Stretched

It's been four days since the kids moved into their new house. Even though I'm excited that we all have our own homes now, I have to admit I've experienced some withdrawal.

• It's very quiet around here....I miss the noise and laughter.
• I have to cook EVERY night (I miss Jami cooking every other night).
• Cooking for 3 is easier than cooking for 8....and the clean up is easier too. I think I came out better on that part.
• No more homework done around our dining room table.
• No more coats and boots left at the front door.
• No more dinner meals to take up to the property
• Less laundry
• The house is easier to keep clean
• Not as many interruptions (i.e Grandma, will you read me this book?)
• No more good night hugs and "I love you's" from the kids

The 9-months that the kids lived here stretched us. Once they left I thought everything would just go back to normal, but our normal has been all stretched out of shape. I feel a little lost. Now I'm wondering what to do with the space and resources we have. How can we be generous with what we've always considered normal. I don't want the stretch marks to go away.....enlarge my heart, O Lord.