Summer's Kindergarten

Sorry folks, we're just a tad proud of our little Kdgtn champ so I thought I would post a few photos of Summer's big first day. (Not to say I didn't want to take Sam's photos, but a mom hanging around 4th graders doing that would be so NOT cool!!) The tall blonde is Mrs. Preheim, Sum's teacher. In this photo she is blocking the sun from her eyes trying to watch her "kids" line up before the first bell. The next photo is Summer and her buddy, Grace. They were in preschool together and we all cheered when they got in the same Kgtn section this year. The 3rd photo is Sum sitting at her table spot.

The last three pictures are of her class lined up ready to head inside to begin their day, walking into chapel, and sitting in chapel. She had a ton of fun at school and when she got home got to play with the neighbor boys. This five-year-old had a GOOD day...Yeah!! Now, off to settle her down and tuck her in to dream about it all. Good Night!

First Day of School - 2010

Get ready, Get set, GO! Our school year started today. Both kids woke up early (even Summer!!) because they were excited to get to school.

The middle photo shows them, with backpacks loaded, all set for their first day. The single shots of the kids are from the school's Open House on Monday. We are tickled with the teachers our kiddos are with this year. They should learn alot and have fun doing it.

If truth be told, both Mom & Summer shed a couple tears as the kids lined up to head to their classrooms. A half hour later at chapel, Summer's tears had cleared and she was all smiles and excited to be sitting with her class. This made Mom feel a bit better to.

The school's theme this year is "Walking in the Truth." The Theme Bible verse is 3 John 1:4 - "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth." This is my favorite theme/verse the school has had yet. I am thankful our children were excited to face the new school year. I am also thankful they will be learning to "Walk in the Truth" even if that means they are walking away...just for a few hours anyway...from me. Please keep our team in your thoughts and prayers for a safe, happy, healthy, & academically good year. Go Team!!

The Invisible Woman

Hi ladies - do you ever feel like you are becoming, or are already invisible in your home? At your workplace? Maybe it is because my "to do" list never seems to get done. Perhaps I am just having a "pity party," but lately I have been feeling invisible.

A friend of mine lent me the book "The Invisible Woman" by Nicole Johnson a while back. (Sorry M.K., when I say "a while" there was actually snow on the ground!!) Anyway here are a couple paragraphs from this little gem of a book I thought I would share with you:

"Charlotte Fisher has two children, a pretty good marriage, and a very big prblem - she is invisible. Her husband and kids can see the clean socks in their drawers and the hot food on the table, but they cannot see her.
She's disappeared into the anonymity of being the wife, the mom, the butter getter, the milk pourer, the laundry washer, and all the other terms that describe a behind-the-scenes woman who holds life together."

In this book Nicole writes about the glories of the great cathedrals, how long they took to build, what superior craftsmen & artists these men were. One day a man visited a cathedral worksite and saw a worker carving a tiny bird into the inside of a beam that would eventually be covered over by the stone roof. The man asked the worker why he was spending so much time and giving so much attention to something that no one would ever see. The builder never looked up. He never stopped carving as he replied, "Because God sees."

That last statement really struck a chord with me. If I am ever feeling invisible, I really am not...God always sees. He not only sees the work my hands do, but how my heart is while I do them. Instead of feeling unhappy if my hubby doesn't notice his underwear drawer is again full or if my children forget to thank me for making a supper they like, I'll hang in there. The work we are doing does matter, takes time...like the building of a great cathedral. Perhaps the impact we have in our families and those around us will last alot longer than those brick & stone cathedrals...maybe even through generations and into eternity. I long to hear one day "Well done, good and faithful servant" from the One who really notices. Let's keep building together!

Backpacks & Growing Pains

As you can see by the photo, it is back-to-school time around here. With the buying of new shoes, longer pants, note books & colors comes many different emotions; especially for this Team's Mom.

I am not sure what is harder for me this year: sending my "baby" to Kindergarten or having my firstborn hit double digits - going from 9 to 10.

I have been around Moms this month that are weepy at the thought of school starting, and those that could almost jump for joy as that day approaches. A neighbor/friend of mine recently sent her firstborn off to Kindergarten. She told me of a group of mothers gathered around with their excited kids waiting for the first day's bell to ring. This group of Mom's was trying to console each other as their tears fell down their cheeks. Another Mom came up to the group with a big smile. "How could she be so happy?" they asked. I smile at the truthfulness of her answer: She told them "I haven't been able to pee by myself for 13 years; now with my youngest off to school I finally can."

I find myself somewhere in the middle of the two groups listed above. For me it is the passage of time and "turning over the reigns" that are my issues. How did this happen so fast? Didn't we just move here and were sending Sam off to Kindergarten? Now is it really Summer's turn? Will Summer's class have as many "nice kids" from "nice families" that she can grow close to? Will their teacher's/friends/other parents be good role models and lift them "up" instead of bring them "down" now that I am not their primary role model daily? (Okay, so I'm not always a good role model, but you know what I mean.)

Sam has been known to have growing pains in his legs. On those occasions I have helped rub/stretch his legs out. I admit that lately I am feeling "growing pains" as well, just a different sort. My children are growing up and slowly unfolding their wings and learning to fly. This is requiring that I "stretch" some too. Yes, this brings a wetness to my eyes, yet, I am also thankful for children so willing and excited to learn, plus join their friends again.

As I watch my children learn to fly I will tell you this: There will be some tears, more smiles, tighter hugs, and many prayers lifting them up. In knowing that some day, all to soon, when it is their time fly from our nest and start their own "team" they will be ready to soar. Have a great school year everybody and hang on to your hankies!!!

Vacation Fun - 2010

Well, it's in the books. Team Utzig's Summer Vacation 2010. We packed up our swagger wagon and headed to the great state of MN to camp. Looking at the photos you'll be able to see what our favorite activities were: hanging out at the beach, and fishing, fishing, and more FISHING! The kids had a fun time catching Sunnies. Sam caught the most, yet Summer snagged the biggest - way to go girl! Camp fires, s'mores, seeing grandparents, and our Team just hanging out; Minnesota, the land of 10,000 lakes and memories! (By the way...the first photo is a different type of field our team is usually on...that is a field of soybeans at my parent's farm. I like the kiddos in the sea of green). Thanks for checking in!

Jeans & Genes

The other morning was a bit cooler so I told Sam to go put some long pants on. When he had changed, I couldn't believe the state of his pants...ready for a flood perhaps? What happened? GROWTH SPURT...AGAIN!!!

I've always been one of these people that loves genetics...how and why people look and act like they do. This is a frequent topic in our home, perhaps yours too. One Grandma says Sam is built just like his Uncle Mike. Another says it is because he is part Dutch and "they" are always on the taller side. Summer's nose and mouth...Grandpa U's & Dad. Summer's speed & easy flow when running...Aunt Tricia. Let's not forget Sam's big bottom lip - says Bulthuis all over it of course!

How about personality traits? Sam was 4 years old the first time he stomped to his room and slammed the door when he was mad at us. After he did this Mark turned to me and said "You know he gets that from you!" Okay, so I've been known to slam a door or two in my life but hey, I didn't start until I was 16! Summer loves to chatter and play. She is a lot more of a free spirit than her older, more serious, quieter brother. Sum loves to have people watch her do things, Sam gets nervous when he gets that attention. Summer is happiest playing with others, Sam is content to be by himself. Mark often comments that our kids are miniature us...only in the opposite sexes.

As neat as it is to witness all of these traits it makes me really pause and think. What other things are my children getting from me? How do I treat others on the highway? With a different skin color than mine? Do they see me praying, doing devotions? My attitude about work/going to church/helping others? How do I handle stress? What words come out of my mouth? Do I shine my "light" in this dark world?

In Genesis 1:27 it states that "God created man in His own image." Let that statement sink in. We look like HIM! The creator of the universe, who is seated on THE throne made us and only us to take HIS image! The thought of that makes me feel pretty special and priviledged.

I am happy our children have traits found in their genetic relatives. What I will be most happy with is if they grow up to realize they are an image-bearing child of the KING, and treat ALL men as their brothers and sisters...minus the teasing, of course!

S & S

Okay, so I am a tad biased. I think these photos are cute...or should I say the subjects of these photos are.

After enduring a year of a mouth appliance and brances on his four front teeth, Sam is tickled with the smile that has now appeared. Dad & Mom are pretty happy too. Sam's dentist doesn't think anymore mouth work will be needed in the future! Now that is something to cheer!

Summer loves the pink outfit above. The shirt not only sparkles (which is a big deal when you are 5) but says "Cool Summer" too. She believes it was made just for her...it sure was little one.

The photo of S & S together is a new favorite for me. I hope yall like it too.

This Team's Mom time-out has ended so back to the playing field for me. Thanks for checking in!