Hogwarts, Class of 2025

It seems like just yesterday I was writing about Emma's first day of preschool, and now I am writing about her graduation.  Yes, I am one of those Moms who loves all the ceremonies and celebrations - even in preschool!

The day of her graduation was an eventful one.  We began the morning at the pediatrician's office with Ethan who somehow managed to perforate his ear drum (he will be fine, but he gave us quite a scare).  Then, I took her to National Coney Island where she enjoyed, what else but a Coney Dog!  One of Emma's favorite treats is going to a restaurant and getting a hot dog, so she was very excited.


Then, we picked up Nani and headed to her last day of preschool.  We had a great time playing on the playground and cooling off with some Popsicles.  Finally, it was the moment we couldn't believe was here.  Her teacher, Mrs. Grashik, called her up and handed Emma her diploma and read from a sheet with questions they asked her about Kindergarten.  We have gotten several of these sheets this past year about various topics (How to Cook a Turkey, Holiday Questionnaire, etc) and they have all been pretty humorous.  This one was no exception!  Pay particular attention to the last two questions:

That's right, magic!  We have absolutely no idea why she has magic on the brain, but she is most excited about learning magic in Kindergarten.  Look out Harry Potter, Hogwarts has a new student!

Nonetheless, we are so proud of our Emma.  It is amazing to see how much she has learned this past year in school and we are so looking forward to seeing how much she will learn in Kindergarten.  We are also so thankful for her wonderful teachers, Mrs. Grashik and Mrs. Kehrig and all the time and energy they poured into her this year.  Their patience and love for learning made Emma love school even more!

Four years ago when I held that beautiful little baby in my arms for the first time, I could not have imagined how much joy she would bring to our lives.  What a blessing it has been to see how the Lord has grown her into such a smart and beautiful little girl and we are so thankful that the Lord has entrusted her to us.  We love you, Emma, and are so happy we are your Mom and Dad.  Look out Kindergarten, here comes Emma . . .

Emma graduating!

 

Nani and Emma

 

Mrs. Kehrig, Emma, Mom, and Mrs. Grashik

Take My Breath Away

One of Chris' favorite 80's songs is "Take My Breath Away" by Berlin (I can hear hear him singing goofily as I write).  Unfortunately, for me, it has become recent reality.  A few months ago, I came down with pneumonia (see post here).  After being treated with steroids and antibiotics, it went away quickly and I was thankful to be well again.

However, last week I started having difficulty breathing again.  My chest felt very tight, and it got worse Sunday after I sang in choir.  It took my breath away, and not because of the Holy Spirit (although it was an awesome song)!  So, I made another appointment with my doctor and she ran some tests to see what was going on.  My lungs are still free of pneumonia, but after a Pulmonary Breathing Test (PBT) she came back into the room looking very concerned.  For a non-smoker with no history or family history of breathing problems, the results were not good.  My lungs are not functioning as they should.  To start, I am now back on a steroid regimen and have a rescue inhaler.  Next, my doctor is recommending a pulmonary specialist and a CT scan.

Was this the news I wanted to hear?  Not really.  As a wife and mother of two rambunctious children, I was hoping for a less serious diagnosis.  However, I am learning again and again that God is sovereign and that His ways are not my own!  I can trust in Him because he is perfect in every way and because He has proved His grace and goodness in my life again and again.  Even in this trial, we have seen the many blessings that God has given us.

So, I am resting on His promises and praying for grace to trust Him more.  Mercifully, the steroids and inhaler have opened up my lungs and my breathing has already improved!  Please pray that I would not have an allergic reaction to them (as I did last time on a different type of steroid), and that the side effects would be alleviated; my joints ache pretty severely and my appetite is gone, which is problematic because I need to eat more when I am on them.  Also pray that God would grant Chris and I wisdom and discernment as we adjust and re-prioritize my daily activities. 

I was reading in Job this morning, and was encouraged and convicted by Job's response to the great calamity that the Lord had allowed in His life.  He says:

“But ask the animals, and they will teach you,
    or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you;

or speak to the earth, and it will teach you,
or let the fish in the sea inform you

  Which of all these does not know
    that the hand of the Lord has done this? 

 

 In his hand is the life of every creature
    and the breath of all mankind."

Let us trust in the hand of the Lord for he is sovereign and over all things!