Ready or Not, Mom

I have been looking forward to this day for almost five years now and it's hard for this Mama to believe that it's already here. Tomorrow my two precious babies will leave on a Timothy Christian School bus for their very first day of kindergarten.

I think somewhere in my mind, over the years, I thought I would be writing that very paragraph with exclamation points on the end...at this very moment those points are a bit more mute.

This day is really something special for the Madison & Noah. It's also going to be a day of many firsts for the two of them. They are entering into full day kindergarten in two different classes. Madison and Noah have spent nearly their entire five years together. As different as they are, the bond between them is very strong. They shared a womb, a tiny bassinet, a crib, a room and now they will be separate most of their day. My two sweet ones who turned five this past spring are blossoming into the neatest little people.

I can still remember bringing them home from the hospital. For literally weeks I had a team of people coming over to help me feed, burp, bathe, cloth, hold and rock my newborn twins. To be honest at the time I'm sure I was thinking that none of us would even make it another day. But, God's grace is sufficient. I found that out first hand. He truly never gives us more than we can handle. And hour by hour, day by day, we all made it to this day.

I'm so proud of who my babies have become. Madison is such a girly girl. She loves to serve others any way she can. She loves manicures, small animals and sports. Madison also has the cutest little laugh. She can make herself giggle uncontrollably and it's really quite contagious. Noah is mesmerized by numbers. He will count and add any numbers he comes across. He's a worker. He loves to help do anything we title "work." Noah has the kindest heart and especially a love for his Jesus. No prayer is ever complete without him saying "and I love you, Jesus...and you love me."

So here I sit. All one million forms have been filled out and there are an equal number of checks to go with them. The backpacks are all lined up, lunches made and outfits all laid out for morning. So, here...I...sit. Hoping that by staying up late I can prolong the evening and push first thing tomorrow off a bit, Deep down I know it's not going to work.

Everyone always told me I'd be sad when this actually came and I've stuck my nose in the air at some who have gone before when they cried as their little ones boarded that bus. I keep wondering what is going on with me?! I've been through this already! Brett is now in 6th grade. I've been sending a child off to school each fall for the last 6 years!

It's been my joy, privilege and responsibility to be raising so many little ones for a few years now I think maybe I won't know what to do with only two....one of whom takes a 3 hour nap each day! It's going to be an adjustment for all of us that's for sure. I know it may not sound like it but I am so happy and excited for Madison & Noah to experience everything there is out there for them. What a blessing it is also to know they are going to be given even more tools to lead a Christ centered life. The teachers and faculty at TCS pour so much love and devotion into raising and preparing young hearts that are on fire for the Lord.

I can't wait to hear EVERYTHING about their first day!

Grandpa

Back in August of 2002 I met a man named Leon C. Pullen. He was James Grandpa. From the minute I met him I knew he was something special. He was in his late 80's but a true charmer and never missed a beat.

He loved to talk current events, politics and was a truly interesting man. He always greeted me with kiss on the cheek and a kind compliment. "How's the beautiful woman who's mother to 5 spectacular great grandchildren of mine?" he said to me back in May.

I haven't had a grandfather since I turned four years old, so having one when I became an adult was something very special to me. I admired his intellect, his ability to play golf and tennis well into his 80's, his charm and respect as the head of the family.

Back in May of this year he even stood up to give a speech in front of 50 other party goers at his wife's 90th birthday celebration.

Today, around 9a.m. Leon C. Pullen passed away in his sleep. He was 94 years old. You may be reading this thinking my thoughts are scattered all over the place. That's because right now my heart has broken a little. I have had both the privilege and blessing of calling this man my grandpa for the last 8 years. What a gift God gave me after all the years I longed to see my own.

I will miss his smile, his quiet confidence and his presence. It wasn't very often that I got to see him...maybe a few times a year, but I still count those times precious and a blessing to spend that sweet time with a man who lived a very full life. I am thankful that I was able to visit with him back in May and give him a hug; a special time we all had as a family and what great memories I have.

I pray that he is resting in peace. I'll miss you Grandpa Pullen. Thank you for loving and welcoming me into your family with a genuine heart. You are one special, special man.

Love from ALL of us.