Brittain felt an instant connection with her cousin Madison when she stayed with Gramy and Papa while Doug and Michelle made the move from Charleston to Denver. After the move, Brittain would consistently talk about going up to visit and being able to fly in a plane for the first time. Before we had the chance to do that, circumstances changed and we were thrilled to find out that Doug, Michelle and Madison were moving BACK to Charleston.

The weekend of the big move, Brittain got to spend some more quality time with her cousin…

[Show as slideshow]

It’s funny to me the things you remember about your childhood. As Brittain’s first day of Kindergarten was approaching, and because she was attending the same elementary school that I went to, I began to think back to see what I could remember about my years at Crescent. While I have some specific memories, it turns out that when I think back to those years I get just a general warm and fuzzy feeling. I remember those years as feeling safe and secure and happy. Of course it wasn’t until 30 years later that I am finding out WHY I felt like that.

Because my pregnancy fell right in the middle of when I should have been thinking about teachers and where she would fit in best, and who everyone might be trying to request, I was engrossed in the fact that I was HUGE and I had ANOTHER HUMAN IN MY STOMACH and I FELT LIKE CRAP EVERY DAY. So, once the baby was out and I could actually think about something other than myself, I began to feel the stress double and I became obsessed with the upcoming year and how I was going to handle it. (Yes, me, not Brittain.) I made countless phone calls where I sounded like a huge idiot. I’m sure I burned many bridges in a matter of a day…but in the end it all worked out for the very best.

I did my very best to prepare for that first day and what I might feel like. But there was no preparing for that day. I woke up the first day of school and immediately started dry heaving…and it continued for the rest of the day. Fortunately Brittain was excited about going to school and there wasn’t a moment where I wondered whether or not we were going to be able to leave her there. Dan and I walked her in, gave her a kiss, and off we went. Lucky Dan…he got to go to work. Coleman and I were left sitting in the house the entire day just staring at each other wondering what we were going to do with our lives now. I counted down the minutes until 2:30 finally came and the moment Brittain got into my car I felt complete again. I didn’t accomplish a single other thing except making it through that first day, but I felt that it was accomplishment enough.

As far as Brittain goes, she had a fantastic first day and has continued to love school. I love being able to drop her off in the mornings and her getting out of the car with a smile on her face ready to tackle the new day.

[Show as slideshow]