Expecting... an empty nest.

Wow... the holidays FLEW by! Before Christmas I was a stay at home "mom," constantly busy with the kids and whatever else was going on. But now, goodness. It's been something else entirely.

Since Sarah and Hannah returned home to their mother, there have been plenty of things to get used to around our now quiet apartment. For one, I took a short little nap the other morning and I woke up in a frenzy thinking I was late to pick up Hannah from Pre-K. I am also still on their snack time schedule. Every time 3:30 rolls around I think of them while I stuff my face with oreos. Speaking of, that time is about right now. But Josh and I agree that it is hard with out them. I think we were fueled off of the constant drama or giggles coming out of their bedroom.

Ugly Christmas Sweater Party

But Josh and I are adapting quite well. We began by de-childproofing our home. We finally got to decorate the way that we wanted to and I owe all of it to my husband, really. He's simply amazing. I have registered for 15 hours worth of classes at ASU. I have had plenty of time to commit to picking up my skills on the piano and studying music theory. We have gone out with our friends many times. We even had my cousin and her boyfriend over for a BBQ (a first at the Burrow residence). But I can't help but think that this will also be short lived.

At the end of January Josh will begin traveling for all the training required for his deployment in March. I will get to spend some time with Josh before he leaves between these training trips but I can't allow myself to neglect school all together when he is home. That will be a tough concept to follow through with. My mind has allowed me to soak all this in very slowly and I am grateful for that. I'm not much of a crier unless something has really moved me beyond an overwhelming state of emotion. The petty things really don't both me, or at least I don't allow them to. But everything combined adds up to a loneliness that I know is inevitable. And that is an uncomfortable thought. How can I be lonely when I have so many friends and family around? How can I be lonely when I know that my best friend is only a phone call away? How can I be lonely when the One who I really need to talk to is only a prayer away? But still... loneliness.

I'm hoping that school and church will really consume most of my worries. Josh will be in dangerous territory but God has planned out everything so why should I doubt Him now? 2nd Timothy says that God didn't give us a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind. So I claim that over myself and Josh. Six months can only last so long.