It's been an amazing summer but today starts a brand new school year for both our kiddos and huge milestones too!

This year Phillip is now in Middle School; ya'll this Mama is not ready for all this growing up he's doing but I'm so excited for him too. I was chatting with Alex and we both agreed that we better hang on because it's going to be a ride we've never experienced before. We've already been introduced to "emotional" Phillip where he'll be happy one minute and start crying the next minute out of frustration. He's noticing girls more and more but still claims that they are all his "friends". It's such  balancing act with him. He's Mr. Cool around his friends and dares us to embarrass him but when at home, he'll crawl in my lap and still snuggle with me until he falls asleep. (He would kill me if he knew I was sharing all this with you) It's going to be amazing to watch him mature over the next year!

Ally is entering 3rd grade and will not have her big brother in the same building for the very first time. She's totally excited and has already showed her independence with wanting to be involved in Chorus which she never would have done had her brother been around. I know she'll miss him but I really feel it will be a good thing for them both. You don't realize how much you depend on a family member when they are around and how you allow their choices to be your own. It's going to be a defining year for our Ally and I know she will grow and mature to be her very own unique butterfly.

I just realized the other day that it will be Phillip's Senior Year when they both will be in the same building. That's crazy!!! My kiddos are growing up and I know that they both will have a fantastic year. Thank goodness we get to walk right beside them on their journey.