Day 4--Is it almost summer?

Hi Audrey, You are at school right now. You have gone 4 days in a row. I bragged on myself too soon because it's Day 4, and I feel like crying all over again, all day. I hope you don't think about me half as much as I think about you because you cannot possibly be learning anything if so.

I.miss.you.like.crazy. 

 Your four little friends have made messes today and been moody...and it has made me realize how much I have needed you as my big helper every day, my little buddy who understands the dynamics of our crazy childcare routine, my sweet angel who has a knack for making me feel better at exactly the right times.

 I need some snuggle time and your squeezy hugs. Are you sure you want to go back tomorrow? Are you sure you really want to try for perfect attendance? You can hardly say perfect attendance.

 But I must say, I love hearing your school stories, love the excitement of driving to pick you up in the afternoon, love praying for you throughout the day and picturing you working so hard.

You told me that you have a new best friend forever. You can't remember her name and she pulls your hair alot, but you were so sweet to accept her BFF offer when she asked you.

I am so proud that you are being a good friend and a good student. Don't worry, Mr. Stahnke will make it out the playground to swing with you before the year is over, I promise.

 Our weekends are going to be so great, sweetie. One more day until we have a 3-day break. We have never appreciated family-time so much as we will now.

P.S. Please remember to eat your lunch so I have one less thing to worry about.

I love you all day every day.

1st Day of K

 Our first day of Kindergarten is one for the history books (no pun on the school reference). But really, it was so special and momentous and memorable.

 I'm still not thrilled that Audrey is not with me during the day anymore, but I am beyond thrilled with her teacher, her class, her principal, and her school. We are blessed here in Comanche with people who truly care and friends around every corner to make you feel 100% welcome and taken care of.

 As you can see, we gave her a sweet send-off. She was so excited all morning. I really never picked up on any anxiety or nervousness in her. If anything, she wanted me to stop taking pictures so she could go ;)

 Our neighbor and principal, Mr. Stahnke, greeted us at the door with smiles...and a somewhat proud wink at me to show that I was doing good with the emotions...especially since he had seen too much of those in the yard the evening before! He had already given me the talk early in the summer about making her morning happy and exciting...and saving the tears for the car---great advice.

 She gave big goodbye hugs...

 ...and was all smiles as we waved bye from the door! There were many kids in the hall who were crying or very nervous-looking, so we are so proud of her excitement and bravery to seize the day!

Meanwhile, 45 minutes up the road, our sweet nephew Layton was starting his first day of K as well! He was just as excited as Audrey, and we are just as proud of him, too!

I cannot promise that I did not cry that morning. I cannot even promise that I made it all the way to the car or that I did not flood a few dozen tissues. No, I was most definitely free with the tears for about an hour, especially as we received incredibly sweet messages from friends checking on her (and me ;) It was all so special seeing how many people genuinely cared and shared in Audrey's special day. I don't know if I have ever felt such a feeling of community. 

And speaking of good friends, I have a few spies trained on her during the school day. Amy spotted her smiling and waving in the library and then snapped a smiling picture at lunch, too!

 The day really went fast, and me and my four buddies were very ready to go pick her up at school and hear all about her day.

 What a welcoming committee, huh?

 Overall, she didn't tell us lots of details, but she did say she liked it. She said she got very hot on the playground and did NOT like that. My friend at school said that Audrey's class looked like it had the most order on the first day. We have discovered that our teacher Mrs. Denning is very sweet, but also strict. Audrey said that she would go back for more school...but she wants to ride the bus and maybe Mr. Stahnke could drive it since he knows where she lives ;)

We found this picture on the school website last night, bringing the lump back to my throat and excitement for another day of Kindergarten for our girl.

Prepared

So I've been trying to fool everybody, including myself, that I am ready for the first day of Kindergarten.

Sure we are ready physically. We have our clothes picked out, our backpack and lunchbox all set up, our school supplies checked in...

But mentally may be another story for me. I have tried to explain away that it is just the "symbolism" of her leaving that will be hard...blah. I have comforted my heart with the fact that we know so many people at the school...hmph. I have rationalized that since I am a teacher, school is one of my all-time favorite places...phooey.

But the truth remains, I am an emotional ticking timebomb. And really, it wasn't until meet-the-teacher night that the floodgates began spilling over, and the hyperventilation/speeding-up-of-time/panic has set in.

I know Audrey is going to do fantastic. She is going to LOVE it. And I really am excited about all the school-ness. But still, my baby. Not with me every day. Any more. Someone else in charge of her needs. Not being there to hug and kiss whenever I want. Will she eat all of her lunch? Will kids be mean to her? Will the teacher be able to hear her tiny little voice? Not being able to comfort every hurt feeling or scraped knee. Not being there to fill up her ketchup container for the 4th time. Not having a camera trained on her every move. She'll be graduating next. Breathe in, breathe out...see what I mean?!

That's when the Lord whispered to me in my devotional:

"Entrust your loved ones to Me; release them into My protective care. They are much safer with Me than in your clinging hands. If you let a loved one become an idol in your heart, you endanger that one--as well as yourself. Remember the extreme measures I used with Abraham and Isaac...When you release loved ones to Me, you are free to cling to My hand. As you entrust others into My care, I am free to shower blessings on them. My presence will go with them wherever they go, and I will give them rest. This same presence stays with you, as you relax and place your trust in Me. Watch to see what I will do."

He really does have incredible things planned for this little girl. And I, by no means, want to imprison her from His plan. Quite frankly, I just can't keep her all to myself. We have done everything we can and more to prepare her for "such a time as this"...and truly it will be exciting to see what this year holds. I mean, just look how exciting this is...you know, in a lump-in-your-throat kind of way:

Here's the verse we are sending her off with:
"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." Eph. 4:32-5:1-2

The Lord is preparing my heart through several means. He has also whispered to Audrey to help me out apparently. She created this little picture on the window by the front door so I can see it every day. It contains all of our initials, M for Mama and D for Daddy, even the dog's, under a rainbow of God's promise:

 And yes, tissues are also a huge part of God's plan for me. Her sweet teacher handed them to me herself with this note:

"I gave you a little wink and smile as you entered my room today.
For I know it may be hard to leave and know your child must stay.
You've sheltered her for five years now and have been a loving guide,
But now, alas, the time has come to leave her at my side.
Just know that as you drive away a tear down your cheek may flow.
But I'll love her as I would my own and help her learn and grow.
For as a parent, I too know how quickly the years do pass.
And that one day it was my turn to take my child to class.
So, please put your mind at ease and cry those tears no more.
For I will love her and take her in when you leave her at my door."

So am I really ready? Still not sure. Have to be purged from all the tears hanging out right behind my eyes...
Are we prepared? Totally.

Certain

 Brenna is one of the most certain people I know. She is confident and headstrong and sticks to her guns. This trait often causes a little friction around here, but I like to think of her being a leader, standing up for what she believes in, and being certain of the girl God created her to be.

 For instance...

Brenna is certain that the color black is in the rainbow.

Brenna is certain that the dessert Daddy loves so much is called "peach clobber".

Brenna is certain that if she says, "Wait for it..." it makes her potty-experience much more dramatic.

Brenna is certain that the following joke is hilarious...every time: Knock, knock. Who's there? Peter Pan. Peter Pan who? Peter picka picka picka peppers!

Brenna is certain that flashing "I love you" in sign language will get her out of immediate trouble.

 Speaking of sign language, Brenna is certain now that the letter G is formed by sticking your arm out to the side as she learned in mini-cheer camp.

Brenna is also certain to ask about new vocab words daily. As we read, she picks out words such as "protested," "nervously," or "visor" and ask what each specific word means.

She is also certain about rhyming words every day..."happy bappy...that rhymes!"

Brenna is already certain she wants to be a unicorn for Halloween.

She was also certain it was a good idea to put makeup on her stuffed animals, but not so certain she liked said animals in the washing machine.

Brenna is certain she will one day name her baby Evie...whether it's a girl or boy.

Lately, Brenna has been extremely certain about some of her needs/wants from big earrings to colorful underwear to not napping to favorite swimsuits to ketchup....often to the point of being uncertain in her reasoning. Like I said, girl knows what she wants and will out-stubborn you to get it sometimes.

One thing is always for certain though...we are crazy in love with this precious girl.

Life's a Beach: Finale

Yes, I'm still sharing beach pics. And yes, the trip was really that special.

I mean, just look at this beauty...

 this fun...

 this peace...

this adventure (boogie boarding)...

 this education (sucking up ghost shrimp)...

 this love...

this excitement (holding a crab).

 Sure, I'm still cleaning sand particles out of everything, but it was exactly what we needed. Sometimes life just gets too crazy. Find your "beach", whatever/wherever it may be, and enjoy the heck out of it...sand particles and all.

Life's a Beach...Part 3

Port Aransas Sunset Cruise

 Shark?

 No, look again!

 We spotted pods? herds? schools? of dolphins! Pretty incredible!

 And we loved watching this one chase our boat and jump out of the waves in front of us...

 And we loved playing tickle with this little one, too!

 New vocabulary word around here...lighthouse.

 They dropped a net and gathered close to a dozen sea creatures for the kids to touch and examine...starfish, crabs, a pufferfish, some flying fish...

 It just doesn't get much better than this...