One week later

 Nick officially moved out a week ago tonight.  I quickly went through the honeymoon phase over the weekend, cleaning and getting rid of things that were left behind from Jay and Nick (that I knew they didn't want).  It felt freeing.  No longer will we go through a full bag of laundry soap on a weekly basis.  Our cases of bottle water should last us months now instead of weeks.  However, none of that matters.  It's just stuff.  If the laundry soap is being used it means people live here and are using it.  If we replace our bottled water on a weekly basis it means people are here and drinking it.  The reality is the house is eerily quiet.  Mike and I crawled into bed last night and I had to bite my lip to keep from crying.  It's just going to take me a hot minute to adjust to my new normal.  I always try to live with a spirit of thankfulness.  I'm so thankful my boys have bought their own homes and are good men.  Most of all I am thankful for my connection with them even though raising boys who grow into adult men is like a slow break up for us boy moms.  It's figuring how to still connect with them without annoying them.  Would they rather talk to me on the phone once a week, or snapchat or share memes over instagram?  Sometimes it's a simple text.  With time I will find a new rhythm.  Until then ignore me if you find me crying for no reason.  I'm just adjusting to my very empty nest.  

Nick's House

 Nick in front of his new home!  This home is tiny but perfect for Nick.  It's one bedroom, one bath but it's newly remodeled.  Mike will be installing a washer/dryer combo unit for Nick soon and then he should be set.  One of the best features of this home for Nick is the large two car garage.  Plus it's only 10 minutes from work.  Such an exciting time for him. 

January/February Birthday Celebration

 

Last night I hosted a birthday dinner for Jay, Rylan and Luke (more on what each of them are up to at the bottom of this post).  One of my favorite things to do is host family and friends for dinner - truly.  As we inched closer to the date Rylan asked if she could bring a friend and so did Jay.  So many times when the boys were growing up I couldn't always say Yes to things but I always say Yes to having more people in my home.  The more the merrier.  Mike always makes plenty of food and filling my house with people I love is such a blessing.    

Jay's crew.  I love all these kids. From left right, Aaron, Nicholle, Reece and sweet Hannah.  

Nick has moved into his house now.  I'll post on that in a separate post.  I am so happy for him.  Rylan is too.  She has helped him with decorating and is so proud of him.  They are such a sweet couple.  Mary isn't in any of these photos (boo) but Mary and John came last night and so did my mom.  I thanked Mary for always being my Yes friend.  I ask her to do things or I invite her to things and she simply says Yes.  She and John are family to us.  

Jay - He turned 24 on Jan. 16.  He and Hannah are so good together.  Their home is so cozy and warm.  Jay is into his 3rd year as an electrical apprentice and enjoys the job.  Work has been a little slow for him but hopefully it will pick up soon.  Jay is a foodie.  One of his first big purchases for his home was a nice grill.  Last night he brought pork belly that was delicious and gone by the end of the night.  Ha!  One of the best things about Jay is his kind heart, his sweet nature and his love of animals.  

Rylan - She will be 19 on Jan. 27.  I couldn't have known when I met her for the first time in my driveway (with Mary by the way) in June 2024 what a blessing she would be to Nick and our family.  She is patient as the day is long.  She is talented at everything she does (no joke) and she is incredibly thoughtful and kind.  She just started nursing school, in addition to working at the place where my mom lives and running her own photography business which she's so good at.  

Luke - He will be 15 on Feb. 9.  How my mom's youngest grandchild is going to be 15 is beyond me.    He loves to grill now (maybe he'll be a foodie too) and try anything new Mike makes that is meat related.  Luke loves the Lord and is truly interested in people's lives.  Kim has been leading in the youth ministry at church and Luke has invited several friends to go with him.  He proudly wears whatever he wants to school - sometimes even pajama pants (ha) and is currently in driver's ed.  Most Sundays he goes to church with his grandma and poppy. 

The Closing

 Today Nick closes on his first house.  He found this house in December and after the offer was accepted it was full steam ahead.  I have to admit after Jay bought his house and moved out in November I was sure I had several more years with Nick being at home with us.  After all he would joke he was going to live at home until he was 30 which by the way was not okay with us.  That Nick is ambitious though and he wanted to get into real estate.  He bought this house with the intention of eventually renting it out.  Even though he's 19, he's still my little blond haired little boy who didn't start talking until he was 18 months old.  I'm convinced he used those first 18 mos to formulate exactly what he wanted to say and it just took off from there.  I'm super proud of Nick.  Buying a house right now is not easy for Gen Z'rs but when he sets his mind to something there's no stopping him.  This morning I was working out in the basement when my eyes came across the free throw line Jay drew in permanent black marker so him and Nick could play basketball in the basement.  I was reminded of a time when the house was full of bickering between the boys and utter chaos most of the time.  There were days I was sure I was doing a lousy job and I wondered if the day would ever come where there would actually be some peace in my house.  The boys eventually stopped fighting and are actually quite close now - Praise God.  So sure things got quieter but up until 8 weeks ago they both still lived here. They brought their girls into the house.  The girls blessed us with happiness, conversation and laughter.  That free throw line this morning reminded me that season of my life has actually been over for a long time.  I've been blessed to pour into Jay and Nick's adult life and for that I'm so thankful.  As I enter this new chapter of my life with Mike I realize we are right back where we started, just the two of us.  It's bittersweet but I look forward to all God has in store for us.  

Jay's 24th Birthday

 Jay's 24th birthday was two days ago.  In thinking back I believe it was probably his first birthday that I didn't see him on his actual birthday.  That being said Mike and I brought pizza to Jay and Hannah last night and enjoyed a meal together around their kitchen table.  I truly do enjoy seeing my boys turning into the men God created them to be; making their own decisions, buying their homes, being in relationships with beautiful girls, inside and out.  Jay has settled into home ownership and he and Hannah have made their home quite cozy and warm.  Jay is into his 3rd year as an electrical apprentice and enjoys the job.  Jay is such a kind hearted young man.  He is thoughtful and is becoming so aware of what he does and what he doesn't want in life and who he wants to be.  I am so thankful God choose me as his mom.  Happy 24th Birthday, Jay!  

Commitment

 Here I am trying to stay commited to blogging twice a week.  I really have nothing to write about.  I knew it would be challenging for me to write in my current menopausal state and not having the boys anymore for entertainment but I digress.  One thing I haven't blogged about in awhile is my job.  2025 was probably the most challenging year for me, job wise.  I had training for another state and today I applied for another state license out of another state.  When it's all said and done I'll be handling four states - none of which I'm any good at. Back in the "good ole days" I was so confident in my abilities and I loved what I did.  I enjoyed building relationships and being out in the field.  In 2025 we also got a new system and it's been almost a full year with this system and I can say I finally have the hang of it but wow the struggle was real.  I am very thankful to have a job, a good job at that.  This May I will celebrate 15 years with my company and I still love working from home.  It's true that some days are better than others (as with all things in life) and it's challenging handling so many states, none of which are in my time zone, but I'll keep on keeping on.  

Welcome to 2026

 Faith was in IL for NYE so we went to lunch together.  In 2025 I was able to see Faith a lot.  I'd have to go back and count but I'd guess we were able to see each other six times last year.  She will be 26 in May and I just adore her.  She has and always be one of my favorite people.