Time flys when you're having fun

Have I really been absent from this place for a month? How time flys when you are having fun and embracing every second of it.

My children and grandchildren have all come and gone. It has left me exhausted and feeling the “empty nest” once again. Letting go is hard for me, so it has taken me some time to catch my breath, grieve what is now over and embrace the wonderful memories that I now have. I have had the time of my life over this past month. My words cannot even begin to convey to you, the awesomeness of it all…there is far too much to share in one post, so over the next week, I will break it down into separate posts.

On July 8th my youngest son from north Florida flew into Minnesota. Less then a half hour later, my oldest daughter and 10 year old granddaughter from south Florida flew in also. As we began to catch up on our 2 hour drive home I mentally braced myself for what I knew was going to be a crazy wonderful month of relishing in this time with these children and grandchildren and the ones yet to fly in. I knew it would go fast…and now looking back, it seems like I blinked once and it was over.

I came home to beautiful roses and my favorite Vampire wine since it was our anniversary. On a side note…on my 2nd date with my husband, he bought a bottle of this wine for us to try because it was called Vampire and he had already learned my like for vampires…lol. My husband had fixings for taco’s ready and all I had to do was throw some guacamole together. My eldest son(my only child that still lives in Minnesota)came over and thus began the party.

After eating, we sat around the fire. How wonderful it was to have these 3 sitting across from me. I kept looking at them and thinking "Oh my god, these are my children! How they have grown up...how great they are...how blessed am I to have such children that honor me in such a way that brings tears to my eyes."


The 3 grands enjoyed ice cream together, even though it wasn't ever that warm...


...and getting silly in their new pj‘s from their auntie…


Over the weekend we entertained extended family and friends that came to visit my visitors. My home over flowed with love and laughter and noise. Lots of fun and little sleep. Lots of cooking and preparing.

Before we knew it, Sunday, July 12th (our day for departing on our road trip to Idaho) was upon us and I hadn’t even begun to pack. Ugh! This also meant it was time for the little people to say goodbye to their uncle since he would be flying out from Spokane, instead of driving back home with us.


After a few tears and good byes, our road trip began. In spite of running into some severe storms we made good time and we all got along well. Twenty one hours later we seen this much awaited sign.


It is beautiful driving into Couer d’ Alene…breath taking beautiful. Even though it was cloudy and raining when we arrived, it’s beauty has a way of capturing me.


Even more beautiful, was seeing my daughter and her boyfriend and their dog Ida. And yes, their dog is named after Idaho.


I had the time of my life just being with these wonderful children and granddaughter of mine.


The only thing better, would have been if my other 2 children, grandchildren and husband had been there with us. Even though some were missing, I had a great time. I am learning to enjoy what I have in the moment…whoever or whatever is present…and where ever I am...to embrace them and just “be” in the moment with who I am with, in that time and place, instead of focusing on who is missing or what isn’t “right” or where I should or want to be.

In my next post, I will share about my time there and some pictures that can’t even come close to capturing the true beauty of this place and more so, our time together. Those moments, that I shared with them, are so imprinted in my mind and heart and I look forward to not only sharing them with you but also having a record of our time together.

I have missed you. I have missed connecting with you at your special places. I look forward to reconnecting now that normal life has begun once again. It sure is good to be back!