Going Backwards... Swimming Lessons!

This summer we were able to enroll all 3 kids in swimming lessons. Mama was in a class with Baby Girl! Kermit and Miss Piggy were in level 1 together and they both passed and moved onto level 2! The last 2 days of class Master Chief was able to come watch. So for the grandparents.... because I know you love to see pictures of your cute grandkids!!!! Here are some pictures of your little fishy grandkids!

In An Instant.... Summer is Over and School Has Begun!

Good thing we are on the ball! We had been preparing for school to begin August 22nd at the local elementary school. We'd entered our awesome kids into the charter school lottery in hopes of getting them in last year. Their names didn't get drawn but were added again this year. Miss Piggy came up on the wait list as #4 and Kermit was #7 at one school and they were #8 and #9 at another school. So we knew there was a chance, but we figured it might be sometime in the middle of the school year that they might get a spot in one of these schools.

So Tuesday afternoon we got a phone call asking if Miss Piggy would still like a spot at a charter school and of course we took it! This moved Kermit up on the wait list to #1 because siblings get first priority. An hour later we got the call that Kermit was also invited to join this new school!

So what did that mean? Well, school had started on Monday, so we were already 2 days into the school year! We went out that night and finished up our school shopping, bought more supplies and went to bed early! This new school is more of a year round type schedule, so there will be lots of breaks, which we are looking forward to! It also means more homework and more challenging experiences. We are so excited to see where this new adventure takes the kids.

Here are our 2 first graders! They've had their outfits planned for the first day of school for weeks! They are happy to be in the same class again! Charter schools only have one class per grade, so they will be together forever now!

Angels Baby's 9th Birthday

Today we celebrate our littlest, big sister! Angel Baby would be 9 years old today. We can't believe she'd be 9 already!!! We were invited to a friends house last night for what we thought was their 8 year olds birthday dinner and instead, we were surprised with a huge party for Angel Baby!!! This sweet 8 year old planned this party for Angel Baby on her 8th birthday! All the kids got purple taffy ropes, and cotton candy and there were frogs all over the walls that they colored! We had a wonderful dinner! And then we went outside to hit the pinata!!! Princess and the Frog. How perfect!!!

Baby girl taking her turn!Miss Piggy taking her turn!Kermit taking a whack at it! (on his second time around, he busted it open!) Then we we had cake. Isn't this cake adorable!!!

Then it was time to release balloons!!! There she goes!!!

Here she comes!!!

They also made us the most wonderful blanket. It's a fleece blanket that is purple with green frogs and white daisies. It couldn't be more perfect! It was the last bit of fabric at the store, the perfect match, the perfect size and this sweet 8 year old said, "It's because Heavenly Father really wanted you to have it so He saved it for you."

We are so thankful for our friends. We are so thankful for our sweet Angel Baby. What a sweet child to come to this earth and come into our family. As I've pondered her life, 9 years ago, I'm reminded of her sweet little tongue and her beautiful eye lashes! That little tongue would explore her little world and was so cute! Her squeaky, high pitched cry would make you giggle the first time you heard it! She was fiesty. She was a fighter. She is an angel, a true angel. She makes me so happy. What I would give to hold her one last time, to kiss her forehead one last time and to whisper stories in her ear one last time. This morning I was going through my "Angel Baby" things and I came across a card Master Chief wrote to me. At the end of this wonderful card he wrote these words, "This is not the end!!!" And it brought peace to my soul. This is not the end!!! I will see my sweet daughter again. I will get to hold her, to kiss her, to whisper to her and so much more!!! Heavenly Father knew what He was doing when He gave us the Plan of Salvation. I can't wait for the day to come where we can be reunited with our sweet Angel Baby, for Kermit, Miss Piggy and Baby Girl to meet her!

Angel Baby, Mommy loves you. I think of you every single day. My heart breaks at the thought of not being able to hold you every single day. Instead, I give extra squeezes to your brother and sisters. I'm so thankful you are a part of my life. You make me a better person!

Love, Mommy