Biking to lunch in Tosa

Today John and I went on our second bike trail ride of the season. We rode a portion of the Oak Leaf Trail from Menomonee Falls to Wauwatosa. A total of 25 miles. We really enjoy this trail because it meanders through wooded areas along the Menomonee River. It amazes us that such a place actually exists right in the city. We met Alissa and Nathan in downtown Tosa for lunch. Tizzy's ears must have been ringing since we talked about her a lot. I guess it was time for this family to have a small child in our lives again! After lunch we went into a cute little book store and purchased a few items for her. The only bad part of the ride was the wind. On the ride back the wind was so strong that we had to pedal down the hills!

Note to Tizita Desta who we now are calling Tizzy: We had so much fun talking about you today, planning what it would be like when you come home and we all meet you. You have no idea how much we all love you.

Take me back to Mexico

Two years ago we were getting ready to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary with Courtney, Paul, Alissa and Nathan in Riviera Maya, Mexico. I just took a few minutes to browse through the pictures and remember that very magical time and place.

Grandchildren at the zoo

Okay, they weren't my grandkids, but I had very good practice today being a grandma to my friend Lynne's three grandkids. We took four year old Meghan and one year old twin boys to the Madison Zoo today. I am thanking God for his goodness and wisdom in sending Courtney and Paul just one child this first time around. Between the two of us, we had our hands full but it was so much fun until the rains started but even that didn't dampen the day or our spirits, just our clothes. I enjoy seeing the zoo through the eyes of a four year old and Meghan takes her time and really likes to learn about the animals so that is nice. I spent a lot of the time with her talking and looking at the different animals. Lynne spent most of her day trying to maneuver a two child stroller with over fifty pounds of babies in it around a zoo that had every school in southern Wisconsin there on a field trip. I am sure it was a bit comical at times to other people. We ended our day on a carasol ride. Since one twin was fussy, Lynne stayed off the second time around and I managed to get Meghan on to an elephant while the other twin and I found a polar bear. I did have to ask one old lady to please let me have the polar bear so I could be close to Meghan. She didn't seem pleased, but a grandma must speak up! I felt very proud of myself and realized that it will all come back to me. I will need a crash course on stroller and car seat buckles and restraints though!

Well Tizita Desta, my first trip to the zoo with you along in spirit. I practiced and I think I performed well today. I took lots of pictures and I let Meghan pick out a stuffed giraffe for you. I cannot wait until next summer when these same two grandmas will make this trip with you along, too. I will fight anyone off any animal you want to ride on the carasol, too.

I apologize for spelling carasol wrong, but it was not in the spell check, but you know I mean a merry-go-round.

I feel like a celebrity

I just got home from my Preschoolers performance at our Spring Sing. It was flawless! My children performed better than I could ever have imagined. I felt like a celebrity when after the performance two of my little girls brought me bouquets of flowers. I also posed for many pictures and gave and got many, many hugs. I just may turn into a hugger yet. I have to say that some of these families really touched my heart this year and I will genuinely miss them. I got the nicest thank you card with this note included, "You taught Jason so much not only academically but how to be a good person. Jason has a kinder, gentler soul because of your guidance and teaching." I must say, that message means so much to me. I think Jason was quite a kind, gentle soul when he came in, but it still makes me feel so happy. I hope I did make a difference in all of their little lives and I pray God worked through me to plant the seed of faith in their hearts and that it will continue to flower and grow as they go off to their other schools.

Well my little Tizita Desta: I told many of these very special people about you tonight. They all think I will be a very good grandma. I hope they are right about that. I know I am a good teacher and a good mom, but the grandma thing is new territory for me. I am up for the challenge though. I want you to go to a good Preschool with a really kind, nice teacher who will love you like I love my little ones. I will have to help your mommy and daddy find one that is just right for my precious granddaughter!

Summer Vacation starts tomorrow night!

Tomorrow is my last day of Preschool for this year. I am ready for this year to come to a close. It has been tiring to plan two totally different curriculums-one for my three year old morning class and one for my four year old afternoon class. I always had to be on top of my game to make sure I was teaching the correct material to the correct class. I know, you are thinking, hey they are only three and four years old, they won't know the difference. Oh, but let me tell you, they do know and they will let me know. Gotta love those preschoolers!

Anyway on to summer fun. I am going to be going to rummage sales and buying things for my sweet little Tizita Desta. I am going to be working on a Grandma book for her so she has a bit of history to hang on to. I may attempt some type of quilt or blanket for her, but since I don't sew and don't intend to learn how that may be difficult. I really hope to spend some time with Courtney in July so we can work on Tizita's room and we can just sit around and talk about her. I always looked forward to the day that I could talk with my daughters about their babies. I need to read more books and learn all I can about Ethiopia and adoption. As you can see I really need the summer to get everything in order for our little Tizita Desta! I am really starting to realize that grandmas can have all the fun without so many worries. I am so excited for myself! God is good!

To my little Tizita Desta: Thank you for giving me something to fill up my summer. I don't want to wish the summer away but the quicker it goes, the sooner I meet you and the sooner your auntie Alissa and Uncle Nathan get married. Two very exciting events to look forward to.

Home from Up North

We had a nice scenic drive home from Up North. Both John and I agree that anyone that lives in Southern Wisconsin needs to spend a week in a cottage up north sometime during their life. It is an experience that both of us had as children with our families and that we shared with our girls on a few different occasions. There is nothing like the smell of those big old pines and the quaintness of the cute little cottages to restore the soul. I now prefer a lodge like we stayed in this weekend with cable TV, a nice shower, and shopping and eateries near by, but I am so glad we did the cottage thing and have such fond memories of our adventures Up North.

We also finished the 24 mile bike ride to Crystal Lake before the rainstorms set in. It was a beautiful ride. We definitely would like to do this trail again in the future. We also walked around the streets of Minoqua which reminds us of a mini Wisconsin Dells shopping area. Lots of moccasins, cedar boxes, and Bow and Arrows.

My message to Tizita Desta: We will have to rent a cottage up North someday with your mom and dad and Auntie Lissa and Uncle Nathan. Rest assured, it will have a TV! We will show you some of our favorite spots, share our memories with you, and buy you moccasins!

First Bike Trip of the Season

John and I are spending Memorial Day weekend in Boulder Junction, WI. We came up to ride the BATS Bike trail. We are staying at the Boulder Bear Lodge which is right on the bike trail. It also has free wireless and I am able to update from the Lodge. Again I say, Technology, you have to love it. We rode a part of the trail today when we arrived. It runs through the beautiful north woods and you can smell the pines as you ride. Most of the trails we ride are old railroads tracks but this one is not which makes it so nice because it has lots of curves and hills. You ride along a few different lakes on the trail, too. Tomorrow we will ride the entire length of the trail-24 miles round trip.

Special message to Tizita Desta concerning bike riding: We are looking so forward to taking you on some of our favorite trails. At first you will probably have to ride in a bugger, but eventually you will be able to ride on one of those bikes that hook up to one of our bikes and you will pedal right along with us. Your mom used to ride in one of those unsafe bike seats which have since been outlawed, I think.

I was so excited to find a comment from Shari. Thanks , Shari for checking my blog and responding. I first met Shari through the Ethiopian forum (I guess that forum is good for many things) We have never met in person but through our email exchanges I feel such a connection to her and her family. We seem to be two peas in a pod. I look forward to the day I can actually meet her and our granddaughters can meet one another, too. Shari is a proud grandma to Izzy (biological) and Ethiopian born Kaleah. Kaleah is just four months older than Tizita Desta so they need to become friends. The best part of this whole story is that Shari lives in Hartford just up (perhaps down) the road from Watertown so meeting is going to happen. I look forward to her insight and advice as we embark on this journey. She has already been so helpful by reaching out to me. Her Kaleah lives in Clinton, WI which is also about an hour from here. I think God's hand was definitely apparent in bringing us together.
Another crazy coincidence is that Shari has a daughter getting married in Sept. and I have my Alissa getting married in August so we are both in the process of planning weddings and looking forward to those big events.
I like to affectionately call us the Shari/Sherri Sisterhood. What a blessing she will be in my life.

Message to Tizita Desta: Grandma has already found you a friend who came to her family from Ethiopia, too. You and Kaleah will hopefully meet and become fast friends. You will have much in common that most of us may not understand!

A walk down Memory Lane

Tonight I went up in the attic and brought down my four big storage boxes that contain clothes that I have saved from important moments in Courtney and Alissa's life. Over the years I have often just pulled out those boxes and walked down Memory Lane. I would carefully pull out each piece of clothing, unfold it, hold it up to my cheek, and just think about the time my girls wore that certain item. Tonight the purpose was different. I pulled out a few things that I will be giving to Courtney and Paul for Tizita Desta. Even if she never wears them I want Courtney to have them so she can pass the stories and the history on to her daughter. I wish I had saved more toys and other items, but I am so glad I at least have these clothes. I took a picture of a few of my favorites. The blanket is one I made with artex (very popular paint when I was in my early twenties) and then Ohma (my mom's mom) sewed it together for Courtney. Ohma died when Courtney was just four months old so the blanket is very special to me.

Message of the day for my little Tizita Desta: I hope you enjoy the things that your mommy wore when she was a baby. The blanket was sewn by your great great Grandma who I called Ohma. It was made with much love for your mommy and it is with great love that I give it to you. Ohma would have been so happy to meet you. I know she is watching from above and smiling.

Shopping for pink

Tonight John and I went to the Creek Outlet Mall and did some baby girl shopping. I don't want to describe our purchases here because I want to surprise Courtney and Paul but suffice it to say there are some mighty nice pink items out there. We had such fun looking and picking out a few things. Grandpa found a few items he could not resist.

Note to Precious Little Tizita Desta: What fun we had tonight looking for some very special things for you. It helps us feel so close to you when we pick these things out for you. I have a feeling you will have your grandpa wrapped around your little finger!

No need to check forum

One final thought-I was on automatic pilot and almost went in to check the status of the waiting list when I suddenly remembered-our wait is over! I will have to check the forum periodically just for some facts and ideas, but my mad obsession just may be over.

Congratulations to me! I am shopping for pink!

I just got off the phone with Courtney, the new mama! She and Paul accepted the referral for a 17 month little girl. Her name is Tizita Desta which means Memories of joy and happiness. Her birth family certainly picked a very special name for her. How thankful we can be that they took such good care of her. I will be asking God to give her birth family peace with their decision and thanking him for that decision. I will also be praying for Tizita Desta's health and well being while she is in the care center waiting for her parents to come and bring her home.
Courtney emailed us her picture and she is so darn cute. Grandpa John didn't know why I was showing him this picture of a little Ethiopian girl. He proceeded to say, "Oh, what a cutie." I said that is your granddaughter. He was awestruck with her beauty and I saw him wipe a tear. What a wonderful grandpa he will be to his little princess. He really has such a soft, gentle side.
As for me, I cannot wait to go shopping for pink. I am making a trip out tomorrow for some goodies. A name, an age, a sex, a GRANDCHILD. Thank you, God for your goodness and blessings.

Blogging from Domani

I am sitting here getting my hair colored and marveling at modern technology. Mallory has just arrived to get her hair done so I must visit with her a little. It seems that I haven't seen her for ages!
Note to my grandchild: Mallory is my niece so technically she will be your second cousin or something like that, but since she is like my third daughter you will call her Auntie Mal. She is an awesome girl and you will enjoy being with her. I can't wait for you to meet her.

Perennial Plants from Great-great Aunt Pearl and Great-great Uncle Herb

When we came up to celebrate Mother's Day we brought along some perennial plants lovingly grown for years at my Aunt and Uncle's home. It brings them great joy to know that their plants will now grow on in Courtney and Paul's side yard garden.

Message to my little Grandchild(ren): Hopefully you will meet your Great-great Uncle Herb and Great-great Aunt Pearl when you get here, but if you don't get that privilege you can enjoy their lovely flowers for years to come and you can hear our memories and stories from their lives. They are truly salt of the earth, God fearing folks.

Mother's Day and Being in a Funk

We celebrated Mother's Day this past weekend (one week after the actual Mother's Day) up in Oshkosh with Courtney, Paul, Alissa, Nathan, and my mom. We had a great time.

On the actual Mother's Day weekend I was in one of my crazy funks which strike without warning from time to time. Couldn't pin point any specific reason, I like to blame it on the unseasonably cold, rainy weather.

My definition of Being in a funk: 1. Not knowing what you want exactly and therefore not able to let anyone else know what to do to make it better. 2. Knowing exactly what you want and how you want it, but not able to get it.

Funks can last anywhere from a few hours to a day or so. They generally come on quickly and leave just as quickly. Funks are hereditary. Funks are quite unpredictable.

It is my cross to bear, but in the realm of things, it is a very small one indeed.

Message to my little one(s) for whom I am anxiously waiting: That's your great grandma Marge and your Auntie Alissa as well as your mom and your grandma (me) in the Mother's Day picture. I am praying that you will be a part of that generational picture next year.

The expecting grandparents

Here we are-the very proud and anxious grandparents.

Dear Little One(s),

Meet your grandma and grandpa (we will use those names at this point until you give us your own preferred names) We are so anxious to meet you. I know there is a lot of talk about bonding, but I just know that will not be a problem for us! I feel the bond already and we haven't even met yet!

Rummage Sale Queen

These are two of the great bargains I found at a rummage sale. I know that I have bought many things for my new grandchild(ren) but that is what grandmas do and as everyone knows, I am generous to a fault! I am so excited to find out the sex and age of my grandchild(ren) so I can really begin to buy things.

As mentioned earlier, I buy anything that has African Americans in it or on it. I have started quite a library for our little one.

Special message to that little one: I have enjoyed buying special little things for you even though I don't even have a face or a name for you yet. I love you already! Just wait until I actually meet you.

Is it an obsession?

I am obsessive about things that I am passionate about. Becoming a grandma is one thing that I am very passionate about and perhaps that is why I check the Ethiopian forum numerous times during the day. The forum is a place where people who have adopted, are waiting to adopt, or are thinking about adoption from Ethiopia can rant and rave to one another. There is an unofficial waiting list on the forum. My daughter and son-in-law are not on the official list, but I know where they are in the waiting game. At this moment they are just below number 24, someone named Meghan. There are many things I don't quite understand like the court dates and the birth certificate, but that is not for a grandma to worry about. So I think I better jump on that forum again and see if the list has moved at all in the last fifteen minutes! Okay, I think it is an obsession! One of many...

Will they call me ShiShi?

I am a grandma in waiting. My grandchild(ren) will come to us from Ethiopia via adoption. My daughter and son-in-law first presented us with their plans a year ago on Mother's Day. Since then I have been learning all I can about Ethiopia and adoption. I have been buying any books or toys that have African American children in them. I have started to notice the lack of black children in advertising, on TV, and in literature. I have tried to picture what they might look like. I am a unique grandma in waiting because I don't know exactly when my long awaited grandchild(ren) will arrrive. Most grandmas have the exact month and some even know the exact day that they will become a grandma. I don't even have a clue if it will be in the next year. Originally we thought it would be a 6-9 month wait, but that has gotten signifcantly longer for whatever reasons. It seems like I have been waiting for such a long time, I can only imagine how it feels to my daughter and her husband as they anticipate this blessing.

I wonder what they will call me. Granny, Grammy, Nana, Nanny, etc. I don't eoven know the Ethiopian (Amheric?) word for Grandma. My friend's granddaughter affectionately started calling me ShiShi, I suppose since my name is Sherri and it came out like that. I like the name and I could live with that for a grandma name. We will just have to wait and see what my own grandchild(ren) will want to call me. I cannot wait!