cece would rather hang out with her friends

When we arrived back from the states, Cece went back to preschool for the month of August. She goes to preschool in the mornings and after her lunch, Brian picks her up.

A few weeks ago, she asked me if she could sleep at Skolka (preschool), which would mean staying all day. I said, "No, you need to come home after lunch."
"Why, Mommy?"
(The reason is because when she comes home, I do early literacy activities with her, and we read together, and I want her to have that time with me. However, I don't want to make too big of a deal out of this, or she'll catch on that I'm teaching her, and she might not like it.)
So, I said, "Because I want to hang out with you."
Her response, "I don't want to hang out with you, Mommy; I want to hang out with my friends!"

So it begins.

Cece's preschool has been so great. Not only is she learning Czech, she really loves her teachers, and obviously, she loves her friends too.

This summer, the theme at Cece's preschool was centered around Native Americans (however, they don't use the politically correct term). Today was the "Farwell to Indian Summer". Here are some photos!

Gabe and Alex

So often people ask me about the boys. Most assume that they are different, but they are curious about their individual personality traits. I could list a bunch of differences, but this video certainly captures some of them! Enjoy:


Gabe and Alex from Aleisha Stephens on Vimeo.

remember what you told the Lord

The other day, the kids and I were waiting in the car while Brian ran into the store to get eggs. Cece asked if I could turn on some music, so I did. Then she said, "Mommy, this one time, when I was in the car with Grandpa and Kendall and Addison, Grandpa turned up the music so loud. It was so funny, Mommy!" And, then, she laughed really loud.

(Cece with Kendall and Addison, her cousins)

Cece has been telling me all kinds of stories from her summer in the states since we got back to Czech three weeks ago. Times she had with her cousins and her Grandmas and Grandpas, times with family friends. She remembers people amazingly well and names of people that she only met once.

Every morning at about 10am, I get a little "home-sick" myself when I remember moments from my time with those that I love so much who live so far away.

Because of a really great sermon I heard on Sunday, I was reminding myself today of what I have told the Lord previously:

I want to be used by you.

I will go wherever.

I surrender all.

I want your Kingdom to come.

Your will be done.

No matter the cost.

I am missing my family today, and by the grace of God, I am living what I told Him previously.