Barbie Blessings

The girls received an unexpected blessing this week. Our friend, Megan, brought over her very large collection of Barbie stuff to be loved now by Nicole, Morgan and Rachel. The girls were overjoyed to say the least. Megan brought them over and the four of them (sorry Megan) played for a couple of hours.

We now have Barbie dolls in all sizes, colors and hair styles. We also received the BIGGEST collection of Barbie clothes and shoes I have ever seen. We had a blast going through these treasures.

Megan came with three Barbie "rides". A great number considering the number of little girls that would want their own Barbie "ride".

Rachel was more interested in seeing how many outfits she could shove in the back of the cars then anything else. I think she was afraid her big sisters would take away all of her fun so she better get what she could while she could.


The girls have been playing with these non-stop since Megan gave them to us. Thanks so much for thinking of us Megan and the blessing it brought to our home.

Look what Rachel did today!

Rachel's first day of More for Fours was today. This is the preschool program all of my girls have attended when they were 4 years old. We love, love, love the teachers of this program, Ms. Janice and Ms. Shawna. Rachel goes four days a week for most of the afternoon and gets to ride a bus there and back.

Ms. Shawna rides the bus with the kids and makes sure they are behaving and safe. This is so reassuring for me. I am after all putting my 3 1/2 year old on a bus for about 40 minutes one way. Rachel just walked right away from Mike and I and went straight up the stairs. Miss independent. She did hug us both first though, that was great.





Rachel also learned how to do the monkey bars today. Nicole and Morgan have been helping her on our new play set, but today she did them all by herself. She is so strong, this skill took Nicole until she was 7 years old and Morgan until she was 6.



I can't believe I am sitting her waiting for my baby to come back home from 4 year old preschool. I am determined to enjoy her this year before kindergarten.

First Day of School-2009

Summer has slipped away and school has begun. I never really understood some of my friends who would say, "Oh I can't wait for summer, just to have the kids home" until this summer. I can honestly say that for most of the summer it was great having the girls home. It was so much less running around, lunches to make, homework to fit it and I didn't have to be as organized. Now with that being said, I was ready for them to go back to school, especially these past few weeks when every day I heard, "I'm bored". So they went back to Beck Elementary this past Tuesday to new teachers and a new principle.

Rachel had to be in on the action, but she doesn't actually start More for Fours until next Monday.

All three girls got to go, with Grandma and Papa K., school shopping. They had a great time. This year the girls are starting to pick out "big girl" styles. Stay tunned for more of THOSE pictures.

This is the first school year for Morgan and glasses. She has done so well. I don't have to remind her and I think she is wearing them all day in school. I know she must see so much better and this motivates her.


The backpack shopping was a little painful this year. It took much longer than it should have to pick "just the right one" out. I can see where my shopping life is heading-and where Mike may not want be a part of this for much longer!

Nicole's teacher is Mrs. Domke. I got to meet her last night and really like her style and philosophy of teaching. Nicole gets to have her long time buddies Ian and Kamyrn in her class this year-20 boys and 10 girls!

Mike was able to come for the first day of school drop off. Our elementary parking is a mad house and this morning it was especially crazy. We were glad to have dad with us.


Morgan's second grade teacher is Mrs. VanDewinkle. Morgan was happy to get her. She was a first grade teacher last year that Morgan liked. She seems like a very passionate, caring teacher.

I think this is going to be a great year. I will post Rachel's first day soon.

Have a great 2009-2010 school year!

There is a season....

Today is the day I get to start another season of my life.

About 6 weeks ago, Mike and I decided that I would take a substantial break from the professional work force. I have been a physical therapist for 13 years and for me this was a very scary and hard decision to make. I love being a P.T.. It is a very rewarding and full filling career, but, I was just becoming more and more convinced that I needed some time to focus on my home, Mike, my girls and my extended family.

Working outside of the home was making me feel that I was not able to completely give my all to my job or my family. Now, I didn't ALWAYS feel that way, some weeks were better than others, but with some unforeseen circumstances that came up at work this year and my continued unrest, I decided to pray for some guidance about what to change.

I felt God leading me and guiding some circumstances to direct me to take some time off. My job has graciously given me a personal leave for at least 6months and hopefully a year.

Today was filled with mixed emotions for me at work. This was my last day, for now. My coworkers had little foreknowledge of my leave, but non the less pulled together a little luncheon and many encouraging words. I got the sense that many didn't fully understand my decision and some were genuinely grateful that I was taking this opportunity. Leaving a place that is so comfortable to be at and leaving behind friends and "team mates" in a sense is difficult. But, I am so thankful and joyful for this time to regroup, breathe and rediscover what God has for me in the next year.

I will need to continue to pray that God helps direct my new "free time" (Ha Ha for all of the mom's out there) and helps me to not fill it right back up and get overwhelmed again.