October 10: Marked the anniversary of my mother's passing two years ago. It is, in fact, one of those life events that feels like yesterday and seems eons ago all at the same time. I'm really missing her this autumn. I'd like to chat with her on the phone.
October 13: Marked SEVEN years as Mrs. Youree. We celebrated with three days/two nights in Bentonville, Arkansas, staying at this uber interesting hotel, 21C. If you're ever in the area, you MUST visit this inn. It's an art museum within a hotel. And the green penguins are hysterical (and slightly creepy).
The reason we chose this destination was to visit the Crystal Bridges art museum. Y'all, it's great. I could just enjoy the architecture and the surrounding nature all day, but then, add in some impressive and classic American art . . . speechless. I was also shocked when I bumped into a college friend in the gift shop. I mean: What are the chances?
And what's the best anniversary present e-v-e-r? After a dinner and a movie, we decided to splurge on donuts. We busted into Dunkin' like two kids in a candy store, ordering a half dozen to go . . . when, out of nowhere, the lady says we can have six more donuts FREE. Happy anniversary to me! (Before you either freak out or become too impressed, we didn't actually eat 12 pastries ourselves. We gave *a few* to the folks working the hotel lobby desk.)
The highlight of the trip, though, was some much enjoyed alone time with my hunk. What a treasure he is to me. I can't believe he agreed to marry me. :-)
October 17: After leaving Bentonville, we met my in-laws (who'd been keeping Anna), our niece, and Anna Zane in Branson. That Tuesday we visited with my nephews, who live in Missouri; that was so fun! And then the Youree crew enjoyed the thrills and sugar of Silver Dollar City. The girls had a blast. On the 17th, we drove home, but I kept thinking about my mother. The 17th is her birthday and also the anniversary of her funeral and burial. The 17th is a weird day.
October 24: Ah yes, the anniversary of my birth. As you age (gracefully, right?), birthdays lose their luster . . . and sometimes, for a mother of a little one, it really feels like any other day. But this birthday was a surprise of sweetness. We just had a great day together as a family. Bryan surprised with me a fun gift; we gorged on a great meal; and we were just all in sync. It was a great way to end 14 days of anniversaries.
Saturday, November 1, 2014
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Notes About Ebola From the Good Doctor
What a 24 hours for the Youree household.
We'd known about a possible Ebola patient in Dallas. Yesterday, that was confirmed. You probably heard a sigh of relief when CDC officials announced the infected patient was not symptomatic and therefore not contagious when he traveled via airplane from Liberia to Dallas, Texas. While my deepest concern and heartfelt prayers are for those 12-18 individuals who did, in fact, have contact with this gentleman after he became infectious, I cannot tell you how thankful I am the pool of exposed people is limited.
My Mister, who is an infectious disease physician, and I had a heart-to-heart about what it would mean for our family if an Ebola patient came under his care. This is unlikely, but with the virus 30 miles from our door, it's a conversation that needed to happen. This conversation also gave me a new perspective, prompting me to pray for those medical professionals caring for the Dallas patient--and the hundreds who are tirelessly working in Africa. These folks have families like ours.
And we've both fielded a lot of questions today about Ebola. (I'd like to mention that I am NOT a medical professional, although people repeatedly seek me out for medical advice. LOL. Now, if you're hoping for some help with dangling participles . . . .)
Yes, Ebola is a big deal. But, it is not a super virus that cannot be contained.
Bryan very graciously spent his evening last night crafting information for me to publish on the Fort Worth Moms Blog today. He provided a succinct yet thorough presentation of Ebola, helping us understand its treatment, transmissions, and symptoms . . . and how we can keep our families and communities safe and healthy. Please take time to read and share this blog post as it is our hope to share accurate information instead of the speculative and sensational material filling the media. Spread facts, not fear.
The full link to the article, "Ebola in DFW: What You Need to Know," is: http://citymomsblog.com/fortworth/2014/10/01/ebola-in-dfw-what-you-need-to-know/
We'd known about a possible Ebola patient in Dallas. Yesterday, that was confirmed. You probably heard a sigh of relief when CDC officials announced the infected patient was not symptomatic and therefore not contagious when he traveled via airplane from Liberia to Dallas, Texas. While my deepest concern and heartfelt prayers are for those 12-18 individuals who did, in fact, have contact with this gentleman after he became infectious, I cannot tell you how thankful I am the pool of exposed people is limited.
My Mister, who is an infectious disease physician, and I had a heart-to-heart about what it would mean for our family if an Ebola patient came under his care. This is unlikely, but with the virus 30 miles from our door, it's a conversation that needed to happen. This conversation also gave me a new perspective, prompting me to pray for those medical professionals caring for the Dallas patient--and the hundreds who are tirelessly working in Africa. These folks have families like ours.
And we've both fielded a lot of questions today about Ebola. (I'd like to mention that I am NOT a medical professional, although people repeatedly seek me out for medical advice. LOL. Now, if you're hoping for some help with dangling participles . . . .)
Yes, Ebola is a big deal. But, it is not a super virus that cannot be contained.
Bryan very graciously spent his evening last night crafting information for me to publish on the Fort Worth Moms Blog today. He provided a succinct yet thorough presentation of Ebola, helping us understand its treatment, transmissions, and symptoms . . . and how we can keep our families and communities safe and healthy. Please take time to read and share this blog post as it is our hope to share accurate information instead of the speculative and sensational material filling the media. Spread facts, not fear.
The full link to the article, "Ebola in DFW: What You Need to Know," is: http://citymomsblog.com/fortworth/2014/10/01/ebola-in-dfw-what-you-need-to-know/
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Adoption Anniversary
Am I waxing eloquent . . . and reminiscent on this blog or what? Today is ANOTHER important Youree day, folks. It's the anniversary of the adoption finalization. Way back when I blogged about this great day (complete with pictures); it still sends shivers down my spine as I remember the excitement and emotion of those few minutes standing before the judge. Oh, I thought I loved her then, but that love grows bigger every day.
We celebrated with a family outing on Saturday; the Youree Three cheered the Rangers on to victory.
And then this evening, we ate dinner at a restaurant, where the wee one gorged on her favorite delicatessen: Cheetos.
She also wanted me to take a picture with her soda. These treats are BIG deals at our house.
For adoption day, we give Anna one gift. This year a Doc McStuffins doll with a full head of hair was the winner. Anna is currently obsessed with styling her dolls' hair. I mean obsessed. In true-to-Anna fashion, Doc was quickly stripped of her clothes and the braids taken out of her hair upon leaving the safe confines of the packaging. She has not stopped playing with her (except at the restaurant . . . only because I wouldn't allow her to take it in. Doc waited patiently in the car seat until we returned).
Anna Zane, you're with us. We are family forever! We love you!
We celebrated with a family outing on Saturday; the Youree Three cheered the Rangers on to victory.
And then this evening, we ate dinner at a restaurant, where the wee one gorged on her favorite delicatessen: Cheetos.
She also wanted me to take a picture with her soda. These treats are BIG deals at our house.
For adoption day, we give Anna one gift. This year a Doc McStuffins doll with a full head of hair was the winner. Anna is currently obsessed with styling her dolls' hair. I mean obsessed. In true-to-Anna fashion, Doc was quickly stripped of her clothes and the braids taken out of her hair upon leaving the safe confines of the packaging. She has not stopped playing with her (except at the restaurant . . . only because I wouldn't allow her to take it in. Doc waited patiently in the car seat until we returned).
Anna Zane, you're with us. We are family forever! We love you!
Monday, September 22, 2014
Home Study: Third Time's the Charm?
Roughly one year ago, we sat in my living room with a new case worker. This family of three started the steps to become more--a family of four. But here we are . . . still a family of three. (A happy family of three, by the way.) It's the cliche tried and true phrase, but "if you'd told me a year ago . . . I wouldn't have believed you."
I'm weary of waiting as I've written before.
But I'm confident that waiting is what we need to do . . . waiting for whatever God has "next" for us. So, today, in efforts to keep waiting, we renewed our home study. Our case worker came again to look at the house, ask us questions, "interview" Anna. (Hysterical really. Little Miss is recovering from a head cold/virus, and, for whatever reason, when she is ill, she is delusional and hyper. JUST the kind of behavior I was hoping for in front of the case worker. Just.)
We experienced one home study with Anna, and two this go around, making this (all you math wizards), our third rodeo. Home studies are likely the most never-wracking thing for adoptive parents because you place all this unreal pressure on yourself. I soooo didn't do that this time because I know the drill. It's not intrusive; it's not uncomfortable. I tried really hard to just show normal life at the Yourees. We didn't even put up the laundry drying in my room. Teehee.
We're thus waiting for the home study to be approved, which should be before October 1st. And then we will wait some more . . . but hopefully not that much. :-)
I'm weary of waiting as I've written before.
But I'm confident that waiting is what we need to do . . . waiting for whatever God has "next" for us. So, today, in efforts to keep waiting, we renewed our home study. Our case worker came again to look at the house, ask us questions, "interview" Anna. (Hysterical really. Little Miss is recovering from a head cold/virus, and, for whatever reason, when she is ill, she is delusional and hyper. JUST the kind of behavior I was hoping for in front of the case worker. Just.)
We experienced one home study with Anna, and two this go around, making this (all you math wizards), our third rodeo. Home studies are likely the most never-wracking thing for adoptive parents because you place all this unreal pressure on yourself. I soooo didn't do that this time because I know the drill. It's not intrusive; it's not uncomfortable. I tried really hard to just show normal life at the Yourees. We didn't even put up the laundry drying in my room. Teehee.
We're thus waiting for the home study to be approved, which should be before October 1st. And then we will wait some more . . . but hopefully not that much. :-)
Friday, September 5, 2014
Five Years After the Farewell
So.
Five years ago today, around 6:20 in the evening, my dad's body finally felt the full effects of the cancer in his brain. He died. I immediately thought how weird this all felt and seemed. Grieving, in my best descriptive term, was . . . weird. It's difficult to define, much like parenthood. No one can explain or prepare you for it; it's unique. The same is true with burying your parents.
In the days and weeks and months after September 5, I wondered how this would all feel in time. And now five years of grieving have come and gone. What's different? What's the same?
I sobbed a lot at first. I still sob.
I thought about him daily. I still do.
I wanted him to know things about me; things like what I'm growing in my garden, publishing successes, and the joy of Anna Zane. Yep, still wish for that--and more. I'd like him to know we remodeled our house, we hope to adopt again, and that I attended the NCAA Final Four AND championship game to watch Kentucky play. Y'all, if he knew, he would've (normally, I'd say "die," but I just don't think it's appropriate here) lost his mind. He loved college sports. So do I.
I yearned for our relationship to be mended. Still a desire of my heart I pray is realized in some way one day.
Grief is uncontrollable. You cannot control it. You can't force it, fast-forward it, or finish it. Grief is not only body-shaking sobs--really rarely this--but a regular mourning of all the little everyday-facets of that person. Putting mayo in my cart at Target and out of nowhere remembering that my Dad was picky about the brand of mayo. And I grieve right there that one endearing fact about him. I'll never laugh or poke fun at him for the mayo snobbery again. I'll never eat my grandmother's chocolate pie again. I'll never watch my mother use her pink brush to comb her hair. I'll never hear Mamaw White say, "Bless its little heart" again. This hurts me. It's not only the absence of the person, but what that absence means.
And I mean for this post to be encouraging. :-)
Because of this: At first, I just wanted this whole grief episode to be o-v-e-r. But I've realized that love for that person--along with the what ifs, wishes, and best ideas--doesn't die with the person. I will be grieving my parents until I'm the one in the casket. However, I've learned that grief becomes part of your life. You cope with it. It alters your perspective a tad--for the better, I think.
I now know another aspect of the pain depravity caused. I know the long-lasting sting of separation. It reminds me of my neediness and frailty. It reminds me only the hope of a Savior can sustain. It reminds me that not all is lost. And that, friends, I can live with.
Thursday, September 4, 2014
Anna-isms #8
Perhaps, you've read these jewels on Facebook:
While giving Anna a bath, I tell her, "You know what? I think you are beautiful," hoping for a sweet mother/daughter moment.
She looks intently at me and says, "Well, you look tired."
********
Getting Anna dressed one morning, I called her "my baby girl." This immediately offends her as it would any 3.5-year-old girl. She is NOT a baby. I reply, "I know. I know. You're my big girl."
She gasps, "I can have a cough drop now?"
(There are cough drops in my bathroom drawer, which she often looks at and dreams about ingesting. She's been told she cannot have cough drops until she is sick and much bigger. Apparently, she thought THAT day had arrived.)
********
We've enjoyed a mild summer for the most part . . . until August hit. It's been too hot to do anything. In other parts of the country, people go stir crazy in the winter because they can't go outside; they feel stuck at home. Not so in Texas, my friend. We go stir crazy in the hot summer because it's too hot get out . . . like even to walk to the car. LOL. In the winter, the temps are bearable.
So in efforts to release some of Anna's energy, I send her and the nanny to the mall one morning while I worked. A few bucks can get ya ride on the carousel, a trip around the mall in the train, and some fun time in the play place. And there's a fountain to toss coins. You get the idea. Cool, cheap fun.
Because Anna's been reaaaaallllyyy struggling with overheating (think vomit), I asked the nanny to but Anna a soda before they left. A cold drink with ice to help keep her temp lower while riding in the car waiting for it to cool. I may or may not have told her to get Anna a "coke," which every Southern woman knows means a soda not necessarily a Coca-cola.
They get to the Chick-fil-a counter. The nanny asks Anna what she wants to drink. Anna says tea. The nanny says we have tea at home and to pick something else. She lists off the soda options. Anna picks a coke. She takes one drink of it--and with glee-- informs Ms. Kristi that her mom doesn't let her have caffeine. And then she takes another drink.
Um, Anna isn't allowed to drink caffeine. She only drinks Sprite/7-up/Ginger Ale for special treats. Ahem.
They arrive home with the coke; I hear the story. I chuckle because Anna thinks she has really pulled a fast one over on the nanny. The nanny laughs in this all-too-familiar grandmotherly tone . . . the oh-that's-okay-boy-did-we-have-fun-what-mama-doesn't-know-hee-hee.
After another sip, Anna looks directly into my eyes with great seriousness and say, "Don't tell Dad."
*******
Speaking of Ms. Kristi . . . .
I've been talking with Anna about boundaries and being kind . . . and telling me if anyone is ever mean to her, hurts her, ask her to do something wrong. That type of thing. I ask, "Has anyone ever been mean to you?"
"Yes."
"Who. Tell Mama."
"Ms. Kristi."
"What did Ms. Kristi do to you?"
"She put me in time out when I wasn't listening."
Face palm.
********
Gymnastics was a big hit this summer. She learned to do a forward roll, walk on the balance beam, and jump and hop like a crazy lady. And she even learned the first steps to the cartwheel:
Oh yes, this little gal is VERY proud. She will do it over and over, asking me, "Mom, you want to see the biggest one? The biggest in the whole world?" And then we field a lot of, "Watch me. Are you watching? Look at me."
********
Today Anna rocked the first day of school in the "big kids" class. She didn't miss a beat. Ran up the sidewalk excited. Went straight in the class, no tears and no fuss. And she even almost forgot to kiss her mother goodbye. (Gasp.)
In the 3-year-old class, there are two teachers and 16 kids. So this is a big adjustment just in size. Also, they have cubbies outside the classroom where the kids are responsible for hanging their backpacks and lunch boxes. And the BIG kicker (for mama) is that parents drop off the kiddos at the classroom door. SO BIG.
Here's the obligatory first-day photos:
While giving Anna a bath, I tell her, "You know what? I think you are beautiful," hoping for a sweet mother/daughter moment.
She looks intently at me and says, "Well, you look tired."
********
Getting Anna dressed one morning, I called her "my baby girl." This immediately offends her as it would any 3.5-year-old girl. She is NOT a baby. I reply, "I know. I know. You're my big girl."
She gasps, "I can have a cough drop now?"
(There are cough drops in my bathroom drawer, which she often looks at and dreams about ingesting. She's been told she cannot have cough drops until she is sick and much bigger. Apparently, she thought THAT day had arrived.)
********
We've enjoyed a mild summer for the most part . . . until August hit. It's been too hot to do anything. In other parts of the country, people go stir crazy in the winter because they can't go outside; they feel stuck at home. Not so in Texas, my friend. We go stir crazy in the hot summer because it's too hot get out . . . like even to walk to the car. LOL. In the winter, the temps are bearable.
So in efforts to release some of Anna's energy, I send her and the nanny to the mall one morning while I worked. A few bucks can get ya ride on the carousel, a trip around the mall in the train, and some fun time in the play place. And there's a fountain to toss coins. You get the idea. Cool, cheap fun.
Because Anna's been reaaaaallllyyy struggling with overheating (think vomit), I asked the nanny to but Anna a soda before they left. A cold drink with ice to help keep her temp lower while riding in the car waiting for it to cool. I may or may not have told her to get Anna a "coke," which every Southern woman knows means a soda not necessarily a Coca-cola.
They get to the Chick-fil-a counter. The nanny asks Anna what she wants to drink. Anna says tea. The nanny says we have tea at home and to pick something else. She lists off the soda options. Anna picks a coke. She takes one drink of it--and with glee-- informs Ms. Kristi that her mom doesn't let her have caffeine. And then she takes another drink.
Um, Anna isn't allowed to drink caffeine. She only drinks Sprite/7-up/Ginger Ale for special treats. Ahem.
They arrive home with the coke; I hear the story. I chuckle because Anna thinks she has really pulled a fast one over on the nanny. The nanny laughs in this all-too-familiar grandmotherly tone . . . the oh-that's-okay-boy-did-we-have-fun-what-mama-doesn't-know-hee-hee.
After another sip, Anna looks directly into my eyes with great seriousness and say, "Don't tell Dad."
*******
Speaking of Ms. Kristi . . . .
I've been talking with Anna about boundaries and being kind . . . and telling me if anyone is ever mean to her, hurts her, ask her to do something wrong. That type of thing. I ask, "Has anyone ever been mean to you?"
"Yes."
"Who. Tell Mama."
"Ms. Kristi."
"What did Ms. Kristi do to you?"
"She put me in time out when I wasn't listening."
Face palm.
********
Gymnastics was a big hit this summer. She learned to do a forward roll, walk on the balance beam, and jump and hop like a crazy lady. And she even learned the first steps to the cartwheel:
Oh yes, this little gal is VERY proud. She will do it over and over, asking me, "Mom, you want to see the biggest one? The biggest in the whole world?" And then we field a lot of, "Watch me. Are you watching? Look at me."
********
Today Anna rocked the first day of school in the "big kids" class. She didn't miss a beat. Ran up the sidewalk excited. Went straight in the class, no tears and no fuss. And she even almost forgot to kiss her mother goodbye. (Gasp.)
In the 3-year-old class, there are two teachers and 16 kids. So this is a big adjustment just in size. Also, they have cubbies outside the classroom where the kids are responsible for hanging their backpacks and lunch boxes. And the BIG kicker (for mama) is that parents drop off the kiddos at the classroom door. SO BIG.
Here's the obligatory first-day photos:
Monday, August 25, 2014
Surprising Baylee
Thus far, the Yourees have yet to pull off a surprise as "epic" as the one that happened last weekend.
Let me set it up for you.
We're hoping to grow by one, meaning our little Civic Hybrid is feeling smaller and smaller (especially when 3-year-old feet kick against the seat). And we happened to know a gal, who's had a difficult year and could use a car. So, we decided it was time Baylee, our niece, inherited the Honda.
Oh, we've planned this for months. Along with the help of the Johnsons, we've prodded and pushed for her to practice that driving and secure that license. Perhaps, there was a little resistance from the teen. Ahem. But if she'd only known . . . .
With license procured and many successful driving ventures, it was time. This all went down the Saturday before she started her senior year of high school. (Fun way to kick off the school year, right?)
The Johnsons told Baylee they were taking her on a surprise shopping trip, leaving early that Saturday morning. She had no idea where they were going . . . and she HATES shopping. So after driving for three hours, they stop for lunch.
Bryan, Anna, and I just "happen" to be at the same place eating lunch.
When Baylee saw us walk in, she looked stunned and confused. Hahahaha. Her face got red as she kept saying, "What? What? What?"
We told her it was a surprise lunch date before her big senior start. She clearly felt confused.
Then after lunch, I gave her this gift. And here's what happened.
She paid for the car. I mean, we weren't giving it away. Teehee. Here are pics from the exchange:
Let me set it up for you.
We're hoping to grow by one, meaning our little Civic Hybrid is feeling smaller and smaller (especially when 3-year-old feet kick against the seat). And we happened to know a gal, who's had a difficult year and could use a car. So, we decided it was time Baylee, our niece, inherited the Honda.
Oh, we've planned this for months. Along with the help of the Johnsons, we've prodded and pushed for her to practice that driving and secure that license. Perhaps, there was a little resistance from the teen. Ahem. But if she'd only known . . . .
With license procured and many successful driving ventures, it was time. This all went down the Saturday before she started her senior year of high school. (Fun way to kick off the school year, right?)
The Johnsons told Baylee they were taking her on a surprise shopping trip, leaving early that Saturday morning. She had no idea where they were going . . . and she HATES shopping. So after driving for three hours, they stop for lunch.
Bryan, Anna, and I just "happen" to be at the same place eating lunch.
When Baylee saw us walk in, she looked stunned and confused. Hahahaha. Her face got red as she kept saying, "What? What? What?"
We told her it was a surprise lunch date before her big senior start. She clearly felt confused.
Then after lunch, I gave her this gift. And here's what happened.
She paid for the car. I mean, we weren't giving it away. Teehee. Here are pics from the exchange:
Driving off into the sunset with her new "baby." Speaking of baby, I brought mine home in that car; so, Baylee you better take good care of it. :-)
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