First Day of School

Today is the first day of school for many children, mine included.  Well, not all of mine.  Aniecia starts tomorrow since 8th graders get an extra day of vacation.  Everyone else, however was up early this morning and out the door. 

Amber is starting her first day at a new Community College.  She's opted to not return to Fullerton College as the classes she needs are not available there.  She needs classes for nursing and they don't offer any nursing classes at Fullerton.  I think she just wants to be with Michel, her boyfriend, and that's just fine with me.  With everything that has been going on with her, I am much more comfortable knowing that he's on campus with her even if it is farther away.  I really hope she has a great day and a good time at her new school!

Alyssa was up really early this morning.  She decided to register for zero period which starts at 6:55am.  This means that I need to be up early to take her.  It was nice getting up and seeing the morning dawn.  I was ready by 6:05 and read the Bible while I waited for her to finish getting ready.  As we drove down the street, she said, "You didn't take a picture of me before we left."  Every year since Kindergarten, I have taken a picture outside our house before the kids go to school.  I don't take any of Amber anymore because she's now in college and it's different.  I actually didn't think Alyssa cared since this year she's a Senior.  Pictures I thought were for "kids".  I told her I would take one when I dropped her off at school.  I thought there would be no one around and that would be that.  As I pulled into the school, the line of traffic was already backed up.  We drove around the side of the school and she told me to park so I could take her picture.  I thought she wouldn't want anyone seeing her mommy taking a picture of her but she got out of the car with her backpack and smiled as I  took the picture.  I quickly got back into the car, so I wouldn't embarrass her, and she gathered the rest of her belongings with a huge grin on her face.  As she walked away, we both agreed that it was tradition to take the picture. 

I realized this will be the last picture I take of her first day of school.  How quickly the time passes.  As I reflect on the years, I realize that I felt the same way 13 years ago when she started Kindergarten.  Her first day of school was tough because I didn't want to let her go and now her last year of school is tough because I don't want to let her go.