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| Well, it finally happened. Words cannot describe the happiness. Pictures are at least worth a thousand words so if your curiosity is piqued.... register at www.pictage.com/347395 and take a look. | | |
| It was my typical Wednesday - up early and off to work. It drizzled on my way to the office. I guess you could say a typical Spring morning. It was the first full day of Spring. The work day was normal. The weather cleared and we had planned on taking a walk by the beach after I got home from work. Made it out of the office in time to catch a nice walk and to enjoy a seat on the seawall for the movie of the hour (the sunset). As we sat, we talked about the happenings of the day, and where we wanted to go next. We were supposed to look at rings that evening. I wasn't a lot of help when he asked about what I wanted in a ring. I said that whatever he wanted to get me would be fine for me. But I did offer to go with him to look at some if he wanted me to. That is what we were planning on doing after our walk. But as we sat on the seawall, enjoying the after-glow of the sunset, he asked me to look at a ring that he had. (I didn't know he already had a ring.) He asked me to marry him and I said, "of course." It was perfect. It was a surprise. It was memorable. | | |
| Look what I got! :) 
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| A friend of mine just opened a tea shop in Montclair! I haven't seen it yet, but I've heard about the progress on a pretty regular basis. I'm really excited that it's finally here... it's been years of dreaming, planning and, finally, doing. If you get a chance, check it out. It's called Cha Ma Gu Dao and it's at 212 Glenridge Ave in Montclair. | | |
| It's been such a long time since I've written an entry. Is it that there's nothing going on or if there's too much going on? It's really a combination of both. I think it all really started when my sister and bro-in-law informed me that they were moving away from San Diego. The conversation all began when my bro-in-law returned from deployment in Iraq and was trying to figure out what the next step in his military career would be. He looked into positions that would allow him to stay in CA, but they didn't work out. Next on the criteria was a non-deploying position (so that his two sons could really get to know him) and so that is how it came to be... they would be moving east to VA.
I was quite hopeful that something would work out and allow them to stay in CA, but it wasn't in the Plans. I've known about the impending move since March and it created another situation that would need to be addressed and that was the issue of our dear beloved Boomer.
As you all know, Boomer was living with me kind of on loan. I hadn't really "offiically" adopted him but was more than happy to share my space and some love with him. Well with the move imminent, it was time to figure out what to do with Boomer. As it was, I was dealing with a bunch of guilt about Boomer. He was getting to the point of being self-destructive and I think it was mostly out of loneliness (I think God created them for companionship too). Anyway, if my sister's family moved, there would be no back-up for me for when I travel on business. This among many other reasons caused the three of us (me, sis, and bro-in-law B-I-L) to decide to take some action. We looked into a few possibilities... and after much thought and consideration we decided to put him up for adoption. We prayed that God would provide the right family. We put an ad in the newspaper and listed him as available to a good family for a nominal fee. Thank God a family immediately responded. We interviewed them and let them take him home. I thought it would be an easy experience. Ask the questions, get their information, let them handle the dog, and if it seems like a fit, let him go home with them. It's good for the adopting family, good for us, and good for the dog. Well, I can tell you that it was a tough experience emotionally. My sister who's had Boomer since he could fit in the palm of her hand, didn't even want to interview the family delegating it to me and my bro-in-law. So my bro-in-law and I had to walk them to the car, say our good-byes and watch them drive off. I couldn't even watch him go. I'd only had him for about a year and there was that emotional attachment. There were definitely tears among all the adults. It was so sad, but I know it was the right thing to do. We've called the family to ask how things were working out and have been assured that Boomer is now an integrated part of their family. There is always someone home with him. They don't mind his barking. He's even got his own spot on their couch and he has plenty of room to run around outside (they have a fenced in acre avocado grove). The whole thing was an answer to prayer.
Fast forward three months and here we are. My sister's house has been packed up. They've been prepping my nephew J that they would be moving and that packers and movers would come and put there stuff in a "big truck" and he would see it in VA. The move was not easy for anyone. I think I was in denial up to yesterday when I flew back from NJ. I flew with my sis and nephews to NJ. My B-I-L W and youngest sister flew from NJ to SD to drive with B-I-L J their cars across the country. It's quite sad for me. I will definitely miss my sister and B-I-L J, but mostly I will miss J and R (my two nephews). I've seen them since day 1 and have had so many wonderful memories with them. J & R are both at good ages where I can do things with them. I took J on a "date" to the fair... just the two of us and it was such a wonderful time. R just started to recognize me with more enthusiasm. In their last days in SD, I would go to their house and when he would see me, he would squeal with enthusiasm. I don't get that type of reaction from anyone. It's been such a joy to be auntie to these boys and I feel like it's been robbed from me. I exaggerate a little, these changes and moves are so typical of the military, but I'm the one left holding the empty bag. Now my auntie "duties" are resigned to mailed packages and phone calls. I won't get to see them grow everyday or at least every week. I know there are pictures and emails, but ask any busy mom with little kids when she's got the time or energy to take and actually post pictures. I'm definitely feeling a little abandoned here.
At the same time, change can be good. I've been quite independent in my days, but with family so close, I've developed a bit of dependence and comfort. It's been my experience that you can always depend on family. I've never really had to depend on friends for much. This removal of my immediate family will force me to test the dependence on my network of friends when the situations arise.
It's really bittersweet. I trust that God has the Plans already in place... I pray that I can grow stronger in the experience. God has put some new people in my life recently and I'm excited to see how my "abandonment" creates new holes for others to fill and how I choose to fill the time that I would've otherwise spent with my nephews.
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