The new journey...

 

So, we are soon to embark on a different journey.  It's called Empty Nesters.  I don't really know what to think about it.  Not sure anyone can ever really prepare for it, it just happens. I don't believe in chinese fortunes either, but I found a little happiness when I read this.  This was from our first trip really as empty nesters (to be).  We decided to make a trip to Minnesota and enjoy a day there shopping for a new bed and night stand, for our new empty room.  You see, Cassie moved out, so we wanted to make her room a bit of a more relaxed space for her, and well, guest when we have them.  It's now a more suitable space, and she seems to have approved, however, she was not happy about us revamping the closet space back to closet space, she still wanted a bed in the closet, yeah, um, not happening.  She has been home once since moving out the 1st of March, for a wedding.  Morgan has also been home and has stayed in the "guest room", and she approves as well.  So, mom didn't do so bad on her own afterall.  Oh, don't worry, I did send photos to the girls, and they approved.   But you know, I think I'm ready for this phase. 





 

Cassie's 1st trip home since moving to Texas (Bridesmaid in Madi Salva's wedding)

 

Morgan's trip home from God's Mountain, to get her top braces off!  That's a happy face!

 

As of June 24th, we will be "empty nesters".  Lucas, our boy from Argentina will be making his way back to his home land, where his father Daniel, and mother Norma and his two brothers await his arrival (Mauricio & Francisco).  They are a lovely family.  I enjoyed so much the opportunity we had to meet them.  Here is a photo of them when we first met them and took them to eat at Square Pizza on Independence Square.

 

Daniel and the boys could speak English, Norma did some, but not as much. She tried so hard to communicate, however, as moms do, we did communicate, but not with words.  I received many hugs, and thank yous, and I felt so overwhelmed with their kindness.  I truly admire this family for them allowing their son & brother to explore his desires to reside in the states for 10 months out of a year.  With technology as it is today, he stayed in close contact with his family and friends throughout his time here.  It's been an experience for all of us, and we've grown to love him.  It will be quiet at the Sandbergs when Lucas returns home.  I'm use to my house being filled with my girls friends, and well, having boys in the house, it's a different experience.  NOT a bad one, just different. 

 

After hosting 3 students now, well, now they are my kids, we have decided to take a break from AFS.  It's been a very good experience, one that has challenged us as a family at times, but all for the better.  It made us really look at who we are, and how we communicate and just live our lives from day to day.  These students have experienced everything the Sandbergs are about, the good, the bad, the ugly, they have seen us unmasked, transparent and well, it's not all glorious, but it's who we are.  I have yet to meet the perfect host family, not yet.  But after having these 3 young people into our homes and lives, it's time for us to embark on a new journey. 

 

What might that journey look like?  We are asking that question a lot. Rob and I desire to do what God wants us to do.  We don't have a clue yet what that will look like.  We have talked about going on a mission trip.  We have no idea where that would be, but if that is the direction God wants us to go, I trust He will show us and lead us that direction, and HE will have the place in mind for us, and doors will open.  I have never been outside of the United States, and I'm not saying that is where He will lead us, because I know there is much need here in our very own country, in our very own city that needs people to show the love of Christ and to share the good news.  Being obedient, it's our first step.

 

As the changes happen to our family and our children move on with their lives, I can't help but miss the day to day times we had together.  The late night friends coming over, the summer nights out on the front porch, or the quiet evenings the girls would set out there with their lap tops, chatting with each other and with their friends through Skype.  Dinner time and talking around the table, the piles of dirty clothes in the laundry room, yes, I even miss that!  The car rides where Rob and the girls would break out into song, making up the lyrics as they go, and the laugther.   

 

I'm happy that my girls are happy.  They both have an adventurous outlook.  I'm proud that they have an independency about them.  That even though they may have fears, they are strong.  They know, we've got their back, and there is always home to come home to. 

 



 

 

So, that time is almost here.  I embrace it.  WE embrace it.  We still have lots of things to do. New experiences and memories to make, but it will be different, NOT bad, but different.  Ready or not, here we come.

 

 



 



May 1st - Summer is on the way, and so is change...

 

Change is coming.

Not only in the weather, but also in our family.

Our oldest, Cassie has moved out and away from home.

I was expecting the move out part, but the moving away part,

not so much.

However, she is happy, and as far as I know, she is loving

her new home,

TEXAS.

It's been 5 weeks since she has moved out.

 

Where has the time gone?

Each day seems to pass faster than the day before.

I look in the mirror and I wonder where that

young, fresh faced Denise went.

The clock keeps ticking, and seems that I feel I can't catch up.

I'm at that phase in life where I wish I could have

days back to relive.

I so miss the times when I was a stay at home mommy.

Where we'd play and read and play some more.

Now, my days are filled with work and things I really

don't enjoy doing at all.

BUT, I know there is a purpose for me here, and

doing the things I don't really care for.

One could say, God is building my character.

LOL

But I know I'm being the helpmate God asked me to be,

the day I said I DO to my one and only love.

 

Summer is fast approaching and

change is in the air.

 

We will be empty nesters starting June 25th.

At first, I have to admit I was dreading the day,

but now, I'm welcoming it.

It means I will get to spend time with my husband again,

just him and I. 

I will miss having my house filled with the voices

of my girls, and their laughter and fussing,

yes, I will miss the fussing, but

I know they are both where they are suppose to be.

 

Morgan is going to be an intern this summer for

God's Mountain Ministries.

God is showing her (whether she knows it or not) where

her talents lie.  She is a remarkable young lady

who loves kids and it shows in how she interacts

with them and how she truly gives each one

her undivided attention.

I'm proud of the passion she has to want to be a part

of an amazing experience she will have this summer

at God's Mountain.

 

 

I really miss my girls.  I really miss them.

I wish we would have hugged more.

Did I say I really miss them?

 

I'm looking forward to the week Cassie will be

here for a visit, and a wedding.

Also, Morgan will be home for a couple of weeks

before she is off to God's Mountain for the summer.

At least, Morgan will be close, and her dad and I

can travel up to see her, take her out to dinner,

and just spend time with her.

 

We are planning a trip to Texas to visit Cassie.

Hoping to spend time with her and her

showing us around her new town and home.

Hoping also we can be there in time to listen

to her sing with a group of musicians - they call

themselves Tree House. (look them up on

facebook and LIKE them!)

 

So, this summer things are changing.

I'm going to welcome it.

I'm going to enjoy the time I have with Rob.

We will get to know each other in a whole new way,

like we once knew each other before, before children.

It will be a time for us to grow closer

and plan our future.

 

Change is good, Yes?

Yes, I believe so.

 

Come on Summer, let's get started.

 

 

 

that looks different around every corner

Cassie

Cassie & Morgan, Colorado Fall 2012



 Every day is a new day.  I'm thankful for each and every day, some days more than others.

It's hard, this thing called parenthood.  You hear so many people say, I know how you feel. I'm certain some do.  I'm certain, some don't (even when they say they do). 

This week, my husband and I watched our daughter pack up her things, those things most important to her, and put them in bags, vacuum seal bags, and drive off, to a different state to live.  She is old enough to take this step, but as a mother, you can't but help feel helpless seeing your daughter take this step in life. It kind of reminds me of her first steps.  You're there, ready to pick her up if she falls, but all the while telling her "come on baby, you can do this, look at you, what a big girl" and all the other phrases we parents say to encourage them to that next step.  That's what we've done. We've been there all along to encourage. To prepare her for this step in life, called, leaving home. It's heart breaking though for us that our time has come (so fast) where she has got this, she doesn't need us to pick her back up, to get her foot steady for that next step, she can do this on her own.  One thing about it though, we will always be ready to go help her, pick her up, help her be steady on her feet if she were ever to need it.  She knows we've got her back.  She knows, home is going to be there as long as God allows. 
Our home though, is never going to quite feel the same.  It's that next phase in life for the Sandberg household. 

We still have one at home really, even though she is away to college, she is still home.  We know though, that it is probably coming sooner than we'll be ready for, but again, we'll be there all the way, encouraging her, and helping her get her foot steady enough to take that step.  It's what we do as parents.  There comes a time when we have to let them go, let them sore on their own. It's their time, they will learn so many things, sometimes it's from doing things the hard way/wrong way, but it's still a growing/learning experience that they need to experience.  I can't be a parent that will limit my child on their desires or dreams, or tell them they can't go live someplace that isn't close to home, I just can't do that.  I don't ever want to make them feel that they are obligated to being close to their family. I can't imagine that being a good feeling to have.  My parents never once made me ever feel that way, I am so thankful for that.  They allowed me to make that choice without swaying me one way or the other. They respected me, they loved me, and they let me grow, and they let me go. Even when my life was going through so many difficulties, I knew they were there, praying for me, encouraging me and ready to be there if I needed them. That's what I want to be like for my girls.  I want to see them sore, high, and reach for their desires, those desires I truly believe Christ has put in their hearts!  Of course, sometimes I just don't like it that they both choose to go far from home, I'm honest here, but it's NOT ABOUT ME! I will continue praying for them as I have all along, probably even more so now. 

So, yes, our home is quiet, and yes, we miss her, and we are learning. We are adjusting. We are excited to see what God has in store for our girl, for both of them!  I think the one thing that we will miss most is the laughter that went on in our home when it was filled with the girls and their friends.  That's what we will miss the most.  It's a new phase, and it's going to look different.  I'm just so thankful for all the blessings, and look forward to watching the blessings fall on my girls! It's an exciting time!
Denise

Sorry, I reread this and it's not very well written, but it is what it is. :) 

Taco Soup - perfect for cold days! Especially snowy days!

Taco soup. 2lbs of ground hamburger - cooked & drained

1 envelope of ranch dressing mix

1 envelope of taco seasoning

1 16 oz can corn (you can even use creme corn)

1 16 oz can ranch style beans

1 16 oz can pinto beans

1 10 oz can tomato & chilis (rotel)

2 16 oz can stewed (small diced) tomatoes

serve with corn chips/crackers/cornbread/rice & shredded cheese

super yummy (I use medium rotel cause we like it spicy -and I put 2 cans in it)

throw it all in a crock in the morning, it's good by noon, but BETTER by supper -

It's a recipe my mother gave me from her mother.

I hope you enjoy this as much as we have!  

Growing pains

You will have to excuse me, but this post may be a lot like throw up -
I have all kinds of thoughts/questions just floating around in my mind these days, just spewing out from time to time, so I'm going to attempt to spew them all out right now.

Why does time go by so fast?
If you could turn back the hands of time, what would I do differently? like in parenting?
What would I change, if I could?
Am I ready for this next phase...in my life?
Can one ever be ready? I mean, really?


Does anyone else have questions such as these?  This is just a few that I have been pondering.

As a mom, I hope that my children know that I hold them dear to my heart. That no matter what choices they make, good or bad, I won't love them any less.  Home is always there, to welcome them in with love & hugs, warm beds and their favorite foods. 

Parenting has not always been fun though. Those times of correction, or times when I myself have made a mistake, and have to humble myself to my children, it's tough I tell you.  BUT it's necessary, that they see you make the wrong, right!  I know I did not do this as often as I needed to!

I hope my girls will have forgiving hearts, because being able to forgive is what will FREE them and will give them peace and joy. Forgiveness means so much more to the one having to forgive, than the one expecting it or accepting it! 

Sometimes I wish time could just stop!

I'm having days of mourning it seems.

Having trouble letting go.

I know it's normal, so I've been told.

I'm sad one moment, excited the next.

Oh wait, maybe it's just menopause.

No, I'm not old enough so I'm told. (I don't believe that)

Throw up. Now you understand? 

Just so much on my mind.

I am trying to remember what I felt like when I was the one leaving home.  I do remember being very excited to be away from my parents and their ways.  Wanting so much to develop my own ways, my own life, my own beliefs. I remember wanting to please them, but also, wanting to please myself.  I was selfish back then, and it seems, I'm still selfish today. 

I've learned a lot in the past 25 years.  BUT I know I am just beginning to learn. 

When all this stuff is floating around in my mind, I am reminded, that it's just STUFF and even though some of it is important, I need to rely on Christ, each and everyday, to help me through the questions and thoughts of life.
Do you know the words to an old hymn, What a friend we have in Jesus. Here it is if you don't.

What a friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful
who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden,
cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge;
take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he'll take and shield thee;
thou wilt find a solace there.

I am human, I am not perfect.  I am a sinner and struggle like everyone else, but I love Jesus, and am so thankful for His saving grace!  His mercies are new every morning!  Lord, thank you, for cleaning up my throw up!