I had a fabulous time on vacation.
My brother's fiancee has a great little place on the beach and she was the perfect hostess. We relaxed hard and played hard--it was great. We also spent two days in Washington DC which was my first time there and I loved it. The only bad part of the whole vacation was that my brother had to work really long hours and we did't get to see very much of him.
I had four very busy days catching up at work and then it was off to another fun adventure. I went to a "cabin" that is really a house in Northern Wisconsin with three girlfriends for a long weekend. We relaxed, played, and talked the whole weekend--it was much needed therapy for all of us. I just love my friends--they always boost me up and help me keep everything in perspective.
Work has been crazy busy lately--we have a plethora of new processes occurring in August through October so we have been scrambling getting all the details sorted out and educating staff so that we are ready to go when things occur. I am sure that when we get through all these, there will be a new list waiting for us to implement--that seems to be the way with Healthcare these days. I know many other jobs are just the same--it keeps life interesting.
This week my Dad has been back in town for more testing--just check ups this time except that we are still dealing with his lack of appetite and weight loss--he now weighs less than when he graduated from high school 54 years ago! Hopefully we can get him eating and getting some energy back--everything else looks good.
Friday I am taking off again for another weekend away--with family this time. We have our "McNab Annual Campout"--a great get together with my aunts, uncles, and cousins from the McNab side. About 50 of us usually gather and camp (in bunk houses) for the weekend.
July has been very busy and August will be more of the same--have to make the most of summer time in Minnesota. I am hoping that Sept. will my month to get the house ready for DD--I know I will be ready for a LOI by then for sure!
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Friday, July 11, 2008
Vacation's all I ever wanted...Vacation..have to get away
Rmember that song by the Go-Go's?
Tomorrow I leave for my vacation--to Virginia Beach!!!
My sister-in-law, my niece, and I are going to visit my little brother and his fiancee who lives only a couple blocks from the beach!!!!
Taking a little break is just what I need--work has been busy and my counterpart at work has been out on surgical leave so I have even more to do. The adoption world hasn't been doing much but the constant waiting/wanting kind of wears on you so this week away from everything will be great.
I feel happier already and I know I will come back totally refreshed--and I will be that much closer to getting "the call". In a fit of optimism, I did make sure that my agency had my cell number "just in case".
I am also taking a vacation from blogs, email, etc during this next week but my friend Lisa is going to update me if anything really exciting happens... so I will see all you guys later--have a great week. If something great happens for you, I am very excited and will catch up when I get back.
Tomorrow I leave for my vacation--to Virginia Beach!!!
My sister-in-law, my niece, and I are going to visit my little brother and his fiancee who lives only a couple blocks from the beach!!!!
Taking a little break is just what I need--work has been busy and my counterpart at work has been out on surgical leave so I have even more to do. The adoption world hasn't been doing much but the constant waiting/wanting kind of wears on you so this week away from everything will be great.
I feel happier already and I know I will come back totally refreshed--and I will be that much closer to getting "the call". In a fit of optimism, I did make sure that my agency had my cell number "just in case".
I am also taking a vacation from blogs, email, etc during this next week but my friend Lisa is going to update me if anything really exciting happens... so I will see all you guys later--have a great week. If something great happens for you, I am very excited and will catch up when I get back.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Exactly where I'm supposed to be
The waiting is really hard and it is so hard to not let it consume my days. I try to be patient and I try to have faith--many times I succeed but many times it's hard too. I have a blogger friend (Lisa) that is also waiting and when I really need it she always reminds me that "we are exactly where we are meant to be". Today I received the same email twice--both were from people that are close to me and mean a lot in my life. The email contained the following prayer that reminded me of that same thing so I want to send it out to Lisa and all the other waiting families out there--whatever stage of the adoption you are in:
Saint Theresa's Prayer
May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be confident knowing you are a child of God. Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and every one of us.
Saint Theresa's Prayer
May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be confident knowing you are a child of God. Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and every one of us.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Ya gavaroo pa-roosky!
I had the coolest thing happen today.
I saw a lady from Russia who was in her garden watering flowers and I actually had a conversation with her in Russian. It went something like this (only in Russian):
Me: Good evening
Her: Good Evening
Me: My name is Mary
Her: My name is Tamara Alexy
Me: Pleased to meet you
Her: Good. the rain has been hard on my flowers. (she added some hand gestures for me to understand this one)
Then she said something else to which I had to say--I don't understand (a very useful phrase to know).
She smiled.
Me: What a nice evening
Her: Good
Now I know it wasn't much but it was my very first Russian conversation without a book in front of me or my tutor prompting me. I have a long way to go but it made me smile to have accomplished that much.
I saw a lady from Russia who was in her garden watering flowers and I actually had a conversation with her in Russian. It went something like this (only in Russian):
Me: Good evening
Her: Good Evening
Me: My name is Mary
Her: My name is Tamara Alexy
Me: Pleased to meet you
Her: Good. the rain has been hard on my flowers. (she added some hand gestures for me to understand this one)
Then she said something else to which I had to say--I don't understand (a very useful phrase to know).
She smiled.
Me: What a nice evening
Her: Good
Now I know it wasn't much but it was my very first Russian conversation without a book in front of me or my tutor prompting me. I have a long way to go but it made me smile to have accomplished that much.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Great co-workers
Just a quick update to my last post. All of my coworkers who have talked to me or emailed me back have ben very happy and excited for me and very suppportive. They have also been very low key about it in the workplace which is what I asked for in my email so it has been good. In a way it's a relief that everyone knows so I don't have to be careful what I say.
Thanks to the kind comments you guys have left here on my blog also. I really appreciate your support most of all--it's great to have people who know exactly what you are going through.
Thanks to the kind comments you guys have left here on my blog also. I really appreciate your support most of all--it's great to have people who know exactly what you are going through.
Friday, June 6, 2008
The News is out
Working in a big company is just like living in a small town--hard to keep a secret.
I had not told my coworkers about my adoption plans yet--I wanted to wait until I knew about when I would be going. I supervise about 100 people and work with at least twice that many on a daily basis and I just thought I didn't want all those people asking me everyday if I had heard anything yet and always having to say No.
Of course I had told a few that were closest to me and the people that needed to know--my boss and those who would have to do my job when I was gone. I hadn't heard anything at all at work until yesterday--one person came right out and asked me and then I started hearing that others knew too. So...I didn't really want to do it in an email but to stop the workplace rumor mill I did send an email to my whole staff to let them know what my plans were and that I was sorry it hit the rumor mill before I gave them the information. I did ask people to respect my privacy and not let my plans be the topic of break discussions--we will see what happens.
I think they will be happy for me but maybe part of me is worried about getting some negative responses also. So far, everyone that knows (the most important people in my life) has been very happy and supportive so I don't know why I am worried.
This is just another milestone in the adoption journey.
I had not told my coworkers about my adoption plans yet--I wanted to wait until I knew about when I would be going. I supervise about 100 people and work with at least twice that many on a daily basis and I just thought I didn't want all those people asking me everyday if I had heard anything yet and always having to say No.
Of course I had told a few that were closest to me and the people that needed to know--my boss and those who would have to do my job when I was gone. I hadn't heard anything at all at work until yesterday--one person came right out and asked me and then I started hearing that others knew too. So...I didn't really want to do it in an email but to stop the workplace rumor mill I did send an email to my whole staff to let them know what my plans were and that I was sorry it hit the rumor mill before I gave them the information. I did ask people to respect my privacy and not let my plans be the topic of break discussions--we will see what happens.
I think they will be happy for me but maybe part of me is worried about getting some negative responses also. So far, everyone that knows (the most important people in my life) has been very happy and supportive so I don't know why I am worried.
This is just another milestone in the adoption journey.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Help the Kaz orphans
No news on the adoption front yet but I wanted to share with you a way that you could help the orphans left in Kazakhstan by contributing to a worthwhile cause.
See the letter below from "Two Hearts for Hope"
Dear Supporters,
What if Two Hearts for Hope earned a penny every time you searched the Internet? Or how about if a percentage of every purchase you made online went to support our cause? Well, now it can!
GoodSearch.com is a new Yahoo-powered search engine that donates half its advertising revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities its users designate. Use it just as you would any search engine, get quality search results from Yahoo, and watch the donations add up!
GoodShop.com is a new online shopping mall which donates up to 37 percent of each purchase to your favorite cause! Hundreds of great stores including Amazon, Target, Gap, Best Buy, ebay, Macy's and Barnes & Noble have teamed up with GoodShop and every time you place an order, you’ll be supporting your favorite cause.
Just go to www.goodsearch.com and be sure to enter Two Hearts for Hope (Lebanon, MO) as the charity you want to support. And, be sure to spread the word!
Blessings,
Kim and Stacy
www.twoheartsforhope.blogspot.com
See the letter below from "Two Hearts for Hope"
Dear Supporters,
What if Two Hearts for Hope earned a penny every time you searched the Internet? Or how about if a percentage of every purchase you made online went to support our cause? Well, now it can!
GoodSearch.com is a new Yahoo-powered search engine that donates half its advertising revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities its users designate. Use it just as you would any search engine, get quality search results from Yahoo, and watch the donations add up!
GoodShop.com is a new online shopping mall which donates up to 37 percent of each purchase to your favorite cause! Hundreds of great stores including Amazon, Target, Gap, Best Buy, ebay, Macy's and Barnes & Noble have teamed up with GoodShop and every time you place an order, you’ll be supporting your favorite cause.
Just go to www.goodsearch.com and be sure to enter Two Hearts for Hope (Lebanon, MO) as the charity you want to support. And, be sure to spread the word!
Blessings,
Kim and Stacy
www.twoheartsforhope.blogspot.com
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