WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

2nd day of school

We made it to the 2nd day of school! When I picked her up yesterday, she couldn't stop talking about everything they did at school. She seemed to have a really good time. I am relieved that she did. She was just as excited to get up this morning and get to school. When we got there this morning she jumped right in and started helping the other kids with there breakfast. She is such a little helper!! What a great trait for our young children to have. I can say yesterday was hard for me on more levels than one. It was hard letting go of my baby and an unexpected feeling of missing my mom (more than usual). There has not been a day since she went to heaven that I do not think of her. Everyday I think of things she did, hear songs she liked, do something like she did, etc. But yesterday was different, I do not know how to explain it. I guess it was such a milestone for Savannah and me that I wanted her to be there to share it with me. I guess I am alittle mad that she is not here, she missed seeing her granddaughter and that is not fair. She has missed out on my happiness, she has missed meeting my wonderful husband, my beautiful daughter, seeing me grow in my faith and so many more things. I know life is not fair, but I am venting about what I am feeling at this moment. Satan will take every opportunity to jump in and take your eyes of Jesus Christ. I do know that she is in a much better place, she is no longer in pain, she is surrounded in the loving arms of our Heavenly Father. But I miss her. What a great thing as Christians that we have heaven waiting for us. What a wonderful reward and a free gift from our God. "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23. "Jesus replied, "If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you the living water." John 4:10. "God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through Him." John 3:17. If we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior than we too will have a place in heaven. And then once again we will be reunited with our loved ones that are already there.

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!!!!

SPORTING HER HARLEY DAVIDSON BACKPACK FOR HER FIRST DAY!!
GETTING IN PLAY TIME WITH SHELBY-BEFORE LEAVING FOR SCHOOL!!

Well, today is the first day of school. My baby girl is starting Kindergarten! I took her this morning to her class and she just fit right in. She knows several of the kids already. We meet her teacher on Friday afternoon and she is really nice. She was great with the kids and has a great personality. I think it will be a great and memorable year. I have signed up to be on the room mom team, I want to be there and enjoy this experience with her. I remember as a child that my mom was always at the schools helping with mine and my sisters classes. I want to be there for Savannah as well. I take great pleasure in doing the small things for her: like for instance her lunch-cutting her sandwich into small hearts, putting notes on her napkin, using colorful/decorative napkins, special treats, etc. I love doing that for her, I know it meant allot to me when my mom did it. I still remember that today. Good friends of ours gave Savannah her first backpack for school-it is a Harley Davidson backpack with all the accessories. Thanks Blake and Teresa!!!! This has been a emotional day for me, you can say I am having a very hard time letting go. That is my baby girl, who I have spent over 5 years with everyday! I want to say thanks to all our friends and family who have been checking in on me today, I have really felt your thoughts and prayers. I want to say a big THANKS!!!!! I am going to embrace this new season in her life and enjoy every minute of it. God has blessed me with my little girl and I am going to continue to ask for His guidance, wisdom, peace, etc. as I continue on this journey called motherhood. I can say I did not know how much I could love someone until I had my daughter. "Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from Him." Psalm 127:3. I love the song that Martina McBride sings called "In My Daughter's Eyes", here are the words:

In My Daughter's Eyes

In my daughter's eyes I am a hero.

I am strong and wise and I know no fear.

But the truth is plain to see,

She was sent to rescue me.

I see who I wanna be,

In my daughter's eyes.

In my daughter's eyes, everyone is equal.

Darkness turns to light

and the world is at peace.

This miracle God gave to me

gives me strength when I am weak.

I find reason to believe,

In my daughter's eyes.

And when she wraps her hand

around my finger,

Oh, it puts a smile in my heart.

Everything becomes a little clearer,

I realize what life is all about.

It's hangin' on when your heart has had enough.

It's giving more when you feel like giving up.

I've seen the light,

It's in my daughter's eyes.

In my daughter's eyes, I can see the future.

A reflection of who I am, and what will be.

Though she'll grow and someday leave,

Maybe raise a family,

When I'm gone I hope you see

how happy she made me.

**Mom, I love you and miss you everyday, I wish you were here to see my baby girl. I am so very proud of her. You would have loved her. I hope you know I remember all the little things you did for me and Jennifer. I am passing those things onto Savannah. I hope she will have lasting memories, like I have of you. Thanks for always being there and for being my mom. I know you are looking down from heaven, looking over her when I am not with her. I will always love you. Your loving daughter, Kris**

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

Savannah's RCRA Rodeo 8/11/07

Savannah's new bat wings (leggings)
Penning the cows!
Barrels
Flipping the goat!

Savannah had her first rodeo of the season this past Saturday. It is done by a great organization called Ranch Cowboy Rodeo Association (RCRA). They will have a total of 5 rodeos, the finals being in December. The purpose of the rodeos is to build there confidence, horsemanship, etc. It was so good to see all our friends from last year and some new faces. The events in Savannah's age group is barrels, penning, goat roping, flipping, branding and mutton bustin. I will be posting pictures after each rodeo. Sorry some of them are dark, the arena is covered and sometimes you get a good picture, sometimes you do not. Savannah had a great time and is already looking forward to next month. It was definitely hot and humid, hopefully the next rodeo it will be alittle cooler! Savannah got to sport her new bat wings (leggings) that her Daddy had custom made for her. She is so proud of them! Thanks Dad for my custom bat wings!! The man who made them did a wonderful job and in the yoke he put our brand on one side and her initials on the other. She rode her horse "Pesky" a 25 year old sorrel Quarter Horse gelding. She and him have been inseparable since she was born! Hope you enjoyed the pictures and I will be posting some more after each of her rodeos.

**If you click on the darker pictures-it will enlarge them and you can see the picture better**

Savannah's Bedtime Chart

We just finished a month using the bedtime chart and it was a success! The whole reason behind the chart was to start getting her used to going to bed at a certain time, since school will be starting soon. We started by just telling her to go to bed at 8:30, that did not go over well, I was stressed out. I knew there had to be a better way. I started talking with other moms and researched charts on the Internet. There were a ton of options and this is what I choose to do. It is just a white piece of poster board and I let Savannah decorate the top and then I spilt the bottom part into 6 months. I figured at the end of 6 months, I could cut the top part off and attach another 6 months to the bottom. She gets a sticker each night she gets into bed on time and stays till morning. I let her pick her stickers for each month. This past month was Barbie, August she has picked Strawberry Shortcake. The chart has worked so well, there is no hassles, crying, etc. She just was telling me how much she liked getting the stickers. I know it has worked well with us, it may not for others, but I wanted to share what is working for us. I think the main thing is making it fun, not a battle. She had a hard time at first, because she thought she was missing out on something. I know I have enjoyed it, I can read some, or just relax before I go to bed. She is very excited about starting Kindergarten. I know I have been saying alot of prayers for her and me as well. This is definitely a whole new season we soon will be starting. I just pray for each of us and our children as we prepare to send them off to school. I pray for there safety, teachers, and the whole learning experience. I know for me personally I have alot of mixed emotions about her starting school. I am spending alot of time in the word, prayer and talking with other mothers. God has given us a special calling as mothers that is summed up this way: Our calling is to honor Christ in raising our families and building our homes. This sentence sums up the many hats we were as moms. I know my child is not perfect now and never will be, I want to instill in them the knowledge and love for the Lord foremost. To do this I need to stay in the word, increase my knowledge, prayer and set a good example for them. I know I have regrets as a mom, I know I could have done things differently, not yelled at the kids, nagged my husband, the list could go on and on. I know I am starting to realize that we all make mistakes, we must forgive ourselves and move on. That has been a hard thing for me to do and I continually work on it. I want to be the best wife, mom, etc. that I can be and the only way to do that is through Christ. Dear Heavenly Father, you are the creator of the universe, the King of Kings. I am so thankful that You are willing to help me every minute of every day in my home! Thank you for helping me with this incredible journey of motherhood. Amen