The End of an Era

I have spent the last five years on a glorious adventure full of travel, family, and discovery with Savannah. As a stay at home mom we had opportunities to travel year round and during the week when things are less crowded, in seasons where temperatures are pleasant, and time is not an issue.

Here are just a few of our stops along the way.

Horseback riding with Mr. Ed

One in numerous trips to Colorado

The Dallas World Aquarium

Dinosaurs at The Heard

Train adventures

The Texas State Fair

Hanging out with grandparents and great grand parents

Visiting cousins

Extended Christmas breaks

Fun shows

Field trips

More trains

Chicago

Museums

Discovering history

And making dreams come true

And the list goes on with play dates with good friends and fun locations, lots of time spent traveling to see cousins, grandparents, and great grand parents. But this era ends this week with the onset of kindergarten. I know "onset" makes it sound like a disease that has come upon our family but it is life altering. I had no idea when I started on the journey of parenthood that the preschool years would be so enchanting. Every adventure held new ideas for Savannah to explore, creatures to discover, cultures to embrace, and history to experience. So, there is a hint of mourning at the thought of her education occurring somewhere else. And for the sake of honesty I'll admit there is a bit of mourning for the loss of the lifestyle I have grown to love that is now at the mercy of someone else's schedule.

Archer I fear will have a much different experience through his preschool years. We will be home now and there is a chance that he will not get to know his cousins that live far away as well. And he will not have the sweet memories of spending the night at his great grandparent's house as often. Memories that Savannah and I share. Will he learn as much through just a couple of trips a year relegated to summer and spring break?

Such thoughts leave me tempted to yank Savannah out of school and hit the road with curriculum in tow. But the truth is we love her school. She thrives in this school beyond my expectations.

So, I don't know how this year will play out. And I don't know what my new life will look like. But I do know we are where God wants us to be and that is all I really need to know.