First Day of School 2012

Well, another school year has started.  The kids have already had spelling tests, made new friends, and really love their teachers.  Fortunately, I am able to be the Room Rep (Room Mom) for both of their classes so I look forward to helping as much as possible.

Their school bags from last year look almost brand new still but their lunchboxes didn't hold up as well.  So, they get new ones for this year.

Craig and I gave the teachers gifts.  We wanted to let them know we were praying for them for this new school year.

Kaitlyn and Preston were so excited for school.

No tears this year...well, at least not from the kids.  As Kaitlyn was about to enter her class, her very sweet teacher said "When you enter this door, you will officially be a 3rd grader.  Are you ready?"  Geez, I almost lost it.  I really had to fight back the tears.  Preston was so eager for us to leave so he could get started with school.  Quite the opposite from last year.

As I finally had a day ALL TO MYSELF, I went home to make their special First Day of School treat.  My mom had recently given me a secret recipe of my grandma's famous Applesauce Cake with homemade Caramel Icing.  My grandma would have this at her house, covered by a metal cake cover, every time there were visitors.  I loved this cake!  I'm so glad I have the recipe to make for my family now.

I set the cake on the table along with their First Day of School surprises.  We've been getting rid of all of their old kiddie dishes and they love to get matching dish sets at Target.  So I surprised them with another dish set.  The kids loved their surprises!

I always let them pick whatever they want for dinner on the First Day of School.  Their choice?  Burger King!  I listed all sorts of restaurants or homemade dishes and told them I could cook them anything.  But no, they wanted Burger King.  So, that's where we headed.  And they really enjoyed it.

Here are their First Day of School photos from 2011 and then this year.  How quickly they grow!

Craft Room Confessionals: I Confess

So, I must confess, my blogging break went on longer than expected.  I planned to take a week or two off from blogging while all the back to school events and issues got settled.  Well, things still don't seem quite settled and I pray for peace every day.  But I must get back to blogging.

Blogging, or writing in general, is very cathartic for me.  I don't always write for an intentional audience, but I write to free my mind of the clutter that builds up.  I write to release some creativity or inspiring words that God has spoken into my heart.  I write because it's something I've always done.

As I type this, I am sitting in my newly decorated office/craft room (update soon) and am already excited for new projects. I am listening to my favorite type of music (Jazz) and letting some creativity flow, even if it's for just a moment.

I have come to realize many things in the short time that I've been on my blogging break.  I've learned things about my family, myself, and the way we live our lives that I've never noticed before.  Gradually, we may be able to share these things with others.  But as for now, I feel God is working on our home, our little 4-person family unit, and is molding us into ways we never expected.

If you are reading this, I always pray that my words can touch someone in a positive way.  I've received many encouraging words about my blogs and I sincerely hope you feel encouraged after reading my posts.  Thank you for going on this journey with us.  We are just a typical suburban family, with similar struggles, always striving for God's best.