Back to School 2016

Wow!  It's been a long time!
Lots of cool things have been happening and lots of pictures have been taken, but I just haven't made time record it all here in this space.

There's just no way that I can go back and blog about all that has gone on since...wow...April, but I will get some back to school photos on and then try to figure out how to share the past 4 months of our lives without it being too much!!

So!
Everyone started back to school this week...but in increments instead of all at once.
Those days of three kids smiling for the camera all together on the first day are over.
In fact, between the three of them, there are three different schools being attended.

Jenelle goes first!
She started her 8th grade year at St. Joe's on Tuesday...8TH GRADE PEOPLE!!
Its our last year with this most amazing and special school.
I'm not going to miss the volunteer hours and time (or maybe I will just a little), but I will miss this place that makes me remember their sweet young start in school.
I will miss the teachers and principal and all those who made it a safe and loving place.

This girl was so ready to go back!
We had a fantastic summer, but she loves activity 24/7 and likes the routine of the morning and her school day.
Mom just can't provide that kind of entertainment all day every day!

Next is Ivan...
Ike started on Wednesday and Ivan left for his Sophomore year in the morning - stopping long enough to appease his mom for some pictures.

And finally Hannah!
Our SENIOR!!
She's entering her 2nd year of Running Start classes (classes taken at the local community college that count for college credit as well as high school credits).
This year her college classes are in the morning...and don't start until 19 September...so she doesn't have to be at Ike until close to noon.
Instead of sleeping in, she's up and going to the gym before class...using the extra morning hours to her advantage.

And so that's it...
Endings that lead to beginnings.
It makes me think a lot lately about who I am...what I have been for the past 17 years.
So many things, but mostly a mom...a wife...
Of course I don't know what the future holds as my children grow up and start to make their own way, but I know one thing for certain...
I have never once...not one single time...regretted spending my days with them and for them.
I would do it all over again and again.