Daddy took the girls to the GA Gals & Pals Garden Party at the church tonight, while Jonah and I went to hang out with Connie and Kelsey. They had dinner, made these cute little flower headbands, and played some games. I picked up Qdoba for Connie and me, and we watched the movie Bridesmaids. So funny! It was a fun night for us all!
This was my FB Status today...After 3 months of praying, visiting schools, asking advice and opinions, deciding and then changing our mind more than once, and ultimately seeking God's will, we have finally made a decision & the girls will be at OCS next year! I have literally made myself sick over this decision, because it's a big one. Leaving a school we adore makes it so much harder...but, we aren't called to live in fear or doubt, so we press on..excited for what God has in store for our family at OCS! Go Saints! (Now on to sell our house, pack & move, find a new house...church...preschool for Jonah...friends...you know, no big thing!) #ocssaints#iwillnotbeoverwhelmed#repeatiwillnotbeoverwhelmed#sogladthatdecisionismade#onestepatatime
Towards the end of March, we made the decision to move forward with Oklahoma Christian School. So we started the application process, and on April 15th the girls went for testing. At that point, I kind of had this panic moment, where I wasn't sure if we were doing the right thing. So, we visited the other school we were looking at again, hoping to gain more clarity. I think deep down I was hoping that the Classical school would work for us, since it is probably the most similar to what we are used to at Regent. But once again, for the third time that we visited there, it just didn't feel like the right fit for us at this time. Soooo...after many sleepless nights and much anxiety over "are we making the right decision," we pulled the plug and finished the application process at OCS. We are officially Saints for next year & we are very excited!! Well, Mackenzie is very excited, and Madison is working on it...she really liked the other school, but I know she will love OCS too! As I sat at the computer with my finger on the "enter" button to sign the electronic signature which locked us into a tuition agreement, I had my other hand on my Bible, opened to Joshua 1:9...Be strong & courageous. Do not be afraid, and do not be dismayed. For the Lord your God is with you WHEREVER YOU GO! That gave me such peace in that moment...just a reassurance that WHEREVER our girls go to school next year, God will be with them! And, I had numerous friends remind me in different ways that we are NOT locked into this decision for their entire school career...that ultimately helped me so much, to realize that we just need to make the best decision we can right now, for next year. Then God will direct us year by year, from there! Now we just need to figure out what to do with Jonah! I have called 9 preschools and most all of them are full with wait lists. That is a problem for another day...or week...or month! I can't handle another big decision right now! For now, I can't even explain how relieved I am that a decision has been made and we can move forward! I feel like a boulder has been lifted off of my shoulders. And I have to just say one more time...we are SO BEYOND BLESSED and overwhelmed by this gift of education that has been given to our family! Soooo thankful!
This was right before testing...are they cute, or what?!
I think one of the hardest things was that I asked so many people's opinions, and I am a people pleaser. That made it hard for me to sort through what was the best decision for us. I don't think there was a "wrong" decision, so to speak, but we just wanted to make the "best" decision!
I sent this text to Brian as I was finalizing everything online...I love his response to me..."Cross the threshold, my love. Let's do this!"
Love. Him.
Another reminder, in the elevator at the Baptist Building, the day that we took Mackenzie to visit the other school again...I love how God gives us gentle reminders like this, even when we aren't looking for them!
Jonah had his last children's choir practice this week. It was all I could do to not cry through the whole thing. This is something I will miss so much at STBC. We have all loved being a part of children's choir! Daddy didn't think he would be able to come to Jonah's program next week, so he came to watch their rehearsal. Such a sweet group of kids!
Mackenzie's 3rd grade class went to Oklahoma City for a field trip to the Capitol, the Governor's Mansion, and the OKC bombing memorial. An added bonus was that it just happened to be on the same day that Franklin Graham was having a prayer rally at the Capitol, so they got to be a part of that also. This was an awesome field trip, and I can't believe how much we did in one day. We left the school early, around 7:15, and didn't get back until almost 6:00. (I was exhausted by the time it was over!) I was so glad that Brian was able to go with us on this field trip. The morning started with an introduction by Lt. Governor Todd Lamb & Dennis Casey, House of Representative member & the Grandfather of one of Mackenzie's classmates. Then we went on a tour of the Capitol, where we got to see the Senate and House floors, along with many other neat things. After that, we had lunch in front of the Capitol before walking over to the prayer rally. Then we went back into the Capitol, to a session of the House of Representatives, where our Regent group was introduced. After that, we headed over to the Governor's Mansion for a quick tour, and then we ended the day at the OKC Memorial. We had talked to Mackenzie about how Poppa Jim was in the building when the bomb exploded, and how it was very special that we were getting to visit there and see his name on the Survivors Wall. This whole day was very educational and something I'm so glad Mackenzie got to be a part of during her time at Regent.
They were a tad bit excited about riding on the charter bus and spending the day together!
This was a neat thing...we ran into a former Regent student, who now works in the Capitol building.
I really enjoyed this day with Brian! I'm so glad he could come!
This was the day after we decided 100% to go with OCS for school next year. As we were walking along the sidewalk, Mackenzie spotted this traffic cone that said "OCS" on it, and said, "Look, Momma!" I decided to just take it as yet another sign that we made the right decision! =0)))
We live in a great state!
Playing a little game of Red Rover after lunch, on the lawn of the Capitol.
There were snipers on the room of a nearby building during the prayer rally...not creepy at all.
Reese did such an amazing job introducing her classmates!
Moving along to the Governor's Mansion.
The swimming pool is shaped like Oklahoma!
Last, the Bombing Memorial...
They had this neat area where people could write messages with chalk.
So, so, so thankful Poppa's name is on this wall, and not on one of the memorial chairs...
