Shock

It's 2am and we are home from seeing Tom's Dad. For the last time. Our Pookie passed away this evening. We were called from the assisted around 10:30 this evening to let us know that he was checked on and found sitting in his chair with Baba's blanket wrapped around him, gone. He didn't suffer. He just looked asleep. Laura and Becca went in to see him. It wasn't bad. Becca touched him and said goodbye. She took it the hardest. As I write this, she is curled up in the chair, in our room. The chair was Baba's favorite and the blanket that she is wrapped in is the one Pookie had put on himself this evening. At first, I was surprised that she would want that blanket. As I look at her sleeping, I realize what the blanket means to her. She is holding on to Pookie. She will never forget that blanket. None of us will.

If you look back on one of my previous blogs, you will see that I called Pookie the "Fox Whisperer". At his home, he fed the fox and had them almost eating out of his hand. Within the past year, the fox had stopped coming due to the construction going on around the assisted living facility. Tonight, around 9:30, Tom and Becca were in our backyard and a fox ran right in front of them. As Tom and Jan pulled into the assisted living facility tonight, a fox crossed right in front of them. I know it was probably coincidence that tonight of all nights we saw all these fox, but I would like to think that it was Pookie saying goodbye. I would like to think of him free and sly.

Pookie was my second Dad and I will miss him dearly. I was so blessed with the most wonderful in laws a woman could have. I don't even realize how much he meant to me.

Say a prayer for us over the next few weeks. We will need it.

Spring Blizzard

Finally, a snow day. We are to get two feet of snow by tomorrow evening. I am hoping for no class tomorrow. I slept in until 9am this morning. What a treat!!! Laura has a friend over and Becca is going to a friends. Nice, quite day...

I want to send a shout out to baby Julia who will be baptized tomorrow. It seems like yesterday that we baptized the boys. I sure would love a big squeeze from them right about now.

Granny was back in the hospital with blood clots and returned back to the nursing home. She is 94 and I worry that she may never return to her home again.

Happy day.

Happy Easter

As usual, our Easter, here in Colorado Springs, is snowy. We are to get 6-12 inches of snow tonight. We are all praying for a snow day tomorrow. We are hoping for at least a two hour delay.

I have spent all afternoon with my nose in the computer, preparing for an IEP meeting on Wednesday. I can't believe it takes 6 hours of work for a 1 hour meeting. Oh well, it's done. Only two more before the end of the year.

We had dinner with Casey and his parents on Friday night. We had a great time and I would love to get to know them better. I feel like we have joint custody of their son and they are super folks. The type you want to become close to. They treated my whole family to dinner and chocolate. Thanks Coxs. Casey didn't come over today as he is studying for a big ole Math test, next week.

We went to church in all the slush and snow. It was a baptismal service. It does your heart good to see people dedicating themselves to serve the lord. It was great to have this service on Easter as he has given all of us a new start. I think that's what Spring is all about.

The girls had a wonderful time digging into their Easter candy, this morning. They are not too old for Easter. Becca got us up at the crack of dawn to go downstairs and find eggs. I love my family and we have had a nice day, just enjoying each other.

I hope all of you have had a wonderful, blessed and safe Easter.

Break is over.

Well, I am back from muggy Florida. It was great to see the family, but I am glad to be home.

I saw my "granny" and she looks great for 94. I loved being with her and I cherished her kiss as I left. We have had such great talks as of late and I hope to carry them with me always. If this sounds a little morbid, it's because I know that each time I see her, it may be my last. We have talked about this and its "ok".

My Dad is so so. This is just how he is and I also know that each time I see him, it may be the last. It's alright there too.

My Mom was just down right stressed. Please pray for her. I don't want to publicly write all the things going on in her house, but it's bad and ugly. We all need prayer for how to handle some of the situations there.

The highlight was seeing my sister, Tammie. I love her so and we always find something to laugh and cry about, together. That's the way it has been our whole life. Her and I against the world. I love you sis.

I met my 4 month old niece, Haley. She is a true cutie. She weighs 25 pounds and looks like the Michelin Man on TV. Many rolls and many little smiles. It's amazing how resilient children can be to the world around them.

My nephew Eric is a true joy. He often came to me and told me he loved me. He showered me with kisses. This kid is a blond, curly headed, three year old, gift from God. As my granny used to say "I could eat him up with a spoon".

My nephew Michael, was very quiet. There are so many crazy things happening in his life. He is not so resilient as he is older. Please say a prayer for this 10 year old boy going on 40 years old. He walks around with the weight of the world on his shoulders.

I got back on Thursday and I was dog tired. I had a meeting at school on Friday and I will start back to normal teaching tomorrow. The good thing is, I am in the home stretch. I am 3/4 of the way done with my first year teaching. Ha Hooo.

I hope all of you have a great week.