Andrew's First Day of School and Big News

Yesterday was Andrew's first day of 1st grade. First of all, there is no way he is old enough for this! I can remember like it was yesterday holding him in my arms at the hospital talking to him about all that he could be when he grew up (I even allowed for the opportunity to become a male cheerleader, but I did tell him I might not come to watch). Now I take it all back, he is not allowed to grow up anymore!

***We interrupt this program with a special news bulletin***
Speaking of holding babies in the hospital... Let's just say that while I was dropping Andrew off at first grade, Tyra was trying to hold down her breakfast.
****We now return to our regularly scheduled broadcast***

This is a huge transition for him and us. Last year he was in a relatively safe environment, a private, Christian kindergarten that was outstanding. We knew his teachers well and he was only there 1/2 day.

Yesterday marked the beginning of life where Andrew spends as much time with kids we don't know and teachers we barely know as he does with his own family. We have agonized over the decision of whether or not to send him to public school. We believe that the Lord has led us in this decision, even going so far as to speak to both of us about trusting Him with our kids.

We pray for Andrew, that the foundation that has been built over the first 6 years of his life will hold firm. That the Lord would protect his delicate spirit and his sweet, gentle heart from irreparable damage. And most of all, even at the tender age of 6, God would pursue him and use him to impact this world for the sake of the glory of Jesus.

I was a little worried about myself as I dropped him off. I nearly fell apart last year taking him to his first day of kindergarten, so I had reason to worry.

It went pretty well. I stayed calm most of the morning as I took him to meet his teacher and get a feel for the school. As I sat at a distance and watched him line up with his class on the playground I felt like I was rational and calm. As I am walking to my car, I was remarkably relaxed and seemed to really be able to trust God. I thought to myself, "Hey, you're doing pretty good about this."

Then I started the car. I don't know what happened; maybe the finality of starting the car meant that I was actually leaving him there, who knows. I drove home crying like a baby, and laughing at myself all at the same time (yes, this is still Bobby writing. I know, I know, I'll give you my man card the next time I see you).

Last night, as I was putting him to bed, he said to me, “I’m a little sad.” I asked him about what. He said about school. I thought it was probably still nervousness about something new. But when I asked him why, he said, “It’s just so long to be away from you. I want to be with you.” Well, after assuring him that he would be all right and end up really enjoying school, you guessed it, I went and found a corner in our house and cried some more. (I know, another man card)

Anyway, today went better for both of us. Andrew seemed a little more confident and I didn’t cry as I drove off. We are both growing a little bit.

Please pray for Tyra. As many of you know, during pregnancy she doesn’t get morning sickness, she gets 24-hour/day sickness during the first trimester. Her doctor has prescribed some anti-nausea medicine that is helping her eat, but it also knocks her out.

She hasn’t shown it to me, but I know that she is grieving over how much she is missing out on this stage of life for Andrew. I know that she had planned to be in the classroom a bunch during this semester, so please pray that her body would respond differently and that she would be able to do this.

This was a long one. Thanks for hanging in there. We will try to get some new pictures up soon.

-Bobby