Hello! I'm back. Ok, everyone had so many different views on private and public education. But, what I've realized is that I too have had a change of heart. What, you say - you who is always so firm with your decisions?! Yes, I have. Let me explain my thought to you. It's no secret (I don't think!) that I we are trying to leave the greater DC area (interpret northern Virginia - with a heavy accent on the "naawthen vaaa-gin-ya part!) so that we can be closer to the beach family. Yeah, that's right... .family.

What I have discovered in my house hunt is, not all schools are as stellar and fabulous as what we take for granted in northern Virginia. I know - shocking isn't it?!? Anyway, if we were to land in one of the three areas we are considering, private education maybe in the chicks future. ON the plus side, all the communities we are considering have a big Jewish community, and therefore have Jewish Day Schools. Yea. I'm all happy. Now on to my new obsession - Morocco!

Life if good

Hard to believe getting laid off has been such a positive experience. Wondering how I ever managed a career and taking care of my family?!?! I've been busy working on my research project for school - forensic psychology - which I've found to be facinating! AND, I've managed to maintain an "A" in the class without sleeping with anyone! Not that I would of course....but I am highly competitive when it comes to my grades.

My therapist - yes, I have a therapist now too - has encouraged me to make time for me and I'm doing just that. I just completed my first course in cake decorating and I loved it! I think I was the favorite in the class, or at least in my mind I was the favorite. The ladies in the class were quite surprised to learn I'd never made a cake before. I've enrolled for course two which starts in a couple of weeks and I'm hoping to master the art of fondant before the girls birthday in June! Yes.I'm.Going.To.Make.Their.Cake! The big question is WHAT I'll be making.....

"The grand finale"! Final decorated cake for course one! Not purr-fect, but much improved!

"My second decorated cake". Improvement....

"My first iced cake"! More crumb than icing.... we all gotta start somewhere.

The chicks started their first swim class on Tuesday and although little Miss Katie was a little nervous, she did finally stop crying. Thank G-d! I did NOT want to have to scare anyone with my out of shape bod! Oy. They were so cute in the big pool though. I had my concerns regardin the insturctor. I understand about not discriminating, but she's 100! It took her about 10 minutes to get in the water (the class is 30 minutes!) and get positioned to demonstrate laying on the belly when she fianlly got up class was over! I thought we were going to have to give her oxygen. I mentioned to Mr. Man that I believe she may be recovering from a stroke. Maybe the kids are rehabilitating her! I'll keep you posted. Chicks have class on Tuesday and Thursday. Abbey and Katie thought if was so funny that Miss Jane wore her clothes and shoes into the water. I explained that she was wearing a "wet-suit" and "water-shoes".....probably a good thing. :)

Abbey kept getting in trouble for floating off and doing her own thing... No surprise there!
One of the other mom's had to tell me to take the "sticky" covers off the lenses! Abbey kept complaining of not being able to see.....I thought it was because her eyes were closed. ha ha.

I'm actively still pursuing career opportunities. Although there is nothing out there -(trust me - there isn't!) I'm kicking around the idea of professionally cooking for families. I've discovered there's quite a market here in DC for such a service and there is a real need. Besides, I'm good! Tell me what's your pleasure. Beef Wellington? Salmon Cakes? Orange Chicken? Salmon Wellington with spinach?? Cesar Salad? I can do it all.... I'm thinking the food network!
We've booked our trip to Florida and are counting down the days. We're staing at the Contemporary two nights and are taking the chicks to the Magic Kingdom while there. We've got a whirlwind trip planned starting in north east Florida and working our way down the coast ending up in south Florida for a splashy wedding. I know I will be leaving Florida with a heavy heart after seeing my sisters.....boy do I miss them.

My 30th class reunion is coming up this summer - and this fall. I went to two high schools and am going to both. I don't know where the years went! Anyway, planning a couple trips for that. Might want to get my butt back in the gym. I do have a reputation to uphold. I'm working on legs as skinny as the ones below....oh g-d do I have my work cut-out for me!

Introducing......Mr & Mrs.K.....

I haven't been taken hostage and I'm not vacationing off the coast of Somalia. Although..... there are days it sounds blissful! I've been tied up lounging looking for a job. Yes, I was one of the 2.8 million who have been laid off. I can't say I was too sad about it though. Quite the contrary. I finally got off that dreaded tread mill, although by the looks of my rear end I might consider jumping back on! Note to self: start a fitness schedule.

I've been working on a research paper for school on forensic psychology. Interesting, but wish I were a whole lot younger. If I were to pursue it as a career I'd need a PhD -- and I don't have that kind of time! I have been able to maintain a 90% in the class. Not bad for an old broad....

But our most exciting news by far has been the wedding of Mai and Wes. They were married January 24, 2009. She was truly the most beautiful bride. Simply breathtaking. And the chicks.....well, they couldn't have been any cuter. Here are some pictures for you to enjoy.

Need I say more...

The pictures tell the story. Enjoy.

Two cool for words!

Girls watching as Mag's enjoys a spa day. "Notice the bright orange wall nana"? lol.

"Can we help daddy"?

Still crazy for one another after all these years....

Cuuuuute!

Together. Always.....

"Wom daddy, wom"!

"I need help mommy"......

Two peas in a pod.

Katie and her daddy.

Sweet things and his momma.

I didn't forget. Really!

Whew! Wow. Where to begin. Yes, I've been busy. Busy with my family. AND I've been loving it. Every. Single. Minute. Nana was here a couple of weeks ago(will be back in June for the girls birthday) AND my parent's spent mother's day weekend with us. Now, that was really special for me. To be able to spend mother's day with my mother AND my children was so surreal. It was a holiday for me filled emotion and much love. This was my favorite mother's day. As a bonus my mom brought plants and flowers from HER garden AND planted them for me. I was amazed watching her as she wielded her shovel around as if it were a little hand pick. WE have red hard clay here, and filled with rock! She worked all day in the yard while I occasionally gave the new flowers a cool drink. *sigh* AND she did all this with no gloves. Said she needed to feel the dirt. Me on the other hand had my surgical gloves on so as not to mess up my manicure. After all I was the one preparing all the meals and I can't stand having dirt beneath my nails. Drives me crazy! Anyway, I was tired just watching her. Mean while inside the abode the "boys" were busy transforming the area for my mother's day gift. What I discovered was that my dad had not fully recovered from the accident he had over 16 months ago. The smallest of task left him gasping for breath. I can't stop thinking about it. I'm concerned now that he is not getting proper medical care. It's been too long. He should be on the mend. I know he wants to go back to doing what he loves but he can't do it. Not right now. This for my dad will be tough to accept. We will be heading over to see them in a couple of weeks. Need to keep an eye on things......plus maybe I'll snag some more of my mom's gorgeous flowers!

Here are a few pictures from mother's day. I'll post some other pictures later as well as the continuation of my memoirs. Stay tuned.....

Sisterly love. Warms my heart. Dresses were a treat from Mimi. I call them their little "Sex and the City" dresses. Way to sassy!!

Daddy reading Abbey mother's day card they gave Mimi...

Mimi and the girls.....

Papa....

Mother's Day Gift! Good job daddy.....

Bringing my babies home............

I peered out the window this morning, and and as I eyed the big black limo slowly creeping down the street my mind reeled back to a time just two years ago. It was nearly 4:00am. Dh always had the same driver (he traveled the world extenstesivley before the girls-and yes he had a driver) so it was no surprise that Carlos would arrive on time even considering the early hour. Within minutes we would be crawling into the back seat of his warm sedan. Today (two years ago) at 6:05am we would board a plane for China . We were finally bringing our babies home.

I remember the day that changed my world. I can still see the image of that precious child running, skipping and giggling as if it were yesterday. I was having lunch with a friend when suddenly my eyes were gazing intently into the eyes of the most beautiful Chinese child I had ever seen. I was taken by her beauty. My eyes followed her every move. I couldn't get enough of her. She was adorable. Skipping. Singing. Twirling. I couldn't peel my eyes off of her. I realized I too was being scrutinized. As I casually looked up to see who was keeping a watchful eye on me I discovered it was her mother. She too was quite stunning AND she was my age! She smiled politely but before I could blast her with some of the naive questions I wanted to ask, she vanished. I couldn't shake the image of the child. My heart ached desperatly for a child. I went home and without discussing it with dh I started researching adoption. I spent all my free time on the internet and at the library. AND I went to an adoption seminar. All before breathing a word of it to him. I kept it to myself as I was not ready to admit my body had stopped working. I was ashamed. I didn't want to disappoint my dh. True to form for me I wanted to enter into this with my eyes wide open. I was( I say was because things changed...) very much a "black and white" kind of gal. Much to my chagrin I wear "gray" well.... What no one prepared me for was that I would find my heart in China.

As our driver dropped us off in front of the airport I remembe walking into the airport and sighing. This. was. what. we. had. waited. for. I stood there in the airport and a tear fell. This was real. We were bringing our babies home. In barely 48 hours 3 planes later and numerous first class lounges I would be holding my babies in my arms. I didn't know what to expect but what I did know I was going to be a mommy. At last. To be continued.......