Back To School

Ready or not school is back in session. We had such a fun summer but the girls were more than excited to get back to school. I am so glad that they love school, they are excited to learn, they love their new teachers and can't wait to see their friends.

I just can't believe Alexa is in 2nd grade. She continues to grow and mature into such a beautiful girl on the inside and out. She was excited to get back to school to learn but especially to see her friends. She was a little nervous that she might not know everything in 2nd grade. That would be her perfectionist side coming out. I reassured her that is why she goes to school, to learn. She is not expected to know everything or do perfect on every paper but to try her best. Her best friends are in other classes but it didn't see to phase her. She said, "I can meet them on the playground at recess and besides I can make some new friends too!" What a great outlook! I pray that she continues to grow in every way this year. I can't wait to see what this year brings.

Emma couldn't wait for today to come. She had her clothes and shoes laid out a day in advance. There is this feeling that 1st grade is so much bigger than Kindergarten. Maybe it is because she isn't the littlest class on the playground now or maybe because she gets to go to school all day everyday to start the year. She continues to find joy in everything she does and as she approached the first day of school she followed suit. She was up bright and early with a sparkle in her eye and a grin a mile long. I love her passion and excitement for life. She also found out last week her friends were in other classes but when she found out her teacher was Alexa's teacher from last year it trumped everything else and she was very excited.

I think every year I say I wish I could freeze time but I really, really wish I could. They are looking so grown up. I think it is time to slow down!

Their backpacks are packed and they are ready for their first day.

It is their first day of school tradition to go for breakfast with dad and then he brings them to their first day of school. They started the tradition in preschool. Eric was on a trip at the beginning of the week and was supposed to get home late Tuesday night. He has had some bad airport experiences with delays and sleeping in the airport lately so he promised them double breakfast if his flight didn't make it home. They girls were pretty excited the next morning when they saw their daddy waiting for them. They headed off to The House Of Pancakes for their 1st day of school breakfast.

I of course can't miss the 1st day of school so Shane and I met them at school. Here is Emma with Mrs. Odens. Emma can't wait for 1st grade with her new teacher. We loved Mrs. Odens last year so I am excited that Emma gets to have her this year as well.

Emma is in line and ready to head in to start the day!

Have a great day my sweet girl!

Alexa and her teacher Miss Christie. Alexa thought her teacher was super nice at meet the teacher night. She is excited for another great year at school.

Alexa in line and ready to head in for the day!

Her last wave!

They started the morning with Chapel. What a great start to a new year. I can't wait to see how they are challenged and grow in their faith this year.

I love summer and I love having my 3 in toe. There is something about having them all together and enjoying our days together with no real agenda. As Shane and I drove away reality of the new schedule set in. I will miss my girls but there is comfort in knowing they love school. I wish I could freeze time and keep them little forever but I can't so I will choose to embrace these new seasons of life even if it seems to be flying by. I do love seeing the ways they continue to grow and blossom as they grow.

It has been fun to see the support that staff and the girls' friends and their families have given them already as they embrace our adoption journey. Last year the girls shared with teachers and friends the start of this new journey. We had a lot of people praying for us. How perfect the week before school started started we found out who our little guy was. What perfect timing. The girls are so proud and made sure they had his picture to show everyone their first day. Many teachers made copies of his picture so they could pray for him and our family. Thank you Lord for teachers, other families and friends that are excited for the girls as they journey to their new brother. What a blessing!

Last year I gave the girls a butterfly to put on their backpack symbolizing the beautiful butterflies that they were becoming. It symbolized them spreading their wings last year as they went to school. This year I added a heart to their butterfly. It symbolized the love I have for them, the love Jesus has for them and the love Jesus gives them to share with others. My prayer for them is that they may share His love this year.