Census Stuff

I hope to finish my Census story by Monday, March 1. In the meantime, I've asked family and friends to let me shoot video of them getting off their couch. If you are one of these saints, thank you! The video will go with a song created by a co-worker that encourages people to "get off that couch and get counted."

During a conversation with a Missouri State Demographer today, I learned just how easy it could be for the Show Me State to lose a representative if people don't return their census.

Scenario: If Missouri's population was evenly divided across the state and an average of 10 - 4 people households per county did not fill out their census, we would lose a state representative.

Scary.

Love is not selfish

This is something I've wanted to post for a few days, but I keep waiting for the right words and I'm not sure they're coming. Last week, I was talking to someone about adoption and how hard the wait can seem. In a half-serious, half-joking way, she said, "But you already got one."

I am sad that anyone would think we're selfish because we "already got one" but would like a second child. I don't think it's selfish to share my love with another child. Would anyone ever walk up to a woman pregnant with her second or third child and say, "But you already got one."

I don't want to compete with a couple who are still waiting for the blessing of a child. I pray that everyone who enters the adoption process will be blessed with a situation that is a blessing for the birth parents and adoptive parents.

We pray for a special couple who can see how much love we can offer and would like their son or daughter to have a protective and loving big brother. We also pray that the relationship will feel as natural as the one we are blessed to have with Jack's birthmom.

1 Corinthians 13, 4 - 7, 13

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails....And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Doing Time

Producing stories for the city has its perks. Since my co-workers and I produce mostly all positive stories for the city, we have access to a lot of fun things, at least I think they are fun. Being 99.9% sure that I'll never knowingly commit a crime, I've giggled with glee while being handcuffed, failed to deflate my dimples while being fingerprinted, and tried to keep a fake frown down while being "thrown" into jail - all for video shoots. My co-worker and I received a grand tour of the city police department last week. Before oohing at the metal toilets in the tiny cells, we practiced our best mug shots.

My "I can't believe I just did that stupid thing" dismal look. Dimples successfully banished.

My "I'm so out of it" strung out look. Dimples back. Step aside, Nick Nolte.

What's All the Stink About?

This is a conversation my niece Meaghan and I had this afternoon.

Meaghan: "My friend has a brother named Cooper."

Me: "Oh."

Meaghan: "I can't say this outloud," she said, looking naughty. "You know what Cooper rhymes with?"

Sadly, my mind had already gone there. Meaghan walked over to me, so as not to corrupt Jack's young mind, and whispered, "Cooper, pooper."

Poor Cooper, soon to be the butt of future jokes.

Happy Valentines Day!

Kisses and Hugs! Whether you go crazy and celebrate this day or not, I hope you had a nice day. I spent the day with my favorite valentines.

Can you guess who?

Peek-a-boo little ghosts, Meaghan and Garrett

And Jack!

An Early Valentine

I took Jack to the city's Valentine preschool program today.

We had a lot of fun.

We colored.

Made groovy glasses.

Played "LOVE" BINGO. Jack had to adjust his glasses for a better view.

I think the prescription was a little strong.

Took a cheesy photo together.

And made a Valentine for someone very special.

 I can't say who. It's a surprise.

My Little Man

My little man and I like to snuggle in my bed at night and read books. Tonight, we pretended the bed was a mountain and we had to help each other up. "It's all right, momma," Jack said, after he helped me up and I pretended to be worn out.

My little man insists on doing just about everything with me. With everything else going on in our world, shaving is a low priority. With the fear of turning into Sasquatch, I decided to shave my legs and Jack decided to help tonight. Needless to say, he attempted to shave the lower parts of both of my legs, but stayed primarily in one area before the battery died. Needless to say, they are both still hairy. :)