Modern Day Miracles

No parting of the Red Sea or anything like that, but in the Greene family, we have experienced some miracles recently.

Miracle #1:

Registration for kindergarten entails pulling out lots of documentation proving that your child was in fact born, has a social security card, has been given proper vaccinations, etc., etc. We keep all these precious items in a fire safe box. The last time I had gotten into this nifty little contraption was during the great evacuation of Hurricane Ike. Where's the key? I have no clue. My mom and I looked just about everywhere we could think of but still no key. Anna came in from playing. Just for grins I asked if she had seen two little keys on a small ring. She said, "Let me check." Off she ran and came back with a set of keys exactly as I had described. Did they fit? No, that would have been too easy. Off she ran again and came back with another set of keys on a tiny ring. By this time I'm wondering, where is she getting all these keys (she just smiled and giggled), how many of these sets do we have and what are they all for!!?? I have no clue except to say that they are not for the fire safe box. Off she ran one final time but no luck. Refusing to believe that I am going to have to call a locksmith the get this little box open, I keep trying the keys that obviously don't fit when something miraculous happens...the box opens up! Strangely, I was able to put one of the keys in just enough to turn the latch and open the fire safe box.

Miracle #2:

Anna has piano lessons on Monday. With it being the first week of the month I sent her to lessons with a check for April's tuition. Anna's piano teacher picks her up from school on the day of her lesson. Since I teach at the same school Anna attends, I just happen to be on circle drive duty when she was picked up. I saw Anna load into the van and off they drove. A couple of minutes later I see the big van pull through the circle drive again. Out jumps Anna. She runs over the curb and yells, "Here it is! I got it!" Because she is my daughter (and by that I mean she would lose her head if it weren't attached to her neck) she had rolled up the check and was just holding it and had dropped it. On a normal April day in Texas this wouldn't have been a problem, but today was an unusually windy day. I mean the type of day that it is difficult to keep your feet on the ground. Miraculously, the check had not blown away and was just laying there on the curb.

Miracle #3:

Internet connection problems prompted me to call AT&T. After quite a bit of trouble shooting with Dwight, the friendly tech support dude, he told me we needed to restart my modem. This would be great if I knew Jon's password which you need for this endeavor. I explained to Dwight that Jon had passed away quite suddenly and I didn't know most of his passwords. He said, "Well, we can still reset the modem if you know the answer to the security question." Okay, well for those of you who know Jon, this is an extremely hard thing to predict on whether or not I could answer the question. Jon's sense of humor could be seen even in things like user names and passwords. Just for an example, his user name could be something like yodeling pope, dead santa, or scruffy goat boy, just to name a few of his favorites. In my mind I'm thinking there's no way. Okay Dwight...what's the security question? The question was, "What is your favorite singer?" It couldn't have been something easy like your mother's maiden name or the name of your favorite pet or the name of the town you were born, all of which I could have answered easily. But who is your favorite singer? Again, anyone who knew Jon, knows that he was a music fanatic and how do you decide your favorite singer when you have 12,000 + songs on your ipod!!?? I told Dwight, "You're kidding me. I don't know. It could be anyone!! Hmmmm...let's see...it could be Pierce Pettis..." Without hesitating Dwight said he'd try it. All the while I'm thinking ain't no way. "Yep, that's it!" said Dwight. Guessing it on the first attempt...can you say M-I-R-A-C-L-E?

Oh Brother!

What memories were brought back to me tonight when Brennan came downstairs wearing this...

a dress, a scarf, make up and let's not forget the bow. I was reminded of the days when my sisters and I would dress my brother up in all our girly clothes. Ella was laughing hysterically upstairs and I knew I better grab my camera. I was waiting at the bottom of the stairs. It seemed like they were taking FOREVER and I asked them to hurry. Ella told me, "Just a minute. I just need to finish the touch!" A few minutes later here they come. Ella tried to show Brennan how to pose. He snapped, "I can do my own pose!" May I present to you...
Brennan...the only brother in the family...striking his own poses. And thanks to my sisters' suggestion and hard work finding this picture of my brother from the good old days and thanks to Chelle for scanning it for me. That way, we can embarrass Aaron just a tad.

Bluebonnets at Varner Hogg Plantation

Each year Jon and I would take pictures of the kids in the bluebonnets and other wildflowers such as Indian paintbrush, buttercups or black-eyed Susans. Several times we've gone out to Varner Hogg Plantation in West Columbia for their fields of bluebonnets. Last year, I just couldn't get myself motivated to take pictures in the bluebonnets (that's the same reason we didn't have pictures of the kids in the pumpkin patch this past October). It just made me too sad. This year, I promised that I wouldn't miss the short season of the Texas state flower. This year I would get pictures of my kids frolicking in the flowers! Today was the day...






Later tonight, when the little ones are in bed (hopefully early since it's been a no nap day) I will put some more pictures on to facebook. Check them out!

Happy Birthday To Our April Fool

Happy Birthday Grandpa! We love you!

Friends

It's been awhile since I have felt like I have been needed by anyone, other than my children. For the past 13 months, I have been the one in need, and there have been many people who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to give service to my little family and me. At times, it's difficult to be on the receiving end of service, but I've learned a thing or two about it during this time.

Thankfully, today I had the opportunity to help my friend Mechiel. Mechiel had surgery on her knee Friday morning. Her mother was going to be with her (all her boys were on a camping trip) so although Mechiel didn't actually NEED me, she was gracious enough to accept my offer. Friday night my mom kept the kiddos for me. I was able to go grocery shopping, start on housework/laundry, and cook that evening. Mechiel has always loved my lemon cake so I whipped up one of those, made some white chili and even mixed up a new dip recipe that I've just recently learned about. Saturday morning I headed up to see Mechiel and her mother, Wilma. The visit was enjoyable with the exception of the huge mess I made by tipping over one of the containers of white chili. Cleaning up chicken chunks, beans, broth made with sour cream and half and half, out of the crevices of a vehicle is not my idea of entertainment. Visiting, enjoying yummy food, watching a little Food Network was much more fun. Mechiel seemed to be feeling as good as one can expect to feel after knee surgery. I kept trying to get her to take some of her good drugs, but to be honest with you, I think she was afraid it would make her too sleepy. Have you ever known a child who fought sleep because he or she didn't want to miss out on any of the action going on? Well, that's what we have here folks. Just not a child.

Anyone who knows my mother, knows that she's wise and always has saying or quotes ready to fire at you no matter what the situation is. One that I have come to appreciate and believe has been on my mind today. Even though I won't use her exact words, it goes something like this...When you're feeling sorry for yourself, sad, lonely, down in the dumps, depressed, do something for someone else.

Tonight I am grateful for the employees of Mr. Gleam Carwash (for shampooing the white chili out of the van). I am grateful for my good friend Mechiel, who loves me despite my short comings. I am grateful for the "nanny" skills of and the valuable quotes from my wise mother. I am grateful for all the service that has been given to my family and also that I was able to do a little something for someone else for a change.

Moral of this post: If someone wants to do something for you, let them, even if you don't need it. As my father in law tells me, you're robbing someone else of blessings. (See Charlie, I really do listen to you!!)

Are We There Yet?

Parents are often tortured with the question, "Are we there yet?" No exception here in the Greene household. Even if we're on a 10-15 minute trip the kids ask at least three or four times. In the van today, going only about 10 minutes away from our house, Brennan asked me a couple of times. My response was, "Not quite." When we were just around the corner Brennan asked me a slightly different question. He asked, "Mom, are we quite there yet?"

No Good Hair Do Pictures Today

Growing up my dad would get so irritated because he was punctual and my mom was not. He would complain that my mom had unrealistic expectations of what could get done before she had to be somewhere. Obviously I've inherited the tardiness gene.

While getting ready to go to the birthday party, I had unrealistic expectations of how long I needed to get those cute hairstyles to look just right. Thankfully, I realized it while I was working on Anna's hair, so I gave up and just pulled it back quickly. Ella got her hair done in what they like to refer to as Cat in the Hat hair. Regardless, the kids had a great time and here are a couple of pictures from the party.


As Gloria Estefan sings..."There's always tomorrow..."