First Day of School

Ella started her first year of preschool this year. I expected some trepidation or intimidation her first day and was all prepared to give my "A" game pep talk. What I got was her running excitedly into her class room and saying to me "look at all my friends!!!" I love that confidence. A stranger is someone she hasn't turned into a friend yet. She is thriving. Caden started all day kindergarten this year. I was nervous about him being gone for 6 solid hours. I don't know if I was worried for him or me, all I know is that I barely slept the few nights leading up to the first day of school. In the end he adjusted so well that I had no choice but to follow in his 5 year old foot steps.

Catching Up:

I can't believe it is already the last week of September! We had a great summer. I went to New York for 8 days and visited my good friend Michelle in June. I went to several Broadway shows, ate at great little restaurants where you paid more for the ambiance and the fact that it was THE place to be rather than the food you were served, shopped till my heart was content in China Town, soaked in the historical significance of Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, basked in the beauty and vastness of Central Park, wandered through the Metropolitan Museum and marveled at the talent of artists from generations past and present, and loved every moment of solitude that I found. One day I walked to Central Park with my journal in hand and just felt so alive and connected to nature and God and at peace with my place in this world. That same day I tucked my journal under my arm and walked to a diner at 1am just to get a cup of really amazing soup. New York agreed with me. The pace, the people, the variety, the culture, I loved it all.
July was spent in water and sun. We went camping and to Eastern Washington for a wedding and family get togethers.
August was the month of birthday's and anniversaries. Caden turned 5 on the 21st. We had a big Jedi party for him. He is such a delight and joy. I can't get over the sweetness, kindness, and compassion of his soul. I am blessed to be his mom. Also in August, Jon and I had our big decade anniversary. We went to Las Vegas together for a long weekend to celebrate 10 years of wedded bliss. We went to shows, ordered room service, watched The Office on DVD in the most luxuriously comfortable bed you have ever felt, lounged by the pool reading all the good gossip magazines, and enjoyed recounting and recording the highlights of the last ten years together and setting goals for the next ten. It was wonderful to just be with him with no agenda except enjoying one another's company. We ended the summer with a family reunion at Zion's camp. It is a great place to camp. We invited to West family to join us so that our kids would have play mates. We enjoyed doing archery, playing volleyball, water activities, making smores around the camp fire, and playing with our kids at the park.
So I breath a sigh of contentment over a summer well spent and happily welcome fall.