Preschool Graduation!

This week was another milestone in our family as Caroline graduated from Preschool.

I sat and watched her sing her songs last night with tears flowing. I watched this 5 1/2 year old child, who was our first baby, our first stab at this whole parent thing, our precious daughter who has gone through much growth in her young life, our daughter who has already committed her heart to her Father, the child we have shed many tears over as we've handed her life to Christ over and over, the little girl who loves her horses and markers and paper and My Little Ponies and Sally her baby and her bike and reading, the daughter who is such a helper with a compassionate heart who loves "her people", the child who has so much ahead of her in the years to come as she struggles through getting to know herself, choosing friends and ~eck~ boyfriends, growing in her relationship with the family that passionately stands in love around her, and ultimately growing in her relationship with her Father.

All these things make up our sweet Caroline, that little baby we brought home from the hospital as young, new parents who rushed her, by ambulance, for 5 days in Scottish Rite and, a month later, for surgery and another hospital stay. At that time we were overwhelmed by the responsibility given us and now, as we are reminded of that commitment daily, we are thrilled to be given such an incredible charge.

We are so proud of her and the tiny step she has made, this week, into her future.

ice cream party on her last day

program the night of graduation singing

Deep Deep In My Heart, Your Are My Strength and The Graduation Song

I love the precious grin on her face as she walks up to her teachers in this picture.

Giving Mrs. Karla the poem Caroline copied in her handwriting and we framed...

which resulted in precious tears from Mrs. Karla.

Caroline with her two grandmothers

Afterwards we went to an ice cream store for a treat and we gave her a little present -

a carrying case for her My Little Ponies. As you can see, she was pretty excited. :o)

This picture is a special one because Caroline, the preschool graduate, is posing with her Grandpa, the Masters in History graduate as of Wednesday evening!!!

Way to go Grandpa, you are DONE!!!!!