Day of Firsts

Today was a day of several firsts for our family. It was Aaron's first day of second grade. It was Katie's first day back teaching Kindergarten. It was also the first day that Gracie would have started Kindergarten.

I got up very early (around 5:30-which if you know me, I consider that late), and I read my daily Scripture verses. I spent about 30 solid minutes in the Word, sitting in Gracie's bedroom. For some who have lost children, I know they might find their children's bedrooms to be difficult to enter. I find comfort and a feeling of really being close to Gracie in there. Thus, I usually will spend a few minutes in there a few times a week. For those who don't know, yes, Gracie still has a bedroom. I don't think we're "there" yet, and I'm not going to rush into anything. God will show us when or if it's time to change her room. We're just not ready right now.

When Katie woke up around 6:00, I fixed her some breakfast. It's been a morning routine since 1993; one I enjoy. Kate will tell you it's because I don't like her cooking (which is untrue), but I look at it like a gesture of love. Aaron woke up around 6:15, and the real adventure began. Luckily for us, he wears a uniform. Unfortunately, he never seems to have a pair of shoes together in the same place. That was a nice treasure hunt this morning. Between getting him prepared for school and dealing with the morning emotions, I was already tired again.

This morning was a very difficult morning for Kate. If you're praying, please keep her in prayer. She's finding this a harder adjustment than she thought it would be at the time. Working with children who are the same age as Gracie is emotional. She should be in the Kindergarten next door. She's not, and that's tearing the two of us up right now. We have faith and belief, however, that her Teacher now is better than anyone would ever have been on this Earth. I actually went down to her room this afternoon, and she was sitting there alone, crying. So just please, keep her in prayer.

Aaron had a good day. He loves his teacher. He's in the same class with his best friend, Micah. I pray that he will continue to have good days. I also pray that Katie will hold on tight to Jesus' promise (which I know she will), and I pray that God will give me the strength to hold her up when she falls.

My classes today were normal. Most of the students didn't want to be there. I gave them my "first day speech," and half of them just sat in their seats giving me blank looks. It's typically how my students react the first few days. However, I know that someone in that Class of 2011 will be a doctor one day. Someone will be a lawyer. Someone might even be President. They might not look like they are paying attention to me, but I am paying attention to them. I am just happy to be a cog in the wheel of their lives. It's something that, as an educator, makes me proud.

So, if you're praying, just keep praying! I know that God is doing wonders with Katie. She has a sad mama's heart. It doesn't just go away a year later. It's always there. This entire month, and the next couple of weeks, has been and will be so difficult. I am just so thankful to God that He is the King in our lives. I don't have to worry. I don't have to be scared of what will be down the road. I know that He's the Ruler and Creator of all that has been and will be for our family.