First Day of School . . . College . . . for our First Born

Today is THE day! Brandon started classes at East Tennessee State University today! And so far he has attended them too! :-)

Jeff and I along with the other local families moved our kiddos up there last Wednesday and Thursday. They participated in "Preview" Fri-Sun to give them the feel of the college. Sounds like they had a good time.

The popular question to ask of course is . . . did I cry? Actually, no. I had moments before we moved him where I would get a little teary. But on Thursday when we left ETSU campus and he stayed, I really just felt at peace. I know he is protected by a God who loves him. And I know he is a smart kid who has for years made smart decisions, and therefore I know he is going to do great things at college. Will I miss him? Oh yes I will. But how can I not be excited for all that God has in store for him? I am sure there will be times now and then where a few tears might fall as I think of how things are now forever different for my family, but I pray that I hold on to the peace and joy that I have for him right now.

It was kind of cute the other day Sophia who just started first grade said . . . "so I will be in fifth grade before I see Brandon again?" We had told the other kids that Brandon was going to college and it took four years. So when we said that Brandon was at college now, Sophia just assumed she would not see him for four years.

Here are some moments we captured on camera over the days . . .

Gracie and "her" Keegan

She believes they are getting married one day!

Brandon and his sibs before he left Wednesday.

Brandon and Keegan in THEIR new dorm room!

Really, GOOD BYE PARENTS . . . this was followed by the shutting of the door
and loud whoops from the boys as we left!

ETSU Sibs

Baby's First Day of Preschool

Gracie started full time preschool today! She waited until we got to school to have her first day picture taken. Then she carefully picked this blue chair for her photo. She is funny like that! Let the learning and fun begin!

First Day of School . . . for two anyway

Today Dawson starts 7th grade and Sophia starts 1st grade. Brandon will leave for college on Aug 25. Gracie will start full time preschool on Monday. It is fall, and it is time for routine again! Woo hoo! I know there are many who are sad today as their babies are going back to school. And I do get that, and understand it. But I am one of those mommies that likes their peaceful days and the schedule that comes along with school. I work from home and am to keep 'business hours and environment'. Very hard to do with four kids around with no real schedule. My sweet friend Pookie helped me out this summer and took our kiddos out and about a few times each week. So at least their summer was not spent inside or just outside of our house. They got to go swimming, bowling, movie watching, bouncing, and such! I think they had a pretty good summer over all!

Just to note in case you see me after the 25th, I imagine I will shed a few tears over my big boy moving 4-5 hours away from me. And making that big huge step into adult hood as he goes to college. But he has been nice enough to break me in over the summer by NEVER BEING HOME anyway. So the only thing I can really miss is his big shoes laying around, his dirty laundry, his dirty dishes, and his dirty bathroom. :-)

And here they are . . . the official first day of school photos for the two middle kiddos . . .

China Friends 2010

Every 2 years we get together with our China Friends family! These are the folks that we traveled to China with back in 2005 to bring our girls home forever. This year we met up with four other families in a cabin in the Smoky Mountains. We came from TN, NC, OK, and IN to spend three days together. It is such a God thing how we are all bonded. Even after being apart for two years - the girls just click together, the sibling brothers just have a blast, and as adults we are able to share together and pray for one another like dear friends do. These families are such a blessing to us!
During our trip we went to downtown Gatlinburg and the WonderWorks museum. We swam and ate and laughed. The girls made 'haunted houses' for each of us. And the boys made haunted houses for the girls. Gracie fell in love twice over the weekend - she is so boy crazy sometimes.

On our way out of town, we hit Nascar Speedway to get our go cart fix in.And I can just never really get enough of pics of these two loving on each other as sisters should!