Start of School, End of School

This originally started out as a Wordless Wednesday post in my mind, but I got wordy!

First week of school.  Nervous.  Anticipating.  Excited.  Scared.  A senior; a sophomore; and a freshman, off to school for the first time since kindergarten.

Last week of school.  So ready to be done.  Yes, Eli's taking his pillow to finals week.  Don't ask.

Start of senior year.

End of senior year.  Sam is graduating!  This was his second year on the wrestling team, and his first year on the swim team!  I'm so proud of the way that he picked up a brand new sport and threw himself into learning it.

Start of sophomore year.

End of sophomore year.  Bri has blossomed this year.  She's done some growing up and mellowing out.  Without getting too personal here on the blog, I'm pretty happy with where she's at right now.

Start of freshman year.

End of freshman year.  Eli has grown the most this year!  Both physically, and in maturity.  He's no longer the awkward barely out of middle school little boy.  He's gotten taller and hairier and stronger.  He's started football practice for next school year, and has the same awesome jump skills that Sam has.

not pictured: Josiah, Jack, and Luke

Our world has changed a lot during this school year.  When we started school in August, we had 2 extra toddlers staying with us (they left in October) and Luke had just come home from his failed placement.  Now at the end of the school year, we've got Josiah and Sam both making plans to leave the nest in the coming months.

These 3 kids from the start of the year are gone in some ways.  But they leave behind really awesome young adults that I am honored to parent.  I really adore my teenagers.


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