Oh man, our summer was so perfect.
Absolutely perfect.
Therefore, it can't possibly come as a shock to hear me say that I did NOT want September to come. Not only is it a very expensive month (Checktember is what I refer to it as) with school fees, choir fees, music lessons starting up and sports fees....it also means that it is time to send my chicks off into the world without me. Again.
Drat!!!!!!
Thankfully, every year, John makes a point of giving each of our kids a fathers blessing. (Without a doubt, one of my favorite family traditions) It's such a beautiful privilege to watch him do this, and so very reassuring to me. I clung to the words he said to each of our kids and I know they each feel of his love for them, and even more importantly they all feel of their Heavenly Fathers love.
So, the night before school started - that happened.
And the next morning - mayhem ensued.
FIVE bag lunches had to be made.
Piano had to be practiced.
Abby woke everyone up at 5:45 am because she felt certain she needed that much time to get ready.
Nate didn't like his new backpack.
Before five hoodies, toques and school shoes could be placed at the front door, it all had to be found!
And last but not least... as per tradition (and much to every ones delight;) the obligatory "Back to School photos" had to be taken.
Oh yes they did!
Sam's heart wasn't really in this but he knew resistance was futile. 
He's in grade 6 now and attends up at the Junior High. The JUNIOR HIGH!!!!
This can't be. Despite the fact that I am in denial, Sam has adjusted quite well. He goes to school, has fun with his friends, runs each day with the cross country team, practices his cello.
He's a pretty chill kid. Super funny and really chill. Could there be a better combination?
Jessica's heart was perhaps a little too much into it.
Here's our third or fourth try:
Jess keeps insisting that grade 4 is "The Grade." She can't give us any reasons as to why it is the grade to be in - it just is. She's sweet as honey, this girl, and I'm confident she is going to just sail through the year.
Abby has been the one consuming most of my thoughts since school began. She's a darling girl, but grade 8 can be rough, no? The first few days were particularly challenging for her as she realized that for much of the day she is in classes without any of her friends. She would tell me of moments when she felt so isolated and alone that she didn't know who to talk to or sit with and would resort to siting by Sam. (You know it is bad when she chooses to sit with her grade 6 brother and his friends.) One night I went down to check on her after she'd fallen asleep and her pillow was wet with tears.
It sure can pull at a mamma's heartstrings to watch your kid go through hard things. We've spent lots of time talking about friendships, how to be a friend always and how to feel comfortable even when alone.
It sure can pull at a mamma's heartstrings to watch your kid go through hard things. We've spent lots of time talking about friendships, how to be a friend always and how to feel comfortable even when alone.
Luckily, things have improved for her. She is more comfortable in her lonely classes and even though some of her friendships are changing (they were bound to) she is reaching out to others and trying to be a friend to everyone. In an amazing show of courage, she ran for Student body president- and she WON!! This alone has done wonders for her confidence and has forced her to look at what she can do for others rather than wait for others to do things for her.
She also made the Volleyball team this year, which again, impressed me. Her team consists of every girl that she has felt afraid of over the past couple of years. These girls probably have no idea how intimidated Abby is of them, yet she has thrown herself into their circle as part of the team. Dang, she's brave! I couldn't be more proud of her and more excited for the growth that I'm certain she will experience as she reaches outside of her comfort zone.
And then there is this sly guy.
No more morning snuggles or monopoly games. No more sneaking off to Daves or Dairy Queen for a snack. No more kids at home during the day. Just me. Alone. Wishing my kids didn't have to grow up.
Actually, as much as I hate that my kids are all growing up on me, I made sure to mark their "Back to School" day in my own special way. As soon as they were safely in their new desks at their home away from home - I drove out to Waterton. I drove all the way up to Red Rock, taking in the beauty of the changing fall leaves.
Before leaving for home, I made sure to enjoy a hot bowl of soup while cozied up in one of my favorite big red chairs. It was divine!
We are now one month into the school year and I have to say, the house is more quiet than I ever expected. I finally worked up the courage to apply for an EA position at our local High School and was offered the job. It is not quite full time (and I don't start until October) but I am looking forward to joining these five on the "Back to School train." (Choo Choo!!)
I'm confident that as I adjust to my own new job, all I will need to do is take a little lesson from each of these five. If I can be as steady as John, as chill as Sam, as kind and loving as Jess, as fun as Nate and as brave as Abby - all will be well!
Wish us luck! I have a feeling it is going to be quite the year!
