Moving On

Emma left the nursery and moved to Sunday School when she was nearly 3. Bethany has moved with her every new church year...until now. Today was their last day together, and when I got to Children's Church to pick the kids up these two were hugging and Bethany had tears in her eyes...which brought tears to my eyes. She told me that Emma had prayed for her and her new kids during Sunday School and said how much she would miss her.

Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am so glad you gave.

1st Game of the Season {Go Vols!}

We (at LES) always participate in spirit Fridays during football

season, and yesterday was "Mix Up the Lions". I had intentions

of getting a picture of the two of us in our mixed up get-up, but

the day got away from me and I never even got a full shot of E.

I did, however, snap this to send to a friend before school.

We headed to Munford to see the Vols

kick off their season with a 10-7 win.

We came home with two girls instead of one, got in bed

late, and played all morning, which resulted in this before

we could get from our house to Nana's this afternoon...

Now that we've got our feet wet with Friday Night Lights, we

are ready to kick off the college season (and "rotel Saturdays"

as I frequently call them;) next week. Rooooooooooolllll Tide!!

Wordless Wednesday {featuring Bob the Builder}

1 Week Down {a lot to go}

I hate to be that teacher. You know, the one who's counting down the days until summer before the ink even dries on their registration papers.

But if you've ever been in a classroom the first week of school, you know how stressful it can be. And a lot of times it has nothing to do with the kids. Just getting back in the swing of things is exhausting.

But we made it. And we're ready for week two!

Sort of. ;)

Today we went to Tuscaloosa to get Kyle moved into his dorm. And search for Big Al. We came home with a very disappointed little boy when we didn't find him on campus, but he's excited about going back for his first Alabama football game this fall. And to see Kyle, of course. :)

Emma told me this afternoon that when she grows up she

wants to move here and go to college. And that she knows

I'll cry. I can't imagine where she would get that idea from. ;)

 

Just some random pics from this week...

 

I'm not the only one in our house worn out by 1st Grade:)

And the highlight of our days is stopping by the new house to

check the progress. The kids climb up and down the "ladder"

and ride bikes on the garage floor. It's the little things in life. :)

First Day of 1st Grade!

Another first day is in the books. My girl went right to sleep last night and got right up this morning. She got dressed and ready, ate breakfast, we snapped a few pictures, and then we were off.

As we were pulling into the parking lot at school she told me she was feeling a little nervous...which surprised me. And then she asked me to not only walk her across the hall to her room but all the way to her seat.

Smile:)
 

I love this pic...we both look as if

we're not sure how this is going to go;)

It was after this when she asked me to walk her to her seat:)

And we survived!

First Day of School {1 down, 3 to go}

Today I sent my sweet boy off to preschool. I worried he might cry or hang onto me and not want me to leave. He is my baby, you know?! But he didn't. And I'm glad.

I left with a few tears in my eyes but pretty much kept myself composed until I got to the parking lot. I thought about him so many times today...wondering what he was doing, if he was behaving, if he was upset, if he would eat, and on and on.

And when the clock hit 2:50 I dropped everything I was doing to go pick him up. Mrs. Lolli reported that he had a great first day.

Relief.

When I walked into his room and she called his name and he realized I was there he ran and jumped in my arms and gave me the best hug. I'd say today was a success.

Cousins ready for the 1st day!

Mrs. Lolli sent this around 12:30...just what I

needed to get me through the rest of the day!

Tomorrow is Justin's first day (ever), my first day, and my big girl

 starts 1st Grade! We read The Night Before First Grade and The

 Kissing Hand, picked out the perfect outfit, and she fell fast asleep.

 I pray her first day is as sweet as she is...while she's sleeping. ;)

I stole this from Christy...she and I spoke about several of these

 things today as our babies started K4 and K5, so I found it fitting.

Open House {K4}

Tonight was Open House at FACS. Luke went right in and gave Mrs. Lolli a gift (which his daddy is hoping will keep him from getting kicked out immediately, ha!), found his seat, and then headed back out into the common area to play.

 

I've been super worried about how Luke would adapt to "big school", mainly because he's an active little boy. He's very smart, but he has a hard time sitting still. The majority of the time he is moving around and/or "not paying attention" (i.e. coloring, playing, singing, etc.) when any sort of structured activity is taking place (whether it be reading a story or going to Sunday School or Children's Church...which deserves a post of its own). The funny thing, though, is that he can pretty much tell me every detail of whatever is being "taught" even when I think he's in another world.

 

Tonight as I was sitting down reading through the papers we got at Open House I came to the last slide of Mrs. Lolli's powerpoint...

I needed that.

 

Lunch box is packed, backpack and school clothes are laid out, The Kissing Hand and The Night Before Preschool have been read, and my boy is fast asleep. Here's hoping tomorrow goes smoothly...for all involved. :)

Transformation Tuesday {on Saturday}

Baby Bryce

On July 30, 2014 we added a new little one to our circle of friends. Justin and I went to the hospital to see him, but the kids hadn't met him yet. While Luke was at daycare yesterday, E and I decided to go visit. And I'd by lying if I told you she didn't ask if we could trick her daddy into getting her a baby brother or sister. ;)

The End of an Era

For over 6 years I have had babies in daycare. For over 6 years someone else, in essence, has been raising my babies so that I could provide for my family.

Last year we made the decision that Luke would attend K4 and K5, instead of just K4 like E. We made this decision for several reasons, and we're confident that this is the best decision for our boy and our family.

But that didn't make today any easier. As I drove to pick him up this afternoon I thought about the many days I've traveled that same path, taking babies to Mrs. Liz's. I thought about the fact that it is very possible I'll never travel that exact path again. And I thought about all the things that both of my babies experienced while in her care. Words could never express my sincere thankfulness for the woman who helped shape my babies into who they are today.

We had a small token of our appreciation to give her, and she gave Luke a rain coat for "big school". And when we left we just said, "see you later!" And then I had to stop at the end of the driveway to compose myself.

Tonight when we were reading a bedtime story, Luke said, "we have that at my school!" And I asked him which school he was talking about. Of course, he was referring to Mrs. Elizabeth's...the only place he's ever known. I reminded him that today was his last day and that next week he'd be going to "big school." He said, "I love Mrs. Elizabeth."

And so do we.

Open House {1st Grade}

Yesterday was Open House at LES. E got to "meet" her teacher and check out her new room, and she is super excited about it all. I'm super excited for her but a little sad too...the haircut, snaggle tooth smile, and the fact that she's going into a grade with a number has this mama missing the baby that she once was, but I'm also very thankful for the opportunity to watch her grow right in front of my very own eyes. I love you, Emma Catherine, and I hope you have a super fabulous first grade year!

My girl and me:)

Mrs. Lacy & E

Kinlee & E

My Village

"There's no tired like teacher tired at the beginning of the school year."

I don't know who said it, but I can testify to its truth! And I can also testify to that fact that it really does take a village to raise a child...or two. At the beginning of every school year I live by the mantra, "if I can make it to Labor Day, it's all gonna be alright." Things are fast-paced, busy, never-ending, and somewhat stressful. Add a husband (who, by the way, got a teaching job at Dadeville High School...yaaaahhhhhoooooooo!), a couple of kids, a dog, and a cat into the mix (really, though, the dog and cat don't cause me any stress;) and life gets hectic.

I couldn't have made it through the last week without my support system...my village. And I wouldn't know what to do in the upcoming weeks without them either.

So thank you...Mama & D, Moms, Dale & Wanda, Chris & Amy...thank you for picking up my slack!

3 little stinkers picking apples while I was at Parent Night:)

5.5 Inches Later

E has casually mentioned getting her hair cut short several times lately, so when we went for her "Back to School" haircut yesterday she told Ms. Jammie exactly what she wanted...

And she looks absolutely beautiful, if I do say so myself.

I want summer back...

I'm not sure where summer has gone, but I know I'm already seeing it in my rearview mirror. I've been working like a madwoman in my classroom, and I'm getting that overwhelmed feeling. And then there's the back-to-school nightmares...:(

A few weeks ago April and I took the kids to the splash pad in Oxford...and let me just say that we desperately need something like this in CC!

Wednesday I took the kids to the dentist, where Luke nearly threw up all over the hygienist who tried to take x-rays. She finally got it, bless her heart...and NO CAVITIES for either one!

On Thursday, Ashley and I took the girls to Six Flags to use their Read to Succeed tickets. It was fun, but I think it's safe to say that my daughter is much more brave than myself. Yet, another fun thing about becoming an adult. ;)