Pardon our mess....

I don't know how Troy instinctively understands how to do construction.  Maybe it's because he has a "math brain" and was accepted to Rose-Hulman (13th year at the top of US News and World Report's Top Engineering Colleges in the Country...Tami shout out!), but I watch him build the deck and am in awe.  He's only a couple of days from finishing up part one of the deck project (get deck built) to await the completion of phase two of the deck project (get roof built out).  And throughout this time, I've been the trusty screw hander-outer and board lifter-upper.  Brute strength is not really my best skill, but I can help in even a modest way (or especially in a modest way) to make things easier.

Unfortunately, Mother Nature seems to want to make up for a rather dry summer all in one fell swoop and we're getting some pretty constant, if only occasionally heavy, rain.  Our deck project is now mired in mud so it's on hold now until it gets a little dryer and the ground a little firmer. 

Yesterday, before the endless rain started, was a perfect morning for a little bit of a walk.  My employer participated in the Indianapolis Sports Corporation's Corporate Challenge and since my challenge is, was, and always will be an utter lack of grace and balance (and those pesky weak ankles), my contribution was participating in the 5K fitness walk (as well as an enjoyable, but less than successful effort bowling last weekend).  People, pets and kids in strollers walked the banks of the White River at a nice pace, just enough to get the heart rate up a little and feel a nice burn in the legs.  Not only did I get to start my day with an energy boost from exercise, but I got to store important knowledge from those parents around me for the days when  I will be one myself.  What was the most important lesson I learned?  It is not a good idea to give your child keys to entertain themselves with as you walk near the side of a pedestrian bridge.  Especially if your child has shown a propensity toward a future career as an MBL pitcher.  Nothing good can come of that.

Here's to a dry and mild week, another Sunday School lesson that will engage the kids and hopefully a completed deck before hunting season starts on Saturday!

September 9, 2011

Dear Baby,

I made it to Vermont and back and am happy to report that I had a wonderful time.  Some day, you will enjoy going to Vermont, a place with lots of trees and lots of dogs.  Oh, the people in Vermont love their canine friends, and this weekend your aunt and uncle were taking care of 12 canine legs belonging to three dogs. 



Bearlington gets his heart before getting his happiness fluff



You will really enjoy a stop at the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory.  It's a place where you can go around and administer a "hug test" to stuffed bears of various shapes, sizes and softness.  In fact, you can even create your own bear.  While I promise to let you do so in the future, I'm happy to say that you have a couple of bears that are waiting for you in your nursery right now.  Bearlington is a very huggable carmel colored bear that has been filled with what I am assured is 100% pure happiness fluff.  Furmont, his friend, is a soft and furry chocolate brown bear that was filled to the brim with love fluff.  I know this because I was the one who created them.

Until you are ready to travel to Vermont to see your aunt and uncle and make your own teddy bear, these two will keep you company.



Bearlington (l.) and Furmont were born at the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory in Shelburn, VT on September 3, 2011



Sometime, we'll also take you up to Quebec to visit Parc Safari. Hopefully, we'll not have to contend with mud created by a tropical storm and we can see the giraffes striding among the other animals. But even if they are in their pens, we'll have fun feeding and petting the other animals just like we did this past weekend.  

We got up close and personal with some American Bison, too.  While they were smaller than I expected them to be, they were large enough to strike fear into the heart of Tracy.

The furry beast behind Tracy is an American Bison

I have also heard that during the fall, winter and spring, there are dogsled rides at a place nearby.  The next time I go out there when the rivers aren't high and the roads aren't closed and the people aren't stranded, I'll take a dogsled trip and see if its something you would enjoy.  I suspect it would be.

Soon, baby, you'll be joining us on these adventures!

Love,

Toni

Change of Direction

One of the best things about being human is that we possess the ability to learn and to grow.  And after reading through past posts, I came away with a sense that I was a little bit lost...and I was the one who wrote them.  I have no idea how lost you've felt while I've searched for my point of view.  The truth is it's hard to write when you don't have a sense of who your audience is.  Am I talking to fellow prospective adoptive parents or expectant parents?  Interested friends and family or internet strangers?  So I am making up an audience.  I invite you all to continue with us on our journey.

Oh, and as a PS, hello to Tracy and Jason who have been checking this blog daily since I posted on Facebook that I would be writing about my recent trip to see them in Vermont.  Happy Anniversary!