Thank you God for Friday

Halleluia! It's here! Friday! And what an incredible Friday it's been. My Thursday angst and exhaustion has lifted and things are nicely falling into place. Each girl is tucked nicely into her bed taking a late afternoon snooze after the emotional work of the week and peace decends upon our adobe abode. Delicious! The day began with an enthusiastic phone call from Mark of Realty Street in Dalton. He wanted to let me know the work is looking wonderful in my house and is currently ahead of schedule. The building inspector was due today and then a few more things can be put into place earlier next week as we drive. Thank you Mark! What a God send you've been to me. Thank you Beth for knowing who to ask and keeping him in line, awesome! From there each girl had an incredible day at school. Gabrielle's teacher, Leticia, read a story of a coyote who had to move far away and how sad the friends were. The whole class decided they each wanted to make her a gift. They also made her a huge card which is beautiful. She said she's going to hang it in her new room. Leticia sang a special good-bye song and the kids did the motions. Gabrielle didn't cry but kept it all stuffed inside, it's hard all these big feelings. I cried when I hugged Leticia good-bye. She did miracles with Abbigail and Gabrielle had only gotten started. But, you should see the art she did, her journal she wrote, such amazing opportunities at St. Mark's Kindergarten and Preschool. Thanks to all the staff that loved my girls. As we left we took time to jump down one tiny step. As Gabrielle learned to walk, every day she stopped there and tried to jump down until finally she could do it. Today she only thought that was silly that it was ever hard. We both laughed as we did it. I'll miss that little school and all the lovely memories. Abbigail had an equally lovely day. She got to ring the bell for chapel. Mother Superior gave her a special book for our family. The whole school had the donut holes and punch. Mr. Shorb made a little wooden box and then today, went around and took photos of their class, she and Samantha her BFF, Abbigail and the Principal and Dean of Students, Abbigail and the Sisters. Then each photo was placed in a window of the box. Somehow the entire school was then invited to make her a card on a piece of fun foam. Each card was then put into the box. What a beautiful gift. The entire school was there to say good-bye. The staff came out and gave hugs all around. We all cried. It was beautiful. As we walked away for the last time, Abbigail said, "it's sad to say good-bye, but I don't have homework, next week we are on vacation, and WE GET A FRESH START! A clean slate!" As the tears ran down her cheeks it felt just as big as her baptism day, thank you God for blessing this amazing little girl. It just doesn't get better than that. Mr. Shorb was the first male teacher that Abbigail liked and trusted in a healthy way. He taught her science class last year and boy did she love it. I'm grateful for that exuberant, wise, compassionate, talented man and thank God we had the privilege of spending time with him. Good-bye to Abbie Loveland Tuller School, her friends and teachers there.

The staff at Abbigail's school were very impressed and moved by the beautiful book that arrived in the mail yesterday from Craneville Elementary Abbigail's new school. There were pictures of the rooms in the building, the Principal, the art and music teachers, the Dean of Students and the Adjustment Counselor. She proudly showed the kids today who are worried about "public" school and why I would send her there. Once they saw those photos they all changed their minds. Thank you God for this amazing town of Dalton and the welcome they are preparing for this little family. Thank you for the staff at Craneville who took time to call today in order to be ready for the welcome. Thank you God for this amazing fresh, clean start. We are allowing those grace filled baptismal waters to sweep us away. God speed!

And no…I'm not done packing or sorting…But I've still got tonight J…