FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL AND 37

BUELLER GOES TO KINDERGARTEN!! I think he thought this day would never come. It's a day he's been looking forward to for quite a while now, and one I know without a doubt he's ready for. Today was Mac's first day of "big school." We were so excited to find out he has Mrs. Schweers who was also Grant's Kindergarten teacher. We joke that she can retire after she has Reid next year. She's an awesome teacher and someone who has become a sweet friend. I am confident my sweet Bueller will have a wonderful year.

Yesterday we made sure we had everything packed and ready to go.

All he asked for was an Auburn nap mat. Thank goodness for Etsy because that's the only place I could find one. I was able to surprise him with it. He loved it so much he slept in it the night it came in.

This morning he woke up around 6:15 ready to start the day and get to school. I can't wait to pick him up this afternoon and see how it went. At Redland the Kindergarten has what they call a staggered start. A third of the class goes Monday, a third Tuesday, a third Wednesday then they all begin as a whole class Thursday. I have a feeling it's going to be hard for him to sit out the next two days.

Grant started 2nd grade today. Ms. Turnipseed is his teacher. She seems very sweet, and I've heard nothing but great things about her. She doesn't believe in much homework (which of course Grant liked), and she believes children learn better if they're having fun doing it. First grade was a lot of work with very little play (which was necessary - I'm still amazed at how much he learned) but I'm hoping for a bit more fun this year for Professor.

And I think he's going to get it.

He was excited about some friends being in his class again

We're blessed with wonderful teachers at a wonderful elementary school.

Packed and ready

Today was Turbo's first day back at Kiddie Kollege.

He's in Mrs. Rita's class this year or as he says it, "the big boy class." He's the Kiddie Kollege Class of 2012. Mrs. Rita is a jewel. Grant and Mac both had her, and now Reid gets his turn. We love Kiddie Kollege. They're all like family, and we'll be sad to see our KK days come to an end. In the meantime, though, we're going to fully embrace and enjoy Turbo's last year of preschool.

Today wasn't just the first day of school for the boys but for Bethany as well. Today she begins her year as a sophomore. Seriously my baby girl cannot be in 10th grade. She loves school (yes, she still loves school) and was ready to get back into the swing of things. It was so hard not to have a picture of her to post from her first day, but I'm sure she looked fabulous!

I came across a beautiful "back to school" prayer that I want to share:

Dear Heavenly Father,

I seek Your presence, coming before You with thanksgiving for the wonderful blessings You have given me through my children.  Raising a child is an awesome and often overwhelming responsibility, yet You have entrusted these children to me, so I come to You now to lift them up to You as they begin a new year at school.  Please, Lord, keep my children safe from harm and evil.  Please keep the buses and carpool vehicles safe.  Please let Your presence be in the school to keep it safe, positive, and a place where children can be comfortable and able to learn.

Although we cannot speak of You or pray outwardly to You in many schools, let the Christians in the schools share Christ’s love and the lessons He taught by their words and actions.  I pray that my children will be positive influences on those around them, conducting themselves in a Christ-like manner and resisting temptations to behave in ways that are not acceptable or allowed in school.

Lord, I thank You for the many gifts, talents, and blessings You have given my children and pray that they will continue to use and grow those gifts; and that their actions and accomplishments will be pleasing to You and bring glory to You.

Lord, I also pray for myself as a parent.  Please help me to be there for my children in the ways that they need me to be.  Help me to understand them and to know how to support them, even ‘fight’ for them, if needed.  I pray that You will give me the wisdom to know when to help, when to encourage, when to motivate, and when to sit back, being more mindful of their needs and what is best for them instead of giving in to my protective and dominating tendencies.  I pray also for wisdom in helping them when they face difficulties and challenges.  Help their father and I to rule with patience and grace – even in the most frustrating of situations.

And Lord, I pray that You will instill in their hearts the desire to learn, grow, mature, and thrive in their educational settings.  Most importantly, please keep in them the desire to keep You in their lives, not allowing less godly influences to push You aside.

Please also help us to communicate and stay close.

I pray for every parent who shares these prayerful concerns and ask that You guide and bless them as they love and care for their children.  I pray, too, for the children who don’t have someone to pray for them.  May those children find people in their lives who can lead and inspire them.

To You, my Heavenly Father I pray, with Jesus as my Lord and Savior, and in the love of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

I think it's the perfect prayer.

37
Today the man I love celebrates his 37th birthday. In a couple of weeks we will celebrate 8 years of marriage. Only 8? That cannot be right. Surely it's at least 28. HA!

When we dated 18 years ago, no one could have imagined we would be where we are today. Chris, you are the person who drives me crazy yet keeps me sane all at the same time. :) I love so many things about you...

I love that you live life to the fullest every day. You are passionate about what you do, and everything you do you do to the best of your ability. It's all or nothing.

I love that you love me in spite of my many moods - there are a lot of them, and they can change without warning. I also love that you can usually snap me out of a bad one pretty quickly (even if it makes me ill that you made me laugh). :)

I love that you work hard to provide for our family.

I love that you gave me our three boys. What would life be like without them? I don't want to know.

I love that you hold my hand while we're in the car and out in public.

I love that you do the grocery shopping.

I love that for the most part you decide what's for dinner and cook it.

I love that you still say "yes ma'am", "no ma'am" and "yes sir", "no sir" to your parents.

I love that you aren't afraid to take risks.

I love that you provide a housekeeper for me. It sounds shallow of me to say that, but it's a HUGE help and something I look forward to twice a month.

I love that you can say "I'm sorry" when you need to.

I love that you have a big heart for people less fortunate.

I love that you still look dang hot in a pair of jeans that showcase that magnificent booty of yours, even if you kinda know you look good. heehee :)

I love that you never meet a stranger.

I love that you love our family and love being together and doing things as a family. In fact, you prefer it that way.

I love that you recognize the importance of "us" time.

I love that you have great taste in jewelry (again, shallow but... just being honest).

I love that no matter where you're going or what you're doing you want the boys to be a part of it.

I love that after we tuck the boys in bed every night we sit on the couch together watching Y & R and either hold hands or you lay your head in my lap.

I love that when you walk past me you can't keep your hands off me (even if it doesn't always seem like I love it). :)

I love that you are close to my dad.

I love that you go after what you want and usually get it.

I love that years ago when you saw me in Castlewood at my parent's house you told CV, "If I ever get the chance to date that girl again, I'm gonna marry her." And you did. See previous.

I love that when a lot of people would've run the other way, you stuck right beside me and helped me through a very ugly time. Without a doubt I know our marriage is stronger for having been tested. Not that it wasn't hard getting through that ugly time and not that we don't still have our struggles, but I think we both agree we're in a completely different place now than we were a few years ago. And it's a great place to be.

Most of all I love YOU. You're my best friend, the glue that holds our family together. I'm so thankful to have you as my life partner.

Happy Birthday, honey, and Happy (early) Anniversary! Here's to many, many more.