I was saying...tears hit at strange times. I went to the grocery store when we got back and saw a box of these health food chocolate bunnies that Wes likes. I started to pick them up and thought, wow, he is not here. He will be buying his own bunnies now. Right then and there in Kroger I cried. Hard. I am sure the people that walked by thought I was having a nervous breakdown. Then there was last night. Sid and I went to see "The Help". Which by the way we would never have done on a school night with boys at home. (Yes, there are some good things to enjoy.) One of the previews was The Lion King. I guess that they are putting it back in the theaters again. Again, the tears flowed. Wes absolutely loved the Lion King. All of a sudden in my mind I was back in time at least 14 years ago sitting on a curb in Disneyland with our boys and watching the Lion King parade. When we got home from that trip we bought Wes a little stuffed Nyla lion and for years and years she was his companion. When he was packing up his stuff last week I saw that he put her in one of his boxes to go with him to college. His sentimental heart was shining through.

So, there have been a few days of melancholy and remembering and some tears, but overall we are so proud and thankful and happy for our boys. They are where God can use them and they can grow. They are with wonderful friends and brothers and we will all be ok and move forward. Sid and I have been a little down until yesterday. We both decided that we will enjoy this new journey...back to the way it was. To use a phrase from that prison movie that is always on the television..."Get busy livin...or get busy dyin." We are livin. We are lovin...we are exciting about the future! So...I will leave you with a few sappy pictures. Could not help it.

Sweet Wesley in his eighth grade football jersey.

Will and Wes on a trip to Colorado to see Bill and Shawna. The boys with their cousins in Red River. We always ate breakfast on the last day of our trip at Shotgun Willies. We managed for several years to take a picture out front of the kids by the wooden bear. Sweet memories to cherish.
This picture we took one time at Kyle Field when we snuck into a football practice. Will is hugging Wes really tight. Precious. Mama Jo would so very much would have loved having her grand kids living right there close by. I wish she was still here making wonderful meals and blessing their lives. We miss her. This fall these two boys will be sitting in these stands together watching football. My, how time flies.
Jan's mom Billy borrowed the picture above and drew me a wonderful work of art for Christmas one year. I treasure it so much.

The boys in front of gorgeous Azaleas. A long time ago.

This Daddy loves his boys.

Fish caught in Red River at the Encampment

And finally...my sweetheart. God is so good. We took this on a trip to Big Bend National Park. He still makes my heart pitter patter and makes me laugh and puts up with me and takes care of us. We are so very blessed. We plan on taking many more pictures like this in the future. Hey honey...road trip?
Blessings on the most beautiful of days. Amy

The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace. Psalm 29:11