First Day of School
The First Day of School

I’m sitting here in the living room, The Golden Girls playing in the background, knowing I should be in bed sleeping but I can’t.  There’s too much going through my head.  Today is the first day of school for the younger three kids and the day we move the oldest one in to her dorm.  Gosh, where does the time go?

It feels like only yesterday the nurse was placing Miss 17 in my arms.  I remember sitting there staring at her.  There was no fear or feelings of insecurity, instead I was overwhelmed by a sense of awe.  I couldn’t believe this precious little person had come from me.  Two years later, I was doubly blessed with my twins.  Still, I didn’t feel like it was too much.  But two years later when baby number 4 came along?  Yep, I was ready to throw in the towel.

But we’ve survived.  Yes, we’ve had ups and downs.  There’ve been times when I’ve thought If I get in the car and just keep driving, will anyone miss me?  I also had moments when I’d just lock myself in the bathroom and cry.  But I had many more times when I’d hold my stomach and literally laugh until it hurt at the silliness of my babies.  Those are the realities of being a mom.

So today I sit, knowing that I’m turning one of my babies lose to find her own way and preparing three others to leave the nest someday.  I know that each time they leave our home, they’ll experience new and exciting things.  And I know that we’ve equipped them to handle most of what life will throw at them.

When the kids were little, I used to tell them that God handpicked each and every one of them to come live with me because He knew we’d be good for each other.  I thank Him for knowing and trusting me enough to raise Miss 17, Miss and Mr 15 and Miss 14.