Oh hey, y'all! You're probably getting sick of my month long blogging breaks by now, for that I'd like to say, "SORRY NOT SORRY!" I've been actively trying to soak up every fun filled minute of life with my family and friends that I possibly can this summer, before things get banana sandwiches come fall. So what's the haps in Amanda land? Let me fill y'all in. Probably the biggest thing is... LILY IS STARTING KINDERGARTEN NEXT WEEK! We had her tested by the school district here and they informed us that Lily has the IQ equivalent of a 2nd grader (I acted surprised, but we all knew that already.) after she passed the academic portion of the test they had to test her in a classroom setting, where unfortunately (and by mistake I swear) they claimed Lily was "nervous" and "anxious", if you know this little diva at all, those are two words you would never use to describe her. She basically walks into a room and commands it completely, but there's not much I can do. Honestly, I had a mini break down when they told me that she couldn't start. I cried... for hours. H O U R S Y' A L L! How on earth are these people going to recommend that she goes BACK to pre k when they JUST told me last week she was beyond advanced smarts wise? yeah, no happening. Lily's been attending the local Goddard school in our area for her Pre-K education. She goes 3 times a week all day and currently we're paying $300 (I know... i roll my eyes at people throwing money into blogs too, but hold tight) To some people that seems like a lot of money, but if you break it down, it comes out to roughly $75 a week and let me assure you that was after the owner discounting us $300 already. I'll tell you the same thing I tell everyone else, there is no better place that I can justify investing money than into the future and education of my girls. ANYWAYS, I got off track, I immediately called Goddard and talked to the owner about our situation and to say that she was just as upset and confused by the backwards ass school district that we're in, is an under statement. We set up a time to meet with all three of us present and hoped for the best. To be 100% honest, both Bryce and I went into the meeting thinking that there was no way we'd ever be able to afford full day Kindergarten there, it's a rather pricey private Kindergarten, but we figured we had nothing to lose.
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| her first day of pre-k |
When we met with Kim, she didn't waste time explaining the program to us. It is an accredited kindergarten and it truly sounds like an AMAZING program, but we still hadn't talked price. I was flipping through the program folder she gave us and stumbled across the price and in that moment, my heart either sank or dissipated all together. To attend the private kindergarten there it costs $968 A MONTH PLUS a one time testing/supplies fee. I wanted to cry and panic all over again. I just looked up at Bryce and he looked at me and then Lily's angel of a director spoke the sweetest words I had heard in two VERY LONG days. She was going to let Lily attend their program for less than HALF of the normal cost. We're going to be paying $400 a month for her to have the best education she can possibly have AND she gets to stay with the friends that she's made over the past year of being there. It took every single ounce of energy in me to not break down in that office. The only words I could manage were thank you. Being a military family is rewarding, we're all so proud of what Bryce does every day for us and I couldn't be more thankful of our lifestyle, but financially sometimes... it's no picnic. I know it seems like I was being dramatic over something small, but there will be nothing more important to me in life, than shaping the future of Emory and Lily and making sure that they have EVERY SINGLE opportunity possible, within their grasp and that starts early now days. I needed this good to happen to me, I prayed for it. Which is a weird thing for me and the big guy pulled through.
So! The big girl starts school on Tuesday and our new price wont even kick in until September. The overwhelming sense of relief that I'm filling, is indescribable. Tomorrow we have Goddard's annual family jam (last years was australia and this year it's Jamaica.) and I can't wait to see what that has in store. Last year they had a wallaby, dunk tank and so much more.... I truly love this school and I'm glad we took the steps to have her in private school from the get go. Aside from Lily's school stuff our other little diva turned 2!!!! AHHHH!!!! We didn't go all out for her birthday party this year and I'm not gonna lie, I'm sad about it. If there is one thing I love more than most things in this life, it's party planning. The girls ALWAYS have spectacular birthday parties and it's something that I know I picked up from my mom. I can't remember ever being disappointed with a party that my mom threw for me. She always made a point of going above and beyond and I can honestly say that was one of my favorite things about my childhood. I try and do the same with the girls, but this year, Bryce made a valid point that made me tone it down. I was full blown party planning and asked him, "Do you think this is too much?" what does my man reply with? "Amanda, can you think back to your 2nd birthday and remember anything about it?" Touche'. We invited a few family friends and celebrate and guess what, She loved it the same as if it were the biggest party in the world. I seriously still cannot grasp that it's been two years since I've had her. It seems like just yesterday she finally made her way into this world and I fell in love with those sweet cheeks and that smile. From the get go Emory has made sure to keep us on our toes, but that's what being the youngest child is all about right? Right. She did have another cardiology appointment last week and it went about as well as it could have gone.
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| how bad ass is the cake Ashley handmade!?! |
When we got there she had her usual EKG (can I just say that EVERY TIME we go she is always so still and such a perfect little patient that the nurses cannot get over it?) and then her amazing cardiologist listens to her heart and does an echo. We found out once again that the hole is still there and the left side of her heart is still enlarged and working harder than it should be. As of right now we don't have to see the cardiologist again until she's 3 and if the hole is still there, we're giving it one more year before we discuss our surgery options. That's a scary thought to me, but lately, I've been thinking that I'd rather it go ahead and be repaired than to have to constantly worry about it. My mom told me the other day when I called her crying that God would never give me more than I can handle and let me tell you, his faith in me is mighty high these days. I've never been one to back down from a life challenge though, so I'm going to show life who's boss.
I swear I've written a novela already and I still have more to say!! My best friend from NC came to visit (2nd time this year!) and for the 4 days that she was here, I was the happiest person on the planet!! Some times it gets kind of lonely here, then my friends announce that they're once again driving 7 hours just to hang out, because they miss me and suddenly I'm so filled with love and happiness that I forget what lonely even feels like. I hope that everyone gets to experience a friendship like mine and Ashley's at least once in a life time. In the 8 years that we've been friends, we've been through so much and even though we can go months or YEARS without seeing each other, when we do, it's like it was yesterday. Now if only B. could wind up stationed in NC and we could live 2 hours away, my life would be perfect and I'd literally cry from pure happiness for days on end. She always reminds me that I'm stronger than I think I am and all while doing my make up and making me feel like a super model (Oh hey having a make up artist for a BFFLZZZZZ is kind of handy... did I mention she also does all of my website graphics as well? well she does. My best friend is better than yours.) Just being around her really makes me a better person. Beyond blessed, doesn't even cover it. Not to mention while she was here ALL THREE of my besties were under one roof.... Ohio wasn't even ready for the ninja rolling action that happened there. To make a long story short, this has been one hell of a week for me.
Alright, y'all. I'm done here for now. Time to go call Creative Images and do some school talk and clean these carpets that my children decide to mess up on a daily basis. I hope your day is wonderful and I'll try and write again soon.
Bye now!
-Amanda
