Reagan Starts 2nd Grade

Well, another school year has started. Look at my beautiful daughter, growing up so fast. Reagan was very excited about starting school, and yet, a little timid about meeting new people. Mostly she is always nervous about what her teacher will be like. I am definitely not as emotional as I was last year when I had to send her off all day, spending 8 hours away from me. Is it wrong to be at peace with her gone all day??? Secretly enjoying it??? Wondering how soon I can get Ryan out too?? *smile* We prayed this morning before we headed into the classroom. We prayed for the school year, for new friends, for a new teacher, and for safety in all things. We thanked God for the blessing of Heritage to our family and for the financial blessings of being able to have her in an environment where Jesus is praised and glorified, where He is exalted, where bad behavior is called what it is, SIN, and where that bad behavior can be rectified, repented of, and then have grace and mercy follow. Would you be surprised that I cried while I prayed over her??? And as I opened my eyes and saw some little tears in my daughter's eyes, I wondered if she understood the significance of it all. Thank you Lord for this moment and for this opportunity, for all these blessings You have given me for now!



Mrs. Fleetwood, her new 2nd grade teacher

Indiana State Fair

Ah, it is the end of summer. Our annual trip to the Indiana State Fair always winds down our summer with one last "fun activity". Reagan starts 2nd grade on Monday....yes, those wonderful 6:30am wake up calls do not come easy to me! Well, anyways, we had a wonderful time at the fair. We saw lots of cool animals, which Riley just loved! Reagan and Ryan rodes lots of rides since there was a special for "Munchkins on the Midway" and we saw a tiger show. Since I grew up in Texas around lots of animals, it always amazes me to watch my children be amazed with the littlest things and also be grossed out by all the smells and "droppings". Of course, in the Cattle Barn, it became a game to see who could jump over all the "little spills". Now Reagan says she wants a cow to raise so she can show it at the fair.......whatever! I don't think our Homeowners' Association will take kindly to a cow in our back yard! The kids' favorite part is going through the "Little Hands on the Farm" exhibit and pretending they are farmers for a day. They loved the whole day!

This picture is for Mom....we knew how much you "love" Tony Stewart!

Two Major Milestones!!

REAGAN LOOSES A TOOTH!!!

Well, it has been a long time coming......but Reagan FINALLY lost her first tooth!!! Due to the tightness of her teeth, her dentist had prepared us for the fact that she would be way behind on losing teeth. So we were all very excited when it finally happened last Thursday night!! We were getting ready for bed and she was working hard at wiggling it. I took a turn and gave it a little tug.....almost........then she went into the bathroom and tugged....and it finally came out!!! YEAH!!! As you can tell from the following pictures, she was very happy and proud!!! We all were!



NO TRAINING WHEELS!!!!!

On Sunday evening, we headed over to the school parking lot, took off Ryan's training wheels, and did the big lesson of riding with no training wheels!! He did awesome!!! He got it the very first time and took off soaring. Now stopping was a little harder, but he eventually accomplished that too. Yes, I know....a large crash is impending......it has to happen at least once so he will really learn how to control his steering and stopping, but for now, he is doing super! Tonight he was working on getting started on his own, but his awesome big sister is there to help push him and hold his bike for him. She has been a great encourager for him. I love watching her help him. What a sweet spirit the Lord gave her! Here are some pictures of our great event!


The Little Man gets ready. (Isn't he so cute???)
OK Daddy....get ready!
And push..........Go Ryan Go!
And he's off!!!

Sweet Kids

No major events, just two precious girls that love each other and want to dress alike! Reagan was very excited to get this dress for school and then she was extremely excited to find one in Riley's size too!
God's precious sweetness!!



This summer the kids took gymnastics. I just had to take some pictures of Riley's very first gymnastic class. No, she didn't listen well, but she loved doing all the events, especially jumping into the large foam pit. She is very adventurous!!

I thought this was a cute picture of her and the other little boy in her class discussing the events

Pretty strong little girl!

Ryan got quite a few compliments on his natural ability also!

Future Olympian??? Go Mary Lou!