And so she's One

It's been an amazing 5 months home...and my princess is One.  Friends, she is such a Joy.  A happy, easy-going, sweet-natured baby girl who we love more and more every day. 

Happy Birthday little one...we're so glad you're a part of us forever

We're off to New York - laptop is coming along....can't. live. without.

Big Apple

...and so on Tuesday AB and I are off to one of our favorite places in the US

I heart NYC so much

Like mucho, mucho

Like, I've got a list of my top five places and it's right at the top

Even though it's techinically for "business" and even though technically we're being "paid" to go (we being AB and I) - I'm so ecstatic...I can hardly stand it

New York, people

New York.

Never been?  Let me tell you - it IS as magical as they say it is.  It just is...

dreamy sigh...

And because this is a pleasure type of business type trip - we'll be doing tons of playing.  Some seriously amazing and fun stuff on the agenda - which I will document and report back to my public (snort).  And because this is a business type trip - all the playing will be paid for courtesy of the host.  And can I just say?  

I love me some New York.  Mucho.

So, I'm not 100% sure if the laptop will come with me...just because I could use the break, and because who has time to do lap-toppy things while in NYC?  I mean, hello?

On the other hand, I might feel lonesome for some internet time at the end of the day...

On the other hand, I might not.

So it's debatable.

And don't fret for "The Littles".  They will be in the safe, loving, and very capable arms of their grandparents - who adore them.  And who, for the record, were kind enough to come to our home so the kids could stay in their beds and all that jazz...which makes this mama ohsohappy down in my heart.  Love them...they are the best!

So, that's what's up buttercups...

oh, and I'm in major infatuation with Betty.  Can you blame me?  She's like the greatest thing on two wheels.  No, seriously.  The greatest.

Also?  Random but still...

Do you back up your personal computer?  No?  Let me advise you right now - and this is free advice that otherwise will cost you a small-bloody-fortune to hear later: go out right now and buy two things.  

1.  An external hard-drive backup device.  They are not expensive.  Plug it in, follow simple intructions, and watch as it makes copies of all you hold dear.  Then love it, squeeze it, and never let it go...or put it someplace very safe for a month and then repeat.

2.  Buy some DVD's...writable DVD's.  Like the 4.7 GB kind.  Walmart, people.  It's a no-brainer.  Insert and copy your pictures or writings, or files, or videos, whatever - onto them  Organize it however you see fit.  The point is: do it.  Just for kicks.  Just in case.  Just because.  Put somewhere safe.  Firebox?

Here's another tip - don't wait on this.  Do it now.  Here's why.  All those files you lovingly store on your computer - you know?  you're whole world?  Pictures of your sweet babies?  Fur-babies?  Home? Love?  All that stuff?  It's super-duper vulnerable on your computer.  Don't believe me?  Ask the countless people who have lost precious, precious irreplaceable items stored on their computers. 

It's not worth it.  You will cry the ugly cry.  You will mourn and grieve and kick yourself and hate yourself...and cry the ugly cry some more until your mascara is running down your cheeks and you're eyeballs are aching.  You will.  

This has not, mercifully, happened to me.  I'm a backer-upper.  I have three sources - just to be safe and I backup monthly.  I could not stand to lose more than that.  Even a month's loss would be sad and unfortunate - but a month and no more, I could sort-of stomach.

There would be no comparable feeling to losing Keira's Gotcha pictures.  Quint's 1st year....Kaleigh's life...oh my heart.

Please, whoever you are that reads this and doesn't back up your stuff - I promise you, it's not hard and you don't have to be all tech-savvy.  Just go to Best Buy or wherever and ask some nice salesperson to give you a hand selecting what you will need.  Or go online and research external hard-drives.

You'll thank me.  You will.

 So.

Anyway...sing it with me now...

Start spreading the news.....

I'm leaving Tuesday....

I wanna be a part of it...

New York....New York....

 

 

She's here...

and she's spectacular...

everyone, say hello to "Betty"...can't you just picture it?  Pinup for the 40's...beautiful blonde bombshell Betty?

Betty, dear...say hello to everyone...

Mommy like.

Mommy like a lot.

Now I'm off to ride like a free blue-turquoise colored bird in the sky...

and to wait for her glorius fawn-colored wicker basket to arrive - oh I die!

all I need now is a "ring-ching-ring" bell to clip on her right handlebar and we're golden

Can't you just hear me riding up the lane?

How much did he cost?

I actually cringe when well-meaning people ask that question.

And I'm always surprised that they actually ask it.

I usually divert or re-direct the conversation.

Because is adoption really about money?  Is it ever really about money?

When we were fund-raising for Keira, it still wasn't about money.  It was about faith.  In people, in God, in His plan for our family...not about how much money we could plunk down to get to China.

And even though my son clearly has an idea of how much he costs..

(or maybe he just found that sticker and put it on his cute little self...)

I know this much is true

No matter how many labels people put on adoption or love or how many times people insist on attaching a monetary value to my sweet boy

nothing can ever change the truth

He is priceless