A Really Good Thing

I would imagine that every parent, especially Mommies, dread Pre-K graduation to some degree. Call it a degree of separation if you will, because it means Kindergarten is coming! It was positively depressing to think about Emma getting older, turning 6 this year and the introduction of 'big kids school' as she calls it.

David and I (and Emma) have been in our duplex for three years now and are planning and praying to not make it four! But, one of the things we looked at when we were moving was the school district just in case we were still around when it came time for Emma to go to school. We are routed to Live Oak Elementary and I have heard nothing but good things and seen only positives about the school, its' staff and student body when doing research, like any type-A, slightly obsessive mother will do!

We chose to leave Redeemer preschool for the summer after Emma "graduated" for a couple of reasons. #1- she could go to Stepping Stones w/Cody which would be not only convenient but save us a little money to have them at one place. #2- if she had stayed at Redeemer she would've been in the same class with the same teacher as last summer with 4-year old's which makes no sense. However, I kept feeling some attachment to the school like I was waiting for a sign. After speaking with a few of the preschool staff members and then ultimately the school principal, he suggested that we fill out the financial aid packet and just see if we qualified for anything for the school year. I knew some of our friends there had qualified, people I never would have imagined, so that encouraged me to go for it.

It was a lot like the FAFSA when going to college- boy was it thorough! I knew that it was a long shot but knew I would always wonder 'what if' if we didn't send it in. Sure enough about a month later we heard back that we did indeed qualify for a small percentage of financial aid. With that, Emma's tuition was definitely closer to a range we could afford, but we still have daycare for Cody to think about. Once again I visited with the director and other staff member friends at the preschool who would share w/me the name of a small daycare where their children attend. It is more affordable and I know Cody will be happy, well cared for and in great hands! So I got the 'sign' I was waiting for and David and I know that this is the path God planned for us.

Amber (the preschool director) told me that doors were being opened and my questions were being answered and all that remained was taking the leap of faith. I'm so glad we did. Not only will Emma get an excellent education, she will be with friends, continue her faith-journey and grow with the Redeemer community. And I guess I could mention that Mommy appreciates the familiarity.

Stepping Stones has been very eye-opening. It is definitely the most diverse daycare setting Emma has been in and the first non-Christian daycare she has attended. It broke my heart that there is no Bible study, prayer time etc. Overall though, Emma and Cody have received excellent care- the staff is really excellent and I would recommend it to anyone. At some point, we will be in public school. That has always be the plan and always will be. I just pray that a solid foundation of faith and belief in Jesus Christ will stay with our kids in every aspect of their childhood and beyond and that David and I can lead by example in that endeavor.