The Best Gift of All

I tried all day to do a blog entry about my weekend, etc., but it never happened. I guess it was meant to be.

I have received the best Christmas gift of all. It didn't even cost anything. It started on Friday. I got a phone call from the lunch mom for my daughter and she desperately needed a sub for lunch. Of course I was a little taken aback that I was the LAST person she called, but I gladly jumped at the opportunity. So at 12:00 off I went to school to surprise my daughter and be her class' lunch mother. It was great and I really enjoyed my hour with the children. They in turn enjoyed having me. Don't tell the regular lunch mom but they informed me that I was the best lunch mother they ever had. LOL You gotta love second graders.

While at lunch, M's teacher asked me to come in today to help make gingerbread houses with the children. Of course, again, I jumped at the opportunity. Also, yesterday afternoon, the regular lunch mom called me and asked me to sub again. I again said YES!!! So at 11 AM I was at school and helping 20 second graders make gingerbread houses. We all had so much fun, including the teacher. I took them off to lunch and they loved that I was staying with them. Since it is like 9 degrees here, they did not play outside. So we played inside the classroom. Even the teacher stayed to watch. When I left, she told me she couldn't believe how happy they all were. Made my heart 3 sizes bigger.

This is only a portion of the best gift of all. Unknown to me at 1 PM, there was more to come.

Tonight was the Christmas Pageant at Church. The Church looked absolutely breathtaking in tiny white Christmas lights and candles. The ENTIRE student body took part in reciting and singing the birth of Jesus. We arrived early to get seats and to bring our kids. One of the mom's in my daughter's class told me that S went home and told her mom that "Mrs. P. is the best lunch mom she ever had and she is so much fun." Awwwww.....made me feel great. But that is not all. There is more....

My DH and I were about to take our seats when DS teacher stopped me. Oh my heart stopped for a moment. Here I thought everything was going good. Well I was WRONG!!! Everything is going spectacular. She advised DH and I that N's grades are not only raising they are jumping way up. She said his progress is absolutely wonderful and she told him she is proud of him and to keep it up. I nearly fainted on the spot. I didn't think my heart could take much more. DH and I took our seats smiling when I got a tap on my shoulder. It was DS's Social Studies teacher. She advised me that N is doing phenomenal. She said he not only is improving overall but his grades are jumping way up. Oh My Gosh!!!! Could it be that I have my DS back? The answer is YES YES YES!!!!! They have both noticed a change in him and they feel they see the real N. I told them they are absolutely right. I couldn't get the smile off my face.

The pageant itself was beautiful. Words can't describe the voices of 1st through 8th graders. Words can't describe Mary, Joseph and the Angel Gabriel. Words can't describe the cantors of the Christmas story. It was beautiful. It is the best Christmas show I have ever attended. The children were wonderful and the voices so beautiful. I had tears in my eyes by the end. All of the students did such a wonderful job. Well they were rewarded for their effort. At the end, our pastor spoke and our principal spoke. She advised the students that tomorrow instead of wearing their school uniforms, they can wear red and/or green. You wouldn't believe the smiles on these children.

So there you have it. I have received the best Christmas gifts of all. I may still have one more gift to buy and wrap and I still need to make cookie trays and make another batch of fudge, but the Christmas spirit is so alive in my heart and soul that I know the next 5 days before Christmas will be ones to treasure.

I guess six months later and we are finally settling and fitting in. There is no gift out there that can top what I have experienced today/tonight. The gift tonight is one that will live in my heart and memory forever. It was a first and it made me feel that for the first time that we moved for all the right reasons. It also confirmed that DH and I are raising two wonderful, caring children who will grow to be wonderful, caring adults. Of course we knew that but I guess we just needed a sign to prove that we were right.

Have a great evening everyone!!