Getting ready to go to Arizona! So excited to see old friends, most from Junior High days....and most in the same stage of life. Just tonight talked with Pam - it's been 20 years :-) we still have much in common, kids about the same age, one married living out of state. I'm not alone!!! But I knew that. It will be interesting as I have no idea where these people are spiritually except that from facebook, I can tell some are liberal so we'll not have that in common!

I'm missing my sister alot - get to see her tomorrow!!! Pray the fires stay away so we can enjoy our Arizona time. Praying for Parker and Raber to keep up with everything here :-}.

I'm too busy these few days to be sad - I don't like being too busy to feel. Too busy to be happy or sad.

So the hot topic of discussion lately among my friends seems to be our changing roles as mothers. I know I've been a mother almost half my life - a caretaker - concerned first for the welfare of my children. Now I'm facing the end of that phase - no one needs taking care of and worry is about all I can do and call it concern. Fortunately I'm married to my best friend and know my time will be filled but it still leaves an initial void.

I'm sad. I miss being a mom. I miss helping with homework, answering questions about life, driving carpool and so much more I can't think of! Life is full of seasons and this is one coming to an end with another opening up. Some season changes are exciting - like getting married, starting a family, starting a career or business - - this season change is bittersweet sad. Probably because I loved every minute of my mothering years! From being pregnant, changing diapers, nursing, terrible twos, reading stories, making lunch, play dates, play dough, pre school at home, driving car pool, baseball, basketball, football practice (smelly car rides) I could go on. I loved it all - every day.

Now I'm daily praying for God to show me my next season - the next steps and praying I love them as fully as I've loved the past 25 years.

The book I'm reading asks the question - Looking back over your life what brought you joy? I had to think - I'm so busy I don't reflect often enough so it was a challenge.

What does or has brought me joy? The first thing I thought of was Christmas. But then, what about Christmas? Family, friends, entertaining. I've loved Christmas since I was a child - the decorations, lights, family, preparing meals together, vacation (no school), all with a central purpose - to celebrate Jesus. Different than other holidays or vacation time - Christmas has a purpose. I love family and friends together anytime, but Christmas is special.

Anyway, that's as far as I got searching my brain for what brings me joy! Giving it some more thought for sure.

Sunflowers and the end of Summer! Parker is registered for school, Raber starts Thursday...time flies so fast! I miss walking to school on the first day - room mom PTA President it was all so fun! And it's all gone by so fast. I remember asking friends to watch Parker and Raber so I could work in Taylor's class once a week...and then friends to watch the daycare kids so I could work in Parker and Raber's class! Sunflowers and the end of summer remind me of the begining of school...time flies!

This is an apron I love! I want to make Christmas ones like this !!