Hello, Routine.
The kids went back to school today and I’m officially the mom of a Sophomore, 8th, 6th, and 3rd grader. I’m a little freaked out to think I have one graduating in a couple of years but Sydney reminds me we’ll still be doing school for a while yet. I’m happy about that because she is the only one who let me walk her into class this morning and put her supplies away and take her picture and talk to all of her friends and then kiss her before her teacher politely asks me to leave now before she calls security. The boys? We didn’t do any of that. Even though they have all outgrown me, I still have to fight the urge to walk them to their lockers and make sure they get their combinations right and decorate their doors with cute magnets with their names on them (Can never find one with ‘Sawyer’?). I’m still learning how to be a detached, hand-shake if you are lucky, mom of teens. May it always be a struggle.
Perhaps to offset any sadness, I had a ridiculously sweet time with Jesus this morning at my favorite spot in the park where I go when I drop the kids. I cracked the cover on a brand new journal a dear friend gave me for my birthday. (I adore it, Tera F.!) There’s a slight hint of fall in the air, football jamboree is Thursday, I get to teach a retreat this weekend for some darling girls I can’t wait to meet. Always in the mix are some complicated things on the sublevel, and yet even deeper than that is joy in another day of being confident the Lord Jesus holds me and mine and you and yours in the palm of His capable hand.
Maybe that explains why I almost feel giddy this morning to jump on here and say hello to anyone out there who is still popping by here from time to time. I got over making excuses long ago but here’s praying a return to routine will also mark the return of more frequent communication. I’ve missed writing and I’ve missed you.
To celebrate the return of routine (to those of you with school-aged kids) how does the structure of your day change once the children are back in school? Have any return-to-class resolutions? If you don’t have young kids, maybe you need inspiration to kick start a more productive schedule. My desire which I pray desperately shapes my actions is to hear, receive, and bear fruit in response to God’s Word one hundredfold (Mark 4) and to figure out what that is supposed to look like in this season. I used to think I was more of a tenfold girl (on a good day!) with my kids at home but the Lord comforted me long ago with the understanding that loving our children and caring for our families IS PRODUCTIVE even if the laundry doesn’t get done or that book doesn’t get written. Don’t undervalue the fruit of your labors, sisters. Mothering matters.
Don’t know how I got off on that tangent but you know how I do.
Did I mention I’m happy to talk to you?
P.S. And for goodness sakes, how are you moms who sent babies to college faring? I can’t bear to think of it. My mom’s heart is having you over for coffee and a cry and a night out to see The Help. I finished the book, am dying to see the film, and according to my friends who have seen it, it will be the cure to all that ails us.
I had some of the emotions you had this morning with about a gazillion more mixed in. My baby left for her 1st day of her senior year of high school. She has decided to graduate early…one semester of this senior year is all we are doing and then she is off to Aveda Institute in Chapel Hill, NC to which she will be living AWAY from home! O.k, I had these girls 3 years apart so that college and weddings would be years apart…they really threw a monkey wrench in that plan! Hope got married in May, graduated college in July and now Hannah is planning to leave the nest for schooling in January! I’m excited for them both because I remember how excited I was to leave high school but like you, I miss the days of holding their hand and walking them into school to make sure they are safe, secure and happy.
When my kids go back to school my life seems to be more schduled and organized (I’m a monster if I have to get in a hurry).
I have been reading your blog for quite some time. Then, the other day when I was at our pastor’s house his wife showed me your blog. I told her that I have been reading it for a little while. She then told me that she and her husband were at semenary with you and your husband. Small world. My pastor/boss and his wife are Derek & Christy McCosh.
I can so totally relate to being a ten-fold girl. Thank you for the reminder that mothering matters! And for the challenge to be a hundred-fold girl!
As a student, teacher, mom, and hubby in education, my whole life has revolved around the school year. I love the fresh start and “return-to-class resolutions.” I’ve never heard it put quite like that, but I like it! I need to be better about the kids helping around the house. That is one thing I would like to work on this year.
Glad to hear from you!
Taking my boy to college this weekend, then my girl turns 16 on Monday and starts her junior year on Tuesday. Gulp.
My 2 oldest started 8th & 5th and I’m still home with my 4yr old & 2 yr old. The question I keep getting is, “why aren’t you sending you’re 4 yr. old to Pre-K? I’m just not one that thinks a 4 yr old needs to be in school all day. There’s plenty time for that!
I sure wish we lived closer so we could go see The Help together. I’m dying to see it!
Well — I sent my baby girl off to college last week and saw The Help today. The first sent me reeling and the second was a joy.
Really — I didn’t expect the rush of emotions to overtake me, but they did. I held it together when we dropped her at her BIG DORM filled with LOTS of PEOPLE that I DON’T KNOW and I don’t know their Mamas either. But it’s been a tough week of trying to figure out how this new empty nest thing works.
And The Help — girl I LOVED it!! LOVED it!
Ok, I’ll be honest…..today marked our first day of school too and I sorta liked having a new routine to snap me out of my summer funk.
My college junior son moved home to attend a closer college and my middle child starts college courses next week (both will be home this semester & commute).
I’m feeling all froggy with that little bit of knowledge. But I know both are heading away to different schools very soon. Possibly even out of state. (EEK)
I’m clinging to my HS junior like the helicopter mom I am!
Glad you’re back.
We just started school and I homeschool (our very first year) so we haven’t quite figured out our routine. My babes are little (5 and almost 3) and I’m, of course, home with them all day! It’s fun and I wouldn’t trade it for a million bucks!
So glad to read this today!
We are starting a new season. After 11 years of preschooling, my baby goes to Kindgergarten….and my oldest will be 13 in one month. Im just a jumble of mixed feelings happy and sad all at the same time. Thankfully all of my children will be at the same school this year (its K-8), and that will be a blessing. My youngest has Down’s and so there is alot to consider with him starting a new school with a new program. I will miss him.
Trusting God….O for grace to trust Him more! :)
well I am an empty nester and been blessed with an early retirement so my routine really went out of the window several years ago. I have learned I do better both with my writing and keeping my appointment with God each morning by getting up at the same time each day. It is amazing though that the back to school mindset has not faded. I still feel the need to get reorganized and refreshed each fall just as the kids go back to school.
Last week was my kids’ first full week of school (4th & 8th grade) and I had all sorts of grand plans. Finally I would be able to get into a good routine with my housework, exercise, blogging, church stuff and still have time leftover to learn how to play guitar! That totally didn’t happen as planned…rather, I spent those days trying to catch up on laundry and running errands and putting out fires that come along with a change in routine. So, I took a step back and decided to work on one part of my routine at a time & cut myself some slack in the other areas. The last couple of days have been much better…and I’ve felt like spending quality time with my girls when they get home instead of being stressed because I haven’t gotten everything on my list completed. I’m glad to hear that it’s not just me! :) Thanks so much for sharing!
I homeschool, and very much look forward to the routine of school starting! I don’t know why I allow myself to slack off my time with the Lord, among other things, over the summer. This year I’m even trying to come up with a daily schedule to keep me on track. We’ll see!
Lisa- I loved your words this morning. It is true that despite all circumstances it is good to know that God has us in the palm of His hands no matter what. Glad to have you back! Hope your day is full of unexpected divine encounters!
P.S. The Help is amazing!!!!
Only sending one off to school (a 1st grader) and the 3 1/2 year old and 22 month old will be home. So the routine does not change that much except we’ll be on more of a schedule. I am pretty involved at church and lead the middle school youth group and help with a mom’s group so I will be busy with the start up of those as well. I love fall because everything is fresh and new–it’s kind of like New Years Eve in a way.
We homeschool and are really looking forward to getting back to routine on Monday. Okay, *I* am looking forward to it and the boys, if they were truly honest, would probably say they like it okay. Relationships are sweeter when the long days of summer and too much time on your hands are behind you!
Just took my son 7 hours away to college. It was hard on me but more on my husband. He is the baby and has always been right there for 18 years. He was never one that thought he had to go somewhere. He was comfortable with his family. To see him scared, nervous and not knowing quite what to do made me cry. Coming back home and his truck gone was another reality check. I know God will watch over him and will lead us down this new path of changes. To top it all off for this week, last Sunday night my daughter’s boyfriend proposed to her at church. I guess now I have a wedding to plan. Needless to say the routines that I had are out the window. Changes, Changes, Lord guide me through these changes.