Where has the time gone?

Well today was the day, the very first day of first grade for Grace.  She prayed all summer long that she would be in Mrs. Kay's class and that is exactly who she got. She has one of her sweet friends from last year in her class(Whitney Grace) and several familiar faces from the playground. Even with all those wonderful things, our sweet Grace was a little tentative and a lot nervous this morning. We went to meet the teacher yesterday and that is when all the talk started. Mom "What if I cry again this year?" Dad " I am nervous and excited." Below is first picture with Mrs. Kay and a pic with Maggie and Whitney Grace(her friend from last year).

It is in "new" experiences, that I see how amazing God made Grace. I told one of the moms this morning, Grace is just that child that really she would be perfectly happy staying with me 24/7, now she would be as dumb as a box, but she would be happy :) I love how tender and sensitive she is and I hate it for her at the same time. Do you know what I mean? We had some tears this morning when Jeremy and I left and the Lord really prepared me for that. I walked in knowing they would come. I also took comfort in the fact that they were short lived. I am praying that in her little mind she will start to realize that she can pray and go to the ultimate comforter. I reminded her of that after opening chapel, when she asked "What if I cry or stay nervous?" I said "Well honey we are going to pray before you get out of the car and remember our bible verse" she said ever so quickly "Hey mom, I will keep praying but just so you know its not working. " What do I do with that? I guess I am 33 years old and still ask that question in my own way. All that to say, God is so good and I am reminded again that these children are not ours, they are His. What a huge privilege and a huge responsibility!! I will have to say I just dropped her off an hour ago and I am already counting the minutes until I pick her up. This parenting gig is hard, wonderful, fun, stressful and everything in between. :) More pics from this morning below- The one of Emma and Grace hurts my heart a little. Emma has already asked "When is Gracie coming home?" She is going to miss her sister and playmate so much, but praying for sweet one on one time with Mommy(also potty training prayers would be appreciated )

Lifelong friends (Maddie and Grace)

Summer Vacation Part 2

We just got home from a week in Florida(Seagrove) with my family. It was such a great time watching the girls get to spend quality time with their cousins. Grace and Molly Kate are such great friends and love everything girly. Emma is OBSESSED with Parker and Cullen. She thinks they are the coolest and pretty much pulled them around all week long. When we would put her to bed a night, she would cry for either Parker or Cullen to come tuck her in. They were so sweet with her and would pretty much do whatever she wanted :) They spent the majority of the time in some form of water(ocean or pool).

Every night was a cousin dance party with great times had by all! It was such a great time to reconnect with my family! My mom(Nanu) had all of her children and grandchildren under one roof. My Aunt Ginny also got to come, which was so fun. Does it get better than that? I feel so blessed to have family that not only loves Jeremy and I, but also our kids unconditionally!

Summer Vacations Part 1

Wow! We have had a very busy and fun summer. In June we went to Pagosa Springs, Colorado with Jeremy's parents. The girls had a ton of fun being with Honey and Pops, being in a house with stairs, checking out the geese in the yard behind our condo and trying to catch a fish outside on the lake(even though the fish didn't cooperate). We went on a hike, explored Durango, went swimming almost every day, played putt putt, and had great family time. Honey and Pops alway find special ways to invest in the girls....whether it is painting fingernails, cooking, coloring, eating m & m's-- even when Pops tries to eat them all. Here are some of our favorite pics from the trip.

Jeremy and I remembered why we love Colorado in the summer so much!! The weather was perfect and the scenery constantly reminded us of how amazing God's creation is. We feel so blessed to have 3 grandparents that are so invested in our kids and in us. Thanks Honey and Pops for the great vacation.

Looking ahead.....

Here we go, no turning back now.........my first blog entry.

I can see where this could be very cathartic and much cheaper than therapy :)

As I sit here and reflect- I cannot believe that our precious Grace is going into first grade. Where did the time go? I look at this precious child and am constantly amazed at who the Lord created her to be. The biggest blessing is that He let me be her mommy. Grace is so incredibly tenderhearted, funny, full of life, curious, thoughtful, LOVES TO TALK(much like her mommy), smart, sensitive, and many more adjectives on top of these. Did I mention the girl likes to talk? My mom so perfectly said the other day, Grace goes to sleep talking and wakes up talking. I know these days have already gone by so fast, so I remind myself to stop and really listen. I have to admit sometimes as a frazzled mommy I want to scream "BE QUIET", but oh the great things I would miss. It seems like yesterday that I was holding her on my hip and now she is almost getting to big for me to carry. I still long for her to crawl up in my arms and just melt into me. Good thing that is right up Grace's alley, at least right now.

Grace- Daddy and I love you so much and cannot wait to see what the Lord has in store for you this year. You are a gift!

Now for Miss Emma: I cannot believe that she will be three before we know it. I feel so blessed that the Lord gave us two girls that seem to have more differences then they do similarities. Oh they do have similarities though- Emma can be very sensitive, she is absolutely HILARIOUS, has a strong independent spirit, loves hard, plays hard, knows how to throw a mean fit :), loves to snuggle, loves routine, and loves to dance. I continually stare at her and think what will you grow into. What plan does the Lord have for you? Man sometimes I wish I had a crystal ball, but the unknown is exciting and daunting all at the same time. Emma you continually make your daddy and me smile. You are so much fun and we love watching you grow into such a big girl. So blessed that the Lord let us be your parents.

We have so many new things to look forward to as a family! Praying for our sweet girls!

2 Peter 3:18 (New International Version)

18But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.