Another two years!

Wow, another two years has passed since I posted an entry. Things have been so busy that I haven't even thought about this blog until a friend of mine mentioned it. Let me update on the happenings in my life.

Since my last post, things have happened. Some good, some bad. Let's get the bad stuff out of the way first.

On October 22, 2015, my best friend lost her 17 year old son in a tragic car accident. This boy was kind and gentle, he was sweet, and he never walked around without a smile on his face. He was a friend to all who knew him. The last time I saw him was four days before he passed away. We had breakfast at a local cafe. At first, he didn't want to come with his mother, but when he found out that I was coming, he told his mom that he loved me and was going to come. I will forever cherish that breakfast with him. I miss him terribly.

Then, a few weeks later on November 10, 2015, my world was shattered when my precious mom was called home to heaven. Although I was told the Sunday before she passed that she was not going to survive the pneumonia that she was inflicted with, one is never truly prepared for the loss of their mother. That was literally the hardest day of my life! I miss her every day, and I can't look at sunflowers without getting a little teary. But, I know that she is no longer confined with the health issues that she had. She is free, she is happy, she is healthy, and she is busy. I love her so much and I miss her so much and I can't wait for the day when I see my Mombo again.

If that isn't enough loss, my dear friend Karen was called home in early June. I had not had the chance to see her for six months. I saw her at a luncheon in December, a few days before she headed to Salt Lake for a surgery. She was supposed to be able to come home within six weeks, but she kept getting infections, and finally, suffered a heart attack. I miss my dear Karen every day, but I know that she is now in heaven befriending my sweet mama. Oh the stories they could tell each other.

The final and most devastating loss came on August 10, 2016 when my sweet daddy was found dead in his house. For this daddy's girl, the grief is still so strong that it is very hard for me to talk about it. He had a massive heart attack and the doctor said that it was quick and he didn't suffer. I miss my daddy every day. He and I were planning to move to Tennessee to start a new life. But, I find comfort in knowing that he has been reunited with his beloved sweetheart of 54 years. He was never the same when she passed and he told me that he was lost without her. I find solace knowing that they are together again and that I have two very special guardian angels watching over me.

I found out a few days ago that my gall bladder needs to come out. The way the doctor put it, "You have so many stones in there that you can make a necklace." Alrighty then! One stone is blocking the duct, so she said that I needed to get in with my PCP right away to discuss surgery. Oh joy!

Now, for the good news.
I graduated with my Bachelors degree in Elementary Education with endorsements in Special Education and Teaching English as a Second Language. I began my second year teaching at one of the local elementary schools. Last year, it was kindergarten, this year it is 1st grade. So, I have 11 of my same kiddos from last year and all 11 were parent requests. I feel so honored to be entrusted with the education of these precious children.

I have been accepted in to UNLV. I have begun my Masters program in Special Education. This is an area that is very near and dear to my heart.

I have reconnected with a very dear soul. This person was a large part of my young adulthood and I always grieved over our drifting apart. I have often wondered about him and have missed him. I just happened to notice that he had a Facebook account, and I sent a friend request to him, and he accepted. We've been chatting a lot and catching up. Facebook when used positively can be a very good thing.

We have also decided to host a foreign exchange student this year. My "son" is 15 years old and he is from Hamburg, Germany. He is the sweetest kid and he totally loves his new sisters, brother, and niece. It gives me the chance to practice my German. We look forward to having him here in our home for the next nine months.

I also decided to make some big changes in my life that I am not quite ready to announce as of yet. But, these are things that have been needing to happen for 20 years.

I have been staying busy with kids, grand kid, fur kids, friends, work, school in no particular order. LOL