What a Great Day!

Tuesday was my 37th birthday, and I really didn't get my hopes up for much of a celebration since David isn't here, but it turned out to be quite the opposite.

Somehow (we'll get to that later) everyone knew it was my birthday and stopped by my office to wish me a happy birthday - the fifth graders all came to my office hacking because they were "sick" and sang to me (embarrassing me greatly in the process), the first grade class made me the great big blue card pictured above, and sang to me when I delivered their hot lunches to them, and I got lots of hugs from the kids.

Then, at about 2:15, two kids from Grace's class came down and said that Mrs. Gord needed to talk to me in her classroom. I somehow knew something was up, but played it up anyway asking them if they had hurt Mrs. Gord and that is why I had to go to her. One of the students replied "I didn't do it, well, I didn't mean to do it...". I got a kick out of them being able to play along. So, I got to their classroom and found that they were having a little party for me. Mrs. Gord had made brownies (which she had shared at lunch already) and they gave me a beautiful red rose from Mrs. Gord's garden, and they each had made me a card. She then had Grace go down and get Tristan from his class so he could join in on the brownies too. Then on Wednesday one of the 3rd grade students brought me in a giant Special Dark candy bar - the kids can't understand why I haven't eaten it all yet! I figure it will get me through the end of the school year.

We topped off the great day by going out for dinner with my dear friend Tammy and her two daughters. It really turned out to be a fabulous day - which I really needed since I was feeling a little down in the dumps with my hubby being so far away.

Oh yes, the somehow explanation from above... Turns out Mrs. Gord had the kids walk around room to room with a sign that said it was my birthday and that everyone should stop and wish me a happy birthday. What a sweet lady - guess she knew I would need a little extra TLC!

Thanks to everyone who helped make my day so special!

Thank You, Mrs. Ellis

Saturday afternoon, one of the most wonderful people joined her Lord and Savior in heaven.

Mrs. Andrea Ellis, though I knew her for only a short time, touched me deeply and my daughter thought the world of her - as so many others did also. Mrs. Ellis was a child of God, and there was no mistaking that, and she shared her love for Him with hundreds of people both at First Baptist Christian Academy during her 20 years there, and at our church where she taught children's Sunday School. She brought many a child to Christ through her wonderful chapel stories, and played a big part in teaching my daughter what it means to love Jesus. For this, I thank you, Mrs. Ellis. I don't know why God chose to take you from us so early as there are so many more lives you could have touched, but I know you have taught people well and they will carry on your legacy. For it is not our plan to understand and fulfill, it is God the Father's plan for us to accept for only He knows the plans He has for each of us. You will be greatly missed.

Mrs. Ellis and Grace on her first day of school

At the Tucson Children's Museum
With her Kindergarten class after their field trip to the fire station

This picture was taken just before Christmas Break.

She had an MRI done just before Christmas that found five tumors on her brain, and was diagnosed with brain cancer in early January.

Grace and I were fortunate enough to see her on a couple of occasions after her diagnosis - we ran into them at the mall one day after church and we took dinner to her and her husband one evening and had an opportunity to visit and pray with them. I am thankful for those brief extra moments we got to spend with her and show her how much Grace loved her.

When I told Grace that Mrs. Ellis had died, she didn't show much emotion (I wondered if she understood what I had said, because I was still in a state of shock, even though we had been anticipating it for some time), which was exactly the opposite of what I had expected since we have had several tearful evenings when we have talked about the reality of the situation. I had to make it clear to her early on that God always answers our prayers, but He doesn't always answer them the way we want Him to. She had been praying for her healing so that she might come back to school because they all missed her so much - so I told her that God had healed Mrs. Ellis, but he had healed her by taking her to heaven to be with Him. I asked her to tell me how she was feeling about all this and asked her if she was sad. She said, "Yes, I'm a little sad, but I'm really happy because now she's with someone who loves her even more than we do. She's with Jesus." Amen. All of this anxiety David and I felt about telling this precious little girl that one of her favorite people had died, and that is the response I got. I do not know how, at 5 1/2 (that 1/2 is important - just ask her!), she understands so much about God and His love for us, and salvation, but she gets it, and I only hope as she grows she says that I had at least a little bit to do with that!

Even though we will mourn the loss of a great teacher and friend, every cloud does indeed have a silver lining...

Mrs. Gord and Grace

The loss of Mrs. Ellis has allowed us to have the opportunity to have this other beautiful soul in our lives.

Mrs. Gord had retired from the Academy, but was doing some substituting here and there, when she got the call telling her there was a need for a long-term substitute in one of our Kindergarten classes. The children were already familiar with her as she was with them for a few days when Mrs. Ellis had to be out earlier in the school year. She has come in and done a wonderful job with these kids, and has been very careful not to step on anyone's toes. She promised Mrs. Ellis that she would take care of "her kids" for as long as was needed and has made sure (with the help of the children) to do things as Mrs. Ellis would have done them. Some of the stories she tells are really amusing - listening to her tell how the class would say "Mrs. Ellis wouldn't have done it that way" or "Mrs. Ellis wouldn't like that". The kids had their routine, and they weren't about to deviate from it - even if Mrs. Gord had wanted to. She made sure that prayers were said daily for Mrs. Ellis and that there was always something in the works to send to Mrs. Ellis at home. The last project she did was to record each of the children read something to her out of one of their reading books - I do hope she enjoyed listening to the fruits of her labor before she left us. Thanks to her firm foundation, the majority of the class has begun reading in first grade level books. So, I also want to send a huge thank you out to Mrs. Gord - thank you for stepping up to take care of "Mrs. Ellis' kids". Thank you for loving them, teaching them, and for making sure that they were prepared to deal with this loss. You took on an enormous task and trusted that God would lead you in the right direction, and you have done wonderfully! Mrs. Ellis will be dearly missed, but I know that my daughter and I are thankful for getting to meet you and have you for her teacher too.

Surprise!

This is what I woke up to this morning. This morning being April 23 - you know, spring time in Arizona...

By the time we left for school this morning, this is what my yard looked like:

And yes, that is a slip-n-slide that is buried under the snow...

Why you ask??

Because this is what we were doing on Saturday:

I wonder how many sick kids I'll see in my office next week...

Coronado Cave

Yesterday Grace and I ventured up to the Coronado Cave with her fellow Kindergartners to do a little spelunking.

Getting some instruction from the ranger

Up we go!

Here I go again with the beautiful views!

There was no path to get into this cave. We had to climb over, in, and down to get in there. The adults (mainly the men) went in first and formed sort of a chain that the kids were able to reach from person to person to help them if needed.

The entrance to the cave

This little girl had a great time!

Learning about the cave.
At this point I thought, whoopee... That was a long hike for this little thing.

And then the ranger started walking further back into the cave.

Then she turned us around a different direction and went even further back into the cave.

She showed us a dragon,

stalactites and stalagmites,

and a column or two! Turns out this "little thing" is not so little after all.

Grace's class

Proof I was there.

Taking a water break after we made our way out.

Grace and our ranger, Jamie, aka "The boss"

A view from the top

It was SO nice to have this many adult helpers on this field trip! It would not have been possible without them.

Grace the explorer

I had a really good time with Grace yesterday. It was nice to have some time "alone" together.

Bye, Bye Baby

Here is my world this morning...
What is left of my baby stuff I am putting out for sale, and as it goes, my babies lives flash before my eyes. It's hard letting go, but I know I can't keep it all forever, especially since half of our household goods have to go into storage in a month and a half anyway.

I got up at 5:00 this morning to get signs put out and started dragging everything out of the garage just after 6:00 AM. As I was unpacking all the toys, I had several people drive up, even though the sale wasn't supposed to "start" for another 30-45 minutes. It is now 11:00 AM and things have slowed down, but I've managed to sell quite a bit - including the crib/toddler bed (that was a tough one to let go of), and the double stroller. A lot of the toys have gone too, but surprisingly I still have a lot of kids' clothes left.

So, wish me luck in the last 4 hours of the sale. I'd rather get a little bit of money for the things I have left that have to pack it all up and haul it away!

Timing is everything

David's cousin, Josh, showed up on my doorstep Thursday afternoon just as I was getting ready to go pick the kids up from school. He is now stationed here, and is to report to his unit on Monday, so we have been able to spend a few days with him before he has to return to Army life. So, I've been spoiling him with home cooked meals, and he's been spoiling me by entertaining my kids.

Playing Pictureka with Grace.

She won, he says he was "swindled".

(I wouldn't doubt it)

Playing catch with Tristan

Then Tristan showed him his trains.

He was even kind enough to take the kids to the park today.

(I snuck this picture from the backyard)

We ventured out to Target today and the kids came home with these Nerf swords.

(Thanks Josh!)

He also bought himself a couple of Nerf dart guns to "defend himself".

I think it's just because he played with Tristan's yesterday and had to have one of his own, but because he is a big "kid" he got to get the big gun!

Pretty into Shrek the Third, don't ya think?

We have really enjoyed having Josh stay with us for the past few days, and I am so thankful that he doesn't mind entertaining the little ones! For example, today I got all the garage sale stuff out, sorted, and priced; got the floors vacuumed and mopped, and got the laundry done!! What a relief! I still have some closets and drawers to go through before the garage sale next Saturday, but I was able to get the majority of my to do list for next week done all in one day! I now understand why you think your brother is so great Rachael! He's a lifesaver in my book.

Thank you Josh!

(Now my kids might not think I'm the evil step-mother for a while)

And it begins...

As I sit here catching up on my blogs (yes, I cheat and change the date so it looks like I'm oh so on top of it... if you only knew...), I hear the familiar rip of the packing tape and I suddenly realize, hey, it's time to move again!

I have no idea why it hasn't hit me sooner. I've been talking about it for months now, put my husband on a plane a week and a half ago, have my reservations made, and still it wasn't sinking in! But the noise that packing tape makes... that's what did it. That's what made me realize... Whoa, wait a minute! We're moving!!! and we're moving SOON!!! Which begs the question - why am I sitting at my computer telling you all this??? I've got things to do!

The packers came today to take the unaccompanied baggage - which means our early shipment. They came and got all of David's Army gear, a bunch of his clothes, and some other "necessities" that I don't want to live without for up to a month and a half while we wait for the slow boat to get to Korea. Things like toys and games for the kids, and a few kitchen items so we don't have to eat out very often and can have something other than sandwiches for supper. The military does have a lending closet we'll be able to get things from , but I want my things... spoiled brat, I know!

Happy Resurrection Day!

Happy Easter! Or as I've heard it called this year: Happy Resurrection Day!

I don't know why I've never heard it celebrated as such in years past - I don't remember a time that I didn't know why we celebrated Easter, but this year it has a profound new meaning to me, and I have no idea why. Although our schedule did not permit it this year (what with only being home 10 days in March), I do believe that we are going to celebrate Easter more like Christmas next year. Not so much in the gifts we give and receive (because really, who can afford Christmas-like shopping more than once a year), but in our whole approach to the holiday. Jesus' birth was miraculous and something to truly be celebrated, but what made Him so special was the fact that He willingly died a horrible, horrible death for each of us so that we might someday live with him in heaven... and then on the third day He rose from the dead. The fact that He died to give us new life because He loves each of us so much... well, that's just about incomprehensible to me because I feel so undeserving on more than just a few days. But, I'm a believer, and I believe in His sacrifice for me and I think that is something to be celebrated. After all, where would we be without Him?

Ready for church

A Nerf gun... what was that Easter Bunny thinking?

Yet another princess movie for our little princess

I'm not sure why, but they had to have their bunny ears on when they were hunting for eggs.

They also had to open each of the Resurrection eggs when they found it so Grace could tell us what each of the things inside meant. Wow is that kid amazing! She didn't even look at the paper that had the meaning of each of the symbols on it... she did it all from memory, and did it more than once!

And I had to throw in a few cheesy ones too:

I do have to share about this precious gift from God.

Last night we were at a barbecue at a friend's house when I overheard my daughter witnessing to an adult about the real reason we celebrate Easter! I don't know where she got it from, but when it comes to telling the world about our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, she's all about it - and I could learn a thing or two from her.

Thank you God for giving me such a precious gift!