102

Dear Time- We have such a love/hate relationship, don’t we?! Wow. You just LOVE to fly by and leave memories!

(this may be the longest post yet)

So, today is QUITE a bittersweet day for ME! Evie will be fine, as will Jason….. I may never be the same. All kidding aside, we’re closing a special, sweet chapter today. Really, I’m not sure where the “sweet” comes into the equation because I’m sad. All I can think of is “sweet” comes from the fact that this chapter has formed sweet memories, amazing accomplishments for the Miss, precious friendships and bonds which leave us amazed and thankful for Evie’s school, more importantly her teachers. Today, is her last day in our beloved Room 102. Sigh. See, Evie’s school’s schedule is similar to big school in that they start a new year in August and everyone graduates to a new class. My “baby” officially becomes a toddler-on the books- as she moves into the “2’s.” Here is where I fight with time. How has time gone so quickly? How is she almost two? How is it time to already be leaving Mrs. Shelley and Mrs. Donna. It doesn’t matter, quite frankly, because these have been the best two years of our lives. Last year as we prayed earnestly about where to put Evie because, for our family, it was best that I continue to work, I never dreamed of how the Lord would be SO real and work out our daycare plans SO clearly. I’m a mom and the tiniest love of my life spends her day away from me, so, of course, it’s a struggle (with no help from the comments I get about why we choose for her to be in 'group care' or why I choose to continue working) to think of what place could be “worthy” enough to keep her. It is NOT unlikely for the waiting list at her school to be two years, in fact, that seems to be common. Therefore, I didn’t even battle with getting on the waiting list originally. It kept being brought up to me in conversation, as I passed by, etc. I finally felt like I should AT LEAST just make a call. I prayed about it for a week before doing so……. it shouldn’t come as ANY shock to me-as I still sit here shocked-that the Lord very much went before us and planned a path for EB at the early learning center sponsored by my company (that within itself is a blessing). I called, they had an opening for a little girl and had nothing but boys on the waiting list. Within three days we were enrolled and DYING for August to get here so she could start this program.

Fast forward a year…….. This year has been NOTHING short of endless blessings to Evie, to me as her mom and to our family. It has been made clear to us time and time again that we are where we are supposed to be. Yes, her facility is wonderful, we think the world of it, but it has to do with her teachers. They were placed in our lives at exactly the right time. The Lord knew what I needed (as the emotional one of the family), what Evie needed, and blessed us with the “ladies of 102” as I lovingly call them. I miss Evie all day long every day. I think about her constantly and wonder what she’s doing..better yet, what she’s gotten into. She is definitely one of the most “spirited” children in that room. Notice I didn’t say I worry… I haven’t worried about her one time since last August. Every morning I hand over my most precious earthly possession and walk out of that building with a wonderful peace. So, I think you get the point….. You know me, I LOVE to skip down Memory Lane ever so often, so let’s go...

EB's class had their end of the year party at McDonalds earlier this week (hence, the above pictures). They gave us a fun collage of what I like to call "A year in review."They also gave us a HUGE stack of pictures that were taken throughout the year. They were SUCH a precious gift as I flipped through and got a glimpse into the classroom during the day.

This year was foundational on so many levels. I've had so many people say, including us, "they make them grow up so fast." That may seem true, but they are equipping them. One year (or less) may be so tiny, but if I've learned anything, I've learned to never underestimate that tiny little mind. Evie is one of the most curious babies I've ever been around (not always a plus) and I knew I needed to get her in a place that would harvest that and engage her.

First of day of school Aug. 2009

We went from a tiny chunk of gummy smiles who, bless her, had her paci, bottle and baby food taken away almost before she could blink and sleeping on a nap mat at 8 months. To a lively, talking in phrases, counting (her poor math skills she got from her mom), jumping, potty training, spirited, somewhat [at times] mannerly almost 21 month old. It's amazing. What a difference a whole year makes.

Last day of school Aug. 2010

So, we welcome another year. We do. We really do. 102 has a special place in our hearts because it was a place that transitioned us, taught us and grew us as parents. Next year will be exciting on new levels-- I have "helmet" on my to do list for this weekend. As IF my child needs a reason to be any more adventurous. It's exciting. I'm thrilled over the goals they've established for this next year. Next year holds so much fun as language is developed, we inch closer to being diaper free and we start learning more independence, but our hearts will miss Mrs. S and Mrs. D. They have beeen adopted into our family as friends, mentors and when I ask EB who her friends are or who she loves at school, she thinks and quickly responds, "SheShe" or "Nonna" without blinking an eye. I'll have to say, I do agree, sweet growing baby girl!!

What a year!! So, here's to our 1.5 days of summer. Monday, we'll meet you in full force with helmet in tow!