First Day of School

Here is Grant and Emily, getting ready to load the bus for their first day of school. Grant is in 4th, and Emily in 5th. We met their teachers and saw their classrooms last week, and we feel very good about all of that. Sandi and my Mom took the kids clothes shopping and we have all the needed school supplies, so "it's all good"!

I am feeling a little sad to be honest - it's a bittersweet thing. This is Emily's final year of elementary, and after next year they will all be in Middle School and High School. As I stood waiting for the bus this morning I had this flashback of putting Megan on the bus for the first time. Sandi panicked after the bus left and jumped in the car to follow her to school - much to Megan's chagrin. There is no way that could have been 8 years ago!

Time seems like pebble that slowly begins rolling and picks up size and speed as it moves along. I am now at a place in life where I would like to see that pebble slow down just a bit...I am in no hurry to send these kids out into the world as adults, (eventhough I know that is our job as parents).

My prayer is that God helps me to live in the moment more consistently with our kids while they are still young. I tend to get so focused on the project at hand or on future planning that I often miss out on what is taking place all around me. "Help me God to see and appreciate the gifts you have given me today with our family."