Witty title I know! Surprised to hear from me? Well I knew I needed to document these words before they left my brain. Better here for you to read than me just hogging them in some book til one day they make it into a scrapbook!
A little background – McKinley attended Berry’s Chapel Preschool the last two years – one day/week as a 2 and 2 days/week as a 3. We were very happy there. When she got out for the summer this year, I knew our fall 4 year old class was a 3 day/week class, which bummed me out a little. I don’t want her growing up so fast! And I don’t want her away from home that much. I reeeealy wanted 2 days/week which they did not offer. So I muddled through the summer with some uneasiness. August came and I really began to panic inside, my heart was not settled and I knew God was stirring it. It was a couple weeks of not knowing what to do. He laid on my heart Mustard Seed Preschool, super close to home as was her other school, but something was different about this school. Their director had spoken to our Moms Together a few years ago, and I knew I wanted my kids to go there as I fell in love with all she said. But they didn’t start til 3 and since I did a 2 year old Mother’s Day Out somewhere else and was happy, we just never ended up there. So here it is a couple weeks until the new year starts. Preschool registrations begin like in FEBRUARY (news to this new mommy a couple years ago). But I just knew in my heart God had a different plan for McKinley and our family. I knew He was stirring my heart for a reason. I got to a place of complete trust. I canceled her old school not knowing if we’d even get in at Mustard Seed. I filled out the paperwork and just continued to wait and pray. I told the Lord if He wanted me to BE my kids preschool I would. I was overwhelmed those days by his grace and when He provided a spot for her, I could barely get off the phone with the new preschool office without weeping. So going into the year we were very very grateful and excited to see what God would do.
The year has gone well. I am blown away at how solid and age-appropriately they present the gospel to these pre-schoolers. Every morning at 9:00 they have devotion and I’m so grateful that “my job” allows me to go. Jack and I sit in the back nearly every morning. McKinley loves to look back and see me – we usually sign to one another “I Love You.” I get to see her as she learns the catechism songs they learn to sing and sign – which are wonderful little songs about what we as Christians believe about God. I get to see how much McKinley has learned and how she leans in close to listen to Ms. Kristin as she tells the morning devotion story. There’s just something so very different about this place. MORE than just biblestories.
Anyhooo. So this week I had my first parent-teacher conference. I was nervous I tell ya. Christopher wanted to come, he really desires to be there as much as I do to support & seek wisdom regarding his girl. The teacher pulled up a table and three chairs – sorta formal it felt which made us a bit nervous. Jack and McKinley were in the room, playing with a ball & puzzles. First thing. Mrs. Casilda grabbed our hands and led us in the sweetest prayer. She thanked God for my sweet babies. She asked we be united with one another regarding McKinley. She thanked Him for her sweet spirit, even mentioning “Blankie.” Her words made me cry. Another sign we were in such a special place.
Mrs. Casilda pulled out an evaluation packet she’d done with each of the children. McKinley was right where she needed to be on everything. She showed us how she’d written her name, knew all her numbers & letters (except for a few confusing lower case ones), she could draw a picture of herself (ie, looking for them to draw at least 3 body parts). I’m afraid McKinley may have gotten my lack of artistic ability – she drew a circle with eyes, nose, ears, etc. It looked much like my sad little stick figures we draw together at home. She was very much fine in where she needed to be.
Then Mrs. Casilda said something that yanked on my heart a little. She said, “The Lord is all over this little girl.” You see…Grammy had said the very same thing the night before when she was here babysitting! She told us how she is really “the perfect student.” She’s obedient & compliant. She does exactly what is asked of her the first time (wish it were that way at home!) She said she is very very sweet. While she’s not real boisterous and loud like some of the others, she still participates and makes her presence known. She mentioned a story she’d read recently, something about Sally went to school on Tuesday and yadayadayada lots of other details. And at the very end after lots of questions she asked the children what day did Sally go to school. Only two children knew the answer. And our McKinley was one of them! I told her she has the memory of an elephant. Mrs. Casilda continued with just what a joy it was to have McKinley in class (yeah, I realize that’s a line she uses with most of the parents) but then she went above it to tell us that McKinley makes her job easy. And that she gratefully gets the sweet fruit though she knows we at home do all the labor.
Then I turned the tables on her, I made her cry! I told her how McKinley had just yesterday morning “led devotion” with Jack. She even signed & sang her catechism songs and then prayed about half of the Lord’s prayer! What a gift to this mother’s heart.
So we are grateful for where we are at. I love she only goes 2 days a week and one less hour each day. Whereas she could have been gone for 15 hours from me this year she is only gone 8! I know some of you think that sounds silly. She is still sad to leave me each day, school doesn’t “excite” her really. She’s sad & grumpy most mornings when I tell her it’s a school morning. But I notice she comes jumping out of there in excitement every afternoon with a big smile on her face and always has “a great day!” So I know she’s exactly where she needs to be. And I’m so thankful the Lord has a plan for her and humble he guided this mommy’s heart!
These were taken on her first day of school in September!
