2nd grade here we come!

In the Morgan household, we are gearing up for the beginning of the 2011-2012 school year. We know who Austin's 2nd grade teacher will be, we have all of our school supplies bought and ready to go, and a deposit has been made into the lunch account! Sounds like we are pretty prepared, right? Well, actually...I haven't felt all that prepared. Austin is growing up too fast. It was just yesterday he was starting pre-k and overnight he's become a second grader. Each year as the school year begins, while Austin is excited about seeing friends and learning new things, I try to convince myself that school is a good thing! I'd much rather keep him at home, wrapped in a bubble so that I know he's safe. Can any of you relate to that?! I worry about how the "bad kids" will influence him or that there will be a bully in his class that is mean to him. I worry that he won't have the best teacher or that he will misbehave in class. I pretty much worry about every aspect of sending my child into the scary world out there...and yes, I think even elementary school is part of this big scary world!

Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from Him. 

Psalm 127:3

Something I've learned over the last two years that has helped me this time is this: Austin is only on loan to Jeremy and I and while we are responsible for his needs here on Earth, he really belongs to God. Instead of trying to be in control of every potential situation, I pray in advance for Austin's teacher and every aspect of the school year. Rather than worrying about those "bad influences", I pray that Austin will be strong in his faith and will be a witness to his classmates and friends. Instead of worrying about him misbehaving, we try to teach Austin right from wrong and see school as a way to practice what he's learned.

I will put my trust in Him, that is, I and the children God has given me.

Hebrews 2:13

So in a sense, we are ready for the 2011-2012 school year to begin! We are going to enjoy the last week of sleeping in and not having homework, for next week will bring on both routines and homework and hopefully NOT parent-teacher conferences!!