A Year to Remember

Today is the last day of school! Not only for the boys, but for Derek, too. It's a mixed-up feeling for all of us. Aaron, who moans and groans every day when I wake him up for school, decided to moan and groan about it being the last day. Go figure!

I've watched these 2 brothers walk into school together all year. Aaron will miss Kaleb next year and the years to come.

Aaron with his much-loved teacher, Miss Nightingale

Miss Nightingale is one of those teachers who has "it." Whatever "it" is for a great teacher, she has it. She is getting married next month and moving far, far away from us. But I know Aaron will always, always remember her. He loves her, and I think he's beginning to realize how a great teacher can impact your life forever.

Kaleb is his happy-go-lucky self today, ready to leave elementary school behind and move on to middle school. Last night we attended his 5th Grade Continuation Ceremony, which turned out to be a very sweet time together. His class will graduate high school in 2020, so the theme for the party was "We've Got the Vision." There were sunglasses all over the gym--hanging from string and taped to the walls. We watched a video highlighting their years at school, complete with a baby picture of each student alongside a current picture. The song they chose for the video was "Home." You can listen to the song here.

Kaleb 9 months old

Kaleb ready for Kindergarten

Kaleb 5th grade

Our principal said a few things to the kids, shared some memories of this class, and challenged them to make wise decisions when faced with the difficulties ahead. He reassured them that they will always have roots at Meadowlark, and while parents and family are #1 in their lives, their Meadowlark family is right up there in the #2 spot. And he really means it. I just love our school, can you tell?! :)

Kaleb and his teacher, Mr. Seeba

Mrs. Nelson, Kaleb's other teacher this year. She's been a family friend since Derek was little.

I have to insert this about Mrs. Nelson. She shared last night about the tornado in Oklahoma this week. Stories are coming out of teachers throwing themselves over their students to protect them from harm during the tornado. When talking about that with the 5th graders that morning, one student said, "Mrs. Nelson, I bet you wouldn't do that for us." She said, "I would do that. I would give my life for all of my students."

Kool Kaleb with his friends. The boy on the left survived getting hit by a car in 2nd grade. Makes me tear up when I think about it.

Kaleb's 2 friends that come to our youth group. All of them will be together in middle school too.

Our boy :)

 And let's not forget about Braylen! I don't have pictures from middle school, of course. It is not cool for a 7th grade boy to have his mom come take pictures with his favorite teachers. But this particular team of teachers have meant the world to Braylen this year. Recently they had an awards assembly and I just remembered--I took pictures at the assembly!

Braylen's team teachers. His favorite is the one in the yellow tie. Mr. Greenwald is a teacher Braylen will never forget. He has definitely impacted Braylen's life forever.

Braylen (blue shirt) with his big award, voted on by teachers and students.

And that wraps up this school year. I think it's hard for us to wrap our minds around the passing of time because God created us with eternity placed in our hearts. We feel the same on the inside--but grow older on the outside. We remember our kids as little ones in our hearts--but we see them grow older on the outside. And then we have a hard time reconciling it. At least I do. I rejoice with them in their accomplishments, and tuck memories of this year away in my heart--where eternity lives on.