If you’re like me, you’re doing your routine stops in a thrift store or garage sale (or even Curb le Chic) can lead you to baskets. I’m thrifted basket gal myself but have cut immensely back in not only owning them but bringing them home. So, why did I bring home this Harry & David gift basket when it’s not full of chocolates? Well, I want a housewarming gift for a gal that has stolen my heart.

Folks, my first baby bird is leaving the nest, and this bittersweet moment is a big deal for this mama. I’m beyond elated and want to share the story with you.

NEW BEGINNINGS

Mothers know how fast time flies. One day you’re looking at baby clothes and the next thing you know you’re packing up their clothes to take to their new home. My oldest daughter, Miss C, is off on a new adventure in more ways than one. There is much change in the air in my home, so your prayers are coveted. However, do know I have a blessing-filled story to share.

Obviously, our children can’t stay with us forever. In my opinion, you’re a good parent when they not only leave the nest but stand on their own two feet and make a difference in the world. This girl is doing just that. Well, she’s not a girl anymore. She a woman that fears the Lord, has her head on straight, and is super smart with a heart of gold.

She is not my oldest, but my oldest girl. Mr. I is my firstborn son. Amazingly, she’s the first girl on her dad’s side in three generations. So, you can imagine my delight when I birthed her 10 lb. 10 oz. self at home that I am blessed with a girl. Following her came two more girls, a boy and then another girl, my rainbow baby after two losses. After two decades on this earth with her under my wings, I’m utterly proud of her to watch her take flight – same for all my children.

LEAVING THE NEST

First, I’m sure you can relate to the excitement of finding your first place. Miss C and I have been searching and searching for months to find something for her that is more than a hole in the wall and is affordable. If you’re familiar with the market at all, it’s not the time of plenty in choices. She has saved enough to buy a home (and Mr. I has as well) but decides to rent for a time instead of rushing this decision. Smart gal.

It seems as though any time a nice, safe place came up for rent, it was gone within hours (usually while she was at work). To remedy that, I kept telling her we need connections to a private landlord, like my dad who has several properties. I ask around for her and no one has anything. At the same time, I want her to find someplace, but I’m also dealing with a major load and trying to process it all best I can.

Then, after about a year of searching she decides to just start visiting places. Personally, I knew the listed places would be like shopping at a discount store. They would work but are not the best. We went to visit one apartment that had such bad windows you couldn’t see out of, and it was a very dark first story apartment in a building of many.

SEARCHING

Fast-forward a few weeks, and I find another apartment in an old four-unit home that has access from the outside and is on the second story. We schedule the appointment though I’m not feeling good about it at all. The next day, we had to say goodbye to our friends who moved out west. Not only have we known them since both our kids were tiny, but they are besties to my kids as well. Talk about a tough goodbye. In that last discussion together, I mention that Miss C is having a hard time looking for a place. My friend’s face perks up, and she says, “My friend just texted me saying her duplex is available if she knew anyone looking.”

I got instant goosebumps and instant relief.

She then proceeds to tell me where it is located, a perfect part of our city, and connects me to the gal. I was so confident this was it that I was ready to cancel the upstairs apartment viewing.  However, I knew by Miss C seeing more places it would help her form her own idea of where she wants to be. In addition, we’ve been in a major heatwave for two weeks with temps over 90 and very high humidity, so I had no interest going to places without air conditioning.

On the viewing day of both places, we arrive to the upstairs apartment. We begin to ascend the see-through stairs and I forgot about my vertigo issues initially and got supremely dizzy. If you understand our winters, no one wants to be trekking up wooden stairs for months and months. The place is nice, the landlady is nice but neither of us feel that this is for her

NEXT

After that viewing, we leave and head across town to the duplex a little early. First, it’s miserably hot so we don’t want to sit in the car and take a walk around. It’s a lovely neighborhood with mature trees and gorgeous homes. After a bit, the friend of my friend shows up and takes on a tour inside. In my mama heart, I knew this was the place for her instantly. It offers two bedrooms (the others only had one), large rooms, oodles of closets, a basement, a garage, and has just been remodeled. SOLD!

The landlord has Miss C fill out and application, which she does the next day. Within the same day, the landlord calls back with great excitement that the two references of Miss C’s employers raved about her and our family. What is more, the landlord went to her Bible study that night with her story and the folks had such wonderful things to say about our family as well. Both Miss C and I and even landlord believe it’s an answer to prayer.

We’ve spent this last week buying furniture and necessities to get her hooked up. My other five kids want to buy her a small countertop convection oven and I found one. When my son goes to pick it up, he’s confused because the guy gives it to him. It turns out, his wife is the daughter of Miss C’s new neighbor I met the other day and wants her to have it. Another blessing!

MOVING OUT AND ON

Folks, this is the last week I will have all my baby birds under my wings in my nest. Yes, they’ve been fledging in different ways and now it’s time for the first flight. I’m not one bit sad for them as what joy it is to see all our (theirs and my) hard work in action. However, I am excited for this new journey for us all.

This last weekend Miss S sold one of her two cars, she purchased on her own without debt. Then, the next day Miss C purchases her second car to upgrade as well, again without debt. Y’all… I have been so busy being there for each of these things. Not to mention my other kids are doing various things as well. What a blessing to be able and that they want me in this part of their lives. I could add a few dozen more stories here, but maybe one day.

Additionally, the landlord is allowing Miss C to move items in until she gets utilities turned on. I’m SO THANKFUL for that! Living in a small home as it is, I have nowhere to put it all.

IT’S GOOD TO BE HOME

Last, I am thankful to be able to find her items either for free or wonderfully inexpensive. She’s inherited my bookcase headboard turned bookshelf, my sewing table, this tiled plant stand I recently redid, and also this side table for her new place. This girl’s got connections!

With that, I’m hoping you found our new chapter of life inspiring to you that God works in ways that are best for us in the perfect time. I try not to be anxious, but various trauma training in my life has been something I’m working through to get back to me, Larissa. My neurodivergent family is a mix of all sorts and is a challenge. However, I’m glad God has shown me answers to so very much and allowing me to learn, grow and heal. I may crave the yank-the-bandage-off fix, but He know what I need and when.

SHARE

Finding community within this parenting realm is where I’m at. My goal is to inspire you with my stories, but also my thrifted basket makeover. Leave your story below so we can share and enjoy our own experiences. Likewise, pin and share too!

Before you go, be sure to sign up for my FREE newsletter. Until next time!

PINTEREST | EMAIL

While you’re at it, here are more gift ideas like this thrifted basket: