The Beginning of the End

Have you ever had a time period in your life that just felt like the paths were all coming to an end?  This sums up our year. The end of sleepless nights with an infant, the end of preschool for the big girl, oh yeah and the end of life as we know it in Kentucky!  I must say that life has pretty much been a roller coaster for the past year and the culmination of all this is a cross country move.  Needless to say, this has been a challenging time for our family.  Saying goodbye to family, friends, and our home has been gut wrenching.  Below you will see one of those moments when Mommy's do the "ugly cry".  My first born is growing up.  I can't remember when it happened, but suddenly the toddler has turned into a girl.  A real girl, with real opinions and feelings.  The girl who wailed in front of the crowd at her first Thanksgiving program at preschool until Mommy came up on stage to stand behind her is now about to walk across the stage all alone and accept a diploma!  Granted a preschool certificate but let me brag.  I am very proud of the smart and confident young lady I call my daughter. 

I so love the fact that Building Blocks dresses the kids up in cap and gowns.  It is so exciting for them and really gives them a feeling of accomplishment.  Sarah looks so proud here.

Graduating to kindergarten is hard enough, but it is multiplied when it also means leaving friends that Sarah has known, well, forever.

I love my baby. I wish I could slow down and enjoy these fleeting moments of childhood.  Hopefully when we get settled in our new home.  Sigh....

Landon, Avery, and Sarah have know each other since birth.  They are born within a few months of one another. What a friendship they have!  We will miss them so much!

The kiddo's showing off their crazy face skills.  They are really a hoot! 

Now we are back in the auditorium anxiously awaiting the beginning of the ceremony.

Alena came along to share in the celebration.  These two are becoming partners in crime.  I am sad that they are going to live so far apart.  I hope they can remain close as they grow up.

Here she goes, all by herself across the big stage.  We are so proud of her. 

Mamaw and our neighbor, Shelly came along to support Sarah as well.  We are so blessed to have so many family and friends.

After the ceremony, the graduates gathered to pose for some photos.  Madeline and Sarah are almost the same amount of months apart as their mothers.  I remember playing with Heather at this age.  Isn't that crazy?

Thumbs up for a great year!

Papaw (from the Mountains) came to celebrate as well.

Sarah and "my Amy".  It is so hard to think about leaving a place surrounded by loved ones (sniff).

The best photo we could get of the Coleman clan.

Mamaw (from the Mountains) and Sarah.

And now for Mamaw and Papaw (from the street) :)

Shelley and Josh surprised us by attending as well.  We think of Shelley as family.  We watched her grow up and become a wonderful young woman.  Sarah will be her flower girl in her upcoming nuptials.

Baby Aubrey was cheering on cousin Sarah as well.  So cute!

Here is Sarah with her two "Mamaws".  She loves them both so dearly.  I am so glad they were able to come.

Leah is not always known for her good behavior during crowded events, but the balloons kept her very happy.  A great time was had by all.  We celebrated our Sarah and had a wonderful afternoon as a family together (if only for a few more weeks).