Ethan, Caleb & Asher's First Day of School

Today was the first day of school for the boys! Ethan started 12th grade, Caleb started 11th grade and Asher started 8th grade.

I've been dreading this day for a while now. I've cried a lot of tears over it. But today, I'm doing ok. I'm trying not to let myself meltdown into a depression over the fact that Ethan started his senior year today. I don't really know how it's happened but at the same time, it feels appropriate. Time is so weird. It all goes by so fast but then again it doesn't. I always love the quote, "The days are long but the years are short" because it's just so true. The day to day feels so long. Some days felt like ages when I was in the thick of it when all the kids were little. Some days were just so hard and more than exhausting and yet, the years ago by so quickly. It doesn't help that they change so much in such a short amount of time! But I find solace in the fact that I have been there for it all. I was lucky enough to be at all the firsts, every game, concert, event, party... all of it. I may not remember it all very well anymore but I know I was there and I did it all. And I'm here for this too.

This year will be a special year and so will next year when Caleb's a senior and Asher will start high school. I realize more than ever before how precious time is. How precious the time is when they're young. They are only young for so long and then the majority of the time you know and are with your kids, they're adults!  

I always think the first child to experience anything new, like this, is always the hardest. But who knows, maybe the hardest will be Macie because she'll be the last. I have no idea but so far, Ethan having big milestones have been the hardest because I haven't experienced them as a parent before so it's scary, new, different and emotionally hard. So, I'll be honest, this is hard. But I'm trying to remain positive.

Asher is excited to be the top dog on campus as an 8th grade. He's also excited to be with his friends Sharky and Connor who are now finally 7th graders. He's excited to take band and do drums too. I think he'll really enjoy Mrs. Pulhmann. Ethan had her and she's just so much fun. He says he's going to do video production for an after school activity with his friend Sharky so we'll see if that happens. It's with his old math teacher who he didn't really like so we'll see. Lastly, he is very excited about his new shoes he got for school. I hope he enjoys this year, makes new friends and has fun!

Caleb is excited to be a junior and in the upper class man group. He's excited to have a class with Miley, a girl he likes, and be able to leave campus if he wants to. He's excited to have his friend Jude with him at school and excited for swim season. He was happy to go back to school so he could be with all his friends again. He said he's going to miss having brunch with Ethan everyday after he's gone so I told him to just make the most of the time he has. He loves going to school with Ethan everyday. I know he'll do great this year!

Ethan is excited to be a senior. He and his friend Bretton got matching Minecraft backpacks. Apparently it's a trend for seniors to pick out and wear a little kid backpack for their senior year. I think it's so endearing. He was pretty excited about it. Ethan isn't doing band this year which he's very happy about. He will focus on swim, being with his friends, SCVYO and continue working part time as a lifeguard for the city. He is wanting to be Swim Team Captain this year. So, we'll see if he gets it! He isn't excited to graduate because he loves school and loves being with his friends. But I know he'll have a lot of fun this year doing all the fun senior things and having a easier schedule. 

Meanwhile, I'm going to try and make the most of this year and be at all the things I can be. Time is fleeting and as much as I wish the kids didn't have to grow up, I know they will so I just need to cherish the time I have.