Back to School

I haven't even posted our summer pictures yet, and here we are a month into the school year already!  Life just never slows down, does it?  But I thought I'd go out of order this time and share these school photos and request some prayers before I backtrack and blog about our summer adventures.

Here is our crew of boys on the front porch on the first day of school.  They requested a porch photo instead of the embarrassment of taking their picture at school in front of all their classmates... :}  It's not the best photo, but it sure captures my crazy crew and shows how each of them are growing and have their own unique personality:

• On the top step there's Joseph who just turned 17 and is entering his Junior year.  He is starting to ponder college options and hopes to find one with a baseball team :)  In this photo he is sporting a sweet 80s style mullet, but sadly the school asked him to cut it after the first week because it did not meet the dress code.  He is still mourning the loss, but it won't be long and he will have the freedom in college to grow his hair long again.
• Then there's Michael wearing an A's baseball cap who already wishes there was less homework so that he could watch more MLB or practice baseball with his brother.  He is 15 and in the throws of puberty (I keep wondering when the grumpy stage will end...please, Lord, make it soon!) :}  He must have grown 3 inches this summer because he is taller than his older brother now and starting to lift weights every day so that he can play for Legion baseball again this Spring.  He just started Driver's Ed, so we will soon have 2 teenage drivers at our house!!!  He is a sophomore this year, with only 3 other kids in his class--how crazy is that!?
• And then there's Dominic wearing his studious glasses and sitting beside his cello.  He is 12 years old and in the 6th grade this year. This boy has a brain that astounds me.  Super smart, mathematical, and musical.  He has so many gifts, but also so many crosses to carry right now.  This school year has been a very rocky start for him.  He is still learning to manage his panic attacks and healed so much over the summer.  But one of his classmates has been bullying him, which has made the panic attacks come back to the surface.  Please help me to pray for the virtue of kindness to grow in his classroom, and for strength and perseverance for Dominic as he learns to stand up for himself, forgive, and keep his panic attacks under control all at the same time.  It will be hard, but I am confident he can handle it with the help of God's grace.  
• Nathanael, our 7 year old, is in the 2nd grade and loving every minute of it.  He keeps a constant smile which looks so sweet on his freckled face.  He is growing into a young little man before my eyes though, and I am so happy that he will get to receive Jesus in 1st Communion this year.  It won't be long and he will be altar serving with his 3 older brothers!
• And last but not least is our little Isaiah who was big enough to start Kindergarten this year!  He was so happy and ready to go.  No tears on the first day of school.  He loves his teacher, loves learning, loves recess, loves his classmates, and loves coming home to show off all that he did at school every day.  I miss him like crazy, but his smile when he comes home keeps my heart filled with joy.  I still cannot believe that ALL FIVE OF MY KIDS ARE IN SCHOOL!  This is a strange new chapter in my life, and I am keeping my days filled with numerous projects and volunteering to keep me busy and to keep me from getting too lonely :}

Please keep all of my boys in your prayers for a happy, holy, and healthy school year!  Thank you!!!

Isaiah, my big Kindergartener!