Kindergarten is Completed!

And just like that kindergarten is over.

I still can’t believe Devyn will be a first grader. Gone is the little girl who repeatedly wrote her “j” and “e” backwards. She no longer writes her sevens and threes backwards, and the girl who used to always skip number 15, now counts to well over 100 without skipping a beat…or a number.


From now on the coloring becomes less frequent. Beginning next year, individual desks will replace classroom tables. Bags get heavier with math notebooks and required reading books. Special classroom parties become less common and Devyn will be more independent. This years wide-eyed rookies will return as veterans in August. 

Devyn had a wonderful experience with an amazing teacher who had great expectations. The day of her Kindergarten graduation was bitter sweet. If only Miss Stewart is able to move up to first grade with her. She really loved on Devyn this year. I was a proud momma that day. My Devyn thrived in her class. She is now reading and doing math well above her grade level and brought home the Academic award. Devyn has a natural bent towards learning and I loved watching her succeed. 


This past school year has also been good for me. I've learned to let go--a little. With Devyn being our only child, Kindergarten was huge for both Uela and I. I felt like I graduated with her. Perhaps they could consider handing out diplomas to parents like me who are rookies at the kindergarten experience. “This diploma is presented to you on the 31st day of May, 2012 for successfully navigating the role of Parent to a Kindergartner. You showed patience when teaching site words, humor upon hearing recess tales, enthusiasm for timing "Rocket Math" and the ability to find wall space in your house for showcasing projects your child completed.” 

Actually scratch that. A big smile from my kindergarten graduate was all I needed.

Miss Stewart was in tears :(  and she loved the crayon monogram!

Devyn & Jaice getting their certificates

Proud grandparents, minus my dad hard at work

Aunties and Uncles who had a big part in Devyns success

Proud daddy and her Aunty Ola

We're number ONE!

Horizon Kindergarten class of 2012

Devyn's Heaven

Right before bedtime Devyn says to me, "Mom I'm scared to die." I was speechless for a moment, trying to play things out in my head before speaking and wanting to keep things as simple as possible. I explained, "You shouldn't be scared honey, everyone will die but we have the chance to live in heaven with Heavenly Father." That didn't put her worries at ease. She inquired about heaven. I was moved with her enthusiasm to be taught about something that appeared so complex to me. I finally realized, Devyn wanted to know the details of heaven to see for herself if it's somewhere she wants to live after death. Inquisitions poured out that took me by surprise...

• Is there a park with a playground in heaven?
• Is Jayda (my sisters daughter) gonna be in heaven?
• Am I gonna have this body or a clear one?
• So we will be awake in heaven? We won't be laying in a box?
• Is Jesus's mom gonna be there? I never hear about her.
• Will Satan be in heaven?
• Will Jesus be in heaven? Does Jesus talk?
• So, I won't ever get any owie's in heaven?
• Will we have cars in heaven? Cause I want a BIG truck with purple and pink stripes.

After what seemed like a million questions, Devyn finally finds bliss in her newfound understanding of heaven. She turns to me and says, "Mom, I guess I'm not so scared of dying. Heaven sounds nice."

I am amazed at her insights and questions about heaven. And I must agree--parks, playgrounds, colorful trucks, cousins, a heavenly mother--her heaven sounds nice and oh so sweet! Lord, make my heart like my child’s--pure and simple.

A big piece of Devyn's heaven, her cousin Jayda

Dear Devyn

We never dreamed you'd be so beautiful...

in all of the times we tried to imagine every last detail of who you would be,

thru all of the nights we spent quietly thinking of how we would feel when we first looked at you,

we patiently waited and silently wondered, we hoped and we prayed and we tried to imagine...

but we never dreamed you'd be so beautiful.

Happy Birthday!

♥ Mommy

Whisperings of my Heart

So here I am sitting on my laptop, my husband is reading and Devyn is spending the night at Aunty Sala's house. She goes to school with my sisters kids because our work schedules don't permit us to drop her off and pick her up from school. In these quiet moments, I can sit and ponder the whisperings of my heart and the people that occupy it.

"God, I know you can hear me up there, please slow the time down. I'm kind of a wreck with Devyn not spending the night at home. I feel like a terrible mother and a little aggravated that my job has enslaved me. I'm missing my babygirl tonight. I'm not sure if or when it'll ever end, but Devyn still sleeps with Uela and I. I know I should be annoyed having her on our bed still, but it's the best part of my day. The second her soft, sweet little head snuggles perfectly under my neck, there is no wrong in all the world. Oh, please let her be my baby always! If you can't slow time, will you atleast help me remember these small moments that have filled my heart with more joy and magic and love than I ever could have imagined?"

I began blogging in 2008 because I didn't want to forget. The sound of my child playing and laughing and singing in her perfect little girl voice is the soundtrack of my days. Those sounds will someday fade and later it will just be me and my sweet husband. As much as I know I will love that day, I am determined to remember the ones in between.