The Call To Dunkirk

OK Homeschooling readers, and non, please tell me what you think of this. I agree with much of what is said just not sure I'm going to be able to home school my kids. I don't think our schools here in NW Iowa are that Liberal.
The video is @ 5 1/2 minute. But I really would be interested in what you think.I know I have at least 2 homeschooling mom's that read this.

There are some valid points: Culture is shaped by how we educate our children.
14,000 hours are spent in school
who ever controls the school (gov't) will control the children

I also thought the bible verses were good.

BUT!!!! I almost think the video was a little much. As I stated above, I don't think our schools HERE are in the liberal control that schools across the country are in. No, I don't like the amount of Government that is involved but I also know that without some Government, there is no telling what could happen. My BIL and SIL are both teachers. They are both great teachers, so I've heard:) I know our school district has great teachers and the idea of keeping my children from being taught by these great teachers and really learning, is something I need to do. I do not have it in me to home school. That being said, if there came a point in time where the teachings got ultra-liberal, I would most definitely pull my children out and figure out how to home school them.

I'm not opposed to those who do home school, my friend Shannan is, and I commend you all for doing it. I ask that if you do respond here, you do it respectfully for those who may be for, or are against, homeschooling. I'd like to hear your response to the video and know why you do, or do not, home school, but respectfully.

Psycho-Geometrics

FINALLY I'm going to say what the shape says about you:) This is all paraphrasing what was told to us that night by the speaker. I don't have time to give a more detailed description and I'm thinking most of you don't have time to read a detailed description.
Square: You are on task for the team. Friend for life. Only buy a used vehicle. Generally White vehicles. You like to do things in order. A then B, C, etc Typically organized!!
Rectangle: Burn out easier. Your the curious one on the team. You can handle transition and change fairly easily.
Triangle: drive red vehicles. Athletic. Have courage and like to be in charge.
Circle-Tendency to hold grudges. You like to bake and collect. You're fair-no wishy washy. You can see both sides of an argument.
Squiggly-You like to have fun. Creative. Appear disorganized but can find that piece of paper easily. Like to organize in piles.

I know this is brief description but I'm thinking you'll be able to identify with the explanations. I was a squiggly and am not surprised. I had to laugh what she said about meetings/group activities. The square keeps everyone on task, the rectangle questions everything being done, the triangle wants to be in charge the circle listens to everyone's thoughts and the squiggly says what meeting? or what time is it at again??

That is SO me. I know I have a meeting just a couple days prior I'm like, oh I can't forget that church meeting. Or I can't forget I have to be here. I generally remember, but often will have a mild panic attack remembering that I have to remember:)

The square, rectangle and triangle are left brain people while the circle and squiggly are right brain.

Tell me, did the description fit you??

Pillow Pet Fundraiser-MOPS

My local MOPS group that I belong to, is having a fundraiser. I'm in charge of it:) Not sure if that's a good thing, but its been going great. We are selling these pillow pets. You'll have to click on the link b/c I can't copy and paste a picture off of the website.
I'd love to sell some to those of you who read my blog:) They will make great Easter gifts, baby gifts, birthday presents, you name it. They are wonderful and my kids have been lovin them for a couple months. Since I'd have to ship most of them I'm going to sell them for $25 and that would include shipping. Otherwise, they are $20 if you can pick them up. They are super light so I don't imagine they'd cost more then $5 to ship.

HOWEVER, only the following are available for our fundraiser:
Monkey
Frog
Panda
Cow
Duck
Turtle
Pig
Lady Bug
Penguin

Please let me know BEFORE March 31st as that's when I'm placing the order.

Catching Up

Sorry about not posting something sooner. Of course it's not b/c I'm at a lack of what to blog about but more just not having the time. I spoke today to a ladies circle group at church. I spoke just about adoption. It was good. I cried this time, and I think they all did too. They were so sweet tho. They enjoyed greatly what I had to say and were so kind. Once home the lady, who happens to be my neighbor, stopped by with a floral arrangement. They were wondering what they could do for me and thought that would be a nice thing. I LOVE it!! It smells so wonderful in our kitchen. I'm thinking about taking them to my bedroom so I can wake up to them.

I really really want to get out more and speak to people/groups/individuals about either or both, adoption and infertility. I'm becoming more comfortable with it and really feel it's my calling. I don't mind public speaking one bit and I have story to tell, boy do I ever:)

Of course I do manage to put a humorous spin to it. Can be crying one minute and the next we're laughing. Today was real casual. Like when I spoke to the High School girls, I just sat down and presented that way. Either way is just fine.

Tonight was Mom's Night Out. I had a grand time. We got pretty silly. I came prepared this time with questions such as: What's been your greatest accomplishment to date? Who do you talk to on a regular basis (besides kids and husband) and one that got us really going, tell us something that would surprise us?? OR have you ever skinny dipped??

It was fun. I'm trying to calm down. All that laughing just really got me hyped up!

Went to the chiro yesterday, finally. We went ahead and had a X-ray of my lower back. It's been bothering me since my miscarriage in December. It's very abnormal for me to have lower back pain. It's mainly at night, not horrible, but consistent. Been kind of bothering my mind, wondering what's going on. I didn't hear back from him today, don't know if that's good or bad. I also got a message from my doc's office that the auto immune testing would run @ $1000. YIKES!! I need to probably just go and see an OB at my OB clinic that saw me for Miss A's pregnancy and delivery as well as my first miscarriage. Thinking it could be cheaper there. I also am waiting to hear from my Reproductive Endocrinologists office. They sent off for my records.

Lots on my mind:) This weekend is our St Patricks Day Dinner and Dance for our community center. I also need to get a grant written by the end of the month. Applying for a $10,000 grant to be used for our Community Center. Any of my readers have experience in writing grants? I have NEVER written one and would appreciate any help you could offer.

So yeah, the kids?? They are doing well. It's been just beautiful here. 73 on Monday! We are spending lots of time outside. I hauled most of the toys from the barn, to the garage. DH lost his parking space in the garage:) I do continue to paint the garage. It is officially all primed and I really only have 2 walls to paint. I should be able to do that tomorrow. Feels like it's drug out but we didn't want to heat the garage knowing it was going to be getting nice soon.

My dryer is broke. Think it's the heating element. The repair man came by tonight while DH was putting the kids to bed. He had forgotten. He's coming back tomorrow. I hope he can fix it then. I'm going to be getting behind.

Well I'd better get going. DH is here telling me it's time to get to bed:) I have this thing about being first in bed!!

How about some pics from Disney World!??

I LOVE this picture of her. She is SO happy.

50's Prime Time Restaurant. We all were VERY tired and this place was not the place to eat after a day @ the park.

It's A Small World

I love this pic:) Me on the phone with a great background

There limo's for the trip!

The first real ride C'man rode. Star Wars. He wasn't to sure about it.
Miss A HATED the characters. She's like NOOOO

On the Tea Cups which Miss A calls the coffee cups

I'm on this somewhere. It's the Everest roller coaster @ Animal Kingdom. i really was not to sure I wanted to go on it. But it was GREAT!!

Riding the train around Magic Kingdom

Pictures

It's been awhile since I've posted pictures of the kids.

C'man likes to pull a variety of faces:

Happy:

Sad-Can you see that lip

Loving his shades:

Miss A after she found all her stuffed cats:

She looks like such a big girl here.

I'm Sinking

It's finally getting nicer here so yesterday (Friday) I sent the kids outside. Miss A didn't last long before getting to cold. C'man decided he wanted play in the sand box (not much sand in there) on the deck. He changed out of his boots and put his crocs on. Before I knew it he must have decided that the sparse amount of sand was not going to suffice him. He got off the deck. I started to wonder where he went to when I discovered he was in the mud and he appeared stuck.

He looked at me and held his hands up which were covered in mud. I grabbed my boots and went out to get him.

When I got out there he kept saying he was sinking:) Yeah, so was I. He was stuck alright. I went to lift him up and his shoes stayed. When I went to move, my boot stayed. CRAP I was either going to fall face in to the mud or walk with my sock thru the mud. I opted to walk thru the mud. Luckily I had at least one boot I was able to get out of the mud, with my foot in it.

Below is what was left:

You can't even see his crocs b/c they are buried.

I got us all in the house without getting to much mud on us. I put him right in the tub. His one foot was covered with mud, along with pants and coat. I then went outside to take pictures. I really had to chuckle seeing my boot out there in the middle of the mud. Then DH came home. He said 'are ya missing something??'

He retrieved them for me. A video of that. Please try and disregard our voices:) I wish I could have picked up the sound made from pulling them out of there. Was so funny. The background is yucky. That's our plan this summer to clean up this place.

And here is the end result:

And our sucks which I ended up just throwing away. The would have NEVER come clean.

Friday Thoughts

I'm sitting here at the kitchen table enjoying the silence. Miss A is napping, Mr C'man is at the farm with Papa and Ralphy (niece) and the dogs, oh yeah they are still here and K-Dee is snoring so freakin loud.
I have a lot of things running thru my mind right now, well I always do, but that's another post. Some of them are:
-Why oh why did i open this bag of Cheetos. Those are such a weakness for me, well and Chocolate Chip Cookies. I don't smoke, drink, swear (to much), but cookies and these dang Cheetos are my weakness:) What's yours?? (nothing to deep just fun)
-Remember little Armstrong that I've blogged about? 3 1/2 yr old with a brain tumor? Well his Carepage was updated to say his mom, @ 35?? years old, had a mild heart attack last night! My heart hurts for them. She is just so exhausted and now this. Little Armstrong is getting by. No big changes, good or bad. Oh and a couple weeks ago someone stole the tires right off there VAN! In small town Iowa! Why did these creep have to do this to these people. They are going thru so much, physically, mentally and financially and now this?? They only have one vehicle too. But praise Jesus that the public came to help. An Omaha TV station did a story on them and the kindness has flown in. So yeah, they are on my mind A LOT! Email, or leave a comment, if you'd be interested in getting one of the Cancer Is Yucky T-shirts that benefit Armstrong. He has a website outside of his carepage too. www.team-armstrong.org
-on a less serious note, I hurt my elbow. Last week, now really I can't believe i did this and I'm hoping some of you will grimace in pain instead of chuckling thinking REALLY she did THAT? OK so i was putting a necklace on (yeah a rarity for me) and I was summoned to the bathroom by some child. The multi-tasker I am,I continued to put my necklace on while walking towards the bathroom. Well i walked right in to the DOOR with my elbow straight out. I almost threw up it hurt so bad. No bruises and it really never hurt after that initial wham. But last night I was helping C'man get his jammies on and I did something to that same elbow. Not sure if i twisted it or what, but it hurts. I can still obviously type, but to put much pressure on it sends me in to hurtville (I'm pretty sure that doesn't exist but it does in my head). Not sure what I'll do other then keep complaining and see where I'm at with it in a couple days. OK go ahead a chuckle now!!
-I have got to tell you all what your shape says about you. Promise to do that next week!! Thanks for voting and it's not to late!! Check out the blog here if you're a new reader and want to know what that's about.
-Speaking of new readers, how many of you are on Facebook?? Another weakness of mine! But it's allowed me to re-connect with High School and College friends. One of them is Katie. It's been great to reconnect AND that she's a Conservative. I say that's a rarity too this day, in our age group. Of course I think it's more they don't want to openly admit it. But just wait till there grandchildren continue to pay for the stimulus package we have now took on, and they ask G'pa and G'ma if they were for it?
-Ahh politically, I'm not very happy about the Stem Cell Research being allowed on frozen embryo's. They are babies people!!! They can be thawed out, transferred to a uterus and become a baby(s). How can someone just say I don't want any more kids from my IVF cycles, just donate them to science. OK I'm stopping right here on that one. That another post in an of itself as well.
-The weather, my mom says you know you're in trouble in a conversation when you resort to talking about the weather. I think she's right on that. Think about that. It appears after the ice, snow and very cold temps we had this week, that we will be getting in to the 60's in the next week! I think I even saw 67 for next week. Of course on the heals of that will probably be snowstorm, but will take what we can get now.
-My dryer decided to blow a fuse and not sure why, but DH said not to use it. He suggested hanging the clothes outside. Ahh yeah right!! First off, on what? 2nd of all we're talking dozen's of little kids clothing. Don't get be wrong, i LOVE to hang clothes out (jeans, shirts, towels, sheets, etc) but not every little piece of clothing the kids have. And I don't' have a close line at the moment. I'm hoping that when he gets home from work he can figure out what the problem is.


OK enough thoughts by me. What's on your mind?

BFF-E

I've often have referred to my BFF-E on my blog. In fact she too has her own blog. We met @ college where we both lived on the same floor of our dorm. I honestly can not tell you the play by play of it all. I'm sure that we all went the the 'GAG' (yes that is what the cafeteria was/is called) to eat usually as a large group. I'm sure that's where our friendship started. I know there were many party's that we attended and many memories from those party's (wink wink). As the years went by our friendship continued to stay strong.

I moved off campus my jr year?? and she stayed on campus. We still made a point of seeing one another. Once again, building even more memories. I'll leave that to everyone's imagination.

After graduation she was my Maid of Honor, I was her Matron of Honor. She moved to New Mexico, I stayed here in Iowa. She got a job teaching Special Ed, which she is DARN good at, I started my career.

She started a family, I wanted to start a family. And that's when our friendship was put to the test.

Friendships are often the first to go as a result of infertility. To see your friends get pregnant when you want to so badly, just really causes a strain. Is it right? No, but it happens. I still remember exactly where I was when she called to tell me about her pregnancy. Little did I know then, the journey i was beginning. I began to withdraw myself from her not wanting to really express my feelings. I was hurt, jealous, and really just wanted to be left alone.

But guess what?? She didn't leave me alone. I know dirty little bugger she is. She continued to call me from time to time, send me letters, etc. Then she moved BACK to Nebraska with her adorable little boy, and husband, and while I'm sure we both thought we could be closer now, our relationship could continue to grow, infertility had another plan.

As I started infertility treatments I really didn't want ANYTHING to do with any fertile person, even if it was my BFF. Rather then me opening up to her about what I was going thru, I found it easier to just not answer the phone, avoid answering emails, etc. It wasn't just her that I did that too, but others.

If i think back, I think she withdrew from me too. Probably at a loss of what to say, do, or even be. But she never forgot me and what our friendship was. As the endless attempts at starting our family thru InVitro began to end and we wanted to adopt, it was her that helped me get things going on our profile.

It was then I realized I really do have a Best Friend. I may not have called her that prior, but any friend that sticks by your side even when you've tried to not, (does that make sense?) is a friend worth keeping. She helped me so much with my profile I couldn't have appreciated it more. She was a busy mom, teacher, graduate student and wife, and she took time to help me with something that meant the world to me.

I remember one weekend she even came to visit me leaving her son home. That was so totally awesome, not that I wouldn't have loved to see him, but the hurt was to much to be able to handle it.

She went on to throw an amazing baby shower, with my other very dear friend, which again required another long trip out to me. She did such a great job of decorating and everything was just beautiful. I felt bad that I was never able to do that for her. Not only did the distance (she was in New Mexico at the time) prevent it, but the hurt would have been just to much for me to handle.

Currently, we try and talk a couple times a month. It's hard, boy is it ever. She is now a mother to two beautiful boys. And I mean that. They have dark eyes and dark complexion with dark hair. I always tell her her and her husband make beautiful kids. She is a full time teacher/Special Ed Coordinator?? (is that right E??) and a wife. She has completed her Master's and continues to take classes. Anyone out there with special need kids, please contact her if you have any questions. She is a HUGE source of information and VERY knowledgeable.

Last year we did manage a Saturday night away in Omaha, where we got a hotel room, shopped and drank lots of wine:) We decided we really need to do that more often!!

I know I've missed many many details about her, and our relationship. The main point, she's been by my side even when I wanted know one by my side. She is the only friend that has seen me how I was when I came to college, how I was when I left, how I am as a wife, a career women and now a mother. She has since educated herself on infertility by asking me questions so she can better relate to others who are experiencing it. She is extremely sensitive and caring when it comes to discussing those 'years' of my life.

AND THE BEST NEWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She is PREGNANT! She called me Saturday night and after 40+ minutes of talking, she told me. There was no blurting it out right from the get go, and I dare bet, there was a slight bit of apprehension on her part wondering how I'd respond. Something she probably would never get over even if she was to be pregnant 6 more times (I don't think that will happen). She was respectful in how she told me and you know what???

I didn't have a hint of sad emotion in me. I'm healing!!!

Now my BFF-E is going to see healing in her friend!!

I can't believe I don't have a better picture of her. Seriously! BFF-E is on my right, my other really good friend Shannan is on my left and next to her is my sister. Really tho, is so not a good picture.

Any guesses as to where I'm writing this post?? No sorry, no sunny FL, beautiful NJ, heck nothing is beautiful, or sunny, here. It's dreary, ICY and cold. I'm typing this while laying in C'mans bed with him in attempt to get him to take a nap. It's not working. He's watching me type away and quite frankly the bright light of the laptop in his dark room, is hurting my eyes.

C'man continues to wake up most mornings requesting to go back to Disney World. In addition , him and Miss A enjoy playing rides. I don't know how many times I hear C'man to tell us to 'Pull on the yellow strap' which is from the 'Test Track' Ride. That must have been his FAVORITE! Then they are always riding the bus. Very cute. I'm thinking about posting a video of Miss A singing 'Jesus Loves Me' in to her pretend microphone which is the pen off of her My First Leap Frog:) Then C'man is in the background singing ABC's. It really is quite typical of what our days are like here. LOUD!!! When they aren't loud, they are fighting. Quite normal I'm sure.

Fire

This 'year' is the year of outside work around this place. I'm pretty sure we won't get the porch on the front of the house, but we WILL get grass planted and clean up the yard. In order to do so, we need to burn things. Our entire yard was covered with Cottonwood Trees. We have taken all but 3 down! There were so many that people didn't even know there was a house here till they were cut down. Over a year ago we had 2 more taken down. They are MONSTROUSLY HUGE and obnoxious. Every time there is so much a breeze, which is ALL the time here, they drop branches. So anyways, I decided to start burning things up around here. The first pile to burn was the old evergreen tree we took down this fall. It's sitting 1/2 in the BIG hole we have dug. Around that hole is well, here here's a picture:

Do you see why i want this all cleaned up! We have enough rocks in that pile to build a house! In fact our place at one time, was looked at for a gravel pit! Now that the snow has melted everything looks horrible. Not to mention that that pile of rocks will be covered with thistles in a few months. I'm not having that this year.

Then there is this picture:

Sorry I'm not any closer but i don't want to walk all the way down there. I took this hanging off our back deck. Note all the black. I started this fire b/c my other one (above) was going NOWHERE. This one did! I don't know how many times I had to snuff the fire out with my rake. Not to mention the burn I got (not sure how!?) or the smoke inhalation i got. I HATE smoke smell. (hence why I'm not a big camper) but I had to get in there b/c i was worried where the fired would go. I knew it wouldn't get to out of hand b/c everything is SO wet and there was hardly any wind.

I was worried that in those big hollow Cottonwood trees there would be raccoons. No doubt there were b/c there is coon poop EVERYWHERE. I had visions of this on fire coon running after me for burning his home! Didn't happen, but could! So back to the fire. Eventually I felt safe to come in the house and shower. There is this gigantic hole and really once the fire got in there, it could go no where.

During supper we noticed the field was catching on fire. Not TO worried b/c once again, it's to wet. But i did go out and snuff some of it out. Came back in showered AGAIN and we ate. Eventually the fire was working it's way down the fence line. I was so waiting for the fire department to show up! But they didn't and eventually the fire put itself out.

It's still smoldering and with the nasty weather coming our way (rain, ice, snow) there is no chance of it starting up again.

Now we need to get the loader over here and push everything in to the big hole, burn again and then hopefully bury it all and get grass planted. Likely that will happen? With grass needing to be planted the same time DH starts field work, I'm worried it won't happen. BUT we didn't just spend as much money on a mower, as my first car, to mow weeds!!

What's happening in your worlds? Oh and Faith, kudos to your husband for being a fire fighter. There is no way in heck I could do it. I can not stand breathing in that smoke. I thought a couple times i was going to pass out from it! Bad stuff.

Give Aways

I should be outside in the beautiful weather scooping up all the land mines outside left from our lovely dogs. GRRR but i did that this AM and when it came time to stop and stand up straight for longer then 2 min. I could barely move! I'm leaving the rest for DH. After all they are his dang dogs:) And seriously we have WIDE open fields all around us, can't they do it there for gosh sakes!?
So instead of doing that, I'm checking out give aways on other people's blogs. Remember a couple weeks ago I won a $10 gift card to Starbucks from the lovely Faith!? I'm enjoying it and it's the first time I've won something. I thought I'd try again at a couple of them. (in preparation of doing my own give away which I'm not sure what it'll be)
In the mean time check out these give aways I have registered for and maybe some of you will be entering!
-I heart this lady's jewelry. WOW oh wow. I love the colors she uses and just the creativity of it all. AMAZING! and something I would love to win. Maybe you would too. Check it out! I think I'll have to add her blog to follow. Maybe she'll have to boot out some of the other blogs i have bookmarked but don't read very often.
-How about winning a pair of See Kai Run shoes. Heart these, just never could justify spending that much money on shoes. Maybe I'll win a pair. You can too. Check them out

Well guess what, I entered those 2 and I'm tired. It's got to be easier!? I could spend all day doing this. I best get going. Maybe I can do more later. In the mean time register, maybe one of my readers will win!

Let's Talk About Adoption

Bear with me as I type this and listen to Miss A saying 'I'm ready to go' but she doesn't know where, and niether do I. (We aren't having the best of AM's. She has pooped her pants, whine like no tomorrow, thrown a couple fits, and well yeah that's just been within the last hour)
Yesterday I went to a local High School and spoke to a Family and Consumer Science class about adoption and parenting. There were 12 girls I believe. It was interesting. Definitely way different speaking to teens who either are pregnant (one of the girls is going thru an ectoptic pregnancy this is like #3???), or knew someone pregnant. Very possible that each one of those girls knew someone pregnant. Scary, but very likely. I had to be careful to not preach, or sell adoption. I was there to educate them on adoption being a viable option. They are getting ready to study adoption, hence me being there.
Because teen pregnancy is everywhere I really wanted them to know that adoption is really a great option if you are not ready to parent. Of course i can't tell them there is NO way they can, or that there parents shouldn't raise the child, etc but none the less, i did the best I could.
I shared what brought us to adoption. About our BM and our adoption experience in general. It ceases to amaze me at the lack of education. How many people think that if you place a baby for adoption you will NEVER see that child again. Or that it will be whisked away from you the minute he or she, is born leaving you just laying there trying to cope with what all just happened. It's not that way girls. I was asked if the BM could breastfeed the baby. Sure! I know families where the BM did that.
I said there are some BM's that spend holidays with the AP. Basically you as a BM can have as much openness as you desire. Do I recommend it? No. That's an entire different post.
It was a pleasant experience. Even tho Miss A clung to me and tooted the ENTIRE time. Or walking down the hallways, before the bell rang, and Mr C'man scared to death. Walking in to the teachers classroom to 7th graders just staring at you. Poor C'man he just freaked. Miss A, she was shy but she handled just fine. Eventually C'man did warm up to the room. I'm glad I was there 20 min early or I'd never been able to speak.
Oh yeah back to the 'talk'. I also told them what it was like parenting. Don't think you're going to be able to dress them in cute clothes and parade them all over. They cry, don't like there hair touched, spit up all over the clothes, clothes are expensive, they are colic, they poop everywhere at you are getting to leave, or just the mere fact you are exhausted from being up the night before. It doesn't get any easier. Take for instance to come talk there I had to wake Miss A up. She wasn't to happy. Mr C'man couldn't find his 'treat's' which he told me were in the garage. I was looking EVERYWHERE for them. We ran late b/c of it. Not to mention that as we are getting ready to leave Mr C has to go potty and doesn't button his pants up and can't find his other shoe.
Laugh as they did, it's real life. I noticed too, when I got home, I had one earring in my 3rd hole on one ear and the other earring in the first hole on my other ear. I thought yup, that's typical. I needed to get home b/c I had to get supper ready but before that I had to stop and buy cookies and balloons as my bribe for them to be good.
Now for me, this is great, being a parent. But not at 18 could I have done this!! That's what they needed to realize. I had information there about Bethany Christian Services which is the agency I used. None of them picked any of it up. I didn't think they would. BUT I left it with there teacher as I'm sure they will come in and get it.
I know there's lots I didn't touch here on my post that I discussed but I left feeling like I got it all covered. The teacher, who happens to be our neighbor, said I really hit on things wonderfully. I didn't preach but I was up front. She said the one thing that stood out was the happiness that BM gave us when she gave us the gift of adoption. She said at that age they don't understand what that means to a couple that can not have kids. Now they do.
Of course they ADORED C'man and when I'd say his name, he'd wave to me from the back of the classroom. They ooo'd and ahh'd at how much Miss A looks like Sierre Cruise (did i spell that right!)
I left saying that I'd love to adopt again. However it's expensive. I just pray that some day a situation will come to us. You never know, one of those HS girls may get in touch with us. Now wouldn't that be awesome. I hope most importantly, that others will look at adoption and see how beautiful it is.
In a couple weeks I'm speaking at a local church. I'll have to change my presentation quite abit. I don't think there will be any expecting girls in that group (they are all over 70).

Found It

**********I went ahead and posted a poll on the right side of the blog. Feel free to answer there if you are more comfortable doing that.*********

I found my notes from the speaker I heard Saturday night!! You know what that means!???? INTERACTION TIME!!!!!!!!!!!! But shoot I just clicked on her website and I have to PAY to take the shape test. Lets see if I can make my own 'shapes'. This is harder then I thought. I'm now printing off the shapes, will scan them and then try to insert them that way. OK NOW everyone that has read this post MUST leave a comment. This has taken me forever to figure out how to do this. I think I have it now. Make this worth my time by doing this.

OK so here's the deal. Look at these, not for long tho! Don't study them. Just pick one, or two, that caught your eye upon first glance. Sorry i had to trace the shapes b/c they just weren't showing up.

After some of you leave some comments as to what shape you are, I'll tell you what I learned about them at my night out. No cheating and checking on the web for yourself. What our speaker shared about what each shape means, is far more humorous any ways. Go on now. Leave a comment and yes you can do in anonymously! It doesn't take much.....you can do it:)

OK those that want to stay anonymous you can answer in the poll to the right:)

Friday I got a note from my doctors office reminding me to come in and do labs to find out why I'm having repeated miscarriages. Grrr...I'm not sure what to do. Yes I'd like to know why, but at the same time I don't. My mother has Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and my dad has had test after test done to find out if he has Lupus. Everything says 'no' but the docs are thinking the tests aren't right. So that would be both parents with auto immune issues. I'm a sure bet I would test positive for immune issues too. I guess finding out now I could be pro-active in treating it.
Whether that's why I've had repeat miscarriages is unknown. Actually could be very unlikely. I could find out that I have AI issues AND something completely different causing the miscarriages.
So yeah, that's my Monday predicament. I'm probably going to call the doctor's office and see how extensive and costly the testing is. (a lot of the testing I've had done in our infertility work up) I guess I could wait a couple more months and be able to get it done on our tax payers money with our socialized health care will be getting. Or maybe I should get it done now, before it goes in to effect and we'd have to ask our saviour Mr Obama personally, if I could have it done first!
Oh yeah, and speaking of politics you Americans ready to start paying for people's houses that can't afford them? Yeah that's coming too. It's no longer an American dream to own a house, it's your right. You want to own a house, just step right up here and sign your name. You tax payers will be paying for Joe 6 Pack and Mary Wine Cooler's house. So little Miss, I had 8 babies and 6 more at home, go get yourself the most beautiful big house you can find, and just put it on my tab for taxes the next 4 years.
Anyone else thinking it's been 30 days and it feels like 30 years!? I'll stop now. This post was to be about my impending miscarriage and like everything, it's turned political it seems.

As it always seems, i have a lot of idea's of what to post on, but getting them on the computer is another game. So hard to do with 2 little ones running around and when they are napping I'm not in the right frame of mind.
I'm a little disappointed right now b/c last night I went to a 'City Lights....Women's Night' in a local town. It was a benefit night for CAASA, which at the moment I can't remember what it stands for, but it it's a non profit organization that helps women in domestic abuse situations. There was shopping, of which I sold my purses at, meal and then a guest speaker. The guest speaker was Pat McGill- McGill Speaking and Training Resources, Pat McGill works with organizations that want to create a more productive workplace where every employee is valued. Her website I see is still under construction. She was AMAZING!! I loved loved loved it! AND if I could find my notes I'd like to share some of it with you. While I continue to look for it let me say that IF I find it, I'm going to ask for some interaction from my readers.
As I look at my 'stats' of how many hits I get, where people are coming from, I feel so blessed to have a WIDE variety of people stopping by. That includes Canadians, probably my friends I met by the pool at DSW and others, South Africa, Ireland, France, Australia and even United Kingdom. How cool is all of that!? Not to leave out my US followers in Orlando, Des Moines, Lawton (those are my top 'hits') and then other states: Nebraska, California, Florida, Missouri, North Carolina, oh you know what, I'll try and post the map so you all can see.
What I'm getting at is, I obviously have followers:) But where are the comments? Oh come on don't be shy, I share my life story and you all may know more about me then some of my family.
When I find my notes, I'm going to put you to the test and see if we can determine if the personality test she did on us last night, 'fits' you. Of course I don't know most of you personally, I just want you to see how accurate it is. Mine was pretty darn close. I love this kind of stuff. In the mean time, maybe you can help me find this 'test'. It wasn't the Myers Briggs, or anything like that. It was 5 shapes, Square, Rectangle, Triangle, Circle and this squiggly thing. You pick one and then she proceeded to tell us what it meant. Of course she told this in such a humorous way, I was laying on the floor in stitches:) Very good stuff!! If you're looking for a speaker, I would 110% recommend her. I'd fly her across the country, even world, to have her speak at your event.

In the mean time, rev up those keyboards and drop me a note. Those that have been to DSW, tell me about your trip. What was your favorite ride? Would you go back? Those that haven't been there, where have you been recently that was a lot of fun. (even if it was hanging out with friends, shopping, going out to eat, etc share it!!) If you yourself have a blog, post it here! (may I ask you too, to put my blog in your 'blog roll' if you have one.