Libra Love

The clock keeps ticking. . .one day bleeds into the other. So many moments are filled with celebrations; while others silently break your heart. No real rhyme or reason for the painful days, just an acute awareness that nothing stays the same.  This year keeps rushing forward May, September, October. . .next thing you know the holidays will be upon us and we will be welcoming in 2019. And I actually think, I'll breathe a sigh of relief when the clock strikes midnight and we move on. . .into the new year filled with new opportunities and looking forward to the many lasts that will occur in the spring.

Someone will experience his last semester as a high school student; his last track season; his senior project; trainsitioning with an Independent Living Coordinator, college plans, and graduation. Another will experience his last quarter as an eighth grader. Eager to kiss those junior high walls good-bye; eager to grow taller; eager for a chance to be more and more independent. Sometimes it is him who is not ready. Sometimes it must be me. Time keeps trudging forward. The oldest girl, has high school down now, she knows what to expect, she gets ahead and works hard in her classes without the tears and pressure her Freshman year seemed to force upon her. She sees a driver's license in her future, and I don't know how I feel about that yet. Relieved to have some help with the shuttling around that has consumed us these last four years, or sad that I won't be needed as much. I don't know yet. But our baby love, she sees unicorns and rainbows and breathes out happiness and in joy. Her personality so big and full and loving everything about school and friends.

My new job gives me glimpses into her world. How special it is to have the same recess and her and her friends run up to me with hugs.  Other times, it might just be glimpses through the window as it seems my mom-dar is deep. She is near, I look up and am greeted with a passing glimpse on her way to lunch or PE. Sigh. There has been so much goodness already this school year. So much goodness that has helped ease the hard parts. I went from one job to three, and am juggling more appointments into the calendar spaces but really with that comes some peace. I am a working mama who has control over her schedule, who is only saying yes to the things she loves and who is growing her craft in the process.  It has been good. Very, very good.

Track Meet

Jonathan was 1 of 2 sixth grade students who made the track team this year.  This is not surprising, as running is his gift.  He particpated in the relay and the team did well overall.  I think it was a boost to his confidence to be running and working with upper graders.

Waiting to cheer on her brother

Can't wait to see him out there next season. His mile time is currently 6 minutes and 7 seconds.  He's running hard and fast to get his five minute mile shirt.  We know he can do it!!!

Choir Charisma

Recently our home has been busting at the seams with life.  There was a house we were interested in that we put a bid on. . .but God told us to stay put, so we will listen.
First things first, someone got her braces off. . .

 Gone is the little nine-year-old who went in looking like this:

Her first request: corn on the cob, so we happily obliged.

With Summer right around the corner, it seems activities have been consuming our life.  The most recent one was Lene's choir performance.  Its theme was "British Invasion."  Notice  her brace-less smile?  She had yet to get her retainer.  Loved snapping a picture with her elementary school friends.  It is hard to believe we are facing our last year of middle school in the Fall.  Time stops for no one, I tell you!

 She had quite the crowd to cheer her on.  It was my favorite concert to date, actually.

 Lene really wanted her Grandpa to be there, so we were happy he joined us this time.  The sixties evokes all things "grandpa-ish" in her mind.  It's cute.

 Our baby is almost a teenager.  We find this absolutely mind boggling.  Such the natural order of life, but still it feels like it happens so suddenly.  Those days were so long, but the years have been so stinkin' short!

Lene is a wonderful, doting cousin to baby girl.  I love to see her interact with her and to watch the way she watches her with such an endearing, gentle love.  This weekend she takes her big babysitting class at a local hospital.  She has waited months to get this class under her belt, but with Spring volleyball it had to wait until now.  I think it's great that it's her first free weekend since January and she insisted on being at the class.  She really is growing up.

I have to admit, I got teary-eyed a few times in the performance. The kind of tears that if I blinked, they would flow!  I'm not sure if it was the music choice, or watching my girl in action, singing her heart out, using God's gift.  Today she finds out if she makes another elite choir for next year.  She faced her fears of auditioning in front of everyone and she did it. Whether or not she makes it in is beside the point. . .knowing she gave it her all and was brave about it is what matters most in this household.  Besides, next year is the year she has been waiting for--a real live chance to be in Drama.  She auditioned and made it and that has been her passion for such a long time, I'm thrilled to see it come to fruition for her.  I have a feeling there will be more tears in my future as I face the inevitable: children grow up.  They turn into their own people and at some point, you have to just know you did the best you could and God will take care of the rest.

My baby bird is taking flight.  She's starting to soar.  And that fills me with an inexplicable joy and breaks my heart all in the same moment.  She's growing up.