First Day of School

Wednesday was the first day of school. Jalen started second grade and Baylie started fourth. I was not ready for school to start again. Neither was Jalen. Baylie was definitely ready.

I love this boy.

I love this girl.

I'm glad they get to go to school together.

I also started school this year. I'm teaching Spanish at three different elementary schools as a long-term substitute teacher. Unfortunately, none of those schools is where the kids are. I really miss being at the same school as them. I'm hoping to complete the alternative certification program.

Because of my schedule, my sweet friend April picks the kids up after school. Fortunately, all four kids love it.

Baylie with Mrs. Patton, her AGP teacher.

Jalen rockin' it out in second grade.

Jalen with Mrs. Parker.

My heart still breaks a little bit when I have to drop them off on the first day of school. This year they didn't want me to walk them in. They wanted to just get dropped off. Where has the time gone???

Total Solar Eclipse

Monday, August 21, was an amazing day. We were able to view the marvel of a total solar eclipse. Columbia was in the path of totality, meaning that we got to see the sun completely covered by the moon's shadow.

We had agreed with our friends the Ruppes to watch the eclipse at the church. Word spread and we ended up with several families at the church to watch it. It was an unofficial ward party and it was wonderful to share it with friends.

Waiting for the eclipse.

The unofficial ward party included the Ruppes, Rosses, Cowleys, Harrises, Roberts, Pinsons and Brother Callihan.

Best of all, our good friends the Swansons decided at the last minute to drive down from Maryland in order to experience the eclipse. We hadn't seen them since the kids and I stayed with them while waiting for Jalen's adoption paperwork to clear. They were such dear friends when we all lived in Houston. It was wonderful to spend a couple of days with them.

All of our kids the night before the eclipse.

Trent was a bit eclipse crazy. It was party cloudy and we were afraid we were going to miss everything. Trent checked the weather every five minutes for two days.

Sun gazing.

Jalen, Josh and Ian - waiting for totality.

More ward friends.

Trent and Lukas

David and Baylie

The Swanson kids - Liam, Leyla and Lukas

Brother Harris

Swanson kids

Tia Harris

What it looked like with my phone camera.

Pinsons and Harrises.

The kids played in the church to stay cool since it was hot outside.

It started!

Twilight in the middle of the day.

It was awe inspiring to witness. We all shouted and cheered when the totality occurred (listen HERE). It was very emotional. We couldn't help but make the comparison of the "sun" and the "Son." When even the smallest sliver of sun peeked out behind the moon, it was still so bright. The power of the sun is incredible. And even when it is completely blocked out, the sun still finds a way to shine.

We laid a white tablecloth on the ground so we could see the shadow snakes. We couldn't take a picture, but they were like fog.

Brother Callihan took amazing pictures of the eclipse and was generous in sharing his photos.

Totality.

Bailey's beads

Totality ends.

I hope my children will always remember this day. I will never forget it. It was one of the most amazing things I have ever seen.