27 weeks and a MASTER!

Ok, so I have been counting up the weeks since the very beginning of this pregnancy, however it maskes it seem so much more real if you start to count down the weeks, only 13 more weeks!  (until my due date, that is!). 

We were in Harrisonburg, VA again this weekend for a few rather exciting events.  On Friday night my school division hosted the first ever Harrisonburg Education Foundation Gala.  It was a fundraising event for our school system and it was a wonderful success.  There was a band, live and silent auction, food, drinks, and lots of dancing!  Overall we raised a lot of money for the schools and it will be used to fund teacher requested grants for the next school year!

Also, my Masters graduation was on Sunday.  Mom, Gregg, Greggy, Dad and Ann all came down to help Joe, Millie and I to celebrate this special day.  It was a grueling road to finish this degree in the time that I did, but it was all worth it.  I'm not sure that I'm a "Master" of anything, but I have certainly expanded my knowledge and confidence as a teacher.  And if you ask me anything about the research of summer school, I would be glad to tell you all about it!  :)

Now that I'm back "home' in PA, it is nice to do laundry and actually put the suitcase away.  I have been back and forth for the last month that we have owned our new home but now I will be here to stay for awhile.  My next visit to VA will be the last week of May to help my students celebrate the end of the school year.  It is nice to settle in for a little and really work on making this a home.  Hopefully in the next few weeks we will get Millie's room painted and get everything ready for her. She continues to be an active little girl and is starting to respond more to touch and voices/noises.  We have our first visit with our new doctor on Wednesday, so hopefully it will be a good experience.  (I loved the center I was going to in VA.) 

Below are a few pictures from the weekend, but first is my favorite.  Dad making sure that everyone knows Millie was at graduation with us!

26 weeks and fat ankles!

Everyone said it would happen and you read it in all the books, but this week was officially my first week with swollen ankles.  GROSS!  Just at the time of year when you want to put on your capris and dresses and your favorite sandals.  No thanks, I will be keeping on the jeans and slippers!  They aren't that bad, but just a change that I thought I might be able to skip!  :)  (All the more reason to sit with my feet up!)

Well I'm officially back in PA and have finished my time at my job in VA.  It's hard to think that it's over and this isn't just another Spring Break.  I'm sure it will set in this week while I'm at home.  I had a wonderful last day with the students and co-workers, all of which will be hard to forget!  My two team mates have a permanent spot in a picture frame on my mantle. Knowing that we are such close friends has a strange way of making the leave a little easier.  I know I will be keeping in touch and seeing them again soon!  :) 

 Even as soon as this coming weekend... I am involved with our education foundation fundraiser this weekend and also have my Master's Graduation this weekend too.  There continues to be a ton of things going on and will be plenty to do to keep me busy until July.  Meanwhile, the belly continues to grow and I continue to "settle" into our new home and the fact that Baby Millie Raine will be here sooner than we know it!

24 Weeks... A camping we will go!

Well this baby thing is just flying by and I think it mostly has to do with the amount of other stuff going on in life right now.  Last week we got mostly settled in our new house which is wonderful.  Being so close to family is going to be such a blessing.  There are still a few things to get into place before "nesting" for real, but we are slowly preparing for Millie.  I bought her crib last week and we were able to get that together and put in her room and we picked out the paint color as well.  We have decided to do an owl theme in the nursery since she is named after my grandmother Mildred who is an avid owl collector!  I have slowly been picking up things as I see them that have owls or fit the colors (pink, green, and brown).

That is a work in progress, but for now it is on a two week hold while I am finishing up teaching in VA.  My amazing friend and co-worker Beth has taken me in for the two weeks, well into her camper. :)  It is like having my own apartment in her backyard.  A comfy bed, TV, Kitchen, ... what more could you want?  Besides the fact that the bathroom is in the house and I'm pregnant the living conditions are perfect.  I miss Joe and the dogs, but I know these two weeks are going to fly.  It is bittersweet to have to say goodbye to VA, this has been home to me for the last 10 years and where I have formed some amazing friendships. 

23 weeks and moving!

Well I'm back to reality and have internet hooked up at the new house now!  What did I ever do before having instant access to all my accounts, bills, friends, and social life?  Well the move to the new house was a successful one!  We were able to get all of our stuff crammed into the U-haul and the trip was uneventful!  We had tons of help here at the new house, I didn't have to lift a box!  Since then, Joe has been at work and I have been spending the days unpacking and organizing, oh yes, and of course SHOPPING! 

I have come to realize a few things...
- life without a fence is miserable
-watering a bigger lawn is a 2 day process
- ground hogs living in your rock wall are NOT COOL
- having a jet tub is like being at the spa, but when it doesn't turn off, you have a problem
- bigger windows need more windex
- washing dishes in a big sink can actually be fun
- dogs take longer to adapt than humans
- my daughter is going to have an awesome nursery 
- it is really nice having a master bedroom on the first floor