Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Thoughts

Yesterday at work I was in one of the Kindergarten classrooms sorting books. You know, those really easy readers for beginners. There were 18 buckets-full of them and I was organizing them by level (yes Mom, I know, it was right up my alley). I flipped through some of them occasionally and it hit me--hard--that my baby was going to be learning how to read this year. That means that by this time next year all of my kids will know how to read. This isn't really a new thought but for some reason it just came at me especially hard yesterday.

When my kids were little I felt like my days were a never-ending monotony (sometimes) and it seems like I was always looking forward to the future. And then before you know it, here they are on their own. I realize that sending your youngest off to Kindergarten isn't exactly like sending them off to college but you know what I mean, right? Here I am starting a new chapter of my life (going back to work). It's something that I always thought I would do but until now it was always something I was going to do later. I'm so glad for the time I had to be with my kids when they were little. I only hope I taught them something that will be useful in preparing them for the big 'ole scary world they're being thrown out into. I've been surprised at how Trevin going to school has affected me--more than I ever thought it would. I think it probably has more to do with all the changes in my own life than him actually going to school. He is excited; I am definitely excited for him. It just makes me feel old. :)

8 comments:

gretchen said...

I remember feeling this way last year when our baby Caroline started school. It feels like when they start school their whole little lives past before your eyes and we know how fast it goes once they start kindergarten! I guess it's good that we have these moments so we can really realize how blessed we are to be mommies and to understand how Heavenly Father must feel! It will be so neat for you to be there at school with them. You working mom you!!!

Anonymous said...

And to think I am freaking out over my baby making a scoot the other day and about my oldest starting preschool. I guess I am a vision of your past- I just hope I can be half as creative and fun as you are.

danakat said...

Your children are more than prepared. They are fantastic little people!
And everytime one of mine reaches and then surpasses a new stage, I get emotional. How are we supposed to balance the emotions of wanting our children to grow and mature, but yet still wanting to keep them little and innocent and protected?
You figure it out...let me know.

kg said...

Wonderful new beginnings for everyone!

Jessica M said...

I'm still stuck in the monotony. But hey, Hailey's going to do a pre-school group this year. Even that makes me a little nervous. She likes to wear her little back pack around the house. It does seem that our babies grow up too fast. Melanie goes into nursery in a few weeks. Eek!

The Hales said...

I am almost right there with you. I am working on re-certification here in Utah. I will be working on a project under the direction of the principal. I keep thinking that next year I could be teaching somewhere. I really do not know if I am ready or if my children will be ready for me to go back and work. Good luck this year.

Jenni said...

It has been many years but I can remember all those feelings - there is new apprehension in our household as our "baby" starts high school today - I still look back and wonder where the time has gone and yes, I admit it, I miss the "control" we had when they were small. Now there is high school, dating, driving - speaking of high school - guess I better get her up - she sleeps through ALL 4 of her alarms - hope she sleeps a bit lighter when she has little ones of her own! Miss you guys!

Lisha said...

I'm still very much in the 'something I'll do later phase,' though I know it will all be here before I know it. Hope all is going well, we miss you!