We’re down on all fours and crawling towards the finish line of summer over here.    Barely scraping by.    It’s not all that surprising, except that every year my idealistic May-self is convinced this will be the summer where my dreams and expectations line up perfectly. The summer of family walks, lemonade stands, nightly devotionals, and a physical and spiritual renewing of our hearts and minds.    But it’s August and all of that’s shot to  . . . the ground. And now it’s just survival. Want new school shoes? Not my concern, go thrifting. Need school supplies? Look in the junk drawer. Summer reading? Pretend you didn’t get the assignment.    I’m assuming I’m not alone in this? The heat dome has shut me down, and it’s time to send the people back to school in a few weeks. So in honor of our impending freedom (scratch that) school starting, we’re spending the next few weeks in August talking about all the back-to-school basics.    Today. Kay Wyma is chatting with us about comparison, competition, and how to become cheerleaders for those around us. Next week, I’ll be sharing a few critical conversations to have with your kids before school starts. And then Sissy Goff will round us out with some critical thoughts on anxiety in our kids and how to stay in front of it.    I’m grateful you’re here each week, and in the event you’re having the summer of your dreams . . . let’s just keep that preciousness to ourselves. ?   Grateful for you!   All things Cynthia