Then They Do

The lyrics below by Trace Atkins are one of my favorite country soungs. I even made a dvd one time with old pictures of Andy and Ashley thru the years using this song as the music. I have highlighted a few lines that really hit home with me.

In the early rush of morning,
Trying to get the kids to school:
One's hanging on my shirt-tail,
Another's locked up in her room.
And I'm yelling up the stairs: And everybody's late,
"Stop worrying 'bout your hair, you look fine."

Then they're fightin' in the backseat,
And I'm playing referee.
Now someone's gotta go,
The moment that we leave.

I swear that I can't wait till they grow up.

Then they do, and that's how it is.
It's just quiet in the mornin',
Can't believe how much you miss,
All they do and all they did.
You want all the dreams they dreamed of to come true:
Then they do.

Now the youngest is starting college,
She'll be leavin' in the Fall.
And Brianna's latest boyfriend,
Called to ask if we could talk.
And I got the impression,
That he's about to pop the question any day.

I look over at their pictures,
Sittin' in their frames.
I see them as babies:
I guess that'll never change.
You pray all their lives,
That someday they will find happiness.

Then they do, and that's how it is.
It's just quiet in the mornin',
Can't believe how much you miss,
All they do and all they did.
You want all the dreams they dreamed of to come true:
Then they do.

No more Monday PTA's,
No carpools, or soccer games.
Your work is done.
Now you've got time that's all your own.
You've been waitin' for so long,
For those days to come.

Then they do, and that's how it is.
It's just quiet in the mornin',
Can't believe how much you miss,
All they do and all they did.
You want all the dreams they dreamed of to come true:
Then they do.

Ah, then they do.

Last month we had the opportunity to use some of the time that is now our own, and enjoyed an incredible three weeks traveling in Egypt, Isreal, Turkey and Greece. As we move toward retirement next month it was really special to have a chance to return to Cairo where our international travels began in July of 1990.



As wonderful as our trip was it paled when compared to my trips to Texas and Tennessee this month. Ron and I are so blessed that dreams Andy and Ashley have held over the years have come true. Andy is happily married with a beautiful baby, and working hard in his own business.



This weekend I was in awe of our daughter as I watched her perform her duties as an on call veterinian.



Yes, they don't need us as much now, and truly our work with them is done. Do we miss them? You bet - every single day but we are thrilled they are happy in their chosen fields. We are honored to still have a relationship where we see them often, and try really hard to give them space to live their own lives.

Recently,I joked with my cousin that Ron and I were leaving our emptynest years and moving into our SUNSET YEARS.



Thoughts of retirement and stepping into the Sunset Years are scary and exciting at the same time. I am so grateful to be sharing this adventure with my soulmate of 34 plus years. For the four or five of you that still checkin on us keep stopping by, as we share our thoughts and reflections on retirement. I have considered changing this blog to the Sunset Years, but that would take a consult with Rob and Dede to accomplish:)

Have a great week!

Paka!