Back to School....

We are well on our way into the month of September, and as the cooler temps begin to settle in, I’m dreaming of fall colors, anything pumpkin, (cakes, breads, candle’s) and the amazing feeling that is in the air.

This past Tuesday, Andrew started his Junior year of High School and I’m once again reminded of just how fast time moves forward. For some reason the prep for H.S. seems much less stressful than when he was younger; perhaps it’s because he only has 4 classes a day which require a quick trip to Target to pick up 4 folds, 4 notebooks, pens and pencils? (And, let’s not forget the must need $120.00 calculator… Thank goodness he doesn’t need that until 2nd semester.)

Our week has been off to a good start. Early to bed, early to rise, and so far, we’ve been holding to our new schedule/routine pretty well. In fact, he was up and at em’ bright and early on his first day, with a smile on his face knowing we’d be taking “first day of school pictures”! What a guy. (I think he was happily anticipating our annual “pizza night”, which has been a first day of school tradition since Ashley started preschool.)


Andrew is truly an amazing young man, and he brings so much joy and humor to our family. He’s so stinkin’ funny, and his one liner’s crack all of us up and he loves to repeat “funny” things that he hears. His most recent favorite thing to say is:

“It don’t make a nickel bit of difference”

He heard this line one Saturday when we took him out for lunch as we overheard the conversation from the neighboring table. So now, it’s a part of his vocabulary as he says it with a “southern twang” to it. Now mind you, he’s a northern boy, so it’s hilarious to hear him say it when I ask him things like:

“What do you want for dinner buddy?” He responds, “it don’t make a nickel bit of difference!”


Here are a few more funny things he will do:

*Many nights, as we all begin to settle down he will haul his pillow and blanket upstairs to Ashley’s room, knock on her door and ask her if she wants to have a slumber party with him?

*He’s packed himself in Ashley’s luggage (she’s packing to leave on Sunday) and asked her to take him with her.

*When he’s having a hard time getting up to his alarm in the morning and I have to remind him for the ump teen time to “get up”, he responds by saying, “Oh Mom, are you having a rough morning? Do you need a hug? “

* For those of you who may be familiar with the “Aflac” (insurance) commercial and how the duck says, “Aflac”. Well, Andrew calls Ashley’s name the same may the duck says Aflac. It’s a riot, although, I don’t think Ash would agree. lol

*Andrew pat’s his hair, and walks with his hands in his pants pockets the exact same way my dad does. He even has the same grin as my dad, and the same laugh as Tim’s dad.

*Anytime Andrew finds me relaxing in my favorite chair, reading a book, looking at a magazine or watching TV he will say, “wanna cuddle mom?” (in his southern twang voice) And he will squeeze on the chair with me.

His Andrew-isms are so funny.


As we drove him to school on his first day, saying a prayer with him on the way, I kindly reminded him to not say to his teacher: “it don’t make a nickel bit of difference”, as I’m sure he will be using that line…as he’s often considered somewhat of a ‘class clown”.


The Seasons of our lives continue to change as we will soon begin to be a family of 3 again, as Ashley begins her next adventure, so far from home as she follows after the heart of her Father; and we anticipate many memories with Andrew as he enjoys his junior year, works at the golf course, and will soon begin his basketball season.


As much as some thing seem to stay the same, so much more changes, and we are excited to see the amazing things God has in store, just up ahead, around the corner.