Back to Work

Since my pay started being docked again this year on the day Christi died, I knew it'd only be a matter of time before I had to return to work. Little Shayla has been very concerned about me not earning a paycheck. More than once she has said, "Is daddy working really hard?" When I'd ask her to tell me more it always came to mean that if daddy lost his job we wouldn't be able to live in our house anymore. We reassured her that I would be returning to school when I thought I was able to handle it and I'll head out early tomorrow morning to see how it goes. (PHOTO: To this day I still do not know why I even had my camera with me at school on what ended up being the final day Christi spent in my classroom, I can only believe it to be divine internvetion. I shall forever treasure this photo!)

Christi & Mr. Jones support the Seneca East Lady Tigers, Dec. 2005My deepest thanks to my great sub, Mr. Jones. (When Shayne and I were in Jr. High school, he was our jr. high language arts teacher; small world! Tonight while Shayla was at religion class I was able to work in my classrom for a couple of hours; I think I'm ready!

Over the weekend, we'll be getting together with "The Baker Bunch" - good friends we have not seen since we were with them just weeks before Christi was diagnosed (July 2002). I'm looking forward to catching up with the all "The Boys.......and Melissa". Melissa and I have so much in common. We met in college when we lived on the same floor at BGSU and have been friends ever since. Within weeks of each other we both: got first grade teaching positions, got engaged, got married, were in each other's weddings, bought our first homes and learned our first babies were also due within weeks of each other!! Additionally, we share a special bond of having our first borns fight for their lives. (The Baker boys were born months early when each weighed less than two pounds, true miracles!)
Of course I can't find the last pictures of when we were together in July of 2002, but here are some from June of 2000! (Christi 3, Shayla 1)
I hate to admit I do not remember if this is Collin or Connor, but regardless Melissa and I joked that it looked like an engagement picture! What a good looking pair! We hope the Baker boys are ready for the Thomas team and we're counting down the hours until we will be together after four years and 4 months!