First Day of Preschool!

crazy.

she can't be this old already.

but she is, whether I am able to admit it or not. and she is more than ready. she took it in stride today, like it was no big deal. didn't seem nervous, just excited to be doing something other than staying home with me (sniff sniff). i am glad though that she is not clinging to my leg and screaming, not wanting to go to school. she is eager to learn and that is a blessing.

AND it leaves me with an afternoon of quiet (insert happy dance).... 2 in school and 1 napping peacefully. ahhhh, breathe in the silence.

well that is how it is supposed to be. i was quite excited to enjoy my first afternoon of peace. however, after miss preschool was dropped off, i took a few moments to stop at some garage sales since they were "right there." (I really am on a mission to find the most fabulous find for dirt cheap to furnish and decorate my house with) on the way home, my youngest fell asleep in her carseat for a MAXIMUM of 2 minutes. so when i deposited her in her crib at home she decided that 2 minutes of nap is the same as 2 hours and is now hollering for me to get her out. i don't think so little one. mommy is going to win this battle and a 2 minute nap isn't cuttin' it. not today.

every day is dress up day

My middle child is a rather complicated creature. She is a "feel the wind in my hair going 90 miles an hour" kind of girl, not a lot of fears, loves bugs, being outside barefoot, and yet she is a girly girl through and through. She LOVES to dress up and will wear dress up clothes all day long, every day (I have to remember that when I am shopping for her, the girl just doesn't need very many clothes cause she is always wearing dress up stuff). Her laundry pile is always the smallest and usually the same few of her favorite outfits (ie: skirts and play dresses) are in it. In fact the only time she will wear something different is when we are going out somewhere and I make her.
Well after we moved and I started unpacking things I discovered a bag of little dresses my mom had kept for me that I wore when I was young for various occasions. I snapped this picture of her wearing a dress that I wore at age 3ish during my first trip to Holland to celebrate my grandparent's anniversary. My older sister had a matching one as well. We were *super* cute, I think :)

15 Years

It has been 15 years since Dad left for Heaven. Nearly half my life has been spent without him yet he remains one of my biggest influences. I feel so sad when I think of all I haven't been able to share with him. He never met my husband, wasn't there to walk me down the aisle. He has not been able to hold and snuggle with my 3, soon to be 4, baby girls. He can't give me advice on big life decisions, visit me and see my new house (or any of the homes I've lived in). I can go on and on. However, what does that accomplish but self-pity, regret, and sadness? Dad has spent the last 15 years with Jesus! How glorious and wonderful this time for him must be. I can only imagine. He left behind him a legacy of faith. His impact in my faith life is larger than anyone else's. There are so many characteristics about Dad that challenge me to live for Jesus. I am comforted in that we did not say goodbye 15 years ago but "see you later." And as my little ones run around my feet as I write this I know that a part of you lives on in me and in them. Thank you Dad for the years we did have on this earth and making the most of them. We are blessed and continue to be blessed, praise Jesus.