I'm still standing...

I'm baaa-aack! Taken me two years, another tremendous move, cutting my hair all off, and some tears and laughter in between, but I'm still standing. Time is always dear and not much left after the day to day grind. I have promised myself, though, that I would not become someone who utters the words,"I just can't find the time." I get  it..really I do! No one is exempt from the struggles and demands placed in our society these days. It is a much more challenging world out there...so I'm gonna take it back! I want to come back to writing to share stories and thoughts that connect and make sense to others out there who have yet to find a sacred space where they don't feel so alone within their own experiences. I want to tell about a remarkable little girl who is brave beyond her years and who is a survivor with a heart full of love. Of course I may be limited as to what I can record as I don't want her to be scarred for life that I've shared some of her "moments". More importantly, I want people to feel connected and lifted up in the midst of their day to day thing called life.

“I love people who make me laugh. I honestly think it's the thing I like most, to laugh. It cures a multitude of ills. It's probably the most important thing in a person.”
― Audrey Hepburn

Amen, Audrey....Amen! More to come, people. For now, I'm off to vacuum, tidy the house, dinner in the crockpot, showered and dressed to perfection. Yeh..right. I'll be lucky to brush my teeth.

Two years

Our two year Gotcha Day has come and gone. I was an emotional case during the whole week. So much just comes flooding back...the pain and the joy. I often look back in the journal I've kept for Frances...started it way before Frances was even born. My heart just becomes overwhelmed. She is now such a "little person"...doing, talking, creating on her own. To be able to witness all of it is amazing!
We've had an eventful spring. An afternoon seeing Nick Jr. storytime with her favorites...priceless! A family party on our Gotcha Day with all her yummies provided. Even a trip to Busch Gardens...an absolute blast! Dinner with Elmo that night to top it off. So many wonderful memories.
One value I pray Frances will hold onto is finding true joy from many gifts around us..simple and pure. Also..to stop waiting for "the time" to begin living. Each day is all we have...don't think there will be some "go" sign when it's time to do things...live now. Oh, how can I show her the importance of this when we live in such a mundane, yet critical world? I want the world for this little one.
Speaking of mundane..let me get back to folding laundry. The summer awaits us!

Onward and Forward

Spring has sprung and it already feels like July out there...whew! Loving it, though. As many bows as I place in Frances' hair...this girl was born to be an outdoors lady..dirty and smelly! Tomboy all the way. Clearly, not due to my influences. I can still proudly report the girl was born for the stage. She is performing even when she doesn't realize. Oh, this amazing girl! Her music and movement are clearly her passions, and I'm already envisioning a Judy Garland/Liza Minelli type show for the two us. We're going places, I tell ya! My dreams of performing professionally never came true, but I'm enjoying watching the possibilities for Frances even more.

We're still working on the potty training...grrrrrr! As I mentioned to a friend yesterday, I am quite proud of my many accomplishments. All took a lot of hard work. However...potty training this little girl has to be the most difficult thing I've had to do. She's a determined little bug! Sometime that determination is not in the direction I'm hoping for, though. I continue to watch her in amazement. I am truly in awe of this little person. I always thought that it would take a few weeks to "bond" after we brought her home. I can see now..it's an ongoing process that continues. Not a day passes where I don't see trust, familiarity, unconditional love grow. What great gifts to have each day! She will always remain our miracle!

First haircut

No one told me...all you moms out there need to tell us things like how uncontrollable the tears will be when your baby gets her first haircut..and how you see those precious locks laying there in the floor and you can't hold it back anymore! She has done more "growing up" this past week than I care for her to experience ever again. I'm just not ready! Her hair looks so sweet, and it's much easier to keep out of those big brown eyes. All in all, it's a good thing. I, on the other hand, am resorting to a glass of wine and looking through her baby book.

I haven't forgotten.

Oh my...a year??? Nooo..it can't be close to year since I've last written. Perhaps I could tuck my tail and say I've been so busy being a parent...I haven't had time to write. Since we've entered a new year, part of my resolution is to write at least once a month...girl scouts honor! The days and adventures of Miss Frances are filled with humor and excitement...you'll get some good laughs at the least!
2009 was a year of adjustment, and that's putting it mildly. We've been in Raleigh now a whopping 18 months. It's getting easier, but I catch myself still referring to Richmond as home. I know things take time, and I'm being patient with myself so I'll give this gig a full go. Charles is busy with work. He has traveled places never in a million years did he think he'd get to visit. And to think his travels all started with a little trip to a small town called Moscow, Russia. I am so proud of all he's done and accomplished.
For those who may not know, we said good bye to our black lab this past Nov. When signing on to blog, I scrolled down to see the picture of that sweet furry baby. I can't help but break down and cry...I have missed her so much. My heart still feels broken.
Miss Frances is no longer "baby"...a little girl through and through. Oh, I could go on and on about this precious one but will save her most outlandish stories for blogging. WE have just changed to a "big girl bed"..poor little thing's world as she knew it was crushed...and so was mine! My baby!!!I know part of being a parent is learning how to let go...I'm not so good at that. All of sudden, I feel as if Frances is changing and growing at the speed of light, which I know I'm supposed to be excited about, but I just can't keep up with it all happening so fast.
Well...I'm usually comatose by 8 each night, so let me wish everyone a happy New Year...and you will be hearing more of our tales!

Our first snow

We has snow this week, and boy did Frances have a blast. She couldn't wait to get out and play in it. I was unprepared and didn't have a snow suit or even anything to play with in the snow. I know if I had gone out and found those things, we wouldn't use until the next snow..in 10 years. We made do and laughed as we watched Fiona turn into a 6 month old puppy. January has been a slow month, and I've loved getting to make some of the most special memories out of the simplest of things. It's all so amazing for Frances, and watching life through her eyes is truly the greatest pleasure I get. Our camera is sick..so I've been using a disposable one for now...so will post pics. as soon as I can get them developed. Hugs to all!

The Best Christmas Ever

Yes, it was...the best ever! I wish I could go back and relive everything again. Christmas Eve we went to church at 3 with my Mom and Dad, and then returned to their place for dinner. The 23rd was Frances' friend, Mallory, birthday, but we were able to stop by for cake and ice cream later Christmas Eve. Frances was exhausted by the time we got her home and went down in a blink of an eye. Santa came, and boy did he do a great job this Christmas. Frances was amazed by everything...played with it all...and loved every minute of it. The Elmo live was a bit scary to her, but she's gradually getting used to it. She has taken to a stuffed animal that's a puppy black lab...like our Fiona. She won't let go of it! She carries it around and loves on it all day. We spent time with our families and enjoyed watching our Frances take it all in. We even incorporated some Russian customs into our holiday, which will now become part of our Christmas tradition.Oh, it was wonderful! I have to pinch myself to know that having Frances here with us is real. It's finally happened!