I want to raise my girls to fiercely love their Creator and I want to instill they have a great relationship with God.
As we have laid in place a loving, christian environment for the girls to grow in their faith with Bible classes, friendships, and teachers who openly pray and take up prayer requests in class.
I feel, they may be still, lacking the overall passion for Our Lord.
It's not just about classes and learning through scripture it's about your prayers, and your absolute desire to be Christ like.
As happy as I am to open up Kylie Jade's homework folder and find Bible pages and the Scripture of the week I find myself lacking that internal fire for Christ.
In the end does it really matter if your child is tall or short, the smartest and brightest in the class or the slowest?
God sees us all the same whether we have Downs or have genius IQs, mediocre or speech delayed it doesn't matter to Him.
It's nice to spoil your child by taking them to the beach or Disney World 3 times a year, but those are all just things that eventually die off and fade away.
I have struggled to keep up with my pride not allowing anyone to know that we have struggled to make ends meet for quite some time.
I have resorted to consignment shopping, hand me downs, and skipping the elaborate vacations all in the name of a Christian school where I believe in their values, education and principals.
I know in my heart the Disney trips we will miss out on is worth it when I see my daughter thriving in school.
God placed her there to make a difference and I know she will.
Some of the happiest people in life live so simply that, in a world made of materialistic things, one is startled by their true happiness.
God is all forgiving, all loving, all worthy and we only show Him a glimpse of what He unconditionally gives to us.
I pray He has the mercy I have heard about.
In the chaos of events that happened during the time I was writing this blog I felt compelled to show His grace in every situation I was faced with.
It's not always easy, and I will continue to lose my cool in the situations of two unbelievably ornery kids, but I will overcome with His grace.
The love of God she learns at school, chapel, and church is the love I want her to feel at home.
Our home is christened with Christ, and in a world of pain, consequences, madness, and chaos I want my girls to be able to shut their eyes tight, fold their hands and pray wherever they are led to pray. No restrictions, nobody in a tizzy because they prayed out loud at a public school, they are free to spread their wings and give glory to their one and only Savior.
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
After All We Are Only Little Once
As I sat in the chair listening to all the things Kylie's Kindergarten teacher had to say about her.
I had this pit of the stomach feeling like I was back in high school about to be reprimanded for bad behavior yet again.
As I sat on the other side, as a parent and no longer a lost student I felt a little ill and sick like how has the time flown so fast that I am 26 years old with a Kindergartener?
The feeling I couldn't shake of desperation for the years that are flying all too quickly away from me.
My youth, their youth and the new firsts we are embarking on.
Wasn't I just at the school helping out as a student aide instead of a parent?
Wasn't the dreams and hopes of my child one day becoming a CCS student so far in the distance it was somewhat laughable that I was even imagining it?
Here it is, the reality I have to accept and come to terms with.
I am no longer a kid and motherhood has chose me and it is time to move forward no matter how much I sometimes long to go backwards.
As my girls are growing and learning and becoming their own little people with their own personalities, interests, and opinions I find myself grasping at straws.
Why did God make the world to where children are little for such a short while?
It seems like just yesterday I was a kid whom, in all her stubbornness, still didn't realize what the world was really like outside of my rich little bubble.
As far as I was concerned life would go exactly as I had mapped out in my head...oh boy what a disappointment that was.
I am always so dramatic about how drastically a day can change my child and how with a blink they have grown from infancy into walking, talking toddlers/school aged children.
Sitting in that chair today on the other side of the totem pole I realized how fast my life is changing.
In 7 short years since graduation day my life has completely been turned upside down.
As much as I love my girls with every fiber of my being, my life didn't quite turn out as I had once planned and hoped for.
As much as I feel unprepared for this school journey as the parent role.
I somehow feel at peace that I least know the people who are involved in her education at the school.
I know they say the first year of school is always the hardest on the parents, but I think it's even harder on John and I knowing that it wasn't long ago we were walking down those hallways heading to class as carefree teenagers.
Life flies so quickly and I want to teach my children to embrace it.
After all they are only little once.
Friday, September 13, 2013
A New Season
In the quest laid before me of the terrible potty learning I happily announce MADILYN IS FINALLY IN PANTIES.
It just needed to click and once it did our journey has been super easy as she has gone 2 days in a row accident free.
We don't do the whole "Stay home for a week" thing we get her out and used to using other potties, thankfully this child is not scared of public restrooms so it's made outings quite easy.
I am so excited we will be pull up free in the near future (she still uses them at night!)
I have my first parent/teacher conference ever with Kylie Jade's Kindergarten teacher on Tuesday and I am slightly nervous about it I am sure she is doing great, but I'm not in there with her all the time so that's just purely guessing.
As Kylie Jade is growing up I am seeing her do and learn new things such as reading, writing bigger words, taking tests, and just her all around attitude.
I have been impressed with her school so far and am so excited for her as she is loving her friends and her teachers.
As fall is quickly approaching I am realizing how fast time is flying, we are a month (tomorrow) into the school year and the first quarter of school is nearly a month away.
As I quietly sit back and breathe in the hours I remind myself to take in this moment because tomorrow is a brand new day chock full of brand new memories.
I can't believe we are already here.
The end of summer nearing and the beginning of a new season, new changes, new personalities, and new friendships.
I am sad to see the end of our last summer of no school end, but am excited for the new adventures all I can do is sit back, tighten my seat belt and enjoy the ride.
It just needed to click and once it did our journey has been super easy as she has gone 2 days in a row accident free.
We don't do the whole "Stay home for a week" thing we get her out and used to using other potties, thankfully this child is not scared of public restrooms so it's made outings quite easy.
I am so excited we will be pull up free in the near future (she still uses them at night!)
I have my first parent/teacher conference ever with Kylie Jade's Kindergarten teacher on Tuesday and I am slightly nervous about it I am sure she is doing great, but I'm not in there with her all the time so that's just purely guessing.
As Kylie Jade is growing up I am seeing her do and learn new things such as reading, writing bigger words, taking tests, and just her all around attitude.
I have been impressed with her school so far and am so excited for her as she is loving her friends and her teachers.
As fall is quickly approaching I am realizing how fast time is flying, we are a month (tomorrow) into the school year and the first quarter of school is nearly a month away.
As I quietly sit back and breathe in the hours I remind myself to take in this moment because tomorrow is a brand new day chock full of brand new memories.
I can't believe we are already here.
The end of summer nearing and the beginning of a new season, new changes, new personalities, and new friendships.
I am sad to see the end of our last summer of no school end, but am excited for the new adventures all I can do is sit back, tighten my seat belt and enjoy the ride.
Kylie Jade looking so big
Madilyn Kate is so cute and wearing panties
Best buds
Kylie Jade going to school
Madilyn Kate at her first dentist appointment 28 mths
Kylie Jade at school
Lunch at school
Monday, August 26, 2013
A Few Things I Have Learned...
A Few Things I Have Learned About Having A 5 Year Old:
1. They have an opinion on EVERYTHING!
2. They will lose their teeth much sooner than you are ready for.
3. Five year olds are ALWAYS talking about age if you are younger than five they will look at you in disgust and if you are older than five (yes this includes 5 1/2) they will whine and complain and talk about how UNFAIR it is that they aren't older.
4. If they give you the death stare you better stop embarrassing them and HIDE because what comes after the stare is ten times worse.
5. The attitude they are giving you? Yea expect a ton more sass and spunk to go along with that.
6. You had a say in what they wore? Yeah that is going to stop IMMEDIATELY.
7. Clothes for comfort are out clothes for style are in.
8. If you forget to pack a snack for school you will never hear the end of it. EVER.
9. Do not, I repeat, do NOT talk down to your child...they will blow your mind away with their sarcasm.
10. Kindergarten is a big deal you better act like it.
11. Your child will get a kick out of you crying, but will immediately flip out on you if you cry in front of their friends.
12. Please don't hover, it's not cool.
13. Allow your child to make their own mistakes regarding school work or dressing mishaps it will make for a good learning experience and if not, hey, at least you got some goofy pictures you can laugh about later.
14. If you come to visit for lunch, you better bring a treat otherwise you will be ignored. The entire time.
15. Snuggles are few and far between take them as you get them. Stop doing laundry, put down the phone, let the water boil a little longer and give your kid a dang cuddle already.
16. If your kid asks for you to play with them and you pretend you don't hear them, remember they can whine.
17. If you mention their birthday you better be prepared to talk birthday plans. A birthday is NEVER too far away.
18. If you say one thing but mean something else be prepared to be ridiculed because your five year old is witty now.
19. If you embarrass them in front of their friends, just remember she will tell the teacher the things you do not want told. Stop and think before you speak.
20. When your child has finally laid down for their beauty rest stop and look at her sweet toes peeking out from under the blanket, look adoringly at her angelic face and try and forget that was the face that was screaming bloody murder this morning because her hair is all wrong, sticking her tongue out because you didn't allow her to pick the movie because it was his sisters turn, or rolling her eyes because she is all sass. Just remember she is still your little girl and no matter how much she tries to dodge your kisses, or smarts off she is still everything you had hoped she'd be. Nothing less.
1. They have an opinion on EVERYTHING!
2. They will lose their teeth much sooner than you are ready for.
3. Five year olds are ALWAYS talking about age if you are younger than five they will look at you in disgust and if you are older than five (yes this includes 5 1/2) they will whine and complain and talk about how UNFAIR it is that they aren't older.
4. If they give you the death stare you better stop embarrassing them and HIDE because what comes after the stare is ten times worse.
5. The attitude they are giving you? Yea expect a ton more sass and spunk to go along with that.
6. You had a say in what they wore? Yeah that is going to stop IMMEDIATELY.
7. Clothes for comfort are out clothes for style are in.
8. If you forget to pack a snack for school you will never hear the end of it. EVER.
9. Do not, I repeat, do NOT talk down to your child...they will blow your mind away with their sarcasm.
10. Kindergarten is a big deal you better act like it.
11. Your child will get a kick out of you crying, but will immediately flip out on you if you cry in front of their friends.
12. Please don't hover, it's not cool.
13. Allow your child to make their own mistakes regarding school work or dressing mishaps it will make for a good learning experience and if not, hey, at least you got some goofy pictures you can laugh about later.
14. If you come to visit for lunch, you better bring a treat otherwise you will be ignored. The entire time.
15. Snuggles are few and far between take them as you get them. Stop doing laundry, put down the phone, let the water boil a little longer and give your kid a dang cuddle already.
16. If your kid asks for you to play with them and you pretend you don't hear them, remember they can whine.
17. If you mention their birthday you better be prepared to talk birthday plans. A birthday is NEVER too far away.
18. If you say one thing but mean something else be prepared to be ridiculed because your five year old is witty now.
19. If you embarrass them in front of their friends, just remember she will tell the teacher the things you do not want told. Stop and think before you speak.
20. When your child has finally laid down for their beauty rest stop and look at her sweet toes peeking out from under the blanket, look adoringly at her angelic face and try and forget that was the face that was screaming bloody murder this morning because her hair is all wrong, sticking her tongue out because you didn't allow her to pick the movie because it was his sisters turn, or rolling her eyes because she is all sass. Just remember she is still your little girl and no matter how much she tries to dodge your kisses, or smarts off she is still everything you had hoped she'd be. Nothing less.
Friday, August 23, 2013
A Day In The Life
Well the first full week of school has proven to be somewhat difficult. Between exhaustive tantrums at the end of the school day, parent night at the elementary school, numerous emails to Kylie's teacher, and figuring out the best schedule for our family I am feeling the overwhelming stress many people talk about. Kindergarten has been a big adjustment on our family. I am finding myself pretty exhausted at the end of the day.
I am so happy we have found a great school where Kylie feels safe, valued and that her opinion matters. Though our financial situation doesn't always warrant for the newest, the best or the fanciest we are able to provide Kylie Jade the best start to her school career as we possibly can. School is too big of an issue to play around with, experiment with, and just hope that the outcome isn't failure. I fully believe we have made the best choice and given any other option this would be the choice I would choose every time.
As Kylie grows, learns and develops in a real school setting I am seeing her little personality blossom. She has new friendships, many teachers, and a whole world away from me that I won't ever really be a part of. As much as I feel a little weepy over the years that are now just memories I can't help but be so excited for my daughters new found independence. Even though we've had a few mishaps already in Kindergarten they will only be distant memories, just like her diaper, paci and bottle feeding years, in just a blink of the eye.
6 am comes far too early and with the crazy amount of rain we had it makes it ten times more difficult to get out of bed, shower and start breakfast before the girls wake up. As they slowly and dreadfully wake up I begin preparations for the start of the school day. I take it one day at a time, one crazy exhausted moment at a time, one headache at a time. I know this too shall pass and that when the time comes for her to move onto the middle school age I will be thinking back on this as one of the simpler times.
So no matter how hard it is to wake up with the massive headaches that are soon to follow, no matter how annoying it is to awaken sleeping children and get them both ready for the day ahead I am going to enjoy and savor every last minute of it because anyone with children knows that the time goes way too fast.
And no matter how many times I have to wake one sleepy eye at a time I can keep holding onto the hope that, no matter how exhausted I am, the weekend is only a few days away!
I am so happy we have found a great school where Kylie feels safe, valued and that her opinion matters. Though our financial situation doesn't always warrant for the newest, the best or the fanciest we are able to provide Kylie Jade the best start to her school career as we possibly can. School is too big of an issue to play around with, experiment with, and just hope that the outcome isn't failure. I fully believe we have made the best choice and given any other option this would be the choice I would choose every time.
As Kylie grows, learns and develops in a real school setting I am seeing her little personality blossom. She has new friendships, many teachers, and a whole world away from me that I won't ever really be a part of. As much as I feel a little weepy over the years that are now just memories I can't help but be so excited for my daughters new found independence. Even though we've had a few mishaps already in Kindergarten they will only be distant memories, just like her diaper, paci and bottle feeding years, in just a blink of the eye.
6 am comes far too early and with the crazy amount of rain we had it makes it ten times more difficult to get out of bed, shower and start breakfast before the girls wake up. As they slowly and dreadfully wake up I begin preparations for the start of the school day. I take it one day at a time, one crazy exhausted moment at a time, one headache at a time. I know this too shall pass and that when the time comes for her to move onto the middle school age I will be thinking back on this as one of the simpler times.
So no matter how hard it is to wake up with the massive headaches that are soon to follow, no matter how annoying it is to awaken sleeping children and get them both ready for the day ahead I am going to enjoy and savor every last minute of it because anyone with children knows that the time goes way too fast.
And no matter how many times I have to wake one sleepy eye at a time I can keep holding onto the hope that, no matter how exhausted I am, the weekend is only a few days away!
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