Empty Nest Syndrome Already?!

Lyle and I just became empty nesters.... For those of you who don't know, we have been living with Lyle's sister and her family for the last 9 months (ish, give or take a little time). They just moved out of our rental home this last Saturday and boy do we miss the extra company! It is just crazy to me how lonely and big the house we are in feels now.

Just over a year ago, we packed up our little apartment in Rexburg, as I blogged about here....

....and moved to South Dakota to live with Lyle's parents while he did an internship.

(Yay, Sodak.....)

And when that was done, we moved into a rental house with Tyrel, Vandy, and Kemry. 

As Lyle and I sat together trying to dry any tears over the removal of our favorite playmate...

(Not the best picture, you can see better pics on Vandy's Blog, here)

...we realized that it has been over a year since we have lived in a house all by ourselves. This new found aloneness is exciting and frightening at the same time. We moved all of our things upstairs and now occupy the master bedroom, which is lovely because of the connected bathroom and huge closet (Lyle keeps walking into it and saying, "There's just so much room in here."). But, it is extremely empty and lonely feeling now. 

I'm constantly trying to baby proof everything (shutting the door when I leave the bathroom, securing the cabinets so Kemry can't get into them, automatically feeling for a baby gate at the top of the stairs....) and then I realize it doesn't matter. I think I know a little about how my parents felt when we all moved out. It is so sad to look around and realize that Kemry isn't going to come running out of Vandy and Tyrel's room just to give me a hug or to take whatever she thinks I'm eating. 

I miss hearing her yell, "Lyle, Lyle, Lyle...." at the top of the stairs (she says his name really well, and it melts his heart every time). I really miss chasing her around the house and her screaming and giggling while she is  trying to run away. 

While I am sad about all of that, I am very happy for Vandy and Tyrel to move to the next stage of their lives, and I am excited for us to move on as well. We only have 64 days left!

I'm glad that we decided to be crazy (as many people thought) and live with our in-laws for a little while. I'm grateful for the chance it gave us to love our little niece and to watch her grow right before our eyes. We were fortunate to be part of some of her really fun milestones like her first steps, her first words, her first Monkey Dance.......

I don't want to ramble too much. So, thanks Tyrel and Vandy for living with us for a little while and sharing your little bundle of joy with us. We will miss you! Good luck! And you'd better come visit us soon! And we need to skype with you guys soon so we can see the Kembot. :)

And to Bryan, who gets to live with them for a little while now, we need to send you a list of things we were going to teach her to say and do before they left. 

"On the other side of sorrow...."

There are many things that happen to us in this life that cause us to have heartbreak or sorrow. And there are often times that we can't share those sorrows with other people. I'm sure you know what I'm talking about. We have all had those moments when we know that we can't talk to "so and so" because their situation is worse and we feel guilty sharing our sorrows with them. Some others have never experienced your kind of heartache and try to sympathise, but really don't get it. And others are just much to positive and try to cheer you up with "everything will be fine" statements, when you really just need someone to let you cry.

I was having a chat with a friend of mine, who actually greatly understands my recent sorrows and she reminded me of one very important thing: No one, not even someone who has been in your shoes understands exactly what your pain is, except our Savior, Jesus Christ.

I know that many people out there don't believe that He is real. But, I want to tell you that I know with all my heart that He is real. And whether you believe or not, He atoned for your sins and my sins. He bled from every pore for us and He knows our pain, because He has a perfect knowledge of us and our lives. We are loved unconditionally by our Savior, whether or not we show love back.

I was reading a talk about the healing power of our Savior and came across this quote:

"Jesus suffered deeply because He loves us deeply! He wants us to repent and be converted so that He can fully heal us.

When sore trials come upon us, it’s time to deepen our faith in God, to work hard, and to serve others. Then He will heal our broken hearts. He will bestow upon us personal peace and comfort. Those great gifts will not be destroyed, even by death.

The gift of resurrection is the Lord’s consummate act of healing. Thanks to Him, each body will be restored to its proper and perfect frame. ³⁵Thanks to Him, no condition is hopeless. Thanks to Him, brighter days are ahead, both here and hereafter. Real joy awaits each of us—on the other side of sorrow."

Russell M. Nelson "Jesus Christ - The Master Healer." October 2005




I just love that thought. "Real joy awaits each of us on the other side of sorrow." I may not know what sorrows any of you are going through right now, but I encourage you to keep pushing through. Know that someone out there does understand, even if you don't understand how it is possible. One day, I know we will meet on the other side of sorrow. 




And if you need just a little pick me up, I recommend this song. :)

My Mom - The Grandma

My mom is a Grandma now. I'm sure you are aware of that if you have been following anything involving my family. It has been so fun to watch her and my dad evolve into the role of grandparents. In the past, my mom has been completely anti "Grandma." She swore up and down that we would not call her grandma. Our kids were to refer to her as big sister and on and on. But, after she found out that Kimberly was pregnant with Carter, it all changed. She gradually started calling herself Grandma and now she is everyone's Grandma.

The thing I love most about watching her with Carter is that I can imagine what she would have been like with us when we were babies. Granted, she doesn't have to change Carter's poopy diapers or get up with him in the middle of the night (I don't either, nephews are great), and that probably helps her to love/enjoy him more. She is always telling Kimberly that he is the greatest thing that ever happened to her.

She loves playing with him so much that she insists on giving him baths when Kimberly and Caleb stay at her house. She drives an our up to Rexburg just to babysit him. She even lays on the floor next to him and plays with him under his toy. This toy to be exact.

We can't forget Grandpa either. He also looks for any excuse to hold the baby and play with him. Kimberly told me that at my parent's stake conference he took Carter into the hallway and played with him almost the whole time.

Carter knows who to suck up too, he's no fool. He is so spoiled even got presents for Mother's Day. :)

I have learned a few things from my mom and watching her interact with Carter. The first is that you need to embrace the joy and happiness that your family brings. The second thing is that grandchildren are the best because you can love them and spoil them, then hand them off at the end of the day. 

I love my family. 

Oh, and we are moving. In 78 days.... I can't wait!