Hi, I’m Kim!
I’m a 50- something, Christ-follower, flawed, work in progress, writer, blogger, wife of 30 years, mother to two, mother-in-law to one, and grammy to two. We have a 7-year-old firecracker born on the fourth of July and we also have a new 4-year-old in our family who will be my “forever” grandson very soon and we’re so excited for my son and daughter-in-law as they proceed toward his adoption!
In 2016, I walked into this whole new world as an empty nester. I didn’t expect it to be hard on me, after all, both kids still live within five minutes of us and I watch my grandson 5-6 days a week. However, the process left me lost and excited all at the same time. Sorting through these mixed emotions is what led me to begin this blog.
Here at Full House Empty Nest, we’re going to talk about our faith, adult kids, marriages, elderly parents, grandbabies, homes and more!
This season of life comes with so many changes and emotions but doesn’t every season? We find ourselves trying to accept our new roles with our adult children that exist somewhere between mother and friend. For a lot of us, there’s another dynamic that changes. This one is with our elderly parents where we find ourselves in the middle, somewhere between daughter and caregiver.
What about our bodies – really?! It seems like we wake up one day and boom, everything has drooped, wrinkled and sagged!
Then there are the grandbabies! Did you ever think you could love anyone as much as you loved your own babies? Along comes these tiny grands and your heart and life are never the same!
During this season of life, you may also feel a bit lost. After all, we’ve spent quite a bit of time molding, teaching and raising our children to become confident, secure, godly adults and those responsibilities have now changed into a supporting role.
But there’s also excitement during this season! You may find opportunities to push ahead in your career or develop new hobbies and passions.
I hope to encourage and inspire you as you learn to embrace this new season!
Picture time from my son’s wedding in 2016! (What mom can resist, right?!) R to L: Curt, Carly, Austin, Amber, Kim — Front and center: Levi with his broken arm
I hope you’ll join me! Be sure you subscribe by email so you don’t miss a post. It’ll come directly to your inbox. How easy is that?!
I’d also love to connect with you on social media! You can find me on Instagram or Pinterest or chatting in our Facebook Group. You can also feel free to email me at Kim@fullheartemptynest.com!
I’m excited to get to know you so be sure to introduce yourself!
You’ve read this far and want to know more about me?!?!
Let’s see – I already told you the basics but that was too brief, huh? Let me break it down a bit!
I married Curt, my high school sweetheart, in 1989. Throughout our 30 years of marriage, we have moved 9 times. Curt studied youth ministry at Liberty University and served for a short time as a youth pastor and is currently a supervisor for a steel factory. He’s also an avid outdoorsman and adventure seeker. His most recent adventure, Lost In The Wander, recaps his hike where he retraced the footsteps of his 5x great-grandfather, Joshua Penix. It was a 247 mile, 17-day hike along Boone Trace and has taken on a life of its own.
We have two children. Amber is a sweet, extroverted, hardworking, full-time job holding, college attending 28-year-old single mother who recently purchased her own home. Austin is a witty, caring, bright, 25-year-old computer whiz who works in the tech department at a local school district. In 2016, he married his own high school sweetheart of 6 years, Carly. I couldn’t have picked a more wonderful girl to stand at my son’s side. They’re also in the process of adoption a little boy and I’ll keep you posted through the process!
The joys of my life are my two grandsons! Levi is our 7-year-old firecracker born on the Fourth of July. He has his papa and grammy wrapped around his little finger! J will be our “forever” grandson soon and I can’t wait to be able to share a photo of this adorable little boy with you as soon as he’s all ours!
I also have a chronic illness. I have been diagnosed with PCOS, Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Adrenal Fatigue. In 2011, I stepped away from my career in the financial industry to focus on my Lord, my family, and my health. I write about life with chronic illness on my first blog which I started in 2011, Grace Is Sufficient. If you happen to have a chronic illness I’d love to connect with you and be an encouragement to you over there as well!
From my nest to yours,
Kim
