First Day of School

And they're off!

8th grade, 7th grade, 5th grade, 3rd grade, 2nd grade and 1st grade.

I have a particularly grateful heart this year.

Maybe it's because I realize how fast they grow. How little time I actually have with them in our home. How MUCH we have to teach them before they are gone. How grateful I am for the help in doing that.

We started Jr. High football last year with Son #1. He's playing, again, this year, along with Daughter (#2) in Jr. High volleyball. Then, of course, the Coach and his varsity team. I've already admitted we won't make it to every game. We'll do as much as we can without wearing out the little ones.

I'm so grateful for my kids.

This Summer, they have helped, babysat, cleaned up the house, mowed lawns, done meals, cleaned up meals, played with cousins, taken care of Little Man, gotten their stuff ready for school . . .and we've had a LOT of fun, together!

I'm grateful they know how to work hard and pitch in and LAUGH.

Yes, there are more messes because we HAVE eight kids.

Yes, there is more WORK.

More activities.

More errands.

More STUFF.

But there is also a lot more HELP. More hands to do what needs to be done. And someone to laugh with while you do it.

I'll miss them, today. But what a blessing that they can be at our wonderful school, doing some of the needed learning and growing under the extremely capable hands of their incredible teachers.

It's going to be a full-time job this year, for me, to keep things organized and prepared here at home so we can GO GO GO to games most nights. It will keep me busy, teaching and training Daughter (#7), who is already getting to be quite the helper, and Little Man, who tends to get himself into quite a few messes throughout the day.

My goal is for the kids to come home to peace and order (ha!), meals ready, laundry and errands done. So they can do homework and play and go to yet more games.

It's going to be an adventure!

Happy Wednesday!