Open House 2009

Today we got to unveil our kids’ secret identities as their teachers’ secret pals during open house/meet the teacher. Jon and I are ecstatic that Nathan has Kelly Runyon for the next two years (the teacher Baylee had for 1st and 2nd grade). Kelly is the most gentle, loving, understanding and wonderful first and second grade teacher ever! I love her to pieces as well as the families already in her classroom from last year.

Our sweet Baylee has my “dream come true teacher,” Robin Yeargain for third and fourth grade. Yippee! Robin’s creativity in teaching the writing process alone makes me eager for the school year to start and Baylee is so comfortable transitioning into her classroom since she spent an hour and a half with her each day last year during the reading block. I can’t wait for Baylee to grow under Robin’s brilliant wings! God granted us our heart’s desires for the 2009-2010 school year and looking around the classroom at the sea of people, He really handpicked some fantastic classmates as well. I can’t wait to get to know them all. This is going to be a great year of learning socially and educationally. To God be the glory in everything that happens in these two classes.

Star Wars Summer Fun

Today was Nathan’s and back by popular demand, a Star Wars theme from last year with Darth Vader (a.k.a. Daddy) as our guest. Teagan and Landon joined us from Nathan’s new class and his buddy Andrew who is in the same program, just next door in classes, played with them as well.
We set up things differently this year, where the boys, Jedi’s In Training, ran obstacles in the home shooting down the Droids that were all around! Their precision was impeccable (and boy, their moves were smooth)!

We made light sabers with pool noodles for the boys to “fight” with when eventually the Dark Side came out with music to introduce his arrival. Oh how the boys loved going against Darth Vader! They could have done it all day if it wasn’t for the 115 degree weather for poor Darth Vader who was of course, all in black!

Jedi Landon

Jedi Andrew

Jedi Teagan
Jedi Owen
Jedi Nathan
Jedi Baylee
This year the boys swam during the party as well and continued to use their light saber/pool noodles as they splashed about. We also dipped pretzels in colored chocolate melts, red and green, for yummy light saber treats as well as drank green Yoda Sodas and red Darth Maul floats.


Because of today, Nathan has two new buddies in Mrs. Runyon's class to play with on the first day of school as well as continue his bond with Andrew, a sweetheart. Today was just the beginning of friendships that will continue all year long, I just know it. And all the boys are eagerly anticipating the first day of school. {Goal accomplished!}

Prayer for Another School Year

Where did the summer go? It seems like yesterday when the new school year was upon us with Baylee entering second grade and Nathan in kindergarten yet now, another year has gone by and both kids are moving into new classrooms, new grade levels, with new teachers.

As always, the first Friday before school starts, Jon and I open our home to friends, teachers, and strangers that all love the Lord and value the power of prayer and who are dedicated to starting the school year, covering the campus, faculty, volunteers, curriculum, and kids in prayer. I wouldn’t want to start it any other way!

This year, God brought so many new people to our group; around thirty including four teachers… it was touching! I am humbled with how many believers send their kids to Edu Prize. I am richly blessed to have a home that can host such a vital evening and a husband that has shares the same passion as I do.

Here’s to a great 2009-2010 school year! May all of us continue to pray daily for our children and the school year, as if we were gathered together in our family room.

“Lord, I thank you for the men and women who dedicate their lives to educating children. I ask you to bless them with strength, joy, great health, clarity of thinking, and strong ethics. I pray they are fruitful in every way. Please give them wisdom, patience, love, insight, endurance, joy, support, and creativity. I pray your supernatural love for each student can pour out through each teacher, allowing every child’s heart and life to count in the eyes of all the teachers, volunteers, peers, and facility.

Please sharpen the minds of our students, making them eager to learn more and give you the glory in their success. Build godly character in them. Please draw our children to You. Let them see their need of You and surrender their precious lives to You. Help them let go of what others think and to love the unlovely and be a friend to many. Help our children to obey You even when it's hard.

Thank You in advance for the work you're going to do in our teachers and students' lives this year, Lord. I pray all of these things in the strong and mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen!"

“The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right and his ears are open to their prayers.” 1 Peter 3:12

(Thank you to the Keller family for watching our kiddos so it could be an "adult only", peaceful night. They had a super time!)

The End to a Chapter That Was Well Enjoyed!

Saying goodbye is always a hard thing to do, so the last day of school is filled with mixed emotions for our whole family. The night before begins with us handwriting thank you notes to the teachers, spilling our hearts of gratitude out to each one, then usually ends with many many many tears to the end of the chapter. Once the kids settled down and finally drifted off to Dreamland as we like to call it, Jon and I did our “norm” by decorating the windows of our family van. This year we went colorful! So here is to a great school year…we will forever be grateful for the teachers God placed in our lives, the friends/classmates, the kids’ safety, and for the learning that took place. Although sad, I am overjoyed to have the kids home with me for 6 whole weeks! It’s gonna fly by!

Here's a glimpse of the last day/first day...boy have they changed! (last day, above...first day, below)

(last day, above...first day, below)

And with their wonderful teachers!

(last day, above...first day, below)
(This picture tears me up everytime I see it. Oh the tears that flowed from Baylee, Mrs. Runyon, and I. On of our prayers is that Nathan will be with Kelly for the next two years!)

(last day, above...first day, below)
(first day...Mrs. Runyon with baby in tote!)

And Friends...
(last day, above...first day, below)

(Nathan and Chloe)

Our Graduate Nathan

Our kindergartner, Nathan, is a graduate! I truly feel like this year went by in a blink and am sad that it’s over! Nathan had an incredibly marvelous, mind-blowing school year. He learned so much from his amazing teacher, Lauren Zavisch, and made some remarkable bonds of friendship with some truly wonderful kids.

So tonight the celebration began on stage, a week before the school year comes to a close. The kids entertained us beyond measure with their songs and movements, speaking parts, poetry, and heartfelt photo slide show. I couldn’t help but tear up many times and also praise God for the courage and confidence he gave Nathan during his performance. Just two years beforehand, I vividly remember Nathan being in tears out of stage fright. Now look at him! We’ve witnessed a total transformation!

After the graduation performance we headed to Organ Stop Pizza for dinner. Nana, Papa D, Grandma Sally, Aunt Linda, Uncle Jimmy, Cousin Laura, Kaydon, and Kasey all joined the party (which made it even more special)! The organist even played a set just for Kaydon and Nathan full of Star Wars and Indiana Jones music. They thought that was so cool! And the night wasn't complete without going for dessert to Bahama Bucks!
(Nana and Papa D)

(Grandma Sally)

(Aunt Linda and Uncle Jimmy)

(Our family...Nathan's biggest cheerleaders!)

Kindergarten is the most precious school year of a child’s life. Don’t you agree?

Science "ROCKS" (and so does Baylee)!

It’s Science Fair time and Baylee’s cottage topic this year was rocks and minerals. She diligently worked on her project with the intense focus of a surgeon in an operating room and proudly displayed her findings as any scientist would. I sure love seeing this great brain at work!

Splish Splashing Fun

By leaps and bounds, Baylee reached the hundred hour reading goal this school year so an invitation to her water day was easily in her reach. I had the opportunity to be a volunteer, walking the kids from station to station and even took advantage of the huge blowup water slides myself. There’s nothing like splashing in a bunch of dirty warm water {not}. Regardless of the water style, those type of water slides are a blast!