My Cheese has Moved!!!

Last week I attended a mandatory meeting at work with a theme entitled Who Moved my Cheese. CHANGE was the topic of the class as there are A LOT of changes occurring...the partnership with Mayo and in our order entry process...SO I leave trying to be open minded to changes occurring at WORK!!! As we all know God has a sense of humor though and when I got home Hopey let me know that the school called requesting her to come for an interview MONDAY!!!...and she desires to further her education. Deep down I knew this day would come and I should have prepared for it, but I didn't & HOLY MOLY I'm scheduled to work Monday and Tuesday nights....and many more on this schedule! So change was not occurring only at SRMC but in the Bates household as well! What the full picture will look like I don't know, but my Big Daddy does and from the very beginning He was right there with me. I never did really get my feathers ruffled but simply said Lord I know you have a plan and even though I'm surprised, you're not....and for that peace I thank Him!!! What I do know is that the Bates family will miss Hopey very much and was blessed and highly favored that the Lord shared her with us as long as He did. She started keeping the boys when I returned to work when Cash was 6 months old. She's been there with me through the good, the bad, and the ugly!   She, with only the Lord's strength, helped us through Hayes' 6 night hospitalization, my 15 night hospital stay, primary immunodeficiency dx for Hayes and I, my sinus and ankle surgeries 2 weeks apart, my broken kneecap, and monthly IVIG infusions all while my hubby worked 7 days a week!!! We've shared many miracles together but the best being the birth of my one and only baby girl. To say that she will be missed just isn't adequate...she'll leave a void in our hearts that will last a lifetime...she's truly been a second Mommy to my babies and loved them like her own & been my confidant, friend, and therapist ;) She is NOT replaceable....I will miss you my friend and so will my babies!!! We love you Hopey!!!