...and The Tears Finally Came

...and it is only pre-K!

SCG & SCG

I'm going to school?
Whatch you talkin' about Willis?

Asher is not really sure what is going on...at all.

Mommy & her Baby Girl

(sniff sniff)

Her first day of school treat...a strawberry cupcake with white frosting.
~

Saela had her first day of pre-K on July 20, 2011. I thought more kids would be emotional. I thought more adults would be emotional. I get it's pre-K...but the kindergarten is right across the hall - it might as well have been kindergarten for goodness sake. Saela sat in her seat and as I bent down to kiss her - it was all I could do not to let the tears out. NOBODY else was teary...so I managed to get it together and walked out dry-eyed. Saela did wonderfully at school and came home to enjoy her strawberry cupcake (her request.) This was probably her favorite part of the day. My favorite part came that evening when I snuggled with her in bed and the tears finally just came pouring out. Both happy tears and melancholy tears. Each stage has been so wonderful to witness (cough cough with the exception of the sassy mouth 3s) and I know that each stage to come will bring joy and warmth to my heart and I look forward to sharing her youth with her. I do, however, lament the passing of these early years - the innocence, the not knowing. For now, she will be judged. Not necessarily in a bad way always - but she will be judged by her peers and graded by her teachers. I know that is just a part of growing up - but it makes me a little bit sad too. I can hardly believe that it has been nearly four years since she arrived on this earth. As 'teary' as her growing up makes me - I am so grateful that she is HERE and that she has the chance to grow up and change people's lives as she has already forever changed mine. I know God has great plans for her and I am so thankful that I have been afforded the opportunity to watch her grow. We all love you Saela!

Michigan 2011

This wasn't initially planned as a family trip...but I'm so glad it turned out that way! We left on a Thursday evening in order to "split up" the 10.5 hour drive. That worked out well and we were able to visit some old neighbors in Lansing before heading up to Hemlock. Overall, the kids really did pretty well in the car for the long rides there and back.

"Tractor Time"

Both Asher and Saela enjoyed riding the tractor with Grandpa Green.

Steve and I had a "date" to the wedding and it was nice to spend time reconnecting after the hustle and bustle of moving.

Asher, Daddy and Grandpa

Saela and Grandma

Summer Days

Despite the record high temps throughout the region...

Saela chose to go walking like this...

...yes, no need to do a double-take,
those are reindeer ears and snow boots ;).

Asher is currently enamored with anything "Hat."

aka "The Cat in the Hat."

Saela "teaching."
...while Mom hyperventilates about the
dry erase markers ending up on the walls.

Saela and her babies.
Asher tagging along for the ride.


Don't have a place for your stickers?
Well, duh, just put them on your legs!


P.S. Happy Anniversary to our Great Aunts and Uncles!

The 13-year Cicada

So, this is something new to me. The 13-year Cicada arrives in middle Tennessee every thirteen years. Perhaps some of you have heard of this phenomenon as I had not and at first thought it was absurd. My neighbors (in their 30s) were talking about how the last time the Cicadas came they were in their late teens. Weird. These creatures arrive in May in SWARMS and then disappear in about a month to not be seen again for 13 years. Read about it people, it is fascinating. Or perhaps, you think I AM absurd for posting this on our family blog. Mostly, I just want to point out that the next time we see the Cicadas, Saela will be 16 and driving and Asher will be nearly 15. Whaaaat????? I guess that is if we can actually stay put for thirteen years...let's hope right.

Fun in Boxes

The Fort


Here I am Mom!

Comin' Dae-a comin'!

Come on in Mom...it's fun!

A Few Days in May...

...okay, I know in a few short hours it will be August (the month in which I will turn 35 by the way-how is that possible?) and I have had a month off...but well, I've been busy! We are unpacked...more unpacked than we have been in nearly seven years and it feels really good. The kids have been in swimming lessons and are really starting to get the hang of what they are being taught. Saela started pre-K (a post on that to come) and Asher has expanded his vocabulary ten-fold! Here are some pictures from back in May when we visited MN for Logan's baptism (when we had our family pictures taken that I posted previously) and then Asher's actual birthday...enjoy!

Saela and Kaylee May loved to hold hands and it was SO sweet!


Our attempt at a group picture at JD Hoyts one of Grandpa Bill's favorite restaurants in Minneapolis. Saela looks thrilled (not) and Kaylee is ready to bolt!

Logan (aka Logy), Asher and Grandma T waiting for brownies that Aunt Kara made to celebrate an early birthday for Asher and actual birthday for Steve!

Eating brownies and playing is hard work and requires some post-activity rest time.

Here is Asher on his 2nd birthday back home in Tennessee! Doesn't he look old! He's had to roll with us...born in MI, 1st birthday in NC and 2nd birthday in TN!

Remember my last post where Saela looked "young" to me...this picture was taken less than two weeks later and to me she looks like such a "girl" and not a "baby"!

Beautiful Girl

So many days I look at Saela and think she looks like such a big girl. This picture reminds me of her younger days...days that are two years gone already. I love this sweet girl so much and just wanted her to know that she will always be my "baby girl."