I Could Write a Book

Tomorrow is Little Bit’s hernia surgery. The worst part is going to be handing her over to the nurses and not being in the back with her. ack. I hate thinking that she might be scared and I won’t know it. The 2nd little worst part is going to be getting up so dang early. Have I ever mentioned that I am not a morning person ?

I feel like there are areas where I completely fail as a mother. Explaining to my child that she is having surgery tomorrow is definitely a "flunking" area. She knows that we are going to the doctor to get her boo-boo fixed. She knows they are going to give her some medicine to make her sleepy, but that’s it. I didn’t know what else to tell her. I didn’t want her to freak out and I wanted her to be able to sleep tonight. I haven’t told her brothers because they would be completely freaking out and then have her freaked out.

Anyone want to pick up my son from camp tomorrow for me ? I’ll get that taken care of tomorrow.

Since I’m on the subject of this surgery, can you believe the hospital called me today wanting a check for $2500 tomorrow morning ? I asked the lady, "do you always call people at 4:30pm the afternoon before their surgery and tell them to bring in $2500 the next morning?" She didn’t say a whole lot. Just what do people do who don’t have that kind of cash sitting around. Oh, she told me, "we will take credit cards." Whoopie. I’m a tad grumpy tonight. 

Please remember Little Bit and me tomorrow in your prayers. We will be at the hospital, in the city, early.

Don’t forget to ~spread the love~. 

    It’s time for me to make some "presidential decisions." Am I speaking of deciding between Bush and Obama ? No, I am not. I am referring to the position of President of my Jr League. To some that may not be a big decision. For me, it is the difference of going to graduate school full-time at the age of 42 or 44. When it was put into perspective of "only 2 years difference" yesterday, I thought "maybe I can be the president." Now, just because I decide to accept the nomination of the president position doesn’t mean I’ve won it. Hmm, let me go back to this weekend.

    This weekend was the "board / bored retreat." It’s a wonderful mandatory obligation of serving on the board. It’s actually an interesting time to learn neat, little tidbits about your fellow members. IE: one of our board members collects cacti. We also get a lot of leadership training, effective communication, and some problem solving guidelines. A true shame that they can’t teach me proper grammar while there.

    Unknown to me, the creative team member had been assessed of the fact that I’m a potential canditate for the position and that I am undecided because of the possiblity of graduate school. She was very effective in her line of questioning to me and helped me to look at the "bigger picture." One of the questions I was asked, "why do you want this Master’s degree ?" Well," I said, "it’s a personal goal of mine." She asked if I had an age deadline to obtain that goal. She asked what did I plan on doing with that degree, etc.  I think the fact that I said I wouldn’t work unless it was necessary made me realize that if that is indeed the case it would be okay to wait for 2 more years before tackling that mountain.

    Why don’t I put off the presidency nomination ? If I burn this bridge now, so-to-speak, I probably will not get another chance. Even though I know taking on the possible position will be a lot of work, I know it would be very rewarding for me. Nice, little ego stroke. The main reason - I know I’d be a great leader.

   So, I’m off to the prayers. I’m off to look for guidance. I’ve got a month to let the league know if I will accept the nomination, but I’ve only got 3 weeks before I really need to drop my class(es). I know that school will always be there for me. Decisions. Decisions. Decisions. I wished someone could show me a crystal ball that laid out my life map for me to view. How on earth does one know if they are making the correct decisions ? 

    Good luck in your "presidential decisions", as well. I hope you use your knowledge and your prayers in determining your correct decision, too. We all need to remember that every little decision we make in our lives have huge impacts on the rest of our lives.

Peace out. Sweet dreams. Oh, I can’t wait to sleep in my bed. 6 hours of sleep in 72 hours does not hack it. ~~ I love you ~~ (don’t forget to say it) 

Home for four days and I’m off again. It’s that time of the year again. The wonderful "Board (bored) Retreat." Oh, what fun. Yes, I’ll have an attidude adjustment before I arrive it’s just been so nice to sleep in my own bed and now I’m off to the floor.

These last few days at home have been wonderful. Busy, but wonderful. I’m going to miss my home this weekend. sighs. I’m also going to miss my niece’s 1 year old birthday party. I’m going to be the only family member who isn’t there. That sucks. I hate that I’m going to miss it. In case I didn’t mention it, this retreat is absolutely mandatory and I can’t miss. More than likely this is going to be my last active year in Jr League. I just can’t handle this kind of stuff anymore.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. Oh, go see "Mamma Mia" this weekend if you haven’t already. It is such a happy movie. I loved the movie better than the actual Broadway play. Make sure you stay for the entire end of the movie. You’ll be peeing in your pants from laughing so hard.

Peace out , Babycakes. Don’t forget to tell the one(s) you love ~ I love you ~. 

    I’m back in the land of humidity and I’m loving it. I went out for a bike ride last night and was dripping sweat in just a few minutes. The kids keep asking me "why is it so hot?" I tell them, "it’s because we are in Louisiana." It feels so dang good to be home. It’s going to take me a few days to get back on a normal schedule and to learn how to breathe in the humidity, but otherwise, it’s wonderful.

    I grilled last night. I think I got really lucky because my pork chops were divine. The children kept telling me, "mom, this chicken is good." LOL. If I had told them it was pork they wouldn’t have eaten it.  

    Here’s a new’s headline: I shaved my legs !!! Bigfoot doesn’t like me anymore. I think I lost at least a pound just from shaving. Like I said - I’m back in civilization. I’m off to get my hair done and hopefully after that I will be ready to face my friends, again. Dang I’ve missed everyone.

    Have a great day, ya’ll. 

Hello All,

I thought I’d give a current weather report and Michigan update. Presently, it is 72 degrees and it feels like 72 degrees. Actually, it might feel a little cooler considering we’ve go this awesome breeze going on right now. It’s sunny with fluffy, white clouds overhead. If you listen closely you can hear the sound of my children’s laughter playing down on the beach. I do not think there could be a more perfect day.

I have truly enjoyed my time here. Enough time passed that I got over most of my fears. I have survived mice, spiders, and ants. Still haven’t figured out how to shave my legs in the miniature shower though. I’m just doing the “Bohemian” thing right now. I figure I’ll shave on the way home back to humid Louisiana (where it’s 90 and feels like 100).

I just had one of the nicest visits of this trip. Coming to the “strip” is a time for reconnecting. I come here and reconnect with dh’s family. Most of whom he doesn’t have a clue who they are. There’s a neat little group of dh’s cousins who are my age. One of the cousins and I developed a nice friendship when Tob was only 1 year old. He was up here with his 2 small children and it seemed we ended up doing lots together on the beach. I’ll never forget the canoe ride he took us all on. It was nice getting caught up on children, home moves, job promotions, etc. Just a super nice visit.

I’ve got the radio playing right now, listening to the waves, and the kids on the beach. This has to be one of the nicest moments of my stay so far. I’ll be back in wonderful Louisiana in 8 days. There are definitely things that I miss (SUSHI) that I can’t wait to get back to and there are definitely moments like this one that I will miss from here.

Have a wonderful weekend and next week everyone. I’m sure I’m going to be doing lots of touristy things this coming week.

Peace out,
Babycakes and yeah - I love you !

Dear J,

    Today is your "gotcha day". I can’t believe four years have passed since you were placed in my hands. I can still see that moment very vividly. I was in the van and the interpreter went inside the "baby house" to get you. She walked briskly back to the van and placed you inside in my arms. She told the driver to get us to the airport. I know I’ve said this before but I felt as if I was kidnapping you. I wasn’t, but that was the urgerncy that was placed on getting us out of St. Petersburg. Right when we were about to drive off, an elderly woman came running out and placed a little envelope of sorts in my hand. In it was a picture of you when you were around 9 months old and a cross necklace. I asked what the necklace was and the interpreter told us that it was given to you in the hospital when you were just a tiny baby. I’ve got it in my jewelry box for you one day. I’m sure at some point it will be very important to you.

   You know that you are adopted. You know that you were born in Russia. You know that you grew in another lady’s tummy but you also know that I am "mom". I’m not sure how much of the other that you comprehend right now. I pray that you know you are loved. I know that you love me. Yes, there are times when I truly want to beat my head in the wall with some of your antics, but know what ? That would happen whether you had grown in my tummy or in my heart.

   I do believe that God knew that you were going to be my daughter one day. I do not know exactly what He had for you and I in His plans. I know that you are a very special little girl and a very beautiful one to boot. Wow, you’re going to be so beautiful when you grow up. I’m going to have a shot gun loaded at all times to keep the boys away.

   I pray that I’m able to be the best mom that you could have. I know that I do not do everything right with you. I hope that one day you can say that you’re friends with your mom and have a special bond with me. I would know then that I had succeded in my relationship with you.

   I love you Dear J. Thanks for being my daughter and I hope you have a fun "gotcha day" with me here in Michigan.

Love you more than know,

Mommy

(PS: Mommy will add a photo once we are back home) 

Nine years ago today I held my father’s hand while he died. I watched one of the strongest men I ever knew wither away to almost nothing. One of the last things he told me was "you’re a good daughter, Kat. Anyone would be proud to have you as their daughter."  I’ll never forget him saying that to me. He always told me "I bye little Kat". Oh, how I miss hearing that.

I miss you, Poppa. I hope you’re enjoying heaven and I can’t wait till I get to see you there one day.

Always tell the one(s) you love ~~I love you~~.  

Hello All,

    Here I am in Michigan. Things are going very well so far. Well, other than the bug bites, howling wind, cold toes and sleepless nights. lol. Those are all normal things. I don’t mind them. The view here is absolutely gorgeous. When I complain about the lack of amenities I have here I make myself look out the window down at the beach and then I shut my trap and go about my business. Here’s a link to winery that’s less than 5 minutes from my cabin - www.chateauchantal.com  If I had some way of uploading my photos right now I would and I’d just show you my own pics. That will have to wait till I’m back home in civilization.

    The kids are having a great time. They’ve set up little "sea shell stores" on the beach. Tob thinks it is fun to sling shot rocks at the geese. We’ve had a talking or two about that. argh. Boys will be boys, right ? And oh my goodness, he’d kill me if he knew I actually typed this stuff out, but he told me the other day that he would like to have a "walrus penis". LOL. I guess he saw one in the museum in Chicago. The Field Museum. We had a nice time there, too. Chicago is my favorite city in the US. Just search "Chicago" here if you don’t remember that.

    The night of the Cubs baseball game in Chicago there was a "double rainbow". How nice was that ? J and I had a wonderful mommy/daughter day, too. She fell in love with American Girl Place. I think dh wants to move there now. Not the store, but the city. It seems everytime we go somewhere one of us wants to move there.

    I wish you could see the view I have right now. It’s perfect "Americana". I’ve got a little flower window box right outside my window.  I always fill it with flowers when I get here. The other day, I placed two little American flags in either end of it. We have a constant breeze from the beach and I love watching the sun on them while they are flapping around. Also, the little chipmunks are just adorable. One keeps climbing on my window screen and peering in at me. They aren’t afraid of humans here. They don’t see us enough to know to be afraid. The other day, one was climbing all over my camera. If I had pressed the button all you would have seen would be a little chipmunk nose.

    Thank goodness for dial up. I actually feel like I’m not completely cut-off from civilization this year. I’ll try and post more while I sit and stare out at the beautiful beach, sunsets, flapping flags, chipmunks, etc. Now if I could just stop scratching from all the critter bites. grins.  As always, make sure you tell the ones you love ~~I love you~~

Peace out ,

Babycakes