I'll take one of each, please.

An interesting thing happened today.  A phenomenon of epic proportions.  You might think I am talking about a solar eclipse, or planets aligning in a way that only happens once a millennium. Nope.  And I am not talking about the kids rinsing their own plates before putting them in the dishwasher either.  That would be way too weird!  

No, my personal phenomenon has to do with my children, but not with their housekeeping skills. Today each of my four sons is on a different plane, not unlike the planets listed above.  I have reached the point where I have one child at each level of public schooling.  Not to mention my oldest, who is in Nairobi, Kenya, serving a mission for our church. 

As the whirlwind of school shopping, paying registration fees, and stuffing their new back packs was circling around me I didn't really have a chance to realize the impact of this new phase.  I almost feel like an observer who has less and less of a hands-on position and more and more of a supervisory one.  I am not really complaining here.  It is terrific to have kids take more charge of their lives and choices.  But it is strange to be down to my last elementary-aged son, and he is in fifth grade!

It is like from here on out we are starting to count down to being at the end of things.  Counting down until the mortgage is paid off, etc.  I have friends with younger kids than mine and I see them counting up until things begin.  "Only three more years until this one starts school."  "In two years I will have a high-schooler!"   

And even though life is good, I have to ask where did all of the time go? Remember your mom saying stuff like that?  

8 comments

Luann | August 20, 2008 at 10:53 AM

Yup, I'm definitely still one of the counting up-ers. :)

Great post.

Mrs4444 | August 20, 2008 at 1:54 PM

Wow--each one looks like a younger version of the last. Yes, the time flies, doesn't it?

P.S. That dialogue blog sounds interesting...did he keep the url?

Camille | August 20, 2008 at 11:16 PM

I'm with you sister. I've been counting down for quite some time. At times it seems that I've been so busy with "llfe" that I failed to look around me and see what's really happening. Now, my youngest is a senior this year, my second to the youngest is in South Africa and my third to the youngest is in Houston preaching in Spanish. I won't mention what my 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, or 8th are doing. Does it remind you of a song from an oft seen movie, "Slipping Through My Fingers"

Connie | August 20, 2008 at 11:17 PM

I need to pay attention to what I'm doing and try to keep everyone else off this computer! Camille really doesn't have her youngest in high school.

Kazzy | August 21, 2008 at 12:48 AM

Connie, I am interested in the blog listed under your name titled "I started out as a child". I am assuming it is Andy's? Ever think of having your own?

LisAway | August 21, 2008 at 8:35 AM

Hey Kazzy. Nice to meet you. Even though my kids are still much younger I'm still mourning the loss of their infancy/toddlerhood etc. It's so strange to thing that we'll be like you all too soon, with our kids getting ready to gradually leave the house. I feel a little sad thinking about it even though it's many years away. *sigh* I guess I just have to try and make the best of where we are.

Miss Brandy | August 26, 2008 at 1:53 PM

That's why I just keep adding more babies :) Your boys as so cute.

Miss Brandy | August 26, 2008 at 1:54 PM

of course I meant they ARE so cute, sorry!