Greetings!

My Christmas was quiet and relaxing. How was ya'll's? Friday after Christmas we made a fast trip to north La. to take our lab (Charlie) to our son's house so they could adopt him. Charlie is a beautiful dog that likes to run. One night as my husband was walking him he got off the leash and took off and crossed one of the busiest roads in BR. It was scarey, we have had a dog get run over on that road many years ago. Someone found him and brought him back after a few hours of freedom. That is when hubby decided it was time to take him some place else to live. Our son has an acre on the bayou in West Monroe. Saturday morning we let Charlie free to run the land and watched as he toured his new home. He was very excited, he ran until his tongue was hanging out. Plus he loves to run with the boys and they have an abundance of boys at their house.

We also got to hang with the grandchildren as Gabe and Marci jumped at the chance of free babysitting and a night out. Here are a few pictures of the newest grandson at almost 2 months old. He was born a little over 6 pounds and has almost doubled his weight in 2 months.

Awesome!

Yesterday I had the pleasure of spending the day with Wesley. This was to be my gift from him for Christmas. His dad dropped him off around 8:30. I had dreams of going to the movie, eating lunch with him and his dad, and maybe a little extra shopping. He had other dreams. First he wanted to go to the museum downtown, a museum over a movie what is up with that? Then I got to thinking about the few last times we went to the museum (this ain't my first rodeo you know). We end up at that "gift store" where everything is drastically marked up. So I asked him "Are you going to just go to the toy store?" He said "Sort of". Don't ya love the honesty of kids? I said "Well if you want to buy a toy I don't mind but I would rather go to another toy store." He was eager to do that. So, off we go to the museum and guess what? The museum is closed on Mondays. Sheesh! You would think they would be open THIS Monday since it is the start of Christmas vacation for school children. Wesley says "Mimi let' s go to the new toy store!" I said "OK!" We make it to the store even though the traffic in Baton Rouge is absolutely terrible. Wesley shops and shops and shops at this small locally owned store. The clerks kept asking us if we needed help, one time the young girl was suggesting items I should buy. I looked up at her (I was squatting on the floor playing with a toy that Wesley was interested in) and said "I understand that we have been here a long time and must be a bother to ya'll." She said "NO, NO!" and walked away. It was beginning to annoy me and was hoping they would leave us alone to make our decision. While Wesley was shopping I was texting his dad making plans for lunch. At last we made our purchases and headed to lunch. Lucas was anxious to see Wesley one more time before he leaves today for Philadelphia to meet the soon to be in laws. After lunch Wesley wanted to go to my house to try out one of his new toys. It is an excavating thing that you chip away at this dried clay to find a dinosaure fossil. It looked kind of cool so he immediately got started and laying everything out on my coffee table. I was busy checking email so I wasn't paying much attention. At one point he stood up and started waving his hand and I said "What?" He said the dust is bothering me. Thinking he meant my unclean house I started to just ignore him then I noticed what he had been working on and he had dust and clay parts all over my coffee table and rug underneath. I asked him what did the directions say and he said "I didn't read them" so I took them and it said you should spread newspaper underneath the project and wear protective eye glasses. OOPS! No harm he was being careful. He finally got tired of the project so I had to clean up but he did run my Swifter all over the house, it may be dirty but it smelled good. A good day with Wesley is always special to me and I am hoping him too. I won't get to see him for quite sometime since I will be gone the next time his dad has him. I sure do miss the times with that kid.

Merry Christmas to my few readers.

Last weekend we celebrated our Christmas with the kids and grandkids. We had bought a tree for the presents to be under but we didn't get around to decorating it so we just have this little bare tree sitting on a small table by the window. I have been thinking all week I need to just throw it out but haven't gotten around to it. Anyway, we are now thinking of how we will handle the Christmas day we have by ourselves and no place to eat out. I asked hubby what he wanted me to cook and he said "Nothing, can't we eat out?" I saw in the paper that Tokyo Cafe is open so I am thinking we can go eat sushi and go to a movie and call it a day. The kids are all going their separate ways. Lucas and Natalie are heading up north to meet her parents. This a big deal for Lucas. I sure hope they like him as much as we like Natalie. Gabe and Marci and kids are renting a cabin and spending a couple of nights away from the hustle and bustle of Christmas. They don't really talk to the boys about Santa so Christmas is downplayed in their family. My goal is to go on vacation with the whole family at Christmas and not do the gift thing. I think everyone is in agreement when the kids get older.
Next Monday (the 29th) I am flying to Pittsburg to meet up with a girlfriend and we are driving back in the car her dad is giving her. We will be spending 2 nights in Nashville seeing the sights. After that trip I will be nervously getting ready for my ski trip. I think about it constantly, wondering if he is as nervous as I am, wondering if he is excited about seeing me as much as I am about seeing him, wondering if I can keep from getting emotional and keep my hands off of him. Adoptees don't like the touchy feel thing from their birthmoms. I have asked a few friends at church to be in prayer for this meeting. My hope is that he will want to continue to get together with me, maybe meet Gabe and Lucas, my mom and my siblings. But most of all I just want to enjoy myself with him and be thankful that I get to see him one more time. I have enclosed some pictures of him. Ain't he cute?

Germs.................

I had this cute little posting in my head but cannot get the pictures uploaded so I will just have to use my words. Last weekend we had Christmas at our house cuz Marci worked in Baton Rouge and they want to spend their Christmas in a cabin with just their family with none of the grandparents around to spoil the kids. What's up with that???
Hubby and I bought a very small tree but never did get around to putting decorations on it. The kids didn't ever notice, they were more concerned with the presents.
On Friday Marci took off for work, Gabe and Mark ran errands and Asher, Adin and I hung out here. After getting Adin fed Asher and I decided to bake a pie. He loves to help pour and stir and I was eager to have his help. He poured all the stuff in as I directed and I gave him the spoon to stir it all together, I turn my back to get the camera and I hear this "ACHOO!" I asked him if he sneezed he said "Yes". So we got an extra special pie. Baking kills the germs and sort of breaks up the mucus, right?
The pie was delicious.
The boys love playing on my dead end street, every now and then we have to check on them and make them come back as they ride the bikes and trikes down the street. I was glad we had nice weather for them to do that.
With our Christmas over I am enjoying the quiet and looking foward to my trips. When is the right time to throw the Christmas tree out?

Tagged

8 Things About Me

8 TV Shows I Watch

1. Dancing with the Stars
2. The Amazing Race
3. Desparate Housewives
4. House
5. Law & Order
6. What Not to Wear
7. House Hunters
8. John & Kate plus 8

8 Favorite Restaurants

1. J. Alexander's
2. Galatoire's
3. P.F. Changs
4. French Market Bistro
5. Parrains
6. Ichaban's
7. Ruffino's
8. Drago's

8 Things That Happened Yesterday

1. Got to have lunch with a favorite girlfriend.
2. Ran into ex-daughter in law and had a pleasant conversation
3. Whittled away at my Christmas shopping list
4. Enjoyed pizza with neighbors.
5. Confirmed ski trip
6. Got fussed at from hubby.
7. Purchased a very small Christmas tree.
8. ????????????

8 Things I Look Forward To

1. This weekend with my family
2. Trip to Ohio
3. Ski trip to Utah
4. Next trip to So. Dak.
5. Time with Wesley, Mark, Asher, & Adin
6. Taking Christmas decorations down.
7. Playing Spoon with the family
8. Weekends

8 Things I Wish For

1. Being debt-free
2. Happiness for my children
3. Health for my family
4. A close/comfortable relationship with birthson.
5. A new house (definitely)
6. Living closer to Gabe and family
7. Spiritual growth
8. An attached garage

8 People I Tag

I don't have anyone to tag, I only read Lita's blog and the Pioneer Woman. Sorry!

Need prayers.

I am sooo excited. My relationship with my birthson has turned a corner. We have actually had a conversation about meeting. He lives in Utah and I LOVE skiing. He has just started skiing and so I asked if we could meet and ski together. He agreed. First he asked where I wanted to go and then volunteered to pay for the lift tickets and food. I am scared/excited/nervous/anxious and would like to get on a plane tomorrow and go see him. Please be praying for this. My goal is to make this a yearly thing, to get to the point that he will want to meet Gabe and Lucas and my mom and siblings, to get comfortable in this relationship (it makes me nervous when I talk to him). He doesn't need a mom at the age of 37 and he already has a mom (not sure what sort of relationship it is tho). But most of all I want this to be an enjoyable time for both of us, no pressure to have a serious talk, just 2 people skiing and enjoying each other's company. Pray that I can be relaxed and be able to keep my emotions in check. Thanks!