All I want for Christmas

For the first time since 2008, we will have all of our children and grandchildren under the same roof at the same time. What a wonderful gift for Christmas! Even as I type "all of our children", I am acutely aware that Trey will not be here with us physically. He will always be here in our hearts. Funny thoughts come to mind: no one will be disappointed because Trey drew their names-he was sort of a cheap gift giver. OR when he wasn't, he was certain to point out the dollar value so you'd know he spent a lot! No one will be talking like a pirate, a sure sign Trey had had too much Christmas spirit!
The nieces and nephews who have been born since Trey died will never know his sense of humor or zest for fun. I see traces of him and Trinity in Caden. Gannen and Laiton are the only ones who remember Trey, other than stories from their parents.
How am I now? Much better that the searing pain has for the most part subsided. I miss Trey terribly and wish that I could talk to him or hear his goofy laugh. I long to hear him say that the best gift he could give me is his presence! I cherish the memories of him, good and bad, and am satisfied that at last, he is at peace with himself and has self value.
All I want for Christmas is my family in the same place under one roof, overflowing our home with love and laughter.

Merry Christmas!

I'm back

I'm finally back! I guess I haven't really felt like I've had a lot to say. Maybe I'm just lazy. Who knows? At any rate, I'm here. I am about to launch a career at a different entity. I have been traveling to different school districts serving as a technology integration specialist for three years. I've built relationships, served teachers and students, and tried out a lot of different rental cars. One day I came in to work, and I got the, "I need to talk to you in my office" spiel. I went from a technology integration specialist to an information security liaison. I know, right? You're wondering, "What the heck is that?" I still am. It involves stuff like writing password policies and procedures and something about data encryption. Riveting, huh? That was about a month ago. I found out just how much of a people person I am. I have cried and prayed and griped (a lot) at home. I feel like a fish out of water in this cubicle world. So I've summoned my courage and entrepreneur inner being. I put together a proposal and sent it to key people. Because of that, I was offered an instructional technologist position in a school district for more pay than I'm receiving now, with more freedom to continue coaching in other places, the ability to present at key conferences, and some extra benefits. It is so true that when one door closes, God makes sure there is another door open. It's not generally at the time you want it to happen or where you thought it would be, but there is an opportunity. I believe God has a plan for me and for each one of us. That plan could include a winding road or a path that leads us right back where we started, but it is a greater plan than we can even imagine for ourselves.