One of the shocking things about preparing to go to school in Texas is that the cold, crisp morning is missing. There is no frost on the windows of the car. There is no shivering in the back seat waiting for the heater to kick into gear. There is no need for a jacket or a sweater or a hat or gloves. No yearning for a hot cup of something to hold onto during the short drive to school. As a matter of fact, I had to put ice packs into Kate's lunch box this morning.

I always knew it was time for school because like clockwork the first foggy morning heralded the end of summer and the beginning of school. It's mind bending to be taking Kate to school while I'm wearing a tank top and shorts and slippers.

Kate had a phenomenal day at school. She made two friends, but can't remember their names. She got to do an art project. She got to say her ABC's, write her name and count. She learned that if she is too loud or doesn't listen to the teacher then her marker can moved into the yellow zone and then she will have to sit for 10 minutes of the recess period, and she doesn't want her marker to go in the blue zone because then her teacher will have to write a sad note to her mommy and daddy. She got to play on the amazing play structure that they have at the school. When I went to school we had a black tarmac and two tether ball poles. She got to play on the monkey bars which are her current favorite. She didn't eat her lunch. Well, she ate her sandwich, fruit snacks and trail mix, but the banana and carrot sticks came home. I think I'll nix the fruit snacks tomorrow and see if more of her lunch will disappear.

She is going to school full time. I keep hearing from all of my friends that their kids go to half days or even quarter days. Kate's school is all day long. It seems like all the public schools here go all day long, from 8:00 till about 3:15. I did get a lot done in the amount of time, and I think that it will be very easy for me to fit my online classes into the schedule. You probably think that from my previous list my house is uber clean. If you do, then you have no idea how messy a remodel project is. I think that if I keep at it for about two weeks, then I might have a passably clean house, but it's just impossible to stay up on all of the dust and wood shavings that get tracked all over the place.

So, we'd appreciate prayer about Tanner's job, Tanner's school, Jonathan's job, my school, my violin studio, Kate's school, choir for adults and kids, friends for Jonathan and above all that we would be gracious to each other, long suffering, tender hearted, filled with joy and the peace of God. We are officially entering into a new phase of our short sojourn here in Texas. We hope that all of our plans come to sweet fruition, bringing great pleasure to our Father in Heaven.