The Kofford Family relocates to Colorado after 40 years as Californians. In December of 2007, Grandma Lorraine is diagnosed with Stage 4 brain cancer. Sadly, she passed away on Dec. 26th, 2008 after a year long courageous battle. Follow our journey as we keep Lorraine's memory alive, and as we learn to appreciate that each day we are given, is a gift to be enjoyed!

“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.”
~Maria Robertson

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Cheering UP!

Hello friends!

It has been a few days since I posted and there is much to share! It has been a good week and I am feeling cheery once again! I know that grief will come and go, but for now it feels good to be 'myself' again. No big decisions have been made on my parents home or their belongings...Tom and I both discussed that there is no hurry to rush on anything. So, I am going to take a litte longer to think things through so I can make smart decisions when the time comes. My parents would have wanted that too!

My mom and dad after 40 wonderful years of marriage! This is how I picture them right now in heaven, spending eternity together. This picture, and that image make me smile.

I've been busy working on a special blog for the scholarship fund, and hope to have it ready soon. I am anxious to see how the funds collected on behalf of my parents, will go to help other educators and students. I so want to make my parents proud by how the recipients chosen use their scholarships to help others. I will keep you posted!

In other news, Ashlyn auditioned for the children's "praise team" at church and was invited to participate, so she is thrilled to be able to sing and dance for an audience now! (Shhh, don't tell Ashlyn, but I mentioned to the leader up front that she had great enthusiasm for the Lord, but really couldn't carry a tune...that enthusiasm must have done the trick since she made the team! Ashlyn did say to me though, "Mom the music is so loud that I can't hear myself sing!" Hmmm...enough said... :-)

I worked in her 2nd grade classroom today and had a great time. There is nothing like spending time with kids to lift my mood and feed my love of teaching! Once I am in that setting I realize how much I love to teach, and how much I miss it. One parent saw me in the parking lot and asked when I would be resuming our "Enrichment Friday" class again. Up until today, with my mom's passing, I had been feeling sad, and not particulary cheerful or ready to jump back into a high energy class, but perhaps starting back up again with the kids would be the perfect medicine!

Kyle is working hard at school and music and we are anxious for our upcoming conferences. He missed the frog dissection in science since we were in CA for the funeral at that time...I'm trying to figure out how I can recreate the experiment for him as I didn't want him to have to miss out on such a neat experience. Do you think you can buy dead frogs and a lesson plan over the internet? On second thought, perhaps I will see if the science teacher has another solution!

Some happy news to share...my girlfriend Sofia, who happens to be my friend and a decorator, is coming to visit me next week! We are going to visit and spend time together, but she is also coming to help me decorate! I love to find ways to make our home warm and inviting, but over the past year with my many distractions and worries, I didn't have much time to put into fabric, paint selections, etc...I will be sure and share with you our "before and after" photos during Sofia's visit!

Lastly, I wanted to extend a BIG thank you to Cheryl from "Peaceful Blessings" (http://cherylpgerald.blogspot.com/) for her awesome "Very Vintage Valentine Swap" package! Cheryl knew I loved apples and roosters, so I received a wonderful care package of goodies...from candies, apple dishtowels, an apple pie plate, candle, beautiful notecards, etc...she sent me a full package of fun and love! Thank you so much Cheryl!!!!

Wishing you all a wonderful end to the week, and until next time, live life fully and savor every moment! :-)

13 comments:

Cheryl said...

Oh I am happy to see your starting to feel a little better, I realy didn't know what to say I just only wished I could have found something that would cheer you up. I am happy that you like your package, I was so nervous about it took forever it seem to get there. Please enjoy
Peace and Blessings
Cheryl...Snatch Joy!

Anonymous said...

Nice to hear all is looking "up" for you. I was happy to hear of all the kid's activities. I LOVED the picture of your mom and dad. Did you say where it was taken? I'll look again. Thinking of you and hoping for happy times for you and your family for the rest of the week and the weekend ahead!
Love,
Annette

This and That said...

Thanks again, Denise, for the Chicken Pot Pie recipe. My (almost) 13yr old son made it for us on Monday and we loved it!

So good to "hear" your happiness today - you continue to be in my prayers!

Unknown said...

yeah for Denise! I even feel uplifted from your post! Congrats to Ashylyn and happy disecting...ewwww

glitzen said...

Cheryl, what a LOVELY package of goodies. Its just beautiful. Denise, I'm glad you are waiting to make decisions, you may find prayerful peace when you have time to process everything.
I wanted to tell you, I bought my girls a frog-dissection kit this year, but its all plastic. You "make" the organs yourself! We are anxious to try it. I am a wimp about gross stuff, so I decided to see if we could learn this without slime...well REAL slime/guts! :)
Yes, Enrichment Friday might be energizing for you. I'm like you, teaching is just where my heart is, and I always feel lifted up when I am engaged in it. I teach American Sign Language at my home once a week, and its funny how hyper and energized I feel after!

Sue said...

Hi Denise!

So glad to hear you cheery again, and proud that you decided to take your time. You're right... your mom and dad would want that.

Sounds like things are flying right along. I think that your teachings will be a great "distraction" and you touch so many children. They need you! :-) Oh, and I wouldn't worry about the frog.... ewww. hahahaha What fun for Ashlyn.... very exciting!

What a wonderful gift that you got, and deserve. I'm just so thrilled that you're smiling again!

Love ya!
Sue

Lucy Marie said...

I'm glad to hear you are feeling a bit more cheery today. Thinking of you.

Vintagesquirrel said...

Hi Denise,
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog. I don't have an Etsy store. I've only made bracelets for family and friends so far. It is so sweet that you like them. I just love making them using a variety of findings including vintage buttons and pieces of costume jewelry that I have collected.

If you're interested in one, maybe I can make one especially for you. No pressure, though. I actually really appreciate the compliments.

Please come back to visit my blog. I enjoy the feedback.

ShutUpandRun said...

Hello my friend. I am so glad to hear that you are hanging in there and that your mood is on the upswing. I miss you and hope we can share coffee soon.

Kim said...

What a great update on the Koffords! Congratulations Miss Ashlyn, how exciting to be on the worship team! And you can tell Kyle that I didn't think dissecting a frog was fun at all. So nice to hear that Sofia is coming for a visit and some decorating time. I'll live vicariously through you in that area :-).
Much love,
Kim

The Quintessential Magpie said...

So glad you're feeling better. Whatever you do, remember to be kind to yourself during this grief process. And grief is definitely a process that shouldn't be short circuited. Some days, it will be like gentle waves breaking around you, and other days it will be like one of those giant waves you see with surfers. That wave might take you under, but don't fight it because you will pop up on the other side. :-)

Enjoyed reading your post...

XO,

Sheila :-)

Unknown said...

Denise, you sound much cheerier(is that a word?) in this update, and I'm happy to hear it.
I think simple joys are so wonderful, what a wonderful friend you have in Cheryl, so sweet.
The kids sound busy, sometimes the normalcy of a busy life is just what we need.
Have a super weekend!

Darlene said...

I am so glad you are feeling better right now. The picture of your parents is just beautiful.♥

Your Valentine package of goodies looks wonderful!