Sunshiney spots in my last few weeks. :)

Life has been getting more and more crazy as the semester winds down. Between papers and finals, dorm stuff, and work, I hardly have time to stop and think, but amidst all of the flurry of activity, I thought I'd share some moments with you that brought a smile to my face. You may understand some of them...you may not. That's the fun of it.

-I smiled when I pulled into the Dairyland parking lot at about 11:00 p.m. and then watched Becky pull in a few moments later in the Grey Beast. We had a grand time together. :)

-A few days ago, I sat for a good 15 to 20 minutes watching baby Kate move around in Bethany's tummy and I smiled. I love to put my hand on her tummy and feel the baby give a strong kick! Can't wait to meet that lil lady!

-A few nights ago, I talked to Peter for almost 3 hours on the phone. I can't wait to see that boy.

-A few of you know that I now have a job working as a Health Care Assistant for a lady with Alzheimers. Her name is Annabelle. She is completely bedridden and isn't really able to interact with people. She talks/moans constantly, repeating the same phrases over and over again...usually things like "I can't help it" or "where to go?" or "That's terrible." Every now and then, her awareness increases and she uses that time to urgently look at me and say "you're my sweet baby" or "thank you" or "I'm glad you're here." It's always the same phrases repeated forcefully, several times in a row. Well, the other night, I was sitting with her, holding her hand as she dozed off and on. At one point, she opened her eyes and looked at me. I smiled at her and said "You look beautiful today, Annabelle." She smiled back (it was the first time I'd ever seen her smile) and laughed softly. She said in a completely relaxed and normal voice "You're named somethin'....what is it?" So I said "I'm Grace." She reached up slowly and touched my cheek and said "That's wonderful. That's nice. I like it and I like you. Thank you for staying with me and helping me." Then I smiled really big. She talked like that for about 3 minutes before lapsing back into her normal moanings and mumblings. Those 3 minutes were the best out of the entire time I've been working there!!!

-I smiled when I was telling Elisabeth funny stories and heard her laugh really hard.

-I smiled when I received a voicemail from Becky yesterday in which she was laughing so hard I could barely understand her. Why? Because I put the Star Wars soundtrack on her ipod and whenever the Imperial March comes on, she finds herself absentmindedly, but very vigorously moving her head along to the music.

-I smiled when I was giving little Jack and Owen their bath tonight and it was Owen's turn to tell a story (he's 2). He looked at me very seriously and said "My story is about crocodiles, monkeys, and crazy varmints. THE END"

-A few weeks ago, I sat on my ex-roomie but bestest NTBI buddy Kaylee's lap. (that was a fun sentance) I told her that I wanted ballet slippers, chocolate, the state of Arkansas, and a pony for Christmas. The other night she t told me very excitedly that she had my Christmas present. She gave me a fabulous old fashioned hat box. And in that box was: ballet slippers, chocolate, the deed to the state of Arkansas, and the eiffle tower. She then gave me a paper that pointed me in the direction of my locker where I found a blue cowboy hat and my new Pony, Armande. Needless to say, I was extremely happy. I smiled.

As you can see, there have been many sunshiney spots recently....and there are so many more, but this is turning into a novel....SO I'll leave you with the best one.

-Tonight I babysat Jack and Owen. We were in the middle of building a plank to send the scalawags off of when Jack, age 4, stopped and looked at me for a second. "Gracie....can I ask you a question?" I put my "plank" material down and said "sure!" He paused and smiled shyly......."Will you marry me?" Of course I said yes....we just have to wait a while. haha I smiled.


I'm coming home on Saturday and THAT, my friends, makes me smile, smile, smile!!!!!
See you all soon!!!

Julie is magical