Snarky

Why are people rude and just snarky these days? I mean, even some of my co-workers think it is appropriate to be rude during meetings when someone just asks a question. It's getting ridiculous. I'm not a whipping girl, and I just don't have to tolerate nasty people. I'm sick of it.

I've decided that people who are rude, mean and snarky can kiss my butt. I used to feel like I had to do anything and everything in my power to make people like me. But I don't. And I, frankly, don't have time for it.

So there.

It is a new day, and I will continue to choose to surround myself with nice people. The others, well, go away.

Peace.

Gotch-u, not gotcha! ha!

So... Lil M has taken in the past few months to running up to me and grabbing my legs and happily exclaiming I "GOTCH-U" Mommy!! And I say - You GOT Me??? Yes! she says!! I gotch-u!!

I think it is utterly adorable, of course. hehe.

Reminds me of "gotcha" though, for what people call Gotcha day, or the day you meet your child for the first time. Or maybe it is adoption day. But regardless, I don't use the term. Our Family (adoption) Day is this Friday!!!!

Happy, Happy 2 year anniversary of our adoption day Lil M! Mommy's....gotch-u!!!!! :D Always and forever.

Peace.

Risk vs Control

A point was brought up today about how much of a risk-taker I am... or not. :) You see, there are things I take risks in. Calculated risks, mostly. Being able to take risks and calculated risks helps me in a lot of areas in my life. I took a risk to adopt.

But there is a point when risk taking is really a loss of control. That, I don't do so well with. I don't do drugs. I don't water ski, or snow ski. Or anything, pretty much, that involves potential loss of physical control.

Anyway, it's just an interesting thought. Think about it. Do you take risks? Or are you in control? I'm in control... too much so sometimes, I admit. Alpha Mama Dog here... so, that's what's on my mind today.

I believe we should strive to find balance in our lives. There are things I *must* let go of and give control over to someone else... ie, Mindy's divorce. I cannot control that outcome. But, damned if I don't try (in my heart)!!! lol And, actually, in any other physical way I can help. But in this case, it is more a reality of someone evil having control over her or myself and my family. Uh huh. Nope.

But it does lead to the interesting questions.... risk or control? They're definitely related. And I'm definitely finding my balance. :)

Peace.

Utilitarian Summer quilts

I finally got back into my sewing room this weekend. I had to put in a new TV (so i thought, but it isn't digital either, bah)... and had to take Lil M's VCR (that she doesn't use yet) from her room BACK to the sewing room so I could hook up the DVD player. Sound confusing? Yep. Oh, and I had to clean off a spot so I could put in a little table to hold the VCR and DVD players... off of my sewing table! The TV sits on the corner, but that's ok. I got the TV from my friend Mary-Kelly and it is great!! I can see it without my glasses on while I'm sewing. :) Perfect. haha.

Lil M seemed happy to get to play in a new room (to her) haha. So, she asked me to get the chairs and her some paper! LOL I obliged with the chair, but no paper... 'cause I was trying to get things cleaned up and she didn't want to sit still anyway. When she went to bed, I fixed the TV situation and then decided to work on a couple EASY projects.

I had two pieces of fabric (technically 4 pieces) that had been cut out by someone that looked like they were going to use them for window coverings or something. So, i sewed them together, and made two summer quilts out of them (no batting). Utilitarian, because they aren't meant to be bed quilts and look cute... but be functional. :)

I also made Chicken Potato Corn Chowder this weekend. That was my first attempt at a chowder like that, and it turned out pretty good. :) Hope it keeps well for the week!!!

Peace.

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful I have a hair appt tonight! :)

I'm also thankful that my original adoption agency (in my state) has said that I would just need to do an updated homestudy...not from scratch. woot!!

Still haven't officially picked a Kaz agency. Working on it, though. Some say it could take 2-3 years to finalize an adoption from there. I'm OK with that. Reason(s) being a) I don't have the funds right now (will i ever?!! lol), but would like to get started sooner rather than later, and b) any adoption i pursue right now would likely take that long... or i would have to adopt an older child...and I definitely want to adopt a child younger than Lil M, if possible.

So, there. It's Thankful Thursday for me.

Peace.

Conspicuous

Are you an adoptive family? Well, if you're not, you might not realize how conspicuous we feel sometimes. Yes, we're different. No, we don't look "alike" exactly. It is even more obvious in the summer. I like to stay my traditional pastie white, LOL, and Lil M definitely gets some sun and looks gorgeous. But we're even more conspicuous.

And these days... I'm trying to not let it bother me as much. It's been one of the biggest challenges to me since we've been home... to always be asked, questioned... looked at. People (including well-meaning Sis and Scott) tell me to ignore it. And, I should. Should be able to, that is! But if you know me... and a lot of you do... I can't ignore it sometimes. And sometimes it gets under my skin.

Now. This doesn't mean that I have any problem whatsoever with us looking different. Clearly, we're going to look different, from each other, as well as the societal norm. And while most people are really gracious and nice in general... sometimes it can just feel like we're on display. What is an OK question when your child is a baby is NOT an ok question when they start growing up and understanding what people are saying.

So, I'm working on it. I'm working on my answers to intrusive questions. I'm working on ignoring the stares. I'm working on how to show Lil M each day that we are really normal and that it's other peoples' problem if they think we are different.

Don't get me wrong. We ARE different. But we are the SAME, too. And to this end, I can totally understand why GLBT folks have such a hard time with society telling them how and what they should or shouldn't be. I mean really. We're all just trying to get through the best we know how.

And if we're conspicuous, so be it. :D (as I shudder and try to remind myself people are just curious, i hope.)

I knew what I was getting in to. And I wouldn't have it any other way. Lil M has been just an amazing, enormous blessing. But I do respect our family and want to do right by her.

So, the next time you see a family that looks a little different from what you expect of the "norm", please remember... we're just trying to live our lives too. We are more than willing to discuss adoption issues, why we adopted and things of that nature. But our childrens' stories are their own, and our family is just that. Family. Please be respectful.

Peace.

Butterflies, butterflies everywhere!!!

Tour of India Butterly Exhibit. Some awesome butterflies indeed!

Sis caught 2 butterflies!!
Mom and Son hugs
Mama Mia are holding a butterfly together!!! Love this pic and that moment!


Min and the kiddos!
A gorgeous butterfly landed on chase... got several fantastic shots. first one if my fave.


Chase and Mia colored together... it was sweet. :)
Mama Mia...'bout done for the day. Off to pic put a hanging beauty (plant) for Auntie Ellen's birthday dinner tonight. Krohn has wonderful plants.
So, it was amazing. Had a great day. :)

Peace.

Considering Kazakhstan

I've decided to take the SAFY foster/adoption process fairly slow. Not stopping, exactly, but just not 100% sure that is where I am meant to be right now.

In the meantime, I've been praying about next moves and have decided to consider another country again. So, I'm looking into Kazakhstan. Main reason being, they have some children of Asian descent, and the possibility of adopting an infant is much greater than anywhere else for me right now. Oh, and singles can adopt.

And, if I'm really honest with myself... I wanted a child (Lil M) because I wanted to be a Mom, and if I adopt again it will be for the same reason. This time it has to be right for both of us. This is a little bit more intimidating than the first time around! :) And, normally it takes me awhile to figure out just the "right" thing...and this time is no different. I don't want to rush it! So, I'm researching adoption agencies right now. I've come up with 3 or 4 that I want to get information from and will go from there.

As usual, I'll keep writing about what's going on... even if that means nothing happens for awhile. :)

On a more personal note... I want to wish my friend Ellen a very happy birthday today!!! :)

Nothing else much going on here, just trying to get over being sick. Hopefully, I'll have that conquered soon!!

Peace.

Meds

I've had some not-so-pleasant side-effects from the medicine that the Dr. prescribed, so I called them today to see if I should continue or change to a new med. Let's see what they say.

The pics are of Lil M on mine and Sis' birthday at the restaurant. :) There's an outdoor patio she loves and Sis took a few pics of her! Mindy and Scott both took her out there and she didn't want to come back in! I convinced her to come back in for dessert though. LOL

Peace.