There is a lump in my throat as I write this post. Not sure why. I am a very sentimental gal as I am sure you have noticed. I am some what excited though. Here's the deal. For all of my married life, practically, I have had kids and little ones around my feet because we homeschooled and I was pregnant a year after we were married. It is something I have become accustomed to and it is like a drug. I am an enabler you know. You want to cook with me, sure, I will hide that I might be annoyed but let's cook sort of thing. Over the years I have become so used to someone always here in the house. I can count on one hand the times I have been alone in the house. Not kidding. Not complaining either as I don't think I like to be alone. Never a big fan. Maybe that will change. But these kids have all been with me through it all. Once you have it, you always want it. BUT in two weeks for two half days a week, I will be ALONE!
Q is starting preschool. With big sisters all gone during the day now she is so bored and just loves to be around other kids. She is so excited. We are good friends with her teacher so mom is happy.
What will I do? House work of course, hang out with the chickens and blog I am sure, but who will I talk to? Will the silence be deafening. I think I may cry the first day. I just love having my chicks around me and times are changing. Before you judge me and think I am crazy, I have raised all my girls to be independent. Go after what they want to do. Take chances. All the while knowing this day would come. Can you imagine if Q had not come along? I think I would be a real mess. She keeps twirly dancing, funny sayings and the sound of little feet running around the house. You just never know when God will give you the best blessings.
Soon though these will be the only four little girls around my feet. And I mean they are around my feet literally. Whenever I go out back, if they are loose, they follow me so closely that I have even stepped on their poor feet. From little girls to little chickens. Life is funny. Go with it!
Linking to:
Mystic Chicken
"Cheer up Sweetie"...You are "NEVER ALONE"!!!
ReplyDeleteBig Squishy Hugs to you,
Donna
I can identify with you completely! I married at 19. Was pregnant one year later, and then had my first two close together. Then when they started school, I had Drew. And when Drew finished school....I began to take care of Noah!!!! I have not yet had my alone time. THIRTY THREE years, and I am still doing it! But with Noah in school, I am enjoying the heck out of a little free time each day. You will too. But it does take time to adjust.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Kris
The quiet is very noticiable at first...but then, you will wonder how did you do everything when you had babies at home!
ReplyDeleteAt times I become overwhelmed with the wanting my babies back. That is when I bug them to come home and visit their ole mom!!
What an adjustment. Remember when you brought your first little one home from the hospital (if you went to the hospital) and it hit you that you were responsible for a little life? You adjusted, a little at a time, the same will happen here, small adjustments, little at a time. Turn up the radio loud for a few hours each day, it will make it seem like there is someone back there talking to you.
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ReplyDeleteOh Elaine- I can certainly relate to this post.
ReplyDeleteWhen my kids all moved out it was right back to back...in fact 3 of them moved out within months of each other.
Talk about Empty Nest Syndrome!
Girl I still suffer...
if it weren't for the LITTLES...I'd go crazy for sure.
Don't feel like your alone. This too shall pass. Be glad that you taught them independance...that is something to smile about.
-Pat
I am reading this just after having dropped Andrew off at preschool. The house is quiet and empty except the sound of the dryer so I know exactly how you feel. Once the alone feeling subsides you will come to enjoy that second cup of coffee in the quietness of your home. If not, call me and I will come and keep you company!
ReplyDeleteHi Elaine..
ReplyDeleteit is an adjustment.
One that I still haven't quite gotten the hang of.
Thinking of you and hoping that you'll find joy in your day :)
Oh how funny your pets look checking in on what you have going on in the house! Your little one is going to relish in Pre-school. You will adjust life has a way of helping us through the never ending chapters~ Hugs, Diane
ReplyDeleteI so understand. I was pregnant by my first anniversary too. Cried on the first day of school with each of my girls. Cried when they left the nest. One of them had to moved back home 2 years ago and is about to fly away from the nest again...and I'm sure I will cry again. But on a happy note...I now have 2 grandkids and I love to hear the sounds of joy in my house when they come to visit me.
ReplyDeleteI so know that feeling! We took #3 to college this past weekend, and now there's just the youngest left here, who is 15 and pretty much does everything independently and keeps to herself in her room with her computer and iPod when she's home, or is off with friends. And in 4 years she will be gone, too.
ReplyDeleteI think I've had that lump in my throat since we got back on Sunday and I'm finding it hard to do anything other than wander around the house and yard aimlessly.
hope you adjust quickly! At least you have your chickens and dog!
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely girls you have. I'm sure they will keep you busy x
ReplyDeleteMy boys are all YOUR age and I still miss them. It's fun having a house full of kids...I loved it!
ReplyDeleteMy baby left for her second year of college this morning. It is too quiet! Enjoy the alone time - you will get used to it after awhile and be amazed how much you can get accomplished in that 2 hours :-)
ReplyDeleteSweet post Elaine.
Just think how good all this will be for Q! So good that she socializes with kids her own age. Take those few hours for yourself and nurture your needs. I have always been a Mom at Home except when they started school, then I had a little seasonal job. Now I am an at Home Mom again and I am still needed. But, I do appreciate those hours of school. It's all good!
ReplyDeleteIt is just two half days, you will get so much accomplished (which you already get a ton of stuff accomplished!) and how much fun when they all come home. xo
ReplyDeleteYou are so organized and industrious you will fill your days I am sure. Q will have so much fun and so shall you.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure it'll take some time to get used to the silence, but I predict you'll learn to love it.
ReplyDeleteI remember that day- last "baby" off to school...lump in the throat and tears in the eyes kinda day. It does get better- xo Diana
ReplyDeleteMy Mom always said her happiest times were when my brother and I were home with her before we entered school. Just be glad your daughter is so excited. The chicks will keep you company!
ReplyDeleteMy children have grown up and left home, they are not far away and visit often they like to travel so I always look after the pets no grandchildren yet also a good time to start a new hobby.
ReplyDeleteMerle...
Hi Elaine....
ReplyDeleteEach stage of life brings changes. When I first experienced an empty house, it was strange but I grew qickly to like my new "freedom." Cherish each moment. Susan
Yeah, I bawled a good part of the day my youngest went off to school. I think I was all of 26. But I knew it was the beginning of the end of something. Now, I love, LOVE to be alone. Now I don't mean without the pets. So cherish those four girls and try to avoid their feet. They won't be leaving you and going off to school!
ReplyDeleteBrenda
It's going to be an adjustment, for sure, but you'll both do well. The time alone will go so fast - I homeschool too but one year I sent them both to school and my time alone was never quite enough, although I was so glad when they came home. Such is life. Your bloggy friends will always be here for you. Mary
ReplyDeleteIf you were near by we could share a cup of coffee and maybe a tear or two...my husband & I have been going through a very similar situation but with our granddaughter. Life is like a book with different chapters....but sometimes I want to re-read certain chapters over & over huh?! Lol!!
ReplyDeleteyou probably will cry..they are your kids after all..but then you will love having some time for you..maybe go and get a pedicure or a manicure..something just for you..or go walk the malls and window shop..or get something just for you..I call it retail therapy..and your animals will be there and they are wonderful company till your other "chicks" get home from school.;)
ReplyDeleteI can see some very spoiled chickens and dogs in a couple of weeks! ~ Maureen
ReplyDeleteElaine, you will learn to adjust in time but if you're like me, you'll never lose that little twinge in your heart.
ReplyDeleteI am happiest when all my family are home and "around my feet" too!
Love..Trish
I understand completely. I always loved having my daughters at home and even though they are now in their thirties, I still miss them as much as I did when they went off to their first day of school. You will fill your time with new and busy things and you will be so happy to see them walk in the door.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Laura
Awe Elaine, I'm sure it can't be easy! I'm in a similar situation, although it's all I've known my married life. I long to have little ones around my feet, but that experience hasn't come yet. I'm often home alone with my hubby working so much. I've learned to find my passions and fill my quiet time with those. Also, I've grown closer to the Lord. You will eventually find your way, too, but I'm sure it isn't easy!
ReplyDelete*hugs to you!*
Leslie
Hi Elaine,
ReplyDeleteI can remember feeling the way you describe when each of my four started school and again when they each left home.You will adjust to the 'alone' time.
Have a good week
Barb from Australia
I know this feeling well, with three of my girls flown the coup and one left at home, and being a boy (16yo) will probably be around for a while.
ReplyDeleteI cried a lot in the beginning but have now adjusted as you will too... I actually look forward to my quiet time now :)
x
Elaine,
ReplyDeleteOh bless your heart, I totally understand you! You know my kids are spaced apart in age....23, 13 & 4. We homeschool and I'm the same way about not liking being alone. I don't look forward to that day.
I don't do well with new chapters in my life....not well at all with change. Home is my security place and where I love to be and I like all my eggs in one basket there with me!
I'm sure at first it will be hard, but find something to look forward to. That's my philosophy. To find ONE THING to look forward to each day. On those 2 half days, try that!
Hugs,
Tammy
You're not crazy, you're normal. I find spending every day alone to be very lonely.
ReplyDeleteYou may come to enjoy the alone time. But if you don't, it's okay.
Hugs, Cindy
I have been where you are now...such a cute touching post and love your little animals that will be under foot...
ReplyDeleteA lot of people start volunteering at their child's school when they go off, or volunteer somewhere in their community. I volunteered at a local place that re-habbed wild birds. It was so much FUN!
ReplyDeleteQ is growing up! :D I want to see pics of her first day....and her art from the first week!!! ;P
ReplyDeleteWell the good thing is that it is BIT of an adjustment but you don't have to do it all at once...as in, it's not kindergarten ( every day ) or first grade ( every day, all day ) yet. So that's the good part :)
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