Maggie is a GA, and our Mother/daughter banquet...

Our sweet Maggie got to become a GA (Girl in Action) this year at our church, since she is a 1st grader. So far, she has LOVED it. They gather at church each Wednesday for songs, games and learning time with other girls about Missions and spreading the Good News. She has 2 really sweet leaders and a darling youth worker that make her time there wonderful. 

Recently she and I got to attend her Mother/Daughter GA banquet. This year marked the 100th Birthday of the GA organizaition nation wide. I was a GA back in my 1-6th grade years too. Pretty special share in the experience with Maggie. We had a yummy meal, had our pictures taken, enjoyed some sweet singing, and got to hear a lovely testimony. A local "missionary kid" who is a grown woman now, spoke about her life growing up as a MK in Kenya. It was a really great night!

Some momentos from the night...

We are very thankful for our home church in MANY ways, but especially thankful for programs like GA's that help teach our daughters about Jesus.

Big kid milestone!!!

October 1st marked a big, big, BIG kid milestone for our Maggie. She learned to ride her bike with out her training wheels. She had tried about a month before with no luck. 

After that, we had heard about a certain technique. And it worked! We had heard of taking off the pedals...completley. We had already taken off the training wheels and then also took off the regular pedals. All she had was her legs/feet to get her bike moving. It totally taught her how to balance and glide. After 2 weeks, she was begging Todd to put her pedals back on. So he did. 

While he was replacing them, he was giving her a few pointers. She stopped him in mid sentence and said..."Daddy, I got this. Just let me do it." AHHHH! A foreshadowing of days to come, I am sure. But the crazy thing is. She did do it. She hopped right on that bike and took off and rode over 100 ft the first time. We were sooooo impressed! Shocked and excited! 

Last time with training wheels...

Both the girls LOVE to ride bikes! 

Concentrating so hard...

Getting some pointers...

And then zoooooommmm....there she went! Love her big grin.

A video from her first day of bike riding success....

Love to all...thanks for celebrating in the small (big to us) things!

Maggie's first day of 1st grade...2013

Farewell SUMMER! We love you, sooooo. Sad to see you go. Already counting down the days until your return...

Yes, that is how we really feel. We are just summer time people...especially the girls and I. We love the relaxed schedule, swimming and playing, late nights and late mornings. We see all of our favorite people often, play outside, fly by the seat of our pants and go on vacation adventures. 

But alas, all good things must end. The end of August marked the beginning of our sweet Maggie's 1st grade year. She returned to her University Model school with the blend of private Christian school and part time home school. She is at the school 2 days a week, and home 3 days. They continue to select the curriculum, make the lesson plans each week and set the pace. We had a really great Kinder year, and were eager to do 1st grade again in the same style. It is a wonderful fit for us!

Maggie Caroline...6 years old.

Precious sisters...Sadie was excited to take sissy to school, and but even more excited to pick her up at the end of the day. So thankful they are friends, and love each other! I decided to keep my Sadie home with me for one more year. She will likely to MDO/preschool a few days next year. But I have loved our one on one time together this year. She is such a little doll. So easy, funny and a true joy to be around. 

Such cutie pies, right?

This was her..."are you SUUUUUURRRREEE summer is over" face? LOL!

Yes it is!!!

Sweet girl had a fun little desk waiting on her...

How is it that she is so big? It was a minute ago, we were bringing her home from the hospital. Time, please slow down.

Mags sweet class of 13...led by her darling teacher Mrs. Joyce.

We have really seen Mags come out of her shell some this summer, and feel that she is very ready to be a 1st grader. She has always been my more quiet, cautious one. Lately I have seen her speaking up more, developing a sense of humor and becoming more aware of her world. She bee-bops around the house with questions about everything, a plan for each moment and a steady stream of songs in her head. She has gained some confidence yet maintained her sweetness.   

Praying Gods protection and blessings over her and her school this year...can't wait to see how it goes!