Her First Days

We attended an Open House at Sarah's elementary school Tuesday night.  Basically all of the kid's and their families could go to the school, locate their classrooms, meet their teacher, and turn in school supplies. Sarah got her new purple Tinkerbell backpack ready to go with some supplies in it.  Phoebe insisted on bringing her hand-me-down, from Sarah, Toy Story backpack with us to the school too.  Sarah told me one time that evening while at the school that she was nervous.  I told her that I was too.  

On our drive home that evening I had a little breakdown.... I realized she was actually starting school, real school, for the first time the next day.  She is growing up.  And, I felt like a failure.  (Maybe all mom's feel this way at some point, maybe it is all the raging pregnancy hormones that are still inside me.....but I felt as though I had fallen short.  I hadn't done enough to prepare her.  I hadn't done enough fun things with her.  I didn't measure up.  I did not do my best.  That is hard to swallow.)  So, I called one of my friends... just to talk, and she listened and she told me she's been there too.  And, I am not a failure.  That I have done good and that I do good everyday.  Being a mom is hard work.  And, on the days  that we feel like failures and we know we did not do our best we can talk to God about it.  By his grace and with his mercy we can ask for forgiveness.  He helps us be strong and tells us how to love... unconditionally. 

Our children are very blessed and in return so are we.  We are trusted by God with their care.  They show their love for us everyday in their smiles, their laugh, the things they say,  the things they want to do with us.  A child and a parent's love is unconditional, just like God's love is for all of us.

Here are the girls before Open House Tuesday night....

Our three blessings from God, right before we took Sarah to School Wednesday morning for her first day!

For her first day of Kindergarten Sarah picked out a new Mickey Mouse shirt to wear, with some jean capris, and her hair in a ponytail with a purple headband.  She looked super cute!

She seemed happy and told me she was excited.  Eric came home from work so that he could go with us to take her to school on this big occasion.  We all walked into the building together holding hands.  Walked down the hallway and into her classroom.... Her teacher greeted her warmly and gave her a name tag for her table.  She got to choose her seat at any table.  She gave us each a hug and sat down.  Another girl came in close behind us and came right over and sat down next to her.  Sarah told me later that Rian, the girl who sat next to her, is her new friend and she even played outside at recess with her.  She had a great first day!  Other things she mentioned doing were listening to a story, coloring, writing her name, and eating a popsicle.

Ready for the second day of Kindergarten!  Sarah was excited today to wear her new "Brave" shirt with some sparkly black capri pants that Nanee and Popee gave her.  As soon as she walked into the classroom I overheard two girls, one of which was her new friend Rian, start talking to her about the movie "Brave" and about having some of the doll characters from "Brave".  

I know Sarah is going to have a great Kindergarten year!  I am so blessed and thankful that I have her for my daughter.  She is a beautiful, kind-hearted, full of energy, fun little girl.  I love her so much.