Moms....

Well....I've had a heavy heart these days. Grace being in Kindergarten has made me realize the importance of what "little" time I have left with her. She's done fabulous. Had a few issues but none surrounding behavior. Which has surprised me. She's a little stubborn and hard headed, but she has a heart of gold and such a sweet, sweet spirit. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, that God has purposed me to be her mom. We've had some rough times at home lately....one very personal issue that the Lord is wanting me to share later....still not sure how to word it. But he's working on it. And the other with just realizing that I HAVE to TRUST him with her. She's come home saying some things that are not nice that I know she's hearing at school and to be honest....I don't handle it well. Lord knows I need help with not freaking out over some things. I want to be who she needs and lately...I've been questioning my ability. Last night, I was sitting with my core group of women, at Panera, eating soup, cake, sharing prayer requests, and discussing life's aggravation's. It occured to me that two of my core friends have a very hard day coming up for them tomorrow. They lost their mom three years ago tomorrow to cancer. Such a dear, sweet lady who couldn't love her daughters anymore. I know she would be so proud of the women they are. They are both just really fantastic people who I consider myself privileged to know. Great moms. Great women. Great wives. But who still just want to hug their mom. Tonight, we had a pretty bad bike accident which included Grace riding off of our drive head first into the culvert full of jagged river rock. I screamed, and ran to her, preparing myself for the gapping head wound I knew would greet me. She of course was crying, but there was nothing. No blood. Nothing. The mom took over and all the little attitude struggles we've been having were gone. I just wanted to be her mom. Tonight, I hugged her a little tighter when I put her to bed. I hope we will all hug our little ones tighter. I wish my mom was here to hug me. And Amy and Ali would give anything to hug their mom just one more time. Thankful tonight. And praying for my friends. Don't forget to mute the music at the bottom of the page before playing the video.

The Night Before Kindergarten...

Well....I knew this day would come eventually, but heaven knows I didn't think it would happen this fast. It just seems like yesterday that we were given this scared to death little girl. And in 4 short years here we are. Grace is beside herself with excitement and I am beside myself with the unknowns. What will she do all day? Who will she play with? Will she be sweet? Will other kids be kind to her? Have I taught her everything she needs to know before tomorrow? (Too late if I haven't!) OH Man! They don't prepare you for this part of parenting. The letting go part I mean. And even though I realize that I'm not sending her off to college and to conquer the world tomorrow, I realize how time has flown by and how precious every minute is. (Even though my wonderful husband has informed me that we will remember tomorrow on the day we drop her off at college. I could have hit him.) I so hope that kindergarten is everything she is hoping it will be. I pray God will surround her and protect her innocence as long as he sees fit. I pray he will give her friends that will be good for her and friends that she can be good for. Whatever he gives us.....I hope we handle it in a way that is pleasing. And now for one of the "first" firsts....one of our first glimpses of our larger than life kiddo.....

Cowgirl East Meets Cowgirl West!

There are lots of pictures on this post so forgive me....but they are fantastic pics! Grace and I drove (yes, I said drove) to Texas. I don't know why I had the urge to drive 12 hours instead of fly 2 to East Texas. Seeing Judy was a great motivator, but I have always loved to just get in the car and.....go. So....It was just me, Grace, and the lovely GPS lady. I changed her voice for entertainment along the way. Kept me awake. I learned lots of stuff along the way...but that's another post for another day. Judy has these great friends who have horses and they are kind enough to fuel my child's love (fascination, obsession) for the four legged creature. I don't know where this love has come from, but I have the faintest inclination that it will NOT be leaving us anytime soon. I do believe a horse is in our future. When she's, like, 10 or so. Here's the little cowgirl and the big cowgirl Ms. Marie....

And this is Ms. Marie's silly cowboy husband, Mr. Curtis. He and Grace swapped hats.

She is loving every minute of this! And all I'm thinking is, "How much is a horse going to add to our monthly budget?"

Talking very softly to Blondie....

She rode her for awhile but mainly just wanted to stand there, pet her, and talk to her.

This picture is kind of dark but I hope you can see the smile on her face!!!

I believe we have a horse whisperer on our hands here....

Oh my....

I am thankful for the sweet hearts of Curtis and Marie for allowing Grace to explore her fascination of horses and teaching her all about them. Thanks guys! You are definately one of the highlights of our trip!