Preschool Wrap Up

May I just say, to any and all that think that teaching preschool must be a cinch, that you've better think again. Or twelve more times. A teacher that gives parent/teacher conferences about a 3 year old's pencil-holding techniques (and is very joyfully serious about it) deserves to be commended.

I can't shout it from the mountain tops enough, "WE LOVE YOU, MRS. NELSON!"

This is the teacher who videoed her class singing happy birthday to Abby and then sent it via text to my cell phone that day. This is the teacher who took the time to stand outside with Abby at recess, every day for 9 days, until she was no longer afraid of Ben, the boy who chased her and told her she was "bad." This is the teacher who took great joy in reporting that now, Abby walks outside to recess everyday with open arms, waiting for a hug from said Ben. Anyone who will hand-hold my daughter down the halls of forgiveness deserves something more than letterpress stationery for a thank you gift (and yet, that's what she got!)

Here she is, with Abby on her last day.

Saying goodbye to two of her closest pals (I know these girls by what Abby tells me that they brought to Share Day = "She's the one who brought in the singing Rapunzel jewelry box, mom." "She had the Clarice doll from Rudolph, mom." I realized that Share Day = what I want for my birthday aka "how to covet what your friends have").  Cute Amanda....

Her teachers aid, Mrs. Tsai. We loved her happy smile and sweet demeanor.

And one little guy's mom practically tackled me on the last day, telling me how much her son talked about Abby. (If she only knew how much Abby talked about Share Day or Ben ... or everything, right?). Abby and Canaan. Cute buds.

Thinking back to the beginning of the year when I was terrified she'd never go to school without Bunny (remember him?), I am so thankful for the year our girl has had. She loved school, her teachers, her experiences and.... having things to accomplish, learn and sing.  God Bless America still kills me coming from that little mouth.  We've been blessed, indeed.

957. getting to sit on the purple square
958. impromptu visits that fill me up
959. walking the hard road, knowing it's right
960. Abby wanting to give something away

Miss. Steinway

A number of months ago, our elderly next door neighbor never came home from a long stay at the hospital. As they were going through her things, we found out she had a Steinway in her home that was from the 1920s. We threw our name in the ring .... they were fire sale-ing that baby -- and we won her. We love that it's mere feet away from where it's been happily residing for over 40 years and even happier that now the kids can learn!

In fact, here is Abby faking it with her "sheet music" -- it's either blank pages or princess coloring book pages, depending on the mood!

Sometimes, it turns into an entire show if you are able to catch her...

And other days, it looks like she's been playing for years.  Already, Miss. Steinway (it's definitely female!) has graced us with hours of happiness. It's time for Papa to come teach us all a few things!

951. an unexpected email

952. texting if we have to

953. Grant's negotiation ability

954. good advice

955. having to wait

956. feeling protected

Pardon The Pause

Okay, people (and by people I really mean both Grandmothers!), the wait is over. Our very uneventful life is back on display... my blog hiatus is over.

May this tide you over for a few days -- a shot where Abby actually said, "Mom! Quick! Take our picture." First of all, "huh?" Calling me over for a picture? I must've lapsed in taking my 20 pictures a day and she was going through withdrawls. Secondly - can you believe I got this non-smiling winner?

Summer is racing by. We've yet to do our beach day...but it's in sight. And we've shoved a lot of other fun stuff in. More to come!

946. making our money back on craigslist
947. selling his couch
948. belief in crazy timing
949. learning to enjoy the  process
950. focusing on others when we worry about ourselves

Here's To The Dentist

After yet another blog hiatus, here is a really overdue post from May. Eeek!

"They do, mom. They do have princess glasses." 

"Hmmm. Are they really princess glasses? I thought they were just pink." 

"No, mom. Truly.  Trust me. They do."

If you would've told me that a pair of princess glasses and a silly ring from a "treasure chest" would engender gratitude from our four year old at the dentist, I'd have thought you were crazy. And yet, she's fallen for the ruse. Hallelujah.

Here she is in the waiting room. It's almost like Santa is about to walk around the corner as she remembers, that just like last time, if she'll only lay back and relax, she'll get something princessy..... You can almost hear her fiercely whispering it.

Settling in and feeling fine...

And after she got done with her cleaning. Too cool for school...

And what's a trip to the dentist without a little sugar afterward to ensure good teeth brushing that night? "Brush off all the sugar bugs!"

942. home again
943. anxiety subsiding
944. a new morning routine
945. seeing her big girl face

The Right Prayer

How do I pray for my children?

Do I pray for their happiness? An easy life filled with joy and protection from trial? Of course. But is that all I should be praying for? I heard this song tonight and was so convicted of the real lessons we learn in life. May the Lord help my children rise to the occasion of each one.

Pray by Kendall Payne

May your heart break enough that compassion enters in
May your strength all be spent upon the weak
All the castles and crowns you build and place upon your head
May they all fall, come crashing down around your feet
May you find every step to be harder than the last
So your character grows greater every stride
May your company be of humble insignificance
May your weakness be your only source of pride
What you do unto others may it all be done to you
May you meet the One who made us
And see Him smile when life is through
May your blessings be many but not what you hoped they'd be
And when you look upon the broken
May mercy show you what you could not see
May you never be sure of any plans you desire
But you'd learn to trust the plan He has for you
May your passions be tried and tested in the holy fire
May you fight with all your life for what is true


Just a thought.

Or five.

Don't know about you, but it sends me to my knees for all new reasons.

934. rallying with a peaceful heart
935. no questions from the kids
936. people showing up on time
937. a bigger view of heaven
938. walking through trials with others
939. seeing an old friend in person after too long
940. falling into bed exhausted
941. seeing God work in hard circumstances

My List

I have a to-do list a mile long. And much of it never gets glanced at. 

Ford's baby book? eeeek.

Abby's post-surgery book? What's two more years?

Finishing my new website? A snails pace.

Let alone, the day to day news. 

My feedly feed.

Because... there is laundry to fold.

Or a child that needs to practice her doctor kit on you.

And wait, I need to brush my teeth. 

And it's noon and I'm still not dressed

and weren't we headed out to the store an hour ago?

And my days that used to seem so long (too long!) are now flying by

and yet i'm still not getting much done.

So i'm praying that taking the time to

make the snack

and play the game

and clean those feet

and just laugh

mean more than the list. 

Although most things on that list are trying to help me preserve the memories that I'm making today, I'm going to take a lesson from my friend Hillary and really try to live in the moment. As I learned over and over again this year, I am called by God to my circumstances. Each and every grimy-footed one. So, I better take note of them and just relax. 

And not forget the laundry.

Please note grimy foot. Dirty hand. Snotty nose. Filthy face. It must be summer.

Cleaning hands...

 Rinsing feet...

930. that crewcuts dress from a friend
931. rapunzel pjs in the mail from a friend
932. shoes that fit
933. God changing our minds about timing at the same time

Smelling Summer

Summer is within reach, people. We can smell it.

After a few sprinkler runs, it's time for snacks. Rinse and repeat. Every day for 60 days. We can't wait.

We're even fantasizing about living in the water. As mermaids.

Other than that, we've been painting. 

We're watching extra TV,  giggling longer into the evening on the swing set and

trying really, really hard to get along. 

Summer, here we come.

926. moving in a new direction

927. seeing abby mature emotionally

928. giving ford more chances to do it right

929. running motivation