No Better Way...

There is no better way to spend a Saturday than with friends.

Yesterday I headed north and spent the day with my friend Sandra. It is so nice to 'hang out' and chat the afternoon away. Of course there was a little bit of shopping, Sandra has the best shopping places around!

Later that afternoon PIPO and PIPA joined us. What a cutie patootie PIPA is!!! Boy! That girl has some rockin' kicks!

Before going home we all went to dinner. It was so much fun! I wish I would have brought my camera. I only have a couple of shots from my phone and the quality isn't great. I did snag one picture from PIPO that I LOVE! It's a good picture of all of us!

I had such a good time at dinner that is wasn't until I stopped for gas on the way home that I realized that I didn't have my debit card. Luckily I was able to call the restaurant and the manager had it. I had to drive back, about 30 minutes, get the card, and then start home again. All in all it only added about an hour to my trip which wasn't bad. I am just glad I realized it so early in the trip. Can't imagine going without my debit card. Big Bear probably wouldn't mind it missing for a while, though.

Thanks for a wonderful day girls!!!!

It's NOT Just a Name!

Choosing a name for your child, I have learned, is a very sensitive, personal issue.

When I was little I had a couple of names that I was certain would be the names I would use for my children. I became attached to the names. Then they were shot down in an instant while trying to choose a name for our little one. I know that it wasn’t an intentional blast. I never made it known that these cherished names were a long time dream. It still stung a bit.

Right from the beginning of our adoption journey Big Bear and I chose a girl’s name. I really liked the name, but it never could replace my treasured names from long ago. It was a name thrown out in a frenzy of names and we both thought, ‘that works’. Had this adoption wait been only a few months long I have no doubt our daughter would be called by that first name chosen.

As time went on I realized that our first choice of a name really didn’t ‘speak’ to me. I couldn’t treasure it as I did the names of the past. I didn’t think about calling that name. It was just a name. Slowly I started to plant the seeds of change with Big Bear. It wasn’t well received. Unlike me, he had begun to treasure the name.

In the meantime we needed to choose a boy’s name, just incase. This happened much more easily one Sunday morning. The boy name spoke to me. I have loved it from the moment we put it together, and still do.

A few weeks later I had told some friends the name we picked if we received a referral for a boy. The first comment, the only comment, I remember hearing was, “why would you pick THAT name?’

At first my heart sank, and then my blood ran hot! How could anyone not like this name? It was after that I really began to realize how names are such a personal and sensitive issue. It cuts to the core when negative comments are said about the name you are planning to give your child. I know in the past I have made a face, or a comment when someone has mentioned a name they are planning to use, never realizing how personal it is, and that I may be hurting feelings. For that I feel terrible and am sorry.

It was after that comment towards our boy name that I decided the names we choose would be held close to the heart. People may still not care for the names we select, but hopefully they will see that beautiful picture and not give a hoot about the name.

That’s my thought any way.

In An Instant

On October 14th I learned the hard way that life, as you know it, can change in an instant.

In the early hours of that Wednesday morning, my good friend was awakened by her husband. He was asking to go to the hospital. They thought that he had a kidney stone and it was trying to pass.

After some tests were run there was a kidney infection. Sadly, the doctors also found large tumors on his lungs and liver. By the end of the week it had been determined that my friend’s husband has Stage 4 esophageal cancer with tumors on his lungs and liver.

Just typing this makes me cry. My friend and I have become very close over the last couple of years. I see her every day at work, and we go out to dinner at least once a month. Only our dinners are never just hour-long visits. We usually end up sitting and chatting the hours away. It is not uncommon for us to suddenly realize that three or four hours have passed, and yet we still have so much to say. We frequently joke that we are sisters separated at birth married to brothers who were separated at birth ~ because our husbands are so much alike.

My heart aches for my friend. I wish there was something I could do. We did manage to get together last night for a couple of hours. It was so good to see her. She mentioned how amazed they are at the number of people who are sending thoughts and prayers for them. It made me think that even though there aren’t many people who still read blogs, maybe one or two extra prayers could come from those who still do read this one.

If you don’t mind, please keep Greg and Pam in your thoughts and prayers. It's the only thing I know to do for them right now.

Four Years Ago

It is hard to believe that four years ago today I got into my car and drove to a small town near Cincinnati. I met a complete stranger, got into her car and drove to another stranger’s house. We then drove to Detroit, Michigan to meet a third stranger.

I often think back to that Friday night in November and wonder, “What were you thinking??” Then I think about all that has transpired over the last four years, and I am so glad that I took that leap of faith four years ago.

One distinct memory I have of that weekend was standing in the hotel room talking about the adoption timeline. It makes me chuckle now to think how hopeful, and yet naive we all were oh so long ago.

Each year I think about the trip. An adventure that started out on a cold, dark November night, but ended with such fun, laughter, and four strangers who became friends. Little did I know at the time, but this little journey would lead to meeting several other wonderful women. It’s amazing!

Here we are four years later. One mama is home with her little one. One mama is in China right at this moment getting to know her little one, and two of us are still hopeful ~ just not as naïve, I hope. With a bit of luck by the five-year anniversary all four of us will be home with our little ones.

Such a GREAT beginning!!!

A Good Thing

A week ago Big Bear and I both woke up feeling like we were getting a cold. Right away I started taking Esberitox. My mom told me about this a while back, and I swear it is the best stuff out there. For me it works a lot better than Airb0rne.

Any time I feel like I am coming down with something I start taking this as soon as possible. I honestly think it has helped me several times. Last week I still had a stuffy nose, but nothing I couldn't deal with. Big Bear, on the other hand, was down and out. He really has had a hard time getting over this cold. I tried to get him to take some of the Esberitox, but he didn't believe me. He ALMOST said I was right, almost. :o)

Right now I can only find Esberitox at a health food store and Whole Foods. It is a little expensive, but I really think it is worth it!

Hannah Day!!!

My good friend, Catherine, is in China and early this morning (EST) she met her daughter Hannah!!! I am so excited for Catherine and Hannah.

Congratulations my friend!!!

To see more wonderful pictures please check out

Catherine's Blog

Oh! I don't think so...

I LOVE animals! I gave up eating meat, because the thought of eating Henrietta, Wilbur, or Daisy is just not my thing. A couple of years ago I saved a baby black snake from one of the horse stalls, because I didn't want to see it killed. I love animals and don't want to see them harmed.

I LOVE rodents of all sorts! Especially...
...and don't forget Jerry!

But I do have my limits! This morning I found some evidence that we had a little visitor last night. The culprit: Mr. Field Mouse!

Don't get me wrong Mr. Mouse I don't mind seeing you outside in the field, in a stall, or at the zoo. I will NOT, however, tolerate you in my house. Thank your lucky stars there is no evidence of you in the kitchen or this would be an all out WAR. For now it's just a battle, so you better scurry and look for a warm place some where else!

You have been warned!