She takes my hand, walks me up the stairs, and leads me through the halls of the elementary school that will become her daily educational home in just a few short days.
It’s Open House night and although to most kindergarteners, everything is new, she walks confidently after spending four weeks in a summer program housed within these walls.
All the sudden I am grateful for those four weeks and for how comfortable she is in a new place with new people all around.
We arrive at the kindergarten hall and find her classroom. Her teacher is new. Not new to teaching or to kindergarten, thankfully, but new to the school. A swarm of last minute kindergarten enrollments sent the classroom size soaring over 23+ and the school scrambled to hire another teacher to add another classroom of kids.
We’re right on time and Ms. Nettles greets us warmly.
She is short in stature but big in personality and I can tell already it’s going to be a good year. She’s attentive and kind and, while a bit overwhelmed at the whirlwind she’s been placed in, she seems completely capable of jumping right in and readying the classroom for the kids to arrive next week.
I do my parent-ly duty, sitting in the tiny blue chair at the tiny table, filling out form upon form upon form, picking up car rider tags, talking to cafeteria ladies about nut allergies and the nut-free table, meeting with the nurse about medications, and sending my husband to collect information about the PTA and various school clubs.
After the whirlwind of papers subsides and we make it back to the minivan, I take a breath.
This is really happening. My little one is really a big girl and is going to school. It’s year one of many years of education with other adults who I pray care about her development just a fraction as much as I do.
And I realize. Change, well it’s not only coming…it’s here!
And just as I’ve been learning in other areas of my life, it’s my PERSPECTIVE that makes the difference as to how we handle the changes that come into our lives.
What things in your life do you need to look at differently?
Maybe you need to be reminded of God’s promises in your life. Or maybe you just need a friend to talk to to gain some perspective on your situation. Whatever it is, I challenge you today to take some time to change the way you looks at things.
You never know, the things you look at…well, they might just CHANGE!
So this may sound a little strange, but you really blessed me by how casually and confidently you discussed your daughter’s nut allergy. You see, my daughter has one too, and I’m always so anxious when I leave her with someone. Thanks for showing me that it doesn’t HAVE to be overwhelming!!
Your writing is just beautiful. Blessings to you and your little girl as you make this big step forward!
So glad these words were a blessing. Having a child with a severe allergy is definitely stressful. I try to remember that I can only control so much of the situation and that God cares about her many times more than I ever could. I do what I can do and I try to leave the rest to Him! Sometimes it’s easier said than done…but it’s what I strive for.
Good morning friend! I am so glad you and Salem are taking everything in stride. My mommy heart contracted reading your words. I got all misty eyed too. 🙂 I remember those feelings all too well from last year. I am proud of you for being able to shift your perspective and embrace the change!
Yes, here it goes! Tomorrow is the big day and we’ll find out how I do! 🙂
“When you change the way you look at things and the things you look at change.”
this is so true. what a great quote! so glad your daughter is comfortable…what a blessing for you as the mom! Visiting from 5 Minute Friday.
Hi Mary,
Looking forward to meeting you at Allume this year. I’m excited to be volunteering, even as a newbie! Thank you for your kind words and I’m glad you got something out of the quote. I thought it was a great one too…one to remember!
I’m right there with you, LeeAnn, in that tiny yellow chair last night at Pre-School orientation for one and just finished day 4 of the kitchen table bench doing homeschool with my other. Change is definitely HERE! Love these thoughts…glad to be on this road of life, motherhood and blog-indom (new word) together. xoxo, mb
Those tiny little chairs are just something else, aren’t they? What a reminder of how little our littles really are and how much change there is to come.
You’re absolutely right about changing our perspective. Starting out with “This is gonna be hard” doesn’t make anything easier. I needed this reminder. Thanks!
Yes, I at times start out with the negative. Learning how to change my perspective and see the positive first is a process for sure.
Blessings as you begin this school year. It is an opportunity for you and your daughter to get to know your community in a new way. I always enjoyed volunteer activities at my children’s school. I am your neighbor at Essential Fridays.
Thanks Carol! Her first day is tomorrow, so we’re looking forward to the new experiences beginning.
“When you change the way you look at things and the things you look at change.” These are words to live by. The only constant in life is change. No matter what the circumstance, you have a guarantee that things will always be changing. By changing the way we look at things, we can move through those phases of change with a song in our hearts.
How we see things changes what we see. YES! This is such a part of why I write about living with faith-eyes. I am reminded often that I cannot see clearly & must trust the One who does. He is trustworthy to lead. What a beautiful moment with your daughter starting school. I have enrolled several children in a two year frame but did not relish the moment as I wish I had. For most of our years we have home schooled and I often neglect to create excitement for the coming year. Hoping to start next week in a new way. Blessings LeeAnn!
Hope you’re able to create the excitement and anticipation you’re seeking for your children. I’m looking forward to our new experiences and I’m sure I’ll get plenty of chances to work on my trust this year too!
What a huge step for both your and your precious little one! I’m sure she’s going to have an amazing time in Kindergarten! With my little one due in about 3 months I can’t even imagine sending a kiddo off to Kindergarten yet. 🙂 Thanks for linking this up with the Faith and Fellowship Blog Hop!
It really is amazing how quickly 5 years has gone by. Having another baby in the mix and one more on the way just speeds it up even more. Cherish the moments of your little one due soon. Sounds like we’ll have little ones right around the same age!
Salem is such a big girl!! It’s hard to know sometimes if our mama-hearts are bursting with pride or with all the feelings about them growing up. You guys have done a great job with her (and will continue to do so) and she’s gonna do great this year. Much love! xoxo
Thank you! I got all teary eyed when they invited the parents and kids onto the stage at church to be prayed over before school started this week. I think I’m more emotional about all the other influences besides family and friends that she’ll have soon. My efforts at sheltering her are about to be shattered and I’m not 100% sure how to move forward. Our focus tends to be on more simple living (no cable, simple foods, no video games, not a lot of character-related items at home, basic toys, etc.) and I know she’s going to be making friends who have different values. It’s a big opportunity and lots of challenges all at once. New parenting season…here we come!
“Change is here” Deep breath, yes it is. Thank you friend for this truth and the reminder that it is often my perspective that needs a re-focusing. Because change does come – ready or not!
Hi, LeeAnn! I’m visiting from Five Minute Friday… I enjoyed your post!
Like many others, I especially liked the quote: “When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.”
Looking forward to keeping up with your writing!
Hi Liz,
Welcome from FMF. What a great community of ladies, eh? So glad you enjoyed the post and I’ll look forward to seeing you around. We have a fabulous group of people here on the blog who comment and share on a regular basis. Our focus is on adjusting our perspective to see the everyday through the lens of God’s truth as we submit our broken pieces to Him and allow Him to form us into His creation, a beautiful mosaic masterpiece!
I really loved this post, LeeAnn. I think about the perspective you mention and how we need to change the way we look at things. I’ve actually been thinking about this word change all day and the changes that will come when my husband returns home again. Challenges will come but I need to be willing to change the way I look at them when they do. To see each one as an opportunity to learn something and to see God even more for His wisdom. Blessings to you as you begin the school year.
xoxo
Beth, yes, so many changes coming your way as your husband returns home again. I can’t remember if I’ve mentioned this on the blog before, but I’m a “military brat” (wish there were another term for child-of-a-military-parent) and know there are lots of adjustments ahead for you. I’m sure you’re right – viewing the changes as opportunities will position you both to have a smoother transition into the new normal that will develop. I look forward to hearing how it goes!
You will love learning along with your daughter in kindergarten and each step along the way will cause change, growth, joy and sometimes heartache. Remember that you get to grow along with your daughter, you get to see things from a five year olds viewpoint and it is good. Your quote is so perfect-when you change the way you look at things the things you look at change. Oh they most certainly do but the transformation is well worth it. Enjoy every minute of kindergarten stories and learning this year! Mary
I love the thought of seeing things through the eyes of a five year old’s viewpoint. What a great thought that I’ll have to remember tomorrow on her first day of school! 🙂
Like most people, I don’t like change, but you’re so right, LeeAnn, it’s all about perspective! The path, though narrow, has many twists and turns. We are likely to meet sorrow and suffering along the way. But God has so many blessings in store for us as well – it really is a grand adventure! May your daughter grow sweetly in the knowledge of Him. Have a blessed week!
A grand adventure! Wouldn’t we all benefit from seeing our struggles through this light? What a great perspective.
Kindergarten is such a fun age! I’ve been asking God to help me change my perspective on a few things. I am thankful for His grace. Blessings!