Welcome Mary Therese, Birthday Cousins and other updates February 24, 2007

Mary Therese is here! She was born Feb. 15th. Ellie is absolutely in love and asks about her every day.

Yesterday it was, “Mom, does Mary have legs?” At first I wasn’t sure who she was talking about because we were talking about something totally different. So, I said, “What Mary? Jesus’ mother?” She said, “No, Mom, Aunt Amy’s Mary! Does she have legs?”

Since Ellie had only seen Mary wrapped up in a blanket or snuggled up in her cocoon, she thought Mary didn’t have any legs! Anyway, next time we see Mary, we’ll have to put a request in for Ellie to see her legs!!!

Happy 15th birthday to Brandon!
Happy 2nd birthday to Samuel!

It’s been a busy couple of weeks. Jack also came to visit. Thomas entertained Jack quite a bit.

Ellie finished her first ballet class. Grandma Jackson, Grandma Brooks, Grandpa Brooks and I were able to watch her do a little performance. She learned a lot in her short class. She is quite proud of herself. She is going to start a 6 week class w/the same teacher in a couple of weeks. She also finished her swimming class. She has a lot more confidence in the water. She will be repeating the same class again with Hannah and her cousin, Jackson. Ellie’s teachers, Miss Lisa and Miss Emalee are wonderful also!

Thomas is talking more and is just relentless. He gets so excited that he can’t sleep in the middle of the night. He has 12 teeth now. And, he just is in to everything. He has taught himself to kick balls and play catch. He talks a bit, but he is so focused on other physical activities, he would rather communicate in other ways. He goes to his booster seat when he is hungry. He finds a sippy cup and hands it to someone when he is thirsty. He goes to the pantry when it is time for a snack. But, he can yell “Mommy!” “Daddy!” and “Ellie!” very loudly if necessary!!!!

Mom pick up lines, Mich. Dept. of Corruption, and other stuff… February 13, 2007

“Come here often?”
“What kind of goals do you have?”
Ok…I’m still swimming. I have to go tonight! I am enjoying it for the most part. But, I’d love a swimming buddy. Sometimes there are other women at the pool. And, finding a swimming buddy feels like dating again. Is she my age? Does she have children? What should I say? And, that fear of rejection. Will she think I’m a weirdo? Ugh. I’m doing fine swimming by myself. It would be nice to have a motivational buddy, though. Play dates are like that too. If I take the kids somewhere to play. I’d like another mom to talk to for the afternoon. Sometimes, I’m successful. Sometimes, not so much. It really must stink to be a man and have to go through this dating. I really didn’t approach men when I was single. At least I didn’t when I was sober. Maybe that is what I need…a shot of liquid courage before I swim?

Ok..my brother is being released in May after being incarcerated since July of ‘02. I haven’t seen him since June of ‘02. We haven’t talked since our phone number changed because MDOC won’t let him call through a vonage line. He was in Marquette and now is in Jackson. I’ve tried to visit him twice and have been rejected because of screwed up paper work (MDOC error). I’ve now filled our the forms again and hope to in a couple of weeks. Yesterday, I was so upset. I mean..those guards weren’t blatantly horrible, but it is just clear that they don’t care. I just can’t imagine what prisoners feel like after being around those people for years. I mean I know my brother and almost all of the other prisoners have earned their cell. But, let’s all not forget that prisoners are humans. And, I know we can’t fix them all. But, if we don’t treat them like they (and their families) are human, we (and they) don’t have a chance. It’s like there is the big segment of our population that is discarded. Most of it is due to mental illness, alcoholism and addiction. I feel like our society’s view is that the prisoners deserve it so screw them. I used to have some of that opinion too, until I learned more about mental illness and addiction. Where’s the compassion? I understand more and more why Mike is the way he is when he gets out. Did anyone see 60 Minutes Sunday night? Wow. So, if you are reading this, I have a request..please pray for our prisoners and the prisoners’ families. Please pray for the guards. Please pray for everyone involved with the Dept. of Corrections. We need a miracle from God. I have low expectations for Mike and for the MDOC. But, I expect miracles from God. And, Mr. or Ms. MDOC prison guard, I love my brother. And, my brother loves me. And, my brother may be a convict, but he isn’t so far lost that he doesn’t know my name. WTH??? Ok..off that soap box for now.

One more prayer request…we are waiting for the birth of our niece, Mary Therese. Prayers for her to join us soon!!!

Digital Scrapbooking February 2, 2007

Di took these pictures today and then beautifully edited them using photoshop. I just scrapped this with her work…