I survived...barely

Well, it's official. The day I've been dreading for five years finally came and amazingly, I survived it. Alexandra started kindergarten yesterday!

She woke herself up nice and early and was so excited to start school. During her bath the night before she told Phillip, "I've been waiting for this day my whole life!" We walked her to school and she got to play on the playground for a little while before her teacher called her into class, then she went in and class started. I, of course, stayed outside with a dozen other parents and peeked through the windows to see what was going on. I was very proud of myself because I managed to hold my tears in until I was walking away, then let them flow! Being the paranoid and always-worried mother that I am, I parked my car in front of the school during her recess to watch her play and to make sure she was having fun. I didn't want to look like some creepy stalker so I sat in the back seat so nobody could see me through the tinted windows. I know, a little crazy but it made me feel better. When I picked her up and asked how her day was she said she was a little sad because she didn't learn how to read yet. Grrr, now I feel like a jerk for not teaching her sooner!

Grace started preschool on Monday, and I wonder if I'm a terrible mom for being excited for her.

She actually went to preschool during the spring and loved it, so this wasn't such a huge transition for us. She is enrolled in a special ed preschool so she is able to receive the physical therapy and occupational therapy services she needs. She was so excited to go to school and had such a great time! It makes me so happy to see my girls enjoying themselves while doing something so productive.

After school we took the girls to the Children's Garden and waterfall at Thanksgiving Point. Phillip and I are such smart parents that we forgot to bring our stroller...oops! We managed, though,and had such a great time.

On Monday I wanted to do something really fun with Alexa since it was her last day of freedon before starting school, so we went shopping for shoes (she decided she loves shopping with me...is that what happens when you actually buy them things?) then went to Kid Barn.

We had such a great time playing on all the inflatable slides and just being silly. I loved spending time with her, just the two of us, and I hope I never forget the way she'd giggle as she'd show me her favorite places to play. She kept grabbing my hand to pull me around saying, "Come on, Mommy!" and we'd laugh and giggle and run around, and just play. Sometimes I forget how fun it is to just play without worrying about laundry or dirty kitchens or making beds, or whatever.

I'm blessed

I had an interesting thing happen to me yesterday. I was carrying Adelle and walking to my parent's house when I had this very strong and peaceful feeling come over me. It was one of those times when you think, "Oh! I should definitely pay attention to this feeling!". I had a strong sense that my life right now is exactly as it should be. It definitely isn't exactly how I want it to be, but it is how it should be. In my almost-perfect world I wouldn't have to work anymore, Phillip would be graduated from school, Adelle would stay four months old for about six more months, Alexa wouldn't be starting kindergarten next week, and Grace would have full use of her body. But, this isn't an almost-perfect world and I feel very blessed with what life has given me. It's nice to know that Heavenly Father knows me, Marianne Marie Olson, and each of my daughters. It's comforting to know that He is aware that Alexa is a little scared to start school. It's comforting to know that He is aware that Grace has to work a billion times harder than most of us to do many things. It's comforting to know that He is aware of each little tear I shed because I just decided that I fell in love with Phillip again (I guess that's a good thing!), or because Grace can't play with the other kids but she's happy to just watch, or because I had to work instead of take my girls to the zoo. Anyway, it was a very wonderful feeling to be reminded that Heavenly Father has the course of my family's life in His hands and that we're right where we need to be, no matter how difficult (or wonderful!) it may be sometimes.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

http://www.greatestjournal.com/quiz.bml?Q=16354

I found this quiz on a friend's blog and thought it was fun. I'd love to hear what Princess you are! This is me:

Thoughtful and loving. Authority figures probably have been sheltering you all of your life. Thankfully you're a very tranquil person who is content with what life has given you, but secretly you want to know how the outside world works.

(I don't know how well that describes me, but I sure do love her hair! AND, she married Prince Phillip, just like me)

Gracie's surgery

Grace's surgery went well today and I am so glad to have her tucked into her cozy bed sleeping. She was so brave and such a trooper--I'm so proud of her. This is the second surgery she's had on her eyes to try and align the pupils. She's either been cross-eyed or had one eye looking outward her whole life, and now her eyes are in alignment. The doctor is hopeful that this will be the last surgery to correct this problem (I hope so too!) Thank you, everyone, for your prayers in her behalf. Phillip and I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful support system during times like this. A couple days ago Grace told me that she loves Jesus because "He snuggles with me tight". I have no doubt that he was snuggling with her today. This is the fourth surgery Grace has had in her three short years, and I really can't complain because she's beaten the odds in so many areas, but it just doesn't get any easier when they take her away from us. I pray we won't have to do this again for a long time, but I'm so grateful for the doctors who help her lead a healthy life.

This is Grace getting ready to drive her fire truck into the Pre-op waiting room

Here she is all cozy and snug in her wagon in pre-op
Grace snuggling with Daddy during recovery

P.S. This is how a baby looks after she's gone on an eating-strike because Mommy isn't home to nurse her, and she decides to cry all day. Poor thing! (Although, it does make me feel very loved!)