First Day of Kindergarten

I am so proud of her. Really proud.

For more than three days she insisted that she needed to ride to Kindergarten on the Mommy Bus. She would have more time with me. It was faster. It's the way it's always been. She never shed a tear or wavered from her matter of fact delivery. So I never thought it was anything more than a preference.

Then came the day before school. Bedtime.

The truth was revealed in a flood of tears that she could not longer hold back. After a busy day her coping skills were gone. It was then that I realized it wasn't about convenience, or Mom Time or routine. The tears fell in buckets. She was afraid. Really afraid. Of being safe with a stranger. Of not knowing the drivers name. Of the fact that she was in the care of someone she'd never met. That I'd never met. I never knew until then how deep her fears were set in. Oh boy.

I learned something about her that night. She didn't want to burden ME with HER problem. I was floored that she would hold this all in. Creating a mask that I might buy into, trying to tackle this on her own.

Thank God, she opened up to me. Thank you God that You gave me the words to quell her fears and the opportunity to learn more about my amazing daughter.

After a long heart-to-heart chat, day one came and she was ready to tackle her fears. Praise the Lord!

A Soggy, Rainy Stroll to the Bus Stop

Telling me all about bus safety tips from Mr. Mike

It's coming!!!!

Sending her on her way

I must say, sending a daughter off to school for the first day is entirely different than sending a son off. I'm not finding the right words to express it, but it just is. Maybe the fact that she is the last one to fly the nest has something to do with it?

Post Script: She sat with her little friend Luca. The bus driver is a wonderful, kind woman named Cathy. She is doing just fine.

I am so proud of her courage to tackle life, even when it's hard. She amazes me.

In Awe,

~Kate-Lyn~

Good Dog...Bad Dog!

Ah, life with a puppy. I left him one second, happily nibbling on his buffalo. All is great...

Then I turn around and he has Cowgirl Kate's leg in his mouth!? Really?!!









Baxter, THIS could be the end to a very harmonious relationship!!

On watch for little furry piranhas,

~Kate-Lyn~

Savoring those last days of summer...

Due to the storm Peter had most of the day off today and so did I.

It also was our 24th wedding anniversary. Yikes! Neither of us can believe that it is possible! But we sure had a great time reminiscing. It's been a good life all in all. I pray we have 24 more.

It was a beautiful day. Sunny, clear blue skies and perfectly warm. What a sharp contrast to yesterday when Irene visited. We have much to be thankful for and gladly accepted this beautiful day and tried to make the most of it.

So naturally we headed off to one of our favorite spots, Saratoga Springs. Joining us was Elizabeth, Miss Grace's BFF.


We strolled Congress Park. We fed the ducks.

We met the infamous Spit and Spat.

We rode the carousel.

We ate frozen yogart on Broadway.

We went to the playground and found some friends from school.

Well, this one requires no explanation, lol!

All in all it was a great day.

Later on, we solicited the help of Ross our capable big brother babysitter so we could enjoy an anniversary dinner out. Just the two of us. It was very nice. Seafood of course. Then we went for a leisurely stroll because we ate so dang much food around the neighborhood.

A perfect end to a perfect day.

Thankful and Grateful,

~Kate-Lyn~

A Moment in Time...

Captured.

Priceless.

As parents of three...

we know how fleeting these days, weeks, months and years really are.

That, is why I blog. Yes, it takes time. But it's oh, so worth it.

Four years ago we held her in our arms for the first time.

Four years later it seems she's been in our lives forever. The joy is immeasurable.

She fills a spot in our hearts that is uniquely hers.

She can be oh, so, silly.

Today was one of those days. Right from the moment her feet hit the ground.

So, I got out the camera and let it roll.

And then, there is the other side. The one I'll never truly reach. No matter how hard I try. This poem taken from my friend Debbie's blog says it better than I ever could. It is written by the Mother of Cami, another parent to a child from China.

"I look at my daughter and usually I see a laughing, happy, healthy child. But sometimes I look at her and I see a thousand layers, a depth I will never visit, and a memory I humbly respect but cannot share. Her heart beats a thousand years story, with the blood of China, and a history in her short life more vast than mine will ever be. I owe it to her to never forget. I owe it to her to protect the fragile pieces of her story until the time comes for her to claim it. "

For this reason, I strive to make her past blend with the present. To be sure that nothing is off-limits in conversation. This will be one of my biggest challenges. But with prayer and God's guidance, it will be OK. After all He gave her to me. He loves her more than me. And oh, how she loves Him. She knows she belongs to Him. And what a beauty He created.

What a joy that He chose us to be her earthly parents. Thank you God.

Humbled by His Goodness,
~Kate-Lyn~

Getting Ready for Kindergarten...sigh.

Yup, it was the first step. Today was Bus Orientation at Miss Grace's school. I'm in a bit of denial.

Firstly because she is my baby and I'm not sure I'M ready, never mind for a moment that she is.

Secondly, every year I hate to see summer slip away.

Thirdly, I absolutely LOVE the loose scheduling of summer and ABHOR the time crunching busyness of school season.

Lastly, it's sad to not have as much time with my kiddos.  Giving them back to their teachers is tough every year, no matter how big they get.

But...such is life and this was not the point of my post.

Back to Bus Orientation. It was cute, and the bus driver who spoke to the kids was (I swear) born to be a bus driver. He. Was. Perfect. The shirt says it all, if ya know what I'm sayin' :)

The Cool Driver

All Ears with Mr. Mike

Here They Come!

All Smiles and Ready to Go!

They're Back!

It Was Awesome!

Wishing I was as ready as she is :)

Sighing Heavily

~Kate-Lyn~

Day Three, Oh Dear Me...

...we just don't stand a chance.

A chance that is of not being absolutely head over heals in love with this little guy. Already.

I'll just let the pictures do the talking.

Learning to play fetch

I'm a Retriever, this is easy stuff!

Well, except when my body gets ahead of my feet

Recharging

Uh-huh, so he could dig in the downspout

Any amount of water is positively irresistible

I clean up pretty well huh? You couldn't possibly be mad at me could you?

So many plants, so little time

Practicing cuteness, it works every time

What's next Mom?

This guy is very photogenic, just warning ya...

I'm just sayin', I can't help myself with these cuties

Smiling' so much my face hurts

~Kate-Lyn~

Announcing Our New Baby Boy...

...er, the furry one that is.

The passing of Sierra has been really hard on Miss Grace. Really. Hard. I could not see her suffer any longer without a diversion.

It all happened very quickly. He is our first boy dog. He is our first non-black dog. We don't have his full name picked out yet, but Baxter will do for now. He was born on June 21, 2011. This is his first night away from his brothers and sister. We are hoping we all get some sleep tonight. More on that later :)

Here he is:

Oh, and the best part? He is oh so mellow. How refreshing. Let's hope it lasts!

Nighty Night...

~Kate-Lyn~