a kleenex and a side of "bless yous"

the kleenex?

that would be for me.

my big girls have their first day of school today.

the senior

9th grader...really?!!!

attending the same school this year!

why does the mama look through the camera lens

& see all the other "1st day pics"?!

the pigtails

the ironed little dresses
the missing front teeth

the Barbie lunchbox

the Madeline backpack

my, my, my

as for the "bless yous"?

those are for Ali & Erin.

aside from the lump in my throat today,

Brian & I could not be more proud of our teenage girls,

and we bless them today.

we bless them to be confident in who God 

created them to be.

we bless them to boldly share the love of the Father

in tangible ways with their peers and teachers.

we bless them to carry God's kingdom

and the power of the Holy Spirit 

everywhere their sweet little feet step.

they are where they are for a purpose,

and we can't wait to see the Father's

hand on them this school year.

as for Quinn & Gracie,

I'll be investing some time in them today -

explaining to them how they will 

never be allowed to leave mommy 

and go to high school,

putting little bricks on their heads & informing

them that they are not allowed to grow up

so darn quickly,

etc.

be blessed beautiful treasures!