Today is the Day

By Alicia Emanuel

Today is the day, your very first day.
The day we’ve been counting down to since May.

This is the day you get on that big bus
You’ve been to preschool, so what’s all the fuss?

This school day is long and you go every day
And this school is almost 4 whole miles away!

In your eyes I see more excitement than fears
Don’t look too closely or in mine you’ll see tears.

It is hard to explain exactly how I feel,
I’m happy and sad and it doesn’t seem real.

You are my baby, born just a short time ago,
How can I have a kindergartener?  I just don’t know.

But then I take a second look and who do I see?
An independent school boy staring back at me.

You are smart and you are anxious to get on your way. 
It is me who is not quite ready to let go today.

I hope I have given you all the tools to succeed,
Instilled in your heart all that you need:

God’s love will follow you wherever you roam,
He will be with you when I must stay home.

God hand-picked this teacher to take care of you,
She’ll teach you many things, everyday something new.

God will be there when you first take your seat,
He will watch over you and the friends that you meet.

God will be here with me, too, as I wonder and wait.
I know you are in His hands and your day will be great. 

God has given me wonderful friends in whom to confide.
Even without words they know what I’m feeling inside.

I’ve known all these moms since you were quite small.
They will see me through this like they’ve seen me through all.

We’ll cry, we’ll laugh, and we’ll all feel the same.
We’ll leave each other better than when we came.

You see, God has a way of providing us just what we need.
He will do that for you, Tyler, if you follow His lead.

So grow up, my son, but more slowly if you can.
Trust in the Lord always because He has a plan.

The bus rounds the corner and I feel my tension decrease,
I’m giving my fears to God and in exchange I get peace.

Teacher Appreciation Week

We have been blessed with wonderful, patient teachers this year.  The boys and I put together Bloomin' Buttons to show our appreciation for their teachers.  This was another idea from Family Fun magazine and I think it turned out pretty cute!  I got the pots, wire and buttons from Michael’s and the plants from HyVee.  Tyler was able to help thread the buttons on to the wire.  Drew’s contribution to the project was crying incessantly for candy while we were checking out at Michael’s.  :o)