Goodbye...

When I hear the word "goodbye", it isn't usually a word that brings pleasant feelings. I usually associate it with having to leave someone or somewhere that I love. However, can't goodbye be a wonderful thing? For example, saying goodbye to winter is always a great thing! (That is probably because I know I will see winter again. If I knew I would never see a snowflake fall again, then it would probably be sad for me.) The only thing in life that is for sure, is change. There are very few things that we say goodbye to that is a permenant goodbye. When we say goodbye to a loved one who has passed away, even then...it is just for a time, not forever. I have had several occassions of farewells in the last couple of months that have been good and bad. The first one is the one which prompted me to write about this subject:

1. Last week school started again. Since the time Brayden was in first grade, he would walk the block and a half to the bus stop, walking backwards with his arms in the air waving "I love you" in sign language, as I stood on the porch waving back. Sometimes it would cause me great frustration, as I knew he needed to hurry to catch the bus. Some of those days, he would come walking back home because he had missed it. But without fail, every morning, he walked backwards waving goodbye and I love you. Then our bus stop moved across the street, and there was no more walking backwards the last couple of years. This year, with great anxiety for me, I sent my boy to middle school (where have the years gone?). With this new year, the bus stop is the block and a half away again. He no longer walked backwards, but to my pleasant surprise, he stopped every five feet, turned around, and waved the "I love you" sign all the way to the corner! My "little" boy (who's almost as tall as me), is trying to be a teenager, but hasn't quite said goodbye to childhood.

First day of school

2. My second goodbye was to pregnancy, (forever...I think). I have very mixed emotions about this one. This last time was a very difficult 9 months, not to mention the health problems that followed. In that regard, GOODBYE & GOOD RIDDANCE! I don't like saying goodbye to the thrill of feeling my babies move, and knowing there is a new life there.

3. Goodbye to a full-nights sleep (yawn...yawn). Self explanatory, right??

4. This one is definently the hardest goodbye I'm currently struggling with. Goodbye to having a new-newborn. He's still a newborn, but he is changing so fast! Goodbye to those cute little squeaks he makes when he's asleep, to his body that stays curled up in the fetal position, to those involuntary movements of his arms and legs that newborns have, to the distinct newborn cry, having his soft, bald head be small enough that it cradles in my hand. He still has some of these, but he's losing them quickly.

This is Kamden and his newest cousin (5 weeks apart). My baby is huge!

5. This one is my favorite...goodbye to BIG KID diapers! Yes, Jarin is potty trained - even at night! It took one day of the battle of the wills, then he decided that was enough. (bribery helped too ;) ). It has been a week now with very few accidents - WAY TO GO JARE!

6. Goodbye to long summer days, and relaxing summer nights. Goodbye to camping, swimming, sleeping on the trampoline, playing at parks, sprinklers, bike riding, etc. etc. This one too, is bitter-sweet. I love summer; but I love, love, love fall! This has been a harder summer than most because of my health, so we haven't played as much as we usually do. Because of that, this particular summer is more difficult to say goodbye to than most. I feel like summer is just beginning for us!

Ira and the kids sleeping on the trampoline

Jarin with the sprinkler on the trampoline

Jarin loves his hat & boots. I love Jarin and the summer flowers.

Jarin riding his bike

I posted this picture simply because it makes me laugh! Sometimes I say goodbye to my laughs too much, and take life too seriously. This picture is a great reminder to laugh more!