The Difference a Year Makes

   About this time last year I was crazily running around my house trying to get my 8 year old, nearly 3 year old, and my 3 month old ready for our first day at CC. The 8 year old was nervous. The almost three year old was a very energetic little boy, who had no interest in sitting quietly in his sister's class. The 3 month old was nursing A LOT. I had not gone anywhere with all three kids by myself.
   We arrived late. Really, on the first day I was already late. How classic.

   Most of the day was a blur. What I do remember was trying to be cool and nurse the baby in my older daughter's class despite the fact that I had 2 dad's sitting next to me and I was about out of my comfort zone as I had ever been. I remember trying to chase after my son while at the same time nursing the baby. The day was mostly chasing and nursing. It was stressful. It was the least succesful day I could have imagined.

   It was one day down and 23 more to go.

   Just in case I had any doubts about my *fabulously, wonderful* first day, that evening it got better. I opened my e-mail and saw there was one from our CC Director. I read it and replied to her question. Also in my response I included about how wonderful my day had been and then hit send. A moment later I had a new email. It was from me. I had sent my response to everyone in our group. Once again, how classic!

   Over the following weeks I made changes to our schedule and ultimately our family had a successful year.

   Today was our first day of the 2010-2011 school year for CC. This year I had an excited and confident 9 year old. I had an almost 4 year old little boy, still full of energy, but ready for his first day in his own class. I had someone to be at home and love on my now 15 month old baby. We were still a few minutes late getting there - some things don't change.


     It was a great day. Not sure it could have gone smoother for us. There are new people that my family is looking forward getting to know. There are old friends we are excited to see again. We will have good and bad days, but as our CC Director is always saying, allow yourself grace. Allow grace for the others in our growing community.