With great anticipation, this day has finally arrived!!! Today Kayla started second grade and Emmie started all-day kindergarten!!!!! I must say that we all did really well!!!

Over the past few weeks, we've talked a lot about school and what to expect and I could tell that with every conversation, Emmie got a bit more nervous!!! When I look at her, I totally see myself . . . unsure and anxious about new situations!!! I could tell that there was a part of her that was really excited, but the fear and anxiety was much greater!! What a big change for a 4-year-old to go from being with me everyday to being at school for 7 hours, 5 days a week!!!

As we put the girls to bed last night, we prayed over them that God would replace their fears with His peace, love and joy!!! I could tell that there was a battle going on in Emmie's head . . . shortly after putting them to bed, I went into check on them and Emmie was still tossing and turning!! I crawled into bed with her and asked her what was wrong . . . she said, "Well Mommy, I was just laying here thinking about tomorrow and do you want to know what God said to me? He said, Emily, you can do this!! You can do this!!!" As she said it, I literally saw the peace of God fall on her!!! She hugged me, kissed me and gave me one of her precious smiles!!!

As I left her room, I was in tears . . . I can't tell you how good it feels to know that your 4-year-old can hear the voice of God!! Not only hear it, but recognize that it's Him and allow His words to bring peace! Amazing!! With tears in my eyes, I wandered into our room, where Chris was importing an old tape he had found from our video camera!! As I approached his computer, I realized that he was importing the tape from when I delivered Emmie!! I sat there watching, with tears streaming down my face . . . trying to figure out how she has grown up so quickly!!! Wow, what a moment!!!

As I sit here in my far too quiet house, I must say that I am so very proud of our girls!! They are a gift and have blessed us so very much!! Although this growing up thing is not always the easiest, I have to say that I am excited about the future that God has for both of them!!

A few weeks ago, Aunt Rosie did a photo shoot of the girls!!! Here are a few of my favorites!!!

It's hard to believe that summer is half over already!! This is my favorite time of year and I hate to think that in just six short weeks, my babies will be going off to school!!! Let's not go there right now!! LOL

We have enjoyed an awesome summer so far with A LOT of family time!!! It seems like we are always busy and bedtimes are getting later and later for the girls!! As always they have been little troopers and just kinda roll with the punches!!!

We had a fabulous visit with Grandma, Tiff and Steve!! The week flew by and we would have loved to keep them around awhile longer!! Each day was jam packed with fun things to do . . . Lexington, swimming, bonfire, cookouts, the boardwalk and lots of eating!! lol We were able to get a ton of things done for Tiff's wedding which was a huge relief for all of us!! In one day, we managed to book the wedding/reception location, the florist, the cake and the photographer!! Hard to believe that in less than a year, little Tiffany Elise will be a married woman!! I think I'm getting old . . .

This week, the girls have been attending VBS at Colonial Woods and have LOVED it!!! It's been neat to see them walk into a new situation with confidence!!! Tomorrow is the last night and already Kayla is asking if they can go again next week!!! I had to break it to her that they have to wait another year before the next one!! She wasn't to fond of that idea!! lol I am VERY impressed with this VBS . . . incredibly organized, amazingly staffed, and full of excitement!!! Plus, over 100 kids have given their lives to Jesus this week!!!!!

We still have a lot we want to do before the summer is over, so I'm hoping the next six weeks will go by really slow!!!! Although with the ads full of school supplies already, it's hard not to think about September 2!! I actually was able to tour Landmark last week with Tiff and I saw my girl's new classrooms!! I hate to admit it, but it kinda made me excited for the year to start . . . but just a little!!! For now I am so happy to have my girls home!!!

Hope everyone in Xangaland is enjoying their summer!! Be blessed!!!!!

Well, somehow I am getting older!!! Each year I think I am in a bit more denial then the year before!! Chris told people I was turning 38 . . . I told people I was turning 21!! Thankfully, more people believed me to be 21 than 38!! Phew!!!!

This year some of the greatest friends in the world decided to have a Luau for my b-day!! It was supposed to be a surprise party, but they were so excited about it all that they ended up telling me!! lol We had a beautiful night . . . with tons of great people . . . and as always, lots of laughing, dancing, and eating!!!!

Here are some pics from our night . . .

Andrea Starr, Kristen, Dreesha, Britt, Stephie, Jenna, Leesha and Jessica . . . love my girls!!


Dreesh and Leesh playing with sparklers!!


Chris, Jenna and our Frankenmuth friend, Krystal!!!


Jenna, Katie, Leesha and Dreesha workin' the flower lei!!!


No July 4th party is complete without fireworks!!!!

Well after a few busy weeks, we are officially into summer break!!! Thank you, Jesus!! Kayla finished first grade yesterday and we couldn't be prouder of her!! She had an amazing year and her teachers had nothing but praise for her!!! I lost track of how many times throughout this school year that they said what a joy she was to have!! It's so awesome to hear because that has always been our prayer over our children from the moment they were conceived . . . that they would bring joy to all those they come in contact with!!!

We went all out for her last day . . . Chris, Emmie and I took her a happy meal for lunch and sat in the lunchroom with her and all her friends!! She looked so very proud to have us there!! Emmie joined right in with the big kids, even joining them for recess afterwards!! And Chris had quite the fan club of giggling little girls!! When we came back to pick her up, we brought her a big bouquet of balloons, then zipped off to the Dollar Store and out for dinner!!!

I have really missed my big girl during this past school year! It's tough having only a few hours with your child everyday!! She is such a special child and I am so glad that we have the summer together!!

Here are a few pics from the last few weeks . . .

Emmie hiding in Kayla's balloons


Kayla enjoying her happy meal lunch


Kayla with some of her classmates


Kayla, Morgan, Eileen and Aubrey at the Detroit Zoo


Emmie striking a pose on the Highlander Sea


Kayla looking WAY TOO OLD