Our Family

I was on born in September. I hear that makes me a Virgo; I don't really know what that means. I'm 5'4, with hair that won't commit to being red or blonde, and chameleon eyes that are blue or dismal gray. I think they're gray. My name is Leigha, which translates into "weary." I'm anemic, so I think it fits :) I'm an enthusiastic reader and a high school English teacher, which often feels more like being a social worker, parent, counselor, and hostage negotiator on amphetamines. I love it, but I'm still trying to figure out if it's worth all the pain.

I've been told that I give really bad advice. People say it seems like I'm just trying to say what I think they want to hear. Usually, I am. I have this odd fascination with manners, worrying and vacuuming. I find few things more satisfying than the instant gratification of sucking up the dirt and grime that surrounds me and getting rid of it instantly. Plus, I like to hear the dirt click, click, click as it goes through the bristles. I like people watching, teaching (actually teaching, not "hostage-negotiator-teaching"), making my husband laugh, and how I feel at the end of a school year. Exhausted, relieved, satisfied. I'm a pusher and struggler, and in most situations (unless you want my advice), I say what I mean. I keep a close guard on my tongue because I know it has great power to destroy or build up. I'm trying to find enough closet space for all the hats I'm trying to fill. My husband, Corey, is the chattiest, goofiest, most forgiving man I know. He was born in June, which makes him a Cancer. I don't really know what that means either. He's 5'10 with an aggressive and slightly Amish beard that often makes people question his ethnicity. We call him Achmed at home. Corey works with maps and information systems, rides bikes and brews beers. He says things like, "fella" and, "twenty mile an hour" and, "volim te." He's the kind of guy that would stand up to the school-yard bully for you, even if he knew he'd be destroyed. He's Gwen's favorite playmate and the dad I always wanted for my children. Corey is a man of many words, incredible passion, and has a tendency to stay up too late. He sees the beauty behind cracks and wreckage, and has very few excuses.

Gwen is a 13-year-old trapped in a four-year-old's body. She has the sass of a diva, but the heart of a lion. She has her daddy's eyes and some strange obsession with a mole on my back that she calls my "pancake." -_- She loves hee haws (high heels), Scunday school (Sunday school), and saying 'cu mes (excuse me). Alright, she's outgrown all of those cute phrases, but Corey and I still use them. She's by my side from the moment she gets home to the moment she leaves, and if I'm eating it, she wants it. Speaking of eating, this girl loves spinach, quiche, pork chops, oranges, mussels and shrimp. She's her dad in the cutest package. She's extremely bright and excels in school and is quite the social butterfly. She loves: dress up, make-up, baby Natalie (her doll), coloring, sitting directly on top of me, her new baby brother or sister, and doing ANYTHING with daddy. She hates: bugs, pants under her dress (fair enough), socks, and injustice (well, we're working on that passion :D). She's incredibly sweet, loving, kind, and obedient. She loves consistency and knowing what to expect, but equally loves surprises and exceptions to the rule. She loves to read her devotional at night and praying before she sleeps. What an incredible joy it is to see her grow, mature, and care for others the older she gets.

And then there's a baby. The baby is about -21 weeks old. Not much to say on that front-- it's a boy, or a girl :) So far it's been a delightful pregnancy and I'm carrying somewhat small and low-- not sure what the old wives would have to say about that combination. We are totally thrilled to be expanding our family, and feel so grateful and blessed for all the excitement and support we've gotten from friends and family. This is my sad attempt at a family blog that I solemnly vow to TRY to update with our life happenings as they occur, but no promises! Coming up in our near future: our 20 week doctor appointment, the end of the school year, bike races for Corey, summer swimming and cheerleading, family vacations, switching bedrooms (for Gwen and baby), and a whole lot of pictures.