Angels

Appreciation seems like such a small word for the way that I feel about the  women that blessed my children with love this school year. When you entrust your kids to other peoples care even for just a fraction of the day and fraction of the week you feel so vulnerable. You want them to love them. Maybe not as much as you do ( I mean how could that be possible???) but you want them to be loved well. You want them to temper discipline with grace, you want them to have hugs and love, and learn about God and Jesus and as a topper maybe they can learn their ABCs, colors, and numbers. That's a lot to expect. And I can say with full confidence that all  of my kids teachers went above and beyond every thing I wanted this year for my kids. At the age Kate and Carson are they can't go on and on about their day at school. (Oh how I long for that day.) You have to look for their "report" about their day in other ways. I learn a lot by listening to Kate name all of her friends in her class, always starting with Jace, and then Jackson, and then kendal, Hannah, Lacey, Trey, ..I know them all and I've hardly even seem them. I just "met" Jace today in a Valentine's picture. I learn by hearing Kate say her prayers at night, "thank you for  Andrea and Mikki." I knew her teachers were special when they earned the coveted spot in her prayers right in between Daddy and Elmo. :) I learn by listening to Kate's new phrases. "Thank you for helping me Mommy." I learn by listening to Carson count quietly to himself. I learn by listening to him sing, "Why does God put rainbows in the sky L-O-V-E love that's why!" And the B-I-B-L-E yes that's the book for me........." I learn by hearing him consistently  say, "Thank you" when things are done for him.These ladies are reinforcing a thankful heart in my children. I am SO grateful for that.
 But mostly I learn by the way they carefully fold their hands together and bow their heads and start their little prayers the same way everytime. I love that these ladies love my kids enough to pray with them.  I have to tell this story about Carson's teacher Julie. At meet the teacher night at the beginning of the year I asked her if she would please remember to put a little note on his take home sheet. Just a little tid bit about his day. I was sad about going back to work and wanted to know something about his day. With out fail,  every time Carson was there Julie wrote a note on his sheet. I cherished them all "Carson enjoyed singing today in chapel." "Loved all of his hugs today." Julie will never know how much that meant to me. How I loved reading those little notes at the end of my work day.
 I am so thankful for these ladies. For their love, patience, understanding, discipline, and gentleness. But mostly I am thankful to them because they moved my children's hearts that much closer  to God and Jesus this year. Thank you ladies, from the bottom of my heart. You are so special to us. We love you!!!!

Mrs. Julie and Mrs. Kimla

Mrs. Andrea and Mrs. Nikki

I always think about this song "Thank You" when I think about the impact that teachers have on our children. It is life changing. Yes even at this young age. The first verse always touches my heart deeply.