My mom retired!

On June 2nd, my mom retired after twenty years of school nursing.  She has been Jesus to thousands of elementary students over the past twenty years. Of course she does things like bandaids and ice packs but what you don't see is her taking them food in the summer time because they are left alone for days at a time without meals.  She also gets children to and from doctors & dentist appointments.  To a lot of these kiddos she is their mom or grandma.  She loves on them and provides TLC to these kiddos day in and day out.  She will be missed...A LOT!  I personally am glad that she is retiring because this means she can spend more time with us and taking care of herself. I pray that she gets to enjoy a retirement full of fun, travels, good health, and peace. Something my grandma never got to enjoy.  So on June 2nd we surprised Grammy at a 5th grade assembly.  Rachel & I with the boys hid in the janitorial closet waiting for the point in the assembly where they recognized mom.

My mom, her principal, and another teacher all retired the same year.

Family Picture with Kathryn.  Kathryn is a student whose mom got deathly ill last year. Kathryn's mom asked my mom if she could keep Kathryn while she was in the hospital.  Little did Kathryn's mom know that she was going to be in the hospital for over three months.  Kathryn moved in with my parents. My parents loved having a little girl in their home. They played UNO every night before bed like we did when we were kids.  I think my parents enjoyed having her as much as she enjoyed having a family.  She really got to know the boys well too.  Kathryn is graduating from Wilder as well.  

Grammy's boys being silly in the gym.

 

Grams with her principal and secretary

Group photo in the nurses office.

We are proud of you mom!  Enjoy your retirement! We love you!

Please not this is one day before my sister had surgery.  She just kept going and kept going. 

Salute to Nurses...Salute to my mom!

Today my mom was honored for her hard work and dedication as a school nurse. It all started back in May when our local newspaper ran an ad to nominate a nurse for a job well done. Well, my dad and I submitted our nomination forms for mom and that was it. About a month ago my mom was notified that she was one of six finalist for the Nurse Award. Mom was shocked! The newspaper received over 150 nominations and mom was chosen by the Missouri State Nurses Association as a WINNER! Today mom was honored at a very nice luncheon and she recieved the "Community Outreach Nurse of the Year Award". My mom has a gift and passion for children, whether they are sick or not. Some of moms students just need a hug, others need a bandaid, and then some need some serious help. Mom is always there for her students. Whether it is finding them the finacial resources to go the the doctor or dentist or if they need her assistance in being safe at their house mom will do whatever it takes to put the students best interest first. For most of her students she is the only "Jesus" they will ever see. By her actions she shows Gods Love for them. Whether they are rich, poor, sick, or healthy she loves them like they are her own.

This was a HUGE poster board in the lobby of the hotel showing mom's photo and part of the essays.
Ruey and Freddy drove over to attend the luncheon and support mom. They are the best!


My mom's principal Mr. Callaway, My mom, and My moms boss, Jean Grabeel
OUR TABLE: Mr. Callaway, Rachel, Matt, Kelli, Me, Dad, mom, Ruey, and Freddy
Mom's award on the big screen
Superintendent of the school District, Mr. Norm Ridder, Charlotte Roberds, Mom, and Jean Grabeel

Our family super proud of all of moms hard work!

Happy Birthday Mom! (and Grammy)

Today is my mom's birthday. Without my mom I would not be the person I am today. She has always been a fun, creative, self-less mom that ALWAYS put her kids and now her grandsons first. She has the biggest heart. She is always trying to help someone. She is always finding doctors appointments, dental appointments, or clothing for her kids at school. If they can get to the appointments then she will find a way for them to get there even if that means picking them up or paying for a bus fare. She is always giving of her time and money. One of the best things about my mom is that she is an amazing Grandma. If my sister or I needed something she would be right at our house even if it was 3 am when a newborn (aka Zachary) would not nurse. She would go without free time to watch the boys so that we could have a night off or a date night. She is always doing something for each of us that she often forgets herself. One added bonus is that she is a nurse so if anyone is ever sick she is the first person we call. I have always considered my mom to be one of my very best friends...even when I was in high school and that was not the cool thing to do. I tell her everything...even if it is supposed to be a secret.

Mom we love you and hope that you have a wonderful birthday! You are a blessing to all of us.