LOVIN' My New Job!

Well, I'm a month into my stay-at-home gig and I'm loving it! It is such a JOY to be spending lots of quality time with Miss N. She is such a hoot these days...so much fun! We've set a monetary goal for me to earn annually for me to continue to stay at home with Natalie and baby boy Green. I'm thinking that most of that money will come from Art Venture, but maybe some crafting and babysitting too. I'm open to money-makin' ideas, so let me know if you have any thoughts for me! God's grace completely covered my stint as a full-time 'working mom' and I don't feel at all guilty when I look back on it....however, I REALLY desire to be home, especially now that I've tasted this new situation and love it so much! Help me in praying for open doors in however God wants to provide for us Greens! :) 

I'm starting to really feel big prego-wise...we're 30 weeks on Thursday. Fatigue and  heartburn...but overall, feeling great and getting so excited to meet our precious babe! (By the way, we aren't keeping the name a secret, but I don't want to announce it on the blog or on Facebook until he's born. So if you're dying to know (and don't know already)...you'll have to call me!)

Natalie loves to get fancy!

Playing outside in February?! Who would have thought? :) 

LOVE this girl!

Natalie loves to play 'sticks'...best toys ever!

 A few weeks ago, Natalie and I took a day-trip to New Albany, IN (where I grew up). Here we are visiting 'Grandma Bonnie'.

Back to the Blog!

Okay, first of all...I never promised I'd be very consistent at blogging! There's been quite a gap since the last time I posted, and I'll just blame that on first trimester tiredness and being a 'working mom'. Wow, it's hard to believe that my semester at Greenfield Central Jr. High is over. There were many bright spots and moments where I thought, "wow, I really like this age group!", but unfortunately there were several kids that were just plain mean. I hoped to develop 'thicker skin' as the semester went on, but it was difficult. It was affirmed to me that I'm a great elementary art teacher....as for junior high, let's just say I'm glad I survived! :) 

So when Wes returned to work after Christmas break, that marked the start of my new job as a stay-at-home mommy! I am hoping to also start my art teaching business which I know I've mentioned on the blog before. Unfortunately, I haven't got a lot of response for my upcoming spring classes, but I plan to fully launch things this summer. The goal would be to get Art Venture (that's my business name) up to a part-time teaching gig where I can earn a certain amount of money to make it possible for me to stay home (and out of the public school system!)  Here's my website...check it out if you haven't already: Art Venture 

So far I have LOVED staying home with Natalie and thank God for this opportunity! She is at such a fun stage!!! And luckily she's a wonderful afternoon napper, so I have a few hours each day to be productive- or sometimes indulge in a nap myself. Those of you who know me well, wouldn't be surprised that I've made up a form that I fill out for the week, like a lesson plan where I keep track of household chores, activities to do with Natalie, and to-do list type of stuff. That's been helpful. :) Of course when the baby comes, I expect to throw all my structure aside and enter survival mode! ha ha

Other tid-bits into my life/updates:

-Wes' title changed at Habitat, he's now the Construction Manager!!! :) Not a pay increase, but it is a great position and he is going to ROCK at it! :)

-I'm currently reading: Desiring God by John Piper and The Ministry of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson

-On my to-to list: Must finish Natalie baby book! :)

-I'm loving Pinterest! It's a artsy person's dream come true...I'm finding tons of great craft ideas and activities to do with Natalie.

Okay, now for the Natalie pictures....that's why you check this blog anyway right?! By the way, if you skipped all of what I just wrote to see Miss Cutie, shame on you! :)

My current crafty obsession: Crochet hats! Of course Natalie's baby must not be left out!

Natalie seems to love art already, makes Mama happy!

Natalie got to hang out with Auntie Bonnie on Christmas Eve!

Great Grandpa made Natalie a rocking horse!

http://youtu.be/lhyeRHL3qVg

Click on this link to see Natalie riding her horse and telling Grandpa "Thank You"

Christmas morning

3 pics above are from the DuPage Children's museum

We were all sick one day during Christmas break...Natalie flopped on the couch all day.

IT'S A BOY!!! Okay, this is old news....but we're just as excited as ever! Baby Green is due to arrive April 19th...so just 3 months left until we're a family of four!

Last thing, I just want to THANK GOD for everything that's been mentioned and photo-ed in this blog post and MORE. We are so undeserving, but have been so blessed. I'm not sure what even to say. THANK YOU JESUS!!! YOU ARE SO GOOD!

A Serious Update Needed! :)

One of the highlights of this year was my trip out to Oregon to surprise my dear friend Kristin Williames!!! Kristin and I became close friends in our high school youth group. Although we live far apart, God has preserved and even strengthened our friendship over the years. I had been scheming with Kristen's mom and hubby about this trip for an entire year...and August finally came around! Natalie and I traveled across the country and had the most wonderful visit with Kristin and her family. We pulled off the surprise element too which was a lot of fun! Natalie fit right in with the gaggle of girls: Kristin & Matt have Iris (3), Mae (2), and Ellie (9 mo.) plus two nieces and a nephew, it was one continuous play date! So much fun!

 Are you sure this is the year we're turning 30?! Time Flies!

 Natalie, Iris, and Mae

One of the blessings of the trip was spending time with Kristin's grandparents, Iris and Dale Bull, such a wonderful Godly couple. Here's Grandma Iris lovin' on her girlies. (She just took Natalie in as one of her own, so sweet.)

Did I mention that Oregon is gorgeous?! Wow!

Natalie and Iris (The two extroverts in the bunch)

Kristin and Iris

We stayed at 'Uncle Dick' and 'Auntie Becky's', another incredible couple. They were so hospitable and kind! Here's the view from their back yard!

Here's the backseat gang, stuffed in the back of Matt and Kristin's van! 

There was an unexpected twist in the road while I was out there...I got a call offering me a one-semester position at Greenfield-Central Jr. High School (7th and 8th grade art). (This was my first interview that I had back in May.) It really threw me for a loop, let me tell you! I had 24 hrs. to decide which was hard considering I was in a different time zone, away from Wes, with spotty cell reception! I ended up accepting the position after much wrestling, discussion, and prayer. 

Wes sent flowers to me in Oregon in celebration of the job offer.

Because of the dates of my trip, I missed the teacher work day and the new teacher orientation. My first day was to be the first day for students. This really required me to trust God big time, I am NOT a 'fly by the seat of your pants' kind of girl! Once the decision was made, I was able to enjoy the rest of my trip. I got into my classroom the weekend I got home and started school that Monday. I hit the ground running! I now I five weeks of school behind me. Wow, it has been such a whirlwind! I definitely miss Fortville Elementary, but I'm thankful for the experience and for the money! :) It is actually working out perfect that this is just a one semester position, because I can look forward to spending lots of time with Natalie in the spring. Plus, we have a big event to prepare for in April... (see picture below!)

Yea! We're due April 19th! 

Miles Family Vacation

We had a wonderful time with our family in South Haven, MI. Here are some photos of our vacation...

 World's best brothers!

 Natalie loved the beach!

 Our little Snickerdoodle! (Completely coated in sand!)

Sisters :)  We took a walk out to the lighthouse, just us girls. Love them!

Natalie with her Miles cousins (Peter, John, and James)

Papa Miles with his little girl (Even though I still officially claim that title)

Here's Natalie getting into the suitcase as I'm trying to unpack...she misses everyone already, she wants to go back!

July

First of all, I hope no one has been losing sleep over my broken beloved rollerblade...because my handy husband came to my rescue and fixed it! :) Yea! We were able to get a few more 'rolls' in before the heat wave arrived.

The summer has gone by fast...it's been a lot of fun. We leave tomorrow on our Miles family vacation to South Haven, MI. We are really looking forward to that! My job drama has continued. I'll spare you the details because it's complicated and within a week I should finally know what I'm doing in the fall. It's been a journey in patience and daily trusting the Lord, let me tell ya! ahhh! Here are some pictures from July....

This is Natalie's BFF Max! They are so fun to watch play together! :)

Playing in the pool with cousin Gracie

 A sweet reunion with MY 3rd grade BFF! Christina's baby Ruben is sooooo cute!

Another wonderful weekend getaway at our favorite B&B (Wes' Grandparents' house in Upland)

July 4th with the Kraftsons

What a cutie!

Loves to climb in things! :)

I know this pic is fuzzy, but I had to show off my little apron I made Natalie! 

A Dream Actualized

 For a long time I've wanted to rollerblade with Natalie. We had tried it about a year ago with our regular stroller, but it didn't work at all! The front wheels went crazy and it was obvious from the first few feet that rollerblading could not be done this way.  :(  So I starting pining way for a jogging stroller to make it possible. Months of searching on CraigsList for the perfect one...and finally Wednesday night we got it and went on our 'dream roll'! It was fun to see Natalie's feathery hair blowing constantly in the breeze. To brought back memories of our dating years at Taylor too! :)

I'm sorry to report that our 'dream roll' ended on a sad note, one of my rollerblades broke! Wes kindly reminded me that I had had my rollerblades since I was 17 years old! (Yes, my beloved blades are about 13 years old!) Ahhhh! Now Natalie's set with her rollin' wheels and I'll have to find a way to fix or replace mine!