A Meet-Up With Some Friends

posted by Doug on Sat Oct 29, 2005 at 11:42 pm | daily events | 0 comments

Late this afternoon, the three of us headed to Winston-Salem for a meet-up with some friends we haven't seen since last summer.

Robert and Nanette have a biological son named Bryce and an adopted daughter from China named Sydney. They began the adoption process around the same time we did in 2001 but traveled to China much sooner because Sydney was an older child. She was almost 5 years old when they brought her home.

Tom and Hope have an adopted daughter from China named Lilly. Lilly and Eliana both came from the same orphanage and their birthdays are only one day apart so there is a special connection there.

We all met at Fuddruckers for dinner. After a good meal and a lot of catching up, Eliana and Lilly had some catching up to do of their own so they stole away to a private table and had a big conversation.

Afterwards, they entertained our table and everyone else in the restaurant with a loud and extended game of "Ring Around The Rosey" out in the middle of the dining room floor.

When the meal had finally settled, all three families went down the road for a game of putt-putt. We made quick work of those 18 holes, though, because it was getting quite nippy. The temperature was in the mid-40's but an occasional slight breeze made it feel cooler. Despite the harsh playing conditions, yours truly had three hole-in-ones!!! Too bad no one was keeping score...

The Best Therapy For A Traumatized Child

posted by Doug on Thu Oct 27, 2005 at 11:32 pm | daily events | 0 comments

Carmi took Eliana to get a flu shot this morning at the request of her pediatrician.

They called me on their way back home and Eliana informed me that she had a Nemo band-aid. There was a slight hint of disappointment in her voice that she didn't get a Dora band-aid but it was clear that Nemo would do in a pinch.

Carmi tried to convince me that the best therapy for a traumatized child is a shopping trip. I wasn't buying it but she easily convinced the Empress. The two went to TJ Maxx and Eliana picked out a very pretty dress to wear during our date with the photography studio on Saturday.

It was amazing how much better she felt by lunchtime.

So I Brought The Caterpillar Back Home

posted by Doug on Mon Oct 24, 2005 at 6:29 pm | daily events | 0 comments

Yesterday, Carmi found a little white caterpillar - about 3/4" long - that had taken up residence in Eliana's backpack and was in the process of spinning a cocoon.

Don't even ask how THAT happened because we're clueless.

She took the squatter and placed it in a jar so Eliana could take it to preschool this morning for show-and-tell. Our plan was for the caterpillar to stay at her preschool so the children could enjoy watching the eventual transformation.

When I picked Eliana up this afternoon, her childcare provider - who is also a teacher at the preschool - said that the little critter was indeed a huge hit. So huge, in fact, that the kids didn't want to do anything today BUT stare at the jar.

Evidently teachers aren't happy when they don't have their student's full attention.

So I brought the caterpillar back home...which suited a Little Empress just fine.

Down The Drain

posted by Doug on Mon Aug 22, 2005 at 11:58 pm | daily events | 0 comments

After supper, I made a quick run to Bi-Lo and then stopped by a BP on the way home to purchase one gallon of gas. At approximately 9:30 pm and under cover of darkness, I mounted an offensive against the yellow jackets in our back yard. I moved like a shadow to the suspect hole in the ground, turned up the plastic container, emptied two dollars and fifty-five cents worth of gas into the hole and then made a mad dash back to the house. Everything I've read about yellow jackets says that they do not move around at night. Try as I might, I could not stand there and gloat but will check on the carnage tomorrow.

Two Guesses

posted by Doug on Tue Jul 5, 2005 at 11:08 pm | daily events | 0 comments

Two guesses what WE had to do tonight...and the first guess doesn't count! Carmi needed to make another run and gather more supplies for our church's Vacation Bible School which starts on Sunday night. I think we will publish a book called "Wally-World for Dummies" and one of the tips will be to always shop on Tuesdays. Tuesdays seem to be the least-crowded night of the week.

Babysitters-R-Us

posted by Doug on Fri Jul 1, 2005 at 12:15 am | daily events | 0 comments

Our friends, Ron and Jennifer Chilton, wanted to watch Star Wars Episode III - Revenge of the Sith tonight so they asked us to babysit Baby Samuel who turns one year old on the 7th. May I say that it was quite the experience and a good precursor of things to come when we bring home a baby sister for Eliana. As was expected, the Empress at first did not take very kindly to the attention Mommie paid to this "intruder" in her house. But by the end of the evening - with chocolate birthday cake in hand (and hair) - this man child was becoming more tolerable. You can see pictures of the evening here.

The Honeymoon Is Over

posted by Doug on Thu Jun 30, 2005 at 12:24 am | daily events | 0 comments

One thing is for sure...I hope that every Wednesday is not like today. What a whirlwind! Had to be at church by 6:30 to practice with the Praise Team in the Fellowship Hall for our first service together on Sunday. I was a tad late because I was running around at the last minute trying to find a microphone for Pastor Steve's Bible study. At 7:15, I jetted into the sanctuary for Choir practice. After running over a couple of Call to Worship's, I mentioned a particular song title that we were going to practice and...OH MY GOSH...you'da thunk the world was coming to an end. There were a couple of choir members (who shall remain unnamed) that royally showed their behinds. They weren't nasty about it but just going on and on and on and on about THAT song that has been sung one too many times. Geez oh pete...give it a rest ladies! Certain people just feel like they deserve to be heard. The good news is that we settled on a couple of songs that everyone seemed more comfortable with. Immediately after choir practice, I met with the people who will help me lead music in our VBS Worship Rallies. Very tired now...must go to sleep...

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