Back in Business

It is hard to believe that today was the first day of school!  I have been in denial about it for at least the last 2-3 weeks, but it became reality today.  Our summer felt so short, mainly because of adding a new puppy to the mix.  It wasn't quite as relaxing as normal, but it was a lot of fun.  Luke started 3rd grade today and came home happy with how his day went.  He seems to really like his teacher so far...hopefully that will continue past day one.  I am physically done tonight...after sitting around all summer my legs & feet were not ready for being used quite so much today.  They'll adjust, though.  For me, this was the least stressful to start to a school year that I think I've ever experienced.  My team looped up to 8th grade with the (mostly) same group we had last year and it really just allowed me to chill out about starting back.  I was busy and had LOTS to do, but I just didn't worry about everything nearly so much, which was nice.  And it was so good to see all my kids from last year show up in my classroom again today.  I'm really looking forward to a great year!  Here we are for the traditional first day of school pictures.  Luke has to get up extra early to get in a picture with me since I leave home at least an hour earlier than he does!

And because I don't want to do a whole new post...brain. too. tired.  Here are a couple cute Gracie pictures for you.

How adorable is she when she is sleeping???  I literally want to squeal at her cuteness.

Her new favorite toy - a plastic cup from Chili's.  She'll play with it for at least 10-15 minutes at a time.  It's hilarious to watch her with it.

That's it for now.  It is officially back to the normal routine at my house.  My prayer is that the adjustment period is short!

Saturday Ramblings

I have not been a good blogger recently, but there is just not much happening in my life during the summer.  Gracie is keeping us really busy, so that's a factor too, but truly we haven't done anything interesting or noteworthy lately.  Since I head back to work on Thursday, life will pick up and be busier again.  I'm alternately looking forward to it and dreading it.  I love my job, which is explains the looking forward to it...but I also love lazy summer days where I don't have much to do, hence the dreading it.  Luke is excited about school.  Normally by now, we've received the letter letting us know who his teacher is and all that exciting information, but not yet.  He's getting anxious to find out.  There is one particular teacher he wants, and I have a feeling it's the teacher everyone will want (the only guy teacher in the building, other than the art teacher).  I hope he's not disappointed.  We got all his school supplies earlier this week and he came to me in a panic the next morning asking, "Mom - how many composition notebooks were we supposed to get."  I told him I was pretty sure it was 4, but we could double check the list.  When we determined that yes he only needed 4, he visibly relaxed.  He was sure that we should have gotten 5.  I just have to say - I'm so thankful to have a kid who loves school!

As I scrolled through my Facebook feed this morning, I saw that Amy Grant did a guest post at the "Grace for Moms" blog.  If you know me, you should know that I love Amy Grant.  Since 4th or 5th grade when I got her The Collection cassette tape with a boom box for Christmas, I have loved her music.  I've played it on the piano, sung it in church, and listened to it incessantly.  She just released her first album of all new songs in May and it did not disappoint.  Her music is just always so real and simple and touches places of my heart with its message.  So, because I love her so much, I wanted to post a link to the blog she did, because just like her music, it struck a chord with me about motherhood and all the pressure their seems to be to keep up these days.  It's a refreshing message, and I just had to share it.  You can read it here.