First Day of School 2013

Kevin and I were at WalMart (on a protein shake mission) and I told him I need to find another small ice block for lunches.  "The two we have aren't enough?"  Yeah I forgot we had three kids in school too.

Patrick- 4th grade

He was really nervous but his best little friend, Erin is in his class and he's already made lots of new friends.  Including 39 other Raven friends  in his classroom (seriously 40 kids in a class, I bow down to these teachers).  He started cross country yesterday (begrudgingly) and really liked it.  He turns 9 on Monday and he told me last night that he is really going to enjoy 4th grade.  Hooray! 


Keith- 1st grade

Keith wears his worry in such a different way than his brother.   He was definitely a little nervous but  there is nothing like knowing your brother is there with you.  Keith has been full of energy when he gets home.  I thought he would want a nap, shows what I know!  Everything in first grade is VERY exciting.

Lauren- Preschool

This one has been ready.  Before we took her to school yesterday she was already proclaiming that she likes it.  I'm sure she's making an impression. I still find it hard to believe that she spends the day away from me.  It is so weird.

ACK!

Look at my face!

I'm not ready.  The kids have clothes, the boys' hair has been trimmed, the school supplies were purchased and organized weeks ago.... but I'M NOT READY.  I continue to refer to the first day of school as something that will happen at some point in the (distant?) future. 

Big changes for us this year (dig hole, stick head in).  Patrick is an upper grader, Keith is at school all day, and Lauren jets off to the preparatory academy (aka Preschool).  Don't let summer end yet!

We had an amazing summer, including our first family trip since Hawaii four years ago.  We spent a week at the beach and it was so much fun.  Can we go back?

Today when I thought about Lauren eating lunch out of her coveted lunch box without me there, I had flurries in my belly.  When Keith came in for yet another reassuring hug, my heart skipped.  When Patrick worried about the new year, I teared up. 

People keep reminding me that with Lauren at school, I have time.  Well, I don't really know what that means or what to do about that.  It isn't real.

I pray that my children will be lead by the ways of our God and not by the ways of this world.  I pray that they grow and learn and achieve to their full potential.  I pray that there will always be trials to make them better and stronger (I force myself to pray that most days).  I pray that Kevin and I will be strong role models for grace, love, compassion, leadership, integrity, and humor.  And I pray that whatever this new year brings that we grow in our love for one another and our family bond tightens against the icky stuff in this world. 

OK NOW I'M READY!

Visiting Aunt Bev

I am very blessed to have loving Great Aunts.  My mom's aunts are wonderful women with a very special place in my heart.  Most of them are out of state so we don't get to see them often.  But  Aunt Bev is right here in California! She comes to Fresno now and again to visit but this time we decided to pay her a visit in her new house in Roseville.  It was a quick overnight trip but we had a great visit.  We loved her new house and neighborhood.  We had fun playing games, eating, and catching up.  My kids just adore her and so do I.

This trip served as a great warm up for our week long vacation down south.  I didn't even plan it that way!