So far, so good.

Just a quick note to say thanks for the prayers, this morning. Tom's surgery went very well. Tom's gall bladder was the size of two adult fists, put together. I thought the doctor was joking. No wonder he has had so much pain. Jan has been with us and the girls are going to her house tonight. I will spend the night with Tom at the hospital. Thanks so much for all the prayers. Now we pray for a quick recovery.

Pray for us.

I wanted to ask everyone to please remember us in prayer today, as Tom is scheduled to have surgery, this morning, at 10 am. We have spent another night in the ER. The surgeon decided that enough is enough, so here we go. I am scared, but I don't want to let on that I am because then, the girls will be too. It's also hard because I have had no sleep. Sleep will come when Tom is safely out of surgery and recovering well.

There's a stone in his gizzard.

Hi all. I tried to think of something light hearted to say about the last 12 hours. Last night, around 10pm, Tom complained of pain in his chest. You know what I was thinking and I was scared to death. He thought it was just gas. I had him take an anti-gas medication. It did nothing. Then he started vomiting and the pain got MUCH worse. Around midnight we went to the ER. They asked him the same questions that I had been asking, did a workup on his heart and kidneys. When they did an ultrasound on his gall bladder, they found a 2.2 cm. stone. Now we must consult a surgeon. Tom is home and the attack seems to have subsided, but please pray for us.

TTFN

Pictures

Here are some pics from our hike in South Cheyenne Canyon last weekend. Laura is with her friend, Alex, and here are some pictures of the Air Force Academy cadet we sponsor, Casey.

 

 

 

 

Better week

Yesterday, I felt like a movie star. Becca had her Sock-Hop at school. Fellow daVincian parents barely let me get through the front door before giving me hugs and asking about my new job. I haven't been at daVinci since Fall break. I so miss the teachers, my friends, there. DaVinci is going through some rough times right now and my heart breaks to see my teacher friends suffering so. I realize that those are the very teachers who inspired me to be a teacher. I want to always be in touch with these special people. The parents who were bombarding me with affection, reminded me of why I teach. I saw the very SPED kids who caused me to start on this crazy journey. They lined up for hugs too. I think heaven is going to be a lot like that. We will see the very people who inspired us our whole lives. Pretty cool.

Just to catch you up. My grandma aka "granny" is in a nursing home, still recovering from her hip surgery. My Dad is back in the hospital with lung issues. Tom's brother is battling cancer again. This time the prostate. Please pray for him. Deb's Dad now has a broken femur, which means more surgery, if he can survive another surgery. Yep, that's my friend who lost her mother in October, and her father in law last week. Please pray for my friend Deb.

I am back walking in the am again with my friend Carol. Thanks, Carol for getting me out there. One of my paras, that works in my room, bought me a book and gave it to me, yesterday. It is called the "Flat Belly Diet Book". The diet looks very reasonable, but I was wondering if any of you have any feedback on it, before I start it. I really don't want to go on an unhealthy anything, but I certainly need to lose my extra tire.

I hope all of you are well.

Friends

The last week has been really tough! Deaths, births, hospitalizations, crazy parents of students, meltdowns, tear aparts and many tears. So far, this week is much better and I think the clouds are clearing from my head. I don't want to complain because I know that there is always someone that has it much worse. There really is and I am so thankful for my family and the blessings in my life.

This week, someone commented on how many friends Tom and I have. I guess we do have a lot and for each of them, we are blessed. I started thinking about what a real friend is. I haven't been the best of friend, to anybody, lately. Work, school and family pretty much take up every moment of every day. I know this is a season and I would ask that my friends please be patient and understand that I am not snubbing them, I am just trying to get by until the end of the school year.

As I write, Laura is making guacamole for a Spanish class luncheon, tomorrow. Becca is practicing her violin and Tom is still at work. I am so grateful for these three people in my life. I can't think of a better way to spend my Wednesday evening.

Happy day.

Finally Friday

It has been a long, tough week.

Mr. Harnly passed away, yesterday afternoon. It was so long in coming. It was a relief to see him go. He woke up briefly, looked at his children and with a tear in his eye, drew his last breath. He must have felt sad to leave his children, but he knew that it was time to go. We all knew.

As I write this, I am on a two hour delay, due to snow, this morning. Later, I am off to a workshop for teachers. It's called "Handwriting Without Tears". That should be interesting. I pray it's not boring because I am exhausted.

I had a wonderful "teacher" moment, yesterday. Our kiddos have today off, so yesterday was their Valentine's party. One of my "lost boys" gave me a Sponge Bob valentine. The thing is, the kid couldn't afford valentine cards, so this was a big deal for him to have them. He informed me that he was giving me the biggest card in the box. I was humbled and of course, it made me cry. Sometimes this job is darn hard, but sometimes I am so humbled and grateful that I teach. One little Spongebob card meant so much to that little boy and means so much to me.

Jen, how much sleep are you getting? I saw the pictures of Julia and she is just plain gorgeous.

Michelle, thanks so much for the advise. Laura ended up with a heart necklace and candy. I don't think the necklace was real expensive, but I need to get a better look (she won't let me). Also, she refuses to tell Tom that somebody likes her. Awe, adolescence and it's only the beginning. Please pray for us.

Love to you all.

Welcome Julia!!!!

Welcome to the world, baby Julia. I know Jake and John Janus are thrilled with their new sister. That will change. HeHeHe.

Mr. Harnly is still hanging in this world, but barely. As I write this, I know that he may have slipped away last night. How ironic that would be.

The other issue is, MY DAUGHTER HAS A PUPPYLOVE BOYFRIEND!!!!!! I am not old enough for this.

The kiddo likes her because she can completely solve a rubics cube in less than two minutes. It is truly a crush and I suppose it is time, but it still made me cry. I am not quite sure how to handle this. We have had the sex talk and that was just lovely. She is totally grossed out by the whole thing. YEAH!!!! If anybody has any advise on the dos and don'ts of this, please let me know. Michelle, you have done this recently. Any ideas?

Happy day all.

The Latest

I can't seem to write more than once per week. I suppose that is better than in the past. Life is just plain crazy, but it's mostly good stuff.

Please pray for my friend Deb Harnly. I spent part of the weekend and will go back again tonight, to sit with her as her father in law passes away. This family has had waaaay too much. Her mother passed away in October. Her father nearly died last month and Grandpa Harnly is very nearly the end. Her father in law is just worn out, after a good life. He will be off to see his wife and siblings that he hasn't seen in so many years. I must be getting old myself, because I look at his death as a big celebration. You can almost see the rest on his face.

Jen Janus is about to deliver a new baby girl any day now. The girls and I went shopping for the littlest Jani, over the weekend. Becca had a blast picking stuff out. Girl stuff. I just need to find the time to get everything in a box and send it off.

Jen, I kept thinking of you as I sit with Grandpa Harnly. I kept thinking about the circle of life and how one ends and another begins. I looked at him and thought about how life starts and ends much the same. Jen is waiting to deliver. Grandpa Harnly is waiting to die. Babies are totally helpless and so is he. He is unconscious, but he had hiccups last night. Much like a newborn baby gets. I just goes to show, life goes on and you can't take a thing with you.

I know this is a bit deep, today, but life has been a bit deep this week. I wish you all good health and a very happy Valentine's Day.

TTFN

Catch up

Ok, I am a little behind, but I refuse to give up this blog. This weekend was crazy. I had class on Saturday and the Super Bowl on Sunday. Casey came over and we made homeade pizza while we watched the big game. Actually, the rest of the family watched the big game while I did lesson plans. I have been working on paperwork for an IEP tomorrow. I finished it at 11pm last night. I am tired and I didn't even bring my computer home, tonight. I am going to have a sit in the old hot tub and turn in early.

Tomorrow morning, Carol and I are to hit the streets. Yes, we attempt to walk when it is not below 20 degrees outside. The rest of this week looks beautious. We have had so very little snow this year. I don't think we have had much of a winter.

My grandma is in a nursing home for rehab. after her hip surgery. Deb's dad is going to a nursing home tomorrow for rehab. after his hip surgery. Everyone seems to be over their colds, so on we go.

I am off for now, to go cook dinner, do a load of laundry and then relax.

Here is a big "Hang in There" to Jen whose little girl is still "hanging in there". May we see the littlest Janni soon.

Love to all.