In a year, he’ll be in school full time.

I’ll have an 8 1/2 year old on her way to 3rd grade and a 5 year old kindergardener. 2013.

So far Motherhood is the longest standing job-title I’ve ever held and my hours continue to increase, the shifts change but are just as long, and the planning and orchestrating – it doesn’t end. But this huge shift is coming.

I’m forced to ask myself “Who am I?” and “What do I want to do with my time?”. I have some pretty exciting ideas I’m exploring but I’m scared of the hours that will no longer fill my day with imaginary bear hunts or hours of bickering, wrestling, painting or playing.

It’s possible to become too comfortable, even in a role as diverse as Mom.

Is this what empty nester’s face? This life they built as a family doesn’t end, yet it does in a weird way, and there you are again (maybe for the first time ever) alone with your spouse in a house full of memories and every hallway is silent.

It’s another beginning straight off the heals of a bittersweet end next year.

I can’t believe I’m old enough to have a 7 1/2 year old already. And an almost kindergartner for a baby. It sounds like someone else’s life when I say I’ve been married for almost 9 years.

This must be what growing up feels like.