Kindergarten

This is my second consecutive year to send a child to kindergarten... Over the past year, with two kindergarten milestones in a row, I’ve often wondered why sending a child to kindergarten is so heartbreaking for moms. I think I’ve figured it out. The first five years of a child’s life fly by, each year passing more quickly than the one before. Kindergarten is one of the first times a mother realizes just how fast her children are growing up. And, although we shudder to think of it, before we know it we will be packing their moving boxes instead of their lunch boxes. And it makes us sad.

Joseph's First Year

Because my children were born 12 months and 20 days apart, we always have their “big” parties together, but on their actual birthday, we have a smaller family party for just them. On Joseph’s first birthday, Sammy and I gave him his gifts while big sister was napping so he could open them without her “help”. It was a sweet day and we marveled that it had been an ENTIRE year since he was born. “Can you believe it’s been a year,” we asked each other repeatedly.

To be honest, I had just completed the most difficult (yet wonderful) year of my life. In hindsight, I recognize it had also been a year of countless realizations. Realizing that sleep can be far more valuable than following expert advice… Realizing that at times, being practical is a necessity rather than an option… Realizing that sometimes surviving IS thriving… Realizing that God’s grace is like manna; He only gives enough for that day, that hour, that moment…

As we celebrated Joseph, inwardly I was celebrating all of us for making it. We did it!!! Actually, GOD did it. And to this day, I am unspeakably grateful.

Breanna's First Year

April 15, 2004. Breanna’s first birthday. Much had changed since the day of her birth… As is true with most babies, her first year was truly a year of firsts: first smile, first laugh, first steps, and first words. I had many firsts that year as well: first Mother’s Day, first time to be called Mama, first experience with MOM GUILT…

But that year, our little family experienced much more than those typical firsts: including a big move, a big career change, and a BIG surprise. On Breanna's first birthday, I was days away from delivering baby number 2!! It was an eventful twelve months.

Of course Breanna has no memory of her first birthday party, but I will never forget it. We opted for a small guest list. It was just the three of us. She opened her presents, we went out to dinner and when we came home, she enjoyed her very own birthday cake, followed by a much needed bath.

And I couldn’t help but help but feel a little sad. I knew that Breanna was about to have to grow up a lot faster than any of us were ready for. I wished that I could warn her… Prepare her in some way. But, for that one day I chose forget about my concerns and fears of the days ahead and celebrate my little Breanna turning 1.