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)