Dog Days of Summer...and school days blues

Well, the dog days of summer are winding down.

The past month has been a whirl-wind of activity. Sams work of course has been insane. With the 2nd hottest summer on record beating at his heels, all he has done is work. Work, work, work no play. There have been countless days of him leaving before 6 am and not getting home till past midnight. [and you know he has to squeeze in those golf games somehow!] Well Sam the man is on the side of a mountain today.
The Elk hunt opened on Thursday morning. He and several of his buddies are up there running around with bows and arrows...I have said it before and shall say it again... The secret to men is the fact that they do not get a day over 12. Really! I talked to him briefly last night. He said he missed a BIG one...whatever that means. LOL! I love him and for his sake I try to understand. All I know is they will be tracking and trapping a bear on Saturday. One of his buddies brother drew out a bear tag. So off they go. For a bear. I may never understand!

In other monthly news...Katie my sweet was baptized. What an amazing experience.
I will try to post pictures as soon as I can. She turned 8 in June. That is the age of accountability within our church. She was baptized by immersion, and recieved the gift of the Holy Ghost. Oh if you could have seen her face when she came out of the water. I had to clap my hand over my mouth so I didn't cry out...it was so beautiful.
She came up the stairs and I wrapped her up in a big, white, fluffy towel...she looked at me and said... "it's just like a shower, only way better!" Couldn't have said it better myself! We had a wonderful celebration at the house after with all of our family. We ate all of Katie's favorite foods too. Cream puffs and chocolate dipped strawberries. All in all it was a perfect day!

And down to the wire...we rushed through the rest of the month with Dentist check-ups, shots and Dr. visits. We stumbled through the facade of routine and counted down the days to school. Registration came and went. Bus schedules and teacher lists were mailed to us. And just like that...school started.

BAM. Just like that. My baby is now a 1st grader. Eeek. I could hardly stand it. The house was so quiet. I moped around a while...then got dressed and drove directly to the school. I had to see the whites of her eyes...I needed to check on ALL my babies. I know that they are 9 almost 10, 8 almost 18, and 6. But they are still my babies. How strange to be reaching the next phase of life. It came so quickly. Well, Ellie was just fine. She wouldn't even come hold my hand or ANYTHING!!! Katie has a guy teacher, which kind of freaked me out...but she loves class. He reads funny stories, teaches ALOT of science and makes the kids aware of the world around them. Riley is in 4th grade and approching the "book report" stage of school. I know he will be fine, but he is a little concerned. Reading has always been a struggle for him. He excels at Math...so much like Sam. His teacher is a hoot! She is always laughing, and somehow is able to keep things under control.

So, I step into the unknown. I have been home for the last 10 years. My whole existence has centered around my kids. From babies, to toddlers...to pesky little kids. I have seen them take their first breath, first steps, cut teeth, held them when they were sick, kissed owwies and held their hands for so long. How do mothers do it? When you begin to feel the little hands be not so chubby anymore...how do you let go? Don't get me wrong...I want them to be independent! I am overjoyed to see them step into life and school with their whole heart...I just miss them. The chubby cheeks, ok not the temper tantrums, the sticky kisses, bugs and all...

Well here is the next phase. The School Years. All of them. Kids and School.
I can do this!
I'm a Mom!!!
And Mom's are Heros!