It’s coming. That day in August that has been looming heavy at the end of my summer is coming fast and furious and there is nothing these mommy arms can do to stop it. One of the girls is in a size 2 and a half shoe now. With laces. The other one has finally learned to ride a bike without her training wheels. When I dropped them off at a friends house yesterday, they could hardly wait for me to leave so they could get down to serious playing business. They’re five. Aren’t they supposed to be 13 before they do stuff like that? One month is all that’s left between having them home and having them in kindergarten. So I’ll hold on and unwrap the moments today, but it won’t change the fact that my girls are growing up.
Do you have a life stage you are longing to hold onto? Have you noticed something lately that typically gets buried beneath the busy and the task? Link up to a post explaining how you have found a gift in the midst of the messy, the lovely or the unexpected things of life and share them here with us. To find out more about Tuesdays Unwapped, or if you don’t know how to use a permalink to add your post, simply click here.
Oh my goodness, I’m so there with you. My oldest turns 5 in Sept and goes off to Kindergarten. I’m not even remotely ready for it, but he’s beside himself with excitement. So it’s safe to say I’m holding on to these last six weeks or so of summer with an extra tight grip!
i think once my daughter headed off to school, i was anxious for both of my kids to be there… and now that the years have passed more quickly than i could have imagined… i am grasping at every moment, hoping to savor every minute until they are done with school. seems like just yesterday that i was putting laura on the bus for kindergarten… and now she will be starting her sophomore year. oh yeah… i know what it is like to be holding on…
(Raising her hand with the other commenters…)
I can totally relate to this, too. Last week, I realized –really realized– that my son will be starting kindergarten in a few short weeks. It left me feeling out of sorts all day, in a very weird, surreal sort of way.
I’m not sure if it’s going to harder on him of me. ; )
That growing up is the hardest thing about parenting. There is so much good that comes with it – after all, we’re raising them to leave the nest. But it happens so much faster than I would like! Give them roots and wings!
Most definitely! In fact, that’s exactly what I was writing about. Mine are 3 and 1 and I’m so sad that this chapter of our life is always about to close. Why, oh why, do our little ones have to grow up so fast. It sucks for sure!
You and your girls are just beautiful!
This one struck home with me, too. My oldest starts kindergarten in a little over two weeks. And my post this week is about my “baby” turning 3. It’s all happening so fast.
Oh Emily, I remember when my first went on the school bus… every step away, never easier, my eldest daughter returns to University in a week or so as they go early for training camp. Tears of mixed emotions .
Seems like this is a common theme. My post was already written to be linked up with yours before I read yours today…holding on to those sweet moments each day…parenthood is such a gift. Prior to Jack, I was a Kindergarten teacher who would shoo the moms and dads out on the first day so that the kids would settle down easier, which they do, but teacher or not, when Jack goes to school, I’LL be the freak-o parent that I used to groan about! Right now, I am both celebrating and a little sad at our latest accomplishment- sleeping through the night.
I so hear you, its funny – my post today is similar to yours and I just read the comment above me and it appears there are more of us! It must be the fact that August is upon us, thoughts naturally go to the start of schoo – yikes! I just want to hang on to summer as long as I can!!!
oh gosh! i remember those days….LACES!
i just remember thinking WOW, he’s gotten so big!
it flies, doesn’t it?
I’m feeling all the same things…it’s wonderful and heartbreaking all at the same moment…
Yes, I am holding onto “today”… I hear their little voices upstairs playing dolls…
My son is outside practicing for “practice”…I know his precious years are limited with us and he will be grown…I still don’t know how that all happened-
I am almost sure I just brought them home from the hospital yesterday!
sandy toe
I am just staring at this picture. At their little faces, at yours. So much is here to see.
Bless your family as you head into a new phase of life. XOXO’s
Oh, Emily, aren’t they beautiful? You’ve done your work well, but it surely is hard to let go of this stage.
I think I have some of the same feelings you’re having, except my “little one” is about to go to college instead of Kindergarten. This shepherding-them-through-the-growing-up is what we’re supposed to do, but it’s not easy, is it?
So we give them an extra hug and watch them go, proud that they’re ours–and sad that they’re not as much ours as they once were. I’m so glad that we can rejoice together and weep together.
Bless you.
oh, girl, i found a song that may make you, well, ‘weepy’..It’s by The Weepies: “Can’t Go Back Now.” Just heard it and thought of this post.
i totally understand! my oldest baby is starting second grade and my youngest baby is starting preschool! that august date is getting closer and closer! i am not ready yet!
I’ll be in just your place this time next year, our oldest has his first and final year of pre-school coming up (and wouldn’t you know THAT tears me up!)
I’m clinging ever so tightly to my youngest who just entered the wonderful world of ‘being one’. There is still so much about him that screams BABY – from his rolly-polly disposition, to the tiniest curves of his face… then there is the independent side that walks away from me when I say “no no” and the look in his eye when he sees his older brother doing something he wants to do.
I wish so badly I could freeze these moments, so alas I use my camera. It doesn’t do as well, but works pretty good for me.
Today I shared a gift I unwrapped in finding a long, lost friend and reconnecting in a way I never thought possible. Thanks to the Lord and my willingness to let go of the fear…
Off to read up on everyone’s links now, my favorite day of the week.
A post from last week – I’m completely uninspired today, waiting for my ultrasound. We find out WHAT this baby is today!
I feel like an old hag in the midst of all the young moms here. But the bible says something about gray hairs being a crown of wisdom.
My advice? Hold on to these years ladies. It seemed like my oldest was just in kindergarten a few months ago. In 7 weeks, we are dropping him off to college. Sniff. Hug me.
We went through the kindergarten transition last year and I have to say that it was hard. But, God was so good to give us little moments throughout the year that confirmed that it was good and He was in it. And I was so blessed by the friendships my son chose to make last year; we had many great conversations about prayer and the Lord and how He loves. Yep. My heart broke in small ways over the year. Good ways.
My daughter just had her 5th birthday and is starting kindergarten in a few weeks too. Seems like just yesterday i brought her home from the hospital. Such bittersweet times, these are.
Hugs!
wow! That is so hard to believe. They look so mature! you three look absolutely beautiful, great pic and way to go for stepping around on the other side of the camera.
I have one more year before my son heads off to school and I’m not looking forward to him being gone for so much of the day. His excitement helps ease my pain…
Such a beautiful picture of you all!! Hanging tight to precious memories with you.
Your little girls are so lovely, and I love that you’re in this picture with them!
They are so young, but they look somehow wise too – they almost seem to know how special these days are, too. There is a richness in this kind of bittersweet joy. 
My first born is taking drivers training as I write…Yeah, he can get himself where he needs to be! Wait, no! That means no more one on one in the car with my teenager! That is precious time.
When I look at my kids growth weather physical, spiritual or socially, I cheer – yeah you!!! But then I think NO! Stop – that means you are growing up right before my eyes! I try, try, my best to be thankful when they ask me for help with something. If I am busy, my instinct is to complain at being interrupted.
Yet, some days it is so quiet. No one is asking for my help. Not even to reach the cereal bowls. When did that happen? So yes, I am holding on and letting go at the same time.
You have inspired me to take pictures of me WITH my kids. Next summer they will not look the same.
Drew doesn’t start ’till Sept. 10th – doesn’t that seem really late?! He’s only going to half-day Kindergarten, though, so I think I can handle that. I’m excited for him to read for real.
Plus, “out with the old, in with the new”… I think I’m going to be relieved to have one in K and one in preK when this new baby comes. Built in breaks, see.
Before we started home schooling, Indy went to Kindergarten. It was one of the worst days of my life. I cried my eyes out. Hold those babies as much as you can before they join the world of school. Things will never be the same again.
emily, i’ve been reading your blog for a few months now, but have never participated in tuesdays unwrapped … today, for some reason it caught my eye and i’ve decided to participate.
i’ve linked back to a post i wrote last week, so i didn’t link over here, but will be sure to do that next week.
i’ve had great inspiration in reading the other ladies links … thank you for doing this!
Hi Emily! I so enjoy your blog and your sweet spirit!
Thanks for hosting this, I enjoy looking for the special moments to share each week although I don’t often actually post them, but the point of the exercise is reached as I seek and find the joyful moments hidden in the mess & busy-ness of life!
Cheers!
Hey, I finally figured out the permalink! Aren’t you proud?? And, I think you’ll recognize the friend I posted about! LOL.
How do you get your name on all your pictures? Do you do that yourself? Random question – just wondering!
Great post! I love reading your thoughts!
bittersweet…the only word that describes this precious challenge of motherhood. while shopping a few weeks prior to sending my eldest to kindergarten, i decided to take a peek inside the book “Someday” by Alison McGhee and Peter H. Reynolds … SOBBED. LOUDLY.
i love this book as it so clearly captures what i see as the full arc of motherhood (i have three precious girls so it really hit home.) the book resides on my nightstand along with a little hand-stitched quote: remember the little things. you may look back one day and realize they were the little things. so true.
perhaps this is why i attempt to capture every moment. i am such a visual person and really relish how YOU so eloquently put things into WORDS along with your pictures…i am so often on the exact same page. for me it is in my pictures (thanks for you sweet comment on my blog, by the way)…my little time capsules.
my middle daughter will be off to kindergarten this fall…bittersweet, yet again.
wow. that was a lot of words!
Where oh where does the time go … thank goodness for eyes to see the beauty that is before us each and every day!
I just joined this for the first time … thanks for making it happen!
Emily- I can relate. Even though I posted about switching gears to fall…I can hardly believe this is the last year for my daughter to be in middle school. She will be in High School next year! What???
I must say that every stage is better than the last in so many ways. Wanna know what my daughter can do now?? Babysit!!
Enjoy each season. I can tell you do.
Hmmm… I, too, have been very reflective of my little ones lately. How does time do this to us!? We are each given the same amount of time. It’s up to us to make those moments count… even the little ones. For in time, they turn into life’s biggest memories.
I just found your site through The Run Amok, and I am so glad. After reading blog after blog out there, I was craving something with just this voice and tone. And I love your unwrapped project. What a great idea. Thank you for the opportunity to share.
I read your ‘about’ page, and I am often find myself searching for ‘a space for my soul to breathe’. The tagline of my blog is ‘finding clarity in the chaos’, which I think is just another way to word what you seem to also be doing. Finding meaning in the messy, the mundane.
Anyway, I really enjoy what you have to say and I’m so grateful for the links to the other blogs. Thank you!
by the way, I did link up to an older post I wrote, but now that I have read several of the others who are linked to the unwrapped project, I think I might not have chosen the best post. Sorry about that. (its one where I struggle a little in finding the gift in the messy). Anyway, next time I’ll get it right.
Per your request…
http://livingbygrace.blogspot.com/2009/07/my-baby-in-blue.html
Keep holding on– and letting go– this motherhood thing is pretty crazy, huh?
Oh I’m so with you on this.
I’m so sad that summer is almost over already! (the school summer anyway… there are still many weeks left of heat.)
We have a tradtion that the day before school starts we have an ice cream outting with the kids. They love it and it’s just a way for me to spend one last day enjoying them before I send them off early the next day.
I often feel that shortness of breath over the lack of time I have with now three children. It definitely hits home with one headed to kindergarten! (Sigh…) All the more reason to seek God’s agenda for each day and His Spirit for each moment. What a beautiful dilemma! Thanks for sharing. I’m so glad I came across your blog. I hope to participate in Tuesdays Unwrapped next week.
This is probably silly….
Two night ago we moved our 6 month old son into (gulp) his own room! I think the adjustment has been harder for me than for him. He was a preemie and spent the first 3 months in the hospital and since he’s been home he has been sleeping our room. I liked having him in our room so I could check on him often. My husband bought one of those monitors that has a camera… that makes the transition a little easier, but it’s still hard.
Kate
Since I have only visited once or twice before, I did not know you have twin daughters ~ just like me! Your little one are just getting ready for kindergarten… My sweeties have their own little ones who just finished kindergarten. They even shared their wedding day… I posted about it here:
http://gratefulprayerthankfulheart.blogspot.com/2009/06/double-wedding-double-anniversary.html
I have enjoyed visiting and look forward to stopping by again!
Kindly, ldh
This is my first time linking to TU. (Even though I technically posted late late late on Monday, I’m so happy to play along this week!)