1st Day of School

FINALLY!!! It couldn't come soon enough. School started later this year in Davis County due to a special faculty training. My kiddos have been dying to go to school. Rhett's had the hardest time. We haven't done much this summer since we had Kodes and are lacking in funds. We did what we could, but the kiddos have struggled. I guess I put too much on Rhett's shoulders by saying, "You're the oldest. Be an example." I sat down and talked to Rhett last week because he's been so serious and sad and fighting with Ry alot. He said he's been so bored and he just wants to get away from all these girls. And he feels like he can't be a kid because he has to be in charge while I pump, nurse, and take care of Kodes. Talk about feeling crappy...like I stole his childhood this summer. But we had a great talk and it seemed to help brighten his spirits.

So we woke up this morning and got the kids ready. They looked so cute going to school.


Walking to the bus stop...

...and almost missing the bus! Good thing the bus driver saw them coming!

When we got back in the house, Kenna was so sad. She's been walking around for weeks with Rhett's old backpack, excited, thinking she's starting school too. She waved and said, "I have my pack-pack. I need to go on the bus to school too."

I hope she'll learn to love the one-on-one time.

An hour after they left, I got a call from school. They said my child, Rylee Merrill, had been marked absent. I quickly called the school, telling them I sent my daughter on the bus...she should be there. She said she was surprised they even took role today. She put me on hold while she went to find her. It felt like forever, but she finally got back on the phone. Whew! They found her in the classroom next to hers. Because of the training, they didn't do back-to-school night before today. So the kiddos hadn't met their teachers and vice versa. (Which I'm sure would have helped today) The bus got the kids to school late. So Rhett hurried to his class, and Ry just went to the first classroom she saw inside the kindergarten gate.
There are 3 Rylee's in AM Kindergarten, all the same spelling. So when the other teacher called out Rylee, our Rylee said, "Here! I'm right here."
They finally got her in the right class. I for one am happy they took role today. Crisis adverted...silly girl.

After my heart slowed down, I went to a funeral for a good friend of the family, Scott Fairbourne...he died from cancer. Though they knew he would pass on, and he lived longer than they thought, it was still a sad thing. And it's been super hard on my Mom too. He worked with her at her school and was one of her best friends.
When I got to the church, I sat with Mom and Dad. There wasn't enough room for Kodes' car seat, so I left her in the aisle. She has had separation anxiety lately and I thought she might cry. But she just looked in Dad's eyes and smiled. My Dad sure has a way with the grandkids.
I wasn't feeling sad until Susan and the kids walked in. I think alot of people started crying at that moment too. But Scott was a true optimist...always smiling, cracking a joke, and helping everyone out. He even planned his program and one of his songs was, "There's Sunshine In My Soul Today." It truly says alot about how Scott lived his life.
The funeral service was very uplifting, not somber and sad. Two things that were said that really had an impact on me were, 1-From Boyd K. Packer's talk...We aren't sad that we lose a loved one. We are sad we can't continue on the journey with them right now. 2-He didn't lose his life to cancer...he won. His spirit was just too strong that his body couldn't contain it!
After the service, we all went to the graveside service. It was over pretty quick, but of course the Allen's had to be the last to leave.
Mom had to go back to work, but Dad took me, Dawn, Tanner, Kylee, Amos, Wy, and Oaklee to Wendys for lunch. It was so nice to be with my sisters and Dad...minus Mandee. Wasn't quite complete without her.
After lunch, Dad had to leave to get back to work too. So me and the girls walked out to the parking lot, and just talked there...for over an hour. I can never get enough of them. But we had to cut it short so we could get home to get the kids from school.

After I nursed Kodes, it was time for Back-To-School Night. We got there about 20 min. after it started...which caused us to park 1/2 mile away. When we finally got inside, we were able to meet the kids teachers, listen to their plans for the year, see their classrooms, and eat string cheese and carrots for a snack.
We finally got the kids home, fed, bathed, and into bed. It was a very long and draining day, but so worth it. I'm so happy the kiddos loved school so much. They didn't want to come home. I know it will be so great for them...I can already see a happy difference in their moods. Also, thank you to those special people in our lives. We feel lucky to be loved by you!