Well, after this weekend, we will be true 'empty-nesters'. My son has started a new chapter of his life as a married man, and my baby girl will be off at her last year of college. We've never been 'without' a child at home, filling our home with love, laughter, (and a little chaos)! First Ryan went off to school, leaving us with a deliriously happy 'only child', who no longer had to share a bathroom and deal with her brother's 'messes'. Then two years later, Lauren went off to college, and Ryan came home to finish school and work locally. Our other 'only child' was also excited about having his own bathroom and space without his pesky, high-maintenance sister to deal with. Now, three years later, he is on his own, she is going back for one final year, and we will have to make ourselves content with tidy rooms, a clean guest bathroom, and a lot less chaos. Oh, how we will miss them! But oh, the pride and joy they bring us as they make their way in the world! We have loved and nurtured our children as best we could. We worry that we may not have done enough to make sure they know how cherished they are to us. But in the end, their love of life, service to others, and strength of character will show us that they know and will carry on our legacy. We done good, honey!

And Thanksgiving is just around the corner...