Monday, August 29, 2016

First Day of School 2016

Today marks another beginning of another year of school for our three kiddos - 2nd Grade, Kindergarten and Preschool.

Backpacks, clothes and shoes were laid out ahead of time.  Breakfast of "flat" eggs and toast was requested by all three.  And of course first day pics were taken.  Magically even though there was a bit more on our list this morning for a first day, we were all in the car earlier than I expected.  No "hurry up" calls up the stairs necessary for today -- likely the only time all year I suspect.

Ike starts second grade today.  While he wished summer break was longer, he was full of smiles today and looks forward to seeing his friends.  He excited to have his brother in the school and they stayed up later than I liked whispering about school stuff.

Z-man is starting kindergarten today.  He was excited more than nervous which was a blessing for this momma's heart.  He is glad he has the same teacher his big brother had and that his best friend is in his class.  He is also excited to ride the school bus home with his big brother several days a week. He has a big year ahead of him and we can't wait to see how God uses it.

Peaches is in preschool again this year but still big changes for this girl -- a new preschool and 5 mornings a week (compared to last year's 2 mornings).  She was nervous as many of her friends from last year are going to kindergarten and she will be making new friends this year at preschool, though we talked about how much she can help her new friends since she already knows how preschool works.  When I dropped her off, she was all smiles as she showed her teacher how she could write her whole name (first middle last).

I can't wait to hear all about their first days when they return home to the gravelly road.


Dear Lord -

I ask for an extra special blessing on the school year adventure ahead of each of our three children.  Each adventure is unique and will be used for your purposes in their life, though all three start a new phase today.

Guide their teachers as they give instruction, encouragement, and build the tone of their classrooms. Grant them your wisdom for those moments when a child's tears or frustrated words are coming from a deeper hard place than just a tough morning.  May their classrooms be places of learning and inclusion, a safe place to try, fail and try again.

Watch over our three as they start and strengthen friendships, face challenges, try new things, handle squabbles with classmates, and discover more about the world and this thing we call education.  Guide their words and actions so that they are kind and compassionate to those around them.  Surround them with friends that bring out their best so that they can build each other up.

Thank you again and again for allowing me to be the mom of these precious kiddos.  I am so honored and challenged daily.  They each are growing and changing so fast it often takes my breath away.  Continue to grow them into the people you called them to be and help me to help them see how you are working in their lives.

Amen

Tuesday, August 16, 2016

Family camp

We spent a long weekend away up north, near some of our favorite places, at a family camp with several other families from our church and another local church.  It was a great blend of relaxing family time, time in nature, time with friends and camp fun.  It was so nice that our meals were provided by the camp (no cooking or restaurants!) and fun to eat as a large group. The kids loved a playground plus the swim area and paddle boats. There were also fishing boats, a few hiking trails plus camp fires and worship times in the evenings.  The group included a lot of kids and everyone got along so great -- a camp full of playmates!  Its was a memorable time and something I think we likely will do again.

And now that we are unpacking at home on the gravelly road... here are some of my favorite pics from the weekend.









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