Kindergarten

Kiley started Kindergarten today. We got up, we sang songs, we got dressed, drove to Kroger and walked the rest of the way to school. Many of the families here walk to school. So, we were able to meet folks and take pictures. The school Kiley is attending seems to be a fabulous real-life community school. Everyone lives with about a 6 mile radius from the school and is uber involved at the school. We look forward to having it as a social outlet.

Brad and I both thought we would/should be more emotional about her first day of school. But I think God set us up. He brought us to Little Rock and set the stage for the girls to be home all Spring and Summer. We are all ready for a break. The girls will actually miss being around each other again and will (hopefully) get along a little better.

While it is surreal to send Kiley to school, at the same time it feels right. She has been ready for several weeks. I think God brought us as close to the tipping point as possible so we would not mourn the day we sent her to school. As hard as I try, I cannot feel sad about today. She was so excited to be starting school. We made a huge celebration of it. It was a really good morning. I think my favorite part was walking her in as a family. Beginning tomorrow, she will have to walk in with her class from the playground.

I can't wait to meet more families, make new friends, and start this new routine. As a side note, Brad starts law school tomorrow. Who knows, maybe we'll take pictures of him too!

Anniversary

Today was our 11th anniversary. Wow! Eleven years. We have had some pretty memorable anniversaries. Our first was to Petit Jean Mtn. to camp. Arkansas in August is not very fun for tent camping. That anniversary didn't go so well. We didn't talk the entire weekend. But by year five, we were cookin' with gas. That year, we headed to Las Vegas. We had just found out we were pregnant with Kiley and I told everyone in town! Years six thru nine were kind of a blur, but I'm sure they were fun. Last year for big number ten, we went to a Dave Matthews Band concert.

But I have to say for all the anniversaries we have shared, I can't remember one being as relaxing and fun as today was. Brad's parents wanted the kids for the weekend (whew hoo). So, we didn't make any big plans. On Friday, we shopped for a new desk for the family computer. We found the perfect one at Haverty's Then, we came home, slipped on PJs, headed out to the deck and read a book and sipped on some great red wine while listening to the crickets all around our house. It was awesome. Then, today we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast at Satellite Cafe just up the street from our house. After that, we went to Lowe's to purchase a new light for over our dining table and then on to Bedford's photography where I got to research new lenses for my camera. We then came back home and installed our new light. This is a feat that would not have been accomplished in our first few years of marriage. But we worked as a team and got it done, without even fighting!! Afterwards, we enjoyed a light lunch and then on to a movie (Julie and Julia). After the movie, we decided to grab a bite to eat.

Just when we thought we were out of ideas for things to do, Brad suggests buying a chess set and teaching me how to play chess (another thing that would not have gone successfully in our first few years of marriage). After almost 2 hours, we ended in a stalemate. I almost had him beaten a couple of times but he backed out of it. I guess this was just another example of how equally matched we are for each other.

I think my favorite part about today was that we were just two best friends having a great time hanging out together. Even though the day was not filled with exciting adventures, we made a really great time out of it. We laughed a lot, we held hands, we kissed. It was just a truly sweet day in every way. Happy Anniversary, honey!