I just wanted to do a quick post about Kaitlyn's graduation. I will post a longer one with more photos later. This week has been crazy. I had a root canal yesterday afternoon. This kind of post requires me to "think" and I haven't been able to concentrate or formulate what I want to say. Just know that it was such a memorable day/weekend! Wednesday, April 30, 2008
quick post
I just wanted to do a quick post about Kaitlyn's graduation. I will post a longer one with more photos later. This week has been crazy. I had a root canal yesterday afternoon. This kind of post requires me to "think" and I haven't been able to concentrate or formulate what I want to say. Just know that it was such a memorable day/weekend! 
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Happy Birthday Julia Ann
Julia in Ivanovo, Russia. Fall, 2005Today is Julia's 10th birthday. It is the third birthday she has celebrated with our family. Julia is a kind, caring young lady. She loves animals, her family and friends, jumping on the trampoline, gymnastics, hip hop dance and just has a joy about life. She has such spirit and wants to participate in everything. (thanks, Christine, for sending me this picture)
Julia, I love you very much and am very thankful you have come into my life. You bring our family so much joy and enthusiasm. Happy Birthday!!Love,
Mom
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Happy Birthday, Nicholas John
My first born son is 20 years old today! He is no longer a teenager! It is his golden birthday.. 20 on the 20th!. On the birthday card we got him it said "You have a great sense of humor and your strong beliefs and positive attitude inspire everyone around you." Those words are so true about you. We are so proud of the man you are and wish you the happiest of birthdays! Thank you for always making me smile when I talk to you. I miss you very much and can't wait to see you next weekend!
Love,
Mom
Friday, April 18, 2008
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday, Mom!!
She is our sunshine in the blue sky:)We all love you SO much! I hope you are having a wonderful birthday and enjoying the sunny weather. You mean so much to all of us. Thank you for your joyful spirit and for all your love. Seriously, you are amazing and everyone around you can see it. LOVE YOU!!
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
when you make a mistake
Have you ever had a decision to make and you didn't know what to do? Have you ever prayed and really thought that God gave you "the" answer, but it wasn't the answer you wanted, and you did the opposite thing? Have you ever let your kiddos down? Have you ever just wanted to have your way?
Well, I did all that within the last week.
Why did I think I wanted a dog?
About 10 days ago, I really started thinking about a dog. We had a dog, Max, for about 8 years. Max wasn't the ideal dog. Max had a barking and marking problem, as well as a biting problem. He was a Chihuahua. In November, we made the decision to surrender Max to the Humane Society. It was a hard decision, but I had so much peace immediately. I was free in my home again. I didn't have to shut the bedroom doors to keep Max from marking everywhere. No more worries about what the neighbors are thinking when Max barks in the backyard. There was freedom. No more paying for boarding Max when we travelled. Mike and I really thought we would never have a pet dog again. Our lives are too busy to give a dog the attention and care it deserves.
That is when I started going online and looking a dogs to adopt. I "reasoned" that IF we adopted a dog, it would be okay and we would be giving a dog a good home. I did research...I prayed. I wanted a smaller dog. Tim wanted one that played fetch. Julia wanted a dog to love.
Mike was still adamant that we did not NEED a dog. He brought up all the cons to having a dog again. He was honest in saying that he didn't want to be the one taking care of a dog in the morning before work. I appreciated and understood everything he was saying. BUT, I still was stubborn and thought a dog made sense for our family. Even in my prayers, I was sensing NOT to proceed. I did anyway.
I found Yurek online at a local shelter. He was one year old. He played fetch, was housebroken and crate trained. He knew basic obedience. He was low shedding. He was 15 lbs. He sounded perfect.
We picked him up on Saturday afternoon. He really was the "perfect" dog, if there ever was one. He knew some cute tricks like "sit pretty" and "dance." He loved playing fetch with Tim in the backyard. He followed me in the house everywhere. He wanted to please.
BUT, by Sunday, I knew I had made a terrible mistake! I didn't like the pitter patter of claws on the wood floor. I didn't like the barking at 6am 'cause he wanted outside. Mainly, I was wrong. It was too much for me and I forgot how much work it was to give a dog the home it deserves. And now, I have to face Tim and Julia.
Tim came to me Sunday night. He was feeling like I was feeling. He thought we should return Yurek to the shelter. He was so mature about this whole thing. Last night Mike and I talked. I told him that I decided to return Yurek. Mike was overjoyed. I told Julia before school today. She cried.
I feel so sad for her. She is truly a "dog" person. She loves all animals. She has such a tender heart.
We took Yurek back this afternoon. Julia is doing fine.
Well, I did all that within the last week.
Why did I think I wanted a dog?
About 10 days ago, I really started thinking about a dog. We had a dog, Max, for about 8 years. Max wasn't the ideal dog. Max had a barking and marking problem, as well as a biting problem. He was a Chihuahua. In November, we made the decision to surrender Max to the Humane Society. It was a hard decision, but I had so much peace immediately. I was free in my home again. I didn't have to shut the bedroom doors to keep Max from marking everywhere. No more worries about what the neighbors are thinking when Max barks in the backyard. There was freedom. No more paying for boarding Max when we travelled. Mike and I really thought we would never have a pet dog again. Our lives are too busy to give a dog the attention and care it deserves.
That is when I started going online and looking a dogs to adopt. I "reasoned" that IF we adopted a dog, it would be okay and we would be giving a dog a good home. I did research...I prayed. I wanted a smaller dog. Tim wanted one that played fetch. Julia wanted a dog to love.
Mike was still adamant that we did not NEED a dog. He brought up all the cons to having a dog again. He was honest in saying that he didn't want to be the one taking care of a dog in the morning before work. I appreciated and understood everything he was saying. BUT, I still was stubborn and thought a dog made sense for our family. Even in my prayers, I was sensing NOT to proceed. I did anyway.
I found Yurek online at a local shelter. He was one year old. He played fetch, was housebroken and crate trained. He knew basic obedience. He was low shedding. He was 15 lbs. He sounded perfect.
We picked him up on Saturday afternoon. He really was the "perfect" dog, if there ever was one. He knew some cute tricks like "sit pretty" and "dance." He loved playing fetch with Tim in the backyard. He followed me in the house everywhere. He wanted to please.
BUT, by Sunday, I knew I had made a terrible mistake! I didn't like the pitter patter of claws on the wood floor. I didn't like the barking at 6am 'cause he wanted outside. Mainly, I was wrong. It was too much for me and I forgot how much work it was to give a dog the home it deserves. And now, I have to face Tim and Julia.
Tim came to me Sunday night. He was feeling like I was feeling. He thought we should return Yurek to the shelter. He was so mature about this whole thing. Last night Mike and I talked. I told him that I decided to return Yurek. Mike was overjoyed. I told Julia before school today. She cried.
I feel so sad for her. She is truly a "dog" person. She loves all animals. She has such a tender heart.
We took Yurek back this afternoon. Julia is doing fine.
Monday, April 14, 2008
a lot to say....and nothing to say
Karla keeps reminding me that I haven't posted in awhile. While a lot has been going on, it seems like nothing is "blog-worthy."
Tomorrow is Kait's last "official" day of college. She still has a few final exams and other commitments. Her college graduation is on Saturday, April 26. I honestly cannot believe that she is so close. These last four years have gone very fast....and very slow at the same time. Does that make sense? Our family has gone through a lot since 2004 (the year she graduated from high school) and we are stronger for it. I am so proud of you, Kaitlyn!
Nick is doing very well at Michigan State! He is "Mr. Positive." Whenever I talk to him, it lifts my spirits! He always looks for the positive in the situation! He has really blossomed this year. I'm proud of you, too, Nick!
Mike has been busy at work. He's is at a Chamber of Commerce dinner tonight where the Healthplex is up for a business award. Tim is doing very well. He got a cell phone last week. He was happy about that. He has acting classes in two weeks. Julia started playing softball a couple weeks ago. She is enjoying it very much. She also is taking hip hop classes on Monday nights and continuing with her piano lessons. She is a busy girl, but still getting her homework complete. I'm doing fine, too. I'm still on my weight loss journey. I've lost 29 lbs and am feeling good. The Blind Squirrels started training again. They are a fun group of woman!
This past weekend was so cold and dreary here in Cincinnati! I think I was kinda depressed on Sunday. I am so ready for nice weather to be here and STAY here. It seems spring is so late on coming to stay.
Thanks for reading and sorry for the long delay.
Blessings to you!
Karen
Tomorrow is Kait's last "official" day of college. She still has a few final exams and other commitments. Her college graduation is on Saturday, April 26. I honestly cannot believe that she is so close. These last four years have gone very fast....and very slow at the same time. Does that make sense? Our family has gone through a lot since 2004 (the year she graduated from high school) and we are stronger for it. I am so proud of you, Kaitlyn!
Nick is doing very well at Michigan State! He is "Mr. Positive." Whenever I talk to him, it lifts my spirits! He always looks for the positive in the situation! He has really blossomed this year. I'm proud of you, too, Nick!
Mike has been busy at work. He's is at a Chamber of Commerce dinner tonight where the Healthplex is up for a business award. Tim is doing very well. He got a cell phone last week. He was happy about that. He has acting classes in two weeks. Julia started playing softball a couple weeks ago. She is enjoying it very much. She also is taking hip hop classes on Monday nights and continuing with her piano lessons. She is a busy girl, but still getting her homework complete. I'm doing fine, too. I'm still on my weight loss journey. I've lost 29 lbs and am feeling good. The Blind Squirrels started training again. They are a fun group of woman!
This past weekend was so cold and dreary here in Cincinnati! I think I was kinda depressed on Sunday. I am so ready for nice weather to be here and STAY here. It seems spring is so late on coming to stay.
Thanks for reading and sorry for the long delay.
Blessings to you!
Karen
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