Oh Jilli....

Friday was Jilli's first day of preschool. Jilli is such a character and my life would be very boring with two daughters who act the exact same. Thank you Lord for Miss Jilli, she keeps me on my toes!





She had to be woke up for her first day of school, wrestled into clothes, and bribed to brush her teeth. Of course the traditional front door photo wasn't her style, so she didn't look at the camera.

Thank my sweet LORD that he held her hand and gave her courage to not cry when I left her and held her safe all day. I was expecting drama, but she was calm. I was worried sick about the little bug all day though. Once I picked her up she announced that she loves school. All was well.





On her second day of school we got an email saying that "we can tell she is not a napper and is working on being quiet so others can rest." Oops. So they must have let her "read" books and folks, her words are far more entertaining than anything Marc Brown or Norman Bridwell could ever dream of!

We love you Jillian!

All You Really Need to Know You Learn on the 2nd Day of Kindergarten

Helping me before school

On Friday afternoon Mia Kate was bursting with energy and informed me that......





1) "Mary's mom is named Anna, that is Jesus' grandma. Did you know Jesus had a grandma?"





2) "George Washington was our first president."





and after running to dig a penny out of her piggy bank...





3) "See this monument, that is the Lincoln Memorial, and if you go there, right in the middle is a statue of Abraham Lincoln."

Really?




She was cleaning out her backpack and telling me about all of her papers and came across one she did in library and said "Obviously you know what this one is!" She was peach in the library, called me "Mrs. Reuter" and raised her hand like a star. I didn't even go peek in her classroom, but did a low wave when I saw her walking past me in the hall. It is really nice having her so close!

Miss Kindergarten

A Mom's Prayer On the First Day of School
Here we are again, Lord. Their backpacks are loaded and their faces are scrubbed and their lunch cards are full.
And I know you'll walk with them, Lord. You always do.

But a mom still has to ask.
Will You walk with them?
Will You whisper to them what they need to hear, when I'm not there to whisper it?
Will You please, oh please, cover their school with the protection only
You can give, and will You keep harm far away?
Will You make their minds strong and ready to learn?
Will You help them understand that hard work honors the One who created them?
Will You guide their teachers, giving them patience and
wisdom and creativity and more patience?
Will You bless them for their efforts?
Will You love all those children there,
the ones whose lunch accounts aren't full,
the ones who feel alone?
Will You teach my children to be kind and unselfish
and to love those who are different from them?
Will You point them back toward home just as soon as you can?
Lord, I give them to You today and everyday, trusting them to Your care.
In Jesus' name, Amen.

We love you Mia Kate! Words cannot say how proud we are of you! You are a blessing, a gift, and an amazing little lady. Let your Light Shine Sis!

Cry much? Keep reading......

Prayer from 6 Happy Hearts.

A Mess, and I am crying while typing.

The last few weeks I have went through the motions of getting the girls ready for school, but didn't really let it sink in until they were in bed last night. Then, I lost it. I went in to MK's room and cried/prayed over her. Then I went to my room and as I was brushing my teeth and Brad asked "How was your day?" My response while spitting was "Fine" and then intense bawling.

Brad: Are you really crying?
Me: YES! I am sad and really crying about kindergarten!
Brad: Oh Stace, calm down.
Me: Well you know that next week she will make her first communion and in the spring we will shop for prom dresses! Hysterically crying, flopped on my bed.
Brad: Laughing You think she will find her boyfriend in kindergarten?
Me: No, but just yesterday we brought her home from the hospital. I am so worried that I didn't do a good enough job raising her these last five years and am just sending her off! Still crying.
Brad: You aren't sending her off to college, it is kindergarten.
Me: I know, but she can't tie her shoes!
Brad: She has velcro.
Me: I know, but school is rough sometimes, making friends can be rough. I KNOW! I taught them! What if she can't find someone to play with at recess? Full hysterics.
Brad: She will have her good and bad days, just like everyone.

At this point I just gave up, still sobbing, but no more explaining. I was being completely nuts, Brad was being himself, obviously practical and nada emotions or worries. Good thing, because if both of us were nut jobs we would really have problems. And yes, she is going to school where I taught for 6 years, plus work their a couple of days now. Yet, I was still crazy.

I then decided to read this book called "While They are Sleeping" and it is prayers for your children. I opened it up and noticed the inscription within the cover. It was a gift when I was pregnant with one of the girls, and it was from, none other than, MK's kindergarten teacher! She is in good hands!

This morning we walked her in as a family. I was holding back tears the entire walk from the front door in. I have thought about this day for years, always knew she would go to school here. I stood in that school while in labor and gave Kansas Assessments. People most likely thought I was rude this morning, but I couldn't talk, in and out, unless they wanted a real mess on their hands!