Monday, August 17, 2009
What happened to the good ol' days?
Basically, it is a kazamommy panic day! I have been thinking of going private on the blog for quite awhile. Maybe I watch too much TV or read to much but really our world unfortunately just has a bunch of people that have issues and I really don't want our family to be at risk even just a little bit to these scary folk. There has been reports of blog pictures being hijacked and used for crazy things. Now, I know all two people, OK, maybe 9 that read my blog will be challenged by the fact that they will now have to "sign in" to read the blog but really, just write it on a post it note and stick it on the computer to remember. I will need everyone who reads the blog to send me your email. My email is hensley k hensley @ aim . com (take the spaces out when you actually email me) I think I know most of you that read this and will send you an invite as soon as I learn how to go private. It will just involve you clicking on the invite and then coming up with your user name and password. I will keep the blog public until August 31st and then go private. I mostly use this blog to share pictures with family and friends so I don't want to be paranoid anymore about what I post or what pictures I use.....I want you to enjoy them all so it will be easier with a private blog. Sorry, for the inconvenience but I have to agree with my kazamommy buddies....it's just not worth the risk! :) You can leave me your email in the comments or email me directly. If I do not know you in real life but you are a friend of a friend or a Kaz adoption family, I need a full resume and 3 references! Just kidding! But, I would like some additional info and frankly, if I can't see a clear verifiable connection to our story, I may have to decline. Sorry, but people just don't tell the truth anymore and I need to be confident that you are not a sneaky snake! :) I don't see this as too much of a problem because I don't feel all 9 of you are a threat at all! :) So long story, short....going private on August 31st, send in your email for an invite if you wish to follow the further adventures of the Kazmanian Devil!
Friday, August 14, 2009
To Kindergarten and Beyond.........
A new adventure for the Kazmanian Devil........
We started out the First day at McDonald's with a family breakfast and all out Kindergarten pep talk!
It looks like they are deep in prayer here.....maybe they were, I know I was! :)
In front of his new elementary school! He is so handsome although not too sure about all this. It was a bit chaotic around the school with all the parents taking pictures and such....we were just glad not to be the ONLY parents who wanted to do the geeky picture thing. :)
Me and my boy! He was getting ready to reach up and grab my face and kiss it. Such a smooshie mushie boy!
We took him to his room and found his cubby .....he was just not too sure about all this hoopla!
Daddy was giving the last big pep talk......
Mommy filling out the last papers and Nick READY TO START THE DAY! What a smile!
Our boy is in elementary school! He has cried a little in the mornings but overall, he likes school! Pat and I were a bit overwhelmed at all the parental activity the first day. Parents were everywhere taking pictures and getting their little ones to class. I actually was impressed by all the fathers there. I'm glad to know that we will be a school with both parents involved and glad to see that actually both parents WANT to be involved.
All day/week on facebook and in blogland, I have been reading ode's to the first day of Kindergarten. Lots of introspective and weepy moms speaking their hearts. I'm not sure sending him to K was any different than preschool for me except for the length of time he is gone from us. My stomach was churning in anticipation. How was he going to deal with it all? How would he behave? Is he going to cry? Am I going to cry? The unknown just freaks me out.
I don't think we had the "typical" parent feelings because simply, he has only been with us 2 and 1/2 years. There are no baby memories, no amazement of how fast time flew, no reminiscing with fellow moms about "remember when", etc. We don't have that kind of time flow and memory recall. I don't dwell on those facts because I had no control over them. I try to remember that those 3 years in the baby house for good or bad helped create the boy that we have today and I really love the boy that we have today.
I have to admit that I was a school junkie....always loved it, always will. I loved to learn and I loved my teachers. So, I was generally so excited for Nick. He loves to learn and now he can have almost 7 hours of a constant learning environment, new friends, and fun challenges. I am just so excited for him and that is where all the introspection comes for me.
I am overwhelmed and amazed at all our boy has accomplished in 2 1/2 short years.
*learned how to be a son and a part of a family
*learned how to belong to a group in a different capacity than in an orphanage
*learned how to be a member of society at the store, in church, in school, etc
*learned how to speak a new language and new way of communicating
*learned how to receive nutrition in a non institutional and unregulated way
*learned how to be a friend
*learned how to play and pretend
*learned how to spontaneously laugh and to recognize fun and joyful moments
*learned how to be safe and avoid danger
*learned how give and receive affection and love
*learned how to swim
*learned about God's love and His hand in all of our lives
*learned to develop a love for books and reading
*learned to apologize and also to forgive
I think I could go on and on but you get the idea. This boy has done amazing things in almost 2 1/2 years.....sure all kids learn those things but he had to do it in half the time to be ready for Kindergarten. AND, he is starting on time at 5 1/2! We feel so blessed. We know so many adoptive and biological parents that have struggled so much more to get where we were this week and I just feel thankful. The potential and infinite possibilities that I hope our boy will be able to fulfill in the coming years gives me chills and tears most days! It is these kind of days...big days...that make me ponder for a short time the "what ifs"....
what if we had chosen fertility treatments over adoption
what if we had said, NO, we really want an infant.....he's too old
what if we had chosen the other child
what if we had decided not to pursue being parents
what if we had chosen Russia, China, or Guatemala
I know God would have had blessings and trials for us in any or all of those situations had we chosen them instead but God chose for our lives to cross with Nick's and we are all forever changed........ us by the journey and Nick by no longer remaining an orphan. It is the thought that another "Nick" or "Nicole" full of potential, full of love, full of worth may not get the same chance as our Nick did that haunts me. When I look at Nick's picture in front of the school, I think of them and then I cry. So my tears are flowing but not necessarily for the same reason as most other moms. I am honored and humbled to have crossed paths with Nick by God's grace but I am also brought to my knees in pain and conviction about the others.
Our church has been discussing what we as Christians are really called to do here on earth. They have been talking about "IT". What is IT for each of us that makes us more like Jesus, that causes us to take risks, to LOVE deeper and sacrifice more. Our pastor has called us to make a difference in Kentucky, the US and the World.......we are called to feed the hungry, clothe the poor, house the homeless and take care of the orphans....father the fatherless. Do we need the latest techno gadget, biggest house, fastest car, best schools, coolest clothes to be like Jesus to others? I say absolutely not. When are we going to get a clue? If we all decided to take on God's call to us then what would happen? Would we wipe out hunger, would everyone have a place to sleep at night, would there be no orphans who aged out of the system with nowhere to go but the street or crime, would one more "Nick" go to Kindergarten just like everyone else with mom and dad taking pictures and whispering I love you as you backed out of the doorway.....WHAT IF? I don't know at this point if we will adopt again but I know our hearts have forever been changed toward orphan care. We can make a difference, we DID make a difference in one life, one kindergartners life.......how many more can we help/love/serve? Yep, that's the stuff I thought about this week as my boy went to school, what about you? :)
We started out the First day at McDonald's with a family breakfast and all out Kindergarten pep talk!
It looks like they are deep in prayer here.....maybe they were, I know I was! :)
In front of his new elementary school! He is so handsome although not too sure about all this. It was a bit chaotic around the school with all the parents taking pictures and such....we were just glad not to be the ONLY parents who wanted to do the geeky picture thing. :)
Me and my boy! He was getting ready to reach up and grab my face and kiss it. Such a smooshie mushie boy!
We took him to his room and found his cubby .....he was just not too sure about all this hoopla!
Daddy was giving the last big pep talk......
Mommy filling out the last papers and Nick READY TO START THE DAY! What a smile!
Our boy is in elementary school! He has cried a little in the mornings but overall, he likes school! Pat and I were a bit overwhelmed at all the parental activity the first day. Parents were everywhere taking pictures and getting their little ones to class. I actually was impressed by all the fathers there. I'm glad to know that we will be a school with both parents involved and glad to see that actually both parents WANT to be involved.
All day/week on facebook and in blogland, I have been reading ode's to the first day of Kindergarten. Lots of introspective and weepy moms speaking their hearts. I'm not sure sending him to K was any different than preschool for me except for the length of time he is gone from us. My stomach was churning in anticipation. How was he going to deal with it all? How would he behave? Is he going to cry? Am I going to cry? The unknown just freaks me out.
I don't think we had the "typical" parent feelings because simply, he has only been with us 2 and 1/2 years. There are no baby memories, no amazement of how fast time flew, no reminiscing with fellow moms about "remember when", etc. We don't have that kind of time flow and memory recall. I don't dwell on those facts because I had no control over them. I try to remember that those 3 years in the baby house for good or bad helped create the boy that we have today and I really love the boy that we have today.
I have to admit that I was a school junkie....always loved it, always will. I loved to learn and I loved my teachers. So, I was generally so excited for Nick. He loves to learn and now he can have almost 7 hours of a constant learning environment, new friends, and fun challenges. I am just so excited for him and that is where all the introspection comes for me.
I am overwhelmed and amazed at all our boy has accomplished in 2 1/2 short years.
*learned how to be a son and a part of a family
*learned how to belong to a group in a different capacity than in an orphanage
*learned how to be a member of society at the store, in church, in school, etc
*learned how to speak a new language and new way of communicating
*learned how to receive nutrition in a non institutional and unregulated way
*learned how to be a friend
*learned how to play and pretend
*learned how to spontaneously laugh and to recognize fun and joyful moments
*learned how to be safe and avoid danger
*learned how give and receive affection and love
*learned how to swim
*learned about God's love and His hand in all of our lives
*learned to develop a love for books and reading
*learned to apologize and also to forgive
I think I could go on and on but you get the idea. This boy has done amazing things in almost 2 1/2 years.....sure all kids learn those things but he had to do it in half the time to be ready for Kindergarten. AND, he is starting on time at 5 1/2! We feel so blessed. We know so many adoptive and biological parents that have struggled so much more to get where we were this week and I just feel thankful. The potential and infinite possibilities that I hope our boy will be able to fulfill in the coming years gives me chills and tears most days! It is these kind of days...big days...that make me ponder for a short time the "what ifs"....
what if we had chosen fertility treatments over adoption
what if we had said, NO, we really want an infant.....he's too old
what if we had chosen the other child
what if we had decided not to pursue being parents
what if we had chosen Russia, China, or Guatemala
I know God would have had blessings and trials for us in any or all of those situations had we chosen them instead but God chose for our lives to cross with Nick's and we are all forever changed........ us by the journey and Nick by no longer remaining an orphan. It is the thought that another "Nick" or "Nicole" full of potential, full of love, full of worth may not get the same chance as our Nick did that haunts me. When I look at Nick's picture in front of the school, I think of them and then I cry. So my tears are flowing but not necessarily for the same reason as most other moms. I am honored and humbled to have crossed paths with Nick by God's grace but I am also brought to my knees in pain and conviction about the others.
Our church has been discussing what we as Christians are really called to do here on earth. They have been talking about "IT". What is IT for each of us that makes us more like Jesus, that causes us to take risks, to LOVE deeper and sacrifice more. Our pastor has called us to make a difference in Kentucky, the US and the World.......we are called to feed the hungry, clothe the poor, house the homeless and take care of the orphans....father the fatherless. Do we need the latest techno gadget, biggest house, fastest car, best schools, coolest clothes to be like Jesus to others? I say absolutely not. When are we going to get a clue? If we all decided to take on God's call to us then what would happen? Would we wipe out hunger, would everyone have a place to sleep at night, would there be no orphans who aged out of the system with nowhere to go but the street or crime, would one more "Nick" go to Kindergarten just like everyone else with mom and dad taking pictures and whispering I love you as you backed out of the doorway.....WHAT IF? I don't know at this point if we will adopt again but I know our hearts have forever been changed toward orphan care. We can make a difference, we DID make a difference in one life, one kindergartners life.......how many more can we help/love/serve? Yep, that's the stuff I thought about this week as my boy went to school, what about you? :)
Monday, August 3, 2009
Fever, Trauma, and Drama........
I'm not one to get into the drama of it all but our lives have been quite a saga for the last month. We are slowly regaining normalcy in our lives....whatever that is!
My fever which started around July 6th and lasted thru a hospitalization 3 weeks later has basically been a fever of unknown origin. We tested for just about everything. My liver enzymes were elevated which was the confusing factor. They were stuck on Hepatitis B for several weeks which delayed other tests but we have now moved on to checking for auto immune hepatitis. Now, that I am feeling better, my guess is that we will never know what caused either problem. I see a GI/liver focused doctor today and I am expecting a "well, we just don't know" answer but at this point, I can accept that answer. I did find out that I may be seeing a doctor that I worked with alot during my research dietitian days. He was a very nice guy but it will be weird...hopefully, helpful too since I know him, but we shall see.....
In the midst of all my fever/fatigue and generally feeling like a truck ran over me issues, Pat had his own medical saga. He came home from work complaining of chest pain and pain under his arm. Now, neither of us are alarmists by nature, especially Pat, but we were alarmed! He has a strong family history for heart events and well, we just didn't want to risk anything! So he headed to the ER. I was feeling really bad at this point and really didn't want to go to the hospital and get more germs so my dear friend Laurie delayed her vacation and came over to sit with me until we found out if he was having a heart attack or not. If yes, then she would stay with Nick, if No, then she would head out. We did not hear anything for a long time so she finally drove me to the ER so I could check on him (yes, we could have called but we only live 3 miles from the hospital). I went in to check on him and found out that he did not seem to have had an event but during the check out stage, they had given him nitro and then stood him up which caused him to black out and fall and hit his head and tush. Luckily, he did not hit his head too hard or maybe his head was too hard! ;) The bad luck involved his rear....he took all of his weight directly on his coccyx apparently and STILL 3 weeks later has trouble sitting for long periods of time. He could barely walk around for the first few days. They did an incident report but no xrays. There is not much you can do for a coccyx (tailbone) injury so he has just grinned (not so much) and bore it! Bless his heart (which thankfully checked out healthy). We had to just laugh but it was not fun....we are blaming his heart ailment on added stress of the sick mamma!
And, last but not least, Drama....of course that involves Nick! hee,hee!
He has definitely been a trooper thru this whole saga but we have had lots of "drama". He has no problems getting his feelings out when things are unsure around him. The day I went into the hospital was on the Friday of the first week of spanish camp. I came home from the dr. and told Pat that they wanted to admit me. Nick was just getting ready to get in his blow up pool. He was a little upset to stop what he was doing and Pat tried to explain that we were going to take me to the hospital so I could get better. While we were getting stuff together, he was just walking around and I heard him say from upstairs, "I'm a little worried about my mommy" and then in the car, he said, "I'm just really confused". I'm telling you, I just wanted to BOO HOO for traumatizing my sweet boy. He sounded so worried and so innocently concerned. He was understandably overstimulated at the hospital with all the bells and whistles so they did not stay long after I got to my room. He just got the biggest crocodile tears in his eyes and held onto me and said, "I'm going to miss you so much"....It absolutely was torture! Our friends swooped in to help and keep him distracted so I don't think the mental torture will be long-lasting, at least for him! ;) He did awesome at spanish camp although my hospitalization messed with his ability to be dropped off easily. He did NOT want me to leave him after I got home from the little stay in the hospital. He would cry big tears and hang on to me. Broke my heart!!! His teachers allowed him to call me at home and "check" on me that second week. He learned so much in those short two weeks that I can't imagine how much he is going to learn in Kindergarten and he really picks up the spanish quickly! Being young is such an advantage to learning a language! I am a little worried how he will use his second language to annoy us after our dramatic doctor visit yesterday. He had his 5 year old check up and because we had earlier that morning visited his new classroom, he had a bit of an overstimulated attitude going. He did not want to leave his fun classroom to go to the doctor so he decided to "take control". He was "hands on" everything from the time we walked in the clinic. I was literally trying to wrangle the Kazmanian devil. I think that it appears to those who don't "know" Nick that I am a docile mom but really when he gets like this, you just have to survive. He did lots of impromptu timeouts in whatever chair I could find but short of Duct taping his mouth, I cannot control what comes out at the moment....I ignore alot! I am sure it is shocking to most, heck, it is shocking to me. A Dr. Jekyll/Mr Hyde transformation is never fun for anyone. I just happen to know it will be fine when I get him home in a "known" environment with "known" parameters and "known" consequences. So, the funny story comes when he is being a "brat" and not answering any of the doctors questions. He was not being cooperative AT ALL. She was asking him his colors. He would not answer her. I told him that he needed to stop this behavior and answer her so in his most timid but hiding all out rebellion voice, I hear him start answering her in SPANISH! Yes, my little 5 year old decided that he would not come under the control of these two adults and still do it HIS WAY. So I hear Amarillo come out of his mouth for yellow and then Rojo for red and it took everything in me not to laugh as I explained to the Dr. that he was answering correctly but in spanish. We are sooo in trouble as he gets older...this boy is strong-willed and extremely smart!! :) Lucky for him, he is the cutest boy ever! He had so many consequences to serve once he got home that I had to list them! He paid his dues and then was fine the rest of the day....just like I figured he would be...... parenting is an adventure. Now, if I can just get over worrying about what others think of my parenting skills....ugh!
So, I can't end the long boring up-to-date post without a brief happy side-note about our visit from Cincy Karen and Max. Boy, we love those peeps! I love my Karens.....whenever I am with them,it is like being with a friend you have known forever. Maybe God arranged it so we would all be named Karen thus creating an immediate weird kinship but the rest is just pure fun. Not only do we have our Kazboys in common but we really enjoy each others company. Cincy brought me the best donuts and besides way too much sugar, I really did feel better at the end of the day. The boys are so cute together. Nick called Max his "brother" several times and I will steal a few pics from Cincy because they are so darn cute and sweet!
Kindergarten starts tomorrow.....stay tuned!!!!!
My fever which started around July 6th and lasted thru a hospitalization 3 weeks later has basically been a fever of unknown origin. We tested for just about everything. My liver enzymes were elevated which was the confusing factor. They were stuck on Hepatitis B for several weeks which delayed other tests but we have now moved on to checking for auto immune hepatitis. Now, that I am feeling better, my guess is that we will never know what caused either problem. I see a GI/liver focused doctor today and I am expecting a "well, we just don't know" answer but at this point, I can accept that answer. I did find out that I may be seeing a doctor that I worked with alot during my research dietitian days. He was a very nice guy but it will be weird...hopefully, helpful too since I know him, but we shall see.....
In the midst of all my fever/fatigue and generally feeling like a truck ran over me issues, Pat had his own medical saga. He came home from work complaining of chest pain and pain under his arm. Now, neither of us are alarmists by nature, especially Pat, but we were alarmed! He has a strong family history for heart events and well, we just didn't want to risk anything! So he headed to the ER. I was feeling really bad at this point and really didn't want to go to the hospital and get more germs so my dear friend Laurie delayed her vacation and came over to sit with me until we found out if he was having a heart attack or not. If yes, then she would stay with Nick, if No, then she would head out. We did not hear anything for a long time so she finally drove me to the ER so I could check on him (yes, we could have called but we only live 3 miles from the hospital). I went in to check on him and found out that he did not seem to have had an event but during the check out stage, they had given him nitro and then stood him up which caused him to black out and fall and hit his head and tush. Luckily, he did not hit his head too hard or maybe his head was too hard! ;) The bad luck involved his rear....he took all of his weight directly on his coccyx apparently and STILL 3 weeks later has trouble sitting for long periods of time. He could barely walk around for the first few days. They did an incident report but no xrays. There is not much you can do for a coccyx (tailbone) injury so he has just grinned (not so much) and bore it! Bless his heart (which thankfully checked out healthy). We had to just laugh but it was not fun....we are blaming his heart ailment on added stress of the sick mamma!
And, last but not least, Drama....of course that involves Nick! hee,hee!
He has definitely been a trooper thru this whole saga but we have had lots of "drama". He has no problems getting his feelings out when things are unsure around him. The day I went into the hospital was on the Friday of the first week of spanish camp. I came home from the dr. and told Pat that they wanted to admit me. Nick was just getting ready to get in his blow up pool. He was a little upset to stop what he was doing and Pat tried to explain that we were going to take me to the hospital so I could get better. While we were getting stuff together, he was just walking around and I heard him say from upstairs, "I'm a little worried about my mommy" and then in the car, he said, "I'm just really confused". I'm telling you, I just wanted to BOO HOO for traumatizing my sweet boy. He sounded so worried and so innocently concerned. He was understandably overstimulated at the hospital with all the bells and whistles so they did not stay long after I got to my room. He just got the biggest crocodile tears in his eyes and held onto me and said, "I'm going to miss you so much"....It absolutely was torture! Our friends swooped in to help and keep him distracted so I don't think the mental torture will be long-lasting, at least for him! ;) He did awesome at spanish camp although my hospitalization messed with his ability to be dropped off easily. He did NOT want me to leave him after I got home from the little stay in the hospital. He would cry big tears and hang on to me. Broke my heart!!! His teachers allowed him to call me at home and "check" on me that second week. He learned so much in those short two weeks that I can't imagine how much he is going to learn in Kindergarten and he really picks up the spanish quickly! Being young is such an advantage to learning a language! I am a little worried how he will use his second language to annoy us after our dramatic doctor visit yesterday. He had his 5 year old check up and because we had earlier that morning visited his new classroom, he had a bit of an overstimulated attitude going. He did not want to leave his fun classroom to go to the doctor so he decided to "take control". He was "hands on" everything from the time we walked in the clinic. I was literally trying to wrangle the Kazmanian devil. I think that it appears to those who don't "know" Nick that I am a docile mom but really when he gets like this, you just have to survive. He did lots of impromptu timeouts in whatever chair I could find but short of Duct taping his mouth, I cannot control what comes out at the moment....I ignore alot! I am sure it is shocking to most, heck, it is shocking to me. A Dr. Jekyll/Mr Hyde transformation is never fun for anyone. I just happen to know it will be fine when I get him home in a "known" environment with "known" parameters and "known" consequences. So, the funny story comes when he is being a "brat" and not answering any of the doctors questions. He was not being cooperative AT ALL. She was asking him his colors. He would not answer her. I told him that he needed to stop this behavior and answer her so in his most timid but hiding all out rebellion voice, I hear him start answering her in SPANISH! Yes, my little 5 year old decided that he would not come under the control of these two adults and still do it HIS WAY. So I hear Amarillo come out of his mouth for yellow and then Rojo for red and it took everything in me not to laugh as I explained to the Dr. that he was answering correctly but in spanish. We are sooo in trouble as he gets older...this boy is strong-willed and extremely smart!! :) Lucky for him, he is the cutest boy ever! He had so many consequences to serve once he got home that I had to list them! He paid his dues and then was fine the rest of the day....just like I figured he would be...... parenting is an adventure. Now, if I can just get over worrying about what others think of my parenting skills....ugh!
So, I can't end the long boring up-to-date post without a brief happy side-note about our visit from Cincy Karen and Max. Boy, we love those peeps! I love my Karens.....whenever I am with them,it is like being with a friend you have known forever. Maybe God arranged it so we would all be named Karen thus creating an immediate weird kinship but the rest is just pure fun. Not only do we have our Kazboys in common but we really enjoy each others company. Cincy brought me the best donuts and besides way too much sugar, I really did feel better at the end of the day. The boys are so cute together. Nick called Max his "brother" several times and I will steal a few pics from Cincy because they are so darn cute and sweet!
Kindergarten starts tomorrow.....stay tuned!!!!!
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Mayberry of the North 2009
I will finally be caught up with pictures with this post! woo,hoo! Our usual trip north for the 4th of July was altered in a good way this year. We decided to go visit Pat's brother and family in Eau Claire before we headed further North to Pat's folks house and cabin. We had never visited them at their house since we got married and it was about time. I also had the idea that they were not far from Minnesota so the trip had to include a side visit to Minni Karen's neck of the woods.
We arrived in EC on Saturday and had some awesome hometown Pizza. Now, since we had all just seen each other in Mexico a mere 8 days prior, we didn't have a bunch of "catching up" to do so we ate some awesome food, and watched Wal-E (sp?) with Nick. We decided to meet up with Minni and fam at the Minneapolis zoo on Sunday. It was absolutely gorgeous weather...mid 70's/low 80's and we just had a great time.
Garrett and Nick had a fun time and kept us hopping and shaking our heads all day. They both have so much energy! Kaz warrior blood I suppose! It was so special to finally get our boys together! Can't wait to see them again, soon I hope!
We left Mike and Julie's on Monday morning and headed on up to Mayberry....funny thing was the temperatures were dropping as we drove. We had 40's and 50's for the first 3 days there....totally rocked. We had to adjust our schedules a bit but we adjusted. It did finally warm up to some good boating weather and usual fourth fun was had by all. Because of the chilly air, we saw an abundance of Movies. They were all good and we even took Nick to one...Up!...He talked a bunch but the theatre was pretty empty so we made it thru the whole movie. We also saw the Night at the Museum sequel, Transformers 2, and the Proposal. I was able to read 4 books as well. I love the slower pace of a small town. We had a little adjustment to our usual 4th proceedings and were able to spend part of the day with Pat's extended family/cousins at his cousin Jeff's house. They have a fabulous place on the lake (different lake than Pat's folks)and we enjoyed visiting with family we don't always get to see every year.
We returned home to KY on Monday after the 4th and collapsed exhausted from our Month long vacation/socializing extravaganza! It's great to have family and friends that you actually do want to visit and spend quality time with but I think we will try not to have that all occur in June next year! ha! Enjoy the slide show of Pics from Wisconsin.
I have been sick since the Monday we returned home with a mystery illness. Still have no diagnosis despite dr. visit, blood draws, and everyone's "opinions". So far, not swine flu, mono, or pregnant...could be just a viral "thing", long case of the normal flu, hep A, meningitis, beriberi, typhoid, or malaria....yeah, those last ones are from my parents...they are a little worried to say the least. So, I have had a 100-101 fever for almost 2 weeks and I am fed up! You cannot have a fever with a 5 year old. They don't really care and I just can't lay in bed cuz that's what I "feel" like doing so we have had playdates, bouncy place visits, and outings ...soooo don't tell me a fever put you to bed.....some of us don't get that luxury, being a mom is not for the faint of heart...although, I have felt like fainting. All I am saying is Nick has watched many, many shows this past two weeks. Luckily, he has spanish camp for the next two weeks so hopefully, I can mend and he cannot be bored out of his mind. He has been a trooper and so has Pat. I am glad my boys are there for me...I'm a lucky girl! It is one of those times you just want your mom though. She unfortunately has had her hands full with my dad who broke his tibial plateau (top part of your lower leg bone) after tripping over some carpet playing ping pong. Freak accident but a quick surgical repair and now he is mending well with really good Physical therapists by his side and my mom......lucky him!
Hope everyone is enjoying the summer and for us the unseasonably cool weather...no complaints from me especially since I am generating enough heat of my own. I will let you know what my final diagnosis was and I hope it doesn't require a "Dr. House" type doctor although I did enjoy the show in the early days.
We arrived in EC on Saturday and had some awesome hometown Pizza. Now, since we had all just seen each other in Mexico a mere 8 days prior, we didn't have a bunch of "catching up" to do so we ate some awesome food, and watched Wal-E (sp?) with Nick. We decided to meet up with Minni and fam at the Minneapolis zoo on Sunday. It was absolutely gorgeous weather...mid 70's/low 80's and we just had a great time.
Garrett and Nick had a fun time and kept us hopping and shaking our heads all day. They both have so much energy! Kaz warrior blood I suppose! It was so special to finally get our boys together! Can't wait to see them again, soon I hope!
We left Mike and Julie's on Monday morning and headed on up to Mayberry....funny thing was the temperatures were dropping as we drove. We had 40's and 50's for the first 3 days there....totally rocked. We had to adjust our schedules a bit but we adjusted. It did finally warm up to some good boating weather and usual fourth fun was had by all. Because of the chilly air, we saw an abundance of Movies. They were all good and we even took Nick to one...Up!...He talked a bunch but the theatre was pretty empty so we made it thru the whole movie. We also saw the Night at the Museum sequel, Transformers 2, and the Proposal. I was able to read 4 books as well. I love the slower pace of a small town. We had a little adjustment to our usual 4th proceedings and were able to spend part of the day with Pat's extended family/cousins at his cousin Jeff's house. They have a fabulous place on the lake (different lake than Pat's folks)and we enjoyed visiting with family we don't always get to see every year.
We returned home to KY on Monday after the 4th and collapsed exhausted from our Month long vacation/socializing extravaganza! It's great to have family and friends that you actually do want to visit and spend quality time with but I think we will try not to have that all occur in June next year! ha! Enjoy the slide show of Pics from Wisconsin.
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| Make a Smilebox slideshow |
I have been sick since the Monday we returned home with a mystery illness. Still have no diagnosis despite dr. visit, blood draws, and everyone's "opinions". So far, not swine flu, mono, or pregnant...could be just a viral "thing", long case of the normal flu, hep A, meningitis, beriberi, typhoid, or malaria....yeah, those last ones are from my parents...they are a little worried to say the least. So, I have had a 100-101 fever for almost 2 weeks and I am fed up! You cannot have a fever with a 5 year old. They don't really care and I just can't lay in bed cuz that's what I "feel" like doing so we have had playdates, bouncy place visits, and outings ...soooo don't tell me a fever put you to bed.....some of us don't get that luxury, being a mom is not for the faint of heart...although, I have felt like fainting. All I am saying is Nick has watched many, many shows this past two weeks. Luckily, he has spanish camp for the next two weeks so hopefully, I can mend and he cannot be bored out of his mind. He has been a trooper and so has Pat. I am glad my boys are there for me...I'm a lucky girl! It is one of those times you just want your mom though. She unfortunately has had her hands full with my dad who broke his tibial plateau (top part of your lower leg bone) after tripping over some carpet playing ping pong. Freak accident but a quick surgical repair and now he is mending well with really good Physical therapists by his side and my mom......lucky him!
Hope everyone is enjoying the summer and for us the unseasonably cool weather...no complaints from me especially since I am generating enough heat of my own. I will let you know what my final diagnosis was and I hope it doesn't require a "Dr. House" type doctor although I did enjoy the show in the early days.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Mexico Trip 2009
I am not sure I did the Smile Box the right way because I could not get all the pics on one show....so there are 5 shows...sorry! We had an awesome time and Nick had a fabulous time with his cousins. Many Thanks to Bob and Ruth who chose to share this special event in their lives with their family. It was a once in a lifetime experience to have everyone together for that amount of time and they said that was exactly what they wanted for their Anniversary present! Bob had a very sweet speech for Ruth and presented her with her first wedding band and said..."With this ring, I thee Wed" Yes, tears all around. He had a list of things that had made their marriage work for 50 years and I don't have a copy but the shortened version and definitey not as eloquent version is that making God, each other, family, and generosity your life's priorities will always bring joy and happiness! Enjoy the pictures!
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If you have not used Smilebox, Just click on play and it will upload the video of pics and play them for you. Very easy!
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If you have not used Smilebox, Just click on play and it will upload the video of pics and play them for you. Very easy!
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| Make a Smilebox slideshow |
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| Make a Smilebox slideshow |
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| Make a Smilebox slideshow |
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| Make a Smilebox slideshow |
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| Make a Smilebox slideshow |
Monday, June 22, 2009
Kazapalooza 2009
I think I can, I think I can.......get caught up on all my posts. Next in line is Kazapalooza 2009 in Nashville! We had a great time seeing old and new friends.....it always is a bonus to meet your blog friends "in real life (IRL)" We arrived on Friday afternoon and took a stroll around the Opryland hotel premises. Pat and I have been there before but Nick enjoyed all of the water features and paths.......thought it was like Dora the Explorer!
Saturday morning after breakfast, we all gathered at the pool and it was quite a site. Kaz babies and kids swimming everywhere! I will venture to say that Kaz kids are the best and most adventurous swimmers that I have ever seen in a pool. They all seem fearless and quite the little water bugs! Nick was not into swimming that day so we stayed an hour or so and then went back to the room for a rest.
After our short rest, we dressed and Nick and Pat went on the Opryland Boat ride and we walked around the hotel. If you have been there, you know this can be considered a hike! We decided to head over to Opry Mills a little early and walk around before meeting up for our big dinner and raffle at Dave and Buster's (also at D&B's). Nick was a little grumpier than usual in the Mall so we sat down on a bench with him just to regroup and apparently exhaustion was the problem! Isn't he the cutest when he is sleeping! Look at those eyelashes!
Saturday night was the Big Dinner and Raffle which raised over 2500.00 for the Kaz orphan organization Two Hearts for Hope . They had lots of kid activities and a special Kid dance/DJ which was amazing. All the kids (and parents) gathered up front dancing with such joy and abandon. I leaned over to Susan (the famous Leeza's mom) and commented on the beauty of the scene and we just sat there a little (or alot) teary. Adoption is just a beautiful thing to behold. The friends we have made along the way are truly the dearest kind. I am so thankful for my Kindred Karens and I finally met sweet Mary from Toronto via Ireland. Her accent took me immediately back to our belated honeymoon in Ireland. I loved those people so much and she is a perfect example why! Such humor and life in she and her family. The "other" Kazmanian Devil, Orin, was as adorable as his pictures and his mom and I do have some seriously similar taste in boys clothing. It tickled us to see how much we dressed them alike! I am not sure how we missed out on Orin being in the pic below but I was thrilled to meet Mary finally in real life and give her hugs for all the support she has given us over the past 2 years.
One of the organizers of the event has TWO adorable kids from Kaz. Michelle's son Mateo has always reminded me of Nick. The last day at the goodbye meeting, the boys finally hooked up and started playing and I quick tried to catch a photo. They are two mighty handsome boys and they loved playing batman together. Michelle and her family live near our route to go up north so I foresee a future travel play date with the boys and a rest stop for mom and dad.
My goal is to get a picture every year of Nick in front of the Kazapalooza sign to watch him grow up. I really love this event and we are so appreciative of the 4 girls who plan and facilitate the whole event every year. What an undertaking!......Thanks so much Gretchen, Muriel, Michelle and Kristan.
It was hard to say good-bye so quick. So MANY people, so little time! I am so thankful that my husband is willing to support my blog obsessed habit and attend this every year. He gets an extra reward next year because it is in Milwaukee and he lived there for several year as a child and went to one of his colleges there so he is actually looking forward to the next one. We (the Kazmoms) all chuckle at our hubbies and their general "deer in the headlights" look at the big gatherings. We are just thankful they are there to help with the kids so we can all chat! It may take them all a few years to buddy up but it will happen. Kaz adoption makes you family, it will just take them a little longer to accept the "in-laws"! :) If I had it my way, we would find Kaz families in each state we travel thru on the way to visit our folks. It makes the long drive seem bearable! ;) We will be seeing Minni Karen and family in a few days. Can't wait to get our Krazy Kaz boys together. I am hoping to get the Mexico post done in a few days. I need to figure out how to do those embedded slide shows because we got lots of pictures to share. Our June has just been jam-packed with events. Looking forward to a little slowdown in July and Nick has Spanish camp for 2 weeks.......gee, what will I do with the free time! yippeeeeeee!
Hugs to everyone!
Our first gathering was the meet and greet dinner that night. It is always a bit overwhelming when you get there and see everyone. Nick was afraid to go in the big room and this is where he spent most of the first part of the evening. Funny thing was more and more kids began to join him and before you knew it the party was under our table. Nick is always a trend setter!
There were 60 plus families there and we were the only ones from Zhezkazgan which makes for a slow interaction time (those adopting from same cities tend to congregate) but as the night went on we touched base with our old friends and made some new!
Minni Karen was not able to attend this year but cyber-introduced us to her son Garrett's babyhouse buddy Charlie and mom, Anita. We enjoyed visiting with them so much and Nick and Charlie had a great time under the table and above because Pat was the target of tickle attacks and general mayhem! Pat took Nick swimming when the our boy had enough socialization. Charlie and Anita were also at the pool. I met up with Cincy Karen and we chatted for a few hours with a couple other kaz moms in the meeting room after everyone left. It is always a trip to hear other Kaz stories and be amazed at the miracle of adoption, laugh a bit and cry a tad ....just generally bask in the glow of shared experiences.
Saturday morning after breakfast, we all gathered at the pool and it was quite a site. Kaz babies and kids swimming everywhere! I will venture to say that Kaz kids are the best and most adventurous swimmers that I have ever seen in a pool. They all seem fearless and quite the little water bugs! Nick was not into swimming that day so we stayed an hour or so and then went back to the room for a rest.
After our short rest, we dressed and Nick and Pat went on the Opryland Boat ride and we walked around the hotel. If you have been there, you know this can be considered a hike! We decided to head over to Opry Mills a little early and walk around before meeting up for our big dinner and raffle at Dave and Buster's (also at D&B's). Nick was a little grumpier than usual in the Mall so we sat down on a bench with him just to regroup and apparently exhaustion was the problem! Isn't he the cutest when he is sleeping! Look at those eyelashes!
Saturday night was the Big Dinner and Raffle which raised over 2500.00 for the Kaz orphan organization Two Hearts for Hope . They had lots of kid activities and a special Kid dance/DJ which was amazing. All the kids (and parents) gathered up front dancing with such joy and abandon. I leaned over to Susan (the famous Leeza's mom) and commented on the beauty of the scene and we just sat there a little (or alot) teary. Adoption is just a beautiful thing to behold. The friends we have made along the way are truly the dearest kind. I am so thankful for my Kindred Karens and I finally met sweet Mary from Toronto via Ireland. Her accent took me immediately back to our belated honeymoon in Ireland. I loved those people so much and she is a perfect example why! Such humor and life in she and her family. The "other" Kazmanian Devil, Orin, was as adorable as his pictures and his mom and I do have some seriously similar taste in boys clothing. It tickled us to see how much we dressed them alike! I am not sure how we missed out on Orin being in the pic below but I was thrilled to meet Mary finally in real life and give her hugs for all the support she has given us over the past 2 years.
In our down time, Nick was always making something grand in our room. I believe this was a campsite and he was napping in the "tent". Looks comfy.......probably should have joined him!
I joined Cincy Karen, my trusty sidekick and support giver (it is always so intimidating to meet the kaz blog celebrities IRL) for another late night out. We chatted and laughed for hours. What a blessing all these Kazamommies are to me!
One of the organizers of the event has TWO adorable kids from Kaz. Michelle's son Mateo has always reminded me of Nick. The last day at the goodbye meeting, the boys finally hooked up and started playing and I quick tried to catch a photo. They are two mighty handsome boys and they loved playing batman together. Michelle and her family live near our route to go up north so I foresee a future travel play date with the boys and a rest stop for mom and dad.
My goal is to get a picture every year of Nick in front of the Kazapalooza sign to watch him grow up. I really love this event and we are so appreciative of the 4 girls who plan and facilitate the whole event every year. What an undertaking!......Thanks so much Gretchen, Muriel, Michelle and Kristan.
It was hard to say good-bye so quick. So MANY people, so little time! I am so thankful that my husband is willing to support my blog obsessed habit and attend this every year. He gets an extra reward next year because it is in Milwaukee and he lived there for several year as a child and went to one of his colleges there so he is actually looking forward to the next one. We (the Kazmoms) all chuckle at our hubbies and their general "deer in the headlights" look at the big gatherings. We are just thankful they are there to help with the kids so we can all chat! It may take them all a few years to buddy up but it will happen. Kaz adoption makes you family, it will just take them a little longer to accept the "in-laws"! :) If I had it my way, we would find Kaz families in each state we travel thru on the way to visit our folks. It makes the long drive seem bearable! ;) We will be seeing Minni Karen and family in a few days. Can't wait to get our Krazy Kaz boys together. I am hoping to get the Mexico post done in a few days. I need to figure out how to do those embedded slide shows because we got lots of pictures to share. Our June has just been jam-packed with events. Looking forward to a little slowdown in July and Nick has Spanish camp for 2 weeks.......gee, what will I do with the free time! yippeeeeeee!
Hugs to everyone!
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
A visit and a picnic!
We have been so busy that I am hopelessly behind on the blogworld....reading and posting! We were blessed with a pre-kazapalooza visit from "The" Ruopoli family on their way to Indy for summer vacation. Miles and Nick hit it off immediately by chasing each other in and out of the hotel automatic doors! It was darling! We had a great dinner at Cracker Barrel and then headed to the park to get out some of that all boy energy! The boys had a great time with each other and we enjoyed chatting with Regina and Frank. They were just as sweet and fun in person as they always "appeared" to be online. So glad to know them "IRL" (in real life) now! We visited with them again at Kazapalooza but that is the next post!
I love this sweet pic of the boys.....definitely "cousins" forever! Miles giggles are just as Regina always describes them. IRRESISTIBLE! I loved hearing those precious giggles!
A little blurry but cute still....
We also had our annual picnic given by our homestudy agency. Always fun to see how many kids have found forever homes just in our state!
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Thought I would post our first picnic pony ride picture in 2007
and then, the pony ride pictures, 2009! I am thinking that the pony rides may be a thing of the past.....his legs are getting so long that we may have to move up to horses next.
I love this sweet pic of the boys.....definitely "cousins" forever! Miles giggles are just as Regina always describes them. IRRESISTIBLE! I loved hearing those precious giggles!
A little blurry but cute still....
We also had our annual picnic given by our homestudy agency. Always fun to see how many kids have found forever homes just in our state!
=====================================
Thought I would post our first picnic pony ride picture in 2007
and then, the pony ride pictures, 2009! I am thinking that the pony rides may be a thing of the past.....his legs are getting so long that we may have to move up to horses next.
The ancient Tower slide that scares me every year.....it is so unsafe but the kids love it! It is soooo high off the ground!
We finished off May with this picnic and then the busiest June of all began......details to follow!
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