Make New Friends...

I just had to share that this morning I felt so happy... I watched as my child waited for a friend from class to cross the crosswalk at school and then the friend took her hand so they could walk together to the line. 


She also just received her first party invitation (not first ever, just first at this new school). While it may have taken a little longer than I thought - it's happening for her, she's building new friendships and I am so glad. I knew it would happen - I guess just another lesson in patience. 


As I drove away I thought - of course she is making friends, she is fabulous - I know I am biased but I just really think it's true! :-) 

School Picture - 1st Grade

Blessing Week Nine - Frequent Flyer Miles

Frequent flyer miles + $20 processing fee = us flying to visit friends!!!!  


I am SO thankful for my bankroll of frequent flyer miles. I have been saving them since I changed jobs - knowing they were precious, and knowing I would no longer be earning them at the bountiful rate I had been.  


I am blessed that I have the ability to take a trip without the worry of not being able to afford the plane tickets.  I also LOVE the experiences for Morgan - traveling, seeing different places, people, etc... AND of course seeing the wonderful Burkett family - it has been far too long...

How to Ride a Pony.....and a Fire Engine.

In addition to our great church visit of Saturday, we also filled it with some other BIG activities. 


First, we started the morning with Morgans very first riding lesson. Oh yes, the horse obsession is still well and alive and I wanted to give her the opportunity to do something she really really loves. We found a farm close to our house and went for a visit about a week ago to meet the trainer(s) and horses. It is the most beautiful place - the whole area back there is and seriously reaffirms how much I too would love a farm of my own. 


She got to retrieve the pony, brush and saddle him, and of course ride -  her favorite part. She also learned her two-point position and did her first "jump" (the pony went over a poll on the ground). :-)  She is still in love and this week gets to promote to a horse to practice trotting. I love that she loves it and laugh at the fact that only a few years ago she would not go near a horse. And, I don't mind taking her because I love being around those awesome animals just as much. 

We had a lunch break and then were off to her Girl Scout troop fire station tour. They got to see the whole place, watch the fire"persons" slide down the pole, go inside the fire engine (and learn the difference between a truck and engine - I never knew either), and see one of the firemen dressed up in his uniform so they can see and hear what he would sound like if they ever see one in an emergency. 


I liked seeing fire"persons" at their station much better than at our house I must say. ;-)  And my use of fire"persons" is that our tour leader was a girl - named Sara too. She said it was fine to say firemen - but it still just feels wrong. 

ps - still wondering what the difference between a fire truck and fire engine is??? 


The fire engine holds water and the truck does not. Now you know (if you didn't already). 

Blessing Week Eight - The Generosity of Nice

Over the summer I embarked on what I like to call my "summer church tour". My goal was to find a church closer to our house than the one we had been attending, but also a good fit for us at the same time. Having found such a place - this weekend Morgan tried out her "new church" class.

At first she was hesitant and kept asking to go to our old church, but said she was okay to give it a try and if she did not like it then we would go from there. (I also felt bad realizing I had not thought about the unfortunate timing of the change - new school / new church...).  I was prepared to chaperone her in class that evening, but glory upon glory that was not the case.

When we entered the teacher asked how old she was and called over another little girl the same age and grade. She immediately said hi and asked Morgan if she wanted to play (which she did). I checked in with her to see if it was okay that I left to "the big room" and was given the yes. The end of service came (I had not had to leave to console and or visit my child) and I found her happily choosing a prize from some bins they had.

Upon talking to Morgan I found out that not only did this amazingly kind little girl offer her friendship, she also shared her bible with Morgan AND gave Morgan a couple of her coins that they earn during the month to get prizes with at the end, so that Morgan could have enough to get something too.

I just can not tell you nice it was to see and experience - true kindness just for the sake of it is always the most amazing thing!

Blessing Week Seven - Even When It's Hard....

This week the blessing is harder to pinpoint than normal - harder to see or define - because it is mired in things that absolutely seem not to be. 

This week a dear friend lost the love of her life. This week a good man died at an age that seems too early. This week a lot of people sat around an ICU waiting room asking why and hoping for a very different outcome. 

Was he a blessing to her and all who knew him - undoubtedly. Only a few years together, all of which are cherished but none of which seem enough.

I know there are blessings in friends who rally when there is absolute need to - because we have a friend who sees herself as just a half - we hope to show her in time she can be whole again.

I know there is blessing in knowing that prayer is always an option, and words of the hurt are always heard and answered. That even though events are not in "our" plan -  they are known before they happen, and always there is a greater plan in motion - even when we cannot see it right away. 

I also know there is blessing in things kids say... Morgan just happened to start talking about great-grandma - not because I told her what happened, just somehow she did. She said - I have a great-grandma, she's not here right now, but I still have one!" 

Little words that are SO big. So while my friend does not have him here right now, she still has him. 

xoxoxo

School Picture

I thought I would post a quick picture of Morgan on school picture day.... It was a windy windy morning!