Family Living: Abbott Style

This morning, Haley put on a new leopard print shirt.  A new khaki colored skort, A new pair of socks.  And a new pair of sneakers. She went to a new environment.  With new faces.  Pulled out new crayons our of a new pencil box.  Took her sack lunch in a new lunch box.  New routine,  New rules.  New faces, New...life. Everything is new. Including my role as a mother. Last night I had a nightmare.  It was like I was living the movie 'Taken' and Haley was in the starring role as the abducted girl. If you are wondering how I am handling, I thnk that summarizes it.  My anxiety is hijacking my dreams and spiraling into obscure levels.  Haley is coming home to a surprise of MORE new school clothes and a pizza-making-party.  I am trying to make the best of it.  My emotions are wild right now.  I remember loving school.  So the amount of sadness I am feeling today is selfish. ...

Tomorrow is the first day of a long journey.  With Haley, I was always excited for the next big milestone. First smile. First time rolling over. First time crawling. First steps. First words. In many ways, she has taught me more about life than I have taught her. And tomorrow, I hand her over to the world. I will still have a hand in her development--but her education and much of her social  interaction is in the hands of her tiny little community. Tonight, when I bow my head, I will pray hard for the years to come. And that God will continue to look over her and guide the hands molding her mild. As we close this chapter of our life, we begin another. This milestone, I approach with anxiety, hesitation, and tears. I am excited for her--she is going to LOVE kindergarten. Without a doubt, I know there will not be a tear shed on her part. She will walk through that door of her classroom, with not so much of a glance back. If anything, a reassuring smile to mom. To let me know-...