There have been several things I’ve intended to post about over the past couple of weeks. I’ll give you the quick version here.
So two weeks ago, the girls and I went to visit Craig‘s youngest sister (hi, Jill!) and her family in Illinois. The girls and I have never been to their place in the whole time we’ve lived here, so that was a situation we intended to remedy. We had a great visit and the girls loved hanging out with their cousins overnight.
On that same trip, we met Caron and her family; I can’t remember the last time I laughed so hard as during our conversation that afternoon. Katie asked later when we could go back to play with her new best friend. Super fun.
The girls and I have been to several educational music functions this fall which have all been neat-o. We got to hear jazz musicians last week.
I’ve never really felt like I could officially call St. Louis “home,” but I am really liking living here. I could see it becoming home at some point in the future. I’m not sure what will bring about that transition for me other than maybe being allowed to paint the walls blue, orange, pink, red, green, etc.
We’ve been communicating with Compassion as to how we can continue to support the family Sakulu lived with by supporting another child who lives with them. It kind of feels traitorous, though that is dumb thinking. I had this problem with the movie Return to Me – the new relationship wouldn’t have existed if the wife hadn’t died, which makes the new one bittersweet. I feel sort of like that at this point, like, “Should I be excited about supporting a new child? This wouldn’t have come about if Sakulu hadn’t died. Am I not remaining true to Sakulu?” Twisted thinking.
Our friend Jenny from Colorado came to see us last week. Jenny is like family for us; she lived with us for several months right when Katie was born. We impressed her by taking her to the Delta Dental Health Theatre, complete with giant teeth and puppet show; I also showed her how to drive the wrong way on one-way streets in St. Louis. We also experienced driving over to Illinois in search of 1st Street (which, incidentally, is really still in Missouri). We enjoyed the visit with Jenny very much and hope we can work that out again sooner rather than later.
Maddie and Chloe had their first fall concert with the St. Louis Children’s Choir and we all survived. The choirs have a tradition of singing a song called “We Gather Here Together” at the end of every performance. Before we walked in, Katie was practicing on their behalf and sang, “We Gather Here Forever.” It was quite humorous, if not accurate.
We had a headmaster dinner discussion here in St. Louis on Monday night. In attendance were me, Craig, Nick, and one lone headmaster who arrived 30 minutes late. We had five scheduled and ended up with one. Tonight we have 10 scheduled, so we’re hoping they all come. Still, conversation with one is conversation with one; we felt badly for him, though, as it was rather like an inquisition.
Friday night, Craig and I fly to Florida and leave our girls in capable hands until late Monday night. I’m sure I’ve mentioned it before, but I don’t really leave my kids that well. This will be the longest stint we’ve been away from them. I know they will be fine, but I don’t like leaving them. I wish they could come with us.
Maddie had a tooth filling today plus four sealants applied to her teeth. Chloe had two sealants. In two weeks Maddie has to have two teeth pulled because she has permanent teeth doing weird things under her gums. They need to pull the baby teeth out and hope the adult teeth start acting like properly behaved adult teeth. She’s nervous and I don’t blame her. She was a champ today, though, and handled the situation like a pro.
Now then, that about does it. I can start over from scratch here with a report on what goofy thing will inevitably happen to me and Craig as we take a trip this weekend. Something always does…
Half-Pint House 
Here’s hoping there is only wonderful reports next week. Have fun!
LikeLike
Here’s hoping there is only wonderful reports next week. Have fun!
LikeLike
i hope you enjoy the mcD’s….really! what a temptation!
and, of course, the conversation & time with your book-man, & the surroundings. watch out for sharks!
i still laugh at the thought of you telling that parking lot story…and you slapping your forehead with the palms of your hands. 🙂 a great comfort to me.
LikeLike
we look forward to reading about your goofy travel tales next week. (sounds like a radio show with episodes:)
i wish i could go in your pocket. i grew up in ft. lauderdale, was married there and later lived in miami. i know it is a lot different than it was, but i still think it is beautiful. i used to drive to work on the causeway that goes from miami to miami beach right past all the cruise ships. the color of that water is the prettiest blue-green on a sunny day. i hope it is nice while you are there. m
LikeLike
Sounds like you’re enjoying St. Louis. I loved my visit about a year ago. My friend Pam lives in Barnhardt, I believe. I’ve enjoyed reading thru your blog just to catch up on what’s been going on in your life. Have fun in Florida, it’s probably one of the better times of year to visit.
LikeLike
I had to have a whole bunch of teeth pulled like that, and although I’m sure there was discomfort associated with it, all I remember is trying so hard to stay awake when they were putting me to sleep (“Oh, I see my shoes… I’ll just keep looking at ’em… “). The next thing I knew they were handing me my teeth in a cute little box.
I also remember the ice cream, popsicles, jello, and lying on the sofa watching TV while getting to stay home from school.
So, if that’s any comfort to her… the good memories overshadow the bad.
LikeLike
i hope you enjoy the mcD’s….really! what a temptation!
and, of course, the conversation & time with your book-man, & the surroundings. watch out for sharks!
i still laugh at the thought of you telling that parking lot story…and you slapping your forehead with the palms of your hands. 🙂 a great comfort to me.
LikeLike
we look forward to reading about your goofy travel tales next week. (sounds like a radio show with episodes:)
i wish i could go in your pocket. i grew up in ft. lauderdale, was married there and later lived in miami. i know it is a lot different than it was, but i still think it is beautiful. i used to drive to work on the causeway that goes from miami to miami beach right past all the cruise ships. the color of that water is the prettiest blue-green on a sunny day. i hope it is nice while you are there. m
LikeLike
Sounds like you’re enjoying St. Louis. I loved my visit about a year ago. My friend Pam lives in Barnhardt, I believe. I’ve enjoyed reading thru your blog just to catch up on what’s been going on in your life. Have fun in Florida, it’s probably one of the better times of year to visit.
LikeLike
I had to have a whole bunch of teeth pulled like that, and although I’m sure there was discomfort associated with it, all I remember is trying so hard to stay awake when they were putting me to sleep (“Oh, I see my shoes… I’ll just keep looking at ’em… “). The next thing I knew they were handing me my teeth in a cute little box.
I also remember the ice cream, popsicles, jello, and lying on the sofa watching TV while getting to stay home from school.
So, if that’s any comfort to her… the good memories overshadow the bad.
LikeLike
Clearly not the same situation as yours – but we just got a letter yesterday that our Compassion child decided not to participate any longer. We’ve been sponsoring her for years – it makes me so sad and so full of questions. So, we are joining you in figuring out what to do next.
LikeLike
Clearly not the same situation as yours – but we just got a letter yesterday that our Compassion child decided not to participate any longer. We’ve been sponsoring her for years – it makes me so sad and so full of questions. So, we are joining you in figuring out what to do next.
LikeLike