Reading, writing & arithmetic...

Today was the start to yet another school year! Mariah decided to remind me that she will "only have one more 1st day of school after today". I asked her to not remind me of that sad, but true fact! Ugh!

The photo below shows all three girls just before we left for school on the first day (sporting their new dress code/uniform school clothes - they have a large selection of vendors to choose clothes from). Steve and I always go to the school on the first day. Last year, Mariah drove all the girls to school in her "new to her" car and that was the plan this year (with dad & I taking our own vehicle). That plan didn't happen as Mariah's car had a VERY flat tire when they went to get in the car. Dad was very helpful in getting that flat fixed and her car over to the school prior to the end of the school day.

From left to right, Mariah (11th grade), McKenna (7th grade), Miranda (3rd grade), displaying their new haircuts:

Really?

Can it really be the end of summer vacation? Has three months really gone by that quickly? Apparently so since the girls started back to school today. Wow. I am SO not ready for the girls to go back to school. I know of many moms who look forward to the start of school and their children being at school during the day. I'm not one of those moms, though. I LOVE my time with my children. I admit I am very selfish when it comes to my time with them. I dread the start of school every year because it means I have less time with the girls when school starts. We have had a very simple, but very enjoyable summer. Each of the girls have told me this has been the best summer of their lives....simple joy! I left my job in the beginning of July and we've had such an amazing summer with time just spent with family. It doesn't get any better than that!! After Mariah's surgery, I will seek another job, but right now I plan to focus on my family and Mariah's recovery.

Mariah's 2007 Formal

Here are some photos from Mariah’s 2007 high school formal (please excuse the photo that is side-ways....I forgot to change the rotation on it before uploading it).... The formal was held at Multnomah Falls Lodge. She’s growing into such a young woman so quickly that I can’t believe she will be 16 in a few months. Wasn’t it just a few years ago that she was my baby???

I had the honor and privilege (and Mariah's permission, of course!!) of being a chaperone. It was a fun time to get all dressed up together. After the formal, many of her fellow high school classmates went to see Pirates of the Caribbean 3.....all decked out in their formal-wear!
~Tracey

A new school year....

A new school year is beginning tomorrow. It's a mixture of excitement and sadness in our household!! Excitement to be able to see old friends, meet new friends, see who's returning to the school and just basically having the opportunity to re-connect with old friends. The excitement is also increased by the fact that the school will be moving to the new school building that's currently still under construction....we've heard talk about the classes being moved to the new building before the end of this calendar year!!! The girls are so excited about the new building!! Sadness in that the start of the school year signals the end of the summer....the end of our care-free days of sleeping in, swimming and just spending time with one another. BUT....the girls are talking about the excitement of school starting a bit more as the beginning of school also means we are even closer to the arrival of our new baby (due in November). There definitely has been a mixture of emotions and thoughts during the past few weeks about the new school year. For me, I'm dreading the start of the new school year at least as much as the girls are. I enjoy my time with them and I really miss the lack of time we have together once school begins.....selfish on my part???...you bet!!!

It's so amazing to think that I have children going into 1st grade, 5th grade and 9th grade tomorrow morning!