1st and 3rd Grade....woot woot!

Oh man Both of my kids are in school full time. Not sure how this happened.

oh those dimples kill me!

Grace has Ms. Morris this year. And I know I have told this story before but Ms. Morris mom was my first grade teacher as well as my moms so I think its pretty neat that my kids have her for a teacher. I also think she herself is pretty great! Grace got to choose her own seat for the first day...what would you know that all the girls sat in the back two rows together. I have a strange suspicion that will change by way of their teacher very soon:)

Elliot has Mrs. De Ruyter and to tell you honestly I have been really looking forward to him having her as a teacher for 3rd Grade. Her personality has always seemed like a perfect fit for my Elliot. In our before bed debriefing of the first day he reported that he thought she was his favorite teacher yet. My guess is she is sweet, but doesn't mess around. Elliot totally thrives in this environment...its going to be a good year!

We prayed on our way to school yesterday, as we do every morning on the way to school. I was caught up in first day of school mom emotions. I can not explain the feeling of feeling completely blessed in the ability to have my kids in an environment where I know no matter what teacher they have they will be loved for who God is creating them to be and they will be encouraged to reach their heavenly potential. This is overwhelming for me as a mom! So as I was praying over my children, for their day, for their friends, for their teachers, for their year, for their school, for their safety on the way home form school I cried and next thing I know I hear the little voice behind me in the car (Elliot) say,"Mom I think its my turn." So I stopped, I listened to the hearts of my little cherubs and we walked into school once again with smiles on our faces and love in our hearts because I am convinced that we are making the best choice we can for our children at this point and I know God is with us in that. And in that my kids feel confident as well!

The story of a kindergartener and a second grader.

That's right I am a mature mom now...what? Oh man I can't believe I am the mother of two school aged children. I have worked so hard for the last seven years to prepare them for the great big world of school and social awareness:) and the day has come that they are both in the great big world of school. Now I guess I can't be so dramatic...no one has ever described Ebenezer as big, it is smaller by design after all:)

So the morning was interesting. I got up at early...and I might add for those of you who don't know I am not a morning person...however school mornings are important. I like everyone to be able to leave the house in the morning with happy hearts and full bellies with a healthy lunch in hand and this is no job for weenies. Now Grace has always been along for the ride on school mornings but she does not need to be ready for the day by any means, basically food has been her only requirement in the past. Well this does not ring true anymore and let me tell you she went through three outfits this morning before she found the perfect one. This is hilarious to me. People say I am in for trouble with this one...believe me I know. She has always been opinionated and thats ok with me as long as she is polite and respectful about it:) So back to the morning...we had a warm breakfast...in the new dining room...I made lunches we had showers, got dressed, put our shoes on and we were out the door with 6 dozen cookies and 2 dozen muffins because I remembered that as Eagle Booster president you provide refreshments for convocation. This whole time it actually seemed fairly natural to get two ready and out the door. Until we got to the Green Barn. When Elliot started kindergarten we made it tradition to pray for him from the Green Barn until the parking lot at school. It has been a fabulous tradition and I encourage anyone who drives their little ones to school to do it. It makes any stressful morning better..I have used as a time to ask God for forgiveness for me for being impatient with my kids- which was so humbling the first time but Elliot actually thanked me for asking for forgiveness which made me cry...I will blog more about this topic later- I also pray for each kid and bless their day. So here we are in the car, I thanked God for our morning for our good nights rest and the sun in the sky and then I prayed for Elliot thanking God for him and his school and praying for his teacher as well and then naturally it was Grace's turn because, well I was dropping her off too. What I am dropping her off too? Insert big lump in my throat, wavering voice and tears flowing down my cheeks here. But we got through it and Grace received her blessing and God received His glory. And the tears subsided and we rolled into school like rock stars with Jesus in our hearts and God on the brain. Because, as I have said before, Ebenezer Christian School is the happiest place on earth!

So enough of the sap....I am sure a lot of you have skipped ahead to see my beautiful children. This year I let them pick out their own first day of school outfits, it saved on drama and increased the cheerfulness. So here it is ENJOY!