Marching On...

On Thursday, my almost-kindergartner marched on up to the stage...

Getting ready for the big show

 for the end of the year program for his Pre-K class...

Parent paparazzi

 I can't believe that he is really going on to kindergarten.  I look at him and I know that time has passed because he is growing by leaps and bounds....but it still seems like it was just the other day when we brought him home...

Ready for Kindergarten!!!

Samuel and Jeremy

He has grown so much and in so many ways.  Moving to Nigeria was definitely a huge change for him also.  When we first arrived here, he was a quiet and reserved three year old. He needed me to help him with everything and he wouldn't dare to talk to anyone he hadn't watched or observed for at least a few days.  Not to mention how quickly plans can change here because of traffic, strikes, elections, etc. That used to get him so upset if his plans had to change without warning... 

Jeremy's buddy Rowan

 But, now, it's like he is an old pro.  We don't have to knock on the bus mom's door each week for him to meet her.  He just knows that a bus mom will be bringing him home on the bus no matter who it is. He has learned that it is okay to trust other people besides only mom and dad because he had to get to know Happiness and Fatai.  He has become a leader in his class instead of the follower.  Best of all, he has been able to make friends who are very special to him.:)

As I think about all the time that has gone by since he was such a cute, chubby baby smiling back at me, I realize that there is something your mom doesn't always tell you.  As your babies are getting older...so are you...

I realized that this morning when I was looking in the mirror.  There are lines on my face that I know weren't there last year...but it's funny how I almost didn't notice them at all.  I thought about a line from one of my favorite movies ( Steel Magnolias) when Truvy says," Time marches on and pretty soon you realize it's marching right across your face!"   Well, I realized it today...but, if it means that I get to look forward to many more years of watching my children grow and become happy healthy adults and laughing with my husband...then let that time march right on!!!:)