A clean home is a happy home

Today my wonderful in-laws came and spent the whole day helping us get our house deep cleaned and organized to help us prepare for the baby that will be here in (yikes) 4 days! We bought a new carpet cleaner and extracted much more dirt and cat hair than I would like to say. We also bought tons of new containers to put stuff in. We cleaned out closets and cabinets and brought the crib down from the attic. There is much more room to move down here and lots more junk in the attic, but I guess we don't use that space so we can deal with it being messy and disorganized up there. All the baby clothes and blankets are washed and put away. The Christmas tree is up, not much more decorations, but I think I'll probably be able to put a few more things up in the next month without too much difficulty.

While we worked, the kids were happy to have the boxes to play in. Elijah decided he wanted a Batman costume so Brian made him one and he kept us entertained.

We've got so much to be thankful for!

Well, I made it through my last day. A few students brought me gifts for the baby and I had many well-wishing parents throughout the day. I left at lunch time to go see Elijah's program which was soooo good. They really went all out, with many songs, fingerplays and a small narration with kids holding up pictures of historical events. We watched the video today at Thanksgiving and Elijah recited along with it. The kids made fruit salad, corn bread and "churned" butter (you put cream in a jar and shake it until your arm is about to fall off). It was really nice to have so much of our family there to watch.

It was also really great to have our combined families for Thanksgiving at Brian's grandma's house. My grandparents and parents came and spent the day. We ate a fabulous dinner and made gingerbread houses while Brian and Elijah watched The Empire Strikes Back. Last night they watched Star Wars. Tomorrow we are going to put up our Christmas tree and decorations and Saturday get the house in order for the baby.

My last day

Tomorrow is my last day of work. I am pretty excited. And sad. I love my class this year very much and its (a little) hard for me to hand them over to someone other than myself. But, I am also ready to start preparing for this baby. I have just been so busy trying to get everything ready at school and just keeping everyone healthy and the house in order has been enough that I can't do anything else.

Elijah's school program is tomorrow. I will post pictures. There is supposed to be fruit salad, corn bread (made by the kids), costumes, and songs. Here are the people attending: my mom and dad, my grandparents who are in town from Michigan, myself, Brian's dad and grandma. He is so excited!

I saw the doctor today and there are no changes to report. I could probably carry this baby until Christmas! Just 7 days until my c-section. And we have a lot to do between now and then. Thanksgiving dinner of course, putting up our Christmas tree and decorations, probably some shopping, and then Tuesday I will see the doctor again and go to the hospital for my pre-lab blood work. Wednesday morning I will leave for the hospital at 7 am. It feels like it will be here tomorrow.

New shoes

Today ended up being a fun shopping day! I had several errands to run and it was one of those fun mornings when Elijah was happily watching cartoons, Brian was sleeping and I actually got up and showered before 8:00 am--oh, and made a fresh pot of decaf with new pumpkin spice creamer...mmm. Mary and I started out at Target to return a couple of cute baby outfits for bigger sizes (who are these friends that think a Greene baby will fit in newborn clothes? Ha ha!) and ended up also finding Mary a cute pair of Dora tennies that were half off.

We then proceeded to Michael's to get candles for our Advent wreath. This Sunday will be the first day to light a candle and I don't want to miss it. Elijah loved it last year and I think Mary will be able to get it this year too. We have a little service book that has a song and Bible verses to read for each week of lighting the candle.

After that we were off to PetSmart to buy a new hood for our very dark fish tank. Finally we can see the fish again and it makes me happy. When we got home Elijah was miffed that he didn't get new shoes (which he did actually need) so I told him I'd take him after lunch. He and I went to Shoe Carnival where we got to spin the big wheel of savings AND got a frisbee--definitely worth my 70.00 purchase! He got tie shoes so he can start learning how to tie his shoes and since their shoes are bogo half off, I got a new pair of "N" shoes-- as they are called around here (New Balance).

So now I am off to wash baby clothes in sweet smelling Dreft and get things down from the attic. My poor mom is sick as I can remember, so Brian made her some homemade chicken noodle soup and took her some DVDs.

No news is good news?

My visit to the doctor today was pretty uneventful. Everything is about the same as last week and I will most likely go all the way until the 28th. I suppose that is the best thing, because he told me that even if I go into labor he would want to do a c-section because I have already had two. He doesn't feel particularly comfortable about me pushing--also probably based on my current whale-ish size. So, I am imagining that if I went into labor there could be a chance of having to get an incision going the other way down my abdomen which I don't want (you know I am still holding on to hope of wearing a bikini next summer : ) ) In the meantime I just keep plugging along. Even though I am exhausted, I am glad to be working because I am too busy to sit around and wish I wasn't pregnant or pine after this little one inside me. I will have a few days after Thanksgiving to buy diapers and a few other things I don't have yet and then it will be baby time!

Also, Brian and I went Christmas shopping last weekend for the first time before Thanksgiving ever. (For the record we didn't buy any gifts--only new sheets for our bed. Hee-hee.)He is morphing into someone I don't know. He actually suggested going shopping and then while we were out was talking about putting up our Christmas tree at Thanksgiving. This is the man who almost divorced me the weekend we got married because I brought the live tree from our reception into our apartment.

Baby Shower fun!

It was exactly what I wanted--a few friends and family in an intimate setting with light snacks and coffee. No games or formal activities, just people hanging out. We got some wonderful things to celebrate our new baby girl. My mom made this down comforter pad to lay on that is covered with fleece. So soft and wonderful. Brian wanted to sleep with it last night. I thought it might make it more real once we started getting baby things, but no. I think Brian is right that this baby won't be real until she is here. Our friend Heather made Elijah and Mary these beautiful big brother and big sister quilts. The kids haven't put them down yet. Only 7 days to go at work. I am looking forward to being able to focus my attention on the baby. Tomorrow is my appointment with the doctor so we'll see if anything has changed in the last week.

I wish someone would explain to me...

why people feel compelled to discuss how large I look. I will run the risk of sounding like a hormonal pregnant woman, but people...think for a minute. Do I not own a mirror? Yes, I know I am a giant. I swear people do not think before they speak. Here are some of the comments I have gotten this week:

"How do you feel? Like a whale?"
"Are you ever gonna pop?"
"You already look 10 months pregnant."
"You are huge!"

It's getting to the point where I am going to start lashing out. I seriously cannot continue to put on a happy face and assume people are just trying to make polite conversation.

Sick days are relaxing

Not so much when you have a little baby who just cries and you feel so helpless, but when your kids are older and it may be the only time they really like to sit and be loved on. Today was so nice to just hang out with Elijah. He watched a lot of movies on the couch, but we also worked together on a large 100 piece floor puzzle, drew pictures together, and snuggled together. By dinner time tonight he was feeling more back to himself, so I'm hoping to go back to school tomorrow.

37 week baby update

I went to see the doc today and at least confirmed what everyone at work has already told me, "You've dropped." Yes, baby Greene's head is indeed down very low. However, there are no other signs of impending labor. So, we continue the wait.

I have only 11 days of work left and still no substitute lined up. I go back and forth between worrying about my students being left high and dry and then feeling like this is not my problem. I have other things to worry about. I gave them notice in September.

Elijah is sick. Tomorrow will be day 2 of staying home with him. I am not sure what is wrong with him other than he has a fever and just lays on the couch. Quiet. Obviously something is terribly wrong. He went to bed tonight at 7:30 and I sure hope he wakes up feeling better.

Too much fun makes Michelle a tired girl

This weekend has been a blast! We had some friends over for dinner on Friday night and Brian grilled the most delicious steak I have ever had. He is becoming quite the chef. We stayed up late talking about their upcoming wedding.

Saturday morning we decided to take the kids to the Indianapolis Children's Museum with my mom. They were so good and we really enjoyed our time with them. We spent some more time on the lower level with some of the exhibits we don't usually see for very long. We absolutely love having a membership there. I think we will do it again next year. There is no pressure to see everything and it paid for itself after 2 visits for our family.

Last night we hung out with Megan, Everette, and baby Jonathan until almost 12:30 am!! That is the latest I have been up in a long time--well, not laying in bed tossing and turning anyway! It was fun to hang out with our family who we so rarely get to spend time with anymore. Jonathan is so fun to hold. I hold him on the top of my belly and tell him to feel his cousin kicking him.

Today we went to church and I taught Sunday School for the last time until probably next fall. it was fabulous to "fall back" and have an extra hour in the morning before we had to be out the door. We did get some things done, but today is going to have to be our catch up day. I'm way behind on school stuff, our house is wrecked again, we have no groceries, I need to go to the library. I am supposed to be taking a nap, but I just can't sleep. My back hurts and all I can think about is what I need to do today. I have just 2 1/2 weeks of school left before I am on maternity leave and there is still no substitute hired. I am trying to get everything ready and organized so I can leave in peace.

Do I have wrong expectations?

I feel like life just continues to get hard. I thought we were pulling it together. Brian is finally over his sickness, we have battled round 2 of Head lice (my turn this time), and I have been sleeping almost through the night for 5 nights in a row. We totally rearranged the schedule for tomorrow because of Halloween (which we don't celebrate, so no preschool for Elijah) and got everyone taken care of. Then...after dinner (which she didn't even eat) Mary projectile vomits all over the dining room floor. Elijah's comment was, "I can't believe so much throw up could come out of a little girl."

So, tomorrow is screwed. She can't go to daycare. It is going to be very hard for me to stay home. Our school does huge Halloween everything. I just can't stand the thought of a substitute putting on 22 costumes of kids she doesn't know, how wound up my students will be, the wonderful room mothers who prepared snacks to bring in, but will need direction, and then there is the parade around the school into each classroom. Oh, and did I mention I am getting a new student starting tomorrow? WHY???????!!!!!!!!!

I love you, fall break!

This has been the most relaxed I have been in months. I have slept through the night (with only 1 wake up to go to the bathroom--that is "all night" these days) for 3 nights in a row! I honestly think it is the first time since school started. I've been doing lots of shopping, organizing, napping, and playing with my kids. Huge bonus: they are still being nice to each other after 3 days of being home together. Maybe another record.

I went to our womens' small group this morning where we had some delicious egg casserole and discussion about prayer. We only meet once a month and don't meet during the summer, so it was nice to go and have some time with other women.

Everyone is napping right now so I think I will go join them.

Nesting...or "I just can't stand the filth any longer"

Today started my fall break. The kids were at Bible Study Fellowship for the morning and then Elijah spent the day with Gramma Susan, so I had a pretty open day for organizing! I started with the kids clothes. Their dressers have been busting at the seams, but they never have anything to wear. So, I cleaned out all the summer clothes and the too small clothes and the clothes they refuse to wear. Then I went to Target and Once Upon A Child to try to update their fall/winter wardrobes a bit. They had some cute baby furniture and things that I was actually thinking of buying at Once Upon A Child. I just don't have anywhere to put it.

I also cleaned the fish tank that is now empty of fish because I let them all die with my impeccable care. I am hoping to buy new fish tomorrow or Saturday once the tank gets regulated.

I've been trying to take care of Brian because he keeps getting sicker. Today he went to the doctor finally and got an antibiotic. Yay! He too is on Fall Break, but has a bunch of work to do for Purdue, so we probably won't see him once he is off the couch.

The other cleaning tasks I would like to finish include: taking some things to the attic to make room for baby items in our living space and cleaning out closets. It makes me feel so much calmer having things in order.

Fall...where are you?

We are trying to make the most of any proximity of fall we find. Today its in the mid 80's...and it's almost the end of October!!! So weird! It was pretty mild yesterday so we spent a lot of time outdoors which I have been missing terribly. I did much needed yard work, mostly pruning, but also planting bulbs for the first time since we've lived here. Elijah was selling them for a fundraiser at preschool. I hope they come up. Every spring I wish that we would have planted some the previous fall. It will be exciting to see them.

Yesterday afternoon we went to Happy Hollow park and walked around admiring the leaves, we brought some home to do leaf rubbings which was cool. Then we got some groceries and cooked hamburgers on our brand new grill. To finish the night we had a campfire in our yard and had dessert s'mores. A few friends came over after the kiddos went to bed.

Today I am getting baby things ready--washing the car seat and getting a few clothes and blankets washed so that I won't lie awake at night worrying what will happen if I go into labor.

Brian has gotten the sinus infection that I had, so he has been in bed all day! He said for the first time in his life was glad to be sick on the weekend...it's too hard to write sub plans and be gone. Hopefully he'll be feeling up to going to school tomorrow!

Bloominton and Carmel Apples

Saturday was a full day trip to All Saints Orthodox Church in Bloomington. Brian and Dallas played for their fall festival. Father Peter John Gillquist is the priest there and he is also a musician. He also happens to be the founder of the record label that they are going to be a part of as soon as their cd gets done. One of these days...

It was really fun to take a road trip with friends and no kids for a day. It was amazing to me how tired I was from doing nothing but sitting. Sitting in the van, sitting at the festival, more sitting in the van.

Today as I am trying to push on through the tired and do something fun with my family, the kids and I made carmel apples. It was a fun thing to try.

Sick day

I finally gave up. I stayed home from school today to try to get well. My doctor, who is the greatest, called me in a prescription for antibiotic this afternoon. I am feeling better already! ; )

Elijah and Mary went to a Chuck E Cheese birthday party this afternoon and the greatest part was that I didn't have to go. On Saturday Brian and I are heading down to Bloomington for a music festival that he and Dallas are going to play in. My mom is keeping the kids all day and even better... a friend asked today if we wanted free Feast of the Hunters Moon tickets for Saturday. So, my mom will take the kids while we are gone! We wanted them to go, but it is so expensive and you never know how long they will last.

So, you see. I cannot afford to be sick this weekend. I love you, amoxicillin!!

It must be Monday

I didn't think I was going to make it through the day. Why is that everything always happens at once? Today I was feeling so sick and really didn't want to go to work, but I just had too many things that needed to get done today to stay home. I took my class to see the Lafayette Frie Dept. Fire Safety show this morning at Jefferson High School and Elijah's preschool class was there too. I got to see him across the auditorium, but we didn't sit near each other. That was a weird thing to be at a function with my son, but not with him at all.

On another note. I have never really had contractions before and I am trying to figure out what they feel like (a.k.a Am I having them?). I am not a nervous person by nature, but I just realized the other day that I haven't prepared at all for labor since in my mind I am having a planned c-section. I figure since I gave up all hope of delivering a baby naturally, it would be the time my water breaks unexpectedly. Every doctor visit I have had has been totally uneventful this pregnancy--no questions, no problems... well tomorrow, let me tell you. It is going to be a different story. I feel like I am falling apart at the seams. Dr. Schafer is going to be getting an earful of symptoms.

I have 5 more weeks of work which sounds like no time and tons of time all at the same time!

Productive Saturday

I have to admit that I have not been feeling the greatest. I am starting to get nervous about finishing 7 more weeks of carrying this baby. Last night my mom took the kids overnight so we could have a night out (presumably to celebrate my 29th b-day which is Sunday). Guess what our plans entailed? Ordering Applebee's carryout and laying on our couches watching Freaks and Geeks. In case you are not familiar with that show, it was a one season tv show that aired in 1999 about high school kids. It has sort of a cult following and just came out on dvd. We were introduced to it by a teacher friend of Brian's who loaned us his box set. I lasted through about 2 episodes and then loaded up on icy hot patches for my back and legs and fell asleep.

So, I actually got good sleep last night and got up this morning ready to get some things done. Brian and I had a leisurely trip to the grocery store this morning. The laundry is almost caught up, the house is relatively clean, and I actually got to read a few chapters in my latest book and play with the kids--inside b/c it's about 90 degrees out there. I am not going outside. Thank goodness for central air.

I am enjoying the smells coming from the kitchen--Brian is making lasagna for me for my birthday dinner--fresh mozzarella and italian sausage included.

The new baby

I realized I haven't been blogging about my pregnancy very much. I guess by the third baby, well, you know...I am 31 weeks along now, and for any who don't know, I have a scheduled c-section on November 28th. It has been a fairly uneventful pregnancy so far. I've been feeling good, just kind of going about my usual business. The last few weeks have started getting tough on my back as my giant abdomen pulls the muscles forward. I've been a big fan of icy hot patches to get me through the evenings.

It's been fun seeing our new nephew to help get me geared up for having another baby. I am looking forward to really enjoying this baby's infancy because our kids are older. Mary's babyhood was a blur because Elijah was practically a baby still himself. So that's the scoop.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Visiting baby Jonathan

Introducing...

Jonathan Daniel Mills, our first nephew
Born via c-section after a rough 30+ hours of labor
6 lbs. 10 oz
20 in.

The waiting is the hardest part

My sister-in-law Megan went to the hospital to be induced this morning. Even though when I was induced with Elijah I didn't progress and ended up having a c-section, I was hoping Megan would speed right along. Unfortunately here it is 3:32 pm and she is only 1 cm more dialated than she was before she went in. Also, if I would have been working today the time would have passed faster...but, no. At 7:15 this morning when I was combing Mary's hair, what did I find? LICE!!!!! Oh, yes, head lice. So I proceeded to freak out, then dropped Elijah at preschool, took Mary to school with me while I scrambled up some sub plans and waited for a substitute to come. We bought the super-expensive RID kit and for the next 2 hours I proceeded to wash her hair, and pick nits out using this really fine toothed comb. The whole time she screamed and cried because the medicine was stinging her head which has scratches all over it (should have been a tip--she has been itching her head a lot lately). I also did my own head and Elijah's too, but haven't found any more bugs yet. Well, I better get back to the laundry!

Date night

I don't know how it has fallen by the wayside, we used to go out all the time, but nothing helps me get through the week like knowing that I am going out with my husband on a Friday night. I am trying to figure out what we are going to do. There is significantly more pressure when we don't go out as much. I can't wait to have dinner at a restaurant with no play equipment and maybe go for a walk in the cool night air.

Best Buy called yesterday

Can you believe they left a message on my machine that said that after careful inspection my camera's trouble is caused by corrosion and is not covered by the warranty. Hmm. I think that is interesting considering my camera worked fine until one day I took it to the beach and it probably got some sand in the moving parts of the lens. Why did I even bother with the warranty? So aggravating! Especially since my sister in law is going to have her baby any day now and I will not have a camera!!!

Still waiting on my camera

We had a nice visit with our family and had lots of "lasts" for the season. We took our last dinghy ride through the channel over to the beach, our last swim in the marina pool, our last time to play on the playground. It really is a fun place for our kids to go, how blessed we are to be able to go each year and have these memories.

Today it was back to work. I think it might have been the hardest day yet of the year. My students were noisy!! and not wanting to behave. It was frustrating for me and I am sure they saw a side of me that they haven't before...the mean teacher. The teacher who gets angry, shouts to get their attention, and doesn't put up with any garbage.

Mary is sick. It has been three weeks, what did I expect? She is congested, coughing and generally feeling bad. We've been trying to give her extra TLC and sleep. Hopefully she will bounce back soon.

It sure was nice having an extra day off. I cooked our meals for the week and got the house picked up, so I actually went to the gym after school today. Too bad every weekend cant' be a three day.

A fun weekend outlook

One more trip to the lake for the summer. My brother and his girlfriend are visiting from Florida, so we are heading up to my parents boat in the morning. My grandparents are coming for the day too, so it should be really fun. The weather looks good and Brian actually gets to ride with us in the van this time. (I think it might be the first time all summer.) I have got the swimsuits and sand toys packed. It's amazing to me how 3 hours away can seem like another world.

I am going to Best Buy today

to get my camera fixed. It is driving me crazy to not be taking pictures. Every time I look at my blog I see all the text with no pictures!!!

Everybody's Workin' for the weekend

I am going to need a break from my weekend before I can go back to work on Monday. It was a fun Pampered Chef party last night and then Megan's baby shower today. That was super fun. I am so excited for our kids to have their first cousin! She got a lot of great gifts for baby.

We did her shower in a Peter Rabbit theme. I thought it turned out so great! We had everything all done up like a garden with fresh veggies and stuffed bunnies as centerpieces. We made "seed packet" labels for the food, like "Mr. McGregor's Vegetable Patch" for the vegetable tray and "Stay out of the dirt" pudding. She requested children's books instead of a card (a great idea for anyone hosting or having a baby shower any time soon) and got so many great books--classic picture books, board books, funny books, and advice books. It was really a lot of fun.

Happy Birthday Elijah

I honestly can't believe it. Five years ago we said how much we loved being parents and couldn't imagine our little precious baby ever being, say...five years old!! I suppose the next time I wake up I will be at his high school graduation. What a fun five years it has been. I can't imagine my life without him. Happy Birthday Elijah Alexander (Jehovah is God, Protector of Men)!!!

our crazy new life

What a whirlwind last week was. Brian and I both went back to work; he at his new teaching job and me at my old teaching job. We crashed every night in our messy house, ate pizza for dinner like 3 nights last week and went to bed most nights at 9:30. It was kind of like slamming on the brakes of our summer life and leaving a big skid mark on the road.

On Saturday we finally got to reconnect and packed up the kiddos for Turkey Run State Park for hiking trails and a picnic. It was wonderful fun to spend time together. This week promises to be just as nuts with Elijah starting preschool tomorrow morning, leaving the house earlier than we're used to so I have time to drop everyone off, my kindergarten students start tomorrow morning, Elijah's birthday is Wednesday (snacks to make? ... no, buy. for daycare AND preschool), and then next weekend is my sister-in-law's baby shower of which I am helping to plan and make food for 35.

I am trying really hard to get organized and plan healthy meals for the week, find time to work out, and keep the house relatively clean. Brian has been amazing. He is so helpful with the kids, cooking meals, and helping clean. I know how tired he is--first year teaching is so draining!

The deal

Here's the deal with the bat. Our very first night at this vacation house, I was coming downstairs after putting the kids to bed. Everyone else was sitting outside. There is a light fixture over the kitchen table and I thought there was a moth circling in it (you know how the shadow sometimes looks bigger than the actual insect...) So as I come down the stairs I think, "oh no, that isn't a moth--it's a bird." So I kind of scurry outside and tell the group that there is a bird trapped in the house. Some of the men go inside and I hear them shouting, "It's a bat!" They spend the next five minutes chasing it around the house to catch and release it, and finally after several failed attempts, they knock it to the floor dead.

Later that night we went outside to look at the dead bat, but it wasn't there. So we assumed it was just stunned and flew away. The next morning I look on the floor of the house and there is the dead bat still attached to the butterfly net. It apparently was stuck and it wasn't outside on the ground after all. At that point we decided we should take pictures (Sam, Brian's animal loving cousin is the one holding it up) and stick it under the windshield wiper of my brother-in-law Everette who was still asleep at 10:00 that morning. After that, I don't know what ever became of the dead bat. It was never to be seen again.

Just a few more vacation shots

We're Home!

What a wonderful vacation with our family. It started last Friday morning when I loaded my children and our van while Brian frantically tried to finish his 50 page curriculum project for the class he took earlier this summer. He mistakenly thought he had until December to finish...oops, it has to be done now or Purdue wouldn't allow him to take this teaching job as his student teaching. He drove up later after he finished the project.

Okay, back to vacation. So. I drove me and my kids to Holland, MI where we rented this huge house with Brian's family including his aunt, uncle and 11 year old cousin. The house is next to the marina where my parents keep their sailboat. So, other than my brother, we had all of our family with us. We spent the whole week on the beach, or fishing, or in the pool, or sailing, or shopping, or just relaxing. The house is a short walk from the beach and marina pool, but we had this great dock right outside the back door. The kids loved to fish there. We loved sitting there at night watching the stars and drinking wine. (Well, not Megan and me. We were drinking prego drinks.)

We also celebrated both Mary and Elijah's birthdays. Whew, what a lot of gifts they got this year! The highlights are (Mary): a doctor kit, one of those heads that is for brushing hair and doing makeup (She says upon receiving it, "I needed one of these!"), and lots of Dora things. (Elijah): a Spiderman web shooter, remote control truck, transformer, and soccer net.

We did have a bit of rain this year for the first time in 3 years of doing this, but it was never an all day rain and we did kind of enjoy just staying in the house and drinking coffee. Oh, and we went to see the Bourne Ultimatum which was fantastic. I am quite sure I never would have gone to sit in a movie theater on vacation if it weren't raining. Thanks to all of our family who helped make this year another successful vacation!

Exciting news!

Brian got a job today! He was supposed to student teach this semester, but Purdue told him that since he already has a bachelor's degree in this field that he could take a teaching job that would substitute for his student teaching. So, he interviewed today at Seeger High School and they offered him the job as the Consumer and Family Science teacher. So, not only will he not have to student teach, since he will be making money and not taking out (more) student loans this year I will most likely get to stay home with the baby for the rest of the school year after my maternity leave. Yay! I will have from December-next August home with my baby.

pictures to add

Here are a couple of
pictures of our backyard
camping from a few weeks
ago. Mary and Elijah eat
s'mores.



Brian successfully makes
Jiffy Pop over the fire.
I was impressed.

The end (beginning?) is near

I am starting to prepare myself like a responsible adult should for the fact that in a few weeks school will be underway. Today Laura and I went to my classroom to start getting it ready for a new year. She did a fabulous job doing the floor to ceiling bulletin boards that I really struggle with and she moved big heavy tables and computers for me.

I think I will like my room a lot more this year. Last year was my first year in this classroom and the teacher before me was a 20 year kindergarten teacher who left me everything. I had a hard time knowing what to keep and what to let go of since I had my own 6 years of materials. So, I stripped the walls to nothing and I am starting fresh this year. I have been purging lots of things. Also, since I know I will be having a substitute for at least half of the year I am motivated to organize my things. Otherwise they won't be able to find anything. I think I will be able to enjoy my vacation next week lots more knowing that lots of the big stuff is done in my room.

backyard camping

The weather this weekend has been unbelievable! Absolutely perfect--upper 70's/low 80's daytime and upper 50's at night. On Friday night we decided to set up the tent and have a little camp out. We cooked hot dogs and s'mores over our fire pit and then later that night Brian and Elijah slept in the tent (it gets dark too late to let Mary sleep there too, so she and I slept in the house). We kept the door to the house locked overnight, so when asked about his favorite part of camping out, Elijah's reply was "peeing in the yard." Leave it to a boy...

Please pray for us Prohet Elijah

Today is the commemoration of the prophet Elijah. Although most of us probably know the story of the showdown with the baal worshipers and calling down of fire on the altar to show who who was the true God, He is also the man who, by his prayers, stopped the rain for over three years. God provided food via birds and a water source for him to drink. He also did a miracle when he told Elijah to go to a woman and ask for food. God kept filling her flour and oil so she didn't run out during the famine and they continued to have bread. This week the kids and I have been studying about him in our morning quiet times. I just love having such a flexible schedule in the summer to sit and read our Bible's together every day. It's something that is just so hard when we have to get up and out the door in the mornings.

I wish...

I had something terribly exciting to write about tonight. It has been perhaps the slowest, most uneventful week yet this summer. We have been cooped up inside due to rain, super hot humidity, and a lazy mother. I just don't feel like doing anything which kind of makes me feel like a slug. Brian has been gone a lot between working and trying to finish recording their cd. All I want to do is read. I have been seriously enjoying fiction this summer. As soon as I finish a book I get all squirrely until I can get to the library for another.

Tonight my mother in law came over to work on baby shower invitations for my sister in law who is also pregnant (with her first baby) and is due the first of October. It was fun to start planning her party. I think we are going to do some kind of nursery rhyme or book character theme. I'm going to do some internet searching to see what I can come up with.

And finally, this picture is from Elijah. He has been bugging me to get the pictures off his camera and on to the computer, but it is a big hassle b/c he doesn't have a removable memory card and we didn't have the usb cord out, yadda, yadda, yadda. Anyhoo...we got the camera out today and somehow all the pictures on it got deleted. Oops. He was really upset, understandably. So he took this picture of Brian's newest guitar (my grandpa's old Epiphone that we had refinished) and I thought I would pay homage to him.

Mary's birthday weekend

Hard to believe that our baby is three years old!! Elijah went to the boat in Michigan for the weekend so daddy and I could give her all our attention. On Friday afternoon we took her to Tropicanoe Cove to swim. On Saturday we just had the most relaxing, fun day. We woke up late (ok, it was 7:45, but that is late for us) and Mary and I played with her babies in her room. I drank coffee and when Brian got home at 9:30 we went to the Farmers Market. From there we went to Columbian Park got popcorn, and rode the train, the horse and buggy ride, and walked around the zoo. After that we drove out to Hunter's Pub south and ate lunch out on the patio. We came home and took a rest to get ready for Brian's reunion that night. Mary spent the night at Gramma Susan and Grandpa Bob-o's house. On Sunday we went to church and then ended up having dinner at my parents' house. Our oven is broken for some reason so we couldn't make the cupcakes we were planning on, so, at the last minute we thought we could take the cake mix there and use their oven. We decided to get pizza and take it over there and we just ended up having a little impromptu birthday celebration. I didn't want to do too much because we are going to have her birthday party when we go on vacation in a couple weeks.

Friday evening at home

Um, did anyone notice that today is Friday the 13th? A little update to our day. Elijah left for the weekend to hang at my parent's boat in Michigan. So, Brian and I took Mary to Tropicanoe Cove (the rates go down after 4:30) for a little late afternoon splash. Tonight starts his 10 year reunion weekend. He is going solo tonight and then tomorrow night we will go together. It will be small--there are less than 30 people signed up to attend, but at least I feel like I kind of know most of them. Brian and I dated his senior year of high school and I even went to his senior prom and graduation and all that. I guess I don't particularly think of us as "high school sweethearts" per se, but I guess I should. We have been together for 11 years!!!!!! That is hard to believe!

Another fun water day

Today was the perfect impromptu lunch with Brian at Purdue. He is working part time in the HTM cafeteria in Stone Hall and he asked us to stop by today and eat with him. As we were walking through the hallway they have a big picture window where you can look in the kitchen so we could see him back there chopping salads. The kids were so excited! It is so laid back there especially during the summer, so the kids picked out all of these a la carte items (why is that so much more fun than getting a 'real lunch'?) and we got to meet all the people he works with.

After lunch I took the kids out to the fountain and let them run through and splash around. Brian came out with three giant chocolate chip cookies that his boss told him to bring out to us. It was such a treat. Campus was really quiet and the weather was absolutely gorgeous. It was one of those picture perfect moments. Too bad I didn't have my camera :)

have you ever tried to take pictures of young kids at a water park?

It's no easy task. We had such a fun day at Tropicanoe Cove-the water park down the street from our house. Our friend Heather and her daughter Penelope (or Kenelope, as Mary calls her) came with us. I wish I could've gotten at least one good shot, but alas. We really had a good time.

I love my garden

I love that I can go cut just enough fresh lettuce to make a salad and there isn't a soggy bag of wilted greens at the bottom of the produce drawer in my refrigerator. I love that my kids enjoy eating our own green beans and helping me shell peas. I love picking grape tomatoes right off the vine and eating them. I love cutting zinnias and putting them in vases in my house. I love weeding and watering and looking for what is ripe in the twilight after my kids are in bed. The only down- side is that when I go to the farmers market at this time of year there isn't much for me to buy!!!

Fourth of July Spectacular

In typical Greene fashion we loaded up our whole family as well as some loyal friends--can't leave town with out them!! and celebrated the 4th of July in nearby Wolcott, IN. Brian's band, The SmallTown Heroes played as a part of the festival. It was pretty hot and humid, but despite what weatherman Prangley said--NO severe weather!!!!! We spent all afternoon and evening there and even managed to stay awake for the fireworks.

Highlights from our weekend north

First I should say that Northern Michigan is where I spent a good portion of my summers when I was growing up. It was a long drive from where I lived in middle Michigan and a drive that is really too far to venture with our small children from our home in Indiana. So, we have only been up one time since we've been married. We always refer to that one trip as our best vacation ever. So, you can imagine my feelings of pure enjoyment to spend 3 days walking around the towns and beaches I have loved my whole life long!!

We stayed at Fisherman's Island State Park in Charlevoix. It is a rustic camp ground--no flush toilets or showers. Thankfully we were able to visit some family staying near the area and use their shower twice!! It is one of the most beautiful campgrounds I have ever been to. It is on--and I mean on Lake Michigan. There are a number of sites right on the beach. We layed in our tent at night listening to the water crash on the beach.

On Friday we drove across the Mackinaw Bridge into the upper peninsula and took the ferry across to Mackinac Island. We walked around and ate and just kind of relaxed. The funniest part of this day was that Bob, Brian's dad was on a motorcycle trip and was in the same town so we had dinner with him in St. Ignace, MI.

On Saturday we walked around Charlevoix and shopped a bit, ate lunch at my favorite restaurant in town and then headed back to the campground. I took a book and a blanket and read the on the beach all afternoon and Brian rested in the tent. On Saturday night we drove over to visit my aunts and cousins who were renting a house just miles from where we stayed. We had dinner with them and watched the sunset before driving back to have our last campfire.

On Sunday we made breakfast and had devotions then cleared out our camp so we could start the 6 1/2 hour drive home. We stopped in Holland and had lunch with my parents on their boat and took the little motorized dingy raft across the lake to get ice cream before we headed home.
All-in-all maybe the best vacation we have had. Certainly the most appreciated.