Father's Day 2009

In our house, we have decided to celebrate Father's Day this upcoming weekend. I wanted Mike's first Father's Day to be special, and I just didn't get all that I wanted to get done for it completed. This weekend was busy anyway, with the Land of the Loon festival in town, so it will work out better for us.

We did go and visit Mike's father Sully, though. When dealing with adopted children, such as Maelie, Mother's Day and Father's Day can be bittersweet. It's not so tough yet with Maelie being young, but one day we might have issues on these holidays with her thinking of her birth parents. This Father's Day, though, was bittersweet for me. Having lost my father about 6 years ago, I was missing him. I suppose it was brought home this year with Maelie; I thought of how he would have loved being her Grandpa. And, it was tough to see Sully. Even though at the moment his health is holding, he's very ill. We all know this, and realize this is likely the last Father's Day we spent with him. It's hard. So hard. On the drive home after our visit, I could do nothing but remember the robust and active man he had once been. Luckily, Maelie fell asleep in the car, because I couldn't help but cry.

I am very grateful, though, that we got to spend a few hours with Sully. And, I am also glad that Mikey will have his very own, and happy (hopefully!) Father's Day to celebrate next weekend.

Here are two photos...one of Mike and his dad, and one of Aunty Therese and her dad.

Land of the Loon Shenanigans

UPDATE

You know, I think I have to explain why I found this so funny. No, I am NOT an intolerant person when it comes to homosexuality. What is your business, is your business, and I could not care less if a person is gay or straight...I like people for their character, not their sexuality.

The reason I found this slogan so funny is because I immediately associated our city with the ORIGINAL meaning of the word 'queer,' to mean 'odd, unconventional, out of sorts.' THAT is Virginia. If you look around, we have some of the oddest folks in the state. In all honesty, I never even associated the word "Queer" as slang for homosexuality.

Our hometown is dubbed the "Queen City." It's even painted on our city's water tower. As you read in my previous post, this weekend kicked off festival season with the Land of the Loon parade. Well, apparently, the 'loonies' were in rare form. Here's a photo of our water tower that I took last night...and NO, I did NOT touch up or alter the photo. This is real. And I laugh.

Land of the Loon Parade

This weekend kicked off the festival season. In our home town, we have a festival called "Land of the Loon," in honor of the state bird. There's a morning parade, followed by a large craft fair in the park.

Usually, we put our own FDNY Ladder Truck in the parade, but this year, we had Maelie ride in the city's own Ladder Truck. I dressed her in her dalmation print dress, so she could be the 'official' dalmation on the truck. She did very, very well...she loves noise and commotion, lights and sirens. These are all things that Mommy did NOT like as a child, so I am glad she doesn't take after me. I was a scaredy child!!!

Here are some photos from the parade.

Vietnam Adoptions

Vietnam's Baby Boom Crisis

Many people have asked us why there are so many babies needing homes in Vietnam. I do not mind answering questions about adoption at all, but I can often see the question in their eyes when I try to answer that Vietnam is a poor country, etc. This report does a great job of explaining the problem, and, personally, it makes me want to hug Maelie all the tighter today.

(click the link above to view the video report)

Happy Birthday, Auntie Kimmie!

Today is my sister's birthday...my much OLDER sister...heheeeheee :) Yesterday, we celebrated it by going to my mom's for dinner. THIS was what Miss Maelie decided to do, and continued to do off and on all night!!!! I think it was a lovely birthday gift for her to give her Auntie Kimmie. :)

More Good Thoughts and Prayers Needed

***UPDATE***
My father-in-law is doing better and back at home. Thank you all for helping me on this rollercoaster.

Mike's dad is back in the hospital, and not doing well. He has been battling the blood cancer, and from last reports, his blood count is not holding.

Please keep him and our family in your thoughts and prayers. I thank you very much.

Daddy's Home

Mike came home late Friday night and Maelie was very excited to see her Daddy. So was Mommy! :)

We didn't get much done last week on our to-do list...but that's okay. We made it through the week in one piece. It's so nice to have Daddy back home. He had a good trip in Canada, but is happy to be home, too.

I think it was good for Maelie and me to be alone for the week. We haven't spent that kind of time together alone, and it really made me feel like a true 'mom.' Not that I want Mikey rushing off again anytime soon!!!