Exhaustion

Although this is a picture of Ella after her first full week of kindergarten, it depicts exactly the way everyone at our house felt Friday night. It was a good week, but it was exhausting. Let the "Rat Race" begin!

First Day of School

Like everyone, the first day of school exhausted us all in the Greene House. I'm just going to post some pictures and I will write more about our first day later.

Let's start with my baby...who tells me he's not a baby anymore. Brennan started prekindergarten today. Here he is with his teacher. I lovingly packed him a special lunch for his big day, but look at his lunch....he got a tray lunch!

Bren and me...I didn't have much time to see him off to his new class so as I went to pick up my students at the same time he was having lunch.

My sweet Ella...my kindergarten girl...sitting at her desk coloring. She had a great day.

And last but not least...my big fourth grader, Anna. I'm so excited that Anna is in the same grade that I teach. Of course I will not be teaching her, but we will be able to go on field trips together and other activities as well. Then next year she'll be off to middle school. She was so sweet today. She actually asked me if I would move up with her next year. For those of you who know Anna, this was a shocking statement to hear from her. She's so much like me...I might think it, but don't always express it with my words.

AND THE WINNER IS...

Rockin' Robin!

Be on the look out for us Crazy Greenes to head over your way to deliver your Bath & Body shower gel, lotion and hand sanitizer.

Everyone else will be receiving a small hand sanitizer as well...Anna just couldn't stand the fact that only one person would get a prize.

Fake It Till You Feel It

FAKE IT TILL YOU FEEL IT! For many years, this has been my motto my melancholy days. The last couple of days I've felt that way. Today ends day 2 of my attempts to "fake it till I feel it". In fact, a couple of times today, I would have sold my children cheap if a circus had been in town. Thankfully, those feelings didn't last terribly long and I found myself, once again, so in love with my children that I feel like my heart would burst right out of my chest.

This evening, I mustered the emotional strength to take them to the fountains in downtown. They only had an hour to play (thank you Sandra for putting the time they closed on your blog) and it was empty most of the time we were there. While the kids played in the water, I sat in the shade listening to music and watching the kids enjoy themselves. The kids made me smile most of the time we were there and were successful in lifting my spirits tremendously. It's quite bittersweet since I would give just about anything for Jon to be able to watch them as they frolick in the fountain. In fact, the last time I took the kids out there, Jon spent his lunch hour with me under that same shade tree and picnic table to watch our little ones. He is just that kind of man...a family man through and through. I feel like we've all been cheated out of so many pleasures in life. It's one of those times that I've mentioned before that makes me want to act like a 5 year old and start screaming, crying, stamping my Mary Janes and shouting out the injustice of it all.

Instead, I continue to fake it. I must find the faith and courage to count the blessings that I still have and not focus on what I no longer have. Without further whining...here are three of my greatest blessings...

Georgia Trip Continued

I'm going to attempt to be short and sweet about the rest of our Georgia trip. Many of you know...that is not an easy thing for me to do (the short part-not the sweet part).

The post and pictures about Anna jumping off the rock were from another one of our outings that Grandma and Grandpa planned with the help of some of their dear friends. We drove into Alabama and spent the day climbing rocks and playing in the river.

One afternoon, Brad and Erica planned and met us over at the playground area by their church. They put together a delicious picnic and the kids ran around and enjoying time together.

A few random pictures of normal silliness at Grandma and Grandpa's house.

Finally, a couple of pics as we were driving home. Like many of you, I didn't even know these pics were taken (with my phone) until it was time to sync my phone. The trip going up was good, the visit there was wonderful, and the drive home was exhausting but went well.

As always, we had a terrific time. Thanks Grandma, Grandpa, Brad, Erica, Joy, and all their friends who love us and made the trip so memorable.

Two Posts, Two Posts In One!

"Ian The Great"

Let me begin this post by telling you about my nephew, Ian, Brad and Erica's son (Jon's brother and sister in law). Ian is quite a remarkable young man. He is a year younger than Anna, born just one day before her first birthday. This extremely intelligent boy has a great sense of humor, is loving, and wise beyond his years. Ian also battles the effects of Tourette's Syndrome, day in and day out. Even with this cross to bear, Ian has displayed extreme patience with his disorder and has been taught well by his parents how to deal with others who are not so understanding. For example, I've witnessed several occasions where Ian has explained to children and adults as well, that he has a neurological disorder called Tourette's Syndrome and that he can't do anything to stop his tics. In fact, my own children have had questions about certain tics that he has. I'm sure he has his moments when he gets frustrated with his disorder, but I personally feel like he does an amazing job of living with it. Although I would rather Ian not have to deal with Tourette's Syndrome at all, one of the blessings has been that it has taught my children and me about compassion and understanding.

"Sisters Will Be Sisters"

Jon and I would frequently take the kids for some one-on-one time with either of us. I haven't been able to do too much of this since Jon has been gone, but I've made it a priority before school starts. Last Saturday it was Anna's turn, Ella's day was Friday and Brennan is patiently waiting for his date. Ella was a trooper as we shopped for school clothes. Unlike me, she loves trying on clothes and that seemed to be the high point for her. At her request, we had a late lunch at Pearl Dynasty, a Chinese restaurant that Jon and I happened upon one late night, after seeing Pat Green at the rodeo. The sweet waiter at Pearl Dynasty, obviously thought Ella was adorable, which she is, and would wink at her occasionally. She didn't say anything to me about it, but she produced a smile a shy smile each time he winked.

The next morning I overheard this conversation...

E: Anna, you know, not the guy who sat us down, but the guy who brought us food at Pearl Dynasty? He winked a lot at me. I think he thought I was cute.

A: (pauses to think of a comeback worthy of her sassiness) It was probably just a tic.

Heaven forbid, as sisters, that we accidently lift each other up in our moments of feeling good about ourselves. Instead, we have to assure each other that instead of it being that we're so cute, it's got to be that there's something wrong with the guy. I'm a tad shocked at how my daughters are so young and have already learned this...how exactly?

Sweet Words

Click here to read a post from one of my dearest friends. She wrote a post that included some sweet words about Jon.