Bookbags, pens, and pencils... CHECK. Mother's broken heart; all her kids are in school...CHECK

Another school year. If that doesn't make a mother feel old, how about the fact my youngest of four has started kindergarden today. It is official.... I am old.

A million thoughts and even more emotions run through me, did my mom feel this way? Or am I just the over emotional mess knowing I no longer have babies, I have children that all attend school?

Over the years as the older kids would get ready in their favorite outfit and hair just right, I was fine. I still had a precious little one still at home. We would greet the older kids as they came home, dinner, homework, then off to bed to repeat the next day. Now as I sit in the eerie silence I daydream of what it is they are all doing. What will their futures turn out to be? Will they make a huge impact on someones life as they did mine.....

To my gifts from God, there will come a time in your life you will be reflecting on your childhood. This is how much you meant to me at this particular time. I cannot ever express enough how much you truly mean to me. I love you guys!!

To my first born, Jared,

You still continue to amaze me. Last night when I saw you after football covered in dirt at dad's house, I had a shocked look on my face. You right away said "it's the cleats mom! Plus I'm standing on here" ( the metal threshold) You know me so well that you responded to what I would have said, " holy cow you grew again, I thouhgt we talked about this, no more growing!!!"

Now look you are in 7th grade. I know you will fly through this year without a single struggle. I am still in awe by how unbelievably smart you are. Everything comes to you so quickly. You never study and still get 100% on tests. First year of Junior High, this is so much harder on me than you, then again you are such a strong kid nothing is ever hard for you.This is also the first year where you are totally responsible for yourself at school, therefore must take this year even more serious. You have added responsibility now on football. Make it count. You are such a great football player. Run with it!  I have learned so much from you. I am so very VERY proud of you. It kills me how fast you have grown into the man you will become. Continue helping others and absorbing as much knowledge as possible. Plus I need you to help with the other kids math homework!! LOL. Remember you are the role model to your little brother and the protector of your sisters. It's a big job, I know you can do it. You have so much to offer, so make the right decisions. I love you Jared! 

Love, Mom

Miss MK (MiKayla),

5th grade!!! Can you even believe it? I know just how happy you are to be back in school. School is your life! This is a year for a few firsts for you.  Jared is no longer in the same school as you. This could be a good thing for you, but I also know that a lot of your friends are in his grade and that's OK. First year you will be doing after school sports. This is also a year for many firsts for me. Your brother is not there to protect you so you will need to be very strong and make an individual name for yourself. You are MK, not Jared's sister.

You are such a beautiful girl and have such a passion for learning. Hold on to the dream of being a teacher. I could never pick a better person to educate others than you. I am so proud of you. You are going to learn so much this year, have so many fun projects and most of all the life experience. Meet as many new people as you can. Don't let your big social life get in the way of your education. The friends that mean anything will be there later. Your education is now. This is a year you will learn to balance things out as well. Between school, Cheer, tumbling and whatever your little heart desires. I love you so much MK.

Love, Mommy

Little Lane (Helaina),

Look at you 2nd grader!!! This year I cannot even explain how much you will learn, and not only that meet brand new friends. How exciting! You were my lil preemie baby, now you're 7 and in 2nd grade. You are growing up just too darn fast for me. It amazes me to see how you have grown and now sitting in school this very second what you are learning makes my heart smile. You can be anything you want to be. You are such a super smart girl and so beautiful. Lane you make me very proud to have you as one of my daughters.

This year you will also take on a different world of dance. I love the fact you are willing to try new things. Everything you do, you always take it to the next level and that is a very great quality to have. So this year continue to do so. Learn as much as you possibly can. Most important have fun and enjoy yourself. Lane I love you so much.

Love, Momma

Precious Logan,

I cried so much today dropping you off at kindergarten. You are such a big boy and I love you so much! You are going to learn so much this year. You will love your teacher. I know she's the best, Jared had her in 4th grade. You are very lucky to have your friend Ryan in the same class. You boys better be good!!!

This is a safe year for you, a year that your friends will accept you no matter what tic you do. Be the one to show other kids having Tourette's is just something you have but you are an awesome kid to play with. Show others how to play baseball, and football. The entire world is at your finger tips. Learn all you can, help others and have lots of fun. School will show you so much more each and every day. Logan I am so proud of who you are and love you so super much dude-o. 

Love, Momma

*** There will be bumps along the way, yet hurdles you guys will soar over. Most importantly the five of us walk down the road together. Little footprints turning into grown steps. You guys have taught me what it is to live. I can't wait to see what you guys grow up to be!