This week the house will be full again, and I can’t wait! I haven’t written much about Kate and Gavin being off at school because I am still processing this season of life with them away at college.

It’s been different without them here and only having Matt home. It’s been good in many ways, but it is still different.

When I think about how the season of everybody being home all the time has passed, it makes me sad, so I try not to dwell there. I am doing my best to embrace this new chapter.

Yet I am a creature of habit, and big life changes have always challenged me. I have loved being a stay-at-home mom all of these years. I chose to dedicate my time and energy to raising our kids, and I will never regret that. This transition from having three kids at home to two, to now one kid at home has left me in a season of refinement.

Having everyone home this week will be amazing, and I will soak the time in with the family. Yet I also am aware that it will pass.

Kate and Gavin will head back to school, which is where they need to be to grow into who God made them to be. Stephen, Matt, and I will continue to navigate our new normal.

It’s a wavy ride.

If you are in a parallel season, I invite you to join me to…

pause. breathe. pray.

To ride the waves that come with this season, may we keep our eyes fixed on God, the calm and steady horizon in our lives. May we ask God to prepare our hearts for this time together while also guarding our hearts for the inevitable letting go that will need to happen again. May we stay close to God so that He can help us ride the waves and give us the perspective and wisdom we need in this season of change and refinement. And that our time with our kids be filled with joy with what is, and not sadness of what once was, like I pray this time with my kids is this week.

With love and hope,
Shawn