Last Day of Freedom

I took the day off of work today to enjoy Carlie's last day of freedom before her all day Kindergarten starts. We visited the Zoo, rode the Safari Ride, met daddy for lunch and ate too much junk food. Am I nervous about tomorrow? I am scared to death and tear up at the thought. But we'll get through this phase, just as we got through so many other phases. We are to teach our children in the home and as we go about our daily work and responsibilities, from dusk to dawn. We are to teach them God's truth in action. Have I done that? When she enters this phase of her life, is she prepared to walk tall and confident in the Lord? At times I analyze my life and wonder if I am not just a "hearer" but not a "doer." We are going through a study in HC called Protecting Your Family - it has been an eye opener, or should I say a good looking-at-yourself-in-the-mirror-eye-opener. Be prepared for First Day of School pictures tomorrow!! (sniff, sniff)

If Lucy Had Hair

Lucy was born with little hair, and at age 3 1/2, my poor girl still doesn't have much hair. And what she does have is so lilly white that you can hardly see it.

Can you imagine my Lucy with this much hair??

New Additions To Our Family

Ha! Fooled everybody by that post title, huh? Attached are the newest members of our family. Pearl the horse is on the left, and Sparky the dog is on the right (Old family member Sparkle is in the middle). If case you haven't been blessed with the Webkinz world yet, this is your introduction. Welcome to caring for pets, without actually having pets. Although the Webkinz website has already taught Carlie patience through gardening, reasoning through Checkers (the little stinker beats me every time!), and the value of money through "working" to buy her pets clothes and food. Interesting concept, huh?

My Life with Princesses

Quiet children. Normally the sound of trouble or messes for us experienced parents. This time I walked into a room with two princesses. The Ariel top (which no longer fits) has been replaced with a blanket wrapped around my princess no. 1 and Princess no. 2 has every piece of jewelry on that she could find. Now they want to go outside and ride bikes .. without changing their clothes. Oh well, our neighbors already think we are crazy...why not add fuel to their fire?

First Tomato!!

Grandma Ringger took Carlie "Flower Shopping" early this Spring, and instead of the pink, girlie flowers Grandma expected Carlie to get...she picked two tomato plants. I think this secretly made Grandpa Ringger proud. Well...FINALLY... after watering, and each morning checking our tomato plant, at last - a RED tomato prevails! We have many more that are green on the vine, but she was ever so excited to pick the first RED tomato. Carlie devoured the tomato herself, drenched in Ranch dressing, of course (she is half Ringger you know). We're proud of our future farmer :)

Lake Life

Take me back 25 years, and you'll find me at "The Lakes." Times of skiing each morning, tubing each afternoon and playing games with my cousins and grandparents at night. Once a laker, always a laker they say...and I believe them. This weekend we had the opportunity to visit Charles, Heather and Miss Vivian, and FUN was had by everybody. Lucy got to drive the boat, Carlie tubed for the first time (thank you Charles for being kind!), and Mommy (i.e., me) got up on ski's for the first time in YEARS. Funny how my arms have grown so much weaker over the years. Skiing is hard work!! We ate too much, stayed up too late, got a little sun burn and everybody is wiped out tonight. Now...does anybody want to contribute to the "future-Gongaware-lake-cottage-fund"???

Reflection

18 days and counting. Carlie - my baby - will be starting Kindergarten in 18 days. What concerns me the most? Carlie's heart is enormous, and so very soft. And quite simply, girls are mean. I don't necessarily look forward to some of the changes that lay ahead of my daughter. The attitude we so consistently correct, the manners we have worked so hard to be habit, and the attitude of servitude and putting others first. Those are great when you are surrounding by loved ones, will they be acted out once she is away from us? And who will take advantage of her huge heart? Time will only tell. Once I get Carlie in Kindergarten, I can then move onto the worrying for Lucy and preschool. Lucy will be starting in September. My girls are growing up right in front of my eyes. I know I wished away their babyhood - mind you I am not the baby lover - but I sometimes pray to God, can I please freeze them now? Can I keep their huge hearts and love for their parents that they have now? Right now, next to Jesus, I am the most important person in their lives. Just looking at this picture melts my heart. The innocence of childhood. Once it is gone, you never get it back, do you?