Top 10 Reasons an Empty Nest is a Happy Place

Now, if you remember, I did warn you that I like to make lists. Sometimes those lists are to help me remember something, like the lists I make before Family Camp, or my grocery list. Other times I've used lists to help me count my blessings or to use humor to cheer myself up. Over the last few weeks, I've been mentally counting my blessings, looking for the good, finding positive things about not having any children in my home. Kinda hard...but here's what I've come up with:

Gayla's Top 10 Reasons an Empty Nest is a Happy Place

#10 - a gallon of milk lasts more than 1 day!

#9 - when I open the blinds downstairs in the Family Room, they STAY open!

#8 - I can vacuum any time of day without someone who was trying to sleep in complaining that I shouldn't use the power head on the kitchen floor!

#7 - I scrubbed the filthy "boys bathroom" toilet and sink - and they're STILL CLEAN!

#6 - No need to empty a load of boys jeans and white church shirt with sweaty socks all mixed together from the washer before I use it!

#5 - whatever I watch on Netflix stays at the top of my "previously viewed" list, instead of having to search through zombie movies and episodes of "Supernatural"!
#4 - no mysterious pile of dirty dishes and glasses suddenly appearing on the kitchen counter AFTER I've started the dishwasher!
#3 - my husband and I can go out to eat without feeling guilty about not taking a kid with us!
#2 - I no longer have to interpret between my son and my husband, explaining what each MEANT, when they don't communicate!
AND...the number 1 reason why an empty nest is a happy place is... drum roll please...
#1 - I received a package in the mail, and I got the bubble wrap all to myself!!!

THERE. Bet you thought I couldn't come up with 10. Of course, as I was thinking these up, I could think of a lot more disadvantages and things I miss, but that's not the point of this exercise. There is always a good side, always some type of rainbow along with the rain, and I'm trying to focus more on that. 

Since my husband and I were married while I was a single mom with 5 kids, this is the first time we've ever lived alone, just the 2 of us. We're re-discovering each other, laughing together, and enjoying just us for once. And ultimately, THAT relationship is the most important.