Random Talia Stories

Today while riding in the car, Talia tells me that she wants to sit on the back of a dinosaur. And feed the dinosaur her pop tart (organic and sweetened with fruit juice of course) and she demonstrates the feeding technique. She continues on a while so I feel compelled to tell her that dinosaurs became extinct long ago. I begin by trying to explain that, and she listens intently and all I get is "yeah" which should be translated as "WHATever mom. I know you are talking crazy now." So I feel more compelled to better explain extinction. I try to explain that the dinosaurs that we might see are like the metal sculptures or the chimpanzee and elephant at the zoo. No more real, living dinosaurs. She listens again and I hope she's understood what I am saying on some level, but she ends that explanation by saying "okay, but if a dinosaurs just pops out of the ground, then I will ride on its back." I knew when I'd been beaten-i said "yes, when one pops out of the ground you can ride on its back."


Another story- we've been watching They Might Be Giants podcast. Little info about President's Day. The "hosts" are puppets, one dressed as George Washington. Of course he had wooden teeth. Over and over I explained about his wooden teeth. One morning, I overslept, and was hurrying, trying to cut corners! And decided to let teeth brushing slide. Talia was devastated! "But my teeth will fall out and I'll get wooden teeth!!!!" We went and brushed teeth.

Grandma Caffrine turns 60!

Grandma Caffrine (Talia can't say 'th") turned 60 yesterday. Yes-60! Now way that woman is 60, but that's what she says! She didn't want a party but I threatened her, so we settled for a family dinner gathering at Nick's.

She brought her cozie, Sexy at 60. Purchased it herself. Dang straight. :)



Nanny's sweet potato cake. Catherine even got the recipe published in the newspaper. Oh, man it made me break my "no dessert" rule. I loved all 6 points for that 1/2 slice of cake.


Talia's "helped" grandma open her gifts and cards. Here she is showing off the card she made for grandma.

Let's Cook-with our Adoptive Family Group

Sunny, our Adoptive Fmaily Group president and event planner extraordinaire, set up a morning cooking class for the kids. Lots of fun! Talia loves to help in the kitchen so this was right up her alley. Chef John, the owner, is an adoptive parent too! Very cool.


Mom and Talia wait to start cooking!
We're working on our mac and cheese. That's Morgan and her mom, Becky, to Talia's right. Morgan was adopted from China about the same time Talia was. We love hanging out at AFG events.


This is Talia and Emma doing some work on their mac and cheese. And neither of them wanted to share with their moms! How rude!

Garage Sale Fundraiser! March 1

Our FABulous daycare is letting us use their parking lot for our fundraiser! Actually it is the pastor, Dr. Mike, who has given us the go ahead. And today I asked to use their tables from the fellowship hall. Awesome! Will be March 1 from 7-11am. Providence Presbyterian Church on 1112 Hummingbird Drive, West Columbia. We are not pricing most of the stuff so hopefully we can sell/get rid of all of it. We are even getting baked goods donated to sell. I hope the sun shines!

Friday, Feb. 15

So, we have been a little busy. Weight Watchers is going well. I like the challenge of eating the most food for my measly points. Lost 8 pounds as of Wednesday night. Not bad! I hear that I will slow down and only lose 1-2 pounds a week after this. We shall see. Might help if I actually exercise. I've actually been doing pretty good following the guidelines and staying within my points. I can't wait to weigh for my oncologist next week!

Sent an adoption profile overnight to Colorado on Tuesday and found out today the birthmom said "eh" to all the profiles. The caseworker said that she felt the birthmom hadn't figured everything out. So, looks like that one is out. But FedEx-d another profile to a birthmom and dad in Florida. So, we are still getting hits (averaging 1-2 a week) so I am still hanging in there! Its kinda exciting because I don't know when my "Christmas Day" will be. Did finally finish the application process to the 4th agency, so there's one more basket in which to put my eggs!

Life Update

So, nothing much on the adoption front so I'll just randomly talk about stuff. I did actually send in the adoption packet to our 4th agency today. It had a lot of really weird, random things they needed that I couldn't get around to doing until today. So.

Last week I went to see my oncologist. I've been going once a month again because my weight is going up and up. Its all the medicine I've been taking, plus the post-chemo body I have, plus the incredibly bad habits I've picked up since I was diagnosed. During all my treatments and new momness, I said "I have cancer, I can eat that." Bad move. 3 years after I've finished chemo and I am still eating like I'm dying tomorrow. Which I am not. Dr. Chrisitanson is not happy. I'm not happy. My pants that are gathering dust in the closet are not happy. So, finally I've joined Weight Watchers. I have tried to do this by myself (sorta) for over a year, so I've decided to take the path of public humiliation. Actually I had the meetings pictured like Biggest Loser-you arrive and weigh in front of everyone who will then clap or sigh. No. You weigh with the scale screen hidden from everyone including yourself. Then they write the secret number in your book. Where is the public humiliation I so crave? Actually I think I will be fine. I can have 25 points a day. Not excited about the blah tastes, but Lisa says I'll get use to that in a few weeks. Kinda hard after eating oil and fried things and grease and fat and sugar to have lots of that wiped out. Going out with the family tomorrow night. Gunna be exciting and get the salad bar. Boring, but I am 36 years old and at least 30 pounds overweight. Ridiculous. There is no reason why I can't beat this thing. What I do, I succeed. (This is my mantra.Bad girl. Just do it. Bad girl. Just do it.)

Saturday is playday

Future punk rocker like her Aunt Cara!
Here I come to save the day!
Neighbor L.
First tree climb (and I have another picture of her first fall-out-of-tree, too.)

Daddy's Girl

She isn't really but she's working on wrapping her father...He brought her downstairs for a picture after she put a bow in her hair.

Its My Birthday!!!

At my favorite sushi restaurant, Inakaya. Ummmmm, delicious.

Christy and Greg

Julie and Christy both possess hidden, cherry-stem-tying abilities! Who knew?!

Later at the bowling allley. We were so "happy" that when we arrived, the 3 ambulances and at least 8 police cars with flashing lights didn't deter us from going inside. It was fun, but I still can't bowl.