Summer Tour of Tears

This summer is set to be a very emotional one for my family.  I have been hoarding tissue coupons in preparation for the tears!  This "Summer Tour of Tears" was kicked off with Gracey's preschool graduation. In other words..............     my.baby.is.going.to.start.kindergarten.in.the.fall.  Yep, I am in a deep state of denial!!!  She will be gone ALL DAY LONG, 5 DAYS A WEEK, FOR AT LEAST THE NEXT 13 YEARS OF HER LIFE!!! I can not even begin to grasp the concept that she will not be with me during the day.  The biggest part of her days will be spent guided by her teachers; consumed by her friends, school work, and sports.  I can't deal with this emotionally yet. My heart literally hurts to even think about it. So, for now, I am choosing to ignore this day is coming!

               Gracey's First
                     Day of
                    Preschool

             Gracey's Last
                  Day of
                Preschool 









Next, the Tour of Tears is heading towards my youngest sister, Katie's, high school graduation. Katie, the one that used to sleep on my belly when she was a baby while we napped together. The one I taught to potty train, shave her legs, and to play tennis. The one who Gracey imitates and is identical to in mannerisms, speech, and thought. The one who is graduating 3rd in her class and wants to will be a physical therapist. The one who I think of as more of a daughter than a sister. Do you see why I am going to need those tissues???


In July, the Tour of Tears will welcome a new baby- NO IT'S NOT MINE, HALLELUJAH AND AMEN!!! My cousin Angie will welcome her first baby girl into our girl-dominated family.  And you can't see, hold, smell, touch a new baby without tears.  It's a requirement.


A yet to be scheduled stop in the Tour will be Lissie's baby dedication.  When choosing my children's names, I always paid special attention to the meaning behind the name.  Elisabeth means "consecrated to God".  Without going into Lissie's whole birth story (which I will at some point attempt to do), I felt the urgent need to give her back to God before I even held her in my arms.  I knew from the beginning that she is not mine- any child we get is a gift from God, and they are ultimately all His children that He blesses us with.  We both came close to meeting God on the day Lissie decided to bust onto the scene- 6 weeks too early.  I know in my heart that without the Spirit's constant urge to pray for our little one and myself during my pregnancy, Lissie's birth could've turned out with us both meeting our Maker on that day.  While we have recognized this privately, we still want to do it publicly with our church family.
                         
                                                         Our sweet, little miracle baby....

Who has turned out to be a sassy little girl who loves to give kisses and is as laid-back and as easy as a baby can be!

The Tour of Tears will be concluded with a whirlwind last 3 days.  That is, in a matter of 3 days in mid-August, Gracey will start kindergarten, Thayne will start preschool, and Lissie will turn one!  Three major milestones that will make this momma's heart proud, while hurting, as her babies are growing up. 

Just a few photos to reminisce.....

Yep, those last 2 pics did me in.  Tears cometh freely.

I guess I better start putting those coupons to good use and start stock-piling the tissues now, because I know it does not get any easier!