{kindergarten}

Yes, the past five and a half years of my life just flashed by me.



My babygirl is a big kindergarten student. We've been excited. We've looked forward and all of a sudden it was the day.



As my sleepy head woke up this morning it was so cute, she stumbled down the hall with groggy eyes. (her mother's child). I couldn't help but smile. We made her lunch as she sat on the kitchen counter. She refused anything to eat for breakfast. (Again, her mother's child). She had the biggest smile. We quickly got her dressed. As we went through our new morning routine I thought back on all her "baby" days. I remember when this day seemed so far away. And today we live it.













We got to school a few minutes early and had to wait in the cafeteria, that was torture for her. As the bell rang, we then made our way to her ladybug classroom.

She walked along with daddy and baby sissy a little ahead of me. I smiled. I didn't cry! This is going to be such a fun adventure for her.



We made it to her classroom and tucked her things away in her cubby.



Found her seat.



We didn't linger long. A little pep talk and a kiss goodbye. This is when baby sissy lost it. She was pitiful and cried as we left D there as we walked out.



and one last glance..... my sweet girl.





Its 9:37 and baby sissy is sleeping soundly. We can't wait to pick D up today and hear all about her very first day.

{wordless wednesday:: rainbow}

Remember me?????????? Anyone???? :)

Not sure if I can stay wordless on this one.... I mean can you say beautiful???

Friday evening, we endured one of our typical summer storms. I had to reschedule a session, and somehow I had to get us out for something to eat. About an hour passed and the rain stopped, so the girls and I loaded up to go straight to the grocery store and home. When I stepped out in the driveway I looked up to the most beautiful rainbow and gorgeous sunlight. It literally was breathtaking. It stopped me in my tracks. As we drove a little ways the brighter it got. A full, bright, double rainbow! We drove around a few blocks and I decided to let the girls get out and take a (few) pictures. For a split second, I thought "you should have brushed their hair.." and quickly I realized no matter what this was picture perfect. They were in awe and it turned into a sweet little memory for us. ♥ See....














It seems rainbows have been in abundance lately. With all the storms, so many rainbows. Each and every rainbow reminds me of God's promise and I don't find that its 'by chance' that I see them on the days I need to be reminded the most.



So, the next time you see a rainbow, think of Noah and the flood. Remember that God loves you, and that no matter how bad the storm, there will always come a bright new day.

That is God's promise, and God always keeps his promises.

{snapshots from today}

It's just barely June and its already.....BLAZING HOT.

I dreamed for an hour and a half of a huge shade tree in my back yard. This mama finds it harder and harder to handle the heat for long periods of time.

But they sure were having fun. :)





ALERT THE PRESS...... LOOK AT THIS......
they love each other almost all the time...but they never make eye contact with the camera at the same time!

{graduate}

Babygirl is a preschool graduate.

This milestone brought so many emotions that I really wasn't prepared for. I know now after looking back over the past two year why this hit me like a ton of bricks. I'm so thankful and overwhelmed at the loving and nurturing enviroment that we chose and just looked at as "school"... it was so much more than that for her, for us.

I think back to that very first day. D was three. She was and is such a smart little girl. I've everyday been amazed. She had only ever been at home with me, but I had been realizing that she would just blossom in a structured learning enviroment. I knew it would be good for her, too. It's not that she lacked interactions with other kids, but I knew that it would boost her social skills.

Just look... at this babyface!



I tagged this picture with this that day:

My baby is at school!
Despite our rough night (she was up for hours starting at 12:45) we got up bright and early for her first day of preschool. She was so ready to go. I couldn't move fast enough. When I dropped her off, she wouldn't even look back at me so I could tell her I was leaving. Miss Independent. The house is so quiet... granted we're usually still sleeping at this point. I guess I'll go buy groceries. :)


I mean does it look like she missed me? :)



That first day was different. She did just as I expected, fearless, went in and never missed a beat. I didn't cry even when she walked away without a care in the world. I was proud of her independence and her quick adjustment to change. Yes, I'd be lying if I didn't welcome a few hours of quiet time in the house a few days a week.

First Impressions was a new school two years ago and Delaney was the first student enrolled. (Her teachers shared with me last week that when they put in their resignation letters they only had 4 students enrolled. What a leap of faith!!) So, I guess you can say that she was just a little special to them as they are to her. Just as I imagined, her skills took off... she was learning, growing, and loving school so much that we kept her on a part-time schedule through the summer. This babygirl would cry when she missed school. :)

This photo is the first day of her second year and what would be her year of VPK. Her schedule changed to going to school everyday instead of three days.


Nothing ever changed. She always loved going to that school. She loved her teachers.

I can't tell you what that did for me as a mom, to know that she was so happy and content in someone elses care. It showed me that she was in an enviroment where she was growing and adjusting and that I didn't need to worry about her well being. She was comfortable. Everyday learning, exploring new things, and being shown the love of Jesus through her teachers.

May 27th was her last day. We were actually counting down to summer time. If yall really know us we were counting down to the day of no alarm clocks. The girls in this house like to sleep! That morning was just like the rest, I thought nothing of it. Got up, dresses, fed her in the car, and kissed her goodbye at the door. What I didn't expect was the emotional pick up. I had forgotten there was her cubby to clean out, I had forgotten that so many days this was her day and and day out and that we were all attached. I walked up to the playground where I saw one of her teachers fighting tears. I told her she had to stop. But, just like that the three of us were crying. We cried all the way to our next stop. We were so pitiful. But, it had all hit me in that instant.

WE are very excited for the next chapter ... KINDERGARDEN! But, this ending was a little sad. It closed a chapter that we enjoyed so much and opens another.

I'm forever grateful for First Impressions, Mrs. Tammy, Mrs. Deborah and staff and for their positive influence on Delaney's life.

Here are a few snapshots of her graduation day :)

{hello long lost blog...}

I'm sorry to have been a stranger. I just don't know why I can't keep in better touch with you.

We visited the flower field yesterday. It is quickly drying up so there wasn't much left, but due to an accident here with the girls, a bat, and A's sweet little face we haven't been able to take many photos that I'd like to blow up and hang on my walls. You may notice some bruising still on her sweet face. That's a totally different post by itself!

So here are a few photos from our quick trip. It turned out nothing like I had pictured. But, when does it? :)