Packing away my baby

At a snail's pace, I am getting our house ready to sell.  This meaning I am cleaning out closets, painting walls, putting away personal items and deep cleaning.... all by myself.  Jim is overloaded with work, and the boys.....well, they are overloaded with play....  I am going so far as to vacuum under the heavy furniture.  I had many angry spiders coming out biting and screaming saying they had webs there for 15 years (that's how long we have lived in this house....) I am sure they are related to Charlotte, since they were able to talk to me.....
I finished Jonathan's room...wow....even made curtains and did some major "downsizing" ....he is down to a bed, chest of drawers and desk.....with one thing on his wall.  I am so excited with the outcome....
This week, however, has been a different story.  I moved into Ryan's room....Ryan's room had been both boys room since the day they were born.  As I covered up holes in the walls and ceiling I remembered why those holes were there.  The ceiling had big blow up balls in sports theme...Really looked cool.  I remember how much Jonathan loved it when I did that.  I had to take down the "glow in the dark stars", and remembered when Ryan wanted to turn the lights off during the day to see them....But was really excited at night when they shined....With every wipe of spackle I was reminded at how quickly that time had past.  And how I am preparing the walls for the next adventure.  Hopefully, it will be with another family that has kids that will make precious memories to one day wipe away.....I am so thankful I have these precious memories which I can go to anytime...like seeing my kids playing toys in that room....now, they study, sleep, talk to girls, and wrestle.....I love the stages I get to experience with my boys...but, I grieve for the time when they were young and around me all the time.....
The up side is, for today, Ryan's room is spider-web free and ready for him to come in and mess things up.....and I meant the Ryan, not the spider......I love my boys, spiders, not so much........