T-minus 5 days...

In five days I will be taking my children to kindergarten; them with their little backpacks, me with an entire box of tissues! I am excited but more so overwhelmed and nostalgic. I've tried not thinking about it over the summer but as the day approaches, I'm filled with sappy moments and random crying bouts. I'm not really sure why either! Some of it are my fears, but most, I guess, is the fact that this is one of the marks in their maturity. They are growing up! (You say, "No, duh! It happens to all of us!" I say "Just wait till it's your kid".) They are now school children. And it doesn't make matters any better when, at lunch today, Nicole mentions that she misses being four (because she liked being at home and dancing). A couple more tears were let loose.
My little guys are heading towards so many new firsts- first day of school, first time their name gets on the board (for talking, no doubt! They are Ryan's and mine.), first best friend, first little crush which are wonderful and exciting but also freaky and intimidating. And school isn't quite what it was when we were there (24 years ago- Wow!). But I also trust in the Sovereign God who loves my children with greater love than even I can give. (And that's a lot of love!) And He has taken great care of them up to this day. I just need to keep remembering that!

Good times, great people!

We just got back from our family (and hopefully annual) vacation to Davenport with our great friends, the Claassens. It was wonderful being in the salty air and not frying at 100 degrees! We actually had to wear jeans and sweatshirts in the mornings and evenings- in July! Unheard of in Redding!! It was a great time! The kids had never been to the coast before so they loved taking it all in (and even taking some of it home- sand in every crevice!!) We also had the opportunity to go to the Monterey Bay Aquarium- the kids were amazed at the 500 ton tuna! As Nicole said, "that's a big sandwich!"

Here's some pics from the trip:

The jellyfish exhibit @ Monterey Bay Aquarium

Us on Cannery Row

Nate showing me his muscles on the beach

Lauren taking it all in...

Cool starfish we found.

Me being a goof (shocking, I know!)

Our Crazy Crew!! Six kids worth of craziness~

Nicole on Fishermen's Wharf, Monterey

Nicole chasing the waves.

It was such a great trip- rockin' out to the Robots' soundtrack in traffic jams; eating junk food while on the road; peeling wet jeans off little bodies; the kids ordering Clam Chowder and pounding down Ryan's calamari (eww!); hanging out with good friends; exploring the ocean shore through fresh eyes; walking hand in hand with my daughter on the beach; digging to China in the sand (or at least trying to); soaking up God's beautiful creation. These surely are blessed days!

Can't wait 'til next year~