First day of school

I have mixed emotions about school starting. For one thing it means that summer is done and winter is coming. It means that my two oldest will be gone all day and our lives get a little bit more chaotic. It means that Lexi's buddies are away all day and she is left alone with Kasen. It does mean that we can get back to a schedule where the house can get cleaned and maybe stay clean (a little longer anyways) and it means that nights are now for TJ and I again since the kids now go to bed early. It also means that I have to wake up earlier to get my runs in and that my Walmart helpers are no longer there to help. Most of all it means that I miss these girls.

I'm hoping and praying they have a good fun day. For our back to school FHE we talked about all of the reasons why we go to school: to learn, make friends, be a friend, to have fun, be good examples and learn to make good choices. We talked about the tools we need to be able to learn at school. Most of all I wanted them to know about the most important tool we have at school that can help us with anything. From finding friends, not feeling lonely, doing well on a test, not being scared...I wanted them to remember that they can always pray to Heavenly Father and He will always be there for them. Because school is really tough. We put together a bead jar and ANYTIME they pray whether it be before bed, for dinner, at church in class at school, we all can put in a bead for each time. We are trying to physically see the amount of times we talk to Heavenly Father and to increase it and to really have a relationship with God. I have been amazed at how many times Chloe puts in beads. I also made them a necklace to wear to school that has a bead on it. These are their prayer necklaces to help them remember they can always pray. 

I can't always be where they are away or help them when they need it. It is so comforting to know that my Father in Heaven watches over them always and can comfort them with the Holy Ghost when I cannot.