Referrals

There were at least four referrals today! WHAHOO! Those families are so excited and I'm sure their hearts are so full for seeing their little ones for the first time today! Those photographs must be the most precious things and April 25th will always be remembered in their hearts as that first glimpse of their son or daughter. I am so happy for everyone, I can hardly stand it!

Ords, Gibsons, Ducommens, and Coxs....amazing, completely amazing. I can't wait until it's me!

May blessings be showered on those families and may their court dates go successfully, without hitches, and may they travel in short oder to bring their little ones home!!!

Spring Fun

Well, tis that time of year where sometimes you need to find things to occupy yourself (see the sarcasm there?) as if playing outside and riding bikes wasn't enough in the first place. I auditioned for the Wizard Of Oz musical in Pipestone and got in, a speaking and singing part of the Guard at the Gate. You know the guy, who argues with the group about a sign on the door? yeah, that's me. I know, it's a guy's part, but that's where they cast me, so I'll make do and enjoy myself anyway. Should be fun.

Bowling is pretty much over. I could bowl singles if I wanted to in the tournament, but even with my hadicap of 213, I don't think I'd get very far. Yes, 213 shows that I am pretty bad at bowling. My average is 91 and last night at doubles I got a 96, 95, 94 in that order. At least I'm over my average, but I didn't break 100. One week, after a beer (or as the guys call it, aiming fluid) I actually bowled a 167 and got my name in the paper! Shut up, everyone, it's a small town. Things like that are exciting.

The weather has been beautiful the past few days and Dagny is playing outside at daycare which means more baths. My child is a dirt magnet! I picked her up yesterday and there was dirt on her face, all over her hands, and her dress was perfectly clean. How does that happen? I didn't spray it with teflon, so it should be as dirty as she is! Who knows.

Anyway, we're working on an exhibit on photography at the museum and hopefully I'll get a bunch done today, like placing objects and getting some labels and photographs in place. I need to move two manniquins upstairs and dress them in wedding clothes, since we have a photograph of a wedding couple AND we have the dress and suit in our collection. We're getting creative and trying to fill the space with fun stuff so it's not such a static exhibit. And downstairs we're working on carpeting maybe this summer, which would be grand since we're going to do a railroad exhibit next year. Railroads have been really important to the city of Pipestone.

I hear my small one waking. I'll write more later!

Alone at Home

Marc is gone again for a few days, which always makes me bummed. It's hard with him traveling, even though I know its for the good of the company and the family in the long run. I just wish he didn't have to do it all the time. But we'll survive.

On a lighter note, Dagny can't get enough of saying her brother's name. She says "Ephraim" to anyone who will listen, though it's not very clear and people always need a translation. That and people who don't know me look questioningly at my stomach to see if I am pregnant. Ha. Talk about a conversation starter.

I don't feel much like writing tonight, though maybe tomorrow. The first night is always the hardest.

Toes

Per request, here is a picture of the pedicure. Ha. It's a dark purple with white flowers. The flower has a tiny white gem in the middle and is trimmed with pale green and silver swirlies, which you can't really see in the picture. Anyone else ever tried to take a picture of their own feet? It feel very silly!

Birthdays

So yesterday was my 35th birthday. I feel old, though I shouldn't since I'm not even close to actually being old. I suppose it was just one of those milestones maybe I wasn't expecting.

I had scheduled our appointment with the travel clinic for the afternoon, figuring my husband would take time off from work, we'd get our shots, then we could go get some ice cream or lunch just the two of us before picking up Dagny at daycare. But alas, this was not to be. Something came up at work for Marc and I ended up driving to Sioux Falls myself.

It wasn't bad, though. I got a pedicure (purple with flowers) and found a nice shirt at the mall, as well as getting a few other errands run, so all in all it was a pretty good afternoon. On the way home, I called a few friends and asked them to meet us at Pizza Ranch for dinner and they did, so dinner almost felt like a party. And that was very nice.

And then, of course, we just went home and watched TV. Marc bought me the book A New Earth, which is on Oprah's List and my pastor is reading right now. He wants someone else to read it so we can discuss it and that seems like a fun idea. Pastor Gene is an awesome guy and I think a theological discussion with him sounds like it would be enjoyable. Of course, with all the other books I have to read, it might take awhile.

While we were watching TV, Dagny fell asleep on my lap, her head pillowed against my chest. I have never felt like more of a mommy than I did right then. She is so incredibly beautiful that my heart aches when I look at her. So, of course, I cried and thanked my husband for the best present ever, a family.

And soo nthe family will grow and be even more of a blessing. Ephraim, we're waiting for you with open arms and eager hearts. Even Dagny tells people she's getting a brother and she can even say your name.

Other Journeys

Yesterday I attended a lunch in Pipestone where the guest speaker was a family in town who has adopted five children internationally, two from Guatamala and three from Ethiopia. They have TEN kids all together. Are they insane? No, they have a lot of love. It was so obvious to see them together, it was amazing. They brought all ten kids to the lunch (though they left since some of them are very young) and then showed a slideshow and gave a talk that made me cry. The children from Ethiopia were so beautiful and I couldn't stop staring at the little girl, who was three years old. My son will look like her, I kept thinking to myself, holding hands with my friend Angie who went with me for support.

I'm a big cryer, so I knew I'd need someone there to explain why tears were constantly running down my face. The slides were amazing. Ethiopia is beautiful and now, not only can I not wait for my son, but I can't wait to take him BACK to see the country when he is old enough to remember. I can't wait to show Dagny where her brother came from, to explore a world through two pairs or eyes that are lower to the ground and much more connected than mine. Does that make sense? It makes sense to me...

The wait is horrible. And I've not been waiting very long. Maybe I will get used to it or it will get better the longer it goes, but right now it's aching inside.

And one of my best friends had to put her cat down last night. Good bye, Jazz, we'll miss you. Meet Maria in heaven, will you?