Today was spent preparing for our annual back to school feast.  I first saw the idea for the back to school feast on Nie Nie’s blog when Harlo was just a wee baby.  I made a mental note that one day I would surely do it with my own family and we have, every school year.  It is such a special day for us.  I want my girls to feel loved and supported and special as they start their school year.  We set a theme for the year that we focus on, and I have found that it gives the year purpose and meaning and direction – for all of us, not just the girls.  This year’s theme was prayerfully considered as “Listen and Obey”.  Simple and important.  It’s something we can all benefit from and I look forward to focusing around this theme for this next year.

We enjoyed dinner in our new backyard, on our cute new picnic table, making my little dreams come true!  On the menu this year was this grilled salmon recommended to me by my sweet friend Liz (thanks Liz!), with a lemon and dill rice.  Grilled asparagus and fresh from the oven warm, white rolls.  With sparkling grape juice for our toast!  It was delicious!

My precious girls.  I knew they needed each other in this life and brought Stella into the world just 19 short months after Harlo was born. (Speaking of “Listen and Obey”..)  This has proven to be such a sweet and sincere blessing in all of our lives.  They are best friends, little soul mates, and most importantly sisters.  My heart is at ease sending them together to school this year.  I will miss them terribly in my home all day – especially Harlo who starts full-day first grade (ouch).  But I feel just a bit more calm knowing they’ll be holding hands on the playground and helping each other to their classes.  I am so so grateful they have each other.

(Did you notice Harlo is missing a front tooth? Such a great way to start first grade!)

For dessert, I whipped up a special treat.  Fresh peaches from Papa’s trees and vanilla ice cream blended together with a vanilla wafer garnish.
Oh so yummy and summery.
We enjoyed it under a spontaneous rainbow right over head.
Magical.

I love celebrating this life with my family and making days special for my children.  I am so in love with motherhood and all that it entails.  Today I cried tears of sadness and happiness all throughout the day, and I am grateful to feel those blessings of love in motherhood.  It’s so deep and pure and overwhelming the love I have for my own sweet children.  I love them dearly and I know that love blesses them their whole life long.

We finished the evening by my Mr. Miller giving each school girl a father’s blessing to help guide them through this next school year.  Have I mentioned how I love being the mother to this family?  Because I do.

Happy school year!