Rounding Third and Heading Home

Wow. It seems to have been a whirlwind of a weekend. Brian's dad came down for a visit and the kids were SO EXCITED to spend time with him. Friday, I finished painting the girls room and we did a quick shopping trip for curtains, rugs and other things for the rooms. We've been busy! The rooms are almost done- a few things to hang on the walls and a few places to touch up and cosmetically, they are finished. Now, I still have the closet to attack and maternity clothing to send to the wonderful people who lent them to me! There also seems to be a large amount of toys that the kiddos don't play with that I'm trying to figure out how to get out of the house without permanently damaging my kids' psyche.

Saturday, Brian surprised his dad and Zach by taking them down to Great American Ballpark for a Season Ticketholder's Special. They got breakfast and Brian's dad got to take 5 pitches ON THE FIELD and was up on the jumbo screen. Dan's dad played ball in Philly back in the day and it was really meaningful to Dan. Brian got to do batting practice inside and Zach got to throw some pitches and do some other fun stuff. They had a lot of fun and really enjoyed the morning together. Brian forgot the camera and so we need to wait for Dan to send them to Brian this week.

The BMV has been an interesting experience. We are still trying to get the title work straightened out and all the proper paper work signed and notarized in order to get the plates and have the car be ours.

So, all in all, it seems like we've got a lot that isn't complete, but is close. We're rounding third and heading home. Being a task oriented person, this would drive me insane and I'd not have any peace and would be so uptight that I wouldn't be able to relax, but I've been surprised how much I've been able to give up and just take a deep breath in and just allow it to get done when it gets done- even if it isn't in my timing. Funny how God teaches us lessons and then shows us how we've grown (or haven't).

Moving without boxes

Well, for the past week, we've been moving rooms, painting, creating chaos (as if we don't have enough in our house already) and in general, staying up way too late and waking up way too early.

We got our bedroom furniture moved into the old nursery and we've painted Zach's room and for the most part have moved him in. We're waiting for all the cool Cleveland stuff we bought for his room to decorate it with. His favorite is the Cleveland Browns Helmet Fathead we bought him for his wall. Hopefully in the early part of next week, we'll be completely finished with his room. I think he likes it and he's been a good sport about letting the girls bunk with him while we paint their room- who am I kidding, while Brian paints their room.

All the furniture for the girls is in the middle of the floor with tarps all over it. I should have thought about clothing before I moved and tarped and taped it all up. Hhhmmm.... that would have been good. Anywho... we've got one closet (the girls) to clean out and then we've got about 4 boxes to move out of our room into their closet and we'll be finished! Hopefully, we'll be done by Friday. We'll see. We'll post pics once all the rooms are somewhat presentable.

Brian starts back to school tonight and while I'm not so happy about it, it is a necessary evil for him to get finished (which we have decided will be in March instead of December so Brian can take only one class a quarter as opposed to two at a time. While this isn't my favorite decision, I see the wisdom of it and am willing to do it).

Tomorrow we get to pick up the Pilot we decided on. We are really excited about it. We were looking for just another Accord, but after learning that the insurance was $1 different and after finding an incredible deal on a 2004 Pilot with towing package AND bike rack (YEAH!!!)AND after calling on 4 different Accords and having each one tell us that it had just been sold or traded in we started to think, huh, maybe we are being given an okay to get the Pilot. So we did! We're very excited that we can get the whole family in it and if necessary, we can also get a set of Grandparents in there with us. What a blessing.

Well, I need to go back to cleaning and keeping the chaos under control (or at least giving the impression that the chaos is under control). Post more later!

Nature Hikes, Cub Scout Camp, Painting, car buying, oh my!

We took a little nature hike on Sunday, here are some pics. It was quite good, actually. It was a mile and a half and Elizabeth did at least 78% of it herself. There was a place towards the end where they hopped down into the creek and threw rocks. At one point Hannah slid across the mud on the rocks and how she didn't fall neither of us knows- but she caught her balance and made sure to tell us that she was okay!

This week Zach spent the week at Cub Scout camp where he got to do crafts, learn boy things, like knots, folding flags,etc... and don't forget about the fishing, shooting off arrows and the BB guns. Today was the last day and they had a special thing for the BB gun range and each boy was given 5 shots and if they all got on the target and added up to 35 points, they would be eligible for a junior US shooting badge or something. Well, Zach has 3 bulls eyes, a fourth was right on the line, so they gave him 9 points and an 8 pointer. He had 47 out of 50 points! I was really impressed! Yes, he is now asking for a BB gun and so is my dad- we've told them both NO!!!! (plus Brian and I deserve to give the cool gifts from time to time- we are the parents are we not?)

We are still in the throes of painting and prepping. As I am typing away, Brian is up sanding and cleaning up dry wall so he can paint trim. We moved all the furniture around and now Zach's old room looks like a storage closet. We moved our furniture into Elizabeth's old room (she is QUITE confused why our bed is in her room) and it is chaos up there. The sooner this is done, the better!

We also found a car. We were looking to buy another accord and we found a Honda Pilot that a family is selling as they are moving out of the country in a few days. While it was a little more than what we originally wanted to spend, we decided to take a look and sleep on it. WELL, that was on Saturday. On Sunday, we still had no direction as to what to do, so we decided to call on a few more accords and call the insurance and maybe look at it one more time and go from there. Interestingly enough, the insurance is $1.00 more than the Accord. Then, I started to call about the Accords. Each one of the 3 had just been sold or traded. It started to feel a bit more than odd. We went and looked at the Pilot again and they had gotten an offer that day but didn't take it because the guy was going to just sell it to make money. So, we told them we'd buy it. They leave on Saturday, we didn't have the heart to take away their car until they were a little closer to the move, so we close the deal Wednesday/Thursday of next week. Can I tell you how excited we both are. When we went to buy the van, I really wanted a Pilot, but they were still so new that they were out of our budget, so I had to skip it. Funny how things happen!

Well, once we get the rooms all situated and clothes moved in and furniture as well, we'll post pics.

The Week in Review

Wow. What a full week we've just been through!
-We managed to get a more than fair settlement from the insurance company for the Accord. The cops called Brian on Friday to let him know that they had not only found the owner of the vehicle (and she has insurance!!!) but they also found the driver and cited her. Hopefully, this will mean we'll be more likely to get our deductible back. That would be great!

-We started the wonderful world of car shopping. I'll be glad when that is over.

- Hannah spent her mornings this past week at Nature Camp. Her favorite things were making lady bug cookies during Red Day and getting to pet and play with the box turtle.

- Zach spent the week at Zoo Camp! His favorite part was getting to see the Red Tail Hawk. He didn't like the lorikeets so much, as one of them mistook his finger for a branch and nibbled on it- drawing blood. He got a certificate naming him the "Most Adventurous Camper".

- I chased after everyone and spent a good portion of the week spending time with Sabina, Dori, Andrea and Borah. (Sabina is my friend from Albania) We had some really good talks this week and they were very encouraging.

-Thank you to Sarah and Janet for throwing me a wonderful and relaxing baby shower yesterday. I had a great time and it meant a lot to me.

- I FINALLY GOT ALL THE WALLPAPER OFF THE WALLS IN THE BEDROOM!!!! Now, it looks like a rehab project I use to work on in highschool. Nothing like living in a bit of chaos.

I'll post pics of the room in a few days and I'll post after pics once we've got it done. Zach is very excited about fatheads. We're going to put a huge Brown's helmet on his room's wall. He is going for the Lebron, but I don't think a lifesize Lebron James Fathead is going to fit in the room. We'll see. Well, we're off to go on a hike and spend the rest of the day and dinner with my family at my Grandma's house. Should be fun!
BTW-
Happy Father's Day to all you dads.

When it rains...

So this morning, I dropped Zach off at Zoo Camp and guess what. SOMEONE HIT MY VAN AND DIDN'T BOTHER TO LEAVE A NOTE! WHAT IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE? Twice in 4 days. The only good thing was that the body shop got all the paint off and buffed it all out for free for me. There are a few scratches on the bumper, but it's plastic, so no biggie. But still, WHAT IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE?

The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

THE GOOD: So, the beach is still great. I have not been this relaxed in a long while. It has been really good for me to be away from all the things that I allow to distract me from just enjoying my kids. As you can see, they've had a blast as well. We've continued our animal hunt and have added a sea urchin, sand crabs (which Elizabeth was NOT too happy about), lizards and snakes. Dad and I took Zach and Hannah to an arcade down the street and Hannah was playing a game and literally hit the jackpot and like 250 tickets. She did the same thing last year. I'm taking her to buy some lottery tickets, so if you want in.... :)
Last night I just sat outside and looked at the stars- a real treat for us city folk. It is easy to forget what the nighttime sky really looks like and b/c Hilton Head has such strict laws about nighttime lighting, the stars really shine. It was beautiful. I am going to let the kids stay up late and take them out to look b/c I just amazes me that God can call each star out by name. It's sort of like in Isaiah where God is described as holding the mountains in his hands as well as the sand. It is immense and amazes me.

THE BAD:
I am not going to write too much about this right now b/c I'm still processing and I'm still wanting to get more information from B, but Brian was in a pretty bad car accident this morning and it is looking like the Accord is totaled. B is sore, but okay. The airbags deployed and he hit is head on the one (thank goodness he didn't break his nose or worse). The lady who was at fault and hit him... ran. Literally, ran away down the street and left the car just sitting there. Brian called the police and they are trying to find the person that did it, but reality... We'll blog more on this later.

THE UGLY:
I have to leave the beach tomorrow morning at 5:45am and endure a 12 hour van ride with my parents and 3 kids. Need I say more?

Life is a Beach!

Well, after a 12 hour van ride, we made it to Hilton Head Island South Carolina. It has been awesome! We have been having a great time hanging out as a family and relaxing and just enjoying one another. Brian had to leave this morning because of school and that wasn't my favorite, but we'll be okay. My mom and dad have been awesome and I've been able to relax and take a bit of a break.

We had our annual pirate night on Monday and the kiddos enjoyed dressing up and playing Pirate putt-putt. E was hilarious! She really liked the putt putt holes with tunnels and was horribly disappointed when we would get to one that didn't have one. At one point, she was so distraught, she just put her head down on a rock and cried.

We've had our National Geographic encounters while here. We've seen lots of jelly fish (yuck), dolphins (cool), sea stars and horse shoe crabs. Yesterday, some guy was trying to catch a stingray with a beach towel (i didn't say he was the most intelligent guy). Apparently we are here during sting ray mating season and I've heard of 3 people being stung by the things this week. What the kids don't know... (they'd never get in the ocean again!)

Here are a few photos to either make you jealous that we are here are you're not or thankful that we are here and you are not!

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!