Princess Needs Pepto-Bismol

Driving over to my mom's to print up some letters (my printer is broken) I stopped off to get the mail. There was a Netflix movie!! Yeah-I instantly had some incentive for the kids (at least two of them) to take a nap. Opening up the envelope I found the movie, Robots. I told Brennan, "Hey, guess what? After your nap I have the movie Robots for." He was happy about that. Ella said, "What movie do you have for me?" You see, usually we have at least 2 and sometimes even 3 movies and I try to rotate them between the kids likes and dislikes. I told Ella, "Robots is all we have today." Brennan turned to Ella and said, "Maybe you can get Princess Diarrheas." 

Christmas Day

As with every day, there is an enormous hole in our lives that can't be filled with presents, food, family or friends. Jon was missed as much on Christmas Day as he has been missed every day that he's been gone. Even though it was our first Christmas without him, Christmas at the Greene house was quite merry.

I Just THOUGHT The Pistacio Incident Was Embarrassing!

Imagine...Christmas Eve, shopping for last minute items...with a three year old...standing in line at the photo center of Walgreens...visiting with an acquaintance...three year old hanging on to you...wiggling...hanging on...asking for Sonic The Hedgehog Christmas video...wiggling...hanging on...oops...there go the elastic waist shorts (mine, not his!!) down...down...down. Amazingly, graciously, thankfully, my hands weren't too full and I could yank them up quickly before too many people saw my behind. Before you go thinking, "Well, it couldn't have been that bad." think again. The shorts didn't just fall a little and of course I couldn't have been wearing one of my long old t-shirts. No, today's shirt wasn't one of those. My acquaintance didn't even try to make me feel better. Her comment, through her laughter, "Oh, I know you're embarrassed, but you've just made my day. I won't use your name when I retell your story!" The man behind me was left speechless.

By the way, can you give a three year old Ambien? The Bren man just dozed off and that is why I'm still awake at nearly one o'clock in the morning. I tried to explain to him that Santa wouldn't come if he was still awake. His reply, "I don't want any toys...oh, never mind...I was just kidding...uhhhh...I want to talk to Santa...can we call him?"

Gingerbread House Party

This morning we went to my friend Sandra's house for the kids to make gingerbread houses. The kids had a super time and it was great hanging out and visiting with my Jane Long buddies. Thanks Sandra for the fun time!

Christmas Letter & Family Picture 2008

December 23, 2008

Dear Family & Friends,

Saying that it’s been a tough year for us would be an under statement. It is beyond difficult to believe that we have been without Jon for most of this year. Despite our heartache, the kids and I have been able settle in to a new normal and carry on because of the outpouring of love shown to us.

Anna Claire (8) is in the third grade and remains on the A Honor Roll despite her not-so-wonderful study habits. She is as bright as they come, but Anna would rather be outside playing basketball, building forts, digging in the dirt, riding bikes, playing Littlest Pet Shop, jumping rope or anything other than doing school work. This being said, Anna has found a love for reading that I never thought I would see. She especially loves Babysitter Club books and of course any book about animals. This year Anna received her life long wish, a puppy named Lola.

Ella Paige (4) continues to be our girly girl as well as our resident drama queen. She attends preschool several days a week and is so ready for kindergarten. Ever since she was little, Ella has taught herself to do many things. This year has been no exception to that. Ella has learned to ride her bike, jump rope, whistle, do the Chinese splits, snap her fingers and dance like a Cheetah girl. Ella enjoys gymnastics, playing outside, riding her bike, dressing up and spending the night with Nana.

Brennan Michael (3) is proving to be both my blessing and my burden. When looking at him, he is a ditto mark of his dad. As sweet as he is, he can also be such a handful. Some of the things Brennan loves to do are zipping down the driveway on his hot wheels, playing with his sisters, throwing anything, and drinking Dr. Pepper. Brennan says and does things that keep us laughing as well as keeping us on our toes.

As for me, after ten years of teaching in Freeport, I moved to a Lake Jackson School. I’m now teaching fourth grade reading, language arts and social studies at Elisabet Ney Elementary School. This is also the same school I attended from kindergarten through fourth grade. Change is always tough, but it has proven to be a good thing. When I have free time, I continue to enjoy reading, scrap booking, making bows, resale shopping and spending time with family and friends.

One evening, Anna expressed her sadness and some of her feelings about losing her dad with me. Crying she said to me, “Mom, it’s never going to be the same again without Daddy.” Knowing what to say to this was not easy. I told her that she was right. Things would never be the same. That doesn’t mean we can’t be happy. We continue to be a family, do things together and live our lives the way we would have if Jon were still with us. Most days, we are happy. Although it is easy to slip into unhappiness as we think about our great loss this year, during this holiday season and the close of 2008, the kids and I choose to celebrate and be grateful for the blessings that we have.

We would like to wish you and your family all the happiness you deserve.

Love,
Jen, Anna, Ella & Brennan Greene

Surgery and Beyond

As some of you know, yesterday I had outpatient surgery in the hopes of fixing my severe anemia that I've struggled with for the past two years. My sister, Melissa, took me and stayed with me at the hospital. Thanks Mis. While I was there my sister, Chelle, was at my house cleaning, ordering pizza for my class' Christmas party and running errands for me. Thanks Chelle. The procedure was pretty quick and went well. Although I had quite a bit of pain and nausea immediately after the procedure, later on in the evening I was feeling much better. By this morning, I felt practically no pain. My friend Mechiel came over and we baked some cookies, fudge, cinnamon pecans and some chocolate covered pretzels. Thanks Mechiel. Ella whispered in my ear, "Mom, when are we going to make cookies?" Needless to say, later this evening, while Anna was busy delivering treats to church members with her Faith In God group, Ella, Brennan and I made some Christmas cookies. My mom was here helping too. She's been taking good care of me and making sure I don't over do it. I've taken a few pictures of the event with my early Christmas present to myself. The team of teachers that I work with brought some delicious Mexican food over for dinner this evening too. Thanks Amy, Angie, Val and Cathy. Anna was able to enjoy the cookies once she got home. My mom took the two little ones home with her so that I can have another restful night. Thanks Mom. Earlier in the day Mechiel mentioned to me how lucky I was to have my mom close and so willing to help out. She's absolutely right. I'm blessed to have family and friends who are so good to my family and I. It's been a good day.

Is Elvis Presley My Cousin?

Last night at dinner Ella asked us to raise our hands if we looked like Elvis Presley. I have no idea where she learned about Elvis. To be funny I raised my hand. Ella told me that I did look like Elvis Presley. Brennan said, "I love Elvis Presley...is he my cousin?" We all had a good laugh about that.