Back to School

Evan starts kindergarten on Monday. He will go to school all day - from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. He has a uniform: red polo shirt (tucked in), khaki or navy shorts, and a belt. I have bought all his school supplies and taken him for a haircut. His sneakers still fit. I realized today that I failed to get him a backpack, but he does have a brand new Mystery Machine (Scooby Doo) lunchbox.

I realize that he will be fine. It's me that I'm worried about!

He's my boy. I'm going to miss hanging out with him every day. And I wonder what changes school will bring. Will he make a lifelong friend? Will he quickly learn to read - and love to read - like his dad and I do? Will he be able to sit still for that long? Will he influence his class and his school for Christ?

I think he's amazing. Smart. Verbal. Imaginative. Justice, rule and structure-oriented. Loves to tell stories. Likes to make up new games. Climbs anything taller than himself. He's my hugger. He still climbs on my lap for a snuggle, even though he tells me very seriously, "no kisses." He helps his sister with juice boxes and videos. He loves to swim and wrestle with his dad.

Conversations with him are always a surprise. After being disciplined the other day, he told me "Every person has a part to play in this life. I don't think this is my part." When he prays, he often says, "Thank you, Lord, for everything. Just, everything." And then he wonders why I add more specific prayers, "Why, Mom? I just prayed for everything."

Corrie and I will miss him this fall. I'm sure we'll get into a good routine, and I will love having some time alone with my girl, but it will be different. Last year, when he went to preschool, she threw a minor fit one afternoon. "I want my brother named Evan NOW!" I'm anticipating more of the same.

May God guide and protect you, dear one. Be strong and courageous, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Sweet Home Chicago

We've been back from our Chicago vacation for two days now. It's good to be home, but oh, Chicago was good for my soul.

I ate lots of pizza (Lou Malnati's, Giordano's and Rosati's), enjoyed Chipotle, Jimmy John's, Aloha Eats and Pita Inn, went to the zoo, sent the boys to Legoland, and attended a baby shower, but the best part ... the very best part ... was seeing my friends - our Chicago family.

When you count college, we lived in the Chicago area for 16 years (17 for Emmett). You can get to know people pretty well in 16 years. I've known some of these women from singleness through marriage and now in parenting. It's been awesome to walk through life with them. They know me. They know what excites me, what challenges me, what makes me weird, what makes me fun. They know I'm usually late. They know I talk too much. They like me anyway.

These are the women that I call when I do dumb things (for example: dump a can of mandarin oranges directly in the trashcan instead of the salad bowl). They are the people I call when I'm struggling with a decision. They are the ones I commiserate with when I make a bad call as a parent, or when I know God is asking me to do something that I don't want to do. They inspire me and encourage me.

I should shout it from the rooftops: these relationships are one of God's greatest gifts to me! I don't thank Him (or them) enough for their presence in my life.

And our church! I know it's a cliche ... but if I could bottle how it felt to be at Good News Bible Church on Sunday morning, I would make a fortune.

Sigh ...

Now that we're back home in Texas, I feel more motivated to make connections. I've been reminded how God can bring just the right people along at just the right time, and I trust that He has a place for me here. I'm refreshed and rejuvenated and ready to pour into life here.

Thank you to my Chicago friends. You know who you are. I love you.