Long Awaited Day

We have survived the longest summer known to man.  After dropping all three chicks into their respective new worlds I was filled with pride in each one of them.  Watching God remove most of their familiarity and fill their lives with new systems and relationships has been nothing short of remarkable.  They are all extremely extroverted so we know it would be easier for them than some kids but they have surpassed our expectations.

Emma has had the most difficult time adjusting.  To be fair it has seemed uncanny how few kids we have come across in her age group.  I'm so thankful for her very sweet friends Winston and Caroline for being a constant source of laughter and companionship from afar.  A wonderful reprieve came when we found an affordable tumbling class that could help her prep for cheer leading tryouts.  FINALLY, she was with girls her own age from her high school with similar interests.  After one class the coach suggested she join the Intermediate class rather than stay with the Advanced class.  She had a choice.  She could hang with the girls her own age and pretend to have the same abilities they have or tumble with the younger crowd and develop the skills necessary to tumble in her age group.  Pretend to be good or ignore how you are perceived in order to actually get better.  She has worked very hard and made great strides with the Intermediate class and is still working her way up to her age group.  I don't know that I've ever been prouder.  She has also joined the stunting class where she puts her safety in the hands of girls who all know each other very well to perform stunts she is just learning to perform.  My daughter is such a special young lady. 

Eliot has jumped into Middle School football with both feet.  He is one of the smaller guys on the team but always wants to get there early and pours his being into running fast and not getting pummeled.  He runs in the middle of the pack which isn't bad considering half of them are 8th graders.  It's amazing how he fits football practice and air-soft guns into his eating schedule. 

Daniel is just happy to be involved.  As he continues to stretch beyond our imagination his goal to keep up with big brother is increasingly more and more attainable.   Recently the doctor informed us that one day he will look down at us all from a height of 6 feet 2 inches.  For a family of vertically challenged individuals this is hard to fathom.  This morning we pulled up to his school to find the parking lot filled with parents parking their cars and walking in with their elementary students.  My kid INSISTED that I drop him off.  He assured me that he remembered where his classroom was and could make it just fine on his own.  Burned into my memory is a snapshot of him just before entering the building as he turned around to reassure me with a wave and a blown kiss.

God continues to faithfully bless the Jones family.