Wow, It's been awhile!!!

My first day of school!

I really can't believe it's been 4 months since I last blogged!  Life gets busy and I have found that there is not much free time.  I can't believe how much has happened in the last four months!  I have a new job (after working at PAMPA for almost 20 years, it was time for a change), we said good bye to James sweet grandparents who "went home" within 6 weeks of each other, Abby started high school and has decided not to play basketball anymore, I got a new car, and I'm sure I will remember more later!  It has been a great summer and I anticipated the start of school because I am now a school nurse!!  I love it!!  I didn't realize how in much of a need for change I really needed!  The hours are great and I get to be home with my kids when they get home from school.  I get all of the holiday breaks and SUMMERS OFF!!  I think I'm most excited that I don't have to work on Saturday's anymore!!  The school I'm at is brand new and I got to set my clinic up the way I wanted to.  I love all the staff and the children are precious(most of them :))!

We said good bye to Grandma Dotty and Grandpa Ham.  Grandma Dotty in the middle of June.  It was so sad to see Grandpa Ham without her.  They were the kind of couple that I hope James and I will be when we are in our 90's.  They held hands and still were very much in love with each other.  Grandma developed dementia in her later months.  She would talk about her and grandpa going on a plane

 ride and leaving us.  She told us we would see her again one day!  Two of her children passed before she did.  Although it was sad when she passed I knew she was holding her children in heaven!  I could imagine her smiling and having lots to say.  Grandma Dotty always had a lot to talk about.  My sweet Noah got up and spoke at her funeral.  It wasn't planned and he did great!  They had a time in the funeral reserved for anyone who wanted to get up and speak.  James got up said a few words and Noah wanted to go up with him.   I have to admit I was a little nervous about what he was going to say.  I kept praying,please don't let him talk about Harry Potter.  He was brave and I don't know that I've ever been more proud of him!!  It was like I wanted to get up and say "that's my son"!  We said good-bye to grandpa about 6 weeks later.  I have to say, I was so happy for him!  It just wasn't right him being her without "His Love".  Of course we were sad that he wasn't with us but knew that they were together!  My sweet Noah had a really hard time saying good-bye  he was very emotional.  Grandpa Ham was a very strong rock in our family.  Although, he didn't speak his mind often you knew that he loved his family!

We got a new van!!!!  Our old white had defiantly seen it's better day's!  Now I don't have to worry about getting around!

I really can't believe Abby is in high school!  When did this happen?  I am not old enough to have a high schooler!  I still remember her first day of kindergarten.  Her cute little pig tails and her Hello Kitty backpack.  What a beautiful young lady she is.  She has made some decisions, one of them being she has decided not to play basketball anymore.  Although, it was a little sad, I want her to do what makes her happy!  Sports become VERY competitive the older you get and it's just not fun anymore!  I'm proud of her whatever she decides to do!

I am also proud of my 5th and 3rd graders too!!!

So, that's the "Hicks" Happenings"  for the last 4 months!