Yeah, it sounded like a good idea...

Well, the countdown to Hilton Head begins. Well, it began a few days ago, I just got on board and realized we leave in 2 days and I'm still thinking I've got all the time in the world. Why is it that it takes more time to get ready to go on vacation than it does to enjoy vacation?!

Everyone is done with school as of today. Hannah and I dropped off Gerbera daisies and Strawgrass flowers to her teachers. Granted, we picked up all the supplies on the way to the school and were potting plants in the parking lot (oh the things I never thought I'd do). Hannah told me that she is going to miss seeing her teachers the most over the summer (which makes it a bit easier to let her go full day next year- an aside- is it really possible that she's able to be in Kindergarten?). She also said that she's going to miss Nathan (her little friend with Down's Syndrome that she loving looks after during the day). Luckily, Nathan has a brother in Zach's class and a brother E's age and we're scheduled for some play time here pretty soon.

Zach had field day today and I picked up a mini Flash (i love face paint- and arm paint, and leg paint). He tie dyed (one more thing for me to take care of before we leave- thanks!) and played and had a great time at Field Day at the school. He got his report card and got straight E's (which is like straight A's). He was very excited. He also got to meet the incoming 1st graders to his class. As he is in a Montessori environment, there are kids in 1,2 and 3 in his room. He will be in second grade next year and found out that one of his friends from Kindergarten, who is a year younger than him, will be in his class. He was so excited. He told me that the best part is that there are more boys than girls in the upcoming 1st grade class. Right now, the poor estrogen overloaded boy is stuck being the only 2nd grade boy in his class due to a series of random events. Hopefully, he'll pick up one or two more.

My friends from Albania are in town too trying to raise support, so as I've been trying to do all those things you are suppose to do to get ready for vacation, I've been getting the kids ready to be done with school and helping them out as much as I can. If you know of anyone who is interested in supporting overseas ministries, let me know. As there are few they can raise support from in Albania, they are truly in need of help from us. They are wonderfully committed people and I wish we had the money to just give them everything they need!

I suppose I've procrastinated enough and should go finish folding laundry, putting it away, getting it out to pack, making dinner, praying that E doesn't have an ear infection, etc... I know that while we are in Hilton Head, it will all be good, but right now... I could use a drink (of water of course! :) ).

Stop the Crazy Bus, I Wanna Get Off!

whew. It has been a really busy past few days and there doesn't seem to be an end in sight until we leave for Hilton Head. I don't know if that is good or bad. I'm still deciding.

We took Zach and Hannah to the Reds Game on Friday night to see the Indians get destroyed by the Reds. Zach was so excited and Hannah, well, Hannah made it to the Cotton Candy then crashed. She woke up in the 8th inning for the walk and the fireworks. Brian got tickets to the game on Saturday afternoon and after going to Zach's soccer game and a bridal shower, we kicked back with my dad and watched the Indians get destroyed by the Reds again. Brian was beyond frustrated. I won't even go there- the guys understand I suppose.

The kids have been in a funk the past week and just picking at each other and me and we're just tired of each other not being perfect (which creates all sorts of problems). They are crazy right now and I'm trying to keep it together. Yesterday was pretty rough and God just encouraged me with a verse from Isaiah that in essence says "I will sustain you and carry you" which is good because I feel like I weigh a ton and am tired of carrying myself around.

I've also started feeling overwhelmed by this whole getting ready for the baby thing. My friend Sarah is throwing a shower for me and I've been registering for stuff that we've given away or is just so old it is embarrassing to go out in public with. There is just so much stuff to choose from. It is overwhelming. The advantage of having done this 3 times before I know what we will actually use and what will not get any use other than a space collector. I found a stroller online for less than half of what it normally retails for and we bought that and it came today. The kids helped (if you can call it that) me put it together and then made a rocket out of the box.

I think the biggest challenge is the room situation. Brian's mom and stepdad and sister are coming down this weekend to help us strip wallpaper and patch walls and try to get a good start on what will be the girls' room, but I just don't see how this is all going to work. It stresses me out and then I just decide I'll worry about it later and eat some sorbet.

Well, I'm going to watch the end of American Idol. I'm a sucker, I know.

Just another day in the life of a Kershner

Sorry, I haven't posted pics of Zach's modern artwork of the lawn, nor have I posted anything new. I've been pondering the meaning of life... no, I just haven't had much to say. It has actually been quite nice not to have any crazy nor funny things to post. Sometimes quiet is just good.

Today, however, was one of those days that seemed to make me wish I could have spread it throughout the week last week. It started when I was summoned to make to PTO budget for next year as the governing money people were handing out money tonight and needed it like, yesterday. I am a letter person- not a number person. So, being me, I of course did it and tried to not forget something important.

Then the phones just stopped working. No dial tone, no nothing. After walking up and down the stairs like a million times and taking phone cords in and out of filters and jacks and phones and calling my husband- who is by the way suppose to know HOW TO FIX ANYTHING, had to leave to get Hannah. I am a task oriented type person and this just wasn't cool. So, after getting Hannah and realizing that because I had to use the morning to do the budget for PTO (which I am not even doing next year) and to try to fix the phone we had no food in the house because I couldn't go to the store; I took both girls to the store. I've not taken 2 kids to the store for a REALLY LONG TIME. I remember why now.

I'm not going to go into the details, but having 2 kids and being pregnant, not having to bag my own groceries would have been nice. By the time I took away the candy bars and the junk they tried to get into the bag home, I was ready for a drink.

Getting home, I had to unload the van, get lunch and still fix the blasted phone. By the time that was done, I got to pack the girls back into the van and drive back to the school to go get Zach. I hate the van some days.

Kids are good, Brian and I are here, life isn' t that bad. Hopefully nothing too exciting to report later!

Breaking Child Labor Laws?

As Brian and I were getting ready to do some work outside today, Zach announced to us that he was ready and wanted to cut the grass. He's only 7. I'm sure we're either going to have children's services called on us or else no one will ever let their kid come to our house again- because we let him. One of us stood/sat and watched as he powered his way through it. God bless him, he did it. Granted, the first attempt was full of places that needed to be 'helped'- but Z wouldn't let us help- HE FIXED IT HIMSELF. So, I just sat and watched. Once I find the cord for the computer, I'll download pics of Zach owning the lawnmower.