From six to three

What an incredible 7 weeks weeks we’ve had with all 4 kids under one roof. 

It’s been 8 years since Tamia has been with us for more than just a day or 2 at a time. With the pandemic and quarantine, not much is open and there’s really not anything to do so we’ve spent a lot of time at home, cooking, playing games, having baking contests, tie-dying, hanging out at the pool, watching movies and watching way too much Netflix. Most recently we’ve been doing prank wars. The kids pull pranks on each other and on their Dad. And then he has been getting them right back. I just sit back and watch (I’m not so secretly scared to death of whatever prank they may do to me). They already know they’ll die if they try to do anything with mayo so don’t even suggest it!! 

Over the next two weeks, our full house of 6 will be reduced to just the 3 of us. The girls leave over the next 2 days and Jayden will leave in 2 weeks. It’s going to be so strange for everything to be so quiet. I’m going to miss Kiarra making so much noise in the kitchen, just trying to do the smallest task like getting a cup of coffee. The more quiet she tries to be, the louder she is. It’s now a running joke in our home, we all know when Kiarra is awake. She has one semester left at the Bible college she attends and then she’ll transfer to DBU full time. Tamia has the sweetest spirit. It’s been so great reconnecting with her and seeing the bond that the 4 kids have. She has the kindest heart and the best laugh. We’ve reminisced some fun times. She is going into her last year of college and will soon be a high school math teacher. 

In June we went to Iowa to see the family and had a small graduation party for Jayden. It’s the first time we’ve taken a road trip and driven two cars. Typically we rent a suburban (and used to drive our own before downsizing) but taking two cars anywhere is our new normal. There were 7 of us and so renting a suburban wasn’t going to be comfortable.  I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t recommend taking two cars on a long road trip.  It took longer, waiting on them to catch up to us, or having to drive slower because they’d get cut off. Getting gas and quick bio breaks even took longer. Plus, it’s not as fun to annoy Jeff by myself on road trips, I need my sidekicks helping me out with that.

It was also the first time in 8 years that Tamia has been to Iowa. So many changes and new family members since she’s been there. It was so great to see everyone. She was also with us for Fathers Day, Jaydens birthday and his graduation (which were all three in the same day), the 4th of July and her birthday!  It’s a summer I’ll never forget (definitely a year no one will likely ever forget). 

Oh yea, speaking of cars, with Taryn being the only one that can’t drive, and each of us having our own car, it’ll also be so weird to only have two cars at the house after they all leave. No more car shuffle each night based on who is going somewhere the next morning. No more moving 5 cars to workout in the garage. No more driving someone else’s car because ours is blocked in. Just the two remain. One day last week it hit me that I won’t have anyone to run quick errands for me. Right now, if it’s the middle of the day and I want Starbucks, I sent one of the kids with my debit card. If I’m in the middle of cooking and realize I’m out of an ingredient, I send one of the kids to the store. If Taryn needs to be picked up or dropped off from anywhere...... yep, I usually send one of the kids. 

 

It’s also going to be very strange to transition into cooking for only 3 of us. Right now there is almost always 6 of us, sometime 7 but that’s dropping to 3. Whoa, my grocery bill will drop too. Hallelujah!  Seriously though, I’d rather continue spending $$$ a week on groceries and have them all safe at home than only cook for 3. I really love them here and we have so much fun, plus I enjoy cooking. 

What a unique time we are all moving into. 

My heart goes out to all the kiddos going off to college for the first time. It’s certainly not going to be the first year experience they had all hoped for and thought it would be. Most of their classes will be online. I worry about the mental health of all kids stuck in rooms for days at a time. Jayden will have one in-person class each day so it’s good he’ll be getting out daily but all other classes will be online for the foreseeable future. Now that he doesn’t know who his roommates will be, I’m praying he gets a good one. 

I will admit that this entire transition is going to be tough. It kinda feels like I’m sending 3 kids off to college at one time. They’ve all been home so long now that we have our normal daily routines and habits.  I’m not in the fetal position bawling my eyes out that they are all leaving. Am I sad? Yes, I am sad and I’ll be sad, but I’m good for the most part. I think I’m more frustrated that the world is in the state that it’s in and that everything is just so weird. So many uncertainties and unnecessary anxiety with the future.... but God. 

Although it wasn’t the summer we planned, our 3 weeks trip to Europe was cancelled, Gods timing is always perfect. If we were not in the midst of the pandemic, these 7 weeks with the 4 kids wouldn’t have happened. This time is precious and I cherish it. The bond we all have is one I don’t ever want to take for granted but will continue to thank our mighty God for. 

If nothing else in our world in constant, one thing is. God. Through all of this, He remains full of hope and promise, full of guidance, wiping away our tears and our fears. Going into this new chapter, I will continue to turn to him. 

Until next time...