Homecoming 08'

Because my kids go to a christian school which doesn't have football, homecoming is during basketball season. This took place last night and since my oldest, Jordan, is a freshman we had another "first". As I walked into the dance last night to pick up a car load I was blessed to see his freshman class sharing a final "group dance" together. All were included as they had their arms around each other in a giant circle taking up the majority of the dance floor. This group of 30 or so is growing up to be such a great group of kids. I had such a neat talk with Jordan yesterday afternoon as we were running around getting last minute essentials and he amazes me. As a parent you sometimes wonder if things you say to your kids gets through, if they are listening and then they display behavior or say something and you want to do a happy dance saying "they get it!" Those proud moments seem to happen more and more often with him as he gets older.
We are truly blessed to be able to have our kids at the school they are at. It is not perfect but it full of parents who love the Lord and strive to teach their kids His way. We are watching those kids turn into gorgeous young women and handsome young men (inside and out) who are solid and love each other as family. They so enjoy just being together and have such a blast.
Raising a teenager is challenging but it can also be so rewarding. Mark and I have never dreaded the teen years (and we have MANY to go), maybe because we love working with that age. Last night was clearly bitter sweet as it is great to see them grow up and then to realize "they are growing up". Thankfully, so far Jordan is growing up into the man that we want him to be. There have been bumps along the way, and more to come I am sure, but we are proud of him. We are proud of his friends and so thankful to their parents for "teaching them in the way they should go". We look forward to the years to come!!