First Day

Both of them.
Gone.
All day long.
(yes, I'm wiping away my tears as I type).

I can truly hardly believe I have a 5th grader, and a 1st grader.
Suddenly all those cliche's ring true...
..."Growing too fast..."
..."Right before my eyes..."
..."They are only little once..."

It's such a different phase of life I'm learning to accept. Abby's becoming my built-in babysitter extraordinaire (she is amazing), and suddenly I'm able to do things, like go to the bank, without bringing an entire circus routine of entertainment for Deak. I can literally just walk in, and walk out.

It's so weird.

Deak is getting so smart and big and mature. He is understanding so much more of his environment and is initiating communication. He purposefully will follow directions and (not) follow directions. He is, dare I say, getting easier. We have finally hit the long-awaited toddler stage of development, and are cherishing the curiosity that has come with it.

He is such a miracle.

Abby is, well, pretty much perfect (unless you are a BYU fan...in which case, be prepared to take some s@*#). She makes her lunches, gets her stuff done, picks out cute clothes, and helps me with her brother more than I could ever imagine any other 10 year old doing. She is, by nature, so nurturing.

I dream of the day I hold her babies.

Hindsight tells me, I rushed too quickly to this stage. I should've been more patient and less worried. I am grateful for this record I've kept, as I can remind my full heart, that they were once little.

And tonight, I need the reminder.