Rain and Bows

Mikayla is still having quite a bit of storm anxiety.  She is especially worried if it gets really windy or rains.  However, I think we've hit a turning point.  All summer since the accident, she's been terrified of storms.  She cries, shakes, goes pale, almost hyper ventilates...it's extremely heart breaking as her parents, for us to not be able to help her and have to see her like that.  We have been teaching her to take deep breaths, snuggle a special blanket or toy (or person), say a prayer asking for help to get through the storm.  It seems to work sometimes, not so much other times.

While camping Labor Day weekend, a quick "storm" blew up on Sunday afternoon.  We were outside and could see the entire cloud, surrounded by sunlight.  It would be here and gone within 10 minutes.  As adults, we knew that.  But we couldn't explain that to Mikayla.  As the first raindrops started to fall, she started crying and ran to the camper.  I was just coming out after preparing dinner and I talked her into sitting under the canopy with everyone else.  She was scared, but she agreed.  We sat there while it rained for about 10 minutes--no wind, no thunder, no lightning.  The whole time, we made a big deal out of how brave she was being and how it was almost over.  Then, the rain stopped and this showed up:

It was perfect!  We could see the entire rainbow, plus the majority of a lighter, double rainbow above it.  Most of us had never seen such a bright rainbow, with colors so vivid we could even make out the purple!  Mikayla was convinced the rainbow was just for her, for being so brave.  We told her that rainbows only come out after the rain, and that there was no other way they could be in the sky.  Only after rain can they shine like that.  It was just what she needed!  Now we hope that the memory remains for the next storm--we haven't had rain in over a week, which for this summer is just a crazy long amount of time.

School's Cool

The girls have started school and for the first time ever, all 3 of my girls are in school on a regular basis.  Alayna and Lilly go every day, obviously, but Mikayla goes on the "days that start with T".  So far, they are all loving their classes and teachers.  Each day, they come home full of stories about things they've learned or friends they've made.  They love showing off their projects, especially Mikayla--everything is so new to her. 

For me, it's an adjustment.  It always seems so quiet and lonely with the girls gone back to school after a summer full of their giggles, stories and attitude.  But I've never been away from Mikayla on a regular basis like this.  I know I'll survive, I did with the older girls, but the fact that she's my baby does weigh a little heavier.  But she is so ready.  She has been wanting to go to school for years.  She knows her letters and her colors and shapes.  She can write her name.  She's ready, so I have to be, too.  (thankfully I have my daycare kiddos to keep me busy during the day!)

 Alayna is in 5th grade, Lilly in 1st and Mikayla in pre-Kindergarten (4K)

Mikayla got a little excited when she saw the bus (she's jumping and screaming) 

Waiting for the bus--it drives by, turns around and comes back so they don't have to cross the road 

Mikayla is on her way to her first ever day of school!

It's September...the start of my favorite time of year!

It's September, which is the start of my favorite time of year:  Fall.  Autumn.  Whatever you call the glorious season between summer and winter.  This is my time.  I love the colors, the smells, the temperatures, the sports, the activities...I love it all.  There is nothing better than jeans, a sweatshirt, shoes or boots and a bonfire or football game or horseback ride through colored trees.  I LOVE this time of year.  Apples, pumpkins, corn, scarecrows, school...

HELLO FALL!!!  I've missed you!