Well, friends, after a summer that was truly like no other I’ve ever experienced I’m finally settled enough to get back to writing and sharing life here.
This summer, I have…
- moved from Germany to El Paso, Texas
- moved into the first (and hopefully ONLY) home my husband and I own
- traveled back to South Carolina to pick up my husband’s truck
- prepared my two oldest daughers to begin college
And those are just the major events of the summer. Along with those, there was also unpacking and setting up life in our new home, finding a place of belonging, planning for and beginning a new homeschool year, doctors visits, and many other things that make a full life in the middle of major transitions.
I thought this would be a perfect time to catch you all up on what life looks like right now as I begin a blogging anew in this space.
PCS Update
Our PCS from Germany to Texas is super close to being complete. The last piece we are waiting on is receiving our storage shipment from Virginia. That should be arriving within the next week. I’m so happy to finally call this last PCS over and done, but I’m also a little nervous about receiving this shipment. I can’t remember what all we put in storage and I’m definitely not ready to sort it all out. But, doing that will put us another big step closer to making this our home and I am ready for that!
Driving Lessons
Because they were in Germany between the ages of 16 and 18 and before that we lived in Virginia during COVID, my daughters weren’t able to get their drivers’ liscense until we returned to the states. That has been top priority for the summer. I was able to sign them up for a driving school soon after arriving back in June and since completing the drivers’ course, they have been working through driving lessons. I’m also giving them practice time in the car for me. It is so surreal to be in the position of teaching my babies to drive!! It has also been a huge lesson in letting go.
Homeschool 2023-24
I started our new homeschool year with Will and Jenny last week and it has gone really well so far. It is bittersweet to only have two students this year. Will is in the 11th grade and Jenny is in the 8th, so even with them, I know this homeschool journey is drawing closer to an end. I am trying to cherish the time I have with them. They are great independent learners and don’t need me with them a ton, but I am here to advise and I am holding on to the last year I have of read-alouds with Jenny. I’m really trying to also give them opportunities to pursue their individual interests. For example, Will is taking an online filmmaking class that he is enjoying and Jenny is spending lots of time doing art.
College Move-in
EA moved into her dorm at New Mexico State University this weekend. I am so thankful that she chose to attend a school within driving distance from where we live. BUT it was still hard to say good-bye and leave her after getting her settled on Saturday. And, also, I honestly think she is ready for this move. I’m so proud of the decisions she is making and the opportunities she is seeking out so far. I am excited to watch her take this next step of independence and watch the ways God is going to shape her in the coming years.
MC begins classes at her college in just two weeks. She has chosen to stay at home and attend El Paso Community College so she can stay active in the college ministry at our church and she wasn’t ready for another move. I’m so proud of how each of my girls have made such wise decisions in regards to their future. They didn’t feel the need to make a decision because it was something their sister was doing–they each made the right decision for themselves. I know they are both going to thrive and I am just go thrilled that I get to wach and cheer them on!!
Morning Walks
One of my very favorite routines I’ve established over the last several weeks is walking 2-3 miles in the morning. I usually head out around 6 am and walk through the neighborhood listening to an audiobook or podcast as the sun is coming up. This is such a peaceful, motivational way to start my day–I really love it!! I often have to stop and capture a photo of the clouds or the sunrise. It makes me really appreciate the beauty of God’s creation. Spending this time outside is a huge boost to my system each morning!
Moving Forward…
Now that we’re all caught up on life, I’m ready to focus my attention on writing and sharing my life in this space again. With children who are older and living lives that are more fully their own, I don’t feel as comfortable sharing their lives here–I haven’t for a while now. Their stories are their own to tell. I do want to focus my blogging attention on MY own story as it relates to being a middle-aged woman, finding a place of belonging and living out my faith in an authentic way. I feel as if I’ve entered a completely new phase of life and it’s one that I’m learning my way around in. I’ll also continue sharing meal plans, book reviews and scrapbook layouts.
Thank you for joining me on this journey!!
Gillian says
Looking forward to hearing all about this new chapter in your life. I found it hard when my youngest left school to head to University. Parenting changes and it takes time to settle into that new role.