It’s back to school time and this year I did something I thought was genius.  I took my kids back-to-school supply shopping separately!!  No one fought with each other, no arguments over who was going to push the cart, no one cried because his brother got something that he didn’t (because it’s not on your list, son), no one argued with me over buying the $12 vs. $2 pack of pencils. It was relatively stress free. Might even say, ‘gasp’, enjoyable.

The back-to-school section at my local Target was pretty busy and we came out with at least 90% of what we need for the year.  I ordered the rest on Amazon Prime. Score!

Today, after church, was my rising 8th graders turn to go shopping.  I had printed off his supply list last week and just took a quick glance at it.  I noticed it was much shorter than years past.  No glue sticks were on the list this year.  And now that I think about it, I don’t think they were on the list last year in 7th grade either.  Yesterday, when I took my 6th grader shopping, he did have glue sticks on his list.

So today, we didn’t buy any glue sticks and I got kinda sad.

Warren learning to extract DNA from a strawberry.

I mean, it’s the end of the glue sticks era for this kid.  It’s just another sign he is growing up and will need me less and less in the years to come.  He is getting to the point where he will have more responsibility.  Something a bit more serious that does not require glue to hold it together.

Now, don’t get me wrong.  I know he is going to need me.  I mean, I talk to my mom daily and still need her all the time!  But, it’s the fact he is getting older and more independent more responsible. He doesn’t need glue sticks at school this year.

So when you are out there back-to-school supply shopping and complaining about the fifty glue sticks you buy, think of me and that day you won’t have glue sticks on the list.  Buy some extra glue sticks to donate to your kids classroom or to a school nearby.  Even pray over some glue sticks that kids who get to use them will do great things in their life.

The days are long and the years are short is a real thing.

I am going to enjoy my kids this year and I am going to let them enjoy being kids as well.

I have already started to cover the teachers and staff in prayer.  They will have both of the Gray boys in the same building.  Lots of prayer will be needed this year. Middle school, the Grayt Life is ready!