Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity Jig

Hooray!! He is home. All is right in the world.

The 40 year old "Grannies" (and one Grandpa Pirate?)

** Notice the lovely prune tree.

Feelin' The Love

Wow, I am shocked, flabbergasted and most PLEASANTLY surprised!! Just when I thought I had him all figured out he pulled a fast one. Yes, it flew right by me. What a totally awesome husband I have.

Yesterday was my birthday. I had hoped to fly under the radar and ease myself gracefully, and totally unnoticed into 40. I realize that is usually not done with the monumental 4-0 birthday, but that is what I was determined it would be. T had other plans. Since he was missing my big day, I gave very little thought to the prospect that he would plan anything. Apparently, he began scheming weeks back.

So, yesterday morning I am sitting at my desk talking to my sis after hearing mom and dad's lively annual rendition of Happy Birthday, when I looked up. There standing before my desk were 5 little people dressed all in black with little glasses perched on their noses and silly lipstick. The Empress, all hunched over, wobbled over to me and said "We're grannies, mom!" in a scratchy little old lady voice. Then, I was presented with a prune tree, some Polident, black baloons, and cards. They sang "Happy Birthday" as I smiled my dumbstruck smile. It was awesome. T was behind the whole thing.

Then after a long day slaving away at work I ran home and quickly changed for dinner with Cheryl. I love Cheryl, she is my dearest friend. I thought it strange when she suggested we drive to Lakeside for dinner. OK, I said....whatever. What......a surprise party......are you kidding?? Nope, that is was it was. My dear friends had gathered to wish me well. It was so much fun. We had a lovely dinner. I was presented with amazing gifts and a cake that was in a word...art. All planned and executed by a man thousands of miles away in Washington DC. Yep, you guessed it.....T. He was behind the whole thing.

Is it any wonder I love this man. Adore this man. Thank you baby.....you made my day....my year.....no, MY LIFE!

The 40 Perspective

Today is a milestone. I am 40. Yesterday I said goodbye to my 30's. I can't say I will miss them, or that I feel different today. Well, actually I feel like crap, but that is cold related at the moment and not a product of the number 40. Today I am wiser. I think I know myself a little better. Not sure that I like what I know, but have come to grips with my faults, and am determined, at least today, to change a few things. I had one of those rare moments of clarity. I finally understand me. In my 40 years I have been blessed beyond belief. I have been through some tough patches, but have always emerged on the other side a bit wiser and perhaps more appreciative of life.

My first blessing was my adoption. That great gift provided me with a family that loves me unconditionally. A mother and father that provided me love and support throughout my life. Who taught me life's lessons, instilled values, gave me faith. They made me the "me" I am. My sister provided me with friendship and love. She has taught me about selflessness, courage and strength.

T, the love of my life, my soulmate and best friend. Clearly a blessing from God. He has taught me the meaning of commitment and enduring love. He is a true and uncommon person. He has been through several life threatening medical issues. Very terrifying experiences. He refused to let the fear in and conquered his adversaries with determined courage and strength. His love of life and "fun" opened my heart and made me step out from my safe hidding place. He is phenomenal, as an individual and as a "better half."

The Empress. My shining star. My miracle. She is so precious. So special. She has brought such joy to my life. To our lives. Apparently God had a secret. Who would have thought...China? But we were led there, on a journey of faith. And she was waiting. Our daughter. She has taught me patience. My love for her is fierce, protective and undying.

I have health and happiness. I have love and family. I have friends, a job, a roof over my head and food in my belly. 40 ain't that bad!!!!

New Paint

Before and After.....(with a little Pug named Attila! :)

Dancing With The Empress

She loves Dancing With The Stars. Every Monday evening she sprints back to her bedroom to change into her dancing get-up before the program starts. When the program starts our living room turns into a dance floor, and the Empress into a contestant. Her style is reminiscent of the "vogue" era with alot of serious facial expression and cheerleader arms. Her costume....well....is ever changing. Tonight it was apparently a shout-out to bullrider contestant Ty Murray, with a tutu, tourqoise panties and cowboy boots. When the music begins she twirls with abandon, she poses with the greatest poise, and ends with a flourish and serious expression. Then she asks the judges opinion and typically scores herself.

So, Monday is our dancing night. She gets to stay up late. It is priceless. Really.

"Mom, the Easter Bunny left an egg in the flowers!"

Here Comes Peter Cotton Tail....

Easter. Miracle of miracles....the resurrection of our Lord Jesus. Perhaps the cornerstone of our faith. Very important. But, it is also special in a different way for us because of the Empress.

The wonder of Easter...the dyed eggs, Easter baskets, chocolate treats (Peeps, too!) and the Easter Bunny. This is the part of this special day that means the most to our 4 year old. She is fascinated, as any youngster would be, about the daily routine of the Easter Bunny. Does he live with Santa? Does he know if i've been good? Does he look down from the sky? How big is he?

This morning we dyed eggs. The Empress was ecstatic to begin with, but then the monotony of waiting for the egg to dye began to really test her patience. T may have commented that she has my patience...or lack of. Papa Skip loves dying Easter eggs. On average he dyes a couple dozen each year. This is the first year we are not with my family. Seems strange, but after a quick call this morning, was reassured that his egg dying did not falter with our absence. That makes me smile.

Tomorrow we plan to have a quick egg hunt and Church. Perhaps I will bake a ham?? Not all that fond of ham, but seems like the right thing to do. Happy Easter!

Mulling Over Madonna

I have thought about Madonna's current failed Malawi adoption for a while now. I guess I have some pretty strong feelings on the subject. You see, I have chosen to build my family through adoption. My parents chose the same route.

I am appalled at the adoption groups raising a stink about Madonna adopting again. Do they really seriously think that poor little 4 year old Mercy James is better off in an orphanage than with Madonna?? WTF??? Sorry about that, it just is mind boggling to me. Madonna is a fine mother, from what I have seen, and she has more than enough money to provide for a whole bus load of kids. Do I think she would love her adoptive daughter? Absolutely!! Perhaps her basic needs are being met in the orphanage, but does anyone "love" her?? Will she have the opportunity for good health....or schooling?? Madonna can provide her with all that and more.

Yes, Madonna is a celebrity, but she is also just a woman and she has the capacity to love. She has done more for that tiny African country than any person ever before her. She has a passion for those people and she should be able to adopt Mercy James.

I don't know the statistics, but I do know this, there are children out there, that, for whatever reason, are without family to care for them. Lots of them people, lots. Millions. It is about time that we ALL do something about that. Madonna has stepped forward. Let that be a good thing.

Healthy and Thriving

Just been thinking about how blessed we have been with the Empress' health. She was in an orphanage for nearly a full year before we brought her home. I am assuming that while there she was exposed to any number of horrible illnesses. Thankfully, she was also vaccinated and they were all good. What I mean is, often children in orphanages are vaccinated, but the vaccines are out of date or have not been properly stored (refrigerated). After we brought her home she was thoroughly checked out and all of her bloodwork indicated that she had been vaccinated, the vaccines were good, and they were given on time. That was a relief.

Now the weird thing. The child is almost too healthy. We have had her for three years and in the three years she has had a couple of very mild colds, meaning stuffy nose stuff for a couple of days. One fever. And one cold with a cough. She has only thrown up once....when I gave her some Mucinex for her cough. We do not baby her. She goes to daycare and weekly there are sick kids there. In fact the daycare provider is amazed because when the whole school gets sick, the Empress is the ONLY one who doesn't. Believe me, I am not complaining. I just find it a little weird. Perhaps she was exposed to or got everything at the orphanage and that experience sorta super charged her immune system. Whatever the reason, we have been blessed.

Last year when the news broke that the Chinese had been manufacturing baby formula laced with Melanine we became quite concerned. After a little research we determined that the Empress' orphange could have been feeding the brand in question during the time she was there. It doesn't get any clearer than that. Perhaps it wasn't tainted at the time? Perhaps they were feeding her another brand? Basically, we are unsure. But, it is apparent that she has no issues related to exposure to melanine. We debated having testing done on her kidneys, but decided against it as she exhibits no signs of exposure.

So, there we have it, an extremely healthy little girl. Now the subject of many waking thoughts is revealed.......What if our new baby from Burkina is sickly? I don't have the skills to take care of a sick baby. Why you ask?? Well, because I never had one. The Empress was too healthy. Of course I will learn, if the need arises.

I guess I am skeptical that we will get another health miracle like the Empress. Who really knows....maybe we will win the lottery again with the next baby. We can hope....and will definately pray!

Embracing Her Heritage

The Empress loves Mulan. She has watched it nearly a dozen times. She loves to get her China dollies out to watch with her. The Empress is facinated with the idea that Mulan is Chinese...and so is she.