2 to Grow With : First Day of 3rd Grade and more...

Sunday Pic

Sweet Sisters!

Sunday Pic

My Mini Me!

Gymnastics girl!

Love the hair and that smile!

The girls wrapped up summer with Ms. Tiffany a few days before school started, including Monday lunch date with Mommy and Daddy after “desk day”. CCS does such a wonderful job organizing the start to school and the chaos that is sure to follow as everyone gets into routines. We are so thankful for the sitters that God has brought into our lives who care for the girls while we are working or away on date nights! More and more we are making date nights an even bigger priority for us and for our girls and the sweet sitters who help care for them so we can do that are very special to us.

First day of school is always filled with much emotions for me. I love the fresh start, the new routines (that are really old routines but perfected more with each year), new friends, old friends and the building blocks on learning of course. BUT also is my reminder, as if I needed any more, how quickly my girls are growing up and gaining a greater level of independence with each passing day it seems. So once again I take a deep breath, smile (while I want to cry) and watch as Gracie embraced 3rd grade! Gracie, you are becoming such a young lady. Daddy and I are so proud of how helpful you have become without prompting, how your manners are often natural without any reminder, how you cherish our family and your sweet friendships, and how you pray!

Our 3rd Grade!

Classic Gracie look!

She is so sweet to be so patient while I take pics! Some day she will appreciate them!

Lunch is packed!

Back to school signs…Maggie starts Monday!

Mommy and my girls!

My oldest!

Gracie and her Daddy!

Love the sparkle in their eyes!

One last pic together before we leave for school.

These two could not had been more excited to see each other!

Kenzie and Gracie

Check out those smiles! 3rd Grade here they come….

We had to giggle as we drive home after the first day of school, Gracie shared her day and the changes she had with all her questions of things she was trying to figure out while I shared mine about my new computer at work and not knowing how to find anything. Jimmy paused and with so much wisdom said “you do realize this is the same conversation? It becomes more clear to me as she gets older how much you two are alike”. Gracie, that is the biggest compliment your Daddy could pay you as I know he cherishes me beyond measure!

With my parents in town for the weekend to watch the girls while we flew to Baltimore for a wedding, we wanted to take them out to dinner before we left. So of course we selected our favorite date night place, St. Johns. It was so nice to have time to sit and visit with them!

We stayed in Nashville then flew out early Friday morning for Baltimore for Rob’s wedding. It was an adventure! Jimmy was the Best Man and was eager to support Rob through the wedding. However, before we even left Nashville he was sick and immediately knew it was the kidney stone issue again (just like vacation several months back). He slept through the rehearsal and dinner then we went out to get meds our doc had called in. By Saturday he was doing great! While he waited for Rob to be free from family obligations we managed to enjoy a few hours down at the Inner Harbor and lunch at City Cafe (Maryland Crab Cakes). I also enjoyed a few hours quite reading while the guys were getting ready. Then onto the wedding reception. I must say Jimmy did a wonderful toast and made me get teary as he shared our words to each other often. “I encourage you both to embrace all that marriage has to offer, the ups, the downs, the busy times and the quiet times together. After Rachael and I were married we had the normal run of ups and downs, and I said to her that I would never trade the worst of our times for the best times of anyone else. I would not do this life thing with anyone else, and I hope as you embrace marriage together that you can each say the same thing.”

Baltimore Inner Harbor

The only picture we snagged at the reception! Love you baby! I am so blessed to do this life however simple it is with you!

It was a late night and an early morning flight back followed by a trip back to Chattanooga today. What a greeting to be embraced by the girls big hugs and my parents too! They were so kind to travel in and spend so much time with the girls. They had fun filled memorable days that I enjoyed hearing all about! Plus they made dinner and a delicious birthday cake for Jimmy! Since we celebrated his birthday in Baltimore (a big inside joke was the wedding was just a cover for a big surprise party! ha), the girls enjoyed singing and loving on him!