Family is the greatest!

My first week at Willard Elementary preparing for the start of the school year has been very exciting. However, I thought I would take the opportunity to come back to Tumwater for a few days to spend time with my grandma. She has moved from the hospital to a rehab center which is absolutely amazing progress from where she was 2 weeks ago. Today I am sitting by her bedside watching her take a little afternoon nap. This whole experience has shown me how important family is. Since my grandma's first day in the hospital, different family members have been taking 5 hour shifts spending time with her in her room and making sure there is always someone to keep her company. My grandma has given so much to our family and it is now our turn to be there for her.

Spending all this time with my family has really made me appreciate my mom, dad and sister. My dad and I have had some great quality father-daughter time together. We got to go on a kayaking adventure in the Puget Sound, we ran a 10k race together which I wouldn't have completed without his encouragement and we also enjoyed some hiking in California together. I really enjoy the ability to have these adventures together and I look forward to many more in the future! He pushes me to always be the best that I can be :)

My mom and I have had a great time talking about teaching now that I am beginning in my 2nd grade classroom. It has been so special to share with her all that I have learned. I have always looked up to my mom and the wonderful teacher that she is and I am looking forward to the wonderful support and advice she will be able to offer me this year. Since being home it has been a humbling experience to see how supportive she is to grammy and all the time that she has spent with her by her hospital bed. My mom is a prime example of putting family first...I am so lucky that she is my mom.

It has also been such a blessing to spend more time with Liana. That girl keeps me entertained for sure...whether she is performing the stanky leg or the jerk or discussing plans to be a 'balloon animal maker', she is always bringing a smile to my face. It makes me so happy to watch her blossom into a young adult (now that she is 17) and see all that she is capable of. Liana is a spitfire and she is not afraid to be who she truly is which is a very admirable quality! With everything our family has been through the past couple weeks, it has reminded me that Liana and I will have each other for the rest of our lives. Sisters are truly a blessing and I couldn't ask for a more special and wonderful little sis :)

So while being in Spokane immersed in my busy life as a graduate student...and enjoying weekends with my friends, it is important not to forget what life is about and that family is truly the center of it all.