School Time

I am finally getting around to posting these pictures of the girls on their first days of school. We arrived in Iowa on Monday evening, and they both started school on Tuesday. It was quite a whirlwind, and I am proud of them for being brave and confident and adjusting so well. Ashton is in first grade and has a very strict teacher. In just a few days time, her handwriting has become immaculate and she is doing just great. She is an excellent reader and seems to really enjoy school. This year she is loving gym class (a fabulous coach) and gets to go to music and art several times each week. She also tells me that the school lunch is very yummy. One of my favorite things about this year so far is that the girls and I have been walking over to pick up Ashton on most days. The weather is incredible (fall in Iowa), and I love when the bell rings- We scan the flood of kids that come running out and soon spot Ashton. When she sees us, she always lights up, runs over and gives lots of hugs. So much fun.

Jordan is in preschool again and this year she gets to go every afternoon. That took some getting used too! But now she is really liking her new school. She has been studying apples and during center time, she almost always chooses to do coloring or drawing- very artistic. Once people get to know Jordan, they always appreciate her easy going attitude and helpful ways. And her teachers really like having her in class. She has started talking more about her friends at school and even gets a sparkle in her eye when certain boys' names come up!

Both of the girls love picking out their outfits each day- with my help, of course! I like to see what they come up with. When I took them school shopping it was so fun to see their different tastes and personalities. Ashton is all about style, while Jordan is more into comfort. She won't wear jeans because she says the waist "cuts into her sides." I have to agree that at times, jeans can be highly uncomfortable.

Anyway, the girls are loving school, mom is loving the routine and structure, and Regan likes the peace and quiet. There is no time of year quite like September!

True Cowgirls

On the way here, here's what we did!

Jordan and Regan "driving" Grandpa's tractor
Ashton with her best friend Henry
Regan going for a ride!
Climbing up the hay bales (above) and being silly (below)

As we were travelling to Iowa, we got to stop and spend a few days at the farm in Missouri. It was so much fun! We absolutely love being able to visit this amazing place and spend time with Tod's family. The girls always have fun adventures and there is so much to see and do. Since I am a "city girl", I too am always amazed by life on the farm and the feeling that is there. It is hard to describe, but I am so glad we get to be a part of it. The girls are lucky to grow up with this special place in there lives. One of the best things about moving back to Iowa is knowing that the farm is just 5 hours! Some of you may be thinking that is far, but for us, it is just a little drive down the road...and worth every minute of it.

Graduation Day!

Here are some pictures from Tod's graduation at the end of August. It was a day to be very proud. Getting this Masters Degree came to us as such a unexpected oppourtunity, and this day made all the challenges worthwhile. If I had it to do over again, I would have found a baby-sitter for Regan for the actual ceremony...but at least I got to watch Tod go across the stage and receive his hood and diploma. What an accomplishment!

Home to Iowa!

Well, we are officially "home" and have made it back to Iowa! I can't really describe my feelings- excitement, relief, exhaustion and just overall happiness at the way things have worked out. We arrived here Monday night to a sparkling clean house and spruced up yard...thanks to amazing friends who prepared our place for our arrival. Walking into "our house" again was unbelievable.

Our last week in Texarkana was busy with lots of good-byes and excitement. The highlight was the graduation ceremony and seeing Tod receive his hard earned Masters Degree. I am so proud of him and proud of the work and commitment this represents. (Pictures will come shortly- I accidently packed the camera cord and we are still waiting for our stuff to arrive.) Our journey here was fun, and we were able to stop at the farm in Missouri for a few days. Being at the farm is always so great- the weather was beautiful and we got to see our beautiful new niece, Leah Marie (Megan and Jerimy's baby).

This week had been full of firsts- Tod's first day of work (no computer yet, but an office and learning his way around), Ashton's first day of 1st grade (lots of new friends and a teacher who is strict about handwriting), Jordan's first day of preschool (loves that they have lots of "art stuff" to do every day), and my first opportunity to take a deep breath and soak it all in! Regan is just enjoying having room to roam (the stairs are a favorite).

Stay tuned for pictures as soon as our stuff arrives- hopefully at the first of the week!

One More Week

Actually, one week and a day...we will be leaving Texas a week from tomorrow. We are all excited and feeling ready to go and get on with our next adventure. These pictures are from the New Boston parade last Saturday. Each year, the ward has a parade entry and invites the primary kids to ride along. The girls loved it last year (when we had first arrived here) and were so glad we got to do it before we left this year. Also, it was about 20 degrees cooler this year which was nice- especially for a Texas summer! Can you believe that the one picture is of the entire ward primary? It is very small, but full of love...and the girls have truly been adored here. They will miss all the individual attention, and we will miss the wonderful people we have met.

Sweet and Simple...

On Sunday, we celebrated my 32nd (wow!) birthday. Our celebration was sweet and simple. Tod and the girls surprised me with a yummy ice cream cake from Dairy Queen- one of my favorite desserts! Also, Ashton and Jordan presented me with my very own Webkinz (stuffed animals that are also virtual pets on the computer). I have secertly wanted one ever since the girls got really into playing with them! Obviously, Ashton was not happy in one of the pictures!

For my main birthday present, I am getting this:

For those of you who haven't heard, we are moving back to Davenport, Iowa into this house! I know, I can't believe it either. It's a long story, but through a series of miraculous events, Tod has been reassigned to work at the Rock Island Arsenal instead of at the Redstone Arsenal in Alabama. To say we are thrilled would be an understatement. For over a year, we have been hoping and praying that somehow this whole "situation" would somehow be resolved. We were unable to sell or rent our house this entire time. I could never have guessed after everything was said and done, that the resolution would be that we would move back. We will be arriving around the end of August. I seriously can't wait to unlock the door, walk in and be finally home! I have more to say, but no way to put it into words. For the first time in a year, I have been able to sleep and not wake up with a sense of despair. I am so incredibly thankful. That is the best birthday present I could ever ask for!