She Likes To Move It, Move It!

Our little Adelaide is now a ballerina!

Following in the footsteps of her older sisters, Addie has joined her first ballet class. She is so cute with her little tutu and her belly popping out in her leotard.

Her first class was a hit for her. She didn't want to leave!

Making sure Josie's hand-me-downs fit.

Addie meeting her teacher, and learning first position.

Learning to balance.

Thursday Thoughts

"The purpose of life is a life of purpose" ~ Robert Byrne

I read this quote today and it made me think. Am I living a life of purpose?

How about you? Are you living a life of purpose?

Hail To The Victors Valiant!

Two weekends ago I had the amazing opportunity to see the University of Michigan Wolverines play in the newly renovated Big House!

My friend Karen and her husband were going to the game, and then he had to make an out of town trip, so they gave me the ticket! I was so excited that I was actually going to see Michigan play after 30 years of watching them on TV!

The experience of being in a place like that, with all the energy and excitement is so thrilling! We had some great seats too! The weather was perfect and the sun was to our backs. We had a blast watching the Wolverines play a victorious game (30 to 10) against the University of Connecticut.

I am so very thankful for the opportunity to have gone, now I wish that Josh will get to experience this...with me of course. :)

Karen and I enjoying the day!

A little pre-game music.

Check out our seats! Go Blue!

The Difference Two Years Make

The first day of school this week made me think of the first day of school two years ago. I was new to the whole "kid in school" parenting thing. To be honest, I was petrified. I really did not want to send Emma away. I was afraid what I would miss out on in her life. I was afraid she would have horrible influences in her life that would change my little girl forever.

Fast forward two years. My Jo Jo is starting kindergarten. She goes to all day when Emma only went half days (which they no longer offer). I was comfortable dropping Josie off, because I know her teacher. She was Emma's teacher, and the best teacher I could have ever dreamed of for my kids. I am not as scared about the changes in Josie's life, because Emma showed me in many ways I was wrong. Emma was able to make good choices about friends, and how she spent her time without me hovering and picking for her, and you know what? Even when Emma didn't, that was okay too. They are going to fail sometimes. She is (they are all)growing up. I can't keep them from that. They are making mistakes, and learning from them. I am here to be excited that they got a "good job" sticker on their paper, be the comforter when they struggle with new math problems, help them make the right choices when they are asked to sit next to a mean kid.

Maybe this journey is in more ways going to grow me than them.

Emma's first day of kindergarten. 2008

Josie's first day of kindergarten. 2010

Sending Emma off to school. 2008

Sending Josie and Emma off to school. 2010

I can't believe how much they have grown in two years!

TWO Cool for School!

Josh and I now have TWO daughters in school! That's right. Josie is an official kindergarten baby.

Yesterday was the first day. Josie seemed really excited to join the ranks of the formally educated, while Emma wished for another week or two of summer. Addie was sad that she didn't get to put a uniform on, and that she has two wait to years for her turn to go to school.

It will come faster than you think, Addie. Trust me on this one.

Are you all ready cute little kindergarten girl?

Such a serious second grader. :)

Look at how BIG their back packs are!

Daddy can make anything exciting!

Josie's a Whole Hand Old!

Josie turned 5 on August 24th! FIVE! Can you believe it?

Her birthday just so happened to land on "freshman orientation" day here at New Tribes Bible institute. On registration and orientation, we don't really get to see Josh, because he doesn't get home until after bed. I took some cupcakes to the dining hall so he could be part of the celebration.

The Saturday after her birthday, we took Josie to Portage Lake for some swimming and grilling, like any summer birthday should have! We had a great time with family. Josie was especially excited that she got "two cakes" this year. :)

The whole dining hall sang happy birthday to our Josie girl!

After swimming we came home for a doll birthday cake!

Oh, and of course, we can't forget the presents! :)