Wow, I can’t believe it’s really the night before school starts! It seemed so long ago we started summer break and the first day back to school was way, way off in the distance. And yet, here we are now.

We took the kids to Open House this weekend and they got to meet their teachers, see their classrooms, and put all their supplies away. They are now SUPER pumped about school starting, I’m surprised they were able to fall asleep.

My beautiful, sweet daughter is going into 3rd grade, how did that happen?! My sweet, gentle, sensitive, silly son starts Kindergarten. It’s a lot easier the second time around with Kindergarten. I cried my eyes out the night before sending our daughter to Kindergarten. Part of that was probably because I had hoped to home school her and it was hard to let go of that. But it all worked out so wonderfully. I’m not as anxious about it this second time around. I am comfortable with the school and the teachers and feel part of the school ‘family’ in a way I didn’t before. It’s a good feeling. I am praying for all my friends who will send their children to school for the first time this year. Don’t worry, just pray and trust God. Put your children in Mary’s hands and ask her to be with them, as their Mother, at school while you cannot be right there with them. And it’s ok if you cry a little. (I probably will, too.)

I’m incredibly thankful for the summer break I had with my family. Instead of going anywhere on vacation we decided to stay home this summer. (My husband understandably didn’t like the idea of driving somewhere with a big pregnant wife who has to pee every 10-20 minutes and it saved a lot of $$ too!) So we decided to make our own fun. We went to the zoo, the library, the parks, the swimming pool, the stores. We played together, sang and danced and ran around together, watched movies, and read a TON of books together. My daughter and I read By the Shores of Silver Lake (Little House) (just finished today!). It was wonderful to reconnect with her especially this summer. I will really miss my little helper and friend but I know it is time for her, and my son, to return to the structure and discipline that comes with school. (And, I admit, it will be nice to get some special time with my 2-year-old and newborn.)

Last year was a very stressful and busy year with school and the special project I was working on that took all my strength and energy. This summer, time seemed to slow down for us and gave me and our family the time we needed to recuperate and renew. After tomorrow, I know time will speed up again as the wind of change brings on a new season in our lives with school and soon the baby’s arrival into our everyday lives. I savored these slow, contemplative days of summer and the last part of my pregnancy and I hope the memories we made will stay with us throughout the upcoming busy time.

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