tuesday - september 2, 2008

i adore my kids. after having each one of them i found a new capacity for love that i had no idea existed. it amazes me how much each of them are a bit like me, a bit like dave, and a bit all themselves. they are each amazing and a gift....

just about five years ago when i still had three in diapers i began to calculate how long it was going to be until all of them were in school and i would re-claim my sanity. well, today was that day. it was the first day of school - for all three kids!!! as dave and i drove away from dropping them all off it was incredibly bitter-sweet. i'm no longer looking to re-claim anything (especially my sanity) as i have come to realize how fast it all goes by and the fact that we are all a little bit crazy....
caleb began 3rd grade. he is getting HUGE! i can actually wear his flip flops!! as we sat around the breakfast table before leaving i asked how he was feeling. he told me, "my stomach doesn't know how to feel - there are just too many emotions - i'm excited, scared and happy, it just doesn't know how to feel."
luke is in 1st grade. he is excited about learning how to read and hanging out with his friends. although he would tell you that school was boring there is no doubt in any of our minds that he is loving it!
lilly jane started kindergarten. she could not stop bouncing and smiling. she loves her teacher and was quick to tell me all about her new friend, although she couldn't remember her name :) for as excited as she was once she realized her dad and i were leaving she got noticeably upset. we both gave her a few more hugs and then i told her i needed to go and that i would be back in a bit. as i walked to the door she called out to me and said, "mom....i love you, i love you, i love you...good-bye, good-bye, good-bye." and then blew me a kiss. at that moment i knew she was going to do great!

twas the night before......

tomorrow marks the first day of school for the kids. yes, all three of my babies will be in school. i wish i could have captured their excitement as they laid out there clothes and backpacks in preparation for tomorrow. at dinner i asked what they were the most excited about. all three of them agreed it was their classrooms. then i asked them what they were the most nervous about, so we would know better how to pray for each of them. all three of them agreed again and said that they wouldn't be too shy or nervous. i love my kids and their sweet innocence.
yesterday was a big day in our house as our dear friends got married. jeff mcclain became one of our closest friends since we moved to muskegon three years ago. we have spent countless hours hanging out, playing settlers, and talking together. jeff two years ago rode with our family 24 hours to florida for a week long family vacation. he is a member of our family and we love him dearly. a year ago we said good-bye to jeff as he left for north park seminary. there he met the amazing carrie. over the last year (and yes, they both came on vacation with us this last may) we have fallen in love with carrie too and couldn't be happier to see the two of them come together in marriage. dave officiated the wedding and this is the first wedding (the kids can remember) ever being invited to. needless to say we all had a blast. we danced the night away with all sorts of friends and enjoyed the day to the fullest

congratulation jeff and carrie --- we love you!!!!