Spring Break

Mom and Audrey in South Bend snuggle

I just returned from dropping my mom off at the airport. It has been a very nice Spring Break thus far for me. My mom arrived from Seattle on Friday. I had just enough time to bounce from school to home, get a quick snack and change Audrey, then zoom out to O'Hare International Airport to pick up mom.

It was truly a special moment when she first set her eyes upon her granddaughter for the first time. From that moment on there was rarely a word that came from mom's mouth that didn't involve a play-by-play on the movements and noises of Audrey.

Mom and Audrey playing around Wednesday morning

We headed to South Bend the next morning to attend the service for Kim's great uncle who passed a few days before. It has been a tough few weeks on the Flesher/Goheen sides of the family, but Audrey continues to be a shining star and a bright point on which everyone can focus during their times of difficulty. It is a blessing to see someone in tears walk by Audrey and then begin to laugh and smile because Audrey caught their eye and gave them a goofy grin.

Audrey being cute in her little green dress

We just spent Saturday and most of Sunday in South Bend. Mom and Dixie and Ann were the three muskateers and had many laughs. My mom just loves them and enjoyed every second of visiting the farm, talking gardening, and eating every available piece of Dixie's carrot cake!

The Ladies in my Life (From Left): Dixie, Kim, Me, Audrey, and Diane

Monday through Wednesday has been spend "chillaxing" around the house here in Illinois. Mom and Phoebe developed a very close relationship, as Phoebe became a trator and slept in mom's bed every night. We took trips to the hardware store and fabric store among other errands. My sister, Eden, made two knit coats and this awesome knit eggplant hat. I have taken several photographs and attached them here with Audrey in he new diggs. Also, Aunt Amy and Uncle Gary in Indy sent up a Cubs outfit just in time for the '09 season opener!

Go Cubs Go! Go Cubs Go! Hey Chicago, whadda' ya' say? The Cubs are gonna WIN today!

We ended the trip by driving into the city onto Devon Ave. in Chicago and enjoying a warm Indian lunch with Uncle Stuart. It was also Uncle Stuart's first encounter with Audrey, and he had her on his knee for almost the entire meal! Audrey managed to grab a little bryani rice!

Uncle Stuart gets to know his Great Niece over a nice Indian meal!

So, now we are home, blogging and listening to some blues and contemplating a quick walk of the dog befor the sun sets on this windy spring day.

Audrey sporting her new clothes made by her Awesome Aunt, Eden.

It was really a treat to introduce my mom to the first grandchild on her ENTIRE side of the family. One of the last things she said before entering the terminal was, "I just need to remember that I am only a plane ticket away." I liked that thought.


-a

A Sad Week

Kim's grandfather died this week. We drove to South Bend to be with family and try to help out in any way we could. It is difficult when someone dies. There is never an "answer" and the right words to say to others always seems to elude my tongue.

I am glad that Kim has had so many years to get to know her grandparents. While I have a handful of memories with my own Grandparents, I always have wished that I could have known them better. My life with Kim and her family has allowed me to spend more time with her Grandparents and appreciate more what previous generations have lived through. Growing-up in Alaska, my grandparents were in Seattle and Chicago and I usually saw them once a year. I remember looking forward to my trips to Chicago especially because it meant visiting the city and getting to ride the "L" and see the skyscrapers and maybe even take-in a Cubs game. And while I enjoyed visiting my Bubbie and Zadie, I didn't understand very well the importance of conversation and asking questions. I wish I could have heard my Grandfather tell me about his experiences in the War, or hear my Grandmother tell me her version of how they met. I vaguely recall them giving me pieces of advice to study hard and respect my parents, and I know they loved me very much, but I only have these snippets.

So, while it is painful to have lossed Kim's Grandfather, I am so thankful that she has had him in her life so long. I am grateful that Audrey has had a chance to meet her Great-Grandfather. I feel blessed that he treated me like one of his own grandchildren from the day he met me.

Here are some more pictures of Audrey on her 6 month birthday! She's being held by Grandma Dixie and Aunt Beth! She has been a bright point during this past week of sadness. I am attempting to get some shots of her when she's NOT smiling...but that kiddo is so darn happy! Shout out to Gail for the IU outfit!

-a

April 15th Blog

Hello Friends and Family--

Happy belated Pi Day! Yes, 3-14 is also Albert Einstein's birthday!

The family is visiting South Bend this weekend. It is nice to sit and laugh and just be comfortable and enjoy a quiet weekend. I've managed to watch a little college basketball and even get a nap in! Oh sweet heaven!

Audrey is still getting over this cold that just won't go away. We've been back to the doctor and she has been prescribed an inhaler of sorts due to inflamed bronchial stuff. It has seemed to help, but she still wakes up coughing. Fortunately there has been a noticeable decrease in the coughing intensity and she seems to be o the mend. Now, if I can just stop bringing home germs from school!

Speaking of which, we have just finished the state standardized testing! Now that we've wasted two weeks of doing meaningless filling-in of bubbles in order to satisfy an exercise in futility, we can get back to learning and enjoying education.

For spring break, my mom is visiting from Seattle! This will be the first time she's met Audrey, her first grandchild. She is very excited and we are looking forward to having her energy at our house. It should be a blessed event!

Other than that, we are trying to keep organized and work on cleaning and the usual paying of bills and such. No new news on the Graduate Program yet, but I will be sure to let everyone know. Love to everyone!

-a

Exciting News!

I was excited to learn today that I have been accepted into the Educational Leadership Masters program through Roosevelt University! I begin courses in the Fall and will earn a Masters in Educational Leadership as well as a Type-75 Certification for school administration! Here is the web address if you're really interested about the details of the program:

http://www.roosevelt.edu/education/edlead/mael.htm

This is exciting not only because education is a passion for me, but it also is another step in helping build a secure future for my family by opening doors and exploring new opportunities. I'll keep everyone updated as things develope on this front!

-a

Checking In

Hello all!

Things here on the Orelove front have been a sweet routine as of late. The mornings are a quiet time spent making bottles for the day and walking the dog, although I picture early jogs once the weather warms and the light shines earlier.

My car rides to and from work are spent switching between ESPN, NPR, and Raffi tunes. It is a strange sensation hearing BBC, updates on Tiger Woods, and Baby Beluga within one minute. For the most part, Audrey coos at the beginning of the ride, and then zonks back out once we hit the highway. Same on the way home. Having a baby in the car has heightened my defensive driving skills to almost superhero levels.


Audrey attempting sweet potatoes!

Teaching seems to be my other focus in life these days. We now have a 4 1/2 foot ball python named Monty in our classroom! It is a very gentle, beautiful creature, and the students are absolutely fascinated by her. She was donated by a family that just didn't have time for her anymore. Today was the first feeding, and the entire class sat and observed as Monty gulped a medium-sized rat. Quite the way to end a week in school! I can just picture parents asking what their child did in school today....wrote an essay....did some math facts....fed a ball python....just awesome.

Here's a picture of my class library. You can spot Monty's tank built into the set-up!

This weekend involves a trip to South Bend. We haven't been for a few weeks, and it will be nice to let Phoebe run wild with the rest of the Indiana pack dogs! It is a treat to just relax and laugh with family. It is nice to just sit and talk and play with Audrey and take things as they come.



Outside of that, not too much else to report. Oh, I am waiting to hear back from Roosevelt University on whether or not they will accept me into their Educational Leadership Masters Program. Principal Orelove will one day be heard throughout the halls! :-)

OK, time for bed. I love you all so much. I miss you all. Stay warm and enjoy the transition from winter to spring!

-a

I should be sleeping...

But there is just so much to do in a day it seems! Bottles, coffee, dog walk, commute, daycare, teaching, pick-up from daycare, commute back, dog walk, dinner, dishes, laundry, etc. I am not complaining, just reflecting.

I love my life, and would not trade it for anything. I am looking forward to the three day weekend and having a bit of time at home to spend with the family. Audrey was a bit sick tonight with a slight fever, but she seems to be recovering nicely with a little extra fluid and some Tylenol for kids.

Here are some photos taken this week with a variety of outfits. She continues to be a happy baby and almost always has a smile on her face! I miss my family, and hope that everyone out there in cyber space is doing what they enjoy doing! Be well! Now, time for some sleep!

-a

Super Sunday

Hello Family and Friends!

It is a quiet Superbowl Sunday as I type this blog. Kim and Audrey are visiting friends in Crown Point, Indiana for a Super Bowl party. I have elected not to join them, as I have more than enough grading and cleaning to do for two weekends! While I miss my wife and daughter, I also enjoy the quiet time with the dog and cats!

Things have been going well. I enjoyed my 29th birthday in a quiet manner, having a little cake and ice cream with my family in South Bend. My dad sprung for a new pair of slippers, which I know sounds silly, but I love my slippers. I have not officially returned home until I have my slippers on circa Mr. Rodgers! You can check out my new bad boys ala amazon.com:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000V3WHVG/ref=s9_subs_c4_s3_p309_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-3&pf_rd_r=1A0MS5PV45F5KV0V04RD&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=463383391&pf_rd_i=507846

I also want to thank everyone for the nice cards and books and movies and other thoughtful gifts. I now have enough entertainment for another year. It is amazing to believe that I am one year from 30!

Audrey has been growing and laughing and smiling every day. She is on the verge of being able to roll over, so Kim and I are waiting with camera in hand for her "first" roll. She is adjusting beautifully to her daycare schedule. We enjoy a quiet ride out every morning to Villa Park and then again on the way back home at the end of the day. According to our wonderful daycare lady, Michelle, Audrey is a cheerful, easy baby. I'm attaching some photos Michelle took.

Kim is working hard every day and finding time for friends, which is wonderful. We're looking forward to some warmer weather so we can take some more walks and get the dog out more, but until it gets above freezing for more than a few hours, out outside time is limited! Fortunately, Kim has found one of the few Wii Fits and we will not be one some kind of "training" program that we can do each night. So, look for me to be a yoga master within the next few weeks!

I hope everyone is doing well. Recently a friend of the family has died, as well as one of my friend's mothers from cancer. It is times like these that make me thankful for my health, family, and friends. I encourage everyone who reads this to take a moment and count your blessings. Be well and happy Superbowl Sunday!

-a