Onto Happier Topics...PLEASE!

In real life and Bloggyland, life is quieter and sadder. Lots of things going on in the world and I just don't want to express my opinions on them quite yet.

Hey, its SPRING and finally getting warm, so except for one sad comment below, I am going to move onto happier topics.

Kurt's Uncle Arch in CA passed away last Friday afternoon after a battle with diabetes related health issues. He was a lovely man who has a wife, 4 daughters and tons of grandkids who will miss him and love him very much. My MIL and his sisters Jane, Fem and Gloria are very sad, so please say a prayer for him when you can.

Okay, I promised some good news...Kelsey's doing well on the talking front...here are some of her words she uses properly:

Dada
Momma
Lola (her Grandmother)
rock
byebye
Hi
Hold
up
down
yes (and nods well too)
no (and shakes her head well too)
house
Tana (cat's name)
Chey (for Cheyenne our other cat's name)
Sarah (babysitter's daughter)
Mac (daycare friend)
out
book
chick
LOOK! (said just like that!)
Woof (when you ask her what the puppydog says)
Meow (when you ask her what the kitty says)
Go
Car
Truck
Cracker and many more that I can't recall!

We are beginning to work on the alphabet and counting. She loves being outside and playing in her sandbox and on the swings in the park.

I haven't posted photos in a while, here are some new ones we took with the new camera. I really like using the new one (Sony Cybershot).

End April, and all of May is very busy for us, we are planning for:
Kurt's birthday on Sunday 4/29
Big work event on 5/2
Mother's Day (my 2nd!)
Our niece Marina's First Holy Communion
The Church School Confirmation Class is being confirmed
Our good friend Jake is being confirmed in that class (and perhaps the love of Kelsey's life! :) and is having a party
Another Big Work Event
Our Anniversary (10!!!!)
Also, BIL and SIL are celebrating their first wedding anniversary too! (okay, Kelsey wants some more cousins, can you start crackin' on that now please? :)

One of my fellow adoptive Moms from our China April group put together a very moving montage of our girls and their referral and one year home photos. It's very moving and the music and scenery makes me cry. We are working on allowing it on my blog, so as soon as it's approved, I'll insert in here.

p.s. How can you NOT feel happy when you see these photos of Kelsey? Her joy is infectious! (the 2nd photo is her rockin' out in gymboree)
JoAnn

Ugh! This is not a happy post!

Okay, I work for a non-profit that helps assist low income and needy families. In an urban community that is very close to our home.

2 months ago, my offices were broken into. My colleagues had their computers and personal equipment stolen. Luckily for me, I take my laptop home every day. But it was heartbreaking and left us feeling violated.

It happened again on Wed! However this was an inside job this time. My office was broken into and nothing of mine was taken...but we keep money in a locked filing cabinet and that was taken. Again...violated feelings...

So what happened today? I left my office at 12:30 to go get candy for Kelsey's Easter basket and grab lunch. Had a meeting at 2:30 and came back to my office at 3pm. About 3:20 my sister called and said that MY HOUSE was broken into and my alarm company had called. Now we have had false alarms (cats) but she said there was a smashed window.

I grabbed my computer and ran out the door downstairs and jumped into my car. I ran every stop sign and red light. My only thought was thank god Kelsey was safe at daycare, but I was crying thinking the cats were either dead or gone.

Let me say...we were VERY VERY lucky! I always set our alarm and that really saved us. The only single thing taken was our digital camera (the one piece of equipment that I use constantly) No TV, stereos or jewlery was taken. The robber didn't even have time to mess up the house because the alarms were going off.

The thing that's really ticked us off is that our screen porch door was slashed and our one of the windows of french door off the screen porch was smashed. I handpainted those windows using leaded glass paint and they were really lovely. JERK!

The police officer was really nice, secured the house and walked through everything with me. He assured me that this was someone looking for quick small stuff to grab and pawn for drug money. Also found out the guy across the street is a cop in the next town over. He saw the guy and called it in. So he may be caught. CREEP!

Our insurance co was good too, except it is hard to get someone to come out and fix glass late. They boarded up the door with plywood so it feels okay. I'm not as weirded out as i thought I'd be. Kurt's home so I feel safe and he's not going to sleep upstairs until the door is fixed. I'm staying home tomorrow so hopefully we'll have a repaired door this weekend. Not sure, because this is Easter weekend, but we'll see.

Anyway, no photos because no camera...I'll be looking for a new one tomorrow. Kelsey is sleeping safely in bed besides me...what an angel :)

Let me just end this not so nicely and say to the creep that violated our house...hope you enjoyed the drugs you bought with the money you got for pawning my camera. What kind of PIG goes into someone's home and paws through their stuff and violates their child's bedroom? You absolute creep....I hope the drugs kill you sooner than later. You'll get your punishment in the afterlife, if the cops don't catch you first. (Nothing of Kelsey's was taken, but just the idea that he went into her room....sickens me)

Photos...

I took Kelsey to the Picture People in BW. As you can see from the expressions on her face, she had a great time. The photographers really know how to capture a baby's joy! We loved the photos and are thrilled to share them with you all. Enjoy!

Happy Birthday Janet!

My Sister Janet is very special to me. She's a confidant, friend, co-conspiritor, touchstone, yardstick. Someone that knows all the good and bad things about my life from when we were very small and loves me anyway. I consider myself very lucky that I am the ONE person in the world that is HER sister!

Janet is one of my role models for Moms because even tho' she's my BABY sister by quite a few years, she had definate goals on becoming a Mom and did it young. She and my BIL Michael have been happily married for 17 years and have 3 wonderful kids, Alyssa, Mike and Marina.

So, Janet, have a wonderful birthday. You are a terrific, beautiful person, sister and friend! Welcome to the forever 29 club!

All my love,
JoAnn