All is well with the Thomas team! Shayla is keeping us busier than ever! In addition to her many dance classes, she's added track to our schedule. It's been a lot of fun! Shayla is running hurdles. I have a sweet university student, who just happens to have a hurdle record or two, and she worked a few sessions up in the field house with Shayla before the season began. That gave Shayla a big confidence boost. (Pic: Icing her shin splints with frozen veggies suggested by my BG student - too funny!) Getting cut from making the volleyball team at the beginning of the school year was pretty tough, so the fact that her school doesn't cut for 7th grade track has been FANTASTIC! After Christi died I felt Shayla was the reason we got out of bed every day and keep on going. Truly, that continues! She has no idea what a blessing she is and how grateful we are for her! Some days when I get terribly sad or down missing Christi, I try to think of the tremendous gift Shayla is and that helps. We've also been very busy, as a family, working on something that may likely take two or three years to complete, but it's been on my "bucket list" for a long, long time and I think we may very well, with a lot more hard work and time, actually make it a reality!
I'm just finishing a trip to San Antonio, Texas. I've never been here before and I've found it to be one of the most beautiful places I've ever visited. I only wish Shayne and Shayla could have gone with me. I made a presentation at a conference (Thank God it went incredibly well!) and then spent a lot of time working on my writing in cafes sitting beside the Riverwalk - simply gorgeous and pretty productive, a wonderful place to think and write!
Flying to Texas, I purchased some seasons of the Dallas Cowboys' Cheerleaders Reality TV shows to help me pass the time. Wow! They are impressive dancers and women; I really enjoyed the various episodes and I think Shayla - with all of the dance classes she takes each week - will want to watch them too! I told Shayne I was so spoiled I couldn't imagine ever traveling without my iPad again. We've said many times how helpful that would have been with all of the traveling and waiting in hospitals and doctors' offices we did with Christi. We always called it her "Entertainment Bag" and it was packed full (and heavy) of things we would use to keep her mind occupied: books, arts/crafts, games, science projects, etc. An iPad would have made that horrific stage in our life so much easier. Perhaps in addition to the scholarships we will soon be giving to graduating Seniors, we should add an iPad or two for some cancer children in treatment.
Park City Utah: Susan & Brooke R. - Wow! I had no idea we were so close! Thanks for your posts! I'm sure we will be back to ski and I'd love to meet you in person! Thanks for all!
I'm not sure why I was permitted to drive the same road to the airport & safely arrive in Florida for spring break when these young women had their lives suddenly cut short. I've lived a full life and theirs were just getting started. I feel terribly guilty, yet I trust in God and his plan - even though I have MANY questions about this senseless tragedy. Please pray for BGSU and all involved. Rest in peace, fellow falcons. I am sooooo sorry!
I have been enjoying amazing weather & family in Florida! Something about grading papers in the sun makes everything better & reminds me of how incredibly blessed I am! Shayne took Shayla and some friends Square Dancing Friday night. They had a great time! At one point Shayne texted, "It's hard for these boys to spin the girls when they're a foot shorter!" LOL! Gotta love middle school!
This site may have been pirated by Hope Jackson (DOB: 07/18/1976).
Hope Jackson has been charged with theft by deception / fraud.
Over a number of years, Hope Jackson has allegedly used Christi’s story and pictures to scam others. This is continuing to happen. As you can imagine, we are disgusted, sickened and deeply disturbed by all of this. There is an ongoing criminal investigation with charges filed against her in many states. I am not yet able to share details, or to post her photos, social security number, address, etc. at this time. I can tell you that we were alerted to this many months ago and decided to remain silent, except for cooperating with the authorities who have been investigating Hope Jackson.