Back To School

Tuesday brought an end to our summer. Relaxed days at work, lazy mornings at the beach, multiple visits from family and friends, a memorable trip to Hells Canyon resulting in a newfound tradition, the anxiously awaited birth of Finleigh Rae Renker – all the delights of these sunny days have a come to a close. Hope and Riley are off to new schools – new friends, chaotic schedules and unforeseen adventures now abound.

This summer has been magical and bursting with new beginnings. We found ourselves gainfully employed in a time of uncertainty and we relished in the delights of now fairly independent children – camping at Hells Canyon, weekends in Seattle, trips to the sunny beach and endless days splashing in our backyard pool. With one final trip to the beach and a healthy, happy and gorgeous addition to the extended family I am almost ready to return to our “normal” where busy schedules define our days and a semblance of structure keeps us balanced.

All too soon we will awake to dark gray days and meander through 9 months of damp, dreary weather. Our routines will move indoors, we will soon close our windows one final time and we’ll dust off the sweaters and boots when the rains eventually appear. The start of school suggests this transition is imminent but the busy schedules and dreary weather won’t dampen our outlook. We anxiously await the delights of the school year – new friends, perhaps a new teenage love interest, freshman football games, high school basketball, a newly licensed driver, a big kindergartner, ballet, tap, jazz and gymnastics and even swimming lessons for the littlest babe.

Plenty to keep us entertained until the sun makes it next appearance and the pool takes center stage in our yard once again. We are officially “back to school"!