TRUST

What's the greatest gift ever to this momma?! TIME ALONE! Shelby gave me the very best gift this past weekend when he took Georgia & Ivy Jane to see his parents. I love my girls, but after a long summer of mommy duties, it was so nice to get a weekend off! In the 2+ years that we've lived here in Louisiana, I've never spent the night at our home alone. My mom came over for awhile & we shopped & shopped & shopped...'til we dropped! After she left I ate out by myself & just enjoyed being BY MYSELF...such a great break! I have to admit though, when they got home on Sunday I was missing them like crazy but felt rested & ready to play! 

After a fashion show of the new clothes I'd bought them, Georgia Claire wanted to work some puzzles...a great activity to strengthen those hand muscles!

 And working on her memory cards...she lined them allllll up!

 After making homemade pizza for my sweet family we headed to the backyard for some playtime!

This morning I was woken up at 5AM by Miss Ivy Jane. Of course, she went right back to sleep but I was wide awake! So I took the time, while the house was quiet, to pray & have my quiet time with the Lord. I have to admit, it's not every day that I do this, especially early in the morning. I'm SO not a morning person but with them starting preschool this past week it has given me the kick in the booty that I need to get our day going earlier & it feels SO GOOD! Looking at Facebook this morning my news feed was filled with first day of school pictures & it put a HUGE lump in my throat. I thought about our sweet Georgia Claire starting Kindergarten next year & ALMOST had a panic attack! And then, I read "Jesus Calling" & today's title was "TRUST ME". One line read, "Instead of desperately striving to maintain order and control in your little world, relax and remember that circumstances cannot touch MY PEACE." Ok Lord...got it! You got this. And I have another year to prepare my heart & enjoy our big girl. So I WILL trust you...and spend a little more time...sliding!

BIG Girls & Big Girl School

This has been a HUGE week in our household. Not only are the girls growing right before my very eyes, but they started BIG GIRL school this Monday. Georgia & Ivy Jane now attend a preschool Monday-Friday 8:30-11:30. It has already proven to be such a GREAT thing! Each class has less than 10 kiddos & their teachers are certified...WOOHOO! Not only does it give me time each morning to run errands or clean or paint furniture or whatever it is that I need to do, it gives them time to play & have fun with other children & to learn from someone besides Momma. WE ARE BLESSED! It's no secret that education in the state of Louisiana is not exactly top-notch, so we feel very thankful to have found a private school with a director who has her PhD in education, 30+ years experience, & all certified teachers with an incredible curriculum! Thank you, Lord! 

Trying out their new "kicks" for school...

And on their first day of school!

Each day as I pick them up they get in the car & before they get get buckled in they are telling me what they learned, what they sung, what they played, who they played with, & what they had for snack! On Friday, Georgia's teacher told me that she is "blossoming & becoming so social!" She said, "it's been so much fun to watch!" WOW! In a week?! The main reason we started preschool is because Georgia's OT thought she needed the consistency in a smaller environment in order to be successful & gain confidence before Kindergarten.  I can not wait to watch them BOTH grow & learn this school year!

BIG THREE YEAR OLD

I am officially the mom of a FOUR year old & a THREE year old...I feel like I no longer have babies...sniff sniff! THREE sounds so old for our little one. Ivy Jane is a THREE year old who is spunky, hard-headed, independent, loving, & intelligent. 

Mommy & Daddy love you SOOOOO much, Ivy Jane! God gave us a 2nd little miracle when you were born...our family was complete!