The Calm Before the Storm

Well, we have one more week left before we start our first school year in Indy. Ryan's first day of school is August 13th and my first day is the 12th. Ryan had the entire week off- LUCKY!!! He spent most of the time enjoying some MUCH needed R&R (He had summer training for the last 5 weeks). However, in between his "off time," he installed the garage door opener- Hooray!!!

I attended a training on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and then was fortunate enough to spend all of Thursday and Friday with Ryan! We went to the teaching supply store and bought stuff to decorate Ryan's classroom. We also got to drive around and explore more- which is my FAVORITE thing to do! I cannot get over the beautiful wildflowers that grow here. I see them EVERYWHERE! The white ones are called "Queen Anne's Lace." When I see these flowers, I ALWAYS think about my first graders back in Cali and the story we read, called "Fireflies for Nathan." The main character is a little boy who visits his grandparents for the summer. He catches fireflies and watches the butterflies land on Queen Anne's Lace. I know that is corny...but that's what I think of!

The open land also makes me think of Moreno Valley and what it used to look like when I was a little girl. I think of how Garrett, Alyssa and I used to run and play in the field off of Redlands Blvd when we were kids. Again, corny as ever...but the nostalgia warms my heart.

The cornfields are a sight too!!! I can't believe how many corn crops there are within 10 minutes of our house- it is unreal!!!

On Saturday afternoon, we went and saw "The Dark Knight" with our neighbors Eric and Liz. It was not my kind of movie, but Heath Ledger did a phenomenal job as "The Joker." After the movies, we all hung out and ate dinner together. Eric and Liz are really nice. They are about our age and live on the cul-de-sac behind us. They are both graphic designers and met when they were attending Purdue University.

On Sunday, we went to Bed Bath and Beyond and bought valances and hardware for around our sliding glass door. Ryan and I negotiated and we made a deal that if he was kind enough to hang the valances, I would go golfing with him. That sounds fair, don't you think???

Ryan doesn't like the valances...he says our house looks like "Aladdin" and he dances around the house like a Genie....I know, I know...what a DORK!!!

I love the valances...I think we needed some color in that room. Maybe they will grow on Ryan- maybe not....
Do you see what is outside our window??? Yes, we are going to have a neighbor in the back of us...we knew this day would have to come...bye bye open land! :(

Tomorrow we are getting our blinds! Yay!!! They have been on back order for almost 2 months! I feel like we have been living in a fish bowl. It will be sooooooo nice to finally have some privacy!

Okay, so I had to keep up with my end of the bargain and accompany Ryan on his trip to Fox Prairie Golf Course in Noblesville. He played 18 holes and shot 84, which is pretty decent considering he never played there before. He was soooooooooooo excited to play!!! He has been wanting to golf ever since we moved here.

I love riding in the cart. I NEVER drive- I usually bring a book and relax. I'll watch Ryan once in a while, but I usually just keep to myself and enjoy the quiet and the beautiful surroundings.

There's that "Queen Anne's Lace" again...

We saw more geese...gosh, they are such lovely birds. They are EVERYWHERE in Indy!!!

I love Ryan. I am so blessed to have him in my life. I don't know what I would do without him. We are TOTAL OPPOSITES, but I need him to balance me out and vice-versa!!!

We are excited to start working. Being off all summer is great, but we are ready to begin the "daily grind." This week we both have to attend more trainings and begin lesson planning!!! Then, we have our last weekend of "calm before the storm."

I had to add this last picture in...
What could be better than watching your childhood friend on ESPN? I think this picture is so neat. Ryan is watching Ryan Madson pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals. For those of you that don't know, Ryan Madson and his wife Sarah went to Valley View high school with us and played baseball with Ryan all through little league and high school. He has played for the Phillies for the last few years.
Until next time...xo