Rock on!

Coming home from the Y yesterday, a semi hit a "rock on" my windshield, putting a hole even with my left eye.  Since I only had to work a couple of hours yesterday, I told Sam I would deal with insurance.

Call One:  Insurance Company.  Yes, you have full glass coverage.  We use Gerber for replacement.  They will be calling you.  (10 minutes)

Call Two:  This is Gerber Glass.  We hear you need a new windshield . . .The shop will be calling you.  (20 minutes)

Call Three:  Would you like to be scheduled in Apple Valley or Burnsville?  Yes, we do offer loaner cars.  The shop will be calling you.  (25 minutes)

Call Four:  Your claim has been denied for Toyota glass.  Would you like to pay for Toyota glass ($350.00) or use ours?  (15 minutes)

Call Five:  This is Enterprise Rental.  (5 minutes)

Call Six:  Sam, you're bringing my car in on Tuesday and I'm taking your truck.  I am so done with this!  (10 minutes)

Thankful Thursday!

This week at work, we've been discovering the difference between "remediation" and "acceleration".  Covid has brought major learning challenges to our school districts and as a result, now that we're back in person we have to determine what meets our students needs the best.  

Part of my job will be to work on acceleration using a push in model in fifth grade.  Instead of pulling students out of the classroom and working with them one-on-one, I'll be working alongside the classroom teacher.  

Since I'll be working with fifth graders, I'm moving to the fifth grade wing tomorrow.  Our custodian, Chris, created a sweet space for me!  "My" windows look directly into Suzie's classroom where there are "real" windows that look outside.  (My current space has NO windows whatsoever.). I have a large table to meet with students should I need to pull any out, and absolutely no where to store my personal things (think coat, hat, boots, mittens, lunch, keys, phone, etc.)

But I have seen the other tutor's spaces and I am SO thankful for mine!

Sadly, my favorite fifth grade teacher just texted me.  She's Covid positive.

Dressed for Success!

Here I am!  Ready for my first day back with kids:

 

A Day to Donate . . .

Micah and I were scheduled to give blood this morning at the Restored Thrift Shop in Lakeville at 10:45 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. respectively.  Our plans included shopping while waiting for the other.

We were hoping to give blood in the Restored "back room" that we had heard about,  but as we turned the corner, there in front of us loomed the American Red Cross RV.  We both let out a groan . . . the RV is so NOT our favorite choice! 

Due to a couple of cancellations, we were able to actually give at the same time.  Unfortunately, only I had enough iron to donate.  I gave Micah a credit card and sent her into Restored.  I finished donating, walked into Restored and . . .

"Mom, you'll never guess what I found!  This store is great!"

Fortunately, she had waited for the "Mom Stamp of Approval" before she purchased two new cake stands for her bakery.  One was a rectangular granite stab on wooden legs and the other had a gaudy gold ribbon over it.  They totally fit "Uniquely Me", so we bought them both for "Happy Micah Day!" coming up in March.

Somewhere in the course of the conversation, we came up with, "Wouldn't it be cool to have all kinds of unique cake stands to decorate your bakery with?"  So, if any of you out there have cake stands just collecting dust, sitting unused in a corner, have we got a plan for YOU!  This is going to be fun . . .     

Hand Me Up's

If you really know me, you know I really don't like shopping - for shoes, for clothes, for groceries, for anything!  Never have, never will. 

One of my best friends from high school retired last year as the Chief Financial Officer at Briar Cliff University in Sioux City, Iowa.  When she heard I was finally getting a more professional job this fall, she offered me some "hand me up's".  

Understand, Beth and I have been friends since we met in Sunday school when we were three years old.  We have maintained that friendship for over fifty years.  Beth was the center for our girl's basketball team (translation: tall) while I was a cheerleader.  She was the pitcher for our softball team.  I played outfield.  We have biked more miles together than any other friend I have.  

The clothes arrived today.  All three pairs of pants were way too long and a bit too big (they slid right off over the hips!), but the black jacket with a red sweater will do nicely along with the teal button down (minus the purple sweater).  Micah doesn't like the brown jacket.  I think it's a hoot!

Prepare to see me stylin' in my new "hand me up's!"

So Amazing!

Aria is a sweet little first grader at our church who has been battling a malignant brain tumor.  When her mom posted this on her Caring Bridge site this week, I just had to past it on.  It is such an amazing "Glory Story"!

Last week Aria had her third eye check up at Mayo.

 

I still remember the sinking feeling in my stomach in September after the opthalmologist checked Aria post-surgery. At the time, her right eye (which was her "good eye" before surgery) was swollen shut and her pupil was severely dilated. The eye doctor said it was highly unlikely her eye would never get better, but it was just as unlikely her eye would fully recover. At best, we would hope for her eye to regain mobility and some acuity with time, therapy, and possibly surgery. 

 

At the eye check in November, her eyelid was partially open, but her eye could only slightly move. Because she was on the cusp of ending treatment, we were told to come back in January to come up with a plan. I was assured plastic surgery and therapy would help and left preparing myself that those would likely be realities.

 

Since then, Aria has been steadfast and confident that God was healing her vision. I was encouraged when her eyelid continued to lift. I was hopeful that her vision had to be improving when she learned to read. And I watched my sweet girl faithfully thank God each night for the healing He was doing in her eyes.

 

At this appointment, the doctor checked her eyes carefully. He double checked. He brought in his colleague to triple check. And then with a huge smile, he shared that Aria's eyes are almost completely back to normal. In his words, it is a little miracle. Her vision is almost completely restored and her eyelid has lifted, but most miraculous, the eye itself is moving as it should. He said if he had not personally seen her at her last two appointments he wouldn't believe it. I cried when he said Aria will not need surgery or vision therapy, and we can throw away her eye patch because she no longer needs it. 

 

My heart is overflowing with gratitude and joy. God is teaching me so much about faith and healing through Aria and the work He is doing in her body and her heart. 

 

Thank you for rejoicing with us and cheering us on. 

 

Love and Gratitude, 

Jessica

Thankful Thursday - Part II

With a sigh of relief, I have to say that I am so thankful we have a new president.  Our former president claimed Jesus, but did not live Jesus in his speech or actions.  As Daniel said, ". . . he removes kings and sets kings up . . ."  I'm glad this one has been removed.