More descriptions of our adoption experience with Hannah. I sent this to a prospective adoptive family who was thinking of going to Russia to adopt a child, so the following is written with that receiver in mind:
We went to St. Petersburg. Our first trip over, we went straight there. We arrived on a Sunday night, and spent the day Monday waiting to hear about our appointment with the Minster of Education to meet the kids.
We spent the day with Oskana, our interpreter. She took us around the city, which is beautiful. We were there first before spring, and the city was rather bleak. It is much more pretty in summer. We stayed at the hotel there. "4 star" in Russia does not equate to "4 star" in the US. They had no washclothes in the bathrooms, and the toliet paper was like cardboard. Be sure and take plenty of kleenex, because the public restrooms have NO toliet paper. The room smelled like stale cigarette smoke. I took a solid air freshener with me to help the room air. The breakfast there left a lot to be desired, too. We were told to avoid beef while traveling overseas, so we did. We also made sure to only drink bottled water and brush our teeth with the bottled water. Fortunately, they sell "Pepsi Light" (diet) everywhere! Both the hotel in St. Petersburg and Moscow had internet access in their business center, so we were able to keep in touch. We made several long distance calls the second trip, and our telephone bill was over $250! So I really recommend the internet if possible.
Back to the first trip - we went to the Minister of Education's office (after buying her a dozen roses), and met with her. She "told" us about the children (you are not supposed to know in advance who you are looking at) and we signed a book saying we wanted to look at them. The next day (Tuesday), we drove to the orphanage in Luga (a two hour drive) with a fast, scary driver and Natasha, the main lady in charge. She is young, but knows what she is doing, and who to deal with. We got to see the kids for almost two hours, and took a lot of video and photos. When we got home, we sent the video to the University of Minnesota for review by Dr. Dana Johnson, and also had our pediatrician look at it. We had them review for fetal alcohol syndrome, attachment disorder, developmental delays, etc. We also sent them a copy of the medical report that we had received.
After visiting at the orphanage, we went to the notary's office to sign some paperwork. Everything has to be notarized over there, and there was a crowd! Oskana helped us with everything. They never leave your side while you are away from the hotel. Early the next morning, Oskana picked us up at the hotel and took us to the airport. We got home that evening (Wednesday). We made a final decision on the adoption on Friday, and an adoption petition was filed for our daughter on Monday. We then had to get the rest of our paperwork in, since we went over with only a mini-dossier completed. Unfortunately, the next several weeks included the May day holidays, so our court date was scheduled two months after our first visit. That was the hardest part, waiting to go back after seeing her, holding her, smelling her and loving her. We got word finally on a Monday that we were scheduled for the following Monday, so we left that Friday. We used (again) the travel agency in Texas (Emaly is GREAT!), and got our visas back o.k. Be sure and read your travel packet several times to make sure you take all the necessary paperwork with you. I even took extra copies of stuff, just in case.
We left then on the second trip on Friday, arrived there on the next day, and went to the orphanage on Sunday to see the baby again. Earlier that morning (Sunday), we met with Natasha and Oskana to go over the baby's medical history and social background. You will be expected to know all of this, and may be asked about it in court by the judge. We were questioned thoroughly about the baby's medical history and social background (parents, grandparents). Monday morning was our court date, and I had prepared a letter (notarized of course) stating our reasons why we wanted the judge to waive the ten day waiting period. Be sure and sent a copy early so that it can be translated. We cited the medical reasons for the child, wanting her to be seen by specialists, etc., as our need to come on home, and already had appointments with doctors lined up.
On Monday we went to court. It is in an old building (aren't they all), and we climbed the stairs to the third floor. We waited a while, and then they called us in. Be sure and listen to your translator, not the judge or people talking. However, you will need to look at the judge or whoever is talking, so as to appear respectful. When you speak, talk in short sentances or phrases, so that the interpreter can keep up. If you panic, just tell the translator that you're not sure you understand the question. That will give you more time to think of a good response. You will do fine - don't panic. They won't deny the adoption - they just are good government workers who need to justify their jobs! We went for a light lunch after the court hearing (the judge waived our waiting period), and then went and had some paperwork done.
The next day, we drove out to Luga again, went to a government building and signed new birth certificates. We then waited a while and picked up some cakes, champagne, etc. for the going away party (which didn't happen; at least in our presence). We met again with the director of the orphanage, and finally got our baby! Both Oskana and Natasha was with us that day, and since their were two families, we took a small bus (a large mini-van) out there. The kids did great on the ride back, and it was strange not using car seats! The next day was a wasted day, it being the Independence Day holiday. So I called Oskana, and she took us shopping for a couple of hours. The other family stayed at the hotel, but I wanted to get out.
The baby did great. Oskana took us to buy baby food. I highly recommend taking disposible bottles and enough clean nipples to get you through until you get home. It is next to impossible to get anything boiled there, and our baby got diareaah. I think it may have been stress-related, but who knows. We bought bottled water to mix the formula. We got our documents on Thursday, and we went to the airport that night to travel to Moscow. Oskana settled up our bill before we left, and she was very precise and very fair about costs.
When we got to Moscow, Max was there to meet us. He's great! We went the next morning to get visa photos taken of the kids. Then we went to the doctor, and Hannah got a checkup. The doctor was very fluent in English and seemed to be good. We then went by the Embassy and got an appointment. We went back to the hotel to wait for the appointment for a couple of hours. The Embassy interview was a breeze! We went into the Embassy, went through security, and talked with a lady at the window for a minute or two. Then we signed a big book, and that was it! We had to go one more place and sign ONE MORE FORM (you'll get used to that), and we were finished. We went out to eat that night at TGI Fridays, and had a great meal.
We left the next day for the airport. I had asked Max to pick us up early so that we could go through Red Square and see the Kremlin, etc., so he picked us up about 2 hours early. Then we left for the airport and came home! YEA! God Bless America! There were about 8 other adoptive families on our plane, and I ran out of diapers and had to borrow some! The baby was great on the plane, and we were glad to be home.
The mix of emotions as I read this......the waiting, the paperwork, the money, the anxiety of being in a foreign country with our baby AND the children we had waiting for us here at home. We had wonderful prayer warriors, that's all I can say.
There's a lot more I can tell, PLUS another trip to Russia for another child (the last one....that's it....nada, no more.....I really, really mean it!!). So stay tuned!
Monday, July 14, 2008
International Adoption??
No, not again.....but the initial thoughts for this blog were that I would share some of our thoughts & experiences of our two international adoptions. To refresh my memory, I looked back at some of my emails of when we went to get the diva, six years ago. It's been six years!!! I just had to send her to her room because she hit the neighbor kid. Six long, lovely years!!
Here's an email that I sent out after our court hearing in June, 2002:
First of all, Jessica, you are a big sister (again)! Catherine, you are a big sister (again)! and Sam, you are now the BIG brother!
Dearest friends and family: Things went very well at court this morning.The judge and the prosecutor were very stern looking, and we were asked to answer a lot of questions, which is hard with an interpreter. When I said that I was an only child and wanted lots of children, the judge smiled. To make a long story short, Larry & I are the proud parents of Hannah GraceAlexandra Sartain, born August 18, 2001 in Luga, Lenigrad Region, Russia. The judge made an immediate decision - no waiting period whatsoever. The court was held in a very old building (all the buildings are old), with 14 foot ceilings, plaster walls, etc. It looked like it had formerly been a palace of some sort, and probably was. Everything is retrofitted for electricity, telephone and plumbing; wires run along the ceiling and pipes along the walls. I have no clue how it is heated in the winter time. We took the interpreters, the orphanage director, the orphanage inspector, and the other American couple to lunch after the court hearings. After lunch, we went shopping for a little bit, then we were dropped back off at the hotel. The interpreters went back to the courthouse to wait on the court papers. We will get the Russian passport here for Hannah, then travel to Luga tomorrow to change her birth certificate, present gifts to the orphanage, and get Hannah.
It's really hard to describe our emotions right now. We are excited, but it still seems somewhat surreal. We think that when she is finally with us, in our room, dressed in American clothes, screaming and pooping, that she willreally seem to be ours! The orphanage inspector made a very sweet speech at lunch; about how it breaks her heart to see the children of Russia leave the country, but that in the current economic times, no one here can afford to adopt. She said she traveled to the US last year and met some adoptive couples and waspleased to see how much the children she had once cared for were loved by their new parents.
I'm sorry that this is so long, but my heart is very full now, and I wanted to share my first impressions and reactions with you, our friends andfamily. Thank you so much for your prayers and support - we felt a calm presence today. I'll keep you posted ....... Judy & Larry
That was sent out June 10, 2002. We had first visited with the Diva in mid-April. In April, Larry mainly held her while I took video. I distinctly remember holding her close, nuzzling her neck and singing "Jesus Loves Me" in her ear. She was so solemn and gazed deeply in my eyes. I know that she was wondering "who is this strange lady and what gibberish is she singing?"
Her temper is legendary; her vocabulary amazing; her self-assuredness is remarkable; and her imagination truly out of this world. She is my daughter, and I (we) traveled across the world for her. Worth every mile, and more!
Here's an email that I sent out after our court hearing in June, 2002:
First of all, Jessica, you are a big sister (again)! Catherine, you are a big sister (again)! and Sam, you are now the BIG brother!
Dearest friends and family: Things went very well at court this morning.The judge and the prosecutor were very stern looking, and we were asked to answer a lot of questions, which is hard with an interpreter. When I said that I was an only child and wanted lots of children, the judge smiled. To make a long story short, Larry & I are the proud parents of Hannah GraceAlexandra Sartain, born August 18, 2001 in Luga, Lenigrad Region, Russia. The judge made an immediate decision - no waiting period whatsoever. The court was held in a very old building (all the buildings are old), with 14 foot ceilings, plaster walls, etc. It looked like it had formerly been a palace of some sort, and probably was. Everything is retrofitted for electricity, telephone and plumbing; wires run along the ceiling and pipes along the walls. I have no clue how it is heated in the winter time. We took the interpreters, the orphanage director, the orphanage inspector, and the other American couple to lunch after the court hearings. After lunch, we went shopping for a little bit, then we were dropped back off at the hotel. The interpreters went back to the courthouse to wait on the court papers. We will get the Russian passport here for Hannah, then travel to Luga tomorrow to change her birth certificate, present gifts to the orphanage, and get Hannah.
It's really hard to describe our emotions right now. We are excited, but it still seems somewhat surreal. We think that when she is finally with us, in our room, dressed in American clothes, screaming and pooping, that she willreally seem to be ours! The orphanage inspector made a very sweet speech at lunch; about how it breaks her heart to see the children of Russia leave the country, but that in the current economic times, no one here can afford to adopt. She said she traveled to the US last year and met some adoptive couples and waspleased to see how much the children she had once cared for were loved by their new parents.
I'm sorry that this is so long, but my heart is very full now, and I wanted to share my first impressions and reactions with you, our friends andfamily. Thank you so much for your prayers and support - we felt a calm presence today. I'll keep you posted ....... Judy & Larry
That was sent out June 10, 2002. We had first visited with the Diva in mid-April. In April, Larry mainly held her while I took video. I distinctly remember holding her close, nuzzling her neck and singing "Jesus Loves Me" in her ear. She was so solemn and gazed deeply in my eyes. I know that she was wondering "who is this strange lady and what gibberish is she singing?"
Her temper is legendary; her vocabulary amazing; her self-assuredness is remarkable; and her imagination truly out of this world. She is my daughter, and I (we) traveled across the world for her. Worth every mile, and more!
Thursday, July 3, 2008
She's still my baby!
We enjoyed a great visit with Ca-Ca in mid-June. We didn't do a whole lot - hung out at the pool, ate out a few times....but it was wonderful just spending time with her. I'm hoping to go visit her later this summer in Philly BY MYSELF!! It may not work out with her schedule or her husband's schedule, but it's nice to dream **sigh**.
She's doing a great job and is very busy at the college where she's on staff as the campus activities director. I just wish that she was a little closer; I guess my mother thought the very same thing when I left Kentucky for good and moved to Georgia. At least I was just a 7 hour drive, not 14 hours!
I offered to take her camping, but she declined. In retrospect, it does seem like a stretch for her to be spending her time in a lounge chair in the middle of nowhere. She's turned into a city girl, but I remember when she used to go with me to the farm in Kentucky as a little bitty girl. She enjoyed feeding the chickens and riding on the tractor with my dad.
She'll turn 26 in August, but for me, she'll always be my baby. I'm proud of you, sweetheart!
Camping in Paradise (well, sort of)
We just returned from camping at Moccasin Creek State Park near Clayton, Ga. Called the park where "spring spends the summer", we awoke to temperatures in the low 50's over the past couple of mornings. Real blanket-sleepin' weather! The kids fished, caught turtles, rode bikes, played on the playground and just generally ran amuck. There were a couple of hectic days for me, including three loads of laundry one morning (actually kind of a slow laundry day for me), and the days I fed 8 kids for lunch. Needless to say, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches were the haute-cusine in our motor home! One night, we were blessed to receive supper from friends. They had made a low-country boil and shared their excess with us. We ate until we were miserable! Good eatin'!
We rented a pontoon boat one day and I must say that my dear husband had the biggest grin on his face while cutting doughnuts in the lake, pulling the kids on a tube. For most of the trip, we not only had our four kids, but two of them had friends......so that was 6 kids. Although not huge, we did have plenty of room for everyone to sleep. The hardest thing was getting all of them to settle down for the night. There's too much to do - lightnin' bugs to catch, baseballs to hit, kids to chase, bikes to ride. The kids enjoyed just messing around each and every day.
We did manage to spend an hour or two at the "sliding rocks" near the campground. The water was ice-cold, but the Diva (our daredevil) went down at least 20 times! Always eager for more, that's her in a nutshell. The bookworm didn't even go down once, and the baseball baron managed one trip. Scooter declined as well, but our friends enjoyed themselves immensely.
One of the neat things about the campground is that it is adjacent to the Lake Burton fish hatchery. Baby fish are then released into the creek, where only children 11 years and under, or senior citizens are allowed to fish. The baseball baron and the bookworm caught several; it being the bookworm's first fish, it had to be immortalized in print.
We somehow manage to meet the nicest people while camping. Our across the street neighbors were ex-patriate bulldawgs from Florida. Great couple & we hope to camp near them again. We also ran into some folks from our church....what a small world! Their kids provided more entertainment, which allowed me some grown-up talking time (which is always sorely needed).
We're busy planning our next camping trip. Until then........ta ta for now!
Friday, May 30, 2008
Take me out to the ballgame!
We've been spending a lot of time at various ballparks, including Scooter's T-Ball park and the baseball king's park (where Scooter had the unfortunate incident on the monkey bars). Last Saturday's game found Sam leading off the first inning with a home run! He later added to his hit parade with a double. Unfortunately, we lost the game. Nearly all our players this year are new to this team and to this level of play. But.....just wait 'til next year! We've got some players with hustle and talent and we'll be in the running next year.
Last Sunday we had a real treat - we saw the Arizona Diamondbacks play at Turner Field in Atlanta. One of Sam's heros - Micah Owings - pitched for Arizona and won the game. We got some strange looks - wearing our Braves paraphanila and hollering for Micah to win! We had great seats on the Terrace level and by the 2 inning or so were enjoying the shade while the folks below us were broiling in the hot sun. Weird to think that when Tom Glavine was first pitching for the Braves back in the 90's, Micah was probably in middle school or so!
I got to see Glenn Hubbard *sigh* the best 2nd baseman to ever play the game in my opinion..... well, o.k., it's a biased opinion when you consider the Cardinal's Ozzie Smith, etc., but how about the best 2nd baseman for the Braves in the modern era?? We splurged on a program and I've enjoyed reading all the articles about the Braves staff and front office. I noticed something that I thought was pretty cool - they included the pictures and names of the secretarys, admin assistants, HVAC technicians, plumbers, etc., everyone who makes Turner Field work! What a great recognition that without all of the "little people", no one could come and see Chipper hit a long one or see Franceour make a spendid diving catch for the last out.
The kids were thrilled when I was asked to participate in a contest in the middle of an inning - guess the headline, I think it was. I had a 50-50 chance of getting it right and winning a $50 Braves gift card......but it was not to be! Oh well, we got a goodie bag with a foam tomahawk, a bumper sticker, a T-Shirt and a cap.
We were fortunate that the Diva and Scooter were able to spend the day with friends at the church Memorial Day picnic and at their home. We were able to get to the ballpark early, watch batting practice, get autographs, etc. Oh - Matt Diaz was kind enough to autograph a baseball for both the Bookworm and the baseball baron. Then, two games later, he was dreadfully injured valiently trying to make a play in Milwaukee's stadium. Pray for him - he may be out 6 weeks or so. Underneath his autograph, he penned "Phil 1:6".
I got to see Glenn Hubbard *sigh* the best 2nd baseman to ever play the game in my opinion..... well, o.k., it's a biased opinion when you consider the Cardinal's Ozzie Smith, etc., but how about the best 2nd baseman for the Braves in the modern era?? We splurged on a program and I've enjoyed reading all the articles about the Braves staff and front office. I noticed something that I thought was pretty cool - they included the pictures and names of the secretarys, admin assistants, HVAC technicians, plumbers, etc., everyone who makes Turner Field work! What a great recognition that without all of the "little people", no one could come and see Chipper hit a long one or see Franceour make a spendid diving catch for the last out.
The kids were thrilled when I was asked to participate in a contest in the middle of an inning - guess the headline, I think it was. I had a 50-50 chance of getting it right and winning a $50 Braves gift card......but it was not to be! Oh well, we got a goodie bag with a foam tomahawk, a bumper sticker, a T-Shirt and a cap.
We were fortunate that the Diva and Scooter were able to spend the day with friends at the church Memorial Day picnic and at their home. We were able to get to the ballpark early, watch batting practice, get autographs, etc. Oh - Matt Diaz was kind enough to autograph a baseball for both the Bookworm and the baseball baron. Then, two games later, he was dreadfully injured valiently trying to make a play in Milwaukee's stadium. Pray for him - he may be out 6 weeks or so. Underneath his autograph, he penned "Phil 1:6".
But I guess the biggest thrill of all for Sam was that Micah had asked his sweet sister, Abby, to give Sam a Diamondbacks T-Shirt, which Micah autographed after the game. Wonderful family and we're so proud of them all - I think Micah and his brothers would all agree that they owe all their success to the Lord and to their supportive family.
What a great day for the Bookworm's first-ever Braves game at Turner Field! We've been to many minor league games and are eagerly awaiting the opening of the Gwinnett Braves next year, but this was her first big league game and was enjoyed greatly by all.
So, just take me out to the ballgame anytime at all!
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Don't ever, ever ask what can happen next!!!!
I guess with four young kids at home, it's inevitable - the trips to the doctor, quick care or the emergency room. It all started out last week with the diva having a bicycle wreck. A bad one. Without her helmet - which we have scolded and scolded - fortunately not hurting her head, but experiencing some terrible "road rash". Well, when I was young, we just put cream on it and went our merry way. But she was so pitiful - the bandages sticking to the wounds. Well, I had the bright idea of putting liquid bandage on it. WRONG! At the pediatrician yesterday, we had to soak down all the five huge wounds with saline and the nurses had to pick it off with tweezers. But the prescription cream the doc gave us is a miracle! The wounds look better even this morning, and we're back to the old-fashioned tape and gauze.
So anyway, she's on the road to recovery, right? After Scooter's last T-Ball game of the season yesterday (during which he hit several line drives - but who's bragging?), we were all at the ballpark for 1st son's baseball game. The baseball baron went 3 for 4 with a couple of good put outs at second, but lo and behold, during the game, a friend brought to me a weeping Scooter. He had attempted the monkey bars (at 4-1/2 with his short little legs), fallen and was in pain. We iced it down and decided that it was just a bad sprain. Back in the day, if the bone wasn't protruding, you just "suck it up" and go on. At least that's how we did it - you just didn't go to the doctor unless things were really, really bad. But I was concerned this morning when Scooter was still crying and complaining. All the way to the quick care, I was thinking "what a waste of time; the kid's fine". Shows you how much I know - poor kid's right wrist (thank goodness he's a lefty) is broken in two places. At least it's the greenstick fracture - the bone doesn't need to be moved. We'll go back for his case this afternoon. When asked what color cast he wants, he firmly stated "red and black". I was so proud! Pictures to come later!!
This isn't his first close encounter with the monkey bars. About a year ago, while at church, he fell off the playground and split his tongue. Right down the middle. When he stuck it out, it FORKED! They couldn't stitch it or anything; just a week or so with soft foods. We teased that "when Scooter speak, he speak with forked tongue". It looked like a snake's tongue. But it's all healed up now - let's pray his arm heals just as thoroughly.
So my advice to you is to never, ever, ever ask what can happen next. Sure as shootin', it will!
So anyway, she's on the road to recovery, right? After Scooter's last T-Ball game of the season yesterday (during which he hit several line drives - but who's bragging?), we were all at the ballpark for 1st son's baseball game. The baseball baron went 3 for 4 with a couple of good put outs at second, but lo and behold, during the game, a friend brought to me a weeping Scooter. He had attempted the monkey bars (at 4-1/2 with his short little legs), fallen and was in pain. We iced it down and decided that it was just a bad sprain. Back in the day, if the bone wasn't protruding, you just "suck it up" and go on. At least that's how we did it - you just didn't go to the doctor unless things were really, really bad. But I was concerned this morning when Scooter was still crying and complaining. All the way to the quick care, I was thinking "what a waste of time; the kid's fine". Shows you how much I know - poor kid's right wrist (thank goodness he's a lefty) is broken in two places. At least it's the greenstick fracture - the bone doesn't need to be moved. We'll go back for his case this afternoon. When asked what color cast he wants, he firmly stated "red and black". I was so proud! Pictures to come later!!
This isn't his first close encounter with the monkey bars. About a year ago, while at church, he fell off the playground and split his tongue. Right down the middle. When he stuck it out, it FORKED! They couldn't stitch it or anything; just a week or so with soft foods. We teased that "when Scooter speak, he speak with forked tongue". It looked like a snake's tongue. But it's all healed up now - let's pray his arm heals just as thoroughly.
So my advice to you is to never, ever, ever ask what can happen next. Sure as shootin', it will!
Thursday, May 1, 2008
May Day Ramblings
I can't believe it's already the first day of May! Are we finally going to have a spring? Are we finally going to finish work on the house? Am I finally going to get these rods out of my nose and (hopefully) be able to smell? Hannah found out that May Day is a big holiday in Russia, so now she thinks we ought to have a party with her and Stephen as the stars, because, of course "they're Russian and you are not". I think we're gonna pass on the party. Better dead than red, remember that?
Today is the National Day of Prayer and our church is participating in an observance this morning. The kids are going to release balloons at the end of the service. I can't think of a more important time to deliberately pray for our country.
Mother's Day is coming up - always a bittersweet day for me. Sunday is the Mother Daughter luncheon at church and the girls and I have invited Larry's mom to come with us. She's always had a schedule conflict before, so we are excited about her attending. I know that I am my children's Mother, but it's just not the same once you lose your own mother. It's so weird - she's been gone 12 years now, but I still think of things I need to ask her, reach for the phone to call her, and see things while shopping that she would enjoy. She'll always be with me.
Looking ahead to summer --- swimming lessons, golf camp, tennis camp, church camp, two or three family camping trips --- I'm tired before we even get started and the summer is already spoken for as well. I'm already working on booking our Christmas camping trip to Key West. Too bad we can't just move down there and wait tables or something! Really, truly a paradise.
We hope to have the deck expansion done by the end of this week. We'll have doubled our outdoor living space and should be able to enjoy watching the kids in the pool from the 2nd story deck. Larry is anxious to fire up the new grill and get cooking ..... wait, did I really say that???
The support stints in my nose come out next Tuesday and that will be the moment of truth about whether or not the "patch" over the hole has held. I've sneezed a couple of times - ouch! Right now my nose just looks real swollen; thankfully no bruising. We've been blessed incredibly by friends and family with childcare, food, prayers, calls and emails. God is good to our family!
Larry's been real good and helpful to me during my recuperation. I had to get dressed up only two days after surgery and he even helped me put on my pantyhose. Well, he put them on backwards at first. He couldn't understand why it would make a difference! I told him the poochy part for my bottom has to go in the back. I guess I ought to be glad that he isn't familiar with the nuances of the fine art of putting on pantyhose!
I can't wait to be able to get out in the yard and tend to my roses. I planted my geraniums in the porch containers before the surgery, but I need to get out some begonias as well. Patience is NOT my strong suit!
Well, nothing mind-boggling this time, just some ramblings about this and that. Have a happy May Day!
Today is the National Day of Prayer and our church is participating in an observance this morning. The kids are going to release balloons at the end of the service. I can't think of a more important time to deliberately pray for our country.
Mother's Day is coming up - always a bittersweet day for me. Sunday is the Mother Daughter luncheon at church and the girls and I have invited Larry's mom to come with us. She's always had a schedule conflict before, so we are excited about her attending. I know that I am my children's Mother, but it's just not the same once you lose your own mother. It's so weird - she's been gone 12 years now, but I still think of things I need to ask her, reach for the phone to call her, and see things while shopping that she would enjoy. She'll always be with me.
Looking ahead to summer --- swimming lessons, golf camp, tennis camp, church camp, two or three family camping trips --- I'm tired before we even get started and the summer is already spoken for as well. I'm already working on booking our Christmas camping trip to Key West. Too bad we can't just move down there and wait tables or something! Really, truly a paradise.
We hope to have the deck expansion done by the end of this week. We'll have doubled our outdoor living space and should be able to enjoy watching the kids in the pool from the 2nd story deck. Larry is anxious to fire up the new grill and get cooking ..... wait, did I really say that???
The support stints in my nose come out next Tuesday and that will be the moment of truth about whether or not the "patch" over the hole has held. I've sneezed a couple of times - ouch! Right now my nose just looks real swollen; thankfully no bruising. We've been blessed incredibly by friends and family with childcare, food, prayers, calls and emails. God is good to our family!
Larry's been real good and helpful to me during my recuperation. I had to get dressed up only two days after surgery and he even helped me put on my pantyhose. Well, he put them on backwards at first. He couldn't understand why it would make a difference! I told him the poochy part for my bottom has to go in the back. I guess I ought to be glad that he isn't familiar with the nuances of the fine art of putting on pantyhose!
I can't wait to be able to get out in the yard and tend to my roses. I planted my geraniums in the porch containers before the surgery, but I need to get out some begonias as well. Patience is NOT my strong suit!
Well, nothing mind-boggling this time, just some ramblings about this and that. Have a happy May Day!
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