Reflections

Recently, I'm finding myself reflecting on how quickly the years fly by. Today I filled out paperwork for Robbie to enter middle school next year and for Ashley to enter high school. As if that wasn't enough, we have orientation at the high school tomorrow night. Now THAT is going to give me a cold, hard dose of reality. My babies are growing up.

As hard as it is to accept, I also feel a great sense of pride in the young woman and young man that we're raising. We've been blessed beyond measure when it comes to these two. Not because of the school and extracurricular activities that they excel in, but because of their servant hearts in always wanting to help others. My sweet boy who still insists on having mom tuck him in each night (shhh, don't tell him I told you!) and my independent girl who has gone to sleep for years without even saying goodnight. We jokingly call her our little old lady because she goes to bed so early sometimes! These two have grown up to value family time with movie and game nights, they confide in each other and most importantly...they confide in us. Yes, they both have big dreams and goals and we will support them every step of the way in achieving those goals, but more than anything else I simply want them to be happy. I want them to enjoy the life they create for themselves. I want them to enjoy the families and careers that they will one day have. I want them to enjoy reflecting on childhood memories of time spent together as a family.

I often say that it's my job to be the parent now so that we can be friends later. I consider myself very blessed that more often than not, I can still take on the roll of friend in the midst of parenting. Although it makes me sad to see them growing up so quickly, it also excites me to think about the years we have ahead as friends and the memories that we will continue to create. Somewhere down the road are spouses and children waiting for them and for their sake, it's my job now to focus on making sure my children have the best examples of marriage and parenting possible so that one day we hear "Thank you" instead of "Why didn't you?"