Just as animals in the wild want their babies to grow and leave the nest, we also have a desire for our children to leave the nest and become productive citizens. I can sense that my kids are approaching this point in their lives. My reaction to this reality is not as I had anticipated. I was extremely sad when both of my children graduated high school and started college. I remember the desperate feelings well because it wasn’t that long ago. This time, it doesn’t even compare. I feel the change. Maybe it’s because I have witnessed the changes in them. They have matured, and they are excited about what life will bring and what God has in store for them.
Wes will graduate from college soon. He’s already looking for a job and talking about the things that he’ll need to begin living on his own. A camouflaged recliner is high on his list. 😂 He’s reasonably proficient on the grill, so I know that he will not starve, even if all of his food is grilled. I can feel that he’s ready to move on.
Savannah is a sophomore in college. She lived in a dorm last year, but hated it, and decided to move home after her freshman spring semester. After seven months of living with us, Savannah has made the decision to move out again. Since moving back home, she has become quite an exquisite cook. She has never been fond of the dining hall food at school, so when she started commuting, she began packing a lunch. She finds recipes (mostly via Pinterest) and makes her shopping list. She then buys her groceries and cooks on the weekends, then she’s ready to go come Monday. Savannah will still need us for a while, but I think moving out will be good for her too.
Savannah recently prepared this turkey taco soup that I went nuts over. The ingredient list is fairly short, and it was very easy to pull together. It’s entirely different from any taco soup I’ve had in the past. The addition of cream cheese is an absolute genius! Topped with shredded cheese and a few jalapeños this is an excellent meal!
For now, I’m trying to remind myself daily to enjoy the little things. Hold them close while I still can. Enjoy being needed just a little bit longer. For now, I’m doing okay. Grief may hit me when I least expect it, but for now, I’m watching them in amazement, so very proud of the adults they have become and are becoming.
- 1 lb. gound turkey
- ½ c. chopped onions
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp. ground cumin
- 1 tsp. chili powder
- 8-oz. cream cheese
- 1 (10-oz.) cans Rotel with green chiles
- 1 (14.5-oz.) cans beef broth
- ½ c. heavy cream
- 2 tsp. salt
- Over medium-high heat brown turkey and onion, drain. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add cumin and chili powder. Add cream cheese and still until melted. Stir in Rotel, broth, cream, and salt. Lower temperature to medium and cook until heated through.