I'M GOIN ON A TRIP

Finally, finally the news that I have waited soooo long to post. I got my appt. to file my I-600 in Haiti on Wednesday, yes next Wednesday at 11:00 am. We will be leaving here on Tuesday and arriving in Haiti Tuesday late afternoon. I may be able to meet Dania that evening, if not she can stay with us for the rest of the time that we are there.

They told me to plan on NOT being able to bring her home on this trip. There was only suppossed to be one trip but since they lost my paperwork she got adopted in Haiti and I have to file the I-600 there instead of here. They told me to ask for a VISA appt on Wednesday and if they grant me one quickly, Nate will just come home Saturday and I will stay until she can come. If it is going to be after Christmas before they get her a Visa appt, I will come home and then go back and get her.

I am so excited!!!!!! I need prayer that they grant me that Visa appt. and also since this is so last minute I still have not recieved proof of my fingerprints (I-171H), I contacted immingration and it was already mailed out so there is no way to hurry it up, please pray that I receive those papers before I leave.

I have so much to do.

The call from the teacher

As you know the boys have been doing great in public school, they handle everything like pros now, and seemingly enjoy it. Well maybe I spoke too soon and patted myself on the back too many times, because last week I got "the call" from Luke's teacher. I always figured that if I got a call it would be about Luke because he is just that sort of kid.

The conversation proceeded as follows:

Teacher: I wanted to call because something has happened that I wanted you to talk to Luke about.

Me: Oh, Okay (stuttering)

Teacher: I was just going to let it blow over, but I've just received a call from another parent.

Me: (in my head) Uh! Oh!

Teacher: Luke has been telling the other children that Santa isn't real

Me: (I'm laughing out loud)

Teacher: I wouldn't have bothered with it, but he keeps insisting that Santa doesn't exist. This is 2nd grade and we have lots of kids that believe.

Me: (still laughing)

Teacher: When we were writing letters to Santa for the newspaper, he told everyone that it was silly to write to someone that doesn't exist, and that he was embarrassed to do it.

Me: (still laughing) but then I say, " I'm sorry for laughing, I just thought that it was something worse than this. My stomach dropped when I realized this wasn't a social call."

Teacher: I know it is silly, but I got a complaint from another parent and I already spoke once to Luke about it, but it hasn't died down yet.

Me: Wow! Was he receptive and respectful when you spoke to him?

Teacher: Oh yes, he always is. I told him that other people have different beliefs, and he can believe something different, he just needs to keep it to himself. I knew you would not be offended that is why I called.

Me: Oh no that is fine, I'll have a talk with him about Santa.

Teacher: He told --------- (her son, they live up the road) that Santa doesn't exist, and he still believes, of course.

Me: Oh, did it hurt ----(her son) feelings.

Teacher: No, he just couldn't believe that Luke said it.

Me: okay good!

So I went straight to the garage with a serious face to tell Nathan that Luke's teacher called because of a complaint from another parent.

Nate: Well, what was it?

Me: Luke told the class Santa doesn't exist.

Nate: (laughing hard) while I tell him the rest of the conversation.

Nate: Wait a minute, what about the first amendment? Why should he be silenced?

Me: Is Santa Claus the hill you want to die on?

Nate: No, I guess not.

Me: I don't want Luke hounding people with the truth. We have to teach him not to be argumentative with others, even if this was about God, he is not going to win anyone over by a shout down on the playground.

Nate: Yeah!, your right.

So that night at the dinner table I brought it up.

Me: Luke I got a call from your teacher, do you know what it was about?

Luke: Hmmm! let me think, .......... Santa Claus?

All other children: (laughing, and laughing)

Me: Yep! your teacher wants you to stop talking about it, do you think you can? or is this really important?

Luke: I said some things but it is (names of 3 children) who keep bringing it up. They walk by me and say, "santa is real, santa is real" and drives me crazy.

Me: Well you know the truth, and they will someday, but it is not nice to argue back once you have shared how you feel. Okay?

Luke: Okay, whatever, I'm fine.

Austin: So Luke gets in trouble because other parents are lying to their kids? So lame!

Evan: Yeah! Luke didn't do anything except tell the truth.

Amanda: (laughing) a call from the teacher about Santa?

Austin: That kid will be sorry when he figures out that his mom lies to him.

Me: Luke, I'm proud of you, you should always tell the truth, just don't argue over it. You did good!

I have to say that I love my kids teachers, and in no way do I feel that she was being aggressive with me. The part about keeping opinions to yourself got under my skin for a second, but I realize where she was trying to go with that, she just did not use the proper words, which is something that I can relate to. I get myself in hot water by using wrong language now and then. Her son and mine are really good buddies, and I think everything is good now.

I should also say that we have had Santa and other make believe characters as part of our kids lives, but if they ever asked in seriousness if they were real, I always told them the truth. I still joke around with them about fairies, werewolves, (when they take the trash out in the dark) and sundry of other things, but they know that I jest.

I Am Thankful

This years Thanksgiving was more thoughtful and reflective, but it was one to truly be thankful for. I took Amanda to see her Dad on Tuesday, and while on the way we stopped at Burger King. Big, huge mistake, Burger King did not sit well with me at all, and I had to make several pit stops along the way to her Dad's house, and pray on the long toll road that I would make it to the restroom. Burger King, accompanied by a stomach bug that has us still feeling slushy made my anxiety level take a boost. Of course I had to start with a sick story, that is how I think, unfortunately.

We had a lovely dinner at my mom's house on Thursday with Uncle Warren, I was still feeling funny, so I ate very little. I forgot my camera, so there are no pictures of any holiday cheer. I was to make a cheesecake for my mother and one for my mother in law, but Luke turned off the oven inadvertently while they were baking. I had no idea what time I had put them in or how long they had been off, sadly both were a sorry excuse for a famous cheesecake maker like myself.

Friday was Thanksgiving with the Brock family and Kissacks. The cousins always have the best times together, and I am so thankful that they have each other. They are each others best friends in the whole world. Friday night we went to the viewing of the baby that shot himself. That was really rough. The Dad and Mom who are divorced were there, along with the birth mother of the baby. He had been adopted by them right after he was born. The birth mom does not have her life together and you could tell by her appearance and the company she kept. It was so sad to see people so lost and hurting and know that they don't have the only one who can truly bring them peace and freedom. They have been on my mind lots of late, and it put a different focus on my Thanksgiving holiday.

I am thankful that my parents live close by, would do anything for me and are still in good health.

I am thankful that my inlaws love me like one of their own kids and have a great place for memories.

I am thankful Tonya isn't too far away to come for lots of visits.

I am thankful that my kids are healthy and loved.

I am thankful that I am made in the image of God, and that he paid my debt in full.

Thanksgiving didn't officially end until this past Tuesday when the Kissacks returned home.