Another School Year gone....

Well, another school year has come and gone, and with it comes some bittersweet feelings. Emily "graduated" from 5th grade and elementary school and is now a big Middle School 6th grader. *sob*

She is super excited and I am super nervous.

Emily has grown so much this past year and I am so proud of her. She has grown several inches and is now ALMOST as tall as me as she just hit 5'2-1/2", grown a shoe size this year, grown a whole clothes size (it's really heart wrenching when you realize they are in the last size available in the childrens department), chopped all her hair off into an adorable "middle school" cut, tried many new things this year, been to hell and back and came back even stronger, and made some new friends this year that are awesome for her.

Bittersweet for me because the elementary school was brand new and opened it's first year when Austin started 1st grade. We have been driving to that school, seeing those teachers and staff, for the last 10 years. And now, we are done. As much as there were things or staff we wish to never see or deal with again, there were far more positives that we will miss. And Emily's Learning Center Teacher, Mrs. G., we will miss the most. Emily has had her as a teacher for 5 years. She has become a confidentant, a friend, a favorite, and loves Emily as her own. I cried on the last day saying goodbye to her, and she made me promise to invite her to Emily's birthdays and keep her informed of milestones. You just dont find teachers like that anymore. I hope she knows I never took her for granted all these years, and appreciated everything she did for us. She gave Emily comfort and peace in a world of chaos for her, and she gave us, the parents, peace of mind knowing when Emily went to school, she was in good arms. Thank you Mrs. G!

Emily also had a birthday in May and turned 12!

My baby girl is growing up so fast before my eyes. Middle school, 12 years old, new friends...next it'll be boys and high school and, and...wahhhhh!!!

Tomorrow she starts her first time at Softball. We are so excited. We signed her up for the Special Olympics and have finally found something she can do for fun and feel comfortable. I love the fact that they play all the sports that are available and each season rotate through them, so we have our pick of what to try. So for Summer she is trying Softball! With her new BFF.

Although we have been on a very bumpy road this last year with all the medical issues with her, and nearly lost her in the mix of it, we have fought hard, cried harder and are making our way back to being a family and enjoying our daughter. She is smiling again, laughing, playing with friends. She is coming back to us. There is still a very long road of unknown ahead, and a lot of hard work that brings me to tears at times. But it's all worth it when I hear that giggle again. When I see the sparkle in her eyes. I'll keep fighting for her, I'll keep hugging her close, and I'll always be her biggest supporter and fan. For no one can know the struggle, the road we've had, but us. And no one can love her like we can.

Emily, I am so very proud of you. You are a beautiful girl who is growing into her own. Remember to stop and smell the flowers. To smile at strangers. To be kind to animals. And most of all, never ever lose your innocence.

I love you baby girl!

XOXO