last first day of school! (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Yesterday was Casey's LAST FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL EVER. (I mean hopefully, we don't have any plans for more schooling at this point). As I saw a friend put it, this is his 20th grade, ha!

He's gone through 3 years of dental school thus far with just ONE more to go! ONE MORE YEAR OF SCHOOL AND THEN WE ARE DONE WITH SCHOOL. That sentence is both frightening and exciting. So many possibilities, so many goals, so many more unknowns!

With Casey's first day back at school it also means it's MY first day back to real momhood. Wrangling the 3 kids by myself essentially all day, taking care of the house and food and cleaning and wiping and soothing and and and all day. Oh man, this mom stuff is not for the faint at heart. I love it all. I love feeling of value in my home, getting things accomplished, growing the children around me, seeing the sweet moment in the everyday and all that fun jazz. It feels good to be tired, to work, and to go go go. But it seriously can be very tiring. I've had a nice break these last 6 weeks but it's nice to get back to our routine and to my real work. I was reminded of the phrase from Julie B. Beck:

"Families mean work, but they are our great work—and we are not afraid of work."

I kept thinking all day of this phrase. This is why I am here. To serve and work for my family. It is a good work I am doing, and I love this.