Things coming to an end...and some exciting beginnings

It feels like many things have come to an end lately...even as we are on the verge of many new beginnings, a major one being that we will soon become a family of 6.

Mia and Chloe are officially finished with Preschool/Pre-K. In a few weeks, they will begin at the "Big Kid School" across the street. Kindergarten seemed like it was so far away for so long and now it is almost upon us! As many of us moms ask, "Where does the time go?" and "Wasn't it just yesterday that we were bringing home our little bundles from the hospital?" Can you tell I am probably going to be a mess come fall? :) A few short months ago, our girls began all-day Pre-K:

heading in with BFF Megan

Here they are on the last day of school...they look so much older!

Here are a couple more pics of my 2 monkeys from the last day of school:

Another ending we encountered this summer was the ending of our current church small group. This has been such an amazing group for Kevin and I to be a part of and we have all learned so much and grown so much together over the past 18 or so months.

We can only pray that God places more incredible people in our lives for our next group!

Speaking of small groups, there are a couple of couples from this same small group that have become like family to us. The Shokats and the Hickeys are 2 of the greatest sets of friends we have had the privilege of knowing. Unfortunately, they were both in Atlanta for only 3 years because of the hubbys finishing out their residencies at Emory. For the first 2 years that they lived here, our children all attended the same church preschool and since they became great friends that is also how we became great friends. It was awesome when we all started going to the same church. We even began a girls Bible Study during the week while the kids were in school this past year, and this only served to bring us closer as friends and sisters in Christ. This past school year, Jennifer's little girl, Megan (in the photo above) and Mia and Chloe all went to the same Pre-K. We knew that June 2010, when both families were moving, was always around the corner, but it really came quickly...too quickly, if you ask me! So, 2 of my favorite people have moved on and I miss them terribly...

But, the Hickeys did throw a great going-away-happy graduation pool party before they left!

The girls from Wednesday Bible Study: Laura B., Kristin, Jennifer, and me

The funny thing about the following 2 pictures from the pool party is that Mia and Chloe were so excited to see our old small group friends, the Locklars (another Emory medical school family), that moved to Kentucky in November. The night before, Mia said, "Mommy, tomorrow at the pool party, I can't wait to hold hands with Naomi and Chloe and all jump in the pool at the same time!" I just had to get a picture of her "dream come true":

So, (jokingly) Kevin and I have vowed that, from now on, our qualifying "friend" question will be to find out if they happen to be residents at Emory or not :) It's just too sad to see such great people move away....

And lastly, our baby girl, Quinn, is growing into a Big Girl. It is officially the end of the crib-stage for her. We wanted to make this transition before Baby arrives in August so she wouldn't feel like this new person was "taking" her bed from her. We have moved her into a Big Girl Bed and she is doing so well with it! I am so proud of her:

Here's to nostalgic endings and exciting beginnings...