Alright listen!

This is my little girl.

Her name is Chaya.  Her first day of school is today.  I imagine the same goes for you, but really, this isn’t about you, so let’s not worry about that right now.

I know, I know….She is the most beautiful thing on this planet.  Don’t let that distract you….but again, not about you! If you being distracted by her beauty, distracts her, there will be problems!

She is friendly…..to a fault almost….cuz she’s been raised with her Daddy most of her life and her Daddy is a big ole softy….so is she.

Don’t take advantage of that…..ummmm…..again, cuz there will be problems.  The big ole softy leaves me when my angel is upset….REMEMBER THAT!

There’s a good chance she will openly have a crush on a few of you…..cuz, well, Daddy has spoiled the crap out of her and she thinks everyone should be so giving with their love.

Again, don’t take advantage of that, but this time not because of your fear for me.

She is also her MOTHER’S DAUGHTER and she WILL NOT take any junk from ANY OF YOU. I might suggest you give it a try and see how that works out for ya, but for your sake, just be nice!

If you’re nice to her, she will not embarrass you and beat you up in front of all of the other boys and girls.

She has a bigger brother who has tormented her most of her life, so she’s used to fighting bigger kids.

Although her brother is, for the most part, mean to her, he is bigger than you and does love her……KEEP THAT IN MIND cuz it is not beyond me to sic him on you!

Crazy BIG Brother!

She’s smart, like her Mom….and shy, TOTALLY UNLIKE either of us, so give her a minute to warm up to you.

She’s unsure of herself and doesn’t really know how smart she is—She’s humble—She has a giant heart—Do I need to say it?  Yeah, be nice!

Alright!  I think you get the picture.  I’m sure we will have this discussion again, later in life…..if you should make it that far.

I love you Chaya and hope your first day of school is much less painful for you than it was for me taking you.

Go get em!

You can find the whole First Day of School set of pics Here.

Chaya’s First Day of School from Toby Keathley on Vimeo.

I know, I know….big wimp!

Ok, so last week was a week I may never forget.  Assuming none of my kids fall out of windows, this week should be less stressful, but today is also Gabe’s first day of 2nd grade.  It’s time to get busy and try to settle into some kind of routine with his school stuff, my school stuff, Ria’s working and school stuff and next week we will probably add Chaya’s school stuff to the mix.

A big praise to God today though:

Here I was, this morning, stressin…..First day of school and we haven’t had time to get ANY school supplies….no book bag, no NUTHIN.  So, I’m taking Gabriel into school so I can explain.  Then I see his teacher……she looks familiar.  She says, “is this Gabriel?”  I’m thinking….uhhh he’s not wearing a name tag….this lady is good!! Then she says, “we watched you sing yesterday when we became members of your church.”  Talk about a HUGE weight lifted off of my shoulders.  I knew the pastor talked a lot about Chaya’s situation and thus knew she was aware.  I started telling her why he had no supplies to which she replied, “I have ya covered….no problem.”

Yeah, maybe any teacher would do that…..I would like to think so anyway, but knowing Gabe is being taught by a Christian, eases my worries a TON! God is good!

Now, back to what I hope is only 2 more days of this current reality…..To the hospital to take princess Chaya some requested eggs and chocolate milk.

Here’s my bubba!  He’s an awesome kind of kid!

Going to school

We're here

And one from Day 5 in the hospital.  Yes, she loves chicken!

Day 5

Here we go……