I have been thinking about this moment for a long time. My little ones turned five. Not only are they growing up, but they are moving on. The first week of Kindergarten. I know, a small step. A little growth. It is a good beginning. They are excited, and so am I, but I realized with this beginning, there is also an ending.
Have you noticed that beginnings and endings come together? It appears to be a bittersweet way that we get to grow.
I still remember the day that my little ones were born. I had no idea what I was in for. I had no idea how fast they would grow.
It’s funny how when I saw them walk away for the first time, two pieces of my heart suddenly were walking outside of my body. Those little pieces broke off of my heart, boarded the bus, and drove away with those two little girls.
I wouldn’t have my heart in any other place.
I usually am full of words, but as I think about my little ones, the words get stuck and the feelings just come. Here are a few pictures that express some of the feelings of my heart:
I remember the first cry, in the hospital and the huge mass of dark hair and the little skiff of silver hair. Two babies. Perfect. Beautiful.
I remember the worry I had about breastfeeding.
I remember when my niece showed up and I worried that there was something wrong with her because she was so “huge” compared to my little ones.
I remember when my husband thought they started sleeping through the night really early, but it was 10 months! Guess who was sleeping through the night?
I remember they were always wanting to be by one another.
I remember the sweet smell.
And the tiny fingers.
I remember the first step.
The first words.
And I remember when they finally started to say “I love you, mama.”
And, I will always remember how they held hands as they walked down our street on the way to school. They were so excited and had no idea how mom’s heart was stretching a little that day.
So, in honor of their first week of school, I have a few things I would like them to know. I hope they are things they never forget:
To my sweet daughters as your start kindergarten:
You are ready. You’ve got this.
You are strong, beautiful, special, kind, and smart.
Be yourselves. That is the best you that you can be. Don’t change for your teacher, for your friends, for a boy, or for me.
You will scrape your knee, have bad days, miss class parties, and have your feelings hurt.
And, it will be o.k.
And you will learn and grow.
Beauty is not about what you wear, it is about who you are.
Play. Have fun. Breathe deeply of the freedom of childhood.
Be nice.
Always remember that no matter where you go, you are loved. You are wanted.
Reach out to someone who is alone. They need a friend and you are a good one.
A hug usually makes you feel better, and mom gives great hugs.
And, remember, no matter where you go, mom loves you.
More than you know…
Several of the above pictures were taken by my sweet sis-in-law. Thank you, Mar.
How was your first week of school? What do you remember most about your babies
Elizabeth
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What a beautiful letter and tribute to your precious girls, Elizabeth! I love the adorable pictures. Watching our babies start Kindergarden is a huge milestone. It gets easier (in some ways :)). My daughter just graduated cosmetology school and went skydiving for her graduation gift. My heart has been “stretched” lately as well. Your girls will have a fantastic first year of school and many more with a loving, devoted mommy like you.
Candace, you are always so nice! It is hard how we are always facing new ways for our hearts to grow. I guess it is a good thing. Luckily, my little ones love Kindergarten and are doing well. I wish the best of luck to your daughter. She is jumping to new heights! 🙂
Omg your pics are so incredibly beautiful!! And I love the Hello Kitty backpacks, too! You seem like you held it together extremely well… Better than I would! Thanks for sharing this sweet post <3
Caroline recently posted…Back 2 School [tips for beginners]
Oh Caroline, thank you! They love Hello Kitty and are so excited about school. It makes my heart happy! Thanks for stopping by and for your sweet comments!
Precious! Such beautiful photo’s of your adorable girls. Kindergarten was hard. But I found each new school transition to be just as tugging on your heart strings. You just wish the best for them always.
Ah, Thanks Teresa. They grow up too fast, don’t they? I would like to see pictures of your Annika sometime when she was a baby. I cannot imagine how tiny she was!
Oh Elizabeth, this is absolutely beautiful. Tender words with precious photos. I love it!!
Deb Wolf recently posted…Trashing the Osteens and Around the Blogosphere Linkup
Thank you, Deb. And thanks for coming over. I hope you have a beautiful day!
Your one daughter really does remind me of my SofĂa! They are both so beautiful, and it’s so special that you wrote them a letter. Very poetic, Elizabeth!
Charlee Anne recently posted…My Struggles as the Family Finance “Manager”
Thank you, Charlee. There is resemblance there. And, thank you for coming by and sharing! Have a great weekend!
This is so sweet. Those precious pictures! And your letter is perfect – exactly what we want our little ones to know.
Melanie recently posted…Go Clean Your Room: Help for Young Kids
Thanks, Melanie. It was a good week. A little adjustment, but isn’t that what life is about? I just need to get used to all this change. I am terrible at adjusting and I think the Lord is trying to teach me flexibility!
Thanks, Melanie. I hope they remember those things!!
This is so sweet and a great keepsake for your girls to look back at. I can’t believe how different they look but so similar at the same time. You’ve got yourself 2 beautiful little girls!
Sydney @ Tastefully Frugal recently posted…Friday Pie Day With A Little Bacon
Thanks, Sydney. I do feel doubly blessed. Thanks for stopping over. Have a great day!
Oh my goodness, I LOVE all of your pictures. They are so beautiful! I know what you mean about the pieces of your heart walking away. I feel it with my three kids all the time.
Michele @ Alwayzbakin recently posted…Browned-Butter Streusel Pumpkin Bread
Thanks Michele. Isn’t it funny how you want them to be independent, but it is so hard? Thanks for stopping over, as always!! Love your support!
What a beautiful letter to your beautiful daughters! I can just imagine them reading this when they are grown. I had tears in my eyes. It seems like yesterday when I was seeing my oldest daughter off to her first day of kindergarten and crying all the way home. They grow up so fast! All of my kids are grown and I have 4 grands and now the grands are growing up fast. It seems to have happened in the blink of an eye.
Your girls are precious and the photos are so beautiful!
Alli recently posted…Pretty Pintastic Pinning Party
Alli, they grow so fast!! I’ll bet you love having grandkids! Sometimes I wish I could just slow time down a little!! Thanks for stopping by!
Aw. This was incredibly sweet!
Amber recently posted…What Happens When You Have A Spirited Daughter
Thanks, Amber. As always, you are great!!
This is so sweet. The photos are beautiful and the letter to them as well. What a wonderful way to commemorate their very first day of school.
Trish, thank you! They are beautiful girls. And, thanks for your sweet comments and for dropping by!! Have a good day!
This is absolutely beautiful, Elizabeth! I can’t imagine the day that my girls will leave for Kindergarten, but it’ll be here sooner than I know it, sure enough. Thanks so much for sharing!
Chelsea @ Mommie and Wee recently posted…TURN IT UP TUESDAY #51: SELF-IMPROVEMENT SEPTEMBER
Thank you Chelsea. It was an emotional week, but I am so proud at how well they are doing and how independent they are. My mommy heart is being stretched, but it is a good thing for me too! Snuggle your little ones for me!
Thank you Elizabeth for linking up at Family Fun Friday! This post will be featured on my site at this week’s link up. <3 and blessings!
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Awesome! Thanks Misty. I will be over to check it out this week!! So excited!
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Lovely pictures and heartfelt post.
Thanks Laina. And thanks for stopping by!
What lovely photos! The letter to your girls is perfect! It’s amazing how quickly they grow isn’t it? Stopping by from the SITS challenge.
Happysuz recently posted…Terrorized the First Week of School!
It was a growing week for me and for my girls!! They love school (thank goodness) and it is a good growing experience for mom as well! Thanks for stopping over!n
I am so grateful you are my daughter. You inspire so many people, including me. What can I say? God was so generously giving when he sent you to our family. You have grown so much through the years, from me serving you to you serving, giving, and helping others. Your words are inspiring and tears flood my eyes. You make me proud!