I am sitting on my couch and for the first time in months I find myself able to complete a thought and reflect upon all of our many blessings. It has been a crazy, busy, stressful, fantastic, fun, spring in the Crain house. The semester started at warp speed and in true fashion it is ending that way as well. March was a great mid way break enjoyed by all. The kids went on a cruise with Grandma and some friends from Switzerland. It was the first time I had ever been away from all three kids for that long. I wouldn’t say I enjoyed the time alone but I can say I appreciated it. I stayed behind because of my school commitments and I to this very moment praise my Mom for her help that week. I had four midterms in the span of two days and the silence that fell over my house for the week was much needed and allowed me to prepare and execute each of the exams that faced me. When the week was up Mitch and I had the experience of meeting the cruise ship in port and the butterflies definitely set in while we waited to reclaim our cargo. In true kid fashion the greeting was not the Hollywood reunion I had fantasized about in my head all week long. I venture to say that all three kids had enjoyed the best week of their lives and the last thing they wanted was to see my smiling face because that was pure proof the inevitable return to reality had arrived. As they faked a few hugs Mitch loaded all their loot and their tan little bodies in to the car and that is when all the stories and memories were retold in 6 year old fashion. At that moment I was once again reminded of how lucky my kids are to have a grandmother that loves them as if they were her own. After spring break the semester resumed and so did all of the many kids activities. Parker participated in a bowling league and I think he truly found a sport he not only loves but a sport that is not affected by his arthritis. Jackson progressed to his yellow belt in Karate and Avery continued to soar in gymnastics. Along with our busy day to day activities the spring also sprung many doctors’ appointments on us as well. Jackson has been struggling with migraine issues again and Avery who has always had a hard time battling strep throat finally gave us clear reason to seek treatment outside of antibiotics. After visiting 6 different specialists for Jackson we had been cleared by ENT, ophthalmology, the dentist, and finally found hope in a new neurologist who specializes in pediatric headaches. He was started on a slew of medications that seemed to work for a week or so but ultimately his little body rejected them and due to the reaction he had he was removed from all of them. Monday was spent at Dell Children’s Hospital where Jackson was sedated and underwent another MRI. We are currently waiting to hear back from the neurologist with our new plan of attack but for now Jack continues to push through and he fights to maintain his normal active six year old life. Wednesday was spent in yet another hospital waiting room but this time I was blessed to have my Mom by my side. After giving the nurses and doctors a little taste of her calling card screaming, Avery was successfully separated from me and taken to surgery where she had her tonsils and adenoids removed. She has been a complete trooper and seems to be on the road to recovery. As if all of these issues aren’t enough to keep this mom busy Parker decided to get in on the fun. The hospital staff will be reunited with me in the next two weeks when Parker goes in to the operating room for a knee draining and steroid injection to hopefully remedy the inflammation that was revealed during an MRI a couple of weeks ago. Although I am looking forward to sunny summer days I can’t complain about these crazy spring days because I recognize the fact that things could always be worse. Mitch and I never take anything for granted and we are grateful on a daily basis to have these three fantastic kids in our lives. As the school year nears to an end I am reminded daily of how big all three kids are getting daily. In a short ten weeks I will have a 7th grader and two 1st graders. I am so proud of the kids they are growing up to be. During the award assembly at school this week Parker received the Citizenship award, Avery received the Principal’s award, and Jack…well he received the best storyteller award (very fitting). Words cannot describe how proud I was to sit there with my Mom and husband by my side and witness each one of them walk to the front and receive their awards. It is things like that in which I gain my strength to continue to live as if every moment could be the last. If I were to be taken from earth today it would not be with any regrets or sadness because I can honestly say that each day I am lucky enough to spend with my family is blessing enough and the fact that God grants me another one the next day is just the icing on the cake. I hope and pray each of you that read this recognize the fact that life isn’t about what success you have at work, and it isn’t about anything money could purchase but rather life is about the people you are blessed to share your love and dreams with. My kids have been instrumental in painting the picture of true happiness for me and for that I will always be eternally grateful.