A sister, a brother-in-law and a dog named Bernie

Last Wednesday was one of those hit rock bottom days.  Everyone has to have them on occasion just to wake them up.  My day had come and it has most certainly gone.  I'll spare the logistics of what made me hit rock bottom but I was driving to work just thinking deep thoughts - I turned up the music and tried to refresh/regroup myself before arriving to work.  I needed to get it together because working with autistic kids on low patience just is not an option.  Well, working with typical kids with no patience is not an option either, but anyway.  I was at the airport picking someone up wishing I could just hop on the next airplane to a deserted island on a one way pass.  That clearly wasn't an option at the time so I just kept on going.  I'm not typically one of those people that stays in a slump for much longer then an hour or two because, well, what's the point?  What good does it do? 

I got to work, pasted a smile on my face, and realized as always how fortunate I am just to have kids who can talk to me, speak how much they love me (or don't some days).  Just the fact that they can communicate to me is wonderful in itself regardless of what it is they have to say.  My job reminds me of this daily and the minute I arrived I started my way out of my slump instantly.  I just knew something good was coming my way, but what?  I was anxious to find out. 

No more then an hour or so later I was driving and my phone rang.  It was my little sister Jenna whom I had been playing phone tag with for days so I jumped at the chance to answer.  For all I knew, she was just calling to chat like her voicemails had been saying for days prior.  I think we exchanged "how are you's" or something simple, I might have expressed a little frustration but I didn't elaborate and no more then a minute or so into the conversation just jumped in and said "well, i was just calling to tell you that..." (at this point my head had already heard 'Dan and I are expecting our first baby') but it all went so fast and I remember in my head thinking "pinch me, what?  Huh?"  and I heard her voice ringing back in my head "Dan and I are moving to Phoenix!"  WAIT, what?  Really, pinch me.  I've heard this before but I know she wouldn't mess with my mind this time!!  I wanted to scream but I couldn't at the time.  I remember at that point just feeling this huge weight lifted off my shoulders.  Wow. 

Meet Jenna, Dan and Bernie.......

You see, we were hoping they'd move last summer already but with other opportunities Dan had come up along with the economy in general, they decided to take another year to ponder this huge decision in their life.  So, we've patiently or not so patiently been waiting to see what they decided.  I just basically prepared myself that they wouldn't.  Konnor's been saving the house for sale around the Konnor for them (although I noticed today there was a whole swarm of people showing up to it). 

This was music to my ears in so many ways.  My sister Steph had moved from Phoenix to Denver last September and although I played it cool, it was super tough for all of us.  She was the only family I've ever had here.  Her move didn't really hit me hard until a two week stretch in January when Sanjog needed me to have the kids so he could take a fast-trak course for a license he needed.  I'll take any time with the kids that I can, but 13 days straight is a lot to have them on my own with no breaks of any sort.  I could always count on Steph to come by and read them a book, take them outside, or just allow me some time to take one of the boys out for some one on one time.  It hit me really hard on day 9 or so how desperately I missed her. I miss the support or just the comfort of having someone so close by.  I have great friends but nothing compares to having family close.  Nothing compares at all. 

June cannot come soon enough.  We are so thrilled they are going to become Phoenicians!  We know this is a big move for them and we are so grateful they are taking the leap.  God is going to do wonderful things for them here. 

So cheers to Aunt Jenna and Uncle Dan!  Congratulations on the job Dan and we are thrilled to have you as neighbors :)