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Stephanie Howell

reading, organizing, shopping, momming too close to the sun. Home is wherever the Army sends us.

first and last

first and last days of kindergarten:

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look how much she has grown! she looks so much taller,older,and so much more confident.

i've never been one to say "i'm sad" that she's growing. i think of all of my friends who have lost their children or cannot have children…i'm just grateful she's growing.so so so grateful.

and oh boy it makes my heart ache. it's bittersweet.

i think of walking her into that first day of kindergarten. i think of how she was clutching my hand, how she was so very nervous. i think of how she asked if i thought she'd make any friends.

then i think of her yesterday. and how i had a hard time getting her to leave. i think of how every student was hugging her. i think of how her teacher said she's the kindest student in class.

and today,just like that,i'm the mother of a first grader!

i am so proud of my girl. and i can't wait to see how she grows in first grade.

she really flew this year…i can't imagine what next year holds.

this past year i learned that elizabeth stone is dead right. this past year i let my heart go walking around outside my body.

and my heart came right back to me. beautiful,strong,and brave.

happy saturday.

xoxo

s

 

 

Comments

  1. Such a beautiful post. Grade one is great she is going to LOVE it. My littlest finishes G1 in just a little over two weeks and I can not believe how fast the year flew by.

  2. Harper is such a beautiful child, in every way. She looks more confident & poised in the recent photos. I hope she blossoms even more in Grade 1. Here in the UK the children begin primary school at age 4; they seem babies to me.

  3. Beautiful Stephanie! She has grown so much! Amazing what one year does! You are so so blessed! šŸ™‚ I hope you and your sweet family are doing great!

  5. She is a beautiful little girl. She is such a big girl now. It is like having your heart walk on the outside. I am one of those that has said I am sad that she/he is growing, but meaning it like you do. You are right, it is bittersweet. I am very happy my kids are growing and healthy, but so very sad that it is all going by so fast. I am not at all ready to send this last one off to kindergarten in the fall. My middle is going into high school this fall. Her homeroom teacher sent me an email telling me how special she is and how much she is going to miss her. This girl did so well this year. She earned the President’s award for always having a 3.5 or better GPA all year, every quarter. So proud! I am not ready to let her go either. My oldest was 24 yesterday. So I know all too well how fast it does go.

  7. As long as you keep making posts like these you’re going to continue speaking to my heart.. I feel like we’re taking such similar journeys and experiencing such similar things so often, since we both have an oldest child that is a 6-year-old, soon to be in 1st grade little girl! Harper is so beautiful as is all of your girls, and I love seeing your journey through motherhood. šŸ™‚

  8. She’s beautiful. In a couple short months I will be sending my first to kindergarten. I thought it would be an easy decision, and here I am excited and equally terrified. He’s going to a good school and will be exactly where I want him, but I won’t be there with him to watch over him. Thanks for this post. It helps add hope my outlook on the future.

  9. Another sweet post, Stephanie. She sure does look confident and carefree; full of fun and happiness. But those 1st day photos? {LOVE} Whoa – you don’t have to write a word – her feelings are written all over her face! That nervous excitement is the sweetest thing. Congrats to Harper. And her momma. šŸ™‚

  10. Thanks for sharing. I have two girls and I am in awe of their changes. Love every minute and know that the best thing we can give our children are wings to grow. Her sparkle tells me that she is exactly where she is supposed to be. Let your heart melt and be proud of the gifts you are giving your daughter. Hold on tight… suddenly my little girl with matching socks and bows is 5 ft tall!

  11. she does look so much more confident! the same happened for my Savannah in kindy….so so amazing to see!
    I do get sad when my girls grow up so quickly, but I also cherish every stage, age and moment with them…it’s when I look back at older pictures and want to hold them that tiny again! or hear their tiny voice on a video camera tape and then I realize they will never be that tiny little person again and it makes me realize how FAST they grow up and makes me all sentimental and sad, but I love seeing who they are becoming!
    AMAZING post and that Haper is an AMAZING firstborn kind hearted little girl!
    tara

  13. I totally get it! Everytime I look at their baby, toddler, pre -K, etc photos I feel so sentimental. LOVE that my kids are healthy and growing. Knowing I have done everything I thought possible to enjoy these years, but it still seems to go by so quickly. I was in shock when I found myself tearing up having my son in grade 2 last fall…caught me completely by surprise.
    Also, I read that last paragraph too quickly…had no idea who she was…thought it was someone I knew…and that you were saying she had died. oh dear! Yes, she died a long time ago…and left some famous quotes in her memory. I have to be a more careful reader!! Hopefully you will get a laugh like I did. šŸ™‚
    Enjoy your summer and the MANY MANY days before you have to send Harper off to grade one!!