First Day of School

I can’t believe I’m here – on August 14th - with everyone is school!  We survived!

Kai had two activities – a summer STEM camp at KSB and BELL Academy.
Alex went to ESY (summer school) at Churchill Park.
Joy and Bella went to three camps – Camp Rauch, Vacation Bible School, and Derby Dinner Musical Theater Camp.
Liz went to Alaska on a cruise with my parents, to EFY, and to Youth Conference in Nauvoo.
Jes went to Japan and was able to find a job here in town that she can continue once she goes back to EKU.
All the girls and Dad went to Houston for a week to my parent’s Lake House.

I had detailed lists and calendars.  I prayed a lot.  Summer with my specific population is tricky.  Routines rule and Mama can’t be a teacher, 2 aides, janitor, nutrition staff, and various therapists.  There is a reason school is so awesome – there is a team of highly qualified individuals working with my babies and giving each other breaks. 

Anyway, I read and pondered this scripture every morning to get me through:

D&C 68:6
Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear;
 for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you;

I am grateful I had that to ponder each morning and remind myself that I’m not alone and He and I are in this together.

So here I am on the other side of summer, grateful.  Grateful that Alex got into summer school last minute.  Grateful that Kai got into STEM camp last minute.  Grateful that Musical Theater Camp had an employee from Down Syndrome of Louisville at their camp to make it accessible and successful for the girls. Grateful we made it.  Grateful all of our surgeries went well.  Grateful that we have good doctors who look after my kids.

First Day pictures:

Boys:

Girls:

Mama’s first day of school activities:

Joy brought this home:

Yay for school!!!