Thursday, September 4, 2008

A New Season



September seems to mark the end of summer for me. School is back in session. The weather is cooling off ever so slightly. Routines are back. People are all back from vacations. 

There is something comforting about the return to routines. For me, this fall marks the end of the worst summer of my life. I welcome the changes of the season. The new season marks a new chapter of my life. I know every ensuing chapter will be framed around the events of this summer. But, with mixed emotions, I am turning pages and starting a new chapter. 

Sabrina and Annie started school and have been enjoying their new teachers and new friends. Here are a couple of photos of them on the first day of school.

25 comments:

LL said...

I hope this season will bring comfort, peace and happiness! I also hope those adorable little girls love their new teachers and classmates...your sweet family deserves all the happiness possible.

karilyn said...

I think the best chapters of your life are yet to come!
Your daughters look happy and Beautiful.
I am one of the many women that you have inspired to be better.
I choose to be happy everyday.

Lisa said...

I have been reading your blog since shortly after your darling Camille became an angel in Heaven and I thought it was time for me to comment. I await your posts each day and think they're so well written. I hope the fall season ... all future seasons...bring your all the joy and happiness you deserve. Your daughters are gorgeous and as many others have said, reading your story has made me realize I need to cherish each and everyday with my 3 little ones.

Shanan said...

I just can't believe how fast kids grow! Sabi and Annie, you are both too cute in your back-to-school get-up!

Steph - I hope the pages get easier to turn as you continue to start new chapters!

angie j. said...

I was thinking about you and your family on my way to drop my kids off at school this morning. Thanks for your great posts. Your experiences have truly helped to change the way I view each day, and the challenges they bring. You're an inspiration!

Alisa said...

Your girls are so darling. I love how they "pose" for the photos. School will be good for them, too. Seasons are good. They welcome change. They bring in other adventures. They offer new scenery. And they give us a sense of renewal. Here's to a lot of happiness and joy in your new "season".

EMILY said...

Sabrina's poses remind me of her mom:) Let's have some fun together this fall! I am so ready for the cooler weather and to get outdoors and play!

Just me! said...

Your girls are absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!! Wow!

Stephanie said...

Steph -

I can imagine the mixed emotions of turning the page to a new chapter. I'm sure the chapters and stories to come will be good ones. Thank you for a daily dose of peace and gratitude in my life. I cherish my life and loved ones much more because of your strength and example. I will continue to pray for you and your family as you forge ahead in the upcoming chapters of the 'Waite novel.'

Tuesday Girl said...

So beautiful!

janalee said...

Wow- such big bags :)

Char said...

You have such beautiful girls! I can't tell you how much I love your blog and the thoughts and feelings (and education) you share. You are making a difference in the world one reader at a time.

Court and Britt said...

May Heavenly Father bless you in this new chapter of your life! Your writing is so uplifting and inspirational!! Your story has deeply touched me, what am amzing gift that has come out of a tragedy, you are blessing so many others lifes.

Love,
Brittany
www.placeforinspiration.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

They are so cute! Your oldest girl is really looking grown up. And I love the brown socks/tights.

I agree, September does have a distinct ending/beginning feel to it. Although, since my little guy's only 16 months old, our routine doesn't change much--but I can still feel the change in the air around me. And it takes me back to my school days and the anticipation I felt as a child at the beginning of a new school year.

Jonathan Waite said...

My cute Sabrina's been looking at 80s pictures of her dady wearing his floods. Way to go baby!!

Jonathan Waite said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Court and Britt said...

ps- This moring while I was reading the scriptures I thought of you and your amazing testimony. Because of specific 'trials' that I have recently had to face in my life, I have really been struggeling with having a desire to pray and read my scriptures regularly. I know that in my time of need that those are the things that I should do to feel closer to my Father in Heaven, the Savior, and the Spirit, but for some reason I just couldn't get my self to do those things. BECAUSE OF YOU and your amazing story of how you have turned to the Lord in your time of need, I was finally able to pray and read the scriptures again. It felt so GOOD!! I have felt the spirit so strong in my home the entire day, THANK YOU!!

Love,
Brittany

www.placeforinspiration.blogspot.com

cynphil6 said...

Jon,

I definitely want to see those pics!!!

Cynthia

i said...

I love this season also...and the massive backpacks little kids wear! Annie looks so cute in hers....Sabrina is just looking so cool and grown up! Isn't it fun to compare last years pics!?!?

Thanks again for your sharing you life with us..the good and the not so good. I'm sure your next chapter will bring lots of insight into what you can/have learned from the last difficult chapter. I'm glad to read about it all here!

p.s. I loved the video (Hands of Heaven) you recommended for our ward presentation. It was so beautiful and inspiring!

Lou Ellen said...

I always feel like I need to apologize when I read someone's blog I don't know - but here I am, guilty as charged. I found your blog by accident, was reading a blog by a friend of my sisters, from Louisiana. Anyway - my heart goes out to you.

We had a worse summer of our life too, 1989. Our son, Joshua, died at scout camp. He was 11, he was our oldest of 5, blond, blue eyes. It's been 19 years and still...life goes on, love remains, accidents happen, heaven is real, the miracle of family and blessing and covenants and the resurrection keep us afloat.

I loved the school pictures. I remember so well the first time back to school without Josh. We were all so sad, we had had this shocking and fragile summer. But, back to school we went and there were happy times and good things and parties and fun and achievements for our remaining children. And today, our new little grandchild carries part of her uncle's name.

All the best - Lou Ellen Cryer

Catherine Noorda said...

i am in awe at how much sabrina looks like you in those pictures. i never really noticed it until just now. you have such similar faces and expressions.

Bingham Bunch said...

Those girls are adorable! I understand your sense of satisfaction in beginning a new season. I know I sure like to look at each new day lived as moving one day closer to that day when all the family will be together, never to be separated again. Many wishes and prayers for peace to be present in each day you continue through.
P.S. I live in Amanda (and Ryan) Colby's ward in south Fort Worth. She saw me leaving comments previously and said, "I saw you leaving comments on my good friend's blog!" We also work at Sylvan together and she and Ryan have stayed overnight with our kids so we can have a weekend getaway. Anyway, YOU have always been a magnanimous person--my husband worked in the advisement office in the old Smith family building at BYU and I believe you were a political science major planning to go to law school. My husband was planning to do the same thing and we all spoke ever so briefly. However, your name stuck with me and we have watched how things have turned out for you as well as a few other brilliant minds. My husband also went to law school but is now involved in city management (the bar exam has not been kind--much respect to those of you who can get through that sucker!;o). I've enjoyed reading your blog since spring--especially your creative stories. You should find a way to publish them so we can all read them to our children in book form!

The Gray Family said...

look how cute those girlies are! Fall has always been one of my seasons...the way the leaves turn, the crisp smell in the air, the way it starts to cool off in the evenings (something I am sure you will appreciate where you live!). Hopefully it will be a good next step for your family. We think of you often and still pray for you regularly.

MelancholySmile said...

I'm so happy for this new season, the routine and joyful moments that hopefully will come with it. I've been so inspired by your strength and testimony, even though I'm aware that there must be times when you become overwhelmed with the weight of your trial. You have been an example to me of someone who focuses on the Gospel, on the bigger picture, to get through life. You're still in my thoughts and prayers.

PS Your house is gorgeous. And your kids, of course. I like how sassy your oldest looks as she strikes a pose. :)

Gina Rochelle said...

Emma's birthday is September 2nd. The cut off for kindergarten here in Georgia is September 1st. haha. So Emma's still at home. Glad Annie is enjoying it.