Good Grief

I recently posted on Facebook how its all about to begin.... early to bed, earlier to rise this year (since my girls starting big school I am now being made to be a part of the carpool---the Getchell's are loving knowing my lazy mornings are OVER), homework, routines, uniforms taking up space in the laundry, no more days of the car not having to leave the driveway.  No more lazy days by the pool, or spontaneous outings.  Is this normal??? Is it normal for me to dread it sooooo much???  Most mom's are excited to send their kids off, relish in the routine of things.  Me--- not so much.  This year is even harder.  My baby, Miss M, starts 1st grade and will be there 8-3, Monday thru Friday.  EVERY. STINKING. DAY. You see, Miss M and I had formed ourselves an awesome little routine.  She was basically my sidekick from 1-3ish and more so on Tue and Thur when I joined her to work at her Pre-school.  Most Tue-Thu we would make a quick stop my McD's for a butter biscuit for her, sweet tea for me (may explain weight gain) do our thing at school then home at 1 for me and her time before all heck broke loose at 3:15 when the rowdy boys were picked up.  So now, its gonna be new for both her and I.  Guarantee there WILL BE tears as I drop her off. That first will definitely remind me of the first day I dropped the boys off---- when I literally cried ALL day. Couldn't wait to pick them up, couldn't wait to see how their first day was... but boys don't talk so much, so hoping the conversation with Miss M will not be one way but praying that she fills my ears FULL of all the happenings---ever last detail.  I remember telling Shane when I dropped Sam off and watched him walk to his room in tears and I drove off in tears -that I was done with first day of school drop-offs. Jokes on me!!!!  No one else to do it-but me. So on August 5th if you see me sporting my dark glasses just nod and walk on... cause sister will not be in a good state.  Matter of fact--- i may just wear them the whole first week, bear with me.  There will most definitely be 3 year old snubbing going on from this mama.
I'm really trying to be better. Sweet Sam reminded me after one of my "GOSH, we only have a few more days" followed by lengthy sigh that I was making it worse for them.  So I'm really trying to keep my sighs to myself.  Was trying to remember if I dreaded it before I was a single-mom--- answer is Yep, did then-still do did when I was in school. Some things just never change.   Just may be a bit worse now.  While I'm trying to see the good of having a little more Dee Dee time with the schedule -maybe start exercising some of the sweet tea weight gain off, have a cleaner house, more needed time with my Father--I still can't help but think that each school year that starts, is one year closer to my 3 leaving their nest.  I have a sweet friend that reminds me every year as the summer's over blues sets in, that I should savor this time and see each new year as a new season for me and my 3.  So this year, while I still am blue about the whole thing, I am praying for God to take the dread away, to remind me that this is a new season of learning- for all of us, opportunities for all of us to grow.  Praying God gives me discipline to manage my time, to be the best mom that I can be, that He blesses us with an awesome school year and that He helps me to hold it together that first week, that He will be with my children's teachers, administrators and all of the students.  That we all can reflect the love of Jesus Christ every single day.  Lord, help me to look forward to this new year, new season. Knowing You have each and every day planned according to your will. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

BTW Lord, can you let  Glenn Getchell get a bigger car so that I can be taken out of the morning carpool loop??

Now, time to go clean out the old school papers and make room for some new ones. Just a few more days...time slow down.   LARGE and LOUD sigh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!