Skip to main content

Back to School

As quickly as our summer came, event after event, it quickly went out the door, and the kids back to school. It's bizarre sometimes to think that we already have a 2nd and 4th grader. I can remember playing those games when Em was first born -- trying to figure out their spaces. "So let's see, when Colton's in 1st grade, she'll be in preschool. And when he's in 2nd, she'll start K. Then before you know it, they'll be in 2nd & 4th, and 4th and 6th"...............and let me reiterate the key words here -- BEFORE YOU KNOW IT. I can remember so fondly the days when Em was first born. Colton at such a FUN age, and Em so sweet and round and new. Looking back, life was "hard" in that season, adjusting to two kids. In reality, I see how easy those times were. Diapers, puke & crying were my biggest worries. Now we've got a 4, 7 & 9 year old, and we're working hard at making them good people. In this season, that is the hard work. These are the trying times. How we treat friends. How we be a good friend. How we are compassionate. How we make mistakes, but learn from them and try again. How, no matter how much you hate it and don't want to do it, you have to do homework. Yes, even Go Math. (FYI, Go Math is the dumbest thing ever, and I'll tell the guy who wrote it. Call me.)

Still, as we do each year....we took those first day back to school photos and I still saw a caring sweet young man, with ambition and heart and anxiousness to see his friends. And a sweet girl, so excited to meet up with her girlfriends and learn more about her new teacher. These years are HARD. But they are also so fun. There are days I think we are major failures as parents, and there are days you go to sleep smiling, because you can see that glimpse of victory. Enough to give you courage to get up and try hard again the next day.

So, Colton and Em, as you enter 4th and 2nd grades respectively, I pray that you will always be kind. Always be generous. And know how proud you make your Dad & I, for you have no greater fans in this world than the two of us.

We certainly couldn't leave our smallest joy out. While he didn't start early on like the big kids, rather a few weeks later, he was SO EXCITED to go to school like Bubby & Sis. He got a backpack, new boots, a haircut and a grin as big as they come. Keaton, you made me so proud on your first day. I can remember the fear Colton had -- leading the pack. How blessed you are to already "know the ropes" haven't followed your sibs around. You proudly climbed onto the bus, and when I met you in town to get a few pics as you entered school, you did not even know I existed. You were off and running with your friends. It's pretty joyous as a parent to see you spread your wings and fly like that. No doubt your sweet personality will take you far.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Get Well Soon, Grandpa Kent

 Here's the best way to share Dad's video. Thank you all so much for submitting the clips. This really made him smile (and say some funny things the first time we watched soon after anesthesia). I think it will be treasured company this evening in the hospital. Thank you for your prayers, your thoughts, for answering the phone calls and lifting Dad up. We appreciate all your love and support.  58E2238E-D2E3-4B38-9FF6-AE1E502ABD14.mp4
Post a Comment
Read more

Covid ... the end. (Hopefully. Maybe. I really don't know....)

 Almost two years ago, exactly, our world drastically changed. Everyone holed up at home, scared to enter the world and catch Covid 19/Corona Virus. (Except Jason, once he got to feeling better from most likely having Covid before it was a known thing, he just went to work everyday like nothing had changed). The world basically shut down  -- special hours, curbside pick up encouraged, no dining room service only drive through or carryout. If someone coughed or sneezed anywhere near you, you were instantly suspicious. Our parents lived on complete edge and worry, taking in every ounce of information the news was constantly throwing in their faces. It was a time of great uncertainty, lots of information being thrown at us from trusted news sources, social media, and hearsay from those in the medical profession.  We spent March to May just trying to figure out our new life. No baseball. No softball. Lots of time with our animals. Lots of crafts. School from home. Porch drop ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Central Indiana Winter Spectacular

 We kicked off show season with this set of calves in mid-January at the Central Indiana Winter Spectacular, a first time show down in Cloverdale, Indiana. I'm not sure what was more fun - being with our kids and friends at a cattle show, or listening to our kids meddle over the thought of staying in a Motel 6.  (Backstory on this one -- when I worked at Purdue/in the Conference division, I held a few conference at The Hyatt in downtown Indianapolis. When I had events there, I'd earn points. We then would use those points for free night stays....I think I had maybe 15 or so over the years. So, the only hotel my kids know, is a Hyatt, because unbeknownst to them, it was FREE.....which is the ONLY reason we stayed in such a nice place with young kids. So, imagine their dismay when the Motel 6 in Cloverdale didn't have an Eagles Nest rotating up top, or an indoor pool and hot tub/workout area. We have officially raised hotel snobs.....because when we finally took them to the k...
Post a Comment
Read more