And the decision is.....

both.  Both kindergarten and preschool.  After weeks of praying, stressing out, losing sleep, consulting with any parent, teacher, all of Reagan's therapists, doctors and anyone that would listen to me, it has been decided that Miss Reagan will go to morning kindergarten or “big school” as she calls it and will also go to preschool, also known as “little school” in the afternoon. 

She will be a busy little gal but we think she can handle it.  Reagan loves to learn and is a proving to be a very inquisitive little girl.  I look forward, albeit a little nervous, to this new school year and watching my little girl grow and learn.

Eleven Years

Eleven years ago today I became a mother for the second time.   The second time around was not as easy as the first time.  Kanika was scared. And she was mad.  We don’t have many pictures that first year of her smiling. 

This one is one of my favorites from our first year with her.   

It was taken nine months after being home on our first trip to the beach with her.  That sweet little girl with the beautiful smile was starting to blossom and let her guard down.

It is hard to believe that the little girl who was crying getting on the plane in Cambodia and was crying getting off the plane here in Portland is that same happy, smiling girl today.

In the last eleven years Kanika has grown up to be a caring, feisty, compassionate, funny and joyful young woman.   And that smile that was so hard to find eleven years ago?  Eleven years later it’s a rare occasion to find her not smiling.

 

Kanika Grace, I love and adore you.  Smiling or not smiling.

Paying it Forward.....

There is another New Day Matching Fundraiser going on out there thanks to a fellow and very grateful New Day Mama.  These funds will go towards New Day’s surgery fund.  There is never a shortage of needed surgeries at New Day. 

She and I both have daughters who were recipients of two heart surgeries each while at New Day.  They were life changing surgeries for our girls.  

Reagan

Emma Lael

Please check out this Mama’s blog to for more information on how you can 'Pay it Forward':
http://onegirlpeacefulandsafe.blogspot.com/2011/07/pay-it-forward.html