Blessings!

It has been forever and a day since I’ve posted on here, but we’ve been busy! Lots of things going on in the Greenshields household! To bring us up to speed... On May 10th, Dan graduated from Lawrence Tech (his dad’s alma mater) Cum Laude with a Biomedical Engineering Degree! In celebration of this awesome achievement, we had a graduation celebration in the backyard on May 31st. I am so proud of him for remaining so dedicated to his schooling and still maintaining his business and being there for the kids and I. He is currently job searching, while maintaining his business. We are also expecting our fourth child on August 15th, so just about 50 more days to go until the big day! On May 21st, we had our ultrasound, but did not find out the gender until the following day when we had friends and family over for a gender reveal party. After four pregnancies (3 children and 1 loss), I thought I knew for sure what I was having based on those prior experiences, but when we cut that cake and it was pink, I couldn’t have been more shocked! Turns out baby number 4 is indeed a GIRL…our THIRD GIRL!

We're still here!

Wow, long time no post! It's so hard to keep up with everyday life - there's work, the homelife, kids activities, social media, etc. Since we're coming close to the end of the year, I'll try to bring our life up to speed so that I have a record of it, and also for anyone who might be interested. :) So, today is December 3rd. Yesterday, I celebrated my one year anniversary at the law firm where I work. Other than staying busy with work, the kids, etc., last year, I took a bit more interest in the fitness world and have been trying to make working out and eating healthy a part of life. I strive to get some for of exercise everyday (doesn't always happen) and I'm always searching out healthy recipes. In addition, I've started doing fun runs - originally just to say i did it, but since then, I've enjoyed more than one 5k, an 8k and a 10k! Now that the holiday is over, I'm jumping back in to undo that holiday damage! ;-) In 5 more months, Dan will graduate with his Biomedical Engineering Degree from Lawrence Tech. I could not be more proud! He has continued to work and manage his business, excel at school and still continues to be a great husband and dad. As graduation will be here before we know it, we're busy doing our best to prepare - sending out job applications, etc. Currently, he has applications out in several states, including: California, Tennessee, Texas, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Alabama, Minnesota, Massachusetts; and I'm sure I forgot a few. So until graduation and a job offer, we play the waiting game - rolling the dice to see where we end up. Ideally, we were hoping for something warmer than Michigan, but at this point, a job is a job. ;-) Zach is in 7th grade now - and is part of the wrestling team this year. So far, he hasn't won any matches, but he's enjoying the sport nonethelesss. :) Amber is in 2nd grade and is in her second year of cheerleading with the Young Champions program. Her Cheer Competition will be held this Saturday and their routine is to the song "Girls just want to have fun". Addison is now 2 and 1/2. She is in the process of getting potty trained and doing well, aside from peeing on me on Sunday while we were having a late Thanksgiving celebration! :o) Saturday night (November 30th), we bought her a big girl bed and she says "no more crib". So far, she's doing well with it - climbs in and out okay, sleeps through the night, and likes me to lay and "cuddle" her before she goes to bed. Well, that's the update as I know it. Going to try and do a better job at keeping up with posting on a more frequent basis. Hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving and many happy wishes for a great Christmas season.

Welcome Addison Belle

Addison Belle Greenshields was born on Wednesday, April 6, 2011 at 4:56 p.m (2 weeks before her April 17^th due date).  She weighed a healthy 7 lbs, 14 oz and was 21 in. long.  Surprisingly, she also has a pretty good amount of dark hair and the color of her eyes are yet to be determined, as does who she most resembles.  I am so relieved that she is finally here.  The rib pain and pain in my back that I had during my pregnancy is gone and we couldn’t ask for a better baby.   The only thing that could have made the experience better would have been the hospital experience at the University of Michigan.  We originally went to the hospital three days prior to her birth because I was having contractions and the doctor told me that I was 2 cm dilated, but unfortunately, they wouldn’t keep me.  I continued to have contractions for the next three days and finally, on Wednesday, my water broke.  I called the hospital ahead of time and was told to “bring my pants” to “save me an exam”.  When we got there, my clothes that I had been wearing were swabbed, instead of me.  I was then asked if I was sure that I hadn’t “wet myself”.  The nurses continued to question that I didn’t seem to be in “enough pain”.  Once I was finally admitted, the labor itself went fairly quickly.  Aside from our beautiful daughter, the best part of the whole experience was definitely the epidural.  The anesthesiologist and his nurse were so kind and they definitely had the technique of administering an epidural mastered.  I was still texting and facebooking while dilated to a 9.  My contractions went from awful to unnoticeable.  Once it was time to push, things got a little more painful, but after only 15 minutes, our beautiful daughter was a part of this world.  Following her birth, I was almost instantly moved from my private birthing suite (that our Blue Cross insurance paid for) to a shared room with a woman who was up all night trying to breastfeed, ringing the nurse and turning the lights on and off.  The following night, I was again transferred to a “nesting room”, where my accommodations were “jail like”.  The room was about 12 x 12 with no windows and a small vinyl couch to sleep on that was so low to the ground I’m not sure how a woman who just delivered a baby is supposed to get in and out of.  Thankfully, we’re home now and although the hospital wasn’t the best, at least my daughter is healthy and happy and her big brother and sister are adapting well and loving her more than I could have hoped.  :)

"We are the change that we seek"

Well, today is Zach’s last day at Edison.  It’s kind of a bittersweet day.  I’m reminding myself about my favorite quote from President Obama:  “Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek”. Dan and I are leaving behind our house and so many things are changing in life, but these changes are all for the better. We are all making temporary sacrifices, but it’s all for a better future.  I hope Zach knows this too and can adjust well as he starts his new school on Monday. 

Last night, I received a very special email from his teacher.  She wanted to let me know that she has been ill with the flu and will not be in today, but that she and the class have planned a surprise party for Zach, complete with pizza and ice cream.  His classmates have also made him a book that I can’t wait to see.  She ended with:  “I have enjoyed having your son in our classroom.  He will do great at his new school with his upbeat personality and his hard working skills.  I am very proud of him.  Let me know where you would like me to send his report card to.  Good luck to your family and best wishes on the new baby.”  I thought that was very sweet of her and I know she’s right.  Zach has an extremely outgoing/upbeat personality.  We haven’t even moved yet and he’s already met a couple of kids in the new neighborhood.  I know that he will transition well, but it’s still hard not to worry. 

After work today, we’ll be packing up the rest of our stuff to be ready for the mover’s tomorrow morning.  Praying that we can get it all done and that all goes well – and hopefully this rain/snow that’s expected switches directions.  Until my next post, I remain pregnant ;-) and counting down the days until “baby” arrives – today is April 1^st, so only 16 more days until the due date.  Also, as a side note – today is April 1^st, which is April Fools’ Day, which is also my Mom’s Birthday, her 50^th to be exact, so a very Happy Birthday to her! :-)

We're having a luau!

As we approach the due date, I’m getting more and more excited about welcoming our baby girl home.  Along with the excitement comes the anxiety of trying to get everything done and make sure everything is ready by the time she arrives.  I’m sure we’ll be fine though; Dan has done a great job of moving things, painting, stripping wallpaper, etc.  We are just 34 days away from the due date and only 19 days away from our move.  Everything is down to the wire and the carpet is actually getting installed in the nursery today. I can’t wait to see how everything will look once it’s finished.  I have all of the Hawaiian décor ready to go and Dan will be making her a personalized surfboard to display her name above her crib. 

As a way to welcome her home and get everyone together, we are planning a “Welcome Home” party.  I’ve decided to go with a luau theme, since her room is a tropical, Hawaiian, “beachy” paradise.  I’ve sent out some invites on Facebook and hope that everyone will be able to stop by to visit and eat.  Once she’s born, I plan on sending out formal announcements through the (“snail”) mail and including the party information there, as well.  The party has been tentatively set for Saturday, May 7^th at 3pm.  I’m making a couple of CD’s of Summer, Luau, Beach Music and am planning on serving sloppy joes, hot dogs, pasta salad, mostacolli, fruit salad, veggies, various dips, Watergate salad, Banana pudding, cookies, etc.  Everyone is encouraged to wear their Hawaiian garb, if they desire.  Candace will be decked out in a little luau dress and I’ve yet to decide what they rest of us are going to wear. 

I’m officially 35 weeks pregnant as of this Sunday and will have my 36 week check-up on the 22^nd of March.  I’m still working and staying very busy packing and moving things here and there, getting the house ready for showings, washing baby clothes, etc.  In addition, my friend, Michelle, is getting married in May, so we’ve got a lot going on with preparing for her shower, bachelorette party and wedding.  Times are very busy, but they are fun.  I can’t wait until the baby is finally here and I can enjoy some time at home with the kids and Dan to get to know our newest addition. 

A House is built with boards and beams; A Home is built with love and dreams

“A House is built with boards and beams; A Home is built with love and dreams”.  This statement hangs on a plaque above the entryway in our dining room.  Now, more than ever, I’m trying to remind myself of this.  The ability for me to remain in my “house” may be lost, but I will always have my “home”. 

It is only Monday and we’ve already received two requests of realtors to show our house this week.  We listed our house about 2 months ago for around $137,000 and our realtor has already dropped the price to under $70,000.  So now, the calls will start rolling in I guess.  It’s surreal and bittersweet.  Purchasing the house 3 and ½ years ago, I never would have imagined that this is where we would be so soon. 

All I can do is warn others of the dangers of modifications.  I often wonder if successful modifications even happen.  Dan and I did everything by the book.   We did every single thing asked of us by our lender.  How did this happen?  Why is it ok for the banks to receive bailout money and then turnaround and do this to their customers?  We are exactly one week away from the first hearing on our case in federal court. It’s only a scheduling conference, but at least it’s a start. 

Next Friday, I will be enrolling Zach in the new school district as well.  I feel bad for him that he’s switching schools again, but I really have no choice.  It makes me feel better though, knowing that at least he doesn’t mind.  Zach adapts to change so easily and is so much more socially adaptable than I am that I’m sure he’ll do fine, but I can’t help but be worried.  I will also register Amber for kindergarten on that same day.  She will begin kindergarten in September and I am excited for her, but she, on the other hand, is not so excited.  Usually when I bring it up, she cries and tells me that she doesn’t want to leave Ms. Tanya.  Amber doesn’t adapt to change as easily as Zach.  She reminds me of myself.  She is shy when she first meets new people, but once she gets to know someone she’s herself, so I’m sure she’ll be fine, it will just take some time. 

In less than one month (25 days), we will make our “home” in a new “house”.  Zach will begin school in a new school district (with only 2 months left in the school year) and we will be preparing for Candace’s arrival which is expected on April 17^th.   So many major things happening all at once, but we will manage. 

Everyone always says that things happen for a reason and that God has a plan for us.  I know that God directs our lives and will never steer us wrong.  Even though things are happening that are beyond our control, God is always in control and will lead the way.  Bad things may be happening (losing the house, going through a lawsuit, having my credit damaged, etc.), but good things are coming with it.  Dan has returned to school and is doing amazingly well.  In 2-3 years, he will have a wonderful career and I am so very proud of him.  After that, we hope that he will receive a job offer in a warm state where I can then begin law school.  Until then, we have something even more exciting to look forward to… in just 41 days, we are expecting our daughter, who will surely bring joy and happiness to our “home”.    

National Kidney Foundation - Kidney Walk 2011

As you might remember, last year, along with our friends and family, we participated in the annual Kidney Walk for the National Kidney Foundation.  Registration has now begun for this year’s walk, which will be held on Sunday, September 11, 2011.  Many people suffer from kidney disease and many don’t know it until the disease has already progressed.  Early detection is essential for the health of kidney patients.  Contributions to the National Kidney Foundation will help fund critical research, direct aid to kidney patients, and vital kidney disease screening programs.  NKF is important to all renal patients (those maintaining their disease with medication, those on dialysis, those awaiting transplants, etc.) and their families. 

As most of you know, our interest in helping NKF began when Dan was diagnosed with IgA Nephropathy on October 5, 2008.  To find out more about the walk, please visit our personal walk page at: http://donate.kidney.org/site/TR/Walk/Michigan?px=1682480&pg=personal&fr_id=3390.

Please help us join the fight against kidney disease.  You can do this by: 

• Joining our team and walking with us ("Team Greenshields")
• Walking as an individual or starting your own team
• Making a financial contribution by check, or online at http://www.kidneywalk.org/

Make all checks payable to the NATIONAL KIDNEY FOUNDATION

By supporting our efforts in the Kidney Walk, you are helping stop kidney disease before it starts. You will also be helping improve care for current patients and help NKF’s search for a cure.

We are extremely proud to be a part of the fight against kidney disease, and we hope you will join us!