First Day

Margie Grace and her buddy Katherine are in the same class!


Walking in with Mommy




One last picture with Daddy before we head to school


Our first-day-of-school girl

Holy blog, Batman! It's a new post. Yes, I know I am severely behind in updating this blog but it seems like life just gets in the way sometimes. Thankfully, Neil and I were able to buy a second computer -- a new laptop -- so I'm hoping that this enables me to be a little more regular with keeping folks updated on what we've been up to. Since Neil works from home, his time on the computer takes precedence since it actually pays the bills. (My computer time at home is usually just for fun.) Rest assured the delay between posts is never for lack of content! We've had a wonderful summer with lots of playing at the park, swimming at the lake, fun trips and I've even gotten to do a little sewing. But fall is definitely here and a new season has dawned for our family.

Monday, August 24, was a big day for the Wilder clan. Margie Grace and I both experienced firsts. She had her very first day of preschool and I had my first day of work at a new job. We are both very excited! Margie Grace will be attending preschool three days a week and my new position as a writer and editor for the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences at Auburn will allow me to work part time -- on the days MG is in school -- and be home with her on the other two days. I think it is the perfect arrangement and it is something that our family has been praying for since Margie Grace was born. I have always wanted to be at home with her but it just hasn't been economically feasible. However, Neil and I kept praying that we could find a way to make it work for our family. Throughout this past year, the Lord has slowly revealed that plan to us. Neil got a new part time job (in addition to all the other things he already does!) that provides full benefits so we no longer have to be dependent on my full-time job to meet those needs. His new part-time salary also supplements the income that is lost from my check being cut in half.

See, I already knew this:

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." (Matthew 7:7)

And then I remembered this:

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6)

And just this weekend I took note of this verse:

"Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart." (Psalm 37:4).

This entire time I know the Lord has had a plan. And although it wasn't what I would have initially hoped for and although it wasn't on my timetable, it was what was best for our family. Today when we took Margie Grace in to preschool there were many apprehensive and upset little ones who were likely leaving their mothers for the the first time for an extended period. Margie Grace strode into her classroom with confidence and never looked back. She was so happy to be there and to be meeting new challenges and making new friends. She gave her teachers each a big hug and was ready to take preschool by the horns. I believe that leaving her -- as much as I hated to -- while she was little has helped instill these qualities in her. She knows I'm coming back to get her and she's going to have an incredible time meanwhile. She did, by the way, have an incredible time. She played on the playground, had a snack, colored and painted a picture. She also happened to get tempera paint on the brand new outfit I made her (with mom's help!) to wear for this momentous occasion. I'm sure it is not the first time she'll come home with a little paint on her clothes. I know she had fun and that this is going to be an exciting year for her. It is also going to be an exciting new chapter for our family. Thank you, Lord, for giving us this opportunity. Now, I'm off to try to remove paint from new clothes!