I like roadside veggie stands too!

I pass by 8, count them, 8 little roadside stands on my way home from work. There's the big market that sells everything that can be grown in dirt, to the gal with a fridge in a shed with eggs, to the table with a cooler of beans, zucchini and pickles, right down to little old man who just sells pickles. I have no time to grow my own - I've tried. I always forget the water. I don't have a good yard for a garden either. It's too shady. I'm happy to help out the little man and his roadside stand. It costs much less than the grocery store and tastes better too!

There's also a gal who sells flowers. $2.50 a bunch. My dad liked to grow glads. They remind me of him.

Grandma and Grandpa H also came by for a visit last night. They took Jay for a walk, played some ball outside, and of course they read books. We enjoyed a fabulous dinner (one of my summer faves) of pork ribs on the grill, fresh picked corn on the cob (the farm lady said it was picked that afternoon), farm fresh pickles in rice vinegar, with baby redskin potatoes (from a stand too) shook in a bag with olive oil, garlic, and Italian seasoning then baked in the oven. YUM! Yes, they're reading a fire truck book - from the library.

And I had to throw this one in - cuz he's so dang cute!

And this one too. With his "Relbo" - umbrella. Yes, that is Lightning McQueen on the handle. Did you think my kid would have a plain, old, boring, "relbo"? (In case you're wondering, the u-wear are Thomas the train - actually they're Percy, Thomas' friend.)

Have a great weekend!

IYCSAN

I like...beets.

Jacob and I visited my sister Cindy (1), again over the weekend. Edna's sister, Darlene (2nd to the youngest) was there with her 2 granddaughters. We drove down and back on Sunday, and were home in time to meet my sister, Gloria (3) and her son Jaz on their way through.

To my point.

Cindy and her husband always plant a good sized garden. Beans, tomatoes, broccoli, cabbage, corn, cukes, beets, horseradish, zuccinni, onions, and more than that, I'm sure. When you visit Cindy in the summer, you take home just picked, garden veggies. That's just the way it is. Jacob helped pick some beans and my brother-in-law, Ron, cut me a cabbage, plucked me some beets and onions, and sent me on my way.

Monday night, I cooked up those garden fresh beets. I love beets, by the way. But they're best when garden fresh. I had beets for dinner on Monday. Though I forgot what beets fresh from the garden do to your poo. I thought I was dying on the pot! I was preparing to bleed to death when my husband walks in and says, "You ate beets." with the 'you're the dumbest dummy on earth' tone. Oh, yeah! The beets!

I do have to tell you - beets from the can do not do this. Pickled beets do not do this (at least not as severe). Only beets from the garden have this ability.

I had beets again for dinner last night (they're all gone now). Those beets must have some fiber to 'em. Anyway, this morning Jacob comes into the bathroom wanting to flush. He looks in the pot, puzzled, leans in, and stares as it goes down. He looks strangely at me. I said, "Jacob? What's wrong?"

"It's purple."

Christmas in July

I'm one of those freaky planning kind of people - if you didn't already know this about me, you know now. I mean, measuring the 1/2 inch interval on a poke cake, c'mon!

I'm working on Christmas and it's July. I have decided on my little theme for Jacob's Christmas. Yes, I have a little theme every Christmas. Last year was construction. Dump truck, digger, and a bulldozer. This year...FIRE ENGINES! We did fire engines for his birthday last year, yes but, oddly, we didn't give him any fire engines. (I haven't themed his birthday yet, but, I'm thinking police cars if I can).

By the way - I am done with my Christmas shopping for everyone else. I finished in February. :)

I have been scouring the Internet for Fire Department shirts (that's all Jacob wants to wear). I have the basics, FDNY and Chicago covered. I posted on my local Freecycle site hoping to draw out a few things from the local firefighters (actually - I know there is a wife of one of them that posts there and I'm hoping she'll help me to order one for Jacob). If nothing comes of it, I'll call the chief and see if we can get on the list when they order. I think I'm also going to try Manistee and hopefully, our beloved St. Louis. I roped G'ma S into my plans and she's going to work on her connections (she has a friend in a department up north). Aunt Cindy started this - she contacted Quincy and another department by her. Of course, I've scoured eBay. Anyway - our plan is to at least order a shirt for Jacob from these departments when they order shirts for the year. Wish me luck!

It seems I'm always off on some goofy project, doesn't it? This morning I wanted to see if I could find fire truck material and sew Jacob some sheets for his bed, then I remembered that he's almost outgrown this toddler bed so why bother? I mean really? How many sets of toddler bed sheets does one kid need?

I had another realization today. Grandma and Grandpa S. get to share Christmas and Jacob's birthday with us this year. She called us initially the day after Jacob's birthday last year and we didn't meet them until after Christmas. I'm looking forward to those memories for Jacob. I also told Grandma S. this morning, "I'm so excited! Now I have someplace to hide Christmas presents!" Goofy thing about these old houses, they're huge but, there isn't any storage space!

P.S. I even found a little gift for Jeremy today. Even though we aren't exchanging gifts this year due to my camera - I just can't help it! Sorry honey. :(

Horn tooters

I bought something for work from an on-line auction service and it arrived today with an evelope of cash in it (refund of shipping charges). There is no way to put this actual cash money back into our accounts. Now, yes, technically speaking I could have pocketed the $12 and no one would have known a thing about it but, I can't do that. I talked to the gal who requested this item and we decided to donate the money to an internal company matched charity. Then I found out that our coffee shop was sponsoring a fundraiser (win a 32" flatscreen) for a teammate who recently adopted 2 children (shoot - can't remember where from) and the daughter has some health issues. I simply handed them the money and said - I don't want tickets for the TV. I just want to donate. I gave all $12 and I walked away. I didn't tell you this to make you think I'm some sort of saint - it's simply the story.

I'm not one to toot my own horn, as they say. I don't think I do anyway. I do things for people and I don't expect to be rewarded (well, most of the time). I'm not always looking for reciprocation. In fact, most of the time, I rarely even peek. I'm generally satisfied with the feeling that I did the right thing, that I made someone feel special, or knowing I helped them.

I know I have spoken about reciprocation in the past. Sometimes, I do expect a little something in return though, I know I shouldn't but, when you help the same person over and over - with no reciprocation, I don't know anyone who can't help but feel taken advantage of or maybe due something in return for their efforts.

As a daughter, and part of the reason I've backed away from Edna, I'm burned out. I'm thankful to my parents for the sacrifices they (she) made for me. I'm not saying my dad didn't - I'm saying I don't know enough to say anything. I appreciate the things Edna says she did or gave up. All of them. I'm thankful that she flung "80lb. bags" of salt for 10 years. I'm thankful that she "let her teeth go" to pay for us kids, and whatever else she always goes on about. I have thanked her many times but - it's never, never, never enough for her. Any gift to her is never enough, never good enough as Edna is the BIGGEST horn tooter, I have ever met! She's always more than willing to share all of the simply nice things that she's done for people (especially her children or my dad) and how terribly we all treat her in return. I'm sorry, lady. Isn't that your job? As a wife and mother? Isn't that what you're supposed to do?

As a mother, I don't believe in tooting my own horn for what I do for Jacob. He's my son, I'm his mom, it's my job to do these things, it's my job to take care of him, to make his life fun. One day, he'll grow up and hopefully he realizes what we gave him. I hope he's thankful - but I don't expect him to be.

I don't understand this though - how is it that I can do for some people here and there and it's fine, I enjoy it, I'm happy with myself and I'm not looking for anything; in fact, most of these times - I don't toot my horn, I just do it, nod and walk away BUT, sometimes, with some people, maybe it's the doing more than once, it seems that the more you help, the more they expect? Then it becomes the more you do the less you feel good about it and then you start feeling owed.

I wanted to help, I didn't want to keep score.

First ear infection

It's a new week, thankfully. I'm ready to put last week behind me. I am feeling much better, my outlook has improved once more and we're working on normal again. I don't seem to be as angry either. Whew! Thank you, so much for all of your thoughts, prayers and comfort last week. They worked!

I should clarify. I do feel better. Some of it is healing, some I just don't have anymore time to give to this. Life has to go on at some point. The dishes and the laundry don't get done if I continue to wallow in self pity. I'm not the mom I want to be to Jacob when I'm sitting around feeling sorry for myself. I'm not putting a time limit on my grief, and I can't say that I'm not still grieving. I'm just saying that I'm realizing what I haven't been this past week, I'm ready to and I have to go forward.

Jacob, though he does have tubes in his ears, has managed to snag his first ear infection. I can't believe it - he's almost 4! I was playing with him on Friday (I think), sniffing by his ears like a dog would do (he laughs so hard) and I noticed this funky stench - like cheese. I was extra careful his next bath to clean around and behind his ears but, Sunday AM that funk was still there. I got the drops prescribed by the ENT and we started the regimen. I got through a good session of - drops in -lay on the left side-let them soak in-flip to the right-let it drain - repeat - as well as a nap. After the nap, yeah that wasn't as pleasant. He woke up from that nap "meaner than cat shit!" He was kicking, screaming, hitting, and flailing! I think, after the nap, it started to hurt. Jacob was a bear the rest of the day.

Daddy called Dr. Pete's office this AM and we're waiting for his nurse to call and give us some directions. I'm really hoping we don't have to go in - more kicking, screaming, hitting, and flailing. Yay!

**We did hear back from Dr. Pete's nurse. She called in a prescription for the same drops we have now and we'll continue those for awhile. She did not give us an antibiotic - just the drops and JJ has an appointment on Aug. 12. Obviously, it's not anything serious.

What it's not...

"It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see."-- Henry David Thoreau

I had someone ask me if I was okay this past weekend. I am. I'm okay. I told her that I was okay just tired. Of course, we had to push the issue. So I finally told her my secret. "I had a miscarriage on Saturday", I said. The response was - "You should have told me." (I appreciate the thought and the concern after the beans were spilled. I do know that she meant well. But you know? It's not the person that got me - I mean, she knows this hell. She does. She has lived it too. It's just the culmination of so many years of this and it just pushed a button.)

I should have told you! I? I should have told you? What am I supposed to do? Run an ad in the paper? Take out a billboard? Sit down at the table and say, "I can't carry a child, can you pass the potato salad?" or "Whoops, I dropped another one!"? Is that what you wanted to hear?

No. I don't deserve special treatment and I certainly won't ask for it. Why do you think I don't tell? I had a party to put together. I didn't have time to cry. I didn't have time for the breakdown that I needed this time. Sometimes when they happen I'm fine. Sometimes, as I'm getting older, as Jacob is getting older, I'm realizing that my time is running out. I wonder what God's plan is and I always hurt for my husband. So, sometimes I'm not.

It's really hard to be an infertile. It's hard to fit in. Newly pregnant women that know about your inability are afraid to share their news with you. You watch moms in the store and can't help but think I'd so be a better mom to those kids than you are. You dread baby shower invitations arriving in your mailbox. It seems all around you are on pins and needles anticipating your reactions when there is a mom-to-be in the vicinity. Worse, are the people who refuse to discuss any and every mention of miscarriage, loss or failure. Or the people that think they know you and what you would want so they intentionally leave you out. And the people who constantly have to rub your nose into your failure like the new Grandma who is so thrilled with her daughter's or son's impending new arrival that they can't wait to tell you every last damn detail of this miracle while you don't know if you will ever experience this flaunting for yourself and your unborn. Oh - wait! I can't believe I almost forgot this...I have the one that tops them all! The pregnant woman who calls you often to tell you how miserable she is being pregnant, "so that you won't think it's so great to BE pregnant and you'll feel better". Yes, yes, and she told me this like she was doing me a HUGE favor and I should be so appreciative of her for thinking of me! Little does she realize, what I would give to experience every flutter, every nauseous moment, every nibble of every cracker and every sip of ginger ale...

(For the record: Pregnant women do not make me uncomfortable anymore. I am in awe of them and the miracle they have been chosen to carry. Baby Showers are fine with me. I've hosted a few myself and mostly, I enjoy them - now. I do recall those feelings and I certainly appreciate those who ask "are you okay with this?" first.)

It's funny, most fertiles seem to think there is a statute of limitations on this whole infertility thing - and you know, for awhile, I did too. Most of you thought adopting Jacob should have solved all of my problems. I'm sorry to inform you both of these thoughts are wrong! I was wrong! Let me ask you these; Is there a time limit on grief? Is one child ever a replacement for another? How would you feel if it were you? Would you want someone to put this 'having to get over it' onto your shoulders? On top of what you already carry? Then I think, "my God, I can't carry a child - now I don't even grieve for one correctly!"

I'm not going to tell everyone every time I lose a child. I very likely won't tell anyone. I hope the quote I shared helps us all to remember that the things we show for everyone to look at aren't all that we're made up of. You need to see what is going on/has gone on inside to truly know what someone is made of.

**I originally posted this with comments off. (I know, I always come back when I do that so why bother in the first place.) I turned them back on. I'm always hoping when I speak my true thoughts on miscarriages/infertility that I can reach a 'Mom' and have my thoughts be the words she needed to hear. I know that if it were me, I'd want to thank the person who gave that to me AND the only way for her to do that is to comment.

Newsbreak:

The Gotcha Day Party went really well. We had a good turn out and a ton of leftover food. It wasn't warm enough for the pool but Jacob and his cousins played in the kiddie pool for quite awhile (Aunt Cindy did too). I didn't take many pictures and the ones I did take, I won't post as I wouldn't like someone to post pics of Jacob without my permission so I won't post pics of someone else's kids. I'm ever thankful to my neice, Liz. She was such a HUGE help and I never could have done this without her. I also really enjoyed her company Saturday night. It was great to hang out and talk with just her.

Jacob is potty training - kind of. He peed in the potty twice when my sister Karen was here. He peed in the potty once at Karen's house. He peed in the potty once during his party yesterday and I think he liked the ovation he received when he came to the back door naked from the waist down, wearing only a T-shirt, and announced to the neighborhood "I PEED IN THE POTTY!!" as he has peed three times in the potty today and, And, AND he POOPED in the potty too! It's true - they emailed me pictures! Am I the luckiest mom, or what!

I'm back to work today, against my will. I wanted to stay home just one more day. I'm sitting here and my feet are killing me. This is the first time I've worn shoes all day in all this time! We'll see what happens with the car makers - I might just get lucky enough to get another week off out of this deal...

I haven't talked to Edna in over 2 weeks. Nothing specific has happened. I just don't want to. We didn't go see her over the 4th. I didn't even call. I guess, I'm just tired. The last few times I've talked to her, all she says is how horrible her children are and how she doesn't know what she ever did to deserve to be treated this way by her kids. I'm just out of giveashit anymore.

We were told Grandpa S. (Jacob's biological Grandpa - Rob's Dad)has lung cancer. They go for a biopsy this week. We have become very attached to them, Jacob and I have, and I'm scared for what will happen. I'm trying not to think about it much and just hang on and wait for the news.

I'm also angry with my husband today. I have been for a few days. It's rather silly. You see, he lost my fishing pole. I've had this pole for a very, very long time. It's the pole I learned to cast with. The pole I caught my first fish with. It was a gift to me from a man who always thought the world of me and sadly, he treated me better than he did his own daughter before she passed away. Although, my family never cared much for this man who was "friends" with Edna for many years he was very good to me a long time ago - when He didn't drink. He took good care of me. He was a good man when he was on the wagon. This fishing pole was left at Jeremy's parents house but, it's no longer there. I give Jeremy credit for trying to find it but I'm hurt that it's gone. Never mind the fact that I haven't fished with it but once in the last 8 years. That fact is not important.

Lastly, yesterday, we were putting away stuff in the kitchen before the party and Jeremy asked why the tape measure was on the stove. I said, "I needed it to measure the 1/2 inch spaces to poke for my poke cake." Jeremy put the tape measure away and said nothing more. Yes, I measured my poke cake. Go ahead and laugh!

Happy Gotcha Day!

Jacob at about 6 months.



That picture was taken just before the final adoption paper came in the mail. It was signed by the judge on July 12, 2006.

The arrival of that paper made life much easier for all of us. I didn't have to worry anymore that Jacob's birthparents could change their minds. I didn't have to worry about passing anymore inspections. According to that paper, Jacob was our son. In my heart, he'd been my son from the instant I saw his face as he was born.

Jacob - you are the best little boy. You are so much more than your daddy or I could have ever thought to ask for. We are so proud of you and we love you more than everything! My sweet boy, I'm so glad we gotcha!

From Harper's Mom

As you can see by the date below, I've been holding on to this for a little while. I'm sorry for holding out but, I guess I couldn't share another sadness. I wanted to share the celebration of the 4th rather than more gloom. I was wondering where Harper's family was and how they were coping. I'm sure you were too. Um...find that box of tissues before you read any further.

Peace Surpass Understanding
Posted Jun 19, 2009 12:15pm

It has taken me 10 weeks to face the page...a feeling and regimend that once lifted me has created more fear and sadness than I knew existed. I am literally shaking and squinting through the tears to follow the words on this screen but I want you all to know...

I miss Harper terribly. I miss the routine. I miss the kiss. I miss the laughter and the joy. I miss the purpose and the drive he created in me. I miss my friends, my cancer families, and my doctors. I miss the feeling of fulfillment - Harper was my stimulation, mentally, emotionally, physically, faithfully...he allowed me to thrive on a smile and nothing more...I miss that. I am not less greatful, just different.

The child and the story was my purpose. Each day that he woke up dying was a day that had meaning and now those days are gone...a significant amount of empty space has replaced cruisin, power rangers, and the playroom, CBCs, aspirations, counts, and clinical trials. Please don't take my pain as a literal expression of the value of Tatum or myself...I am working towards a new normal and I expect to get there but as you can imagine, this format is a dagger penetrating my loss.

On the day that Harper passed, I knew he would not make it though the weekend. I remember feeling that morning the need to keep him until Easter...why two days mattered in the morning I don't know but by that evening I felt differently. I had fallen asleep next to Harper in the early evening hours. My mother in the recliner, my daughter gleefully playing with a friend, and Brian doing his routine around us. Unaware of how long I had been asleep, Brian accidently woke me up, in that moment the peace was gone...without better explanation the air in the room had changed. I looked at my son and began to cry, the chase was over. I felt differently about where he belonged and I knew that it was no longer in my arms. I held him close and allowed each harbored breath to penetrate my soul, he was swollen beyond himself, a shadow of the boy that ran 6 days before. I absent mindedly watched the sunset through the window of room 542 and finally leaned over to whisper "its okay buddy, you can go. Mama loves you so much and you are gonna be okay." At that moment, tatum walked in the room and I told her to give her brother a kiss because I knew without telling anyone else that he had the permission he needed to go. I kissed my baby on the lips once more and I stepped outside of the room to check on Tate, Brian called out...he called again and the nurse and I walked in...brian said "he's going" Kim held the scope on his chest and heard a heartbeat...Brian moved to the chair and engulfed our sons last breath...it was over, he died in his daddy's arms. I quickly came clean to Brian about telling him he could go...I wanted Brian to understand that Harper was in control of his last moments.

Brian held Harper for the next hour and a half...it felt like 15 minutes. Tatum came in the room and I told her that Harper had finally gotten his wings, she asked if she could give him something...the littlest mama lifted his hand and placed a stuffed puppy dog carefully in the cradle of his arm...she kissed him and ran to her friend. Brian sobbed and in perfect Fae fashion I stood with strength and the light of the Lord, there was something so empowering that night about giving my son the notion and I wanted him to know I was okay.

The next few days were hollowed, completely absent. Trying to remember those feelings of perserverence and serenity...I struggle every morning to remain empowered by the courage, the strength, the resilence and the simple joy that was Harper. I miss my son...its not fair that he was there to consume me and now he is just gone. I understand the lessons very clearly taught to me over the last two years and to all of you as well, but the trade-off is so bittersweet. I want to hear his voice again...

I can only rejoice in the fact that Tatum is remarkable and demonstrates that same resilence and courage. She is a normal 6 year old...having had the greatest birthday and her first visit from the tooth fairy shortly after. We talk about Harper daily...she draws family pictures with Harper in the sky now and casually imitates his personality for show. I am thankful to the Lord for the moments and pray for his continued grace upon my family.

Thank you to Sparrow and DMC, the care you provided for my entire family supasses any and all expectations. I love my girls at Sparrow and I miss you all. To the Docs...God Bless you! Dr. Scott, I miss your banter...Dr. Dylan, I miss your tolerance...Dr. Saah, I miss your confirmation in faith and love...Dr. Gera, I miss your teaching...Dr. Lambart, I miss your motherly care. Thank you to ALL of the residents, there were many a moments that relied on your call to action and I am thankful. Dr. Savansan and Dr. Chu captured a time in my life where I was most vulnerable and managed to enduce friendship...thank you for the reminder that surrendering is not giving up! We will keep moving forward!

To Harper: You are an angel of light...the love of my life...I miss you and will see you again. You taught me and many others the value of smile and the significance of insignificant substance. May you always be lifted as a warrior and a child of pure joy.

"Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation."
Isaiah 12:2

(just so you know, I opened my bible to this verse just now knowing that the Lord would tell me what I needed to hear...funny how that works isn't it)

Love and Thanksgiving!

Goodnight. I'm going to kiss my sleeping kid.

July 4, 2009

We started out Friday night in Allegan for the July 3 Jubilee. The downtown merchants put this on for the community. The evening began with a parade (that is so short it goes around twice) and after the parade there are 2 different stages set up along our riverfront - 1 for music - 1 for performances, they had an area set up behind the library with a bunch of bouncy castle stuff. Of course, they have all sorts of food vendors too. It's all free to attend - except for food and the rides. Most people come down for the parade and stay through the fireworks. We missed fireworks this year. Jeremy and I listened to them after Jacob went to sleep.

Saturday, we rose at the butt crack of dawn (great idea, Gail!) to head to my sister's in Manistee for their parade and to partake in the Manistee National Forest Festival and some of the traditional stuff from when I was a kid. We made it in time for the parade of fire trucks.

Jacob had asked me about seeing a train (the entire 3 hour drive, he asked me) and I promised that the 40 et 8 would have their train in the parade. And they did. I neglected to tell him that their train has a really loud cannon - that they fire. And before they do, the man yells, "Fire in the hole!" Now, Jacob yells that too. This was taken after they fired.

We played at Lighthouse Park. It's a community project built for the kids. Can you tell?

And we toured the Yankee Lady. The Yankee Lady is a B17-G Bomber. Jeremy's Grandpa Harper flew in one of these in WWII. He was a radio operator/waist gunner on the Mary Lou. Mary Lou was loaned out and she belly landed in Ireland and that was the end of Mary Lou. His crew borrowed a B-17 named Sherry's Cherries and they flew her on their last mission. Sherry's Cherries was shot down over Germany on November 2, 1944 and Grandpa was a POW until the end of the war.

We had a great time with Aunt Karen, Uncle Mike, Chris, Jill and Grandma Dor. Of course, we had Big Al's and Dairy Queen too. And there are more, more, more pics on Flickr.

Where have you been?

The answer seems like EVERYWHERE!

My sister, Karen and her dog, Louie came for a visit last week. They arrived Friday and we cancelled our planned outing to Meijer Gardens. Though I would have enjoyed taking the Nikon there, it was pretty warm/humid, I didn't mind. We spent most of the day on the patio chatting away. I really enjoyed that time with her. My niece, Liz (#1, Cindy's daughter) came up in the afternoon and we all swam in the pool, made drinks and ordered pizza. Really, it was a just a great day.

Saturday, Aunt Karen came with us to the West Michigan Fly-in at our little airport. I don't know how to explain this...event? It starts at 8AM with a pancake breakfast (open to the public) and the first 50 pilots to land get a free breakfast. The pilot's association gives free rides to kids ages 8-17 and they do have some really cool planes there on display - we saw a 1917 WWI biplane (see Flickr) and quite a few others. Basically, we just sat on a blanket in the grass and watched planes take off, taxi, and land over and over. They had the skydivers going, and of course, Bruce and the Allegan Fire District were on hand. (I've been meaning to share this video. In the stills of the firetrucks, with the three guys, the one in the middle - is Jacob's Shaun). Again, see Flickr for some great pics of the skydivers WITH the firetrucks and a bunch of the planes!

Saturday was also the first day of Jeremy's vacation and after the Fly-in, we swam in the pool again while Aunt Karen went up to GR to meet her daughter for dinner. BTW - she brought back some wonderful Chinese and we will SO be going there for dinner some day soon. No worries, it's not a buffet!

Work has been crazy insane for me. At one count I had 62 open purchases. Meaning 62 purchase orders to create/process. It's been at least a year since I've had that many open at once. Now also keep in mind, open purchases are still coming in. It seems for everyone I closed, I received an open. I left yesterday with at least 30 open. I did see Ford topped sales this past month or quarter - I can't remember. I can't tell you much but, I can tell you that is a VERY good thing for my company going forward!

Which leads me to today. I have a vacation day today, a holiday tomorrow - which we're going to the July 3 Jubilee downtown Allegan. There will be a parade, concessions and a bunch of free kiddie stuff to do with fireworks tomorrow night. Again, this little city amazes me!

The 4th, we leave for Manistee in the early AM. The parade starts at 10AM so we're heading straight to Grandma Dor's (my brother-in-law Mike's mom) to meet Aunt Karen, Uncle Mike, my nephew Chris (policeman), his girlfriend, Ashton (whom I haven't met) and my niece, Jill. We'll watch the parade with Grandma - she lives on the parade route so we have access to the pottie, etc. and then head to Karen's for her annual cookout after the parade. Mmmm...fantastic!

So...I'll be back after the 4th, after I file for my unemployment for the week. I'm sure I'll have some great pictures for you and probably some good Jacobisms too.

Have a safe and happy 4th of July!