Take a deep breath...

... cause here we gooooo!!!!!

Tomorrow morning we are beginning our school year. I'm both excited and nervous.

Last year simply felt, from the get-go, like a really fun chance to get my feet wet, but this year...

*gulp*

This year I have to admit that I frequently find myself wondering, "Can I do this?" The need before me to learn how to juggle the altogether eager appetites of both a first grader and kindergartener, along with the activity of a 3.5-year-old, the demands of training an almost-2-year-old, and the never-ending task of running a home, is a bit daunting. Especially once you add in the newborn who will be arriving in about 10 weeks.

(Uh, is it just me or have the past 7 months absolutely flown by???)

I'm not so nervous about the actual teaching as I am that I will get so overwhelmed in what I need to do in a day that I forget to bring my children along and teach them as we go instead of just getting some check marks in the workbooks.

(Not that there isn't a perfectly acceptable time and place for just getting the work done, but you know what I mean...)

But I'm also excited: excited for this awesome opportunity and privilege! Quite frankly, as legislation gets weird and I wonder often what our government will decide to do next, I don't take getting to stay home and be the one who teaches and coaxes and learns alongside my children for granted. I'm so thankful to be doing this.

So very thankful!