Last chance for Chocolate!

You have through tomorrow to join the Chocolate/Care Package exchange. Details are in the post below this one. One small tweak:

You can send other things besides chocolate, but since I initially started the exchange as a chocolate exchange, you must at least put one piece of chocolate in your care package. :)

Also, for those who have joined, but have not emailed me your mailing address, please do ASAP, so I can get everyone their names on Tuesday.

Thanks!

Who likes chocolate???

So, I found a great adoption support website called Adoption Voices. I joined five different groups, and it has been wonderful for me, being in touch with people who have been through literally the same situations that we have.

Anyway, some members just did a chocolate exchange this month. And I'm stealing the idea. Hey, it's winter, it's cold, and I think we all deserve some fun personal mail- and what better mail than chocolate, right? So here's the deal:

**This exchange is open to people I know and friends of friends. I will verify that each person is somehow linked to someone I know. Does that make sense?
**It would be a $5-$10 limit. (You pick your favorite chocolate!)
**You would have to be willing to email me your mailing address so I can pass it on to whoever 'draws' your name. (I'll draw for everyone)
**Anyone who wants in, leave a comment.
**You have through Sunday MONDAY to join- just leave a comment letting me know you're in.
**You have two weeks to get your chocolate in the mail.
**If you know others who would like to participate, send them to my blog.

I hope this works out- I think it could be really fun!

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ETA: I want to be clear- you will not be posting your mailing address on my blog- you will email it to lorz.kangas @ gmail.com.

ETA: You can add something besides chocolate to the package- use your creativity, but please put at least one piece of chocolate. ;)

Now HERE'S a fun game!

Today at work I am going to be doing grunt work. Lane Bryant and Petite Sophisticate shared the back room. Now Petite's is gone and Catherine's in moving in. We are no longer sharing the space. So, basically we have to somehow fit ALL of Lane Bryant's stuff into half the space. (Lane Bryant is 4 times larger than Catherines). There will be taking down and putting up new shelving. There will be moving boxes, merchandise, and who knows what else. All of this will take place in a very cluttered area. I am not graceful. I WILL get bruises. Heck, I get bruises unloading freight each week. So, here's the game: Let's guess the amount of injuries Laura will come home with tonight! Take your best shot!

1) How many bruises?
2) How many scrapes/cuts that require a bandaid?
3) How many stubbed toes?
4) How many broken finger nails? (Yes, those are injuries!)
5) How many pulled muscles?
6) How many broken bones? (Let's all put zero for that one)

And a MEGA bonus question:

How many times will Laura swear out loud today?

And, NO, you do NOT get a prize for winning this game! Shame on you for wanting to want something for my pain!

Wishing you all a cuss-free day! :)

And today

I'm emotional. We've had to pass on two potential adoption situations because of $$$. They were both out of state. Cross the MN line and the cost sky-rockets. Maybe networking nationwide isn't such a good idea.

We have a new, beautiful niece. Love her already, and I haven't even met her.

...........
...........

I guess that's all. I'll check in again when I have some "positive energy" words to share.

Peace out.

Today

It's a gloomy weather Sunday.
But I'm not complaining because I said I wouldn't.
I think I'll just hunker down inside for the day.
The tv will be hi-jacked by Davin at 5:00 for the big game.
Secretly, I hope the Vikings lose, 'cause I can't handle the hype.
Plus, I don't want to face my face purple or any other color.
I WILL be cheering on the Vikings and really hope they win.
Have I mentioned ever that adoption is a roller coaster?
It is.
We heard from a birth mother we were in contact with last year.
She has a friend due in March.
There's a VERY small chance she may place the baby for adoption.
There are other factors that make the situation very iffy.
Prayers would be appreciated. :)
-SIGH-
I'm running again! Hamstring healed.
I love running.
Which sounds crazy, even to me.
Actually, I think I'll jump on the treadmill right now.
Maybe it will wake up Davin- it is after 11:00, after all.
Have a good Sunday, all. GO VIKINGS!

Thanks for de-lurking!

There were exactly 20 comments that were not my own, so I will be donating $50 to Doctors Without Borders. Thanks for commenting!

Now an uncomfortable question: There were two people who commented that I am not entirely certain that I know who they are. Vicky- I must know you, right? ...I hate asking that question. And Nadine- you are one of two people in my head. Which Nadine are you?

...that's was awkward. But I gotta know! :)

Laugh of the Day Week Month

We're doing business here.

Children in Haiti

We've all been reading and watching stories about all the orphans in Haiti. Did you know that half of Haiti's population is under the age of 18? And BEFORE the earthquake over 300,000 children were orphans (eta: that's about the population of the entire U.P) ? We see images and our hearts want to take a child's hand and bring take them away from what they are enduring right now. Many people asked me if we considered, since the earthquake, adopting from Haiti. Of course it came to mind. ...this is how it is in my mind: Our adoption journey is like being on a straight, speeding train. It's getting to be a LONG track, but very straight; domestic, infant. If we decided to try adopt a child from Haiti it would be like suddenly taking a sharp, 90 degree turn, going 100 miles an hour. I haven't been able to re-route my thoughts, my feelings- it's like being derailed. Yet I still think about it every time I pray for those children. So I called our adoption attorney today. We see all these stories on the news about children that ARE being brought over. As it turns out, the States department is only flying children into the United States who have already been matched with adoptive families. Even this is a long process because of the chaos and paperwork being lost. However, some families that were just beginning the process of adopting from Haiti are getting their children much sooner than anticipated, which is good. If, say we, wanted to adopt from Haiti, we're could be looking at years. When things start settling down, they will first try find family in Haiti for the children. If no family is found, then they will be placed for adoption. But the United States government has not yet set a concrete plan on bringing unmatched orphans to the United States. I tend to shy away from talking about politics. But I want governments across the world to fly over and bring those children to safe homes. So, for the first time I am going to research my local represenatives and write a letter. I've never done so before, but THIS is something I am passionate about. I hope that a program is set up, and laws are implemented so that if something like this happens again, the children will be taken care of. I know it's easy to criticize flaws in the wake of disasters. And I believe there are people- people much more powerful than myself- that are doing what they can to help. I guess I just pray that when the next disaster strikes, the children- especially those too young to care for themselves- aren't left on the broken roads, wondering what's happening to them and their loved ones.

Prayers to the children in Haiti.

ETA: There is only one adoption agency in Minnesota that has a Haiti program, but they don't currently have anyone that was matched. :(

It's how I really feel

Positive energy. Those are my words to live by this year. And I'm really glad I took the time to choose them, because today I am reminding myself over and over how important those words are. The truth is I'm having a hard "I-really-want-to-be-a-mommy" day. Please, don't offer up your kids. It's a joke we get all the time: "Hey, you can take my kids for a couple days, then decide if you want one of your own". I laugh, I know you're just joking around, but in my head I'm thinking, "I hope you know how blessed you are". For the record, I know that every person who has said that IS grateful for their children. If I didn't think you were, I'd set you straight real fast. -insert sarcmark-.

Anyway, when I'm having a day like today, I call up our adoption social worker to "check in". I call in hopes of hearing that they are busy and 10 birthmothers haven't chosen yet. Nope. Three haven't chosen. That's usually about what it is- it averages between two and five. We are slowly creeping to the 'top' of the list. We are #9 on their website, and #15 in the book. So 14 people (out of 45 right now) have been waiting longer than us. There are rare situations when a birthmother is about to give birth or has already given birth and wants to place, but doesn't want to "choose" a family. That baby would be adopted by the #1 person. We're getting there...

What I really wish is that the birthmother social workers could 'help' choose a family. Because we've worked with both social workers (each of our failed placements), and we are spoken highly of around the agency. I've heard from not only them, but also someone that was at the annual picnic. A social worker told this girl (she and her husband adopted last year) that the 'office' is secretly rooting for Davin and I because of what we've been through and because of the way we treat birthmothers. They are flabbergasted that we've become friends with our first birthmother. I'm told this over and over again by my social worker, but I find it kind of odd. I would hope everyone treats their birthmothers with love and respect, even if she does change her mind. People aren't that cold, are they? Of course I was angry at Stephanie at first, but things happen for a reason.

Okay, now I'm rambling. Going to the baby's room to say a little prayer, then I'll probably grab some chocolate and watch a brainless show on tv. Tv is usually good for my soul. I love Ellen... yep, I'm gonna watch an episode of Ellen. That will make me smile. And laugh.

That's all.

Another sunny day in MN

There is the never-ending argument friendly disagreement on where the better place is to live in the winter- the U.P. or Minnesota. What is usually boils down to is cold (MN) or snow (MI). For me, it's all about the sunshine. I would take sunshine and sub-zero temps anyday over snow everyday. Sunshine is good for the soul. So, to my yooper friends, here's what it's looked like here pretty much all winter. Enjoy your snowboarding and skiing- I'll see you in the summer! ;)

De-lurk now

I missed de-lurking week. Actually, I didn't. I missed everyone else's de-lurking week. Mine starts today. I hadn't been blogging much lately, and I think a lot of people probably quit following as a result. No biggie- I read A LOT of blogs, and mine isn't in the top 10 of most entertaining or interesting. But it's healthy for me, and I hope to pick up the pace again.

I figured there should be a giveaway involved to really pry people out of hiding. However, I, like everyone else, have Haiti on my mind, and I want to continue to support the relief efforts. My favorite way to donate to the Red Cross is by texting 90999. It's quick and easy, and $10 will show up on my next phone bill. So, in honor of you all de-lurking, I will send another text and another $10. If at least 20 people comment by next Friday at noon I will also send $50 to Doctors Without Borders. I know it's not much, but every bit counts, so comment away!

I changed my mind

I changed my word(s) for the new year. No, I don't care that we're halfway through January. :P I had chosen 'happy' and 'healthy'. Today I changed it to "positive energy". Okay, so it's more of a phrase, not a word. But still. I truly think I do carry good energy, but I also know I carry some negative energy. I think my sarcasm comes across as negative sometime, even when I don't mean for it to. And this time of year- well, I struggle in the winter. But I'm going to try. For example, today I went to the doctor because I thought (correctly, as it turns out) that I have a sinus infection. When I was getting ready to leave I started crying. I have been feeling crappy for several days now, and I haven't been able to run (or even walk) on the treadmill because of my pulled hamstring. It was cold out and all I wanted to do was crawl into bed and fall asleep until I felt better. I turned onto a road a block from where we live and gasped (literally). There is a small cemetery on the corner of the block, tucked in a little forest of great big pine trees. At the moment every branch of every tree was frosted white and twinkling in the sunlight. It was beautiful. I'm no professional photograher, but I stopped the car and did my best. (I didn't really do it justice). As I drove to my appointment I thought to myself, "Laura, you live in Minnesota. No, you don't HAVE to be here, but you are. And while you're here you're just gonna have to deal with winter. And since you have to deal with it, why not embrace it?" ...well, embracing winter doesn't mean I'll go making snow angels everyday (or ever), but I will do my best to not complain when the temps dip below zero. I won't complain when there is ice on the roads and it takes me an extra 10 minutes to get to where I'm going. Nope. I'm going to keep my eyes open to catch as many frosted trees as I can. THAT I can enjoy now. I'll enjoy the green and warmth in a few months.

Anyway, Idol's on- more later. :D

Crisis

I know I have Lindt truffles around here somewhere. I bought them the other day and ate one. (Yeah, I know, will power). Then I forgot about them. (Yeah, I know, stupidity). And now I want need one and I can't find them anywhere. I've looked in all the normal places and all the strange places (one time, almost ten years ago, Davin put the milk in the cereal cupboard). But my chocolates where not in any cupboard, nor the linen closet, or under my bed. For a moment I thought maybe, just maybe I had eaten them in my sleep. Nah, that's unlikely. ...or is it? Hm....man, I can just taste them right now...no I can't. How dumb is that saying? If I could taste them I wouldn't be digging in Davin's underwear drawer looking for them. Oh, and I called Davin. In case he developed a sweet tooth in the past three days and polished them off. He swears he hasn't (craved a sweet tooth or ate the truffles). I'm going to ask him again when he gets home- I can read a lie in his face.

-sigh- I guess I'll have to wait until Target opens and I can get some more. Maybe by then I won't be wanting chocolate anymore. ...ha. That's a funny one.

Oh, and the "I will nots"

for 2010:

*I will NOT stop drinking Diet Coke.
*I will NOT give up sweets...cut back some hopefully, but never giving up my chocolate.

In case you cared to know.

OH! That's a thing for my list! Hold on, let me see what number I'm on...
...

Holy crap. I haven't worked on my list since last March!

#74) Sometimes I'll say really random things at really random times and end by saying, "in case you cared to know". Davin's correct response is always, "I did, thank you". And the other way around. We care to know everything the other has to say.