school

As you can see Hannah is loving Kindergarten. She was so excited to go to school on Friday that she sat outside waiting for her ride to come.

Let me back up. Wednesday was Hannah's first day of Kindergarten, it went really well. Chris and I both got to take her which was nice...mostly for me. When we got to the school I about lost it, but I managed to keep it together. Once we got to her classroom we were able to go inside and help her put away her school supplies, chat with the teacher and take pictures. We had written her a note at Kindergarten roundup and I was able to read that to her. They also gave me a Kindergarten Mom's Survival kit with tissues, Hershey kisses and a note about praying for you child. She was happily coloring a picture when we left. I did shed a few tears back at my car. I don't really know why because I wasn't feeling sad. I think I was just overwhelmed with emotion. I look at that little girl and see so many ways that God has been faithful to our family. I also was just so thankful that I was leaving her at a Christian school where I know that Christ is the focus.

The entire way home from dropping off Hannah Caden kept saying "I love you mommy. I love you. I love you too." I love that boy! After playing legos with Caden I checked my email and had a message from a mom of one of Hannah's preschool friends. She told me that her daughter was in the same class as Hannah at Trinity! ...And asked me if I wanted to carpool. Um hello, YES! Again I was just so thankful how God was working out all these little details on the very first day of school.

Hannah was all smiles when we picked her up, telling me about how there were 6 boys in her class and 13 girls and how she was so impressed with Maiya because she JUST turned five and she could already do the monkey bars. Doesn't take much to impress a five year old.

Well, bedtime was another story. Partly I think she was just overtired, but she was crying about how she would never have lazy mornings watching cartoons with mom and Cade. I assured her there would be plenty of summer mornings, Saturdays and holidays for watching cartoons. My goodness, she probably watches cartoons one morning a week. Maybe. But now she has to start freaking out about not watching cartoons!

The next morning she seemed fine. I kept reminding her that I couldn't walk her into school that day, she had to do it herself. She was fine. Until we got to school. I dropped her off and she started to cry, she was scared to walk in with all the big kids. I pried her off me and told her she HAD to go in. I mean, I was in a line of cars with a hundred kids being dropped off, I couldn't sit there and console her for five minutes. She walked into school crying. All by herself. With all the big kids. My heart was aching for her because I remember those feeling all too well myself. I prayed and prayed that she would be fine and it wouldn't send her entire day into a tailspin.

Thankfully, someone helped her get to class and she was completely fine when I picked her up. Now we've started carpooling with Maiya so she has someone to walk in with. Already by Friday morning she was begging to please go to Kindergarten and she can't wait for Monday.

So we survived the first week. Yes, there was lots of melt downs after school from being WAY to over tired. She hasn't quite adjusted to falling asleep early enough but I know we'll get there. I am overwhelmed with God's faithfulness to us! It's amazing to watch your kids grown up! Such a blessing they are!

shoe shopping

Oh my goodness! I don't know why this has become such a big deal, but I'm seriously stressing over buying school shoes for Hannah. She has to wear uniforms to school (which I'm actually really glad about considering how uptight I am about just buying some stinkin' shoes!) so I need her shoes to look OK with her little blue plaid skirts. And contrary to what Chris tells me I don't think it looks good to be wearing a plaid skirt, tights and tennis shoes.

I know, I know. She's five. Who cares what her shoes look like. But seriously, you kinda want your kid to look half way normal on their first day of Kindergarten. And by the way, they have a little section in the dress code about the kind of shoes she can wear, which I think is what is freaking me out. See, I follow rules, that's just how I am. So I already have visions of Hannah in detention her first day of Kindergarten because her mom didn't get her the right shoes!

So, three days of shopping for shoes later, I think I finally found some. Believe me, it's not easy to find shoes for my little Hannah. For one thing, she's not quite old enough to wear the bigger girl shoes so we're still stuck shopping in the Toddler section. And those little shoes are really cute when they're in size 3 and 4 but something happens when they get big and they just aren't as cute in size 11. Plus every pair that I thought "OK, these are HALF way normal" Hannah did not like AT ALL. So eight stores later, we now have two pairs of shoes. Her little running shoes are not PUMA as Hannah had hoped, (she wanted to be like her Daddy, but I refuse to pay $50 for kids shoes) but all the same she was pretty happy with what we picked out. I have one more stop to return a pair that doesn't quite fit and to pick her up some boots (which are IDENTIFCAL to my black suede boots that Hannah absolutely LOVES) and she is set.

Thank goodness that is OVER! I'm glad this only comes around once a year, I can't handle it!

In case you care, here's what we got

I had to put the box next to those so you could see the price tag. I paid only a little over $5 for those shoes that were origianlly $35. Don't ask me who in their right mind pays that much for kids sandals, but I certianly don't!

say WHAT??

My brother got married this past weekend in Wichita, KS so we had to stay at a hotel. We were eating our breakfast one morning in the hotel restaurant and there was a mom with her three boys sitting next to us. The younger boy was quite interested in Hannah. He someone heard us say her name was Hannah and he's like "Oh wow, you're Hannah, well, I'm so and so. I have a friend named Hannah. On and on." And he totally talked like an adult. It was hilarious. Kinda.

So, finally breakfast is over.

Then onto the wedding. I'm sitting in the front bench and I SWEAR I see this mom and her three boys walk into the wedding. Well, I know it's no one we know so it must be a friend of my sister-in-law Suzanne's family.

Onto the reception. Yep, it's definitely them. The little boy walks up to Hannah and says "Hi Hannah, do you remember me??" Then he grabs her hand and is holding it while they walk. Meanwhile I can tell that Hannah is not into the hand holding thing and she's looking very uncomfortable and barely says a word, which is NOT normal for my little girl. Finally she lets go and I go have the "you don't have to hold anyone's hand you don't want to" talk.

About half an hour passes and I think we're in the clear. Wrong. He spots her again and walks over. Hannah is trying desperately to avoid him but to no avail. Finally he walks up to me and says "You must be Hannah's mom." (How old is this kid 19???) Yes. Then...get ready...he says

"just checking, because I'm pretty sure I'm going out with your daughter."

... cough, choke...WHAT???

I politely told him that Hannah was too young for dating and discreetly walked away. Well, maybe not quite so discreetly.

I knew I'd have these chats with boys someday, I just didn't know it'd be quite this early. In all honestly the boy was really very polite...but seriously...you're FIVE!

girls day

I don't know if it's because Chris is feeling slightly guilty for taking an ENTIRE week off to watch World Cup, or if it's just because he really is the BEST husband ever, but whatever the reason, he totally wants me to feel like I'm having a vacation this week. So, when he suggested that Hannah and I go out and get our nails done I was ALL over it!

Hannah and I decided that we would have girls days. And we also decided that this will be our tradition every World Cup (which only happens every four years). We had planned to head out after lunch when Caden went down for a nap but Hannah was WAY to exicted and was begging ALL morning if we could "please just have girls day." So, I quick ran and took a shower and we headed out.

First we stopped at the Gretna Salon where Hannah got a manicure and I got a pedicure...it was heavenly. First of all because I so rarely get pedicures but also because it was much fun to see Hannah and her first experience at a Spa. She actually asked the nail tech if it would hurt. :)



Then we decided to do some shopping. Hannah has been saving her allowance money for several months and wanted to buy a bunch of beads to make necklaces and bracelets. We headed to Target and I will admit I got distracted several times (clothes, jewelry, shoes) and Hannah kept saying "Mom, remember it's Hannah day not Mommy day." I politely reminded her that it was "GIRLS day and not Hannah day." But, I did get back on track and we picked out some fun beads. Oh man, I just realized I didn't get a picture of us playing with the beads...oh well, I'll take one tomorrow.

After shopping I thought it'd be nice to grab a bite to eat. Hannah loves Panera, as do I (Chris not so much) so I was hoping I could convince Hannah that we should eat there. But Hannah was SO anxious to get home and start playing with her beads that all she'd eat was a McDonalds cheeseburger, through the drive through of course because going inside to eat would just take WAY to much time.

We played beads after we got home and I made a new rule. NO DUMPING THOUSANDS OF TINY BEADS ALL OVER OUR SHAG CARPET. I think I'll be vacuuming those up for weeks. Oh and later on in the day Hannah accidentally dumped the beads all over AGAIN and Caden thought it was so fun to say "not again, not again" that he decided that HE would dump them all over AGAIN right after we just spent 15 min cleaning them up. Ah, family memories!

So, it was a great day. I'm loving time with my little girlie. I have to soak it all up while I can.

Can't wait for tomorrow....I'm heading out to my estetician and then Chris said "as long as you're out why don't you grab a Starbucks and do some shopping!" You don't have to tell me twice. I'm kinda likin' this whole World Cup week!

Beauty

My dear sweet Hannah, you are FIVE! I can't believe it...(do I say that EVERY post!) But it's true, time does fly by! I'm trying to enjoy every chance I get to play with you because these days are quickly coming to an end. Already, you're more interested in playing with Kalvin, Troy and Kelsey then with mom! So...I'm cherishing our days of crafting together, taking walks, riding seesaw, playing polly pockets and boxcar children.

I am feeling very blessed to have been your mommy for five years! And when I look back on the past five years I see a little girl who is full of beauty!

Beauty is how peaceful you look when you're sleeping.
Beauty is the tears you cry over your sin.
Beauty is giving your last piece of gum to your little brother.
Beauty is the way your eyes sparkle when you're happy.
Beauty is your determination.
Beauty is starting a club to collect pencils for homeless kids...because "mom, poor kids need stuff to do too."
Beauty is when you look around to make sure all your preschool friends are being included.
Beauty is the hugs and kisses you give.
Beauty is ALL the cards, pictures and letters you make for others.
Beauty is the sound of your laughter.
Beauty is the way you pour your heart out to God in prayer.
Beauty is the way you hurt for others when they hurt.

And Hannah, mommy's prayer for you is that you'll always be a beautiful girl, who grows into a beautiful women! And you know what makes you so beautiful? It's CHRIST working in your heart. And no matter what others may think or say you will ALWAYS be beautiful to HIM!

So my little girlie, live for Christ and keep on letting his beauty shine through you!

A Daughter

Most of you know that I've been having some problems with my SI band. All that pretty much means to me is I can't exercise. I have friends who have struggled through various injuries and have been unable to run for long periods of time and I remember them being pretty upset about it. I also remember thinking "good grief, it's just running, it's not that big of a deal." Well somehow that thinking tends to change when you're the one in their shoes!

So I have to admit that I've been a little bummed that I can't run. According to Chris and I have myself as an invalid in a wheel chair for the rest of my life... I guess I do tend to over react just a LITTLE! Anyway, this has all got me thinking about why I'm so ticked that I can't run. I've come to the conclusion that the reason it is so important to me is because I want to look good. Vain, I know. The thing that's bothering me the most is why it's so important to me to have a nice body. Then it hit me...I'm living like an orphan! I'm caring WAY to much about what other people think of me and not caring enough about what CHRIST says about me. Who's daughter am I anyway?

"So you are no longer a slave but a son (DAUGHTER)" Gal 4:7

Oh God, please remind me of who I am in you! I do not have to have the perfect body or the right clothes or the most beautiful home for you to love me!

"The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." 1 Sam 16:7

I am a deeply LOVED and CHOSEN DAUGHTER of the MOST HIGH KING! And if you are in Christ then you are to!

"Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4

A Yes Day

Both of my kids are fighting sickness and overtiredness (I don't know if overtiredness is a word...but that's definitely what they are.) Anyway, needless to say I heard A LOT of whining and arguing between the two of them this morning. And I don't know if I woke up on the wrong side of bed this morning of if it was the dreary weather....or maybe it was because I am just ready for my husband, and best friend, to be done with tax season. Whatever the reason, I was NOT in the mood to break up fights all day long.

I considered my options.

1. Sit around and play referee all day
2. Let them watch movies all morning
3. Take them out and do something fun...and get myself out of this house!

I chose option three.

I packed them up, even though Hannah was whining all the way that she wanted to be HOME, and I took them to the mall to play. (Sorry to all you mom's whose kids have now been exposed to my kids sickness...but seriously, I was going a little crazy and had to get them out!) They had a great time running around and Hannah was excited to see one of her friends from preschool at the play area.

We thought we'd grab a bite to eat before heading home for nap time. And I decided to let them chose what they wanted. They chose pretzels and cheese from Auntie Anne's, rainbow colored, MSG, high fructose corn syrup laden popcorn and a ice cold sugary lemonade. I spend a lot of my day telling them "no", and every once in a while I think I should just say "YES."

Oh, what did I eat for lunch? Well, it is a "yes" day remember...I chose the ever so healthy white cheddar popcorn and pretzels. And when I got home I washed it all down with some chocolates and a Wild Cherry Pepsi!

This whole "yes" thing is kinda fun, I think I may be trying it again sometime.