Thursday, August 16, 2012

BACK TO SCHOOL

January 1st does not mark my new year.  My new year starts with the school calendar.  I guess it's that way for most families with school age children.  In fact I just ordered my new day planner that begins with September.  It is a customized, colorful, weekly, bound paper calendar.  My husband will never convert me to a digital calendar try as he might.  I love my pens and paper and the act of writing and crossing things off my list.  I can't wait to sit with a mug of tea and fill in all the activities, projects, and plans for the school year.  
On the calendar for tomorrow?  The first day of school.  As you can see we are prepared.  Homework station ready, pencils sharpened, new backpacks hanging on their hooks.  

New school years are like new years with their resolutions, hopes for the future, and do-overs for the mistakes of last year.  Of course I want to be more disciplined with homework, bedtimes, structure and  healthy meals this year.  As I type this the lunchboxes are on the kitchen counter waiting to be packed with healthy snacks, the first day outfits are laid out, teeth have been brushed and we are on target for bedtime.  But I know ahead of us we will have those mornings.  The mornings that the kids got out of bed late, the lunchbox still holds yesterday's trash, one of the kids can't find shoes and another one just remembered that homework assignment that was due today.  Those mornings will come.  My hope is that I can be calmer about them!  

There is something promising about a fresh start, a freshly sharpened pencil, a freshly made bed.  So I welcome this new school year and hope that mom and kids alike can try our best to do our homework, eat our vegetables, and show each other a little grace on the "not so fresh" days.



3 comments:

Greg said...

New beginnings are great! Reminds me of this:

The faithful love of the Lord never ends!
His mercies never cease.
Great is his faithfulness;
his mercies begin afresh each morning.

Hope the first day is going well!

Stacy said...

I also see start of school as new year mark. We start school on Monday. Teaching all four, plus a toddler, and a baby due in February.
I am pretty much trying to have low expectations. ;)

Will you come set up MY house. Yours sounds delightfully organized!!!!! :)

Misty said...

Greg, thanks for pointing out that verse. Love that!