Winds of change

The only thing that never changes is the fact that everything changes.

Have you ever experienced the truth in that statement? Have you ever felt like the very earth beneath your feet is elementally shape-shifting where you stand? I have been almost drowning in the sensation recently and I gotta say, for the most part it has not been a pleasant companion to keep. I enjoy change in the context of keeping life interesting and exciting; trying a new restaurant, experimenting with new recipes, testing out a new sport or exercise, vacationing somewhere different, etc. However, other kinds of change are not always so fun and enjoyable for me, especially when they involve my children growing up. Talk about earth shifting! I have been "shifted" 3 times recently in this arena and after the initial jolt and aftershocks wore off, I am doing well, thriving even, despite the fact that I felt quite sure I was not going to make it through to the other side of any of these shifts in less than 1 million irreparable pieces. This is my story.

Breannah starting Kindergarten

On the 7th of September @ exactly 8:15 am Central Standard time, my firstborn went off to all day, every day kindergarten. To say that this was hard for me would in all honesty be the most underwhelming understatement of the above, middle and underworld combined. lol I have a friend who also sent her firstborn to kindergarten this year and here is what she had to say about it,

"Sending your child off to school for the whole day is the antithesis of mothering for me. I worked so hard for six and a half years to protect him and never let him out of my sight and now I'm supposed to happily put him on the bus and let him go."

Breannah is not riding the bus to school, but I TOTALLY related to that statement. If felt like I was rubbing a cats fur in the wrong direction and it made me feel just as discombobulated and pissed off as that same poor cat. Going.....against....the grain.....is H.A.R.D with a capital duh!

But, despite what my mommy emotions were telling me, "Don't let her go! It's dangerous! They'll ruin her!", my head knew that she was SO ready for this next milestone and I needed to let her take that step. One of my more rational fears was that I would loose my composure in front of her on the big day and I so very badly didn't want to taint her excitement and boy was she ever excited, let me tall ya. But, I am proud to announce that I was able to get my crying done a couple days before the big day and when lift off finally did occur there wasn't a wet eye to be found, at least not between Bre and I, some of the other Moms @ drop off time were a different story.

She of course had a fabulous day and her teacher said she didn't once ask for me or when I was coming to get her. lol I was actually very relieved by this announcement because I would much rather her be having the time of her life without me than be miserable the whole time we are separated. Wes and I had a lovely afternoon together as well on our first day of this new adventure together. We went out for a special Mommy & Wesley lunch date which was so very nice, for both of us. We shared a booth, chicken fingers & fries, my lemon water, chocolate cake and lots of giggles and sweet moments. It was precious and ministered to my aching heart just where I needed it most on that difficult morning and I knew that I was going to be ok.

The only thing that never changes is the fact that everything changes.

Shift happens and sometimes it really sucks, but sometimes the new view can be quite nice once you get over the initial shock.

Using a paper chain to count down the days left till school starts.

First day breakfast!

KINDERGARTEN!!!

Sharing left over lunch and a snuggle on the playground after school.