Today we dropped our older two kiddos off at school for the first time ever. Avery started Grade R (Kindergarten for those of you back home) and Zeke started preschool in the Dolphin class. It was a big day filled with much anticipation and excitement, and by the grace of God it went amazingly! I am completely convinced that the Lord has been preparing A and Z for this during the 4 months that we’ve been in Africa because I would normally say that their fear of the unknown would have kept them from transitioning into school so well. They both walked away from us this morning hand in hand with either a friend or a teacher and bravely journeyed into their new adventure. And when we picked them up they had loads of stories to share. We are so very proud!

As change often does, this new season has me reminiscing quite a bit. For the last almost 6 years I have constantly been pregnant and/or nursing. I got pregnant with Avery in March of 2010, nursed her, got pregnant with Zeke while still nursing Avery, nursed him, got pregnant with Cassidy while still nursing Zeke, and nursed her. There has been no break from my littles. And I’ve loved it! I really feel like I came to life when I became a mama. But now Cassidy is almost 2, is starting to sit on the potty, and just weaned from nursing this last week. It’s the end of a very long era. I am now a stay-at-home mom whose kids no longer stay at home. And a mom to a baby who is really not a baby anymore. It’s weird.

I’ve had a lot of moments preparing for this day where I’ve been so sad. Sad to say goodbye to this season of my life. Sad that my kids won’t need me 24/7 anymore (I can’t believe I’m actually saying that!). Sad that our lazy weekday mornings are now going to be taken up by getting ready for school. Sad that my kids are getting old and that I’m getting older. Sad that things have to change, because I like how things have been.

But today, I’m not sad anymore (or maybe I’m just in denial and will be a puddle of tears tomorrow). Instead today I’m full of joy and hope! My kids rocked school! They did it! We believe they are going to grow and blossom and thrive at Kommetjie Pre Primary with their amazing teachers and new friends. Now Cassidy can experience special time as an only child of sorts, and I can give a few more hours a week to ministry with Living Hope. This is the start of a new season for our family and I am expectant that God will show up and do great things. I’m glad to be along for the ride.

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Cassidy’s cheering section. Right after this she went pee on the potty for the first time!

1st Day of school

Grade R (Kindergarten).

Dolphin class for 3 years olds

She wants to be like her big sis and bro

Avery’s new friends

The playground at Kommetjie Pre Primary