camera phone

So I was copying the pictures off my phone and realized there were some highlights from the last few months that I've neglected to share with everyone.

A big one is Kate's first day of preschool. You may remember our first-day-of-school ritual. In the same way, I took Kate out for breakfast on her first day of preschool. It was later because she started later in the year, shortly after her birthday. And, as you can see, she picked a hearty breakfast from McDonalds to celebrate.

Ben and Will also helped our youth group with raking leaves. They had a lot of fun... and literally helped "grab a corner." I'm excited about my kids getting opportunities to be a part of mission projects.

And just last Tuesday, our church took some college students to the Kentucky basketball game. I had an extra ticket at the last minute, so I was able to take Ben with me. He had a great time with his dad and learned a lot about basketball... plus, he got to see John Wall break the UK single game assist record and experience the number one program in college basketball history. Go Cats!

School Starts and Tradition Continues

This week was the beginning of a new school year in our house. My oldest son, Ben, began First Grade on Monday. This is his first time going to school all-day, every-day, Monday through Friday. He's a great student and loves school.

And today was the day that my second son, Will, started his second year of preschool. He goes half-day, three days a week. He loves it and is so creative and smart. I know he'll have a great year.

I'm so proud of my kids, and one way I try to show them is by taking them out to breakfast before school on their first day of class. I want to honor their love of school and try to be a part of this milestone in their life by doing something special with them. It was fun listening to them for several days in advance trying to figure out where they wanted to go for the annual "first day of school breakfast." Ben picked Big Boy on Monday, but because it didn't open until 7:00am, we ended up going to Waffle House and getting waffles and bacon. After we dropped off Ben at school this morning, we went to Big Boy and had the breakfast buffet. I look forward to when I get to do this with Kate and continuing the tradition with all of them for many years to come. I'm such a blessed father!

Ben's first day of elementary school

This morning I dropped off Ben for his first day of Kindergarten. Yes, I knew it was coming, but I can't get over the feeling that our family has just crossed over into a whole new stage of life.

I'm not sure why this feels so big. I mean, after all, Ben's only going half a day. And he already had the experience of attending preschool last year three days a week... but that was just right next door to my office. And in comparison to the hugeness of the adoption, this seems like it should be tiny. But it's not. He started school!

Ben has got a real thirst for learning right now. Of course, he knows all the basic stuff. On top of that, his coloring, writing and addition are really coming along. But I'm completely amazed by his ability to read so well already. He is constantly taking on new books and more and more words. For example, he read the back of my Fall Break mission trip shirt last night: "I was in prison and you came to visit me... whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." And he's just starting Kindergarten!! Ben is ready; it's just me who's not.

So, this morning, we got up (while it was still dark) and got ready for school. Last year I took Ben out to breakfast before his first day, so we decided to keep the tradition alive. We headed over to McDonalds (which he asked on the way to school why McDonalds didn't have an "a" between the "m" and "c"... he's so smart!) and both ordered the cinnamon melts and an orange juice. There we enjoyed a breakfast, eye to eye and knee to knee.

Later as we walked into the elementary school, I couldn't stop thinking about how big he was and how proud I am of him. I don't know how I ever got so lucky as to have such a wonderful little boy... (*cough, cough*) I mean, young man.