Last Monday, Sept. 8 was Gabby's first day of preschool. Although we had been talking about preschool since the spring, it seemed as if the day approached rather quickly. As the last couple weeks of summer wound down, I found myself thinking, "It's time for school to start. It's time for her to take directions off someone else and it's time for me to have a break." On Monday, I got to sleep in a bit as my mom and dad had the kids overnight so Brad and I could attend the Colts game. Mom brought the kids back for me Monday morning and fed Gabby so she'd be ready to go when she got home. Gabby was absolutely pumped for her first day. She couldn't wait and I was happy she was because I think there would be nothing worse than having to drag your kid to preschool. As we pulled into the drop off line that beautiful late summer day, I was fine. Gabby and I sat in the car and talked about what she would be learning this year and how she would meet lots of new friends. After a few minutes, it was our turn. I'm so glad I had my sunglasses on because she hopped out of the car, looked back at me, waved and said, "Bye Mom." Tears streamed down my face. "BYE, MOM!" Is that all??? I know this is preschool but it just was a harsh reminder that she is growing up so much and from now on, she is going to be in school. She's going to make friends, she's going to want to go to birthday parties, she's gonna have things that she wants to do that won't include her parents. I know I may be blowing this a little out of proportion but I just felt like this was the beginning of something huge! However, I was able to compose myself that day and join my mom, grandpa and Whitney (brother's girlfriend) for a nice lunch and then some time at the mall which was a great way for me to pass the time that day. We are now into our second week and I am finding that I very much enjoy the 3 hours 3 times a week to work out and get things done around the house while Carson is napping. Maybe this preschool thing won't be so bad afterall.......
Back in early August, we were again surprised with tickets to a professional sports game by my parents! This time it was the Colts vs. Da Bears!!! So, on Sunday Sept. 7, we once again were given a break from parenting and loaded into a minivan with my brother, sister and both of their significant others and headed south on I69 for some fun and of course food! We stopped at Cheeseburger in Paradise (that's right, I got to eat there twice in one weekend) for a great dinner and then it was on to the game. Obviously, this was our first visit to the new stadium which Brad has dreamed of visiting since he first heard it was going to be built. I must say.....IT'S MASSIVE! The picture does not do it justice. So once we got through security, it was on to the game. We arrived with plenty of time to spare and it was good we did because we had a workout ahead of us and we didn't even know it. Now, please don't take what I'm about to say as me being ungrateful for the tickets because we would have never gone to that game if it wouldn't have been for my parent's buying the tickets for us, they are not cheap! But, if you can just imagine with me for a second, there were only 3 rows behind us and then you were out of seats so we were up pretty high. Nevertheless, we had a great time and were in awe of the building. The National Anthem was sung by Johnny Mathis and they brought out a flag that covered the entire field. As you can see, it is absolutely beautiful. There must have been at least 100 people holding the flag and at the end, they shook it so it looked like it was waving! I had goosebumps. The part that brought tears to my eyes though came at the end when there were 4 choppers that flew over the open roof! To think there are men and women fighting overseas for us so that I had the freedom to attend that game....absolutely breathtaking! 
Unfortunately, the Colts lost but we had a great time anyway and it was such a thrill to see the new stadium! What a great place to watch football. I don't think there's a bad seat in the house. After the game, we hightailed it for home and arrived back in Fort Wayne at 2:15. Half of the party was able to get out and go to bed while the other half still had an hour of driving to go! I think we were all tired on Monday but I also think we would also say it was worth it! Go Colts! Hopefully the first game isn't an indication of
what's to come this year!
Yesterday was Labor Day. A day when we celebrate the "unofficial" ending to summer and start to focus our thoughts on Autumn and then the dreaded "Old Man Winter." As this past Labor Day passed by, my thoughts travelled from past to present. Two years ago yesterday, we moved into our new home. I was pregnant with Carson and it was the third move our small family had made in just under two years. I remember it like it was yesterday. I was so excited to finally be moving into a house and settling into a place that I could officially make my home for an extended amount of time, at the very least. Time has flown since that day and our family has grown and changed so much. Brad has changed the type of insurance he is selling and Gabby has gone from being a toddler to a little girl who loves playing with Barbie's, on her swingset, with My Little Ponies and most of all....TALKING! She is a total girl! She has even gone from not wanting to talk on the phone to being mad if she can't answer it when it rings. And then there's Carson! Oh, Dizzle! He has been such an enjoyment and it was nice going through the baby stage with him and not worrying about whether I was doing something exactly right or not.
As I look to the future, it's with bittersweet feelings that I will take Gabby to preschool for the first time on Monday morning. Although I am looking forward to the time alone and with just Carson, it also saddens my heart to know that this is just the beginning of lesser time with her as next year she is off to kindergarten all day. She is totally pumped so that helps mommy to feel better about it too, I just feel like she's growing up right before my eyes.
A new MOPS year is about to start and I am so excited about what it will bring. We have a lot of new moms coming this year and that will add to the excitement. I love knowing that we will have a chance to give these moms a greater sense of being a mom and feeling more valuable as a person as well as leading some to Christ for the very first time. THAT IS AWESOME! I have a wonderful team working with me to make sure we make MOPS at Sonrise the absolute best it can be and for that I am grateful and blessed!!
So, although I hate to see the summer go, with it comes a new season that will bring a new beauty all its own. Just think....it won't be long and we'll be seeing Christmas trees in the stores. The magic of Christmas will be upon us once again!
