Growing Up--The Start of School!

It always seems the school year starts before I have fully grasped that my babies are growing up.    I am reminded often what one of my former manager/ mentor told me when Gracie was born and I cling to it some days, “don’t try to freeze time, enjoy the time you have but embrace each stage for the joy it is”.   So this week as Gracie started 2nd Grace, we officially documented Maggie starting PreK, and Maggie stopping sucking her fingers I reflected on this.    While I have loved each stage, there is nothing better to us than watching them grow and develop into the young ladies that God created!   Each age has its struggles but they are so far outweighed by the joy that comes with each.   Nothing warms our hearts as their parents than to watch them skip!   Jimmy always says he knows they are happy and content when the skip and I believe he is right.  

Night before school...Gracie gave Maggie a pedi!  

Love these sisters!

Second Grade

And for kicks....Gracie First Day of 1st Grade!

Gracie First Day of Kindergarten! 

First Days!  (Maggie did not have an official move to PreK so we created one!)

Love the larger than life smile!  AND this is after several days of not sucking her fingers!

This Daddy adores his daughters! 

Waiting in the hall before class!

G's teacher, Ms. Henry!   We are going to have a great year!

Mommy and Daddy with Gracie before class.  She was so excited! 

Love these two and the special bond they have!   Three years in a row in the same class!    Can you tell they are two peas in a pod?

They are precious!  

Ready for the 1st day!    Check out those smiles! 

Yes, this OCD Mommy let her daughter go to school in this outfit!    With the help of  Jimmy I am really working at this! 

When did she turn 13?  She looks so grown up here! 

Lord, as we approach this school year we pray for guidance and wisdom in our approach with Gracie and Maggie.  We pray for your grace (and theirs) when we don’t seem to get it right.  We ask for your favor showered with laughter and smiles even when the weeks get rough, we all get tired and we have less patience shown than we should.   We pray blessings over this year and each one of us as we grow in your and together as a family.  ~ Amen!

Maggie has continued to surprise us with how well she adapts and is flexible to change.   Monday night was the night we quit (well Maggie quit) sucking her fingers!   We were braced for the worse, but put the nasty stuff on her fingers and put her to bed.   She did say a few times “but I really want to suck them”, but settled and did great.   She does not need the stuff for nap and wakes up once each night as she is learning to put herself to back to sleep.  We are so proud of her! 

She fell asleep without sucking her fingers and did fabulous! 

Friday we celebrated Jimmy’s 37th birthday!   Nothing better than a Publix chocolate cake!   The girls woke up asking for cake for breakfast! It was sweet.   Happy Birthday love, I am blessed by each year we get to celebrate life together! 

Blowing out the candles requires lots of help and is serious business!