Sweet Summertime.

Glittering rays,

sparkling waters,

a wet, dripping embrace from your bestie

as you contemplate the best trajectory to jump in.

When you are kid, is there anything better than spending the day having fun with your friends in the warm summer sunshine laughing, playing, and being silly?

I think not.

Tyson picked an excellent day to celebrate turning 8 years old with his buddies.

There was splashing, giggling, jumping, throwing, and catching along with so many other fun filled moments. 

I am so glad that all three kids have such good friends to grow up with.

The Last Time.

As I sit here, on the eve of my babies' 8th birthday, I cannot help but reflect.

To put it mildly, eight years ago I was a mess.

I had just come home from visiting a couple of new babies at the hospital.

My cousin, along with Travis' cousin, had both delivered their healthy baby boys way earlier than their due dates had predicted.

And there I was, still miserably pregnant, and just a teeny bit resentful (ok, more than a teeny bit if I'm being honest).

Thankfully I had a doctors appointment the following morning...

that night I hoped and prayed that the doctor decided to keep me, so that I didn't have to go home without our little guy.

Fast forward eight years and life has totally and completely changed.

I am no longer considered a 'young' mama with small children.

My baby is about to start 2nd grade and my oldest will be a 6th grader....

oh my goodness, where in the world has the time gone?! 

A few years ago, I posted a photo of the boys along with the quote,

"with children the days are long but the years are short." 

Goodness gracious, have any truer words been said or printed?

Well, time is passing entirely too quickly and this quote still rings true for me

 but then I also found this and I can't stop...

As I sit here with hot tears rolling down my cheeks, I realize that we've already passed a lot of these 'last times'...

They seem to happen without any fanfare.

At the time, I have no idea whatsoever that these moments are major milestones, or 'last times' that I should be paying particular attention to.

I am more concerned with simply making it through the day.

These quiet, important, but forgotten about days, all blend together until I am faced with a birthday, or milestone that isn't quite as quiet.

A moment that makes me reflect and realize what a gift these impossibly hard, but amazing days truly are.

Tyson John Tollerud, my sweet baby boy, thank you for teaching your mama so many, many important life lessons, I am forever grateful.

Happy, happy birthday buddy.

I hope your day is as special as you are.

 

A Necessary Journey.

I wonder where I am headed, she thought. 

I cannot wait to find out.

I am on a necessary journey. 

I finished a profound book today by my absolute favorite children's book author, Kate DiCamillo.

Thankfully, this title found its way into my hands just when I needed it the most.

'Where Are You Going, Baby Lincoln?'

It's a book that I absolutely cannot wait to share with my new class this year.

I hope that they can feel it as much as I have.

I'm sure that when I crack the pages for the first time they may think that I am reading them a 'babyish' book.

I'm almost positive that they'll roll their eyes at my character voices and my emotion as I read the words with excitement and reverence.

I can't say that I blame them.

I mean, I remember getting embarrassed over little, trivial things when I was their age.

But you know what, I am not going to mind one little bit!

Because you see, these kids that I have yet to know on a deeper level (I have to admit I know many of them already!) are already making me smile!

A little over a week ago I found out that my request, dream, journey, ect., was coming true.

Although I have thoroughly enjoyed teaching 7 and 8 year olds the past few years, my heart has always been pulled by my very first teaching experience.

Back in 2003, I didn't realize that those 10 and 11 year olds would shape my future quite as much as they did.

I had an excellent, inspiring student teaching experience all those years ago and although I know that I will never have that same class again, I thank them for helping me know where I truly wanted to be.

So, for me this school year, random hugs and silly giggles will now be replaced by eye rolls and sarcasm and I cannot wait because....