My baby has gone to college-- now what?

When you are in the middle of diaper changes and midnight feedings it is hard to even imagine a time when your child would no longer be at home. After long summers of hearing "I'm bored" most mothers are counting down the days until the big yellow bus comes and takes their child off for another school year. And while you know it will eventually happen, not once do you picture loading up the car and taking your child off to college. I blinked and that wrinkly, 6 lb 2 oz little girl was suddenly 18-years-old. This past Sunday we made the 5 hour drive to Texas Tech University to take our "little" girl to college. 

Taking your child to college is bittersweet. On one hand you are excited about everything your child will accomplish over the next 4 years. This experience will be the stepping stone used to help your child achieve all their dreams and goals. On the other hand you are full of worry and a bit heartbroken. What if your child needs you?  What if they struggle with school? Where are they at 2 am? Who are they hanging out with? Does your child miss you as much as you are missing them? And the list goes on. 

God has a plan for Emily. Over the past year, He has been faithful over and over. We were worried about her transition from Japan to here, especially considering it being her senior year, but she did better than we ever could imagine. There have been people put in her life over the past year, that I know without a doubt, are part of His ultimate plan. I need to remember as sad as it is for me, that her leaving the nest and embarking on this college adventure, is all part of His ultimate plan as well. And I am so excited to see what God has in store for her and her future. I know it is going to be great.  

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." - Proverbs 22:6

School Days, School Days

My kids started school two weeks ago, and up until a few days ago, I think I have been in denial on just how monumental this school year is. While Sami is just a sweet little 2nd grader, my other two are starting middle school and high school. **thud**

Monday night was the High School Back to School night. These evenings at our school are a chance for parents to meet the teachers and to understand what the class entails and what expectations the teachers may have. Instead of feeling all warm and fuzzy, as I always do with the elementary school back to school nights, I left feeling very, well, overwhelmed. Emily has some really in-depth classes. The education she is getting here is amazing. But between the classes and the talks of college, PSAT, and exam schedules my heart (and head) is starting to hurt. We have less than 1,500 days left of my "baby" living at home.  Emily has less than 720 school days left until she graduates. I guess you could say my baby isn't a baby anymore.

Then take my "baby boy". He is a big middle schooler this year. Switching classes, lockers, PE uniforms, girls... what a world of difference between middle school and elementary school.  So far he seems to be adjusting to the change pretty well. He has joined the middle school baseball team and already is begging to "hang" after school.

Sometimes I think the beginning of a school year is more stressful and emotional on the parents than the child itself. It is hard to see your child grow up and changing in front of your eyes. It seems like we blink and another year has flown by. I swear it feels just like yesterday that I was rocking my kids to sleep. I remember my mother warning me of this, but as a young, naive parent I blew her words of wisdom off.  Before I know it my kids will be checking me into an assisted living home and cashing in my discount term life insurance.


So here is to another year of packing lunches, homework, field trips, tests and quizzes. Happy new school year to you all!