Monday, December 31, 2007

2008??????!!!!!!

Really, wasn't it just last month that I was blogging about ringing in 2007? Wasn't it just last month that I talked about all the new things I was going to do, how I am always restless at the beginning of a new year etc....???? Either I'm getting old or the years are going faster - - - I opt for the second option as I refuse to admit to getting older.

I did do a lot in 2007. I moved. I started a new relationship which is still going strong. I got a new job, a new haircut and yes, even a new hair color! I learned how to do mosaics and I continued to improve my knitting skills. This year I think I'm going to continue to build up my freelance clients and I'm going to do more with my photography. I have to think about what new thing I'm going to add to the list. Having something new to learn helps to keep me creative. I haven't painted in a very long time - maybe I'll dabble with the watercolors again too.

A am dog sitting again. My niece and her husband are out of town and my brother and SIL drove over to join them for a few days. Therefore, I inherited the dog. Walter is a sweet old man - about 13 years old and Oreo - who is now almost 5 months old, drives him totally up the wall. If Walter had any teeth left, he could nip Oreo once or twice and put him in his place. Since he doesn't, it takes about twenty minutes of growling, barking and jumping at Oreo to show him who is boss. Once that is established it is so funny to watch them. Oreo just wants to play and jumps all around Walter but doesn't actually touch him. Then he'll just lay down in from of him and put his head on his paws and look at Walter with this pleading, please play with me look. They'll get home tomorrow and I'm glad. I like it better just having the one dog to contend with.

I overslept this morning. I woke up and found the alarm clock in bed with me, under the covers and behind my tushie. It doesn't make a good impression to be late to work when you are new on a job. I have always been a night person but am trying to learn how to be a morning person. I've been reading articles about how to become a morning person. I have to do this because Le is only in first grade and I have a long time of getting up and getting her to school, not to mention myself to work. Even so, the two of us who were left in the office today cut out about 3:30. It was wonderful. I went to the store and got the ingredients for meatloaf for supper tonight. That is one of Le's favorite meals so I've already got it in the oven baking. I'll mash some potatoes and add broccoli with cheese and we'll have a good supper.

Speaking of Miss Leah, I'm out of her to go pick her up from winter camp. I still can't get used to packing her a bathing suit everyday during winter camp. She is having a ball though and that is all that matters. Last Friday they went to the Ringling Brothers circus and she was so intrigued by all the things there. She must have talked 2 hours straight about it once she got home. I have no idea what they did today so I'll be anxious to here all about it.

HAPPY NEW YEAR'S EVE!

Friday, December 21, 2007

Finally - it's Friday!

For some reason this week has seemed extremely long. I feel such a sense of relief that it is finally Friday night. I am trying not to stress about the fact that we leave the day after tomorrow and I am no where near ready. I still haven't bought all the Christmas gifts and our apartment is a mess. I keep reminding myself "one thing at a time" but I have always looked ahead at everything that needs to get done. I have to get the dog to the vet at 8:30 in the morning for the next set of shots and to be groomed. I didn't want to take a stinky dog to Orlando with us. I also have to get the oil changed in the car. Laundry, cleaning the apartment, finishing the shopping and then all the wrapping - a lot of it has to be done while Lele is asleep. Enough of the "to do list!"

Tonight while we were eating supper, Lele looked across the table at me with those big brown eyes of hers and said that sometimes it didn't feel like I was her mother. She has said this to me quite a bit lately and I've just brushed it off by saying something like "Well I am!" and let it go at that. Tonight, however, I took the plunge. I asked her if she felt like there was someone else and she answered yes. Then I asked her if it was because she was adopted. She seemed relieved that I understood and said, "Yes! That's why." I asked her if she really knew what adoption was and she explained to me what it was accurately. Then I asked her if she wondered about the woman who grew her in her tummy. I told her that her daddy and I picked her out of all the babies in the world who didn't have a mommy or daddy. She asked me if that was why she was adopted, because she didn't have a mommy or daddy. I was truthful and told her not exactly but that the girl who gave birth to her wasn't able to take care of her. Then she surprised me when she asked if that mommy and daddy were lazy and didn't want to take care of her. I assured her that was not the case but that the girl who had her was very young. "What about her husband?" she asked. I told her she didn't have a husband. She wrinkled up her nose and said, "Oh." After a few minutes she walked around to my side of the table and put her arms around me and told me that she was glad that I was her mommy. I knew this time was coming but gosh I didn't expect it yet. I have never pulled any punches with her. I was totally honest with her when her daddy died two years ago. It is just so hard sometimes because I wonder if I'm doing the right thing. I want to be sure to make her see adoption as a good thing. Thank goodness I have plenty of time to do that.

Well, I have a lot to do so will stop for now. I'm glad I'm back to blogging again. I missed it.

Thursday, December 20, 2007

Holiday Fever

My daughter is just so anxious for Christmas to get here. She has been counting down the days and telling me daily what she wants Santa to bring her. As she gets older I find that her gifts are more expensive. Gone are the days of having 15 gifts under the tree that didn't break the bank. This year she will have fewer gifts but hopefully she won't notice as she will have some of the things she has asked Santa for.

We'll be joining my sister and her family in Orlando this year. This will be the first time I have ever spent Christmas in my sister's house. Her granddaughter is the same age as my daughter and they have never met. This should be an interesting holiday. That is the part I'm excited about - spending Christmas with family.

Lele and I are getting settled in our new home, and our new routine. She is very happy being back in after school care and has made some friends there. She loves the fact that they play outside a lot and have organized games and sports that she can participate in. Every afternoon when I pick her up she is always so sweaty - but always smiling. She loves living in South Florida because the weather is so nice. I have to admit, winter here is awesome - temperatures in the 70's and low 80's and plenty of sunshine. I'm a little homesick, but not as much as I thought I might be.

Our puppy has finally gotten big enough that he can now jump up on the couch. It takes him several tries but eventually he does make it. It is cute to watch him because once he gets up there it is so obvious that he is proud of himself. He is a wonderful dog and we both have grown so attached to him. It's a good thing as he is in the puppy chewing stage. He ruined a brand new pair of dress shoes that I had worn only once. He loves all the stuffed animals in Lele's room and comes running down the hall with one in his mouth everyday. They are usually bigger than he is but that doesn't stop him.

It's time for me to get a certain little one to bed so I'll sign off for now.

Welcome!

Though I am not new to blogging, I'd like to welcome you to my new blog. I deleted my last blog, not sure if I wanted to continue, but after taking a week off I realized that I missed it. It has been a way for me to communicate with friends far away and it gives me a place to just write. So, here I am, back with a new name and a new profile since several things have changed.

A friend of mine emailed "The Bell" to me and I wanted to share it here. I thought it was beautiful and so appropriate for this time of year.

THE BELL

I KNOW WHO I AM
I am God's child (John 1:12)
I am Christ's friend (John 15:15)
I am united with the Lord(1 Cor. 6:17)
I am bought with a price(1 Cor. 6:19-20)
I am a saint (set apart for God). (Eph. 1:1)
I am a personal witness of Christ (Acts 1:8)
I am the salt & light of the earth ( Matt.5:13-14)
I am a member of the body of Christ(1 Cor 12:27)
I am free forever from condemnation (Rom. 8: 1-2)
I am a citizen of Heaven. I am significant (Phil.3:20)
I am free from any charge against me (Rom. 8:31-34)
I am a minister of reconciliation for God(2 Cor.5:17-21)
I have access to God through the Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:18)
I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (Eph. 2:6)
I cannot be separated from the love of God( Rom.8:35-39)
I am established, anointed, sealed by God (2 C or.1:21-22)
I am assured all things work together for good (Rom. 8: 28)
I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit (John 15:16)
I may approach God with freedom and confidence (Eph. 3: 12)
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13)
I am the branch of the true vine, a channel of His life (John 15: 1-5)
I am God's temple (1 Cor. 3: 16). I am complete in Christ (Col. 2: 10)
I am hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3). I have been justified (Romans 5:1)
I am God's co-worker (1 Cor. 3:9; 2 Cor 6:1). I am God's workmanship(Eph. 2:10)
I am confident that the good works God has begun in me will be perfected (Phil1: 5)
I have been redeemed and forgiven (Col. 1:14). I have been adopted as God's child(Eph1:5)
I belong to God
Do you know
who you are!?