Strange and RUDE comments

So last night - I heard a comment that I had not expected.  I've had people make comments about Curt's skin color, his hair, he's "not that dark", "wow he's dark", "where'd you get him", "where are his parents", "what happened" - stuff like that.  BUT THEN last night we were at a restaurant (yeah for gift cards) and Craig carried Curt out the door first.  Nate was next and me in the rear.  Some worker was holding the door open and looked at me and asked "is that guy stealing that baby"!  Seriously?  Who knows if he was serious or not - you have NEVER seen, NOR met us in your life and you ask me if my husband STOLE OUR SON!  So I must have just given him the LOOK of WRATH because he just apologized, smiled and said - I'm just kidding!  I looked at him (probably after THE LOOK and my chin was back up where it belonged and said HE IS OUR SON and walked out!  Nate then was like - what did he say?  Did he think we stole Curt?  Yes - so now to explain to the older son what happened?

I was so stunned I just walked away.  Kicking myself later that I should have used this moment as a "learning" moment for others and for my kids!  Just crazy.

Hopefully this late teen/early 20 something idiot of a man learned to keep his comments to himself next time.  I doubt it - but we shall see.

But for all the other people - he IS OUR SON!  Our 2nd child and he is beautiful!  His skin is the color of him. Its the way he was created by God.  His birth family loved him so much, they gave him a life beyond birth and ultimately he ended up in our lives.  He is OUR SON - we love him dearly - And his hair - is adorable.  Yes he has curls, loose curls I'm told, and yeah maybe he can have a hair cut - but have you seen Curt's brother Nate?  He's got long hair - and for now - we love it on both of them. (side bar - my hair cut - I HATE - I look like Pat Bennatar or Janet from 3's Company - I'd be styling if it were 1980 something) - but the boys are perfect.  Just like your own kids or family - you know they are perfect for the way they are - I feel the same

Thanks everyone.
Gail

Mother's day for the motherless

So this year Mother's day is harder than normal.  You may think this very odd that my dream of having a second child just came true 2 months ago today. Don't get me wrong, we are BLESSED - I AM BLESSED!  I have a beautiful and wonderful loving husband and two amazing boys!  I am so complete its not even funny!  My career, my family - its all amazing.

However if you read this blog from the VERY beginning - yes there is a LOT of information - we started this 8 years ago - about this time too!  My mom - well she was sick, our cell phone bill was over $400 as I kept calling my relatives and family friends telling the same story every day - how she's doing?  What her blood counts were, etc.  So in his amazing way - Craig started this for us to communicate with family and friends on her condition, ultimate death and the birth of our first son Nate  - and yes this all took place in under 3 months!Then we used it to share about Nate!

So we took time off - and then you see about Ron - Craig's dad's illness and death (he was very sick for very long) and his mom's fight with cancer!  WE used this to communicate.  Then in 2010 - I started it up and redesigned this for our future child #2!  We all have known now to be Curtis Samuel.

So yes - a lot of emotions, two mom's in heaven, and now a child who was motherless for all but one month that we know!  So yes - I miss my mom!  My beautiful angel in heaven watching over us, taking care of us in ways we do not know or understand yet.  And we have Liz - she's amazing in so many ways as well (and our grandmas) - But now we have a woman somewhere in Ethiopia that gave me a son!  I do not know her name, I do not know what she looks like, I know she was from Dire Dawa, Ethiopia.  She gave birth to this amazing little boy in April 2011 - and now he's living in the US with us - and now called Curtis Samuel!  And he is so loved and so happy.  But what is she thinking tomorrow?  Yes - they do not celebrate mother's day in Ethiopia - but what if they do?

And then ALL these children not only in Ethiopia - but all over the world - MOTHERLESS!  How my heart breaks for them.  Craig and I had our mom's into our 30's - we have over 30years with them - it SUCKS they died so young - both only 58!  Yes -it SUCKS!  But then I hear of kids that are under 15 that  have mom's pass away - how that must really suck!  And again - just the orphans - they never had a mom!  Its so hard to understand.  Everyone will be talking about mom's tomorrow - and yes that is great.  I loved mine dearly and I'm thankful to be a mom!  (oh yeah - I should have a blog about infertility and life trying to just HAVE a child).  But my heart breaks for those like me that don't have a mom.  That never did, or are missing theirs this year.

Please keep that in mind when you wish people happy mother's day tomorrow.  You never know which child lost their mom to cancer in the last year?  Or who was adopted and doesn't know their birth mom?  Or a child that is in foster care, that has an amazing family loving them now - but struggles not knowing where they will end up or if their mom will be in their lives.  I just have been thinking of all these people today!

when you are talking about mom's at church tomorrow - say a prayer for those that did one of the biggest sacrifices in the world - give their child up for adoption.  Say a pray for those children that have no mother, the orphans, foster kids - children who's mom just died.  They need extra prayers to get through the day.

And yes - I challenge you to read our story here - go back to May 2004 in the archive of this blog - you will see how it sucked for my brother, father and I!  And Craig too!  we've all lost them.

I love all those angels in heaven, mom, grandma, Liz!  You are amazing women and we will never forget you!  Flowers tomorrow are in your memory and honor!  Happy mothers day!
Gail

Crazy Busy Life

I realized now that we're home, back to work - its hard to post anymore.  I think about it often and just never get the chance.

Basically life is good, great - just crazy!  Curt has adjusted very well to daycare and really likes it (yeah) - that is a relief.  However the first week we think it really triggered memories and he woke up with nightmares or crying  - we assume thinking of Ethiopia.  So it may not be a nightmare, but hard for a 1 year old to process why he's suddenly here.  It is just amazing to watch him as he watches EVERYTHING.  Today he saw a train for the first time - mesmerized watching it.  Sweet for me to see!

So he's still "close" to walking and just feels safer crawling.  Ha.

We also celebrated daddy's birthday AND aunt Stacey's as well!  All fun - enjoyed our first trip to a Japanese Steak house with the boys - it was fun - I love the food!

For Craig and I - work - life has been busy!  Craig had another AWESOME order from GM this year - last year they ordered 4000 hats - this year - 8000!  Seriously - an AWESOME order - so that is great for the store.  And me - as crazy as it is trying to get organized - I love my job.  For the first time in many years I feel like I'm using my brain on a consistent basis!  I feel like my work life has more meaning and I LOVE it!

We're just really busy - but loving our crazy life.  I'm getting excited for Mother's Day this year - I feel like its all complete!  Can't wait.  Not planning anything special, but it will be nice.

Hope everyone enjoys their evening.
Gail