of late

Here I am becoming a godmother (the day before an obviously needed haircut).





















A few weeks ago our full* yard got mowed for the first time. I did it. The * is because we had this pile of tree limbs near our curb awaiting pick-up (which I guess the trash guy doesn't pick up, but we just left them there for a while, and I guess the city eventually picked them up), so instead of moving them out of the way, I just mowed around them. Thought you all might be interested in how classy I am. So not only is there a pile of limbs, there is tall grass all around and peeking through them. Then the city did pick them up, and there was a nice patch of tall grass there for a while. Our neighbors must love our yard care.

Last weekend Mark graduated from Pitt State! Yay Mark! Of course the whole family went down to celebrate with him. It was good times. His department or school or whatever it may be called was pretty amazing to their grads. First, they put on a whole breakfast for the grads and their families/guests. Then after the ceremony there was a reception for them and also they had a photographer to take pictures of the grads and any combinations of photos with their family members or whomever they wanted. Sweet!

I find myself exhausted at the end of this week. This was the final week for classes at Bethel, so I have been putting in a lot of Stats time. I finished my final project Monday and moved on to studying for the final, which was yesterday morning/afternoon. The final was fine but just long. During it I went to the bathrooom and sustained an injury (from the coat hook on the stall door) that drew blood. I thought it was pretty funny. Now the Stats weight has been lifted, and I am so glad. I have so many degrees of freedom now, haha. I was ridiculously excited just to rent a movie last night. Less so after I'd walked almost the entire store not finding something (I don't venture into new releases, so I was left with the rest). I watched a real winner -- Summer Catch with Freddie Prinze Jr. and Jessica Biel (woot 7th Heaven!). It was amazingly star studded. Perhaps kind of B-star studded, but star studded, nonetheless (<- that's for you, Emily).

**UPDATE** I did not realize I titled my post the same as your most recent one, Tine, until I just now looked at it. Weird.

how you know your hometown paper is classy

Just check out the headline on this one.





























I mean, the car was actually on fire!

instincts

So I was glad to find out this weekend that I might actually have some instincts for mothering more than just a cat. I was carrying Rhett from the tub to his changing table when he started to pee, hitting his towel and consequently me. I just tried to catch it in the towel and get him to his changing table as soon as possible. Whereas, had I been holding my cat and she had started to pee on me (she has never done anything even remotely like this)? I would have totally thrown her to the floor as fast as possible.

the last long weekend of the school year

It was a good, full one, but I mourn its passing.

Thursday after work and class, we met up with some friends and acquaintances for supper at Tacos Mexico. We had to rush off to church because we both had parts in the Maundy Thursday service. Afterward, we could not stay away from the precious new bundle, so we invited ourselves over to Dave and Shelley's.

Friday, I slept in, worked out, and spent the afternoon working on homework. In the evening, we went to a going away party for Kevin, Sandi, and Emma, who will be moving to Brazil for three(?) years. How incredible would it be to visit them?? Following the party, we went to Bruce & Pat's and checked out photo albums from years past (see previous post) and watched National Treasure 2. Back in town, we went for doughnuts at Druber's. It was apparently annoying middle schoolers night, so we definitely bought our doughnuts and left.

My Saturday started much the same as my Friday, except I threw a little yard work with Brian into the mix. It was very beautiful on Saturday, and it was satisfying to (finally) get the last of the leaves into the leaf compost and trim up some unruly bushes, trees, and vines. After the homework portion of Saturday, we went to a wedding reception, which had delicious food and free beer. It was fun to see pictures from the ceremony which took place in Hawaii.

We went to the Easter service Sunday morning (yay for seeing one modmate on Easter weekend!) and then to mom & dad's for Easter lunch. Mark and his gf were able to come too, which was so fun. Mom & dad made a yummy Thai chicken dish, there was delectable fresh fruit, and Brian and I brought Peanut Buster Parfait Pie we made for dessert. We chatted and played Zilch, and then it was off to Moundridge for Easter dinner, which was a more traditional -- and also very tasty -- spread of roast beef, so-good mashed potatoes, deviled eggs, homemade rolls, frog eye salad, and bohne berrogi. And more. The arrival of Dave, Shelley, and Rhett was a fun surprise because we thought they were unable to come. It was a good day to see lots of family!

he's comforted because he feels like he's being held by himself

It's official -- The baby pictures of Brian were brought out on Friday, and, oh my, nephew Rhett does indeed look very, very much like him as a newborn! It will be interesting to see if the likeness permeates time. And the title of this post is what Brian joked yesterday while holding him.

04.06.09 Rhett Hayden

Here's the little sweetie not yet 24 hours old. Look at how polite he is already with his hands folded and everything. A. Dor. Able.


















And here he is again on his second day out in the big wide world.

I was so excited to meet this little guy. He ended up being born at 2:15 Monday morning. I couldn't wait until after work for our first meeting, so I went on my lunch break and got to hold him before he was even 12 hours old. So cute! Definitely the youngest child I have ever held. I was smitten immediately. Apparently he looks a lot like Brian did as a babe (even though he is our nephew...just to clarify).

weekend

Friday, we had Dave and Shelley over for supper. It was also the first planned breaking-in of our dining room set. Good times, good food. I was kind of shocked to realize this is the first time we've had them over for a meal; I guess we just always go out when we get together for supper. Afterward, we watched the KU/Michigan State game that had a disappointing ending for our crowd. I also got to feel the baby move, which was a first for me! It's still about two weeks before the official due date, but I think it's kind of an "any time now" kind of thing. So exciting!

Saturday, I woke up to a lot of snow. I had been skeptical that we would get much, but there was quite a bit. I woke up at 8 and we had power then, but by the time I got out of bed, the power was off. And I started to get cold quickly. I bundled up and read in the living room. I was not much looking forward to spending the day freezing and not being able to open the refrigerator. Around 11am, maybe, it was back, and it felt so good. The rest of the day was spent watching The Office, reading, and working on taxes, which was an amazing head start for the likes of us.

On Sunday I skipped church and read for Stats instead. After Brian got home from church, we warmed up lunch, and then I went to the Wellness Center. Snow was melting quickly! In the evening we went to Brian's parents' for an amazing buffet of Mexican food and viewing of the movie Wall•E.

Ok, not the weekend, but yesterday I was pretty much dreading having to go back to class again, but at least I got to start it on a high note -- I got very good news on my Stats midterm! I was also able to very quickly finish my book club book and go to book club in the evening, which is always wonderful. The book is now highly recommended by me: The History of Love by Nicole Krauss. Read it.