It seems just like yesterday that Hannah was this big.
Truth be told, I think Hannah has been preparing to move out since the age of 12. She even had a list on the back of bedroom door (known as “command central”) of things she was going to have in her “future apartment.”
And yesterday was the day she moved out! She moved in with her boyfriend and his Mom in the Westlawn neighborhood of Chicago – about 50 miles from where we live. Hannah is going to Roosevelt University, and her boyfriend goes to Columbia – the schools are literally across the street from each other, and about a 20 minute L ride on the orange line.
She’ll get work this summer and sock away her money before school starts in the fall. I am so proud of her and I know she has a bright future! We packed up my car and her car. The house that she’s staying in has what I call in in-law suite in the basement. They have their own bath, a kitchenette, sitting area and separate bedroom, she there was no need for any furniture.
It took us maybe 20 minutes to carry all her stuff in, and then Hannah wanted to take me to her favorite taco place for lunch.
I got two carne asada tacos, but they were so full of meat, I could only eat one! Yes, this was delicious – you could tell the corn tortilla was super fresh and the carne asada was so flavorful. The green salsa rocked too!
And before you knew it, it was time for me to head home – I still had my SIL coming over to pick up her lunches for the week. I have to say, I did tear up a bit as I pulled away, but with texting, talking, and skyping, I’ll still get my Hannah fix. I love you Hannah! 
It did make me sad though when I got home and saw her room though.
Tony and I had a great weekend though – two great breakfasts, peppers and egg sammie on Saturday and Tony’s spicy eggs on Sunday.
Saturday night we grilled out. We splurged and got a ribeye steak to share. This steak cost $12, but it was so worth it. We split it but couldn’t even finish it, so looks like someone I know might be having steak and eggs this week. Tony made a rosemary garlic butter – that just took it over the top!
On the side I made this lemon asparagus risotto – so good!
We both said that if we had gone to a restaurant for this meal, we could have easily spent $40-50 bucks – ours came in at $15.
Then last night we smoked a ham on the grill. This was stunning – but as I downloaded the pictures I realized I never took a picture of my plate! I made rosemary new potatoes on the side. We have a lot leftover. I plan on making pork bbq sandwiches, but do any of you have any other leftover ham recipes?
So how did my WI go this week?
I am up .8 this week. I blame these crack sesame pretzels from Trader Joe’s!
And I need to pick up my exercise pace this week too! I didn’t have time to find another Inspirational Diet video, but Rachel sent me this via Facebook. Love it!
Question of the Day: How old were you when you first moved out of your parents house?
Make it a great day!
Awww that has to be kinda tough, having your baby leave after she’s been with you for so long! much love and luck to her! You raised her right and she is such a credit to you–I know success will follow wherever she goes.
I moved out of our River Forest home for good in July 1988. I guess I was 23 turning 24. Packed up my grand am and moved to CT. Never thought I’d still be here but I am.
I love that saying about lapping people on the couch…I want to print it out, too cute!
Aww that comment from Hannah is so sweet. My youngest moved out in 2007 and I am still sad about it! I will never get used to being an empty nester. Sure I love that it’s just my husband and I now, but I miss the kids every single day. Maybe if I had a career it would be different. I still consider myself a SAHM, ha!
I moved out at 18, the day after graduation. And I wasn’t really home much before that. I couldn’t wait to move out and truthfully, they couldn’t wait to see me go. As much as I got along with my parents, they weren’t really maternal or paternal.
Enjoy your new alone time with your husband! Hannah is awesome and she’ll be fine
It’s the empty bedroom that is hard. The quiet mornings. The “mermom” short for come here mom. Good luck to Hannah, it really is great to grow up and move out…for them it is, for mama…well it takes time, so far 6 weeks hasn’t been enough for me.
Take care Biz and have a blessed day.
That first photo tugged at my heart strings. I have a similar one of my son. I totally understand how you are feeling and I just know that it will feel like only minutes have passed when my son leaves someday. For goodness sake he is graduating from preschool next week and I am already emotional!! You’ve obviously done a wonderful job raising Hannah. She is lucky to have such a caring Mom. Big hugs 🙂
It must feel weird that Hannah isn’t living at home anymore. I have a younger sister but I was the last to leave the house. My mother cried and I cried all the way to our new home even though it was time for me to move out. I was ready to start a new life.
And reading the comments I was “old” 🙂 I was 26 when I moved out, this was because I didn’t meet the love of my life till I was 23. The advantage of this was that I could save a lot of money when I lived at home and we could buy a nice house and furniture when we finally moved out (my hub is the same age as I am).
17. I went to college and I never looked back. I love Hannah’s comment above – too true Momma. And you’re a great young woman Hannah – good luck at college – you’re going to do GREAT!
Biz – I wonder about your weigh in. I know with WW you would do it later in the day/morning after you had had a beverage or even a snack – but try this for a few weeks.
Get up in the morning. Do you routine in the bathroom, then while buck-o nekkid [before stepping into the shower] weigh yourself. Do this every week and you should get an even truer reading of your weight. Even a glass of water or a cup of coffee can skew your results. You probably know all of this, but thought I might repeat it, just in case. Having to weigh myself everyday makes me hyper aware of stupid sh*t. heehee
Enjoy your week and your *empty nest* :sniff, sniff:
Thank you Skip for the advice – hugs! 😀
Thank you everyone!!!! I love you mom and no one will ever replace you or the memories I have with you. I can’t thank you enough for everything you do and have done for me, and you can guarantee I will blow up your phone every day 🙂 you are the best mom anyone could ask for! I love you so much!
Thank you Hanners! I love you more! 😀
Wow, it must have been hard saying goodbye! Luckily she is pretty close. I was 18 when I moved 6 miles away from my Dad and then 20 when I moved 2000 miles away 🙂 I hope you and Tony have a great week as empty nesters 😉
Oh, my oldest daughter is moving to Cleveland in two weeks. I’ll miss her so much! So I relate too much to this post.
🙂 Marion
I moved out when I was 17, never moved back! Yea for Hannah for following her dreams, good luck to her!
Your risotto looks soooo good, I love asparagus!
awwwww, what a milestone! I had just turned 18 when I went off to college, but moved into a dorm, then home for the summer.
That steak and risotto look amazing!
Love that Hannah’s room was so clean when she moved out! She definitely has a bright future ahead of her!
I left for college at 18, and then moved away when I got married at 20, that one was definitely harder since it was much farther away.
I moved out of my parents house when I went to college. I briefly moved back in after I graduated until I found my own place. Love the motivational quote!
good luck Hannah! Just by the way you talk about her, I can tell she is such a great person and will do great things in the future!
Rosemary is my favorite herb.. so both the butter for the steak and your potatoes sound soo goood.
I moved out last September (when I was 18) … and originally moved into a dorm. But that lasted about two months when I realized dorm life was not cut out for me, so I moved into our “family apartment” here on campus with my brother and sis! My oldest brother graduated and moved to NY so I stole his bedroom 😀 i love living with my sibs hah, they are my best friends!
AWWW!! Hannah is lucky to have a great mom, whether she lives with you or not!!! I was 19 when I moved out on my own. And 24 when I moved to a different city. Now I’m in my 40’s and wish my Mom still cooked me dinner and banged on my door to wake me up in the morning. Ok, maybe the banging part is best to live without! 🙂 Take care Vat, have a good Monday.
They do grow up soooooo fast. My older son moved into the dorms right after high school and has been gone ever since (well, except when he decides to stay here once in a while).
The grilled ham looks great. Would love to have a sandwich with the leftovers! 🙂
Awe what a sweet baby picture 🙂 It’s tough when they leave home.
I was 18 and it was my mother that left me lol.
Oh Dawn, that’s so sad! Hugs!
From 13-18 I moved out of my parents’ house and lived with various relatives. I moved out on my own at 20, and in with Johnny at 22.
I love that “lapping everybody on the couch” quote! I saw it on Pinterest a few weeks ago and it made me so happy!
I was 16 when I moved out of my mom’s house (and into my dad’s). I moved out of his house when I was 17 (a month before high school graduation) into a downtown apartment with a friend, then I went to Ireland, moved back in with my dad, moved out for a year, then back in, then North Carolina for 6 months and then back in. Good thing my dad likes me HA!
You are so funny Errign! 😀
I agree with others at least she is not far away. I understand the tearing up though for sure! The tacos look soooo good! As for the ham add them to some cheesy hash browns, omelettes or make a potato and ham soup. It’s still been chilly enough for soup here.
I wanted to move out since 14 years old. I just wanted to be independent and be my own person. 🙂 I left to go to college at 18, moved back home at 20, then moved in with my now hubby at 21.
Just yesterday, I was talking to my daughter about how her 17 year old brother is going to be getting a job and moving out in a few years. She was sad about it and adamantly declared that she was going to stay with us forever. Ahhhhh….how that will change 10 years from now. 🙂
You have raised a beautiful daughter with a bright head on her shoulders. You did good, mama!!! We’re all proud of your Hannah!
Long time blog hopper, first time commenter 🙂
I was 19 when I moved out. I moved in with my then boyfriend after my mom moved about 2 hours away. When my boyfriend and I didn’t work out, I moved back in with her the week before my 21st birthday. Then, I moved out with my boyfriend, now husband 🙂 I was 22. We moved back in with my parents for a short while when I was pregnant (house renovations), but I’ve technically been on my own since I was 22.
My daughter is 3, and I’ve cried at every major milestone (I’m a crier though LOL).
Good luck Hannah!! 🙂
Thanks for taking the time to comment! 😀
My pleasure! 🙂
Wow, how fun for Hannah! I still have two years before my eldest moves out–it’s going to be soooo weird! My little one I get to keep for quite some time ;). Your dinner looks so good!
She seems so ready for a wonderful future! Congrats on raising a bright beautiful daughter, Biz. 🙂
Aww, congratulations to Hannah! I remember packing the car to move out, and what a big day it was for my parents (especially my dad). Exciting times ahead!
Awww – empty nest now. Good luck to Hannah!
I moved out to college when I was 18. I went to school 4 hours away from home. I stayed at my parents house for 2 more summers and then I stayed up where I went to school over summers when I got an apartment rather than dorm living.
Hurray for Hannah in meeting a goal! I just know she is going to do great because she has been prepared and has you in her corner. After a bit you’ll be fine with your empty nest and 50 mles isn’t 500. Very exciting time of life for everyone.
Make that cauliflower/ham gratin that I posted a couple weeks ago. It’s sooooooo good!
Awww, congrats to Hannah, that’s really exciting! I lived on campus at my college, but it was only an hour away from my folks and I was home in the summers and all the vacations, so I don’t consider that totally ‘moved out.’ Moving out for me was really after I graduated college, when I moved to California for…more school!
Congratulations to Hannah! Very exciting! Those tacos look insanely delicious. I might need to come visit.
Oh wow, what a weekend. How exciting for Hannah, maybe not so much for you.
I love that quote! I save them up on my running Pinterest board.
Good luck to Hannah in her new venture! OMG have you ever tried the chocolate peanut butter pretzels from Trader Joe’s? Those things are dangerous!
When my kids moved out, their rooms did NOT look like Hannah’s…she is such a neatnik! I’m sad for you that she’s gone, and yet excited, too – it’s going to be weird and different, but this is supposed to happen. And, I’m happy for Hannah, starting her new life – good luck, girl!!!
I can so relate to the starkness of an empty room when a kid moves out! The best way I can describe it is bittersweet. But she sure looks happy! 50 miles isn’t so far either.
I love the quiche suggestion – but knowing you’re not an onion gal, leave out the leeks, and do ham and swiss – and make it a frittata! I just had some leftover frittata for breakfast – mmmmm – tasty!
Love ur motivation picture! With your ham, if it was in my fridge I’d make ham and leek quiche b/c I’ve got leeks!
Aww. I hope Hannah enjoys her new locale! I moved out to go to college when I was 18, and moved out for good at 22. Luckily though, I see a lot of my family. I’m sure you’ll see Hannah lots too!
That risotto looked amazing. LOVE risotto! Love it! And stay away from the crack.
I like the inspirational saying too. NO matter how hard I train, when I compete in a race or a triathlon, I come in middle of the pack. But I remind myself that most people aren’t even out there!
I moved out to go to college at 18. My mom cried, but that had something to do with the military aspect too (I was in ROTC). I moved back in over the first summer and worked 2 jobs – full time at the gas company (mowing lawns, washing bathrooms, digging ditches, loading and unloading pipes, gassing up trucks, etc.) and then 20 hrs per week bagging groceries. Good thing I was young.
After that summer, I stayed on campus and worked. I was basically out by 19.
I worked two jobs too – at a bar and at a Benetton. Then when I got a full time job at a real estate developer, I worked 9-5 at my day job, then Wednesday nights I’d make pizza at a bar until midnight, then a second bar on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights in Chicago – that was opened until 2 on Thursday and 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights – good thing I was young then too!
awwwwwwwww. Good for Hannah though! SO exciting that shes taking such a big life step. That taco looks ridiculous. Now I’m craving Mexican. Heart. Those pretzels sound awesome…I’ll make sure not to buy them ;). I moved out when I was 17 to go to college and never moved back in!