Ok, here are the pictures that were supposed to be in the post from Welcome Spring!
Ellie and Thomas at GFV: 
the park with Katie:
Happy Birthday Grandpa:
Ellie is fishing at Uncle Don’s pond:
Ellie’s first fish of ‘07:
I’ll update for this week on another post!
Pictures for Welcome Spring! April 29, 2007
First day of school April 23, 2007
Ellie’s first day of preschool at Lifetime Fitness was today. Here she is before we left. She had a great time. I didn’t think it was a big deal, but I had tears in my eyes and a big knot in my stomach when I left her. She did great though and they even went swimming. She also colored a picture with markers. She had to finish it at home. Here, she used crayons because she isn’t going to be using markers here for a while. Anyway, she is quite proud of herself. Thomas and I went to the park while Ellie was at school. I think both kids are tired out from all of the stuff that we have been doing so we are taking it easy here at home now. Of course, I haven’t been able to get anything done because Thomas’ nap was short and we’ve been playing. But, oh well..life is short.
Welcome Spring! April 23, 2007
Last Saturday, the 15th, Andy took Ellie and Thomas to the grand opening of Greenfield Village. They had a great time! Oh, they went into The Henry Ford also. Anyway, notice Ellie’s pig tails. You can’t see them well in this picture, but they are there and cute as ever!
We found a great park a few miles from our house. We’ve gone there several times in the last couple of weeks and we’ve really enjoyed this Spring weather! On this day, Katie joined us.
Today is Grandpa Brooks’ (36th?) birthday! Ellie decorated the cake! Happy birthday Grandpa. I hope Grandpa enjoyed. It was a busy day, but we had a great time.
After enjoying the cake, we went to the pond to see the Janeckes. Happy Birthday Bob! Ted, Victoria and Mike went swimming in the very cold water! Ellie went fishing and went into the paddle boat.
Ellie’s first fish of the year!!!! And, she caught it at Uncle Don’s pond. 
Really, it’s been a long time since I’ve updated. Ugh. We’ve been busy. I’m not sure what we’ve been doing, just living life, I guess. I made it to the gym 5 days last week, so that is good. I usually exercise on Sunday night, but I’m tired tonight and just feel like relaxing. On Monday nights, there is a Hydro Training class and it is tough. I’ll be there as often as possible. I have days that I get discouraged because these changes take a long time and are tough to do. But, I’m going to keep plugging away..a day at a time. Oh, and I made a friend at the gym last Friday. That was very exciting for me. We even exchange phone numbers and email addressed. Of course, we didn’t contact each other, but I think she’ll be at class again on Monday. She is doing weight watchers too, so we have the swimming and WW in common. She may even talk me into trying some of other classes.
Ellie starts preschool tomorrow. She is so very excited about it. It is just one day per week and it is at Lifetime Fitness, but I think it will be a great way to start. And, I think I’ll get to spend some quality time with Thomas.
So, that is it for now..off to relax a bit and then get some sleep!
Washable markers April 13, 2007
are wonderful.
Ughhhh….
She colored her face, her hands, her feet and a few of her dolls. Ugh. She won’t have access to those markers for quite a while. I’m so glad that Thomas was napping so she didn’t color him too. When I saw her, her first words were, “I’m sorry, Mommy.”
Introducing Uncle Mike April 12, 2007
After Ellie’s last class of ballet, we went to Eaton Rapids to see Uncle Mike. It went well and we enjoyed the day.
Thomas warmed right up to Mike as soon as they played ball together.
Grandma Hilliard 
Ellie liked Uncle Mike too, but was more reserved. 
Home again… April 10, 2007
We went to the Hands-On museum in Ann Arbor. Here is Thomas at his favorite part…the tornado.
Ellie liked the water play area.
How cute is this toddler?
“Mom, when I’m a big girl, I will be able to drive, right?”
Catching up..
The Easter Vigil was beautiful. We had a difficult time because Thomas was pretty miserable. He (and Ellie) stayed awake through the entire Mass. We arrived home at almost 11. Ellie was so excited Easter Morning about Jesus’ resurrection and that the Easter Bunny had brought her Pocahontas. “I’ve waited my whole life.”
We had dinner with Andy’s family and then went to Weber’s for a couple of nights. Grandma and Grandpa Brooks stayed at Webers in the room next door. We had a great time. Ellie swam and swam. Thomas ran and ran. Monday, we went to the Hand’s On Museum in Ann Arbor. Andy’s family joined us there and everyone had a great time.
Today we left. We drove to J. P. Hayes State Park which is about 15 miles outside of Adrian. It was a nice campground and it had a beautiful beach. I think we’ll try to camp there for a few days this summer. Ellie then asked, “Is it summer yet?”
Uncle Mike came my parents’ house today. Ellie was able to talk to him on the phone today. We get to see him tomorrow, after Ellie’s last ballet class. I’ll take pictures. I’m so excited….can’t believe that he finally gets to meet his niece and nephew.
Eggs and Playing April 7, 2007
Here is Thomas playing this morning. He has my favorite penguin PJ pajamas on and his sister’s crown. 
Here is Ellie coloring eggs on Thursday. She did this while Thomas was napping. I was not brave enough to do it with Thomas this year (even with Grandma and Grandpa Brooks’ help!)
We’re doing well and I just love these Holy days. Ellie and I went to Good Friday service at STAB on Friday. It’s one of Ellie’s favorite of the year because she gets to kiss Jesus’ cross. Tonight is the Vigil.
Tomorrow we are celebrating with a relaxing morning at home. Then, we’ll have dinner with the Ekblads and Grandma and Grandpa Jackson. Sunday night we’re going to Weber’s for a few days. Ellie and I made cupcakes for dinner tomorrow and she is so excited for everyone to eat them.
I have pictures from the Bunny Bonanza last weekend. I’ll upload a couple next time I post.
No pictures this time…. April 4, 2007
This morning, I was reminded of Sept. 12th, 2001 …the day after 9/11. I remembered how scared those high school students were that day coming to school. And, the questions…there were lots of questions. Our directive was to continue with the designated curriculum. Yet, the students, especially first hour, were unable to concentrate. I looked into their eyes…told them to go ahead and ask questions and I would do my best. “What’s happening?” “Why?” Of course, I didn’t have any real answers for those high school students. I encouraged them to talk to their parents. Unfortunately, because of busy schedules, several students wouldn’t be seeing their parents for several days.
Ellie sometimes has that look in her eye..the look of total fear, usually after waking from a nightmare. This morning, Ellie’s face reminded me of those students. I suppose it seems a bit dramatic, but in her little world, her fears are huge. So, instead of telling Ellie to go back to her room, I encouraged her to come into our room. I reminded her that daddy took all the bad dreams away. She laid between Andy and me. She said that she felt safe. I hope that we are her safe place to fall for many years. Since she can turn to us now, hopefully, she will be able to when she is a teenager. I know she will be in sports, or some other activity, yet, I hope we are there for her to talk to every day. She’ll have friends and maybe a job. But, I just hope we don’t get too busy. I guess that is one of the reasons that I’m not working right now. I don’t want to be too busy for her. And, in her little world, a full time job would be a lot of time away. Every day, she has questions..about how babies are made, death, Jesus, friendship, family. And, we are there. At four years old, her questions are already tough. She is quite thoughtful and extremely intense. I’m guessing that most four year olds are this way, but it is all new to me.
On a lighter note…
I’m still exercising. 8 lbs. down! Yahooo! I’ve done some water classes at the gym and I really like it. I recognize a couple of people from the classes now and may have some swimming buddies if I go often enough. I’m getting stronger too. It feels good. I hope I can keep it up! It’s hard to be motivated on a day like today when I am lacking sleep.
Thomas is as active as ever. Yesterday, he taught Ellie how to jump off of the stairs backwards. Boys are definately different than girls and he is all boy. Daddy is quite proud.
Ellie is progressing in swimming and ballet. Next week is her last ballet class until fall. She may do a summer ballet camp if we are not gone camping. Ms. Lisa, her teacher, is absolutely wonderful and has really nurtured Ellie along. Ms. Lisa is going to Cedar Point for a couple of months, so there will be no ballet offered this Spring. Swimming is going well. Ellie is putting her face in the water now and is so close to actually swimming. I feeling really good about Ellie’s swimming skills and camping.
Andy’s doing well, too, overall. He was honored at the Supt.’s dinner Tuesday night. Teaching, like many other jobs, can be so thankless sometimes. I’m glad that Andy was honored in such a special way. He tries to be humble and say that many teachers who deserve it will never have the chance to attend that dinner. While that is true, I’m glad that Andy received the honor. He deserves it and his students are fortunate that he is their teacher. One more day until Spring Break. It’ll be busy until Easter. We’re going to Weber’s Sunday for a couple of days just to get away. I’m very much looking forward to that.
