First Day of Second Grade!!!

Makenna started second grade in Ms. Rooney's class at Falls Elementary on Tuesday, August 24, 2009. She had a great first week and enjoyed school as much as always. She was happy to meet up with her "old" friends and was busy making many "new" friends.

Nashville, Tennessee

Where is my sundae?

Make your own sundae at the resort. YUMMY!

Crazy hair - oh what a little sun screen and pool water will do!

Watching the fish at the Aquariam Restuarant

Swinging on the play ground at the resort.

Riding the Merry Go Round at the mall.

Daddy and Makenna swimming.

Mommy and her girls. Cami is eatting her sunglasses instead of wearing them and the hat ended up in the pool after a second.

Where is the ball?

Posing for a picture.

Getting Daddy!

All decked out for the Grand Ole Opry!

Off to the Opry.

Family picture by the BEAR - Cami is sleeping.

We are back from our trip to Nashville. We had a fun filled relaxing vacation with my mom and the girls. Makenna was happy to have Nana along - and so were Jay and I. We went to the outlet mall and stocked up on the kids wardrobes for the fall and winter. Jay, Makenna and I went to the Grand Ole Opry! Not at all what I expected but it was fun none the less. We heard some good music and jokes. Makenna was so excited when the one and only female performer took the stage. She jumped out of her seat and said, "She is a girl like me." She then danced during the entire first song. During the second song Makenna decided to interpret what she heard from the music. It was a song about alchoholism (remember it was country) but Makenna's take on it must have been a christian version. There were a lot of signs about God and Jesus during the interpretation. We spent a lot of the time in the pool. Both girls loved swimming. Cami is keeping up the skills she learned in her water babies class. While Makenna didn't want to go under she mastered floating and jumped from the side while holding on to my hands. We went to dinner at the Aquarium - both girls were entranced by the fish swimming around as we ate. We also went to the Caney Forks Fish Farm that had a catfish pond inside. While we were eatting there Makenna looked over and saw a stuffed bear and yelled out "A BEAR" I think she thought it was real.

A Mother's Thoughts

Raising a child with special needs brings on a firestorm of emotions. You experience resentment, fear, rage, happiness, joy, etc. You also learn to become extremely patient and to celebrate every tiny achievement. You learn to not try to keep up with the Jones's because it will never happen. You learn to take no milestone for granted. You find pure joy in a smile, a word, a step, a bite, a hug or kiss. I have been living this for eight years. Now I am finding myself in yet another new and unexpected world of supersonic development. My tiny baby went from newborn to baby in a short eight months. I want to experience everything again with her. To celebrate the milestones to not take it for granted. She just meets and exceeds these things so much faster than her big sister did. I am in awe and yet I know this is what most parents experience. I wish I could slow her down a bit. Today she pulled herself up to standing a number of times. Before I know it she will be walking! This family has been in slow motion for so long - how are we ever going to keep up. Babies are amazing little creatures - we love to watch Cami do all these things on the "typical" timeline. I am a little sad for all those people who haven't had to slow down and be happy for those little things and find out that each and every stage is a true miracle. I am so thankful for my children and wouldn't change a thing about my experience as a parent. Love you girls!

Sunday Best

"I don't want to look at the camera - Makenna is more interesting!"

Daddy got my attention with a toy!

"If I could just get my hand back far enough I think I can reach Kenna's hair."

"What I'm not pulling Makenna's hair!"

Makenna and Cami all dressed up and ready for church. They are so pretty, aren't they? It was just me and the girls this morning. Jay decided to go to a bow shoot instead. Let me tell you it is rough with only one adult at church. Camille gave me a workout - I think I did my arm work - no need for weights today. She was getting tired and was moving all over me - plus it was really hot, I don't think they had the air on - I was trying to fan myself with the bulletin but paper being Cami's favorite toy right now she wrestled me for it so she could have a little snack of paper. - YUCK!