School Days are really here

 Candra has turned SIXTEEN!  How is that possible.  She was in elementary school when I met her.  She is truly the sweetest, kindest girl.  She has so much of my heart.  If she knew how much, she would be amazed.  I love her like my own daughter and I am so grateful that she is part of our family.  Her mom threw her her very first REAL birthday party this year, and I had this amazing, tiered camo cake in mind.  I had two different people in mind to make it, but one had her birthday on the exact same day.  The other was way too $$$, so what did I do? I said "eh, I will make it..." I think Candra's mom was very suspicious, but Candra trusted me.  this is what I came up with.  I was really happy about it.  Best of all, it made Candra so happy.  BEST. RESPONSE. EVER.


Then, Valerie and Asher started school.  Asher is starting kindergarten as a four year old.  We do not need to get into the "mommy guilt" I have had over this.  However, in his class, there are 4 other kids with September birthdays.  Thankfully, he is not alone.

Didn't he look cute for his first day of school?  He was SO EXCITED, and not anxious or scared at all.

Not me though, I was a teary mess.  Not only was Asher in school, he was in after-school his first day.  He was there from 8 am- 5:15 pm.  He has never gone to daycare, and only had pre-school for 3 hours, 2 times a week last year, so this was vastly different.  Not to worry though, like all things Asher, he rolled with it.  He got a good report from his teacher, and from after-school.  It was a great first day, and a great first week.

He rode the bus twice, and THAT. WAS. HARD. for me- my sweet little boy on a bus with kids from K-12.  He loved that too, and the driver has him in the front with her so she can watch him and all the super young ones.

Valerie is in lots of hard classes, and is starting her Dental Assisting this year.  She is developing goals, and seeing how education can affect her life and her choices.  I am proud of her- she has kept up with all her courses so far.  She is still working at the theatre, albeit, with shorter hours.


I have totally cleaned up the labs I run, with the exception of two areas I hope to get through the first of next week.

Matt starts his training in the engineering department next week as well.  We are busy, but good busy.  I am so grateful things appear to be coming together.