Kim Wilbanks

Hi! Welcome to my blog. I’m glad you’re here.

Like many of you, I was that mom who was super-involved with every aspect of my children’s lives. I chaperoned all the field trips and attended all the programs, concerts, and sporting events. I was even a room mother twice. I was a busy bee. All that came to a halt when my two offspring attended out-of-state colleges. I had a lot of time to think. The emotions that I experienced and the observations of the world around me made their way from my mind to the written words of this blog.

It is my attempt to adjust to this empty nest of mine. 

My husband, Jim, and I were married in 1984. I wore a Princess Di-styled dress and my bridesmaids wore dusty rose dresses. It was the 80s. We have two adult children who live in different states with their spouses. We added two grandsons to the mix in 2022 and 2024. Our nest is truly empty. Fortunately, we have had two lovable dogs to keep us company—first, an adorable Pembroke Welsh Corgi, named Higgins who crossed the rainbow bridge, and currently, a goofy Labradoodle named Boone.

I am a follower of Jesus Christ and an active church member. I enjoyed my years teaching pre-schoolers in Mission Friends, teenage girls in our youth ministry, and encouraging young moms through MOPS. I enjoy studying God’s word in Precepts Bible studies or on my own. I also enjoyed going on mission trips to Brazil, Guatemala, Uganda, the Dominican Republic, and South Africa.

I am a native Floridian living in the same central Florida town in which I was born. Perhaps that is why my husband and I love to travel so much. We have traveled to many places, both in and out of the United States, but our road trips lead us most often to Nashville where our son, daughter-in-law, and grandsons live, and Birmingham where our daughter and her husband live. We also enjoy spending time at the beach on the Gulf Coast of Florida and in the mountains of North Carolina.

I am a keeper of memories. Whether it’s through journaling, scrapbooking, or blogging, I am compelled to record life events. 

I graduated from Stetson University with a degree in Sociology and a teaching certificate and my first professional experience was in a Jr. High School Social Studies classroom. Once my children were born, I became a stay-at-home mom but often subbed at the Christian school they attended.

I love to read and I love anything historical. My dream job would be to work in one of those living history museums where I could dress up in period clothes. I recently purchased my own 18th-century costume.  My family thinks I’m a little strange.

I can add “author” to my list of job descriptions. You can find one of my stories in a compilation called This Reimagined Empty Nest by Michelle Rayburn and Friends. Another story about my corgi Higgins will be in another compilation soon. A publisher currently has the book I wrote about my friend Mary’s life, and they plan to release it by the end of 2024.

I hope that some things I contemplate on this journey of “feathering my empty nest” will speak to you as well. I hope to be a blessing and to always give honor to God.

Thanks for reading.