KINDERGARTEN {is loads of fun}!!

Ethan's first day of school has come and gone. He's still hyper from all the excitement of today and I am about to crash any minute from waking up way earlier than I'm used to and no nap{I have an excuse!} today since all I could do was watch the clock counting down the minutes until I picked up my firstborn. 

I just still can't believe this day is here. I know most of us mothers seriously can tell you that it was just yesterday we were bringing them home from the hospital. You wake up two days later and BAM::: they're in Kindergarten. And this is fairly accurate! To see where Ethan is now is such a handsome reward. 

Psalm 127:3-4 says "Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him. Children born to a young man are like arrows in a warrior's hands." And that is what these past few months have revealed to me--I just didn't realize it until a precious friend shared this scripture with me{thanks Laci! For the blog post she shared click here} The past five years Ethan has been the arrow and Darren and I, the warriors. Darren and I have shaped and molded him into who he is today. Although my job is not done, it is so rewarding to see who he has become thus far. He has such a sweet disposition and is always willing to help those in need. He is thoughtful with a generous heart. He is serious with a splash of silly. And as earthly parents, Darren and I couldn't be more proud of where our son is headed. We praise Him for this new chapter in Ethan's life. We pray we can shape and chisel him in God's image so our son can be used for His glory. Congratulations Ethan on a successful & fun filled day in Kindergarten! We love you, sweet boy! 

Here are some Q & A's from Ethan today:

Q: What was the best part of the day?

A: The whole day was the best part! {come on, make a heart smile!}

Q: What was the worst part of the day?

A: Rest time because someone was touching my mat

Q: Was school fun today?

A: "It was funner than fun!" {as he is jumping all over my furniture!! ahhhhh!!}

Q: Did you make any new friends today?

A: Yes, Brogan. I was able to help him on the computer. And also, Trenton(sp?)...he had neat hair. It was really super short on the sides and spiked up in the middle. {and so Ethan then learned what a mohawk is, ha!}

More facts about Ethan at FIVE years old:

My friends: Jackson, Noah, Edith, Taylor, Brogan and Trenton{obviously new friends count too!}

My favorite color: Green

My favorite food: Chicken

My favorite animal: Lion

My favorite TV show: Odd Squad

My favorite things to do: Hide & Seek, Ipad, Pretend Fighting & Zombies vs. Emma 

My favorite book: The Night before Kindergarten

When I want to grow up I want to be: A Doctor or a Dentist

I am good at: Hide & Seek, Coloring inside the lines & Reading

I think it's safe to say, today was a great day! Praying for a wonderful rest of the year! And now to mommy's photo "shoot" because I'm just that mom :) 

Ready to go!

Not a single complaint for making him pose :)

Sissy HAD to get in the picture. She loves to smile for that camera!

And we have to throw in a silly face!

Sweet boy at his table in his new classroom!

Ethan & his new teacher, Mrs. Weldon! Blessed to have such a wonderful teacher to start his school years!

Ethan is one of Mrs. Weldon's Cool Cats!

Ethan "Rocked" his first day of Kindergarten!

Donuts for Dessert!

Emma got a donut too :) She made it the whole day without her "bubba!"

It's almost been THREE years!

~This photo is purely a reenactment for your viewing pleasure~ :)

My back is turned to the kids as I'm prepping dinner and I hear the girliest squeal and giggling coming down the hall. I turn around to see what's going on and Emma is running aka "toddling" down the hall as fast as she can with her big brother's blue bass pro hat on{wearing it like the cool kids:backwards, of course} and in her right hand is a pretend knight's shield. Following closely behind her, is Ethan, sporting his pirates hat with the knight's matching sword. He's not running, as to be careful not to run over his little sister, but nonetheless, he's laughing and pretending he's going to attack her. Their giggles, squeals and laughter fill our tiny, yet cozy home and I couldn't be more happy. And then, I have a glimpse of you, running along side your brother trying to capture the {tomboy} princess. I am constantly having glimpses of what your features would look like and most surely they would favor your brother and sister. Glimpses of your budding personality now that you would have almost been three years old. But as I stand in a moment of frozen time, I can't seem to wipe my smile off of my face. I honestly probably wouldn't be able to enjoy this moment if it weren't for your precious life. Because of you, I have learned to slow down. I have learned to soak in all the moments, good and bad. I have learned{and am still trying to improve on a daily basis} the art of grace and patience for Ethan and Emma. I didn't have these qualities before you.

Cynical as it may sound, there is a calming peace in my heart when it comes to thinking about you and how you were taken so soon. No, I still don't have the answers and yes, my heart still longs to hold you in my arms and steal your sugar, but now, after these past three years, the sadness, the hurt, the confusion continually fades and is being filled back with joy, happiness and love. Because of you, I found Jesus. He has been stirring my heart as long as I can remember, but when you went to Heaven, that is when I truly saw Jesus standing right beside me as I walked my new path. Coming home with empty arms and waking up to silence, I still had that warm presence of His spirit. I haven't let go since and I don't intend to, because I know where following him leads me: to an eternity in Heaven with you and Him.

I rejoice with Him for the gift of you, Asher. I rejoice for all the many blessings our family has received from your passing. I rejoice in all the struggles that lay ahead because I know fruit will come from them. Missing you and loving you always.

Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."