It Takes a Village....

We've had so much help over the last year. The anniversary of homecoming has led to some much-needed reflection.

First, Grandma and Pappy came shortly after homecoming and spent a whole month helping with the girls during the day while Mommy finished her contract work. In hindsight, this was such a great opportunity for the four of them to bond; one that never would have taken place if we were visiting eachother 2 or 3 times a year for just a couple days with Mama and Papa right there. It certainly wasn't easy for Nebyat to accept Mama's daily absences at that time, but now she knows I will come home and she has no problem trusting that I'll return. She and I were discussing relationships after our family reunion over the weekend and I said that her cousins Graham and Garrett's grandparents are her grandparents; that they shared the same grandparents. She quickly said, "Oh no, I'm not sharing my grandma!"

Ms. Tracy, Miss Delaney (Miss Lady as the girls call her), and Ms. Electra (aka a princess whose name starts with B) put so much time and effort into making sure that Nebyat had a fabulous 7th birthday. Miss Lady has also been pivotal on those rare occasions that Mama and Papa got to go out and have some adult time.

Neighbors and close friends, Ms. Colleen and Mr. Jay are two of the girls' favorite people. They've helped around our house and yard; with sitting regularly; and, provided hours of summer fun for the whole family in their swimming pool, including its use for private swim lessons (the best investment ever!).

We had to say so long, farewell, ta-ta to Miss Kirby in July. She was our afternoon sitter for the first part of the summer this year. She was in town, living with a host family, and playing semi-pro soccer with the local Hampton Roads team. She's returned now to UNC Charlotte to play for her final year before graduating. She was absolutely fabulous with the girls and they still miss her, as she does them. She texts and calls regularly to check on them.

We welcomed Miss Kimberly for a month after Miss Kirby left. She is one of the family (my pseudo-niece, daughter of Mama's berry best friend in the whole wide world, Deedlebug), a recent Penn State graduate (elementary ed - looking for the perfect Kindergarten position) and she lived with us at home for most of August. The girls just sigh once in a while and say, "I miss Miss Kimberly." At least now when she leaves they have an expectation that she will return as this was her third visit this year.

Overall, we thank all those that God provided over this last, no first year. Time has flown by so quickly.