The First of Second: Part Two

Well our little Josie began her second year of Preschool this week.  This will be our fourth year of having a kiddo at First Presbyterian Preschool and Lord willing, we will have a few more to come when Kyra gets old enough.  I can't say enough about this preschool and how I love that they love my kids. 

Josie wasted no time in sitting down to get the day started.  She'd been begging to go back for weeks, so it's no wonder she was excited.

We had another new start this week.  I posted last week that Maia started second grade.  She was enrolled at Sam Houston Elementary, the school she'd attended for the previous two years.  Getting back into the groove of doing homework every night and getting up early every morning was making for a rough week for Maia and consequently for me as well.  

I'll spare the details, but last Friday morning as my day began, I felt an extreme burden for Maia in regards to her school and questioning my ability to guide her in this area.  The weight of motherhood was very heavy on me all morning and as I shared my burdens and concerns with Robert, I was praying for guidance and discernment in knowing how to provide the best environment for her.  An environment that would be best suited to her learning style and interests, which are usually creative in nature.

So I'm praying and thinking all morning, and at about 11 am, Robert called from work and said that Bowie Fine Arts Academy called and said they had an opening for Maia, if we wanted it. 

Bowie is a magnet school here in Midland, whose emphasis is on fine arts.  Seriously could not be any more up Maia's alley.  We had applied every year since she began Kinder.  We'd always been told that if they didn't get in during Kinder, then the chances were unlikely she'd ever get in.

We gave it some thought and discussion, but quickly realized this was the Lord Almighty answering our prayer in a big way.  That day began like I hadn't expected and certainly ended in a way that was even more unexpected.  My God heard my cry for help in how to best mother this child He's loaning me.  He was so quick to answer I almost missed it!  But when I recognized this was His leading, I was humbled and awed at His care for us. 

Maia began her new school on Tuesday and she's loved every single day.  It is a longer day because she goes until 5 pm.  So we're still getting into our new schedule and working out the kinks.  But this fine arts school is a perfect fit for this girl, who inherited her daddy's ability to think way outside the box.

I'm so privileged to serve a God who's so sovereign that when I'm anxious about something, He's got it all worked out perfectly.  By the time its a concern for me, it's already a memory to Him.  That brings my soul comfort.

The First of Second

On Monday, Maia began the 2nd grade.  She's been asking me for a month when school was going to start.  So, obviously she was super excited.  My prayer for her as she begins another year is the same as it has been every year - that she would show Jesus to those who don't know Him, and also that she would learn a whole lot. :)

 

 

 

 

When we asked Maia how her first day of school was, she said it was great.  She also informed us that it was her third first day of school.  Funny kid.  So here are some pictures of her three first days.

 

First day of 2nd Grade

 

First day of 1st Grade

 

 

 First day of Kindergarten



You may also recognize the same backpack in all the pics.  Not only has she been able to use it every year, but I bought this on clearance for $4! I did a haircut for the monogramming.  As my friend Adrienne said, "doesn't it just make you happy every time you look at it?"  Yes, it sure does! It's the small things in life...

 

Have a great year, Maia!  We love you kiddo.

Josie Starts Preschool!

In September, Josie started preschool at First Presbyterian. It seems like only yesterday Maia was starting at the same preschool. We love First Pres and we're excited to be back there.

Josie couldn't wait to start her school. She asked me almost every day if she was going to school. We walked in the door and hadn't been there 3 minutes, and she turned around and said, "Bye Momma." No separation anxiety here!

First day of 1st

On August 22nd, Maia began her 1st grade year of school. She's a little sleepy eyed in the pictures, but she was very excited. She was not as excited when she found out the next day, that she'll now be having homework every night! But overall, she is once again loving school. My prayer is the same as it was when she began Kinder. I'm so thankful for the teachable moments God gives us through Maia being at Sam Houston. I pray we never waste them.




Maia gets her own desk this year and gets to keep her supplies in her desk. Moving to the big time... :)


Waiting patiently for class to begin

Last day of Kinder

It seems like it was just a few weeks ago I was writing about my emotions as Maia began her first day of Kindergarten. But in reality it has been many months. Guess what, we made it through. At this age, Maia loves school and is really thriving. We're proud she made it in Project Think, which is MISD's accelerated learning program for K-2. She had very few behavioral issues for the entire year, receiving only a few verbal warnings for talking or playing.
Obviously, we made a decision that public school is what was best for our family. But it was a difficult one to say the least. Over the course of the year, the Lord affirmed our decision several times over. He's given me many opportunities to teach Maia about His love, using her classmates. Thank you, Jesus, for this gift and opportunity. May I never waste it.


Last day of school - May 2011


First day of school - August 2010


This was Maia's teacher, Mrs. Meador. She was very truly an answer to prayer. Going into completely unknown territory, the only thing I knew to do was to pray God would put Maia with the teacher that would be most suited to her personality and teaching needs. He answered our prayer through Mrs. Meador and we were so grateful. She and Maia formed a quick bond. And though she never gave Maia special treatment, I know she developed a little partiality towards her. Here is a quote from an email she sent me at the end of school, regarding Maia:
"Maia has also been amazing to have. I can't believe how creative, smart, loving, faithful, responsible and mature she is for a 6 year old. You have taught her well! She is always reminding us what Jesus wants us to do. It is so precious to hear. .. I can only hope my daughters will be like her."

Kindergarten Field Day

The last week of school Maia got to attend her first field day. The pictures speak for themselves. She got wet, got a little sweaty, and laughed a lot!

At Maia's school, before each day starts, all the students and teachers meet in the gym for announcements, pledges and they also recognize those who are having a birthday. So Maia got to go up and tell her name and how old she was. Needless to say, she spoke so clearly and loudly, that she didn't really need that mic.


I made cupcakes and took them to her class that afternoon.