Bring on 2016

My thoughts have wandered quite a bit lately. We have "Liquidated Inventory" as my sensitive husband likes to say in regards to moving Lauren out of our house and into Erin's this week. Erin, equally as sensitive as her father has advertised she has adopted her sister. Poor Lauren. She simply wanted the freedom to explore herself and find her own way but was met with the sudden acquisition of her room by her brother and her father celebrating the emptying of our particular nest. I on the other hand wrestle with the change. All change has the potential to be good but sometimes my heart has to be quieted a bit to appreciate and embrace it. I have full confidence Lauren will soar. It's her momma I am worried about.

With two of my families now out on maternity leave and the kiddos returning to school, I am entering a rare season of quiet days with no real to do list. In time, I might welcome this slower pace but right now I am trying to wrap my head around it. I have books to read, bible studies to pour in to and relationships to invest in. 2015 was rich and full of difficult topics, beautiful births, the loss of friends to moves and untimely deaths,  and milestones. As I reflect, I see a list of books I read that challenged my beliefs, stretched my comfort level and encouraged me to ask more questions rather than accept the truth as it's being fed. It wasn't easy to push through some of those topics and I have come away less convinced I know anything to be sure than I was just five years ago. This life is called a journey for a reason. 2016 promises more bittersweet growth.

Tonight my husband is home for the first time in weeks and we plan to relax by the fire until one or both of us falls asleep. I suspect it will be before 10. We need to rest up for new adventures or just simply recover from this season of joyful exhaustion.