In a few days we will be sending our children back to school. Each summer seems to be shorter than the one before. This year, my oldest son will start his junior year in college, my middle son starts his freshman year in college, and my baby starts high school. It seems like yesterday I was walking him to the "Boo Hoo" breakfast at school. This was the first and only time parents could walk their children into the school. The cafeteria was full of parents and little ones anxious about starting school and words of encouragement buzzed through the air as children reassured their parents they would be ok. For some of us, starting a new school year means starting the chaos of managing work, sports, church, cooking, cleaning, laundry, homework, and everything in between that robs us of quality time with family. But nothing is as important as the time you invest in your child. Life can get hectic. There are days when we all feel like giving up and feel there's nothing left to give. But every minute you spend, every kind word you say, makes a difference. You are your child's first teacher. They learn from you as well as me. I am here to love your child as I do my own. Together, I know this can be a great year for all of us.