Gabby's First Week

I know we have one more day left but I have time to write today! Her first week has been good. Monday she had a good day and got to visit the library and the music teacher. Tuesday she declared "Kindergarten is fun!" Wednesday was tough since we went straight from school to swim lessons and then back to school for Know Your School Night. By the end of that, we were all worn out. She had trouble getting up this morning for another day but she made it and has art class to look forward to. Hopefully she will love that since she loves art. Overall, she has had a good time, I think, and will enjoy going to Kindergarten this year.

First Day of School

We took our baby girl off to school this morning. She is so big and so ready to go. She has an awesome school - Kindergarten has come a long way since my day! She was brave and only a little scared about it. She's going 5 days a week, all day long. At least until we move January. Sam and I are going to miss her during the day because she is a big helper to me and plays with Sam. Daddy couldn't resist one last look through the door to be sure his baby was ok. She should have a lot to tell when she gets home this afternoon!

I did ok dropping her off. My only teary moment was when another little boy was brought to my mind, one from Fort Riley whose father was killed in Iraq in 2003. He and Gabby were about the same age, I think. I didn't know the family at all but remember the image of him at the memorial service. It made me sad to think that his daddy was not here to take him to start school this year. I pray he is doing well, wherever he is now. And, of course, there are a lot of other kids going off to school this year whose parents are deployed and not here to take them. Keep them in your prayers. Next year, that might be us.

Report on Bible Study

We had 9 people show up for Bible Study last night, 11 including us. We were very excited to see everyone here! We also have two other couples who are interested but couldn't come last night. We hope everyone comes back next week and that we can maybe gain a few more in the weeks to come. Since we had no idea who was going to come, it was nerve-wracking before it the time came.

A busy life and a prayer request

Yes, I know, I am behind in my writing. We are bust little beavers here in Kansas. I'm sure most of you are in the same boat! Last week was gymnastics and school enrollment. This week is Vacation Bible School (I will write more about this later - it's like nothing I've ever seen before!), swim lessons, and getting ready for school. Next week is starting school and the rest of swim lessons. I would like to think it would slow down but I know it won't!

Our prayer request is for tomorrow night. We are starting up our neighborhood Bible Study. Each neighborhood here has a study-our bigger neighborhood has five total! Our area covers about 70 families and they have all been invited! We spent the last week going door-to-door and managed to meet all but about 5 of them. We're not really sure how many to expect and we've never been running it before. And, did I mention we have a busy week going on? We just want to have a huge turnout, have the evening go well and have a great group come together. And have fun and be able to work out childcare for everyone. I'm sure I left something out. So remember us tonight and tomorrow evening as we prepare and welcome the new group.

Enrolling in school

We got Gabby all enrolled in Kindergarten today. She got to see a little of her new school and is getting excited. Next Friday we find out who her teacher is and get a chance to meet her and tour the building. Now we're talking lunch money and menus and supply lists, oh my!

Everyone's home

All kids are back home and accounted for. Now we just have to undo the spoiling heaped upon them. I have some pics from St Louis I will put up soon. Gabby's going to gymnastics this week. VBS is next week. School starts the week after. Starting to feel like summer is over and it's just now hot!

If you want to see a smile to brighten your day, look at the pictures of Sam we just had done.
http://www.susangrahamphoto.com/blog2/

Visiting with Cousins

My sister's family and my mom came to visit around the 4th of July. We had a great time playing with the cousins and showing them around Kansas City.

We went to fireworks on the 4th at Fort Leavenworth. Sam loved his first fireworks! It was a good show and we were very close to it.

On the 5th we went to downtown Kansas City. We started out at Kalaidescope at Crown Center and then had lunch at Fritz's, where your food is delivered by train. After that we went to Union Station and explored Science City. We finished the day having dinner at T-Rex, Gabby's favorite spot.

On the 6th we went to a park and had some pictures made (we rarely all get together like this). We had a picnic at the park and then went back home. The kids went swimming, where Gabby went off the high-dive for the first time and Jonathan went off the low dive for the first time. After supper, we looked at some of the historical stuff around post.

The 7th was our last day and we went to St Joseph, Missouri. The Pony Express jumped off from there and we had fun at the museum. We went to another museum, the Patee Museum, which has lots of fun historical stuff. The kids loved the merry-go-round.

We were sad to see them leave on the 8th. We were also all very tired!