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So Long Sweet Summer

 Hi.. it’s been a while. Life has been moving at the speed of light, and I had been trying to soak up every minute of fun and relaxation that I could with Jason and the kids. Our blissful carefree bubble popped last week as the kids went back to school.

            We had a lot of fun this summer – from our annual family beach trip, to the 2nd Annual Connor Cup, adding two new fur babies to our family, and everything in between. It’s bittersweet to see summer come to an end. I love the extra family time and peacefulness of summer, but am ready for everyone to get back into a routine. It’s also no secret that I LOVE fall!

            This year we have 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th graders. Not really sure how we got to the stage of life where two of our kids are in middle school, but here we are. With a new school year comes a whole new level of anxiety that I’ve been able to keep at bay for the past three months. That anxiety has officially started to roll full steam ahead.

            The district that we live in has half day Kindergarten. As a first grader this year, Connor is in school for a full day for the first time. With this comes some new challenges. From medication administration during the school day, getting over his fear of using the bathroom at school, and his first head cold of the season, it has been an eventful week, and we are only three days in. I know that if these are the biggest problems that we have to deal with this school year then we will be lucky.

            I try to stay present, not allowing myself to think too far ahead or let my mind wander to what could happen. A lot of times that is easier said than done – like right now. With two phone calls from the school nurse in Connor’s first three days back and his consistent complaints of belly pain/body aches the past few days, I can’t help but wonder if this is foreshadowing for the year ahead. The rational part of my brain is working overtime to quiet those thoughts. I tell our kids all the time “you can’t worry about what if, you have to focus on what is” – apparently I need to start taking my own advice.

The one thing that makes this all easier to deal with is how happy our kids are being back at school. They love their teachers and especially love getting to see their friends every day. My grandma always said that you’re only as happy as your most unhappy child. The older our kids get, the more that statement holds true.

So for now I’m going to feed off of their happiness and give myself grace as we all transition into another school year. I’m going to enjoy the little moments and try my hardest not to worry about what could potentially happen. I am going to take what we are given and make the best of it, because life is too short to worry the days away!



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