Well, that was an unexpectedly long hiatus. I didn’t intend to take a break from writing blog posts, but I was very focused on the end of my youngest’s senior year and getting both kids off to college for the first time. They’ve both settled into their new collegiate lives beautifully, and now I’m freeeeeee.

I’m mostly joking. I do miss my children, of course, but it’s been amazingly easy for us to adjust to our new empty nest lifestyle. It helps to know that both of them are happy and thriving. They were both very ready. The first thing I felt once they both left was a huge sense of relief. It felt like I had finally passed the final exam after 22 years of work. We did it! We taught them to fly! They’re really soaring!

We are ready for the next chapter too. It’s been really fun to see how much smaller our grocery bill is. We’ve settled into a new routine and are finding fun things to do together each weekend. My husband and I were married for 8 years before we had children, so we know how to live together without kids. It’s been wonderful to get back to that old familiar life.

It’s only three months until winter break, so it’s not like I won’t see them again soon. I plan to spend the next three months figuring out what I want to do with my life now that my day-to-day parenting job has changed to a more hands off role. It’s very exciting. I loved staying home with my kids, but I never felt like being a mom was all of who I am.

I know I’m going to take a lot of photographs in the next few months. Autumn in Albuquerque is gorgeous, and I will have plenty of time to take long walks out in nature with my camera. I took a bunch of photos last week, so I have lots to share with you here. (I’ve added a few of them to this post as a little sneak peak.)

I’m ready to pick up my paint brushes again too. I haven’t painted in months! I did this flower painting for a little friend of mine who turned 6 this week, and it’s literally the first thing I’ve painted since April. I’m going to try to get back to painting something every week. I did that for over a year when I was first learning to paint, and that routine was really good for me.

I also want to rest. It feels decadent and selfish, but I’m giving myself permission to enjoy this time. I’ve earned it. I have books to read and movies to watch. I want to make art and spend time in my garden. I have big plans to organize and beautify our home. I want to join my husband when he travels for work. I want to explore Albuquerque and New Mexico. It’s going to be glorious.