first day again!

Last Thursday was Laine's first day at preschool. She had a great time and actually cried when it was time to go home. She keeps asking when she get to go back, and telling me she is going to be really good for her teachers and says "I won't poop in my pants...I'll go on the potty chair." It is about time little one! They have the parents stay the first day so I was at the school too.

Tomorrow will be a big day as she will be dropped off and I know I'll be crying as I pull away. I remember after she was born (and we found out something was wrong with her newborn screening) during the first appointment with her Genetic Dr. I was asking questions like.."So will she be able to go to school?" "Will she be able to walk?" "Will she be able to climb stairs?" "Will she be able to eat food normally?" Really my questions in my head (that I was never able to ask) were "Will she live?" and "Could she die?"

I never asked those questions though. I think I was asking all the other questions to answer the big ones. At the time I felt relief when the dr. said she should be able to go. If she should be able to go to school then she can live with this disorder (VLCAD see side bar for more info) then right? That really was the question.

Since those early days after her birth I have seen how God has worked miracles in her life and our family. Her tumor on her eye is almost gone...totally. She may need minor plastic surgery later but it is so much better than the large Hemangioma she once had. She is strong and healthy and smart and funny. She returns to her specialists in a another month but we are expecting and trusting God for a good report and normal labs.

God has been so faithful during the last 3 years. We are thankful and give Him all the glory for allowing her to be strong and healthy. We do ask for your prayers to protect her from illness that would require any Hospital stays this year. We know how to treat Laine when she is sick which we are grateful for, but we would rather her not have any issues this fall and winter. Our God is good all the time. He knows what is best. While we can't always understand the pain and worry, how we deal with the "curve balls" is what can be pleasing to Him. Do I bring glory to Him? And hope and encouragement to others? Do I trust Him? Always? I'm trying...

To whom much is given much is expected.

back to school

First day of school started today and it felt so good to get back in a routine. I love routine. I love have a schedule of my week. I like knowing what days I volunteer, what days I play tennis, what days Paige has activities. I also totally enjoy fall. I love the tan, orange, red colors the leaves will turn soon. Bonfires and football games and carving pumpkins and decorating are traditions I will enjoy life in the months to come.

I remember the first day of school. I was always so nervous. I think back to the memories I have of elementary school. I know that I spent so much time the night before school thinking about the perfect first day back to school outfit. My mom would always take us shopping a few weeks prior and we would go to another big city shopping. This town had a big mall with our favorite shops. We would usually find our perfect outfit there. I also remember going to pick out new shoes. There was a shoe store that we would go to and usually mine where brown buckles or mary jane style (one pair of brown buckle shoes were my favorite until I fell into cow pasture at my cousin's farm. I was down to my knee in mud and manure and my mom had to pull me out. The muck sucked my right shoe right off my foot...oh how I cried).

Anyway, I remember organizing my book bag (we didn't have backpacks then). I had a pencil box and crayons, and an eraser maybe some scissors but that was about it. Now Paige needs hand sanitizer, snacks to share, colored pencils, and oh so many more supplies that I ever did.

Some things never change though. She spent last night deciding what to wear. She spent Monday organizing her backpack with all her supplies. She is so much like me and my organizing. She had a great first day of school. I did miss her but, was able to get so much accomplished only having one at home. Laine starts preschool on Thursday. I will have 2 1/2 hours twice a week to do anything I want. Do you hear me? Absolutely anything I want! I can have coffee with a friend, grocery shop, clean, garden, scrapbook, play tennis and go to the gym. I can't wait...I'll tell you about that later.