Just a-sittin' and a-waitin'

So, school's been back in session just over a week now.

A week before it began, my dear sweet little brother started calling me.

Max: "Hi, Katie. Where's Emmie?"

Katie: "Uh, playing."

M: "How much longer until school starts?"

K: "A week."

M: "'That's so sad! Your baby is going to school. I bet you're

really going to miss her. Are you crying yet?"

And, yes, this conversation happened just about every day until school started.

(I know you're asking so I'll answer, "Yes, it's a joy to have such a

thoughtful, caring brother.")

~

Friends who have sent their youngest to school told me how hard it would be,

because she's my baby! My youngest is in school!

My mom e-mailed me to warn me to keep busy, in order to

avoid feeling sad

~

So, yep, it's been over a week.

And I haven't cried yet.

I see the happiness in both kids' eyes as they get on the bus. They get to

see their friends, they get to go to recess, they both love to learn. I see the joy in Emma's face when she hops off the bus after school, ready to tell me all about her day ("Mom, we had recess again!").

Ryan's face is tired when he gets off the bus at 4:30, but it's a good tired. A tired that

says, "Yep, I'm exhausted. But, man-oh-man, did I ever earn these

grass stained knees at recess!"

{He doesn't get in trouble for holes in the knees...as long as they are well-earned

and not caused by scissors. Oh yeah, a mom can always tell!}

And while they're gone, I'm exercising (for as long as I want!), taking a shower (without having to keep an ear out for the kids), grocery shopping, thrifting, cleaning (with whatever I want on the radio playing full-blast), or crafting (in silence!).

~

I'm finally (after 9.5 years) home alone for a few hours a day.

And guess what I think about the entire time?

My family.

Because all of those thing listed above (except for the exercising and the showering), it's all for them.

Bob and the kids are never out of my thoughts. As my day goes by, I think of things to

tell them when I see them next (however, strangly enough, due to the two youngest members of the family and the memory loss they've caused in me, I'll likely forget it before they get home!).

~

When my cell alarm goes off at noon, you'll find me a-sittin' and a'waitin

on the front step, sometimes with a book, sometimes with a craft,

eyes peeled for that big yellow bus to come around the corner to deliver

my baby. And when my second cell alarm goes off at 4:25, you can find me watching from the window for my first-born. At this time of year, somewhere in between those two arrivals, I'll

hear the garge door open and I know that Bob will come in, put his lunch dishes away and come find

me for a hug and kiss.

And then, once everyone is home, my heart is, too.