Happy May Day!!!

It's beautiful and sunny here in central Minnesota- I hope it is wherever you are too!

Spring IS here

Sunshine and Hope

Like I mentioned before, we met with Stephanie and Oliver last weekend. We had lunch at a little Italian place in the cities. But nevermind the food (it was delicious!)- we got to see Stephanie and MEET Oliver! And is he a doll! I've blogged about my feelings when Stephanie initially decided to parent, and how those feelings changed once I talked to her and time passed. By the time she told us Oliver was born, we were genuinely happy for her. And now seeing her interact with him...my heart couldn't have been happier. She clearly loves him so much- he is one lucky little guy! He didn't like it one bit when I tried to feed him baby food, but I won't go into that... :D

At the risk of sounding extremely cheesy...that lunch was the ray of sunshine in what has been days of cloudy days. Truly. We have been pulling ourselves together, getting back into a normal routine. But Davin had been home from work all week- he did work from home a few days, but for the most part, we both kind of laid low. But seeing Stephanie, and seeing her as a mother...it was just sunshine. Pure light. And, more than ever, it gave me hope. I got back all the hope that I had lost since losing Kiya. It was all back. I still cried that night, for Kiya. I still miss her like crazy. But I believe that one day I will know the reason why she came into our lives. Why? Because we mourned the loss of our Nik. Then we met Oliver last Saturday. Davin and I talked about it when we left, and we agreed: Nik no longer felt like a loss. It has been said many times that Kiya is our second loss, and, technically, she is, but it doesn't feel like it. I mean, I see Oliver, and he's where he belongs. There is no sadness from us- quite the opposite. I think about Oliver, and I smile...

Stephanie, if you're reading this- thank you. Thank you for choosing us. Thank you for keeping in touch after having Oliver. You're a wonderful friend.

ETA: We went back in the book today...

I love spring!

73. I LOVE spring. It's my favorite season, by far. I love the mud- it means the GREEN is not far behind. I love the weird smell- I believe that would be the mud. :D I love opening the windows for the first time of the year. I love listening to the obnoxious birds. I love going outside without a jacket. I love feeling the warm sun on my face- and getting sun-kissed cheeks for the first time of the year. I love getting into my car after it has been outside and feeling the heat. I love watching the neighbors wake from winter hibernation- adults out for walks, kids playing. I even, in an odd way, love allergies. Just because it means spring is here!

Hope you're all enjoying your spring!

My happy heart

So, the Tupperware fundraiser was tonight. The turnout was great! I'll be honest- this has been a rough week for me. There has been adoption stuff going on- two birth mothers, a million unanswered questions- I won't go there right now. I had a slight (maybe a bit more than) panic attack this morning. Davin was in a meeting so I called my mom and she talked to me until my breathing regulated and I could drift to sleep. I felt a bit on edge driving out to the party, but once people started arriving all anxiety was gone. It was so great to see people come and support Gregory and his family. It was SO great to see people I haven't seen in years. By the time I left, my heart was singing. ...that's a cheesy phrase. But, truly, my heart was so happy. It was so wonderful to witness the good and kindness of people. It was amazing to me. So tonight I will go to sleep not thinking about the stress of adoption, but about Gregory, and how lucky he is to not only have a wonderful, loving family to take care of him, but also an entire community rooting for him. Yep, my heart is happy.

Again, THANK YOU to Greta and Angie!!!

Green Grass and Other Important Randoms

*You know the warm weather and rain mid MN has gotten? Well, I looked out the window at my lawn the other day and realized most the snow was melted, and I could see green grass!!! Yes, I understand there is brown grass also, but I saw the GREEN grass.

*There is some good Gregory news! (This is actually more important than the green grass, but I'm random). The antibiotics are working- his infection levels are down. Also, they have a good theory on what could be wrong, and if they are right, it is curable and he should be on the mend soon! For more info email me or visit his CaringBridge site. And keep the prayers coming- they seem to be working! :)

*I love my sister Leanne's blog. She's a good person, with positive energy.

*Julie also has great positive energy. I love positive energy, and Julie.

*I'm going to Leanne and Cory's Bull party this weekend. Davin's really excited that it's on Valentine's Day- a great cop-out. Don't tell him, but I am also happy it's on Valentine's Day! It's fun fun fun!!!

*The Office is on tonight- don't miss it!

Hope everyone is having a great day!
~smiles~ from Laura. :)

A look at the bright side

Even when the temps are hovering around zero degrees here, most days we get a sunny and clear blue sky. This is the reason I cannot live in Michigan. I need me my sunshine. And Target, of course. :)

Today I am thankful for...

*Davin not having to give himself injections anymore- he hates needles! He had a doctors appointment today, and although there will be a lot of monitoring for several months, he feels good, and can go back to work. (He goes stir-crazy at home) Thank you everyone for your thoughts and prayers.

*Sisters. Thank you, Leanne, for the card and cd. I think this music is going to become part of my life. For sure.

*My healing elbow. No more physical therapy appointments! I will continue doing my exercises and add weight as my arm strengthens.

And two more very important things:

*Peggy's blog, and

* the Ted Danson Hot Name Game
Between the two I have laughed more in the past day than I have in months! Although Davin doesn't check out the blogs, he is also thankful for them- he says he is happy to hear me laugh again. :)

Old*er* people rock!

So I started volunteering today at the hospital. I walked for 4 hours straight. I never sat down- I loved being so busy! My assignment consists of transporting patients, bring visitors to patient rooms, and delivering flowers. All fun stuff! My shift is from noon to 4:00. Since I work during the day I am working with all retired folk. Everyone, of course, is really nice. But there is one pair of ladies I'm keeping an eye on- I can tell they will make for quality entertainment! They both work at the welcome desk. One is a volunteer and the other is a paid employee. The thing is- they have the exact same job. The volunteer clearly despises the employee, and the employee is really good at pulling her rank and acting smarter. I heard a few snide comments here and there, and a lot of eye rolling. I wanted to laugh so hard- I had to turn away once because I thought I was going to bust it! The eye-rolling was the best!

Now, I'm assuming that it was truly funny, because in the past few days I've found humor in the strangest of places. :D

That's the wonderful side of my life. On the other side, I am facing a long, ugly fight with my former employer. I've been told to walk away, but I can't. This will just happen to someone else. And I can't let that happen.

But for now I'm relaxing after a 4-hour walk (I wonder if I'll be sore tomorrow?), and gonna watch NCIS and The Mentalist with my hubby, who is home and well!

Have a good night, everyone!

P.S. I heard a rumor that Adam L. has lurked about my blog- make yourself known! Otherwise you're never gonna get a Christmas present! :P

It's the little things...

My "Service Engine Soon" light went off on my way home from the hospital tonight. YAY!

"Thank you, God. That was very kind."

...I felt this news was definitely blog-worthy. :)

It's sunny today...

Thank you God!