Our Kindergarten girl

Here's our first morning in Kindergarten.

In the car, on the way to Kindergarten!

Walking into the building

In the class room

Parker's first few days of Kindergarten have been a blast. These pictures were all taken the first morning. Isn't she adorable in her uniform? The first morning she told me to "stop taking pictures" and after settling in which took her all of 5 minutes, I was told "Mommy, you can go now!" I managed to drop her off without tears for either of us. She was so happy to be there. School is dismissed on noon the first day, I picked her up in car line and we had a girls day. She and I ate at Chili's, while we were waiting I asked her about the first day to which she replied "Mommy, what happens in kindergarten, stays in kindergarten." Thankfully, we attended a parent meeting last Spring where her teacher used this exact phrase. As you can see she is going to do just fine.

Grant is not transitioning as easy. He had gotten used to Parker going to school with him. Yesterday, when Brandon and Parker left for school, Grant cried for 15-20 minutes. If you know my Grant, you know he does not usually cry for more than a few minutes. This morning was a little smoother for him but he still cried. We are hoping the 3rd day is a charm as we get back into our school year routine.

My PSA

So I am back in full swing of my regular life. Home with the kids who I missed so much, doing laundry and back to the office. If I could wish one thing for all of you it would be that you have the courage to talk to your parents NOW about their wishes and find out where all important financial documents are located. After spending 7 days in FL looking though countless boxes for all of our Dad's important info, we managed to find almost everything we needed. Lucky for us, my mom still had a will (my parents divorced in 1976) of my Dad's signed in March 1972. I have learned, a will is a legal binding document no matter how old it is. Who knew?

I have been telling all my friends to talk to their parents (and parents tell your adult children) about where to find everything because you never know. There are no guarantees in life, including life itself. It's a conversation no one wants to have but it is worth having, trust me. I do take comfort knowing a few things about what my Dad would have wanted. Over the last few years, he and I had many conversations about that, just none about his affairs. Needless to say, I have had this conversation with my mom in the last 2 weeks!

Coming home

Greetings All,

I will be back home on Thursday, I have not decided whether or not to go to work Friday or wait until Monday. I never knew how much "business" there is to dying then you add in how it happened and the fact we have to have his house restored even though he never gets to go back there.

Thanks again for all the prayers. I will post more when I return home.

Kelly

Guest book for my Dad's obit

http://www.legacy.com/TimesUnion/GB/GuestbookView.aspx?PersonId=114692157

Please feel free to stop by and sign it. Thanks for all the prayers.

Arrangements

My father's memorial service will be Monday at 4:00 pm.

Hardage Giddens Town & Country Funeral Home
7242 Normandy Blvd
Jacksonville, FL 32205
904-781-9262

He will be cremated per his wishes. There is a National Cemetery under construction in Jacksonville, we will be having a burial after it opens early next year with full military honors

Thanks to all who have remembered us during this time.