Bit late, but still deserves a post

My baby girl graduated Kindergarten.  :(  This means she is leaving our small little kindergarten building and headed off to the big lower elementary....  This mamma is heart-broken.  She is all grown up and such a blessing in our lives.  Her heart is so big.  She was smiling the ENTIRE graduation.  No joke.

Not only did our baby girl graduate, but our little boy was in a program put on by his daycare.  Let's just say, this was PURE ENTERTAINMENT.  These pics will not do it justice, but I have to share anyways.  

Raising children...

This post has been on my mind for quite some time.  Today in Sunday School, God laid it on my heart to share.
We have been participating in a study by Chip Ingram called "Effective Parenting in a Defective World."  The title itself is perfect.  I was so excited to just begin.  I normally teach Sunday School for ages 8-10, but I asked to take some time off to study along with the adult SS class.
I am going to open my heart here.  It's a very difficult thing for me to talk about....
I have expressed my feelings here to be a stay-at-home-mom.  It's what I wish for.  But, God has made me aware that it is not possible at this time.  Who knows if it ever will be.  One reason I want to be a SAHM is so I can home-school Ruthie and Randy.  I absolutely hate the fact that I can't shield Ruthie's ears from the awful things she hears at school. I also hate the fact that she rides the bus with older kids and who even knows what they say.  It scares me to death.  I feel as though the moment Ruthie walked into Kindergarten, her innocence was lost in a way.  She has heard things that just bothered her, which in turn, bothered me.
With all that being said, the other day we were driving to school.  She brought up how her cousin goes to a Christian school.  She asked why she can't and I had to explain to her that it's just not something we can do at the time.  I told her I would love for her to go to school and have God be in her lessons and be surrounded by people who love God.  She cried and cried, which of course made me cry feeling like a failure.  Then, our great God laid it upon my heart to share with her something that I learned last summer from a dear family member of mine.    If we took all God loving Christian kids out of public school and put them into private school, who would teach the others about God?  Isn't that OUR job as Christians to spread His word?  I told her that school is her mission field.  I explained to her that there are kids that don't know God and who need someone to teach them.  I also told her that it's not the teachers job to teach her about God, but it's mine and Randall's job to teach her.  The amazing thing??  She remembered.  She was telling my sister that she wants to go to a Christian school, and she told her that she also needs to stay at her school and tell the kids about Jesus.  She WAS listening!!!
I am NOT saying that Christian private school is bad.  Not by any means.  Like my aunt told me last year- it all depends on the child.  If the child is a leader- they will probably succeed in public school.  If they are a follower, they will probably do better in private school.  Is Ruthie a leader or follower?  That I don't know just yet.  I would probably say right in the middle.  Am I still scared she is going to hear all kinds of things?  Yes.  We pray every morning before school and I pray as soon as I drop her off that God will protect her ears, hold her hands in the halls, and that angels will surround her.  I also pray that she always remembers that HE is the one who matters.
Raising children today is so hard b/c the world makes it so much easier to do things the worldy ways and not God's ways.  He doesn't want us to just shelter them to where they don't see it, but to allow them to see some, and teach them to be strong in their faith so when their tests come, they can stand firm in His ways.
It's my prayer that soon, Ruthie will ask Jesus into her heart.  She knows what it means to be saved.  She knows that He died on the cross for her, and that we are sinners, yet He loves us.  We just told her that soon Jesus will be knocking on her heart asking her to let Him come in.  I pray that she realizes it and that she opens her hear to Him.  He's worth everything.

Another week has passed....

and I feel like nothing has been accomplished!  I have been super busy in photography and work.  We aren't even doing any after school activities, thank goodness!!  Photography is going great.  I have lots of people wanting photo shoots.  It is really tough for me considering I have two kids and work a full-time job.  I still enjoy editing though.  As you can see here, one night, we were waiting for Randall to come home from work.  I had just finished a photo shoot.  I couldn't help but do some quick shots of Ruthie for her kindergarten photo shoot.  We had good light, and plenty of time.  Plus, it was a gorgeous evening.  I had to edit a few and post here.

She is still loving K and Randy is definitely loving preschool.  I am so thankful.  Ruthie was never easy to drop off until K, so it's a big surprise to me that Randy is good with it.  I am soooooo grateful that they work so well with him in the potty'ing area.  Man oh man is he giving me a run for my money.  It's almost like he went totally backwards, which is super stressful.  He never has accidents there, and occasionally he has them at home.

We are doing a new study in youth class (I help) on Wednesday nights.  It's called "Not A Fan".  It's been really great to see how God works in youth.

Randall, the kids and I might be making a huge adjustment to our lives, but I can't discuss all the information here.  Maybe soon.  I just ask that you pray for us at this time. Thank you.   Now, for photos of my big K-girl!

Just love this one of her silly-self!

And these are just some simple ones I was dying to do.

Oh, and head on over to my photography blogsite and check the precious baby boy I was able to take photos of!  My good friend's baby who is totally giving me baby fever.

http://qrsphotography.blogspot.com/

Kindergarten News + 35/52

Ruthie is LOVING Kindergarten!!  I am amazed at how well she is doing.  I am soooooo proud of her b/c she has received the Principal's Award for good behavior, always listening, and being polite.  That makes me sooooooo proud!!!  Although home doesn't reflect that behavior, I still want to brag on her.  She's growing up, that's for sure.  The other night, she had her first night of "homework" and she was estatic!  I want to make that my P52 photo.  She's just too cute!



Not much else is going on.  Randy is doing great at daycare, which totally makes my life easier.  Work is going well.  Not really "into" it this year, but hopefully it will get better.  My heart is at home where I feel as though I should be, but that doesn't work for our family. 

Randall had the opportunity to preach this morning.  We enjoyed attending a new church and hearing him share the gospel.  So proud of the man I married.  Funny how our lives began and how they have completely changed, but only for the better.  I can only thank God for that.  Such a blessing!

33/52

Guess what?!?  My P52 this week is my baby girl going to kindergarten.  Bet you already guess that!  I couldn't help but pull out my camera and attempt to capture this monumental day.  She was so excited and so ready. 

We walked in and she was just fine with me leaving, which totally makes everything much harder.  I gave her like a thousand hugs and kisses.  Finally I decided I had better get my butt to work, so I gave her one last (long) squishy hug and teared up.  She kept saying, "You are gonna cry Mom!"  I just told her no, but I did cry all the way to work.  It's hard to leave your baby in a new place.  She is usually so shy and not ready to do new things, but she was sure ready for kindergarten.  She only cried when we left Randy at preschool.  This was the first time since he was just a few months old that she has left him.  It was so sweet.  Love my precious babies. 

Randy also did really well for his first day of preschool without Ruthie!  He started a new preschool and he seems to be really enjoying it!  I am sharing hi pic and the pic of them together of their first day!

31/52 + a bit of an update

It's been a while since I actually posted about something other than my P52 photos.  Things are going good here.  Getting ready for summer vacation to be over with.  I am not doing well with that.  My baby girl is going to kindergarten and I have to go back to work.  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my job.  I just love my babies even more.  I would give anything to be a SAHM, but that's not possible. 

The kids are doing good.  Ruthie is beyond excited to start kindergarten!  She is counting down the days. 
Randy is just a typical little boy.  He's fun and such a mess.  He always makes me laugh! 
Randall is working hard.  Sometimes a bit too hard.  He comes home downright exhausted.  Makes me feel bad, but he does like this position much better.
I am working on the house.  We are discussing selling and moving.  The lady we bought the house from is thinking about buying it back to keep in the family.  (Her husband and father helped build the house)  I honestly don't blame her.  If she doesn't, we are going to do a bit more work to it and get it ready for people to actually come and take a look. My upstairs is wayyyy beyond a disaster.  I never go up there.  It's like an old farmhouse and it's never had any flooring or sheetrock, so it's just the natural wood up there.  We have just been putting extra stuff up there and now it's a mess.  There are TONS of clothes and toys.  We decided to box it all up and give it to my brother&sister-in-law to have them sell to raise money for their youth group. 

In a way, I am excited about moving.  I am a clutter-collector.  I want to have a nice clean slate.  I will definatley miss our yard, especially since we enlarged it.  But, I know that home is where we are, and no matter what I will be happy.  I have the best husband ever, and two precious gifts from God. 

So, if you are willing to lift us up in prayer and ask God to show us His will, please do.  I will keep you all updated on our situation! 

Here's my P52 shot.  Meet Molly.  She's our new baby.  She's soooo sweet!

30/52 + GIRL Cousins Sleepover!

Summer has just flown by and I am struggling so much with the thought of Ruthie going into Kindergarten.  Man on man, I am NOT ready.  She is, 100%, but I am not.  Any ideas on how to help me get ready?  Seriously, anything will help. 

Here's my P52 photo for week 30. 

We had a GIRL cousin night the other night and it was sooooo much fun!  I never get to see my precious nieces from my brother.  I finally got to keep them both overnight!  Haley got to join us as well!  We had a blast.  We giggled, rode the four wheeler, jumped on the trampoline, sang songs, did fashion shows, ate good food, watched a movie, and the best part- we prayed together!  They are all such beautiful ladies!  I enjoyed every.single.minute.  It was hard to let them go back home.  Especially since they said they wanted to stay with me FOREVER!  Plus, I am the best aunt ever!  (That's what Josie said anyways....for that moment!)  This was honestly one weekend I will never forget.  I pray they don't either.  Here are some more photos from that weekend!

 On my piano, we spell out what we are thankful for.  Alexis put "families", Haley put "cousins", and Josie said she was thankful for ME!  So, I spelled out "Aunt Sadie" for her!  I was smiling from ear to ear and I still am!