It seems like a minute ago that...

Victoria headed off to school, starting Kindergarten. I remember walking her to school, hand in hand and then holding my breath as she entered the school... I then remember her crying and yelling at the top of her lungs on day 3 that she loved her Mommy MORE than school!. OOOOHHHH Where did the time go? Today Victoria started her first day of Grade 11! Senior year. God willing, starting College next year. Let's just think about today! This is the first, first day of school that I didn't line her up and snap her picture... I am ashamed! She is in pictures indeed, but not the same typical first morning ceremony here today! At 16, she was ready to take on the day quite on her own! Where did the little girl I had to coax go? :) I am so proud of her. She is an incredible girl. I pray that she continues to make good decisions, and that she has a splendid year ahead.

It also seems like just a moment ago that a very brave little 15 month old reached her arms out to me, so unexpectedly in the doorway of an apartment building on the other side of the world, and has had a grip vise on my heart ever since! Oh how I have treasured and appreciated every single moment that I have had at home with our darling Mara-Grace. I have had the extreme privilege of sharing our days and teaching and also learning from our Mara. She is a wonderfully sensitive little soul and I pray for her as she embarks on this new journey in her life.

Yesterday, Mara-Grace, Kevin and I went in to meet with her Kindergarten teacher. She was a little shy but seemed to enjoy all she saw. Her teacher seemed kind and organized and patient. I trust that she will be good to our little one. Mara-Grace will be going to school at an English school, but in the French program. I was impressed as the teacher spoke mainly in French to Mara and then would add on little hints in English. We all liked Mara's teacher, Mme. J.

Today was Mara-Grace's first day of Kindergarten (half the class is there today). Tomorrow is a holiday for Mara and then the entire class will be at school on Friday. Anyway, Mara-Grace was up bright and early and told me that she was one finger nervous and 9 excited! Great sign! We headed out (YES all of us! We were all holding our breath this morning hoping it would go smoothly. So many uncertanties. ) to the bus stop at the end of our lane. We waited on the bus and I filled Mara-Grace's hand with kisses, and she did the same to me (Just like in the book, "The Kissing Hand"/my favorite btw!) She kissed and hugged us all again as the bus approached and the door opened an on she climbed. At the top she hesitated as she looked for a seat. I waved at her bus driver who kindly told her that that was a good seat or something like that! In she sat and I could just see the top of her ponytail as she drove away. Ohhhhhh That was one emotional moment. We were all moved. Tori stayed home to then catch her own bus (thus my missing her picture op! LOL) and Hannah who wondered where on earth Mara went and Kevin and I jumped in to the car to follow the bus! Ok, we raced to the school, no sign of the bus at all... And waited... I had told Mara that we would be there to wave at her as she came off the bus. I also prepared her that she might not see us (incase we couldn't get parking, there were too many people, or the bus was faster etc.) but that we would be waving from where we were. So there we were waiting... We could see her teacher in the yard with a few students around her. No sign of Mara-Grace. Bell rings. OK... No worries bus must be a little late... Then, I noticed the teacher hold up a school bag. Wow! Same pattern. Then from the back of the yard comes a running little girl with a swinging ponytail! MARA!!!!!!!!!! She must have had a direct run to the school on the bus and then, ran off to play!!!! She looked fantastic! I am thinking at this moment do we slip off as we don't want to upset her as the Bell has rung etc... No, we call out and she waves and blows us kisses, then lines up and throws another kiss and heads inside. WHAT?! This was so NOT how I feared the morning would go. Thank God! She did so amazingly well. We had tried to prepare her as best we could, but we ourselves were certainly unprepared for this! I was so proud! In the beat of a moment she went from fearing and dreading the start of school, to smiling and throwing kisses as she entered! She never ever ceases to amaze me!

Now, here I sit with my little Hannah Faith at my side playing with beads. I am adorned with bead rings and bracelets as I type. I know this will be a change for Hannah to not have her side kick with her constantly. She is used to playing non stop with Mara-Grace. I have explained that we will have Mommy and Hannah time in the morning, then it is lunch and nap and then when she wakes up at 3pm, Mara will be home!!!!

I am so thankful that the start of the school year has gone so smoothly. I cannot wait to hear about "the first day!". I am one proud Mama today.

How blessed we have been! xoxo






**** Update! Victoria had a half day today and enjoyed her first day. She is happy with her schedule and teachers! Victoria, Kevin and I kept watching the time all afternoon, and headed out to greet Mara-Grace off of her bus. She was as cute as a button, and a VERY HAPPY one as she told us all about her day! She had a wonderful start to Kindergarten and is 10 fingers excited for school on Friday! xo

A beautiful day for a ...

WEDDING!!!

Such a lovely couple! Congratulations and prayers for Jessica and Jody (my cousin)!

Xo

Oh what a day!

When Kevin was younger, he and his family often made a trip to a parish (a little ways off from his home) for an annual pilgrimage to Our Lady of Knock. Well, this year we heard of the pilgrimage and decided to pack a picnic and gather our family and set out! The trip was actually only about 45 minutes from home.

The minute we arrived at this outdoor mass, I was struck by the sheer beauty of the surroundings. It really made me long for Ireland (I trust I will get there one day:)) The church is set amidst lush, green rolling hills. It was so peaceful and truly majestic.

Kevin's parents, his sister and her beautiful children (our niece is our God-daughter) met us there.

Mass was led by a priest who has been serving in Canada for the last 6 years, but grew up in Derry, Ireland. He was such a gifted speaker. I would have gladly listened to him all day (yes, his accent was definitely a bonus!) He regaled us with tales from his homeland. During the mass, he called on the children to come forward. Mara-Grace sprung from her seat! Up she went with her cousins, and Hannah and Victoria (who happily volunteers to accompany Hannah). Father welcomed them and then asked for a volunteer to lead us in the, "Our Father". Suddenly he chooses someone (whom I couldn't see until he lifted her up). It was our Mara-Grace. There are moments when I am absolutely awestruck. This was one! He lifted Mara-Grace up and she led us in prayer. I am still bursting with pride. How far our darling has come... What a special day!!!!

xo

A little birthday recap!

Below are some pictures taken at Hannah's 3rd birthday celebrations.

We had Hannah's family party on Saturday and as she adores strawberries, this was her theme! Hannah calls ANY strawberry, "Strawberry Shortcake". It isn't only the actual character, just general strawberries! She dressed as a strawberry at her party and was so proud of herself! As I rocked her that night before bed and asked her what was her favorite part of the day (a traditional nightly question) she responded with, "My Party!". All parts I suppose:)

For Hannah's actual birthday which was on August 9th, we celebrated by taking her to Storyland for the day and then home for presents and out for Chinese Food which was at her request! She was very excited for "China food at the restront":) We finished the day with an icecream cake. It was Kevin's last day of his holidays, so it was so wonderful to be the 5 of us to celebrate all day! Words could never begin to describe how privileged I feel to have the honor of being Hannah's Mama... How blessed we have been.

We love you our darling little Hannah Faith. You are such a precious gift. You have a smile that can light up a room and a heart as open and sweet. May God continue to bless and watch over you my little Sweetheart. xoxo

Happy 3rd Birthday Hannah Faith!!!

A little Maine Magic

Memories of our time in Maine.... A place we have definitely come to love. It seems as though we have found a place where we each adore something and can truly have a vacation with something for everyone! We have fallen into the routine of spending the morning at the beach, 'home' for lunch and a little down time, and then sightseeing/shopping after that. So, shopping, the ocean, Chuck E Cheese (our girls love that place:), and of course our traditional Lobster supper.

A funny/appalling little story for the memory book!

We had eaten lobster at home about a month prior to our trip. Victoria will not imagine eating lobster, but the rest of us enjoy it! Well, Miss Hannah devoured hers, and any we would give to her! Simply loved it! When we went out for our lobster meal in Maine, we noticed that the children's menu had seafood, but no lobster option. We quickly decided to spring for the full lobster meal for her so that we didn't have to share! hehe Seriously, thought it would be best for our girls to have their fill! So, when our Lobster meals were ready, we took off the lid and dear, quiet (mostly) little Hannah began to shriek! And I do mean shriek! She screamed at the top of her lungs, "AHHHHH MONSTER!!!!!!!!!!!! MONSTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" OMG I was stunned at her reaction! We told her that it was not a monster, but rather a lobster! She wasn't having any of it!!!! She was so petrified that we actually switched tables. Kev sat at one, taking out all of the meat and we girls sat at another table until it was finished. Hannah didn't have a bite that night! I have never seen her as scared! Poor baby! Although a little embarrassing, it is funny to look back upon! I can understand it a little, lobster, monster very similar sounding in a noisy environment, and then add those tentacles! MONSTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!