Grace's First Day

Grace seemed to have a great day at preschool today. She didn't cry when I left and seemed fine when I picked her up. She does go to the church nursery every Sunday for an hour an half. I am sure that will help her transition. Her lunch box is empty so I think she ate all her lunch. She must have had one potty accident because she had changed pants. She answers yes to every question we ask her so we can only guess whether she liked school.

First Day Pictures

Twas the Night before....

School Starts. The kids are all nestled in their beds except for Kristopher. I think they are ready to go back to school.

It is funny how we always look forward to summer but then everybody is so ready for school to start again.

Zachary will be in 4th grade this year. We met his teacher the other night. He has Mr. Hughes. Yes, I said Mr. This is the first time one of my kids has had a male teacher in elementary. It is his first year teaching so hopefully it will go well. Sometimes new teachers are great. They have new ideas. We aren't expecting Zachary to have any problems, he never does. Zachary is obssessed with school work and getting it done.

Nicholas will be in 7th grade. We didn't really meet his teachers but we saw them and listened to them. His Math teacher is the same as last year. I am sure he will have a great year as long as he keeps himself organized. Nicholas procrastinates, too. He waits until the absolute last minute to do his work.

Since Kristopher is going to be in 11th grade he wasn't the least bit interested in going to his open house. He is on a block schedule so he only has 4 teachers a semester. Three of them he has had in past years. Kristopher does not procrastinat but he has a problem with organization. Marching band will take up a lot of his time this year so he will need to keep on top of all his work.

Julia starts Kindergarten but her first day isn't until Sept. 2. Grace will start going to preschool on Tuesday for 2 days a week. Updates will follow.

Potty Training

By Gosh, I think she has got it. We started last Wednesday for the very last time. I decided it was now or never. Of course, it had nothing to do with the fact that she starts preschool next week and needs to be potty trained. Today was her first day with no accidents. We had to go out a couple of times and she did fine. She has even started telling us she needs to go. It is a little strange how she tells us but at least she is letting us know.

Missing Nicholas and Zachary

It has been a quiet week around here. Sunday night we met Dallas' sister Dee and took her Nicholas and Zachary. They were longing to spend a few days with her and she invited them to come stay. We pick them up Friday night. I hope they want to come home. She had lots of fun things planned for them. Last night they were going to a baseball game, they were going to play golf one day, and lots of other things. Dee lives on a farm so there are always things to do. I know the boys love the freedom of a huge yard(acres). Dee has a golf cart that they love driving around, too. I hope they are being good and can't wait to see them Friday.

Which Princess Are You?

Here are the results from my quiz. Click on the link and find out which princess you are.

You Are Aurora! (A.K.A. Sleeping Beauty.)

Thoughtful and loving. Authority figures probably have been sheltering you all of your life. Thankfully you're a very tranquil person who is content with what life has given you, but secretly you want to know how the outside world works.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

Grace

First picture we ever saw of Grace-November 2006
Picture taken- August 15, 2006

Grace A year Ago-August 12,2007

Grace Today-August 12,2008

Grace Then and Now

Grace A Year Ago

Grace Now

All I Want for Christmas is My Three Front Teeth

Grace ready for Surgery

Grace's Teeth

Grace did very well with surgery. She hasn't even cried. I was holding her when she woke up so she woke up very slowly and has been doing great. They removed 3 teeth, fixed one cavity. Put a couple of caps on and sealant on all her teeth. Of course, Xrays were taken too. Unfortunately 2 of the teeth they had to remove were her bottom front teeth. He felt if he left them that they would cause more problems. The concern was that infection was already setting in and they were so tiny anyway.

August 12, 2007

A year ago Grace entered our lives. Click here to read what I had to say a year ago. You then have to scroll down to August 12. I made 3 posts that day.

We are so thankful for this child. She is our Amazing Grace. She has brought so much joy to our family. I love seeing Julia and Grace play and laugh together. They are sisters in every sense of the word.

So I am sure you want to know how Grace is celebrating. She just entered the operating room. Yes, you read right, the operating room at UNC hospital. She is having dental work done. We were originally told that it would take 3-4 hours. This morning the doctor said it would probably take 1 1/2 hours. We are praying he is right. Grace will be having a couple of teeth removed, crowns, caps, fillings, xrays, Please pray for Grace this morning.

Grace's Eating Habits

We thought it was strange for Grace to dip her green beans in ketchup but today she topped that. She was dipping her watermelon in her ketchup and enjoying every bite.

Juliaisms

- Is it going to rain in my room tonight? This is asked every single night at bedtime.

- I am not a baby, I am a children.

- Using the word never in ever possible sentence. I never get to go, I never get candy, I never get to stay up late, etc.

08-08-08

A picture I took of the Bird Nest(where opening ceremonies are)a year ago.

This is a very lucky date for China therefore the start of the Olympics. We are very excited to watch it this year. The opening ceremonies were very impressive. I think we will burn it to DVD so Grace can enjoy it one day. We want her to proud of her country.

A year ago,today,we were flying to China. To get a real feel for China you have to see it. I was talking to someone the other day and we agreed that once you go to China you are eager to go again. I can't wait to go back one day whether it is to adopt another child, volunteer in an orphanage, or for a heritage visit.

Headed Home

Our time in Florida has almost come to an end.Soon Grace, Nicholas, and I will be headed North. As much as I don't want to leave Mom, I miss Kristopher, Zachary, and Julia. I haven't seen Kristopher since last Wednesday morning when he left for band camp.

Speaking of band camp, last week at band camp, the rookies were auctioned off to raise money for the band program. Since this is the first time Kristopher has been in band he was a rookie. A boy paid 15.00 for him. He could make him do whatever he wanted as long as it was approved by the band director. A lot of kids made their rookies dress up as girls, carry stuff for them, or one kid dressed up as a pokemon master. Kristopher had to talk to people. If you know Kristopher this is absolutely perfect. Kristopher is very introverted and does not talk to people he doesn't know. I guess it is pretty obvious to other kids, too. Kristopher isn't exactly shy, he only talks when he has something to say which isn't often. Kristopher thought it was pretty funny and extremely glad not to have to dress like a girl.

SCC

Nicholas took this picture as the concert was beginning. How could we not feel God's presence at the concert.

This is the first time I have had time to post since the concert. Steven Curtis Chapman was amazing. He started the concert by saying he has good days and bad days. That particular day had been a rough day. Blessed be the Name was the first song. When he got to the Lord give and take away he couldn't go on so he invited us to take over. It was a great concert with lots of stories to go along with the songs. Our hearts are breaking for the Chapman family. Life goes on but it will never be the same.

Happy Birthday, Sally!

Last night a group of us from the preschool where I use to work met at a Brazilian steakhouse. We were celebrating Sally's 50th birthday. Sally I became close when I started teaching the younger 2 year old class beside her. She taught the older twos. She has,also, taught two of my children. We were meeting for dinner but she had no idea it wasn't the usual monthly group(there are usually 4 or 5 of us that meet when I come to town). Happy 50th, Sally!

Next Stop- Asheville, NC

We will be leaving soon for Asheville, NC. Wonder why we would be going to Asheville for one night. Steven Curtis Chapman is singing at the Biltmore Estate. The Braxtons will be there cheering him on. We are so excited to be going. It is sure to be a great concert.