Random Rants and Raves

Rant: To all the flaky people-you're not cute, you're not funny, and someone is having to pick up your slack.

Rave: MOPS!!! I've said it so many times, but my Mothers Of PreSchoolers group is phenomenal. We had an especially heart wrenching, tearful group this last week, loving and supporting each other through some hard times. Sometimes just venting your worries and hearing that you are not alone is all a mom needs.

Rave: The internet. This week, our local Ethiopian adoption community was able to reconnect Ethiopian children placed for adoption with a family in Denmark with their birth cousins living in Nashville. A few easy emails and the family was found and addresses shared, but a huge impact for these children.

Rant: Disney fairy tale movies. I've never been a big fan of the princess fairy tale movies from Disney, I know, bah humbug. It has bothered me that the pretty girl is nice, she has problems, a handsome prince appears and fixes her problems and they live happily ever after. Disney is releasing it's first movie with an African American character in Dec 09, the Frog Princess. I'm excited to finally have an AA character, and the accompanying licensed toys, but hope hope hope she is a strong character. Please Disney, let the Frog Princess either fix her own problems or at least work with the handsome Prince. Just this once, please.

Rave: saving $$$$. Our driveway gates have been broken and needed to be fixed. Estimates to replace them STARTED at $8000. A friend recommended getting the gate welded, which we hadn't thought of. One welder finally agreed to fix the gates, made new hinges and finials, and charged $380.

Something to Think About

Stupid Humidity

It's only the beginning of June, and already I'm cranky about the heat. We left the house at 9:45 and I got sweaty just putting the kids in the car! We went to the park this morning with our SuperAmazing MOPS group, have I mentioned I LOVE MY MOPS GIRLS!!?? B and "The Outlaw" ran around in the woods with sticks, SJ jockeyed for time on the swings, and we later sat down for a snack in the shade.

This is a busy week for us, we've got VBS at church. B would rather go off and do his own thing rather than participate with his class and SJ is spending her time there following me around. The kids are hot and sweaty each night, but they're having a blast and sleeping well.

If you need me this summer, I'll be in the pool...

The Latest from Our Coffey House

We're doing well here at The Coffey House. SJ is settling in nicely and communicating her desires more and more. B is also well, but unfortunately for him, the squeaky Ethiopian wheel gets the grease.

On Wed, I took both of the kids to our MOPS playgroup at Michelle's. SJ lasted 1.5 hrs before she was ready to go. In that time, though, she ate 5 cinnamon muffins. The girl can eat! Miss Michelle was sweet and offered to keep B for the afternoon. I took her up on the offer and had a guilt free nap with SJ. We went to church that night, and the sweetest thing- SJ held Jelly's face and gave her a kiss. Due to poor planning on my part, they got to bed late, setting us up for Thursday...

Thursday was our worst day so far, by a long shot. SJ and B woke up grumpy and stayed grumpy. SJ has fallen deeply in love with Super Daddy, which is a good thing, but then Super Daddy had the nerve to leave for work. SJ had a 2.5 hr fit over Super Daddy's leaving! She ran to check every car that drove by, saying "Daddy!". Later, B was pulled from the tub and put in timeout naked and dripping. SJ glared at me and peed in the floor. I could go on and on. I barely survived the day, called my bestie Abby to whine, and put the kids to bed early.

On Friday, the kids were much better. We took B to Granny and Papa's for his regular Friday visit. Granny fed us blueberry pancakes and bacon, B's favorite meal. SJ had 3 pancakes, thrilling Granny. While B was with Granny and Papa, I took SJ to Children's Hosp for routine international adoptee bloodwork. Poor kid, I had to hold her down while they drew vial after vial. She was fine by the time we got to the car though. Daddy got home from work early, so the whole family got to play in the yard. B and SJ got to take turns on the swing, chase each other around, and get lots of hugs. It was a terrific evening. That night, I was able to put SJ down to sleep without her crying! SJ does sleep wonderfully, 11-13 hrs per night with a 2 hour nap in the day.

So, that's the latest. We're doing well and feel good. We are ready for visitors and phone calls and would love to get out a little too. Give me a call or email please! We'd love to show off our kids!