Week One Done

There's another kid in the first day of school pictures. Funny how quickly things change, how God just sticks another one in there and he belongs perfectly, right there between his older brother and sister. I love how they take care of him in their own way, how they bring him toys, push him in the stroller, make him laugh. Shelly was twirling around in her dress and E thought it was the funniest thing, he laughed and laughed, she twirled some more. It was one of those perfect moments.

Now for the school update...

How was school, Shelly? "Better than I expected. Except for the yelling." Sigh. Did the teacher yell at you? "No, there was just a student who wasn't behaving." I hate that. As if the bus wasn't bad enough (for me, not her). Now, the teacher yells? When Shelly got off the bus this afternoon she had to cross busy Four Mile Road to get to me.

I waved her forward as if she were crossing a tightrope over a deep chasm, with rocks and raging water below. She took her sweet time, walking in front of the bus and stopped cars and finally, FINALLY, after a million years she was in my arms and I was hugging her and she was saying, "Don't ruin my star!" I cried again, the first time was after putting her ON the bus, now she was safely in my arms and I was so relieved that I cried.

When Archer got on the bus on Thursday morning I congratualted myself, the first time that I didn't get all emotional on the first day of school. This is his fourth year of school, after all, we're old pros. We said hi to the kids at the bus stop, and the moms, that we hadn't seen all summer. We discussed teachers, how tall our kids have gotten, how time flies. Then, goodbye! Bus comes and goes and they're gone again, starting another school year.

Its going to take us a week or two to adjust and once we know what's going on it will all be over. That's the theme of motherhood, growing up, everything. Just when you think you know how to handle it all, its over. New chapter. Adjust or perish! And of course, the Lord is there always, nudging me forward with each new step. Leading me on as I ask him again and again for safety for my children, and wisdom in the choices I make as their mother.

Trust in him at all times, you people;

pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.
~ Psalm 62:8

For a trip down memory lane, visit...

Archer Starting 4K
Kindergarden
First Day of First Grade