Ok.. I can’t help but mention just one more thing. We’ve never (or rarely if not never) hounded the kids about the state of their bedrooms or grounded them for not picking up their rooms. We chose to focus on the bigger issues instead. Things like salvation and after that building in them Godly character, respect for authority, work ethic, servant’s hearts, etc. I can’t say it’ll work for all of our kids because the boys aren’t grown yet (and it might take consequences for them to appreciate a well maintained room), however, I can say that after focusing on the bigger issues with the girls the rest (like cleaning their bedrooms) seemed to just fall into place. Now, that doesn’t mean the rooms are always “company clean”, but it does mean that they are livable and most of the time they were even presentable because the girls took it upon themselves to care for and appreciate their space. Now, I’m not going to say that sometimes the state of their rooms didn’t bug me. Occasionally it did. However, take a look at this picture of Amanda’s now COMPLETELY EMPTY bedroom……
….oh how I wish to walk past her room once again and have it FULL OF HER STUFF…. even if the sign of life was a path of clothes strewn about as one hastily tried to find something to wear before rushing out the door! Ok… enough with the crying again (speaking to myself) and I’ll keep moving along here.
Tim doesn’t write on the blog so you won’t be hearing thoughts from him here, but I can tell you that this is EVERY BIT as difficult for dad as it is for mom. Here he’s taking a few minutes to take in things the way they were for a few more minutes before we hauled the last few things out of her room. 
We kept telling her that we weren’t going to let her take her bed.. but she took it ANYWAY (LOL)!
and her dresser which was given to her by her great grandmother….. (here Tim’s taking the mirror off for her)
and her bike….. 
and her garbage can, nightstand, pillows….
and our extra tv, vcr/dvd player, laptop, and myriad things too numerous to mention. She took *EVERYTHING*! (LOL)! She will have to come back some day and get some photo albums and things that are still tucked away in my scrapbooking room, but for the most part *EVERYTHING* of hers is now gone…. SOB, more crying, … better keep moving along here. I’m going to have to get around to finding a picture frame and a place to hang her graduation photos SOON!
Does it help to know that 3 years past our daughters moving out – I’m reading your post and crying with you?
I’m so very thankful for homeschooling? I’d give anything to rearrange some of the time I spent while they were home…but the younger ones are benefitting from the lessons we learned when they left.
Oh YES – it’s tough on Dad too…it’s just plain tough – but what a blessing to know that you FEEL it – you know? That you LOVE her and she LOVES you and want to be with each other…that’s good.
Oh Cindy . .. I feel your pain girl! I can relate on many facets . .when Jordan first got the news that he was accepted to the Academy in Missouri . . .that was a weird feeling to know that he was moving 1500 miles away. Then when he actually moved to Missouri . . the feelings were so strange watching him load up his belongings and watching him drive away. Then when we actually moved Taylor and Landon down to his room . . .it felt so final. I was blessed to homeschool him Kinder through his senior year. I am ever so thankful for the hours upon hours that we have spent together. It is something I will never forget!
LOL! She was ready ready to go, wasn’t she? The empty room is such a potent symbol, isn’t it?
I hope the next time you see her is a wonderful reunion.
BTW has your own Mom commented on this whole process? Does it bring back memories for her?
Cindy – okay, you drew me in. I was just going to pop by and glance at one of your posts. After all, it’s LATE and I’m beat (my contacts are dry and I’m squinting here as I type). I couldn’t stop reading and tearing up. I guess that helps with the contacts.
I loved seeing all the pictures and hearing you share from your heart about Amanda’s departure. She looks so lovely and grown up and READY.
What wonderful reminder to hold tight to these precious days with the children underfoot.
Thank you!!
I’m crying and I don’t even know you!
I can’t imagine when this happens to me!
Oh my goodness this is so sad and it’s not even my child! They grow up too fast, I must find something to stop this growing up nonsense (VBG).
Oh… my son just turned 18 this summer…. I can’t imagine the day when he moves out yet!!
He had a bad infection last weekend and all I could do was keep checking in on him that first night…. I couldn’t sleep…. and I remembered when he was a new born 6 pound 3 ounce little guy… and here I was still checking in on him at 6 foot 3 and 175 pounds!
I also love the fact that we home schooled. It is probably one of the best things I ever did for my kids.
Lisa~
Oh my goodness, I have no idea how I will handle that day when it comes only 17 years from now. Since the, almost, first two have gone so rapidly I’m sure the other 17 will blow by two. Thanks for the reminder of focusing in on what is important and leaving the other stuff for later!
Oh, I could cry right now. You must be so proud and so sad at the same time.
I love that you mentioned how many hours you had with her that other parents might not have. Homeschooling is such a blessing.
