And right after this...she came....
Friday, January 28, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
AbbyJale
I Got a picture from a kid in my class that said,
"To Mrs. Klenke, Mr. Steve, and AbbyJale."
I love my kids.
Things I want to do before BK comes
2. Go to the apple orchard
3. Make a snow angel and try to make it look pregnant
4. Walk to school - I better get on this one.....
10.
11.
15.
18. Write for a military online magazine (It's written, I need to submit it)
19. And to end it all, I want to have a baby.....Then Steve can come home and celebrate with us!
Where are you from?
Today we had an information night for Kindergarten Parents. At our school, parents have the decision after kindergarten to choose the French Immersion Program (kids are taught in French 1/2 the day) or the Traditional program. I teach on the traditional side because I don't speak French.
Now, to give you some background on my team...I am really the only one without an accent. Simon is from the UK, Valerie is from Canada (and sounds like a French Canadian) and Suzanne is from Canada. She doesn't have that strong of an accent, but they are all from a different country. I am the only one on the team who is an American, and I am the only one who can vote.
So, after the meeting a parent comes up to us and looks at me. I figure she is going to ask me, "When is your baby due? Are you coming back to teach here next year? etc." You know, things that many kindergarten parents have on their mind.
She doesn't ask that, she asks, "Where are you from?" I wanted to respond, "America" because of all the years I have been teaching at AIES I have NEVER been asked where I was from...People usually ask Simon and Valerie where they are from...Not me.
I told her, "Michigan" and she said, "You have an accent just like my friend from Chicago!" So, I guess my roots still are in Michigan and even though I haven't lived there for several years, people can still tell where I am from :)
Now, to give you some background on my team...I am really the only one without an accent. Simon is from the UK, Valerie is from Canada (and sounds like a French Canadian) and Suzanne is from Canada. She doesn't have that strong of an accent, but they are all from a different country. I am the only one on the team who is an American, and I am the only one who can vote.
So, after the meeting a parent comes up to us and looks at me. I figure she is going to ask me, "When is your baby due? Are you coming back to teach here next year? etc." You know, things that many kindergarten parents have on their mind.
She doesn't ask that, she asks, "Where are you from?" I wanted to respond, "America" because of all the years I have been teaching at AIES I have NEVER been asked where I was from...People usually ask Simon and Valerie where they are from...Not me.
I told her, "Michigan" and she said, "You have an accent just like my friend from Chicago!" So, I guess my roots still are in Michigan and even though I haven't lived there for several years, people can still tell where I am from :)
Monday, January 24, 2011
Friday, January 14, 2011
The good and the bad
Things I like about being pregnant:
1. The fun attention I get (like when I walk into the dentist and they say, "Oh! You are the pregnant one!" and they are super gentle when cleaning my teeth so that my gums don't bleed)
2. People saying my belly looks cute (That only happens when you are pregnant or under the age of two).
3. Maternity pants....(I mean, who wouldn't want a pair of pants that stretches with your stomach?)
4. The advice and stories I get. Some are not my favorite, but some are hilarious.
5. The way my kids look at me and hug me...Kind of like they are a little scared of what is going on inside of me
6. The fact that their are at least 4 different teachers at school who have brought me meals...That is pretty amazing
7. The "nesting" instinct. I love cleaning and organizing.
8. The fact that people stop for me when driving because they see that "poor pregnant lady" walking across the street.
9. Great hair and nails
10. And the biggest reason I LOVE being pregnant is creating this baby inside of me...I LOVE carrying her, I LOVE it that she is being created in me. I feel so blessed.
Things that are not so fun:
1. It is hard to get socks on/bend over in general
2. My back is always a little sore
3. Gas...Sorry for those of you who are grossed out by this...
4. The fact that somehow she has to come out....And that is not something that thrills me...Don't get me wrong, I want to meet her, but am not excited about the process.
1. The fun attention I get (like when I walk into the dentist and they say, "Oh! You are the pregnant one!" and they are super gentle when cleaning my teeth so that my gums don't bleed)
2. People saying my belly looks cute (That only happens when you are pregnant or under the age of two).
3. Maternity pants....(I mean, who wouldn't want a pair of pants that stretches with your stomach?)
4. The advice and stories I get. Some are not my favorite, but some are hilarious.
5. The way my kids look at me and hug me...Kind of like they are a little scared of what is going on inside of me
6. The fact that their are at least 4 different teachers at school who have brought me meals...That is pretty amazing
7. The "nesting" instinct. I love cleaning and organizing.
8. The fact that people stop for me when driving because they see that "poor pregnant lady" walking across the street.
9. Great hair and nails
10. And the biggest reason I LOVE being pregnant is creating this baby inside of me...I LOVE carrying her, I LOVE it that she is being created in me. I feel so blessed.
Things that are not so fun:
1. It is hard to get socks on/bend over in general
2. My back is always a little sore
3. Gas...Sorry for those of you who are grossed out by this...
4. The fact that somehow she has to come out....And that is not something that thrills me...Don't get me wrong, I want to meet her, but am not excited about the process.
Christmas
Trying to get pictures with the girls is hard! These ones are for our "I Love Nana" frame....
Picture 1: Elli about to run....
Picture 2: Sam looking like a stud.
3. Sam runs away, Elli is not thrilled about standing in one place...
4. Now Beaners is about to run...Sam is not into it.
5. As good as it is going to get, Sam, Abby, and Elli
Happy 60th Birthday Mom! For mom's birthday we took her out to Maggiano's and met up with her sisters for dinner. She was completely surprised!
The chef even came out to meet us. He had camo pants on...I'm not lying.
We left with at least 5 full bags of leftovers. That is pretty impressive....Our family eats a LOT and there were STILL leftovers.
Here we all are! Full and happy! Love you mom!
Christmas Eve at the Bucks. Last year we started a white elephant gift exchange and one of the amazing gifts was a decorated plunger made by my mom...Well, paybacks were due and she got it this year! However, Michael entered the "grown up" gift exchange this year and decided to steal the magical plunger and take it back to MSU. I have a feeling he will have many stories of what happens to that plunger while in school....
Our family Christmas....
The Figit Sleepover....We took the girls to Chuck e Cheese. It was a blast and only cost $5! Bonus!
This picture makes me laugh because I think Jen is trying to explain something to Amber (explain to her that there are some games at Chuck e Cheese that are "coin wasters" which means that you put your coin in, watch it go down and then say, "wow, that was fun...I just wasted a coin") and Amber thinks she is being ridiculous.
Sarah cheering on Amber and Jen while they are playing basketball.
Look at these beautiful girls!
We locked the girls up in the jungle gym.....Haha!
It was nice to be with family.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Looking forward to.....
Mom coming in January
Jen coming in February
Abby coming in February
Midge and Paul coming in March
Steve coming home in March
Andy coming in April
Wow! I can't wait for the next four months!
Monday, January 3, 2011
For Stevo
Love you Stevo!
I found this song on another blog (she posted about her husband using this song)....But it made me smile...and think of my hub!
JUST THE WAY YOU ARE
Keith Macpherson/ Renee Lamoureux
Keith Macpherson/ Renee Lamoureux
I like the way that you look at me
Your smile turns me into a fool
At work, I'll look at your picture honey
One glance elevating the mood
So don't you change for me
Your smile turns me into a fool
At work, I'll look at your picture honey
One glance elevating the mood
So don't you change for me
I like the way that you compliment me
We're so easily amused
When I'm a clown, you'll always laugh at me
No matter how bad a joke I use
We're so easily amused
When I'm a clown, you'll always laugh at me
No matter how bad a joke I use
Everyday you want to live for me
Everyday you want to give to me
We've got an understanding what will be
So don't you change for me
Everyday you want to give to me
We've got an understanding what will be
So don't you change for me
What we've got is complex
It's so real and honest
You're perfect
You're flawless
So don't you change (2x)
It's so real and honest
You're perfect
You're flawless
So don't you change (2x)
I like the way that you look at me
I like the way that you compliment me
I like you just the way you are
I like the way that you compliment me
I like you just the way you are
Saturday, January 1, 2011
My Baby Gus
It was a hard season this Christmas. I am thrilled about all the time I got to spend with my family, seeing my sweet baby nieces (they are not so much babies anymore), spending time with my mom and dad, celebrating my mom's 60th birthday with a surprise, having a shower for baby Abby, seeing extended family I haven't seen in a long time...The list goes on and on.
However, it was hard.
If you have been to our house, you have met our crazy dog, Gus. Gus Grissom. He is a wild little guy with tons of energy and all he wants to do is play, get on your lap, and eat quesadillas. While in Michigan I had to make the decision to put him down and it was by far one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make. If you have ever had a pet you love, you know exactly what I am talking about. That little guy was my company, he sat with me when I cried, he jumped in my arms when I was happy, he went on walks with me....He was my baby. I know I will soon have a real baby and my mindset will change, but I loved that dog and still do.
While I was in Michigan, out of nowhere, Gus ruptured a disk in his back making him paralyzed from the waist down. There is no known cause for this and it came on rather quickly. I don't want to go into all the details here...That is the sad part, and I would like to focus on his happy life.
Over the next 6 days he took a turn for the worse. He lost all bowel control, still had no feeling in his legs, and the steroids he was on to reduce the inflammation in his back started making him sick. He was in the best of care. He had someone with him 24 hours a day, even at night they slept by his side. I am so thankful that for his last couple days here, he was taken care of like a king. He had his linens changed in his bed several times a day (because he couldn't control his bowel movements), he got to be fed several times a day, he was taken outside and helped up so he could walk with his front legs, he got to smell all the cool smells around the yard, he was bathed and washed several times a day, and the list goes on and on. He was taken care of and given everything he needed.
The hardest part was when I was talking to the vet and she told me, "Carey, it's time...He isn't showing signs of improvement and chances are he won't be able to walk on his back legs again." I cried for a long time. No one wants to hear that about their pet.
The decision I had to make was hard...Put him down before I came home or wait two days and do it when I came home. My friends did it for me. They took him to the vet, made sure he was loved and cared for, and gently watched him be put to sleep. I am so thankful that they were willing to take that on for me. In the emotional state I am in right now, there is no way I could have walked through that process.
Coming home after being in Michigan was awfully hard. I found myself driving slow on the road just so I wouldn't have to pull in the garage...I just didn't want to walk into the empty kitchen when I was used to walking into a dog ready to jump into my arms for some cuddles.
Some things I will miss about Gus:
1. Him laying down on the kitchen floor shaking uncontrollably waiting for me to pet him when I walk in from work.
2. Him eating the food I drop when I am cooking
3. Crawling into bed at night with his crate next to me
4. Him sitting on my lap or right behind me EVERY time I sit at our computer desk
5. Talking to him during dinner
6. Watching him run outside determined to catch the birds at the bird feeder
7. Dressing him up in "dog clothes" and putting him in all of Abby's stuff
8. The way he sniffs my leg when I have been around another dog saying, "What? You betrayed me today!"
9. Going on walks
10. Having him as a companion when I went to get the newspaper, mail, take out the trash, etc.
11. Playing hide and go seek with him in the house.
The list goes on and on, that puppy was my companion...The house is lonely without him. I know it will soon be bustling with the excitement of my mom, baby Abby and Steve, but it's hard being here right now.
In the midst of all this sadness (I know, I am rambling about this dog, but I loved him....) there are several things I am really grateful for:
1. The care he received while I was gone was incredible, I couldn't have asked for or even thought of a better way to take care of him.
2. Friends that came to clean up all his stuff in the house so I wouldn't have to do it on my own. There were several things that I forgot about....Like his bell at the back door. We didn't train Gus very well, however, one thing he knew how to do was ring the bell at the back door to go out. He didn't have accidents in the house, he just sat there by that door ringing his little bell....
3. Friends who took care of his vet bill...
4. Being by my family and having them all support me and talk me through this. Even Russ, my brother who doesn't like dogs, walked through this with me and listened to me cry several times about Gus.
I have so much to be thankful for and I am just thrilled I have friends and family that care for me like they do.
Here are some of my favorite pictures of Gus:
However, it was hard.
If you have been to our house, you have met our crazy dog, Gus. Gus Grissom. He is a wild little guy with tons of energy and all he wants to do is play, get on your lap, and eat quesadillas. While in Michigan I had to make the decision to put him down and it was by far one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make. If you have ever had a pet you love, you know exactly what I am talking about. That little guy was my company, he sat with me when I cried, he jumped in my arms when I was happy, he went on walks with me....He was my baby. I know I will soon have a real baby and my mindset will change, but I loved that dog and still do.
While I was in Michigan, out of nowhere, Gus ruptured a disk in his back making him paralyzed from the waist down. There is no known cause for this and it came on rather quickly. I don't want to go into all the details here...That is the sad part, and I would like to focus on his happy life.
Over the next 6 days he took a turn for the worse. He lost all bowel control, still had no feeling in his legs, and the steroids he was on to reduce the inflammation in his back started making him sick. He was in the best of care. He had someone with him 24 hours a day, even at night they slept by his side. I am so thankful that for his last couple days here, he was taken care of like a king. He had his linens changed in his bed several times a day (because he couldn't control his bowel movements), he got to be fed several times a day, he was taken outside and helped up so he could walk with his front legs, he got to smell all the cool smells around the yard, he was bathed and washed several times a day, and the list goes on and on. He was taken care of and given everything he needed.
The hardest part was when I was talking to the vet and she told me, "Carey, it's time...He isn't showing signs of improvement and chances are he won't be able to walk on his back legs again." I cried for a long time. No one wants to hear that about their pet.
The decision I had to make was hard...Put him down before I came home or wait two days and do it when I came home. My friends did it for me. They took him to the vet, made sure he was loved and cared for, and gently watched him be put to sleep. I am so thankful that they were willing to take that on for me. In the emotional state I am in right now, there is no way I could have walked through that process.
Coming home after being in Michigan was awfully hard. I found myself driving slow on the road just so I wouldn't have to pull in the garage...I just didn't want to walk into the empty kitchen when I was used to walking into a dog ready to jump into my arms for some cuddles.
Some things I will miss about Gus:
1. Him laying down on the kitchen floor shaking uncontrollably waiting for me to pet him when I walk in from work.
2. Him eating the food I drop when I am cooking
3. Crawling into bed at night with his crate next to me
4. Him sitting on my lap or right behind me EVERY time I sit at our computer desk
5. Talking to him during dinner
6. Watching him run outside determined to catch the birds at the bird feeder
7. Dressing him up in "dog clothes" and putting him in all of Abby's stuff
8. The way he sniffs my leg when I have been around another dog saying, "What? You betrayed me today!"
9. Going on walks
10. Having him as a companion when I went to get the newspaper, mail, take out the trash, etc.
11. Playing hide and go seek with him in the house.
The list goes on and on, that puppy was my companion...The house is lonely without him. I know it will soon be bustling with the excitement of my mom, baby Abby and Steve, but it's hard being here right now.
In the midst of all this sadness (I know, I am rambling about this dog, but I loved him....) there are several things I am really grateful for:
1. The care he received while I was gone was incredible, I couldn't have asked for or even thought of a better way to take care of him.
2. Friends that came to clean up all his stuff in the house so I wouldn't have to do it on my own. There were several things that I forgot about....Like his bell at the back door. We didn't train Gus very well, however, one thing he knew how to do was ring the bell at the back door to go out. He didn't have accidents in the house, he just sat there by that door ringing his little bell....
3. Friends who took care of his vet bill...
4. Being by my family and having them all support me and talk me through this. Even Russ, my brother who doesn't like dogs, walked through this with me and listened to me cry several times about Gus.
I have so much to be thankful for and I am just thrilled I have friends and family that care for me like they do.
Here are some of my favorite pictures of Gus:
Movie night in our backyard...It was cold outside so Gus had to cuddle under our blanket.
Notice: Our dog is begging under the table...Figures.
Just after a regular day...He always climbed in his crate at about 8:30 pm and I would have to drag him out right before I went to bed to take him to the bathroom.
Exploring while we were camping...He hated going in the water...
I tortured him with the baby stuff...This is after I put together the stroller.
Another cold night while camping with our favorite K group friends....I had to bundle him up to keep him warm because he was shivering.
Some people call this cruel...we call it exercise! He was always exhausted after those roller-blading trips!
One of his last pictures. Thanks Mary!
I will miss you Puppy Dup!
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