A new season...

Wow. I just dropped Meghan off at her kindergarten orientation. She is so ready for school -- intellectually, socially -- but I could tell she was fighting a little to hold it all together. As am I.

She has these little mannerisms of nervousness, of tear-fighting, that others may not even see, but I love being able to recognize these gestures. A flick of her hair... a tapping together of little fingertips... my girl.

I can no sooner fight my children growing up than I can tell the grass to stop growing... the seasons to stop changing. And just as each season of nature holds its special gifts, so too will each new age and stage hold its own joys.

The "at home with kids" years have been very challenging to me, but there have been lots of precious memories, funny moments, and lessons learned along the way. Can any mom ask for more?