Tomorrow, Lana will be 5 months old!!  

And..... one week from today, I will be returning to work. :-(  I have never felt so torn.  I am excited about my opportunity to teach 6th grade in middle school this year, but will miss Lana sooooooo much.  I know she will have the best babysitter anyone for which anyone could ever ask, my mom.  I will never forget, when Luke and I began dating, he asked innocently if I would ever consider being a stay-at-home mom.  At the time, I snapped back, "No way! I didn't go to Butler for 4 years to stay at home." Well, it would't have mattered if I had studied to be a doctor at the most prestigious university in the country, there is no job I would love more than to stay home with Lana.  But, I know I need to go back to school.  I will continue to be the best teacher I know how- all second to being the best mom I know how.

I finally figured out how to upload pictures off of our new computer, so that would explain why there are so many pictures this time.  The pictures go as far back as the 4th of July parade, and include: Luke's cousin's wedding in Jasper, a trip to the Indianapolis Children's Museum this past week, a trip to meet baby Jack and to the Straussenfest on Saturday, our time at the Indiana State Fair yesterday, and many things in between.  Lana also got to go to the zoo for the second time last weekend, but the few pictures of our trip are on Luke's phone.  We also have some pictures of Lana's first 4-H fair... also on our phones. I will figure out how to get those on here too. :-)

For now, Happy Birthday, Lana, and if you think to pray for Lana and my transition as I return to school, that would be fantastic! :-)