Turks and Caicos

Drama

 First we had passport drama.
We now have them.
We shall soon use them.

Then, we had baby Timmy drama.
He flew onto the roof.
We could not get him down.
Andy had to use some rather non-traditional methods, but he is home now.

Winding Down

The year is really winding down.

Meagan is finishing elementary school.

That is a big milestone and I find myself curiously emotional about it.

I suppose it shouldn't surprise me.

Change has never been my forte.

Her best year has been this one.

Her teacher is a gift.

He has taught her a lot more than multiplication and US History.  

He has given her confidence and self-reliance.

I am beyond thankful.

We had a dinner last night since these kids had been together for two straight years.

Natalie came too. 

 The girls with Mr.Bhattacharyya.

 The whole class with their teacher.

Meagan with Makenzie, one of her best friends since Kindergarten, and Alex, a close friend since first grade.

Just for old times sake, this is a photo from Kindergarten graduation.
It is with Mrs. Erickson, another of our very favorite teachers.

Missing Papa/Daddy Joe

It has been two years since my dad passed away.

Some days it seems shorter. 

Some days it seems like it was so long ago.

I treasure a message he left on my cell phone a few weeks before he died.

It was when he took Matthew to see Elmo Live at the Erwin Center.

I can hear Matthew calling out and laughing to his papa.

My dad's voice sounds so light and happy.

That recording is a treasure.

I cried when I couldn't tell him the Royals were in the World Series.

I will cry again when he can't see Meagan's little 5th grade graduation, like I did when he wasn't at Matthew's Pre-K graduation.

You see, I knew my parents might be at my kids' high school graduation, but pre-k or 5th?

That just didn't seem like a possibility.

Now my kids have only two grandparents.

They are incredibly blessed to have their awesome Greenstone grandparents, as well as their bonus grandparents, the Topas.

Andy and I feel lucky as well..

But today and yesterday, we feel sad.

I feel sad for all that my parents are missing.

We have hard a heartbreaking few weeks here in Austin.

Terrible flooding, people passing away, and property destroyed.

Yesterday, though, the anniversary of my dad passing away?

It was lovely.

It was around 80, with a small breeze.

We spent the day mostly outside at the Domain.

Then we bought a computer at Microsoft.

Nothing could honor my dad better!

Well, except for a Royals vs. Cubs World Series in October.

Miss you, Dad.