Good Friday

“In difficult moments, I will fix my gaze upon the silent Heart of Jesus stretched on the Cross, and from the exploding flames of His merciful Heart, will flow down upon me power and strength to keep fighting.” – St. Faustina

We went to our neighborhood parish to Stations of the Cross on Good Friday. 

It was outside. 

At sunset. 

It was beautiful and lovely.  

"Let us look to the cross and be filled with peace, knowing that Christ has walked this road and walks it now with us and with all our brothers and sisters." - St. Teresa of Avila

Abigail's Spring Senior Photos

Something really surprises me about the fact that these are her spring senior photos. Spring! When winter days felt long and now here we are in pretty spring, I feel like it's going too fast. Soon I will have Anna's college graduation, then right around the corner will be Abigail's high school graduation. So thrilled, so happy, so nostalgic all at the same time.  We were just talking as a family about summer plans and their summer work schedules. This will be the first time Abigail will be working and I'm just not used to that idea yet. Sigh. But these... they came out so lovely, just like Abigail Mei. 

Her fall senior photos are here.

Her winter senior photos are here. 

And this is spring: 

Last 504 Meeting

I really don't know how it's possible but we had Abigail's very L A S T  504 meeting with her school last week. Abigail has had a medical 504 plan since kindergarten. In the beginning it was to assist with only medical needs and extra accommodations she needed in the school setting because of her eosinophilic esophagitis. But over the years the 504 accommodations list grew as other needs arose. She is our ADHD, OCD, EoE, scoliosis, growth hormone deficiency little girl who needed a lot more in the school day than the average student. So this 504 plan required teachers to follow that accommodation list. Each year we met to go over the plan and each year there were adjustments. And last week was our last one! 

It was actually bitter sweet logging out of this last 504 meeting. It was the first, "oh my goodness, we're done" event so far. When I think back to all of those teachers that read this plan, took a deep breath before they event met my amazing daughter, and thought, "okay, this is going to be a lot" (I know, I've been there as a teacher) and then just plowed in, and loved her for everything she is in school: passionate, smart, alert, happy, willing, giving, hard working, and so much more. So many teachers brought out the best in her every day. And we are oh so grateful for that. 

I just can't seem to find the picture I snapped that day but when I do I'll get it right here. I just had to do a post on this day to remember.

For those of you wondering, the 504 special education plan will follow her throughout college with the same accommodations. 

So proud of you Abigail for everything you've given all of these 13 years -- your heart, your work, your dreams, all of it! I can't wait to continue to reminisce and celebrate with you this spring! 

Scoliosis and 1,046 Nights

In December of 2021 Abigail was diagnosis with scoliosis. (that post is back here)  We were heartbroken. Of course it wasn't life threatening and 'all would be well' but it was one more thing for our little girl to have to deal with with already complicated health issues. 

But we handled it as we always do with no choice really. We just dove in. She got a brace made for her and she started wearing it. 

The first night went really really bad. (that post is back here) 

And then she just did it. Every single night. She wore that brace 1,046 nights. Every single night. 

That brace traveled with us to: 

Boston

The Berkshires 

Vancouver 

College Family Weekends  (many times) 

Branson MO

New York City 

Nantucket 

Sleepovers in Anna's dorm room 

Whistler, BC

Newport, RI

Quebec

Stowe Vermont (lots of times) 

I'm sure there are other travels and overnights I missed but that brace sure traveled a lot! 

And it's got the stickers to prove it. Yes, every time that brace went overnight. Every time it was packed in a suitcase it got a sticker! And it's covered with stickers. 

And then we went to our last scoliosis appointment on December 12, 2024 and that was it. She's done growing so she's done wearing the brace. 

We were pretty pleased about that last appointment! 

Scoliosis will never 'go away'. She's always have a curve in her spine but the bracing is done. We are oh so proud of Abigail for tolerating such an uncomfortable way to sleep. She did it! 

And just so we can remember exactly what it looked like: 

Elevation Worship

It's time for me to catch up a bit with pictures from my phone and this was one fun evening I don't want to forget about. When Anna was home on spring break (last week of February/first week of March) we went to a concert. It was tricky fitting it in on a Tuesday night but so glad we did! 

Elevation Worship was coming to our city and we didn't want to miss it!  It was the perfect time for our family -- we were in the middle of some B I G decisions, some discouragement, come confusion, and as always some exhaustion. It's really all good things but the timing of this couldn't have been more perfect since we knew we were going into a spring filled with life changing events. I feel like this really set us up and reminded us to put our trust in the Lord. 

Here are a few videos I took: 

Pops 'N Jazz

Another senior year moment. 

Another look back and remember. 

This years Pops 'N Jazz was my favorite of all. And here is a look back. 

This was her sophomore year and it tells the story of how it all started.  

This was her junior year 

And here we go... this is THIS year!

Grandparents and Anna came that first weekend too! 

And these were taken on the last night