The end of an era

So here I sit. Quiet house. My baby girl is gone from me all day, every day in first grade. I can hardly stand it. Has it already been almost seven years? That can't be possible. All along people tell you how fast time will go by but it's another one of those things like when people tell you that the love you have for your children something so amazing; both are indescribable until you experience them.

I can't help but think but the future. From now on, for the rest of Emma's life she will spend the majority of her time away from me. At first I just kept saying "for the next twelve years" but then I got even more sad when I thought about the fact that at that time she'll probably be leaving us for college or whatever other adventure God has in store for her. It is actually completely boggling my mind this week. My charge to those of you with kids still at home is make it count! I hope and pray that these past years that I have had with her have built a bond between us that will be so strong that even though she spends more time with others, that I would be the one that she trusts the most for opinions and love. I know this is very dramatic because it's only first grade but the kids are growing up faster and faster these days and as I said before, as the time passes so quickly I feel the need to be focused and prepared NOW so I can handle things later. I know I can't just wake up one day when she's 13 and then expect her to trust and confide in me. She's too precious for that. Thank you God for giving her to me.

On a bit of a lighter note before I cry some more :) she is LOVING school. Her teachers are amazing and I love the little notes they send telling us they are praying for her and already the new things she is learning. I picked her up from her first day all excited for her and asked her how it was. I was expecting a "GREAT" for "so fun" but, in true Emma fashion, she looked at me all dreamy eyed and sighed ".....it's perfect...." Gotta love my little drama queen.

Summer 09 Vacation

We had been planning for a long time for our visit to Colorado to see our friends Dave, Jenni and Erin. The time FINALLY came on July 10.

We started out in the morning around 6:45 and went over to pick up Grandma Bierma (or Grandma B as the kids have renamed her). We decided to take Grandma B along because we were going right through where Aunt Judy lives in Missouri and were going to stop and see Jack's cousin Kenny's new baby so Grandma came along and stayed with Judy for the week while we traveled along.

The kids stretching their legs with Grandma BHaving some lunchMeeting baby Zoe and seeing her big brother IsaiahWe stayed overnight at Jack's Cousin Mike's in Kansas City to rest before the second leg of the trip. The kids love playing together, especially after being in the car for so long.
We got up early Saturday morning and began our long day of driving. I, again, very much enjoyed the drive through Kansas with the simplistic rolling hills and Jack sat and cracked himself up while watching the kids TV playing Ice Age. He's such a kid!!

After the LONG drive through Kansas we finally saw this sign! YAY!!When we got to Dave & Jenni's we were SO excited to see them! We went for a walk to stretch our legs and the kids found a puddle. Erin showed them how she has so much fun running and jumping in it. On Sunday we were able to go to church with them and then we were off to a house in the mountains that a couple from their church let us use for a few days.

Fun with Friends!The people who actually own this only use it two weeks a year!! They are crazy!!
Up in the mountains we were able to relax and have fun. We played lots of card games and got to be together without distraction. Jack and Dave stayed up playing golf on the wii and we all ate WAY more than we should've but it was lots of fun!

The scenery was unbelievable! Out the back deck was mountain upon mountain and out the front was the view of Pike's Peak.
Sunset when we were out having a campfire.
Beautiful cloudsYep, that's Pike's behind us :)
On Tuesday afternoon we drove back down and spent a few days hanging out at Dave & Jenni's. We, again, had lots of good food and fun! Of course our trip included a drive up skyline drive.
Dave, Jenni & ErinThe "crew" looking down at Dave & Jenni's houseWe were also able to play out in the yard some and I got this cute picture of my little ErinThursday is was goodbye to Colorado and on the road again. We went back to Mike & Leah's and were able to stay for a few days and have some fun. Friday we went to World of Fun and had Worlds of Fun.
Look closely....... Jack and Emma are on there!
Leah and I hanging out at the airplanes.

HA!The kids had a GREAT time and the night ended with some pretty cool fireworks!

On Saturday we got to go to this fun restaurant called T-Rex. For those of you who know the Rainforest Cafe, this is the same owners but just all dinosaurs. Very cool!Mike, Leah, Zak, Nathan & Madelyn
It was such a great vacation with tons of generosity from friends and family. With times being tough we were very blessed with a cheap but VERY fun vacation. The Lord continues to bless us with more than we could ask or imagine!