The Nest Will Go On

It was back to school Monday, Steve and I looked forward to this day since a couple weeks ago. It's a love/hate relationship towards the end of the summer between Benny and Stink... and I'm sure I will see one of these boys draw blood during a future episode of "summer duke it outs" here within the next couple of years.

Monday was an exciting day... Benny's first day of school! He has been watching brother and looking forward to this day of his own for a long time.

Sergeant Stink started first grade... getting big. He had two teeth pulled and since then I look at his face and he seems too grown up for me just yet.

I am so happy for my children and feel very accomplished as a parent seeing my boys so independent, having there own thing now and doing well so far. As happy as I am, it's been a rough week for me. I swallow hard when I think of my empty nest at age 26. I swallowed even harder Monday morning seeing my Benny sit at his desk so happy and ready to start his own journey. I said goodbye to him and I felt empty walking through that school hall back to my car without kids. Then I got home and there was silence... I could hear the fan and Pursie's paw steps on the tile. It was even emptier. I don't like this, at all I say to Steve... and he holds me and I cry some more. This is hard. They've been my little day buddies for the last 6 1/2 years.

Then I go to Kona Grill with my sweety and of course that feels a ton better. Time to focus on us, on me for those 7 hours. Then I can have my 2 sparks of life back to kiss and squeeze. I love them. The hardest of all adjustments, but I am... so, so happy for them. It was a good day.