What a sweet post my friend. I loved all the pictures. Definitely made me smile. I don't remember my first day of high school actually. Weird...I do remember 7th grade though b/c that's when we started changing classes and it was at the OLD/Original Hot Springs High. HUGE historic awesome building but overwhelming when you're 13!

Could not finish reading this because of the tears in my eyes. Shame on you.

awwww, I LOVE that first photo - so SO cute. all the others are too...

I can only imagine that feeling - I have a friend who has a 17 year old, one we are very close to (Jason has basically been the "dad" in his life), we sent him through School of Rock, and seeing him now, playing in one of his two bands, like, out at an actual venue we have to pay to see, it's an awesome feeling. I've known him since he was a tiny thing, so it's a neat thing to see him grow up. but yeah, a completely different thing for a mom, I'm sure. such an exciting time in his life, I remember that first day!! you guys are Doing It Right as parents, so even if sometimes it may feel like they're going away, they're just doing their own thing and will be back - I know they appreciate you!

big hugs to you. I had a cry day yesterday, today is clearer. XXO!

aw what an exciting milestone! What handsome young men you have :) Love the photos!

Time does fly... but think how much fun your guys are going to have as they get older and you develop a relationship as friends too. I love the way my mom and I can hang out now days. (We could barely talk in high school.)

Your boys are seriously to-die-for cute. They both look so happy!
What a sweet, sweet post.

Awww, this made me cry (I may be a hormonal mess at the moment too). It is so completely bittersweet, isn't it. Definitely the one part of motherhood that really took me by surprise. My baby will be one next month and I am having a very hard time with it. Glad to know I'm not alone in feeling this way. On a different note, you and Tony make the handsomest boys. Thanks for sharing all the great pictures.

I will never forget how excited I was when I moved to college and also to Chicago. However, it was hard to say good bye to my parents. My dad rarely cries. But it definitely happened on those two moments. It's a bittersweet experience- they're happy to see you excel and follow your dreams, but sad to not have you around anymore. Happy tears are the best tears. :)

this made me tear up too, but in a good way. I see such beauty in your life and how you have raised good boys to almost men, eek! Yes, live in the moment.

For some reason, school milestones didn't really get to me because Son was still with us and we were interacting daily, but college ... OMG. Yes, you will need to be sedated, dear. ;-) Beautiful post, Sarena. You are all very lucky to have each other!

xo,
Shirley

Oh my goodness...I can only imagine the amount of freaking out I will do when Lila goes to high school. It seems SO far off, but the funny thing is, even though she's barely rolling over-- I know it's NOT!!! Time passes so quickly...scarily so.

Sorry-- that previous comment was me. I pressed "enter" a little too eagerly :-)

Aww I just love this! You are such a loving and adoring mom to those little boys. It's so great to see that kind of love shared so outwardly with us. Seriously, beautiful post!

Oh my gosh the boys are so grown up!!! :) That's so cute!!

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Awww, Sarena:) You are such a good mamma.
I kinda like the nostalgia feeling...memories are meant to be felt and remembered, right? :) :)

Aw, they are so darn cute and lucky to have such an amazing mama!

Your post nearly had me in tears. My kiddos are smaller (3 and 6) but each year I feel it! It's bitter sweet and as a mom I really try and savor every moment. I can't imagine yet what it's like to have two independent children. Mine still depend on my so much.

I married my best friend, so I very much look forward to connecting with Scott again as parents of older children, that will be a nice transition to make. But they are only little for a short while, and in our home for a short while, and then they are off into the world. I just can't imagine (gasp). But I see us (my husband and our two children) all great buddies one day. Going on vacations together, laughing together, playing music together, dancing together. :-)

Your post is just lovely - thank you for sharing.

Be Well,
--Amber

wow! I am sure a lot of emotions are running through you as you look back at your boys photos. Crazy how fast they grow up!

Oh, I love this post. But it makes me a little sad too. I totally feel your pain. But it is just crazy that these kids are just growing way to fast and time seems to be just flying by before our eyes.
Your boys are just totally completely precious!!
Oh. And I already panic about my boys leaving for college. I keep putting the bug in their ear that Arizona State University would be an awesome school to go to (and just down the road...LOL)!!!
Thanks for sharing your reflections with us today!

I'm a bit late replying to this post (too much in my google reader!) but I totally empathize with where you are at. It really hit me this year when Kahlea headed off to her first year of high school and my "babies" started Year 4 (seems to be the year for girls and when they turn from best friends into cliquey enemies-so very sad).

I too seem to feel the passage of time a lot more this year than I ever have before and many of my friends too are just having babies (and so many of them twins! Makes me so nostalgic).

I also appreciate not having to be up all night with screaming babies or messy nappies but it makes me sad to think they'll never be that little and dependent on me again.

Big big (((hugs))) xx