Easy as ABC...123!

Our Katybug started school! 

Her first day of Preschool was Friday, August 20th and she was so very excited!  She has been waiting for this day for a very long time!

We picked out a ladybug "pack pack" all the way back in the Spring and had her name monogrammed on it.  We hung it on her "K" hook in the garage and she has been waiting so patiently to use it!

She was so proud to put it on and be a "big" girl!

Katy will be attending West Hills Baptist Church Preschool & Kindergarten for the 2010-2011 school year.  She will be going Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 8:30-12:30. 

This is our 5th year at WHBC Preschool & Kindergarten and we have been so pleased.  It is a 20 minute drive from Powell but is definitely worth it.  And the LORD was so sweet to provide Jonathan with a job out in West Knoxville back in 2008, so he will be taking Katy to school in the mornings on his way to work.  It will be great for the two of them to have some father/daughter time in the mornings!

Katy wanted her picture in front of the beautiful flowers outside of the church.

And I had to get one of her in front of the tree right outside the building.  I have one of Lily and Maddy in front of the same tree on both their first days at West Hills.

Katy's teachers are Mrs. Miller and Mrs. Skvara and there will be 14 children in her class.  We had Parent Night last night and I am so excited about this year of growth and learning for Katy.  The LORD couldn't have put her in a better class!  They are very structured and have high expectations.  Her teachers will not only be working on the curriculum, but will also be focusing heavily on manners (they will not pass out snacks without a "yes please"), self help skills and good behavior (following 1st request, listening skills, etc.) They also will be using songs to remind and reinforce rules, and our Katybug loves to sing!

Here is the door outside her classroom...so cute!  They stagger the children in so there were 7 children on her first day.

Katy went right in and hung up her backpack...

and then went to explore the centers.

Katy's teachers read "The Kissing Hand" by Audrey Penn.  If you haven't read it, you must!  It is such a precious book and helps with separation anxieties.  Here is Katy's first craft in her new school that went along with the book.  I love hand prints and I will cherish it always!

Most of you know our Katybug and how she has been a challenge for us since the night she was born!  She has been a bit rebellious even at a very young age, and there are days where it begins as soon as she wakes up!  But I am so thankful for that because it has drawn me so much closer to our Maker.  He is so gracious in reminding me that I CAN NOT make it through the day without HIM!  His mercies are new every morning and He is faithful!  (Lamentations 3:22-23)

When I picked up Katy at 12:30 I had prepared myself for her report, and was thrilled when her teachers said she had a great day!  She was the "Special Helper" and did a wonderful job! 

Here is the sweet note her teachers tucked into her backpack!

Please pray for Katy this year and that she will continue to grow in maturity (self-control, wisdom, and responsibility) and that Jonathan and I will continue to help guide her in her spiritual growth.  We are looking forward to seeing what the LORD has planned for her and our family!

Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22-23

Stepping Out on Faith!

Today was Maddy's 1st day of Kindergarten at Brickey-McCloud Elementary School!

She was dressed in bright orange and was glowing with excitement! Up until Monday evening, she told everyone that she didn't want to go to school, so her change in attitude was an answer to lots of prayer!

New rainbow tennis shoes!

Maddy and her trusty red backpack.  We are on our 3rd year with it!

She was so excited to be bringing her lunch this year in her froggie lunch bag!

Lily is so happy that Maddy is joining her at school.  They are such sweet sisters and the best of friends!

By the time we pulled up to school, Maddy was confident and ready to go in.  She asked to walk in by herself, but Mommy wasn't ready for that yet!

Brickey's school wide theme this year centers around heroes.  When we came for the Meet & Greet Monday evening, the girls were so excited to see the entire school decorated with heroes.  Maddy said that it was just like Vacation Bible School.  I broke down in tears and praised God for opening the doors for my baby girl to share the good news!  What a perfect opportunity for Maddy to tell her peers everything she learned at VBS and that her #1 Hero is GOD!!! 

I had to believe then and there that Maddy is where she's supposed to be.  Last Fall I had been convicted to diligently pray about possibly homeschooling Maddy.  After much prayer, we are stepping out on faith and sending our girls to Public School to be the light (Matthew 5:16) Looking back at 2010, I can see how God was preparing Maddy and I for this day.  I was sent to the Children's Pastor's Conference in January and played a big role in choosing our VBS theme for this year, "Hero Headquarters."  Then Lily, Maddy and I went on our first Mission Trip during Spring Break and did VBS "Hero Headquarters" at Gamble Community Church.  In June our church, FBC Powell had VBS where we memorized 1Timothy 4:12 and learned more about being a hero for God.  On August 7th, Maddy got a letter from her new Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Cox who also did Hero Headquarters this summer at her church, Powell Church.  She and her husband came by our church on the last night of VBS to borrow our decorations.  And then we show up at Brickey where the theme is heroes!  How awesome!  This was NO coincidence!  God is so good!  Mrs. Cox is a Christian and I know that she will be a godly example to Maddy this year.  Thank you, LORD for keeping Maddy in your loving arms! 

Here is Maddy with her superhero, Mrs. Cox!

Maddy went right in, hung up her backpack and found her name tag...

and sat right down at her seat to start her day!

Maddy brought home her H.E.R.O. binder that she'll be taking to and from school each day...

and her first piece of artwork that I will cherish always!

Please continue to pray for Maddy and her teacher, Mrs. Cox.  I can't wait to see what the LORD has planned for both of them this year! 

One of our favorite songs from the Hero Headquarters CD is "Love, Faith, and Purity." Here are some of the lyrics:

Jesus, I...
Want the world to see You.
When they look at me You
are the One they need to know
Jesus, I...
Want to work each day to
live and love and faith You
are the One I'm living for
May my words and my actions show what I believe
Show what I've received. Show You live in me.
Make my life an example for the world to see.
Christ alive in me, in love, faith and purity.

I am praying that God will use Maddy this year for His Kingdom purpose and that people will see Him when they look at her!  We love you, Maddy Faith, and know that you are going to have a great year in Kindergarten. 

Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:9

Lily's Got Class!

Lily started 2nd Grade today at Brickey McCloud Elementary School!

She was dressed pretty in pink for her first day.

She even had pink shoes!

She's using her favorite blue butterfly backpack again this year!

My sweet friend, Jen, sent me some verses in Psalms early this morning and Lily and I prayed over them together.  We had so many friends and family members covering my Lily in prayer today and we could feel it!  Lily was excited about going back to school and she had a great day!

Please continue to pray for Lily and her teacher, Ms. Stacy.  Here is a picture of them from the Meet & Greet Monday evening.

Lily loves learning and I know this is going to be a great year!

We love you, Lily Marie and are looking forward to watching you grow this year.  We are praying for you and that you will learn new things and most of grow closer in your walk with the LORD.  We are praying that your light will shine brightly and that God will receive all the glory! 

Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.  I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.

Psalm 86:11-12

(Thank you Jen!!!)

Happy Hikers!

Lily loves to go hiking, so Jonathan planned a hike for our family on Lily's Birthday, August 7th.  Lily's friend Emma had spent the night so she could join us on our family hike.

Jonathan found a PINK hiking stick for Lily back in May and couldn't wait to surprise her with it!  I don't know who was more excited, Lily or her Daddy!

Lily gave her Daddy a big kiss!  It is so sweet how much Jonathan loves his girls!

Lily was so proud of her new hiking stick!

Jonathan took us to Frozen Head State Park and we hiked 1.0 miles in to Emory Gap Falls.

Lily was so sweet holding Emma's hand and helping her up the trail.

It was a beautiful day!  Maddy pointed this out to me, how the sun was shining through the trees.  Our God is an AWESOME God! 

We stopped several times for water and a snack!

Katy loved picking flowers along the way.

Since it hadn't rained in quite awhile there wasn't much water to see but Jonathan took us "off trail" and carried the kids in one by one so they could all see.  Then he set Lily and Emma up on a huge rock so I could get a picture!

Parker did really well and hiked most of the way.  He found his own hiking stick!

After we made it back from our hike, we had a cookout, played on the playground and let the kids splash around in Flat Fork Creek.

Katy had so much fun in the creek!  This picture makes me smile because I can just hear her belly laugh!

Lily and Emma enjoyed spending time together!  It was a perfect way to celebrate Lily's special day!

Thank you, Jonathan for a great day outdoors!  It is always an exciting adventure with you!  So thankful for you and our family and I'm looking forward to making more memories!

But he has given proof of what he is like.  He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven. He gives you crops in their seasons.  He provides you with plenty of food. He fills your hearts with joy.

Acts 14:17