Summer comes to a close

As this summer is very quickly coming to a close, I have found myself reflecting on the past couple of years and how very far we have come. Last summer was the first summer we officially had as the four of us, though truth be known, the 5th wheel had checked out long before. Unfortunately for the rest of us, that 5th wheel seemed to drag us down and hinder us, more than we realized at the time. I can remember last summer even, though still in the doldrums of divorce and trying to keep our heads above water, feeling a sense of freedom and peace that had been nonexistent in our house for years prior. How sad is that?! And I was not the only one to notice. The kids all voiced at one time or another, in one way or another, the same sentiments. But this summer, we have even felt it more. I am sure that it comes with time and being able to move forward! It comes with the pruning of the dead branches that were killing the whole tree! It comes with healing! This summer has been the best we have ever had, and that is leaving me a little sad that school is starting back tomorrow. I am usually very ready! But we have had the best time and with every year that passes, I see the kids getting so much older and bigger. Caroline went from looking like a little girl to a young woman over the summer. As a mom, we have several times and stages where we want to stop time and just enjoy what we have at that moment. I am in one of those stages right now. Please help me stop this. I don't want them to get any bigger or more grown up for a while longer. I don't want the summer to end. However, time stops for nothing and no one. Tonight I will tuck my babies in bed, and tomorrow they will start another school year. It has been a great summer. We are so very blessed!!!