Entry 84: Party of Five

I realized I haven’t written since January and it made me reflect on the reason. A lot of times I write to help process my emotions. And even though grief is still very real and present, life has been going well. More than well, life has been super amazing. So.Many.Good.Things! One good thing was that the valedictorian at FSDB this year thanked me in his speech at graduation. When my heart is missing the classroom and the connection you have with students that is different from what you have when you're the principal, it just made me cry with pride and happiness. How can I teach and do my job at the same time?

That's a thing right?

  Another good thing is that I love having things to look forward to and now that we can, Mom and I booked our Siesta Key trip, a vacation with Josh and all our kids to hike Zion, Bryce and Grand Canyon is on the horizon, family visited and my brother and Meaghan come on Saturday, Hayden graduated, I got to spend time with one of my original babies, Livi, but best of all, as of last Sunday, Josh, Hayden, Lily plus a cat and a hamster all moved in! We are officially a party of five living under one roof and my heart could not be happier. I love having a together life! I love waking up in the morning knowing they are all there. And I really love having a partner to do life with.

I feel happy in my heart knowing Brian would totally approve of Josh. He would love how happy he makes me. And he would really love how he constantly jokes and messes with Harper. He would laugh at how Bella tries super hard to not make eye contact with the cat so that she doesn’t get hissed at or can pretend it’s not there. We still miss him everyday. Harps finished first grade. In her end of the year book she said the best thing she learned this year “was to be kind”. Seriously?!? Her teacher has been amazing dealing with her sensitive heart and helping her work through loving Brian but also loving Dot. She was exactly who Harper (and I) needed and I could not be more thankful for the life skills, reading skills, and extra attention and hugs she gave to Harper this year. Be on the lookout for all the vacation pics and big smiling faces because we really are THAT happy. And for that I am super duper thankful. All the love ❤️⚡️❤️