Moving On

I think I am ready for school to start. This last week, thankfully, has brought me to the point where I'm ready for the next chapter of our lives. I'm ready for fall to bring it's textures, colors, and brisk morning air. I'm ready for sweaters and hoodies and jeans.

I am not, however, ready for winter. Winter can just wait it's turn, and then take it's sweet time joining us sometime around the end of February. You know, just before spring comes around.

Today was a warm and humid day, and it reminded me that I'm kind of over summer's stickiness. I'm kind of looking forward to special after-school treats for the kids on Friday afternoons. (One year it was cupcakes, and one year it was cookies - I'll have to get creative this year.) I am even looking forward to dressing the small boy each morning and sending him off to the outside world to learn and grow and be challenged in ways that he is not at home.

I think part of the reason I'm ready for the kids to go back is the state of the house. I was shocked and appalled by the way we live today, and spent the morning cleaning. I swept and mopped, and cleaned the stove and sinks. Micah dusted. That boy did a fabulous dusting job, too. Far better than his siblings do. He actually moved things to dust. (I know!) But then he left everything lay on the floor when he emptied the bookshelves to clean it. (And a huge shout-out to whichever kid cleaned up the mess while I was away later in the morning. You rock, whoever you are.) But the house needs a once-over, and it's best done when the kids aren't here. The kind of once-over where your closets aren't quite as full and the toy box isn't overflowing anymore, if you know what I mean.

I bought a soup bone. Tradition requires that I make homemade vegetable soup on the first day of school. I'm ready. And yet, it just isn't the same as the kids get older. Josh is on the golf team, and if the lineup doesn't change, he'll be in the tournament on the first day of school, so he won't be home on the bus with the other boys to tell me about his day. Or eat vegetable soup. Quincey is in football, and will be staying after school as well for practice nightly. Luke is in high school this year.

The next chapter. We're a little busier this year, and we're growing up in so many ways. But I'm ready. I'm ready to see what the world can show us and how my kids will grow and mature. I will welcome school next week as the beginning of a new phase of life. Mostly because I don't have a choice, and it's far better than complaining about it, but I'm ready.


2 comments:

Nikki said...

What a sweet photo!

Cindy said...

Sweet picture. I'm ready for Fall as well. Although my kids are all grown and won't be starting school, we're looking forward to cooler weather and all the cute clothes that come with it! :)