Whew!

What a crazy couple of weeks!

First -- Mr. Grady started preschool.  After some finagaling and some hemhawing (on our part), we finally have him in the morning session.  It's a group of younger kids (4's only vs. some 4's and mostly 5's) than the afternoon, and if we decide to hold him back, he'll have a better chance of staying with these kids.  He goes MWTh mornings, and T afternoons.  (Confusing, right?)  Hopefully I never forget to drop him off or pick him up.  :)  His teacher is SO nice, however, that I'm sure she'd be very kind and understanding about it.  :)  On Tuesdays, he gets library time, and guess who he'll see in the library?!  His Meemaw!  I don't know if he's put that together yet.  He will be so excited.  :)

Second - I started school.  (Man I wish I had a first day picture to show you!)  :)  I think the year is going to be awesome.  This is my second one where I feel like a normal human being...not pregnant or with a baby and pumping in my office.  It makes SUCH a difference.  I have some new challenges ahead (teaching Oral Comm online for the first time, as well as Cornerstone, a new class) and I'm VERY excited about it.  :)  Plus I have a new dress to wear tomorrow.  (Maybe a "2nd Day" picture to come?)  :)

Third - I actually received bad news between my classes on Monday.  The clock in my classroom doesn't work, so I ran upstairs to my office to grab my phone to keep track of time.  I had a voicemail from my dad, which I listened to on the way back downstairs.  He said he had bad news, and that I should call him.  Well geez.  Do I wait until after my next class but wonder the whole time?  Or do I call him quickly but then have to teach right after hearing whatever it was?  I opted for calling.  He told me that my Grandma Shontz had passed away the night before.  So sad!  We aren't particularly close with that side of the family...no reason except distance and...life?  We always say, "Oh we should get down there and visit them" but it rarely happens.  So her passing makes me really sad for that reason most of all.  Though it's not for an ideal situation, I'm actually looking forward to making the trip to her funeral on Thursday to see my grandpa, aunts and uncles, and all the other relatives.  (That's my grandpa and grandma above.  The picture was taken approximately two years ago.) 

The rest of the weekend should be fun and relaxing.  We are going to Cedar Rapids to celebrate Josh's sister's birthday.  She is going to rent a pontoon on Saturday and we are going to brunch on the boat.  (I don't get to say that NEARLY enough.)  :)  We are hoping to spend a night there to lengthen our stay.  And Grady already told me that if we stayed, Daddy and I were welcome to come back to Dike and just let he and Kingsley sleep over.  What a thoughtful kid.  :)

Speaking of cherishing kids...we were playing at the train table in Von Maur today and a woman struck up a conversation with me.  She was there buying a present for her grandson, not quite 3, who was recovering from brain surgery and would be spending a lot of time in bed.  Poor punkin!!!!  I can't imagine.  We are so blessed with our two healthy, happy, bright, funny, creative, giving little ones.  I am not near thankful enough.  That little boy has been on my mind all day.  I told her to buy him a flashlight...those are always hot items in this house.  I so hope he enjoys it!!

I hope you all are having great weeks, and getting out to soak up the beautiful weather!!