A Year Ago This Weekend

In some ways it seems like our Disney cruise with the Cooks was years ago, other times it seems like it was just yesterday; regardless, I'm so grateful we went! We have incredible memories and we missed a big snowstorm back in Ohio that weekend, Dec. 8-10, 2005.

We've been doing ok. I of course put on a much bigger "front" in public, but it helps me get through I guess. I am grateful when people are not afraid to mention her name or bring it up. Our "little rock" (Shayla) has also caved more times in recent days than ever before. (Shayla had been asking us nearly every day, "Are you guys doing ok?" which really cracked us up wondering who is really doing the parenting here.) I think the approach of the holidays has also been hard on her.

Last Sunday was Shayla's church program with her CCD class. It also included the 5th graders program. Thankfully, I was at another Univeristy in another state because I don't think I could have handled that. I felt bad enough for Shayne who was sending me text messages during the program and my heart was bleeding for him having to endure that. I had a hard enough time just opening up the school newsletter and seeing the 5th grade Honor Roll knowing Christi's name wouldn't appear this year.

Last Friday at school, the elementary students all sent to the theatre to watch the movie "Elf". Christi always LOVED riding the bus with her friends and going to the movies with them at Christmas time. I was teaching and glanced out the windows and saw all of the buses lined up, it sucked my breath away. I made myself forget about it then in the afternoon I just happened to glance out the windows and sure enough I saw Christi's class hopping off the busses and marching back into the building - tough stuff!

My busy schedule has slowed considerably. My OSU quarter of full time coursework ended this week, praise God! I made it! About a month ago I sat at the kitchen table working on many projects and I said to Shayne, "I don't know if I can really do this." He looked at me and said, "What's the worse thing that happens? You get your first B?" Well, Ohio State posts grades next week and it won't surprise me if I've received my first "B", or second, third, or fourth - hee hee since I registered for four courses. Regardless, I'm so happy that I now have time to read what I want to read not what a Professor tells me I must read. Ahhhhh! I have quite a book stack I'm anxious to begin today!

A year ago we went with Webby & Alicia on an incredible three night Disney Cruise. Days before her death, Christi out of the blue said she was dreaming about our cruise and how much she enjoyed it.
Christi loved her first (and last)cruise.
Eric took the girls to "Swim with the Dolphins"
Swimming with the World's Greatest Dad aboard the Disney Wonder cruiseship.
An Invitation to the Bridge! The girls meet the Captain of the Disney Cruiseship and get to "steer" us out of port.
Shayla 6 1/2, Christi 8 1/2 years