School Daze

Today seems different to me-not because I had to wake up at 7am, get lunches ready, curl hair, give advice, pack backpacks...but because the thoughts that have entered my mind at such speed. Caleb started 5th grade today and Aubrie is having her first official all day kindergarten. My thoughts have taken my breath away and with the lump that forms in the back of my throat every time I think "Have I taught my kids what they need to know to survive out there?" "Have I made sure that they know I Love them more than life itself?" "Do they know who they are and what they stand for?" I also wonder "Are they happy at school?". "Do I make our home a refuge away from the outsude world that can be so cruel and lonely?"
Questions that make my heart and stomch do flips.
I feel like snuggling them in my arms all day long and never letting go. I think of the plan that Heavenly Father and set before us all. We are given these beautiful, innocent babies and they are absolutely pure from heaven above, they come here to us and we are to teach them and guide them in the right direction through life. Through the steps and curves that life places before us. Each littlr step they take they get closer to being on their own and being able to make their own decisions. Our goal is to teach them the ways to make good decisions and leanr how to stand on their own two feet-righteously. What a daunting task we have taken on as parents. I always feel overwhelmed with these thoughts. I cant escape them. So today, is not like any other day for me. Today is the last day my son will have a first day in elementary school. Next year he will go to middle school. The dreaded middle school. I fear it. I guess maybe because my life changed so much in middle school.There is where I met people that changed my life forever. Its scary. I can only hope that Cal is ready. That I have taught him how to stand on his own two feet. I want him to enjoy being a kid and this year I feel, will be the last that he feels like a kid. Free of worry and stress. Free from the peer pressure and constant battling of the adversary.
How fast life goes by. How fast kids grow up. Let us have daily reminders to enjoy and love our children each and everyday:)
Here is a picture of them this monring on their way together to school!