Yipeeeeeeee yet again!

Tim has now passed 3 of his 4 tests! He just phoned and said that he passed his practical for the National Registry. He had been testing since about 8 this morning and it is now about 4 pm! Thanks to all of you who are praying for him!

Yippeeeeeeeeeeeee x2!

Just talked to Tim and he has successfully passed his paramedic class!! Half way there. He now has his National Registry practical exam on Saturday and his National Registry written exam on Monday! The end is so close!

Out of Town

I am sitting here in my hotel room in Indy after spending the day learning about seating and positioning for all the kids I work with every day. There is so much potential there and some of these kids are sitting so poorly. I am making a list of the kids I really need to get in with to spend some time and let them learn and see just how much they can really do. Wow is about all I can say at this point. I am looking forward to the lab portion tomorrow when we work with each other on changing positions. I can't believe how fast the day went. Many of the courses I have attended in the past have been hard to sit through since I am not typically sitting all day, but up and moving around and sitting or laying on the floor with my students. This speaker was able to capture my attention and keep it all day! I am so excited to get back and get to work with my kiddos. It is geared toward my students with the more severe disabilities. The one's that so many just "don't know what to do with." So hopefully I will be able to go back and show some of the teachers and instructional assistants just how much some of these kids are capable of! It's also been good to just hang out with so many of my colleagues in a non-work environment.
I am however missing Tim, Hunter and Emily. It is good to get away and let go of some to the day to day responsibilities I have but it is also sometimes hard to let go and let someone else be responsible. All a part of learning that God is the one in control, not me.

Speechless

I know. You all are wondering what can leave Renee Christner speechless this morning. I have been waiting to watch the video from Danni Frain's funeral that is posted on her blog until it was quiet and I was alone. It has left me speechless this morning. I am posting the link to the blog here and I have also added it to the blogs I follow. I have inconsistently followed this blog over the past year or so. Danni recently passed away and is now free from all the pain and sadness she experienced while here on earth. Danni was a young woman who had cancer and her mom began blogging to keep others updated throughout Danni's days. I only know the family indirectly through connections with Tim's family and other Westview families. I stand in awe of the love that Danni and her family have for Jesus. What strong women! If you are interested in reading the blog, I recommend you find a quiet place with a box of kleenex. I am still speechless as I sit here so I will end here and let God speak to whoever will listen.
http://dannifrain.blogspot.com/

YIPEEEEEEEEE!!

Just so excited that I can't keep it to myself! Tim called me earlier today (at my request) to let me know that he passed his written test for his Paramedic class. One down and 3 to go. He has his class practical exam on Saturday and then the National Registry written and practical exams next week.
We also had a great family moment this morning. I gathered up the kids and we stood around Tim and prayed for him. Not something we do frequently, I am sad to say. The feeling that I sensed we all had after the family prayer was so great!
Congrats, Tim! I love you and am so proud of your hard work and dedication!

Vocabulary Lesson

I had to smile this morning as I was getting ready. (Sure do like those 2 hour delays by the way!) Anyway, Emily was talking and I decided I needed to capture the vocabulary of my 9 year old princess. She frequently uses the word "thingamajigga." This does not do the pronunciation justice!

thingamajigga--(thing-uh-mu-jeg-uh)-n.-used to describe an item whose name can't immediately be recalled. Is ALWAYS accompanied by many descriptive words to help the listener understand what the thingamajigga is!

Hope you are all enlightened by my attempt at increasing your vocabulary and ability to communicate with the next generation!

Thankfulness

Why is it that we are so focused on being thankful this time of year and not every day? I have had the opportunity to be in my van by myself more over the past few days and this has allowed me some time to think and reflect. I am going to try to be more thankful each day and not just when the holiday reminds me to. Since it is Thanksgiving Day, though I find it appropriate to reflect here some of the people and situations in my life that I am thankful for here.
I am thankful for...
...a husband who believes in God, has a relationship with Jesus and loves me in spite of myself.
...a son who loves Jesus and baseball and is self confident enough to not follow the crowd.
...a daughter who is creative and unknowingly thinks I am a perfect role model.
...a van that now has heat because of a husband who cares about me enough to set aside his to do list to replace the thermostat even though he is not a mechanic.
...a house that is truly a home because of the people who live here and the hard work of a husband who has a vision and the desire to see the vision through.
...parents, in-laws and grandparents that provide role models to stick it through the tough times of a marriage.
...jobs for myself and my husband that are stable in this time of such uncertainty in the economy.
... so much more that I must list later because it is time to get ready to celebrate this day with so many of those that I am thankful for!