Puggy Envy

I know we shouldn't let Havensong start a pacifier at two and a half. We tried to give her one when she came home. She hated it. She gagged. She screamed when it came near her mouth. Well, Scott was holding one our pastor's kids last Sunday night at church. Somehow he ended up with a pacifier in his pocket. Somehow that pacifier ended up in our house. Somehow that pacifier ended up in Havensong's mouth. And now she's not letting it go! What if she's needed that extra comfort all along? Maybe I should have tried harder in the beginning. I should hide it, but she looks so cute with it!

We may have to buy little Molly a new one if I can't bring myself to snag it.

Havensong is my fifth...I'm not going to stress too much about it.

Evolution

Fun! This week is the Grand Opening of Starbuck's new juice bar franchise!
Only $8.00 a glass! YIKES!

When Scott and I heard our total we snapped our heads around and looked at each other.

Not doable for a married couple with
five kids!

It was pretty good though. And very flashy.

Zombies and Shamrocks?

Beau has been very busy lately playing his bagpipes. He is part of RMM Pipe Band, but he also plays for a lot of events on his own. We have had fun lately going to different places and meeting new people. The routine is always the same. Up early, in the van, diaper bag and kids in tow. It is always a challenge getting out the door!!

Yesterday he was asked to play for the St. Patrick's Day Parade on Whidbey Island. We were especially glad to go since we used to live there and love going back. Our good friends the Lohmann's helped us out. Their kids held Beau's sign and passed out cards for him. We dressed up Havensong and my mom pushed her in the stroller. I carried the front wheel that flew off of the stroller in the first five minutes.






St. Patricks's Day is always festive. Maybe I like it so much because it's the day after my birthday. It always brings back good memories from childhood. When I saw green everywhere, it made me happy.

We had cheerleaders behind us and I got to hear all of the things they were saying about Beau wearing a kilt. It's a universal conversation people have about pipers, I guess.

Beau won an award during the ceremony. He was the crowd favorite.


 

At the end of the parade there was a huge group of zombie teenagers. I didn't quite know how or why they fit into the theme. As Beau came up over the hill they all started dancing their version of the highland fling to his music. I felt like I must be having some sort of dream. It seemed a little strange, but oddly inspiring. I am quite certain beau will never ever have teenage zombie girls dance around him in a circle  again.

Nose Piercing Birthday

 I had a very nice birthday. It's kind of funny because I didn't make plans on purpose. I just wanted to see how the day played out. It started with a photo shoot with myself, Autumn and Havensong. They were the only ones around so they were the ones in the pictures. Then, I had a nice visit with my friend, Kristy. Autumn wanted to go get our nails done, so we dropped Chase off at a friend's house for a birthday party and went to the mall. I decided last minute to bring Beau and Havensong with us because I wanted to spend time with them. They were my birthday "party." When we parked Beau looked at me and said,

     "Mom, it's your 40th birthday and I think you should get your nose pierced. Follow me."

I told him I wasn't going to do that. I had already asked a few people if they thought I was too old to get one. Some told me it fit my personality and I could totally rock it. Others told me no way; I was too old for sure. I told Autumn my reservations. She said,

     "Mom! Now you have to get one just to prove you are not too old to do anything. It's a must now, don't you see that?"

I saw amazing logic in that. She was right. I walked into the piercing store at the mall. I talked to the employees for a while. They told me I had a great nose and should do it. (Of course they said that.) They also told me it hurt less than a tattoo. Well then. Ok. I chose which one and waited for my turn. My heart was beating a little in my throat. I looked at all of the noses around me to help myself feel better in my decision. I asked one lady if she like her nose ring. She nodded and motioned me to come over to her. I looked behind me, wondering if she was talking to me. She was. I walked over and she whispered,

     " I would never let mall piercers do anything to me. Why would you not go to someone who specializes in it?? I can call my guy and hook you up. He is certified, and way more talented."

I told her I had just paid. She said,

     "No, what you need is to get the East Indian method. They stick three sticks up your nose and stretch it so they pierce the thinnest part."

I felt the inside of my nostril. It suddenly seemed really thick. I had never noticed I had thick nostrils!! Oh GREAT. Now what was I going to do? She called her guy but turns out, he was on sabbatical. I didn't know piercing was so taxing an occupation. I guess I had to make a choice. Let some mall worker pierce my nose or wait for the  burned out master piercer. But it wouldn't be my 40th birthday much longer so I was in a pickle. I walked to the back and told the girl I couldn't do it. I relayed all of the information I had just received. She shook her head. She proceeded to show me all of the brand new packages. She showed me her license. She told me they were totally safe and why would I want to be pierced by a tattoo artist anyway? She did hundreds a week. We went back and forth until her logic did make more sense. She knew this piercer guy they were talking about and after hearing her description, she seemed a much nicer choice. I liked the shiny, mainstream, happy, mall setting. I looked at her and could tell she was tiring of me. Beau seemed equally frustrated but I told him to zip it because it was my nose. My children so badly wanted to see their mother's nose sporting a diamond. I said to the lady,

     "I am making too much of this aren't I? It's just a needle through my nose, not rocket science. I mean, I could TRIP and this could happen to me. Ok, just do it."

     "Sh@#@$$%#@@!!!!! Sorry Autumn!" I yelled.

 I was so shocked at how bad it hurt. I felt like some guy had just rammed a spear through my nostril after getting a running start. And WHY did I think it wouldn't hurt?! What was the matter with me? It's a NEEDLE through my face! The tears poured and I got dizzy. She asked me if I wanted juice. Yes. And a sucker. I was crunching on a Tootsie Pop and sucking down a Capri Sun with a needle hanging out of my nose. Happy Birthday to me.
 I had to lay down because I felt woozy.

When we left Autumn and Beau were looking at me like I was so darn cool. Autumn said,

     "If I didn't know you I would think you were 32."

Oh how I laughed.

Next, we went and got our nails done. I argued with the lady over painting my nails black. She said it was ugly. I said it would match everything. She said no. I said I just got my nose pierced, I am now 40 and I want the dang black polish. I told Beau to sit down and get a pedicure. It was my birthday, he was my party guest and he was going to participate.

Havensong sat at my feet and played on the phone. The lady told me I was crazy for wanting the black polish and I was crazy for having five kids. I told her I was thinking of having a few more. She just shook her head. But she did tell me I should be a hand model. I really missed my calling there....

After that we went to my favorite place to eat. Asian Bistro. Kyle met us there. We had a great dinner. But it's always great there. ALWAYS. Nancy and Wilson treat their customers like they are family. They are so kind and the food is the best.

....As I was driving home I received a video from Scott. He had 2,000 people sing me Happy Birthday. Icing on the cake.

So very sweet.

40....

I am 40.

Just Sayin.

Do Not Tweet Mommy

Little miss Havensong had my phone while I was sleeping. I was up so late and was still so tired. I tucked her in bed with me this morning hoping she would nod off. She managed to take a picture and TWEET it! I woke up because I heard a little bird chirping. Sheesh, that could have been really bad!

Bham Girl

I love how comfortable my baby is in a coffee shop. She will sit there as long as I like. She just sips her drink and watches the people come and go. Happy to just hang out.

She's so much fun....

New Friend

 I met the nicest person today. I wan't to write it down so I don't forget it. Beau was having a lesson and I was killing an hour in Starbucks with five kids. They don't serve iced coffee in Canada until summer so she was making me her version for me. I payed her and apologized for being picky. But I DID thank her for filling my dome lid all the way with whipped cream. She was the first person in Canada who has ever done that. She smiled at me and then smiled at Havensong. She asked me if she was mine. I kissed Havensong and kept chatting...

 "YEP! All mine!"
"Is she Chinese?" 
"Yes, she is, are you?"
"Yes... did you adopt her?"
"Yes."
"Where are her parents?"
"I don't know, she was found at a day old."

      She said she lived in China until she was thirteen. She was adopted at age four. She told me she wasn't bitter though because she was thankful her mother was brave enough to have her at all considering she was a girl. She told me she was lucky and Havensong was lucky that their  mothers didn't "suffocate them and dump them in a bucket."  She told me more than a few girls end up sold. She said she knows they were sold to bad people to do sexual things for them. I dislike people telling me I "saved" Havensong, but she was so serious when she told me we rescued her from a horrible fate. I was not going to stand there and debate that fact. I literally stood there with my mouth hanging open. I had read about this in books but I had never heard it so casually stated by a Chinese person. I must have looked miserable. She told me to be careful not to cry because I do not understand the way their culture works and that I cannot possibly think like they do. She told me it was pounded into their heads from childhood that having a baby does not make you a mother. She told me when I gave birth to my children I wasn't automatically their mother. That is why women are able to give their daughters away because motherhood is a process, not something that happens just because your body gives birth to a child. I was trying so hard to keep my face pleasant and calm looking. She said,


     "It takes courage to carry and birth a baby. It is not easy. Your stomach does not feel like like a balloon with air. It is heavy. It is scary and birth is painful. They teach us to be afraid of it. Our people are not like people here. We are closed. We are private. We don't love everyone we meet. We are serious and we work hard....

 I told her that she is right, it is painful. And I wanted to tell her I loved my babies before I ever saw them but it didn't seem like good timing. She said she understands that her adoptive mother doesn't love her as much as she loves her real child but that she is grateful to her even though they kept it a secret. She said Havensong might be prone to depression when she is older because she will feel "less loved." Now seemed like a good time to speak up. I couldn't help it. I said,

     " I can't begin to understand the many reasons why parents give up their children, all I know is I am grateful Havensong found her way to us. I explained I didn't know how or why she ended up under that street light, but I was simply grateful to have her. I leaned forward and put my hands all the way across the counter and looked her in the eye. I said,


    " I am not lying when I tell you this. I love Havensong just as much as I love my other children. It's the same. It's not any different. My heart can't tell she didn't come from me. So, I know you are loved the same. Don't be sad, because I am telling you the truth."

She was the one with her mouth open this time. She said,

     "I know why you are the one who ended up as her mom. You  have so much love that you give, that it was returned to you in her. You should be proud of your daughter...."

I nodded and thanked her. I wanted to say things, but I was getting emotional and had a lump in my throat. I didn't think words would even come out.

She grabbed a piece of paper and said,

"I am sorry if you think I am strange, but I would like to stay in contact with you and your little girl. Maybe I could help her understand where she came from. I am just a girl though. I am twenty -two."

I told her I would LOVE that. ( I also told her I had two kids by twenty-two and I didn't see her as a girl at all.) We exchanged email and Facebook information and I left. I felt like I was floating to my van. It is rare that I get an inside peek into Havensong's culture. I felt like I had stumbled onto a treasure. I wasn't able to correct her for being misinformed. I couldn't argue any point as a result of the last adoption book I'd read. She was simply telling me things from her perspective. And it was insightful and touching. I just feel for her coworker! He was trying to look busy but I could tell he was totally interested in our conversation.

You just never know who will come along and touch your heart. I really enjoy talking with people and hearing their stories. It energizes me to see how God threads people together like a tapestry. I hope I get to know her better, but if I don't, I am still glad I got to talk to her...and listen.

Ombré Highlights

 

The above picture is me exactly ten minutes after dragging myself out of bed. But it's perfect because it shows my ombre' highlights. I love to torture my hairdresser sister. She has just opened her own salon in Vancouver. It's called Salon J. She's amazing. You should ditch your current hairdresser and go to her instead. I say this even though I knew what ombre' highlights were before she did.

I often call her when I read or hear about new things. I saw a picture of Drew Barrymore and thought....

"Hmmm.....she has major grow out but it looks like she did it on PURPOSE!"

 First of all, I just plain like Drew. She is funny, and adorable, and I think Autumn resembles her. So, if she could sport grow out, then I felt happy to copy her. But my reason was not to look like her. My reason was... I have a son competing at World's in Scotland with his pipe band, and I have a daughter getting married. So I can't AFFORD touch ups! These highlights are supposed to resemble youth...as in sunkissed highlights from hours and hours of playing in the sun. Just like when we were young and it happened naturally during summer. (with the help of lemon juice in a spritz bottle)

I called Jessica to see what she thought of ombre' highlights. This is exactly what she said...

"WHAT?! Oh Michelle, I am in the middle of a color. WHAT??? (insert laughter) I don't even know what you are TALKING about...I gotta go. I will call you back. And STAY OFF of the INTERNET!"

Well, I went in to my hairdresser here and told her what I wanted. She had not really done them but said she was up for the challenge. That was in September. I am now six months out. I have grow out but instead of feeling like a loser, I feel like a star! (of my very own reality show)

 I was talking to Jessica the other day and she told me after she talked to me she had lots of people ask her about OMBRE' highlights. HAHAHA. She said it figures I would know about them before her. See, she is too busy actually doing hair rather than following up-to-the-second trends. Honestly, I am itching to go get my roots colored, but I just can't justify it. I will wait until June. Until then, it's Ombre' for me.