Speechless

The First Day of School

We are so blessed to be going to a new school (for us) this year.  The welcome has been unbelievable and I think that our only regret will be that we didn't do this sooner.  The atmosphere is unlike anything that I have ever seen before.  I really didn't know that such a kind of place existed. 

Honestly. 

We attended two parties hosted by school families before the year even began.  At these parties, the girls were able to meet all of the girls in their classes which obviously made the first day of school so much easier. 

We've been prayed for, loved on, and totally blown away by this whole experience. 

God is good. 

Really, really, God.

Hannah when we went to meet Mrs. Ross before school started.

Haley with Miss Grossman.

Two very excited, but nervous, girls.

Our precious next door neighbors, Megan, Paige and Sara.

It's only been one day, but so far, so good.  I've officially gone back to 5th grade now.  From the looks of what was brought home last night, I think that I've found my afternoon job. 
Haley just advanced from 4th grade to 9th grade, I believe. 
Lord have mercy.

There's So Much More

I wanted to share so much more from our vacation,

like these critters that we saw

and the other adventures that we went on

and the unexpected family that we got to love on,

but the summer is almost over and it is time to move on. 

School starts Monday and it's time to make room for back to school pictures

and fall sports. 

So long summer. 

We've enjoyed your stay.

Vacation (Fontana Lake Adventures, part 2)

The first child that I birthed would be the third person in the water, after  Mamma proved to her that it wasn't such a big deal after all.  Because, as we all know, Mamma doesn't do big deals anyway.

I'll spare you the rest.

Hannah wasn't pleased with the fact that after several minutes on the tube, Haley wasn't wet at all.  In fact, Haley even had us bring the tube to the side of the boat so that she could get on without getting in the water.

Hannah tried and tried to get Haley to fall off, but it ultimately was Travis that had to "accidentally" flip her over.

Of course, I can only speak for myself when I say that had I known how deep this water was, I certainly don't believe that I would have been out there.  It wasn't until after the tubing that we went to the dam and I realized that Fontana is one of the deepest lakes in North America. 

Fontana Lake is over 400 ft deep!  I know of at least one other Hodges girl who most likely would not have tubed had she known the true depth!

A fun time was had by all!

(to be continued)

Vacation (Fontana Lake Adventures)

Way up a winding mountain road lies the most beautiful lake ever.  Green, clear, warm, water and the most majestic scenery.  We rented a boat for a couple of hours and enjoyed some tubing.  Another first for the girls, but something that we have talked about wanting to do for years.  Hannah was the first to give it a shot and she loved it, of course.  Her favorite thing to do was to fall off on purpose and then do the "I'm OK" wave while floating around waiting for us to come back to get her.  Other than being a jockey, her other ambition in life is to be a water skier at Sea World.

Hannah's only regret is that the pontoon boat didn't go fast enough!

(to be continued)