Fall is in the air and it's the first day of school. 1st grade and 6th grade .... hardly seems possible.

I already long for the endless carefree days of summer. Barefoot, fields, running, climbing, swimming, camping out in the fort, simply just being. Not knowing the day or the hour .... being lost in summer .... I like that.

Now we're onto a schedule, a structure, a routine. An early bedtime, tucking in , reading books and saying prayers before sleep. There's something sweet about this time though.

I snuggled with Pie last night, she couldn't sleep, nervous for her first day. We talked, prayed and cuddled. As I rubbed her back she dosed off with our cat Newman right next to her.

Then onto Bub .... who was as equally nervous and also had a hard time sleeping. We talked. He said he was scared he was going to "mess up." Locker combinations, 7 classes, 7 teachers, new school, middle school. He puts so much pressure on himself. I reassured him, told him I thought he's do great. But that we all "mess up" at times and it's okay. We are not perfect. I mess up all the time. We can learn so much from mistakes ....

I tucked him in with our dog Zero, we prayed and he too dosed off.

Too late on a school night ... but much needed time.

The house is quiet ... too quiet. I love their laughter, the sound of their voices, the running up and down the hall, in and out of the door, the toys, the games, the adventure.

They will do well today. I know ....

They will be in my every thought and prayer.