A few weeks ago, I had the honor of being the chaperon for Julia’s field trip.

I sorta wanted to slip this into my backpack for my collection.

What I learned.

5th graders are giggly.

5th graders have cooler sunglasses than I do.

5th graders like to sing the latest Selena Gomez song on the bus.

Converse are still in.

There are still the clowns, the nerds, the pretty girls and the athletes.

I love them all to pieces. I wish I could just sit down with each one and tell them it will be ok.

I want to tell them all to shine.

I want to tell them all to be themselves.

But I know that you get to the other side by walking through it.

Every moment shapes you and grows you and nourishes you.

Tonight, I am so thankful to be the mom of a 5th grader.

And I am praying for joy in the journey for each and every one.