I know, it's been a while. It's been very busy here, with work, friends visiting and Tae Kwon Do and all. That's right, Emmett has begun Tae Kwon Do classes at his preschool every Monday. He really seems to enjoy it, and it's been neat to hear of his progress. I am already in bragging mode from his Master's comment that he wants to clone Emmett. All because Emmett sits so nice and quietly and listens so well. That's my boy!

Emmett's English skills have really exploded. Most of what he says is understandable (at least by Craig and I). Although drool and draw sound a lot alike. =) His personality has also really blossomed. It's been such a joy to see more of who he is develop. He likes to be active, and he's a real goof ball sometimes. He makes up his own little songs, and would sit with Appa all day long reading books (or more like, having Appa read books to him). We have also discovered he has a mind for shapes and matching. It is not uncommon for him to point to a CR-V and say "That one is like 'Nea's" (Nea = Linaea, his cousin). He also likes to point out the triangles, squares and circles which appear on his dinner plate. At least he identifies them - he doesn't always EAT the circles (specifically the peas!).

Some of his favorite people are Halimony (Grandma) and Harboji (Grandpa). Halimony recently had a 2 week business trip, and you could tell that both Emmett and Halimony were struggling with withdrawl from each other. A little time together quickly provided their fix, and I'm sure that Halimony slept remarkably well that night! Emmett certainly did!

Next month will be 6 months home. This means our 6 month post-placement visit, and then our last steps in offically becoming a family. It is amazing to think that it was almost 6 months ago that we met Emmett. So much has changed since then. I can't imagine him not being here anymore. I check on his little sleeping form every night, and thank the Lord for him.

Speaking, of sleep, I'm in need of it. As it snows and snows outside, I'm worried about my morning commute. Heck, commute?!? I should worry about getting out of the driveway! Happy shovelling all my midwestern readers!

Excuse me, Lord... Please no more snow?!?

To the heavenly complaint desk, with much respect,

I realize and enjoy the beauty of freshly fallen snow. And I appreciate the seasons as you, Lord, make them turn. I even like the occasional exercise that snow-shovelling provides. However, 3 straight days of shovelling my driveway has me a little tired, sore, and frankly cranky. And yet, the snow keeps coming.

Lord, would you mind dumping a little on my family in LA? They don't hardly get enough. Oh, and some snow on the Alps I'm sure no one would mind. If you could just divert those big stormy snow clouds over Lake Michigan (leaving them there) I would be very thankful.

You see, Lord, I'm spending a great deal of time in the car trying to get around in this fluffy white stuff. Craig has had it even rougher! No commute should ever be over 2 hours! So as I look out my window to my previously cleared driveway, and it looks like I haven't even begun, I respectfully BEG for relief.

Your humble snow shoveling servant,
Jennette

Here's to the real friends

Every now and then you develop friendships which you hope last a lifetime. Friends that you might now see regularly. Maybe you don't talk for months, but when you finally do, it is as if no time has passed at all.

I am blessed, lucky really, to have such friendships. Six friends from my freshman dorm floor, all of us really different personalities, yet all of us good reliable friends. These are the kind of friends that I know will come to my rescue when I'm heartbroken and hurting. These are my friends who rejoice with me, who challenge me, who ground me. And I can't wait to spend a weekend laughing over the newest time in our lives. I hope that in 10 years, we'll still be getting together once a year. That by then we'll be discussing the trials and tribulations of kids and career changes, and aging parents. Some have already been through troubling times. But I think we are unique in that we have stood by each other in our tears and joys. And I hope that we'll still be standing next to each other when we see our 25th college reunion loom before us.

2 yrs old today

When I turned 16, my father declared that I was now loosing one year every birthday. Apparently the thought of his little girl getting older was a bit shocking to him. With my father's 'new math', I am 2 today. Or in the math of reality, I'm 30.

When I compare age 2 with age 30, I can see some simliarities. For example, at the age of 2, you're still learning how to talk, how to walk confidently, and where you fit in your family. At the age of 30, I am learning how to talk (to a toddler), how to walk confidently (as a mother) and where I fit into my world! How can so little have changed?!?

As another friend who turned 30 this year said...I've survived. I just have one question, in Dad's new math, what happens when I turn 32?