1st Day of School!

It's "back to school" for our two youngest children.  They were actually excited, but not necessarily for school.  Jacob is excited because he's a Senior this year, and Tyler is excited about football and FFA.  Neither are excited about the academic/learning part! Ha ha!  I suppose that's typical of most teens.  Actually it's probably true of many/most adults, too.  I know in our small town football is highly anticipated this time of year!

Because we had two extra weeks of summer this year due to our school ending in early May for budget cuts, it actually seemed like a long summer.  Those two extra weeks were great! I wouldn't mind us doing that all of the time.

It is also nice that the two college kids are still home.  It makes it not so quiet and lonely on this first day of school.  They'll be leaving soon, then I will have to get into my regular "school time" routine.  I usually get there after Labor Day.

I pray that these two boys have a great school year.  More importantly, I pray that they let their lights shine brightly for Jesus.  I pray that they are kind and compassionate to others.  I pray that they look out for those who may be sad or lonely.  I pray that they stay on the straight and narrow path.  And I pray that they always know that I am praying for them each and every day.

First Day of School 2015

The first day of school.  The day some look forward to and some dread.

Today was very different.  Only our two youngest headed out the door for school today.  That's just weird!  It was different when our daughter graduated, but with the three boys together, it was still okay. Today was weird.  Only two were even awake!  The other two were still asleep, even though the mommy in me would have liked for them to get up and see their younger brothers off to school, the younger two didn't seem to mind at all.

This year the youngest is officially in Junior High.  He was in the building last year, but this year there are the fun ballgames that go along with it!  He's growing up - and quickly.  The next youngest is a Junior in High School. He reminded me several times yesterday and this morning that next year he'll be a Senior.  He's always been the "baby", so it's really hard to imagine, though he's matured so much that I know it's going just the way it's supposed to go. He's gonna fly the coop, too! Imagine that from the boy who used to say he was going to live next door to us and be close forever!  (P.S. That's when we said that at the "end of college" age - for him 23 - that he HAD to be out of the house. We didn't want him to think he could mooch forever! Ha ha!)  But, he is excited about his future, even though he's not sure of what it holds.  And so are we.....even though I certainly don't want these two years to fly by.

As I prayed with the boys this morning (my husband had to pick up donuts for two different groups), I prayed that they will be good examples to others and show the example of Jesus in their words and actions.  That prayer should be for each of God's children, each and every day.  The youngest informed me that he was going to take some advice his dad gave during a devo last night.  "Be interested, not interesting."  In other words, care more about others than you do yourself.  I was really proud of him for going into this new school year with that on his mind.  Wouldn't it be good if we all kept that in mind each and every day?  It sums up the greatest and second greatest commands in the Bible: Love God. Love others.

Happy first day of school, boys! I love you forever and always! :)

The First Day of School - 2015

Today is the first day of school. The first day to start on a Tuesday EVER for our children, but it wouldn't matter what day they were starting - none of them were ready! Ha ha!  Zachary is a SENIOR! Jacob is a Sophomore. Tyler begins Middle School (Jr. High) as a 6th grader. Unbelievable to not have anyone in elementary! But, I'm still doing Elementary PTO, so I get my "elementary" fix :).

Of course I made Tyler take some pictures going into middle school. Don't want to miss that opportunity! He's the least fond of school of any of our children, but thankfully he seemed okay with it once he got there. I'm praying he has a great year and keeps up with his stuff!  This will be a challenge for him :), but he can do it. I know it!

The tallest in the family is excited to be in his final year of high school! As a special treat for his class, Zachary made cinnamon rolls for the first time. His grandmother helped him learn to make her mother's recipe for bread that's a family tradition, then a few days later she (and his uncle) showed him how to make them into the famous cinnamon rolls.  They're great!  I think his class will be excited about his baking skills!

Zachary is excited about their new FFA Broadcasting Studio at the school. Now, along with being able to stream football games and stock shows online, they will also be able to host interviews and various segments for a show!  Pretty exciting for a small town!

Jacob is probably more excited about next year's new school year than he is this one. That's because next year all of the Senior athletes will be gone and he'll get to play more! Ha!  That Senior class is super-talented, so they'll be greatly missed, but we're excited about the up-coming talent, as well. A new thing for Jacob: He got to DRIVE to school for the very first time!  That is pretty exciting! No more football taxi for mom!!!  Yay! (At least until Jacob graduates.)

And here's the BIG 6th grade middle schooler!  Tyler is pretty fortunate this year. He has a cousin-in-law, an aunt, and an uncle (that we know of so far) teaching and coaching him, plus several other new teachers that we are excited for him to have!  It will be interesting this year, but great.

Sixth grade is an odd year. It's in the middle school, but they play elementary sports/activities. It's kind of awkward, to me. I'm always excited when they get into the JH level of sports. It's just fun!

I'll post about our college girl next week, after she moves in.

And now for a traditional poem that I usually post the day before school starts, but waited until now.  I wrote this in 2010, but it always helps me to read it each year as the kids start to school.

'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE SCHOOL STARTED

'Twas the night before school started and all through the house,

Not a creature was stirring not even a mouse (thankfully).

The backpacks were hung on the laundry room hooks,

They would soon be loaded down with papers and books.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of homework danced in their heads.

And Dad in the bedroom had just begun snoring,

And I was still cooking and might be 'til morning.

When out of a bedroom I heard such a clatter,

I sprang down the hallway to see what was the matter.

Away to the bedroom I made a mad dash,

And opened the door, my toe I did smash.

The night light plugged in shone brightly in the night,

One of the children had yelled out in a fright.

When what to my wondering ears did I hear,

But children exclaiming, “It's finally here!”

With a kiss and a hug I calmed down their spirits,

And told them I loved them – they needed to hear it.

More rapid than TIGERS, the prayers for them came,

And I spoke to God softly and called them by name.

Be with Lauren and Zachary, Jacob and Tyler,

And guide them all safely - my prayers lifted higher.

To the kitchen I then wandered all calm and sincere,

That God would be with them throughout the school year.

I rushed through the cooking and baking with ease,

And got to bed early – I was certainly pleased.

But before my tired eyelids ever closed for the night,

I prayed for my children one more time – it seemed right.

In the morning they'll awaken, mixed emotions galore,

I'll miss them and think of them and pray for them more.

But I won't need to worry for my Father knows best,

That He is still with them when they're out of the nest.

Written by Lori Waugh

August 18, 2010

'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE SCHOOL STARTS

Note: I wrote this poem on August 18, 2010, for the first day of school.  Each year, on the night before school starts I post it again.  Tonight is the night.  What a great summer break we had!
Our three boys will be starting school in the morning. One will be a Junior in HS, one beginning HS as a Freshman, and the youngest in his last year of elementary...5th grade. Our daughter won't have to start school in the morning. She's bragging about it, of course! :)  No, she'll be going to college next week....starting a brand new, exciting life.  But, she's still in the poem!

'Twas the night before school started and all through the house,

Not a creature was stirring not even a mouse (thankfully).

The backpacks were hung on the laundry room hooks,

They would soon be loaded down with papers and books.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of homework danced in their heads.

And Dad in the bedroom had just begun snoring,

And I was still cooking and might be 'til morning.

When out of a bedroom I heard such a clatter,

I sprang down the hallway to see what was the matter.

Away to the bedroom I made a mad dash,

And opened the door, my toe I did smash.

The night light plugged in shone brightly in the night,

One of the children had yelled out in a fright.

When what to my wondering ears did I hear,

But children exclaiming, “It's finally here!”

With a kiss and a hug I calmed down their spirits,

And told them I loved them – they needed to hear it.

More rapid than TIGERS, the prayers for them came,

And I spoke to God softly and called them by name.

Be with Lauren and Zachary, Jacob and Tyler,

And guide them all safely - my prayers lifted higher.

To the kitchen I then wandered all calm and sincere,

That God would be with them throughout the school year.

I rushed through the cooking and baking with ease,

And got to bed early – I was certainly pleased.

But before my tired eyelids ever closed for the night,

I prayed for my children one more time – it seemed right.

In the morning they'll awaken, mixed emotions galore,

I'll miss them and think of them and pray for them more.

But I won't need to worry for my Father knows best,

That He is still with them when they're out of the nest.

Written by Lori Waugh

August 18, 2010