Humming

Spring year 2019

My house was humming yesterday. Humming….you know the sound when everything is working just right. It’s satisfying.

It’s spring, finally.

Jim has been making daily runs to the many places that sell plants in our area. The prettiest flowering plants are on Spooky Nook Road run by Amish folks. Just one of the many reasons to love where we live. Don’t you love that name. We also had a Yellow Goose Road. His hobby is doing yard work and planting our flower garden and the organic vegetable garden.

The grass is lush green and the flower garden  is growing. The front is coming along nicely. I have to paint the bench but haven’t decided on classic black or dark green or maybe Persian blue.

We’re changing the sofa covers and picking fabric to redo our French side chairs for the game table. A freshening up.

All of those are good reasons for our home to be humming with peace and satisfaction.

The setting was right for the humming to come to a crescendo.

The Core Four as my older kids call us are back together again.

When both our girls are home and the house is ready, the humming is really strong.

There’s nearly always a but. But is the hard part is keeping the humming steady. Not all days will be wonderful.  We are regular people after all with different goals and plans each day.

One of the biggest change will be making dinner.  Yes, cooking. Who is going to be here? When will they be home?  Will they even want a meal? You moms who have kids who drive and work and make their own plans know exactly what I mean!

Another big change is having to inform family about your plans. There may be conflicts. As a parent, I can’t always control the calendar like I did before. They are all but adults yet children still who need us but have their own plans apart from the family.

Learning to live under the same roof again takes time, adjustment and grace for all of us. The 3 of us had adjustments in January when Meg moved back home. She transferred from the school 2 hours away due to a change in majors to a local college.

Easter 2019

Last night for example, we had leftovers from a restaurant lunch and dinner the night before. I texted everyone, yes, texted.  One of the girls was out with friends. The other one was finishing a last assignment paper to turn last night.  One of the side benefits of online admissions of papers, you can leave campus early.

“Dinner of leftovers is available for you at your leisure”.

That means get your own food when you want. I’m not doing it.

Yes, we do eat together but with college aged working girls with active social lives it is not a lot. I aim for once or twice a week which does often include Sundays. Being together sometimes is hanging out in the kitchen before the go out or up to their rooms.  Food may or may not be involved but conversation always is.  It’s not often deep but it is connecting. I’ll take it when ever I can.

Daily life is different when kids come back home because of school transfers or breaks.  As a mom I have to roll with what works for our Core 4. Yes, I’m still the tone setter just like when they were tiny. The parameters and expectations are different. What do my husband and I want? Connections that are positive, opportunities to speak into their lives, into the decisions that are in the making, friendship and faith.

Connecting

Daughters and Granddaughters 2019

Just like a machine that hums smoothly, repairs and maintenance is needed.

Our family is exactly the same.