First Day

Well, this was quite a different first day of school for our whole family.

Here is the story of how I "suddenly" went back to the classroom this year.

And here are the photos I took of the girls just a few days before the first day.

SooooooooOooooooooo the first day was suddenly upon us. And we did all that we always did (well except for the fact that Anna went off to high school and I went off to fourth grade)

There were from scratch pancakes.




And smoothies.



And excitment mixed in with worry.



Daddy, the principal went off to his sweet school.





And my baby China girl went off to high school. Still wearing red. She ALWAYS wears red on the first day!



And this quick shot Scott took as we were all rushing off means so much to me. Not because I love it and her but beacuase it represents so much to me. I was supposed to only have one school year off before going back to the classroom. And here we stood 13 whole years later. God is so so good!



Fourth grade teacher (those shoes were a mistake) and high school student!



And then Abigail was ready!



My parents came over so that I could get off to my school. They stayed and brought Abigail to her school.

But first a twirl.





The day flew by and we were all back together so so soon!

But not before Scott sent me this amazing boquet of sunflowers. Sunflowers are the symbol of my school. Beyond amazing.

Sisters

I'm amazed at Anna with this transition.

Amazed.

It's hard to capture with words but I know in my heart how much she's grown in her new role since I'm back in the classroom.

She texted me this picture of Abigail. (she walks her home from the busstop each afternoon)

She brought her ice water.

And it was in a cute little mason jar with a sweet paper straw.

It warmed my heart.



I'm home only 20 minutes after Abigail most days but it makes me feel so happy that I can count on Anna to give Abigail just what she needs each afternoon. A snack, a chat, a start on homework, and yes, even ice water on warm days.

Some day when they are all grown they will look back at this one year and remember "remember the year mommy went back to be a teacher? Remember when you were at the bus stop waiting for me each day? Remember the funny stories we told, and the silly jokes? Remember the snacks mommy left out with the notes? Those were just good days..."

Yes, it'll go something like that. And that makes me happy.

Thank you Lord for using this time and the one thing I was most scared about to bring two sisters closer than ever.

~ Our September House ~

I can honestly say 'I don't know how I did it'.  This new 'season' I'm in (in more ways than one) doesn't leave me a second to seasonal decorate but I decided when I took that call and said yes that there were some things that I would not let go of concerning my house.

And this was one.

So didn't take all of the photos I usually do but here some of it is... my September house... right before all of the orange and black comes out for October!  (but first some decorating music)



a little cozy in the kitchen





with a china mug



and cinnamon apple crisp tea



and cake (with a lick I see from my red head I'm sure)



little paper leaves while we wait for the crisp days to turn the ones in our own yard









a wooden lazy susan on the kitchen table in a white theme



milk glass and little creamware animals that make me think of a fall fair





verse of the week that I wrote for my girls but I literally quoted day after day, minute after minute for me





fall in the family room





Tasha Tudor, I collect and love















they are few and faaaar between now, evenings cozy evenings on the couch now... sometimes we don't even get to cuddle up on a weekend... these weekend dates have been all about helping me plan... but these remind me that we have to make the time





apples in the living room / viola room









a shiny red teapot anna gave me a few years ago at christmas



and a cookbook/decorating idea book that is delightful to reread each fall



a little 'joan walsh anguland' on he dining room table



yes, always counting our blessings