That was the best way to explain soccer last year.
But this year, was a different. I knew going to the game today that things were different. It is amazing how much Alyssa has changed and matured in a year. There was a big difference in my 3 yr old and my 4 yr old. She did great today. She ran and followed and kicked and smiled. I could not have asked for a better day. Check out the video and pics. Alyssa is in orange with the white shoes 🙂
I am still taking pictures, but somehow they don’t make it to the blog. I have uploaded some new ones to the gallery. Everything from bike riding to spaghetti. Enjoy.
Okay, so I know this is not a new thing, but I got a new phone that has a camera on it. My old phone was pre-Alyssa and was actually still black and white. Needless to say, I am loving the camera. So I have created an album just to show you some fun stuff I am taking pics of. If you would like to be added to my email list, I can randomly send you pics of what we are doing. I am sure I look like a dork to others, but I am loving this. Click to see the album.
Today is Alyssa’s first day of her last year of preschool. She was so excited she woke up at 6:30 asking me to help get her pajama shirt off so she could get dressed. After she was dressed we laid in her bed and read “Froggy Goes to School.” This morning was very pleasant and she was really looking forward to school. We had breakfast and Daddy went with us to drop her off. Today was Alyssa’s first day, but it is actually the third week of school for everyone else. It was nice that everything was routine for everyone and not a lot of crying kids. We followed her down the stairs to her green classroom. When I drop her off in the morning, they will open the door for her and she walks down to her class by herself. She walked in and greeted her other 5 classmates. Ha. Yes, five. Ms. Carmen showed her where she could put her stuff and it just so happened to have Noah’s name on the space. How cool is that. She did great. Gave us all hugs and kisses and went to play.
Mom: “How was your first day?”
Alyssa: Good. We learned about Noah’s Ark, but “I already knew all that.” We talked about the color red, the circle and the letter C. I even learned how to do a C in sign language. (With only 6 kids, they each get a special job each day.) I got to pass out the napkins for snack time. We had cheese and crackers, but the cheese was yucky. Keely said she liked it though, but I didn’t. I sat by Keely (the only other girl in her class) most of the day. During music time, they played the Veggie Tales, Noah and the ark song and I knew that one. But they sang other songs that I didn’t know. And we didn’t get to go outside because it was too hot.
At least she didn’t just say “Fine.”
Tonight, as I surf from one blog to another and click on someone’s blog that someone else knows, I find this little boy, Bennett (or go here). I do not know all the details about him, but I saw his picture and that was enough to pull me in. A picture that I know all to well. A picture that will never be anything but personal to me, no matter who the baby is. So tonight, I prayed over this baby’s picture. I prayed for healing. For God to show His power through Bennett by a miracle. For God to give Bennett the life that Noah did not have. For God to bless his parents, Travis and Kelly, by letting them watch Bennett grow up. I do not know this family, but my heart will forever be drawn to families who suffer like I did.
But the reason for my title… After looking at the picture of Bennett, I went back to my picture of Noah. First thought: He sure was cute. Next thought: Is that my child? Was that real? Did I actually give birth to a baby that is not here anymore? For me now, so much of Noah is a memory, a feeling, an emotion. Noah is in my heart, he is in my mind, but he is not something visual to me. I can remember touching him, kissing him, holding him. But until I see the pictures, until I watch the video, I forget how real it all was. Let me tell you how much those can bring him back to me. And now 2 years later, in a new house, a new city, I still wish he were here. We continue to miss your presence Noah Allen Whaley.
With no swimming pool around, we had to enjoy a whole new kind of fun. Believe it or not, this was a first for Alyssa. She was a bit timid at first, but a few practice runs with mommy and she got the hang of it quick. Oh – and the thing I am sitting on is a horse shoe pit. Can’t wait to use that in our horse shoe competitions.
Megan has been winning at hide-n-go-seek lately.
And this is her newest trick.
I promise, I did not teach her to pose like that (the red outfit). But somehow, I think I would feel better if she had actually learned that from me. Today, we spent part of the day upstairs just playing. The play room has not been assembled into anything that looks like Pottery Barn and I guess probably never will, but it drives me a bit crazy that the toys are just everywhere. The good news is that we know no one, so I don’t have to worry about having my house “put together”. Anyway, we were upstairs and with all the toys out, Megan was occupied for a good hour. Meanwhile, Alyssa was playing dress-up. I couldn’t help but photograph this and I think the picture says enough. I think she is getting bored of just hanging out with me and actually said she is ready for school now. I think they hit an age where they are just better off away from you for several hours a day. I swear we bought this house because the neighborhood was full of kids, but I haven’t met any yet. Megan on the other hand is just content chewing on all Alyssa’s toys.
Other than this silliest we are good. Surprisingly not too lonely yet. I guess it just feels like all our friends are on vacation or something. Soon it will hit that they are not coming back.
Those words really do not do justice to my feelings about my mom and dad moving us to our new home. My dad did everything from painting, to ceiling fans, the fort, installing baby gates, to even watering the grass until our sprinklers are set up. My mom did things like help with the girls, go to the store, cook dinner, point out why the ceiling fans weren’t working, unloading and organizing the kitchen items, and play as much as the girls would allow. I know that many people would have gone with us and helped us move in had we asked. And I wish we could have shared this experience with others too, but there is just something about a girl’s mom helping her get her house in order. It meant so much to me to have the two of them here with us and I know the good-bye may have been harder, but it was worth it. Thank you mom and dad, for loving us, supporting us and taking care of us when we need it. I love you.
A few of our good-byes
We have had a most of our final good-byes. Though I always heard it is not good-bye with friends but just “see you later.” We have been showered with love and tears over the last few days. While I don’t like good-byes, sometimes you never know what you mean to someone until you see them tear up with that last hug. Thank you to all my dear friends who have loved me, supported me, grieved with me and rejoiced with me. I will miss each of you.
I will offically be offline Tuesday and will reconnect from Spring Hill, TN.
