Michael, Laurie's husband, snapped this photo of Elle at Gigi's wild and crazy birthday party. I had so much fun snapping pictures of all the children but there was so much going on that I couldn't catch everything and I'm glad that Michael was there snapping along too. This moment is hilarious, and like the commercial says, priceless!! The blueberry photo I snatched off of facebook from Mindy's album. It makes me laugh every time I see it. Oh that Elle! Like mother, like daughter. :)
Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday dear Georgia, Happy Birthday to you! At 11:37 AM 3 years ago today you came into the world and changed our lives forever. You are a special, fabulous blessing and we love you. We hope you liked your cinnamon roll birthday wake up this morning. And we hope you love your princess/pool/bubble party tomorrow! Kisses forever you darling dearest angel! Love, Mommy & Papi
Every now and again I just get bombarded with fascinating ideas and possibilities. This past week has been one of those times. I've had a million and one ideas swirling around in my head. Photoshop has been my main creative focus the past few months and I still want it to stay that way. But a new glorious idea that Rodolfo and I have discussed for over 6 months is seeming to ripen as well and oh how I would like to pursue it!
We have had an easy, breezy, beautiful weekend so far. Last night we went over to the lake and walked around. It felt so carefree to just say to heck with routine and bedtime, let's go have fun! We even took Wally and were glad to have our canine companion plopping along beside us. This afternoon we had lunch with Granny to celebrate her 88th birthday-- Happy Birthday Granny! And then this evening we are headed over to my parents to celebrate my dad's 55th (or is it 26th?) birthday. Of course, we are gearing up for Gigi's big 3rd birthday coming very soon. My week is sure to be full of planning and preparations. Ah! I love summer! 
We visited the Edmond firestation today with a group of girls from church. It was really actually an educational visit. I figured it would be 15 minutes of organized chaos with the little ones, but the kids actually behaved well and listened to the firemen who were full of lots of pertinent advice. We were there for an hour. The highlight, of course, was when the kids got to sit in the firetruck (see above), but seeing the fireman suit up into his uniform was a close second. Georgia was not intimidated at all by the hat and mask and actually went up and gave the fireman a high-five. She also spent a lot of time brushing her hair and the hair of those around her. This has become her thing, brushing hair. If you look closely at the last picture, she even has the hair brush in the firetruck!! Silly girl. :)
We had our final homestudy interview yesterday. It went all wrong. I thought I had planned everything perfectly. The house was spotless. My life book looked nearly professional. Georgia actually was wearing an outfit that I picked out. Rodolfo and I had said a beautiful prayer that morning together anticipating our next child. But when the woman walked through our door, sat down at our breakfast table and said that she wanted us to wait I couldn't believe my ears. She said that she felt like I was still yearning for a biological child and that it wasn't fair to a birthmother and an adopted child to be placed in a family where these emotions exist. I was floored, didn't know what to say, how to respond. You know, in movies the actors all respond so gracefully to events. Even their sorrow looks elegant. Mine did not. I immediately lost all composure and had tears and nose slobber pouring down my face. My voice was high and squeeky and I sounded more like a child than a woman. The reason she came to this conclusion is because I am taking herbal teas, acupuncture and following a fertility diet. Yes, I would like to have a biological child again. But I am still unclear as to how this negates my desire to adopted a child. She argued that when one adopts a person needs to be completely resigned to the fact that they cannot have children any other way. This sounds suspect to me. Don't families with biological children adopt??? I asked her this question and she said not domestically, normally only internationally. I am very perturbed at her conclusion. She said that it is not that we are bad canidates for adoption, she just wants us to get past this stage of yearning for a biological one before we continue down this path. I told her that I don't think any woman who has been diagnosed with infertility ever gets past the yearning for a biological child. How could she? Then she said that we just need to stop actively trying to conceive one of our own before she wants us to move forward. For about 12 hours I pondered this stance. At first I thought, okay maybe she is right, maybe by actively trying to conceive another child I am showing indifference towards adoption. But the more I have considered it, the more strongly I disagree. I JUST WANT A BABY!!!! God is the one that gives a child to a family, not an agency, not a doctor, and not herbs and acupuncture. All I am doing by trying these things is hoping to widen the possibility of a baby coming into my life. I'm trying to cover all my bases in the hopes that somehow, someway, sooner than later a beautiful, healthy, wonderful little person will join our family. Frankly, I could care less how the baby arrives. I've already jumped that hurdle. A baby coming through me or through another woman is not an issue. God is the one that gives a baby to a person and that person does not own the baby (see post a few months ago). I'm even getting nauseated as I type. Have to go. Will conclude later.
Been playing with my camera and photoshop today. Here are the best from today's work. There is one other shot that I keep trying to download but it won't take on blogspot. Don't know why. It is one of her smiling. A nice contrast to these more serious photos.
Just spent the past 5 days sleeping in this tent on an expansive estate in Ojai, California. I haven't slept outdoors in ages. The experience was breathtaking. Because our tent faced east-west, I literally awoke every morning as the sun was rising. The sunlight would ever so gently peek its head up above the trees and the rays of light would stretch out their arms to shine straight upon me. I felt like it was God saying goodmorning. The experience was grand. I picked oranges, lemons and a fig straight off of their trees. I hiked. I lived. I breathed. It was wonderful. The most memorable part though was the night the coyotes ran by our tent. My roommate and I heard them rustle around but we didn't know what animal they were until they were some distance from us and they cried their pack howl together. It was frightening and magical. I won't forget this experience ever. I told Rodolfo that maybe we should set a tent up in the backyard. That way, whenever we want, we can sleep under the stars. Wouldn't that be nice? I think so.
We spent a long weekend in Tennessee relaxing and having a fabulous time hanging out with a side of the family we need to see a lot more often. Many thanks to Chris and Barbara for opening their home to us-- what a resort nieghborhood you live in! It was very touching to listen to Uncle Ronnie talk about family. His role of family patriarch suits him nicely. He reminded me a lot of Papa. Besides all of the lineage information he shared, I would like to add that if the innate stubborness of any Johnson is a clue, I'd definitely say that we descended from the William Wallace clan. :)
Rodolfo and I had our interviews for the adoption last Thursday. I was so nervous and I don't know why. I was more nervous with this interview than I was even with Rodolfo's green card interview (which was way more intimidating). Maybe my emotions were high because these interviews signify that we are that much closer to actually, physically, tangibly holding our next baby. I mean, the interviews were conducted in the same building where birthmoms enter and exit. Who knows, our birthmom could have been in there the same time we were! She there with the baby in her womb. It is so strange this type of waiting. While you are pregnant you prepare for the baby that you feel inside of you. You know that it is coming because your belly grows, you feel the kicks you see the heartbeat. When you adopt the sensations are different. It is more a matter of the heart. You sense it all, the coming of your next child, its development, its being, but you sense it in a spiritual sense and an emotional one. You know that baby is there but you just can't see it. It is all very strange becoming parents again this way. But I am ready and I am learning so much about love through this whole process. Little one, wherever you are, I love you and can't wait to meet you. Grow strong! We are praying and thinking about you all the time!
July 4th was surprisingly cool and rainy this year. The Graves invited us over for a cook out. Georgia and Ashleigh had a good-old time running around in their bathing suits even though it was a little chilly. We popped kid-friendly fireworks, ate and talked. It was very low key and relaxing. On our drive home we passed downtown just as the grand finale was shooting over the night sky. The timing couldn't have been better. Was a nice way to top off our 4th!
As my diet has drastically changed due to a Traditional Chinese medicine diet I have adopted (no wheat, dairy or sugar) it is high time for another restaurant review of OKC. Here are my 2009 recommendations:Mediterranean Deli - A quirky, diverse clientele of academics, socialites, and Mediterranean immigrants frequent this quiet little secret inauspiciously placed on busy May avenue. The food tastes homemade and authentic, like recipes passed down through generations. My favorite items are the lentils, hummus, grapeleaf rolls, cabbage rolls, olive salads and baklava. Everything I have sampled at this restaurant has been tasty. My only complaint is the atmosphere-- it would behoove the owner to add a little music to really put people in the mood for some great Mediterannean dining! Lots of imported products are available for purchase. I have heard the yogurt, herbs and feta are fabulous!
Saturn Grill - Although I cannot eat this now, I still have day dreams about the Thai Broccoli salad offered at this popular and way-too-busy-at lunch-time bistro.
Cafe do Brazil - This place is sexy. It always makes me want to hop a plane to Brazil and drink a caipirinha on its legendary beaches. I love the building where the restaurant is housed, love Anna the friendly owner and I especially love their vegetarian dish with beans, rice, and collard greens. My mouth is watering as I type.
Cafe de Antigua - A Guatemalan diner run by a Guatemalan family. Serves gigantic licuados straight from heaven. Georgia loves the strawberry banana one while I am partial to the honeydew cantelope combination. Rodolfo always orders some other drink that has red beans in it, I forget what it is called but his mom and grandmother ordered it too when we took them. If you are from Guatemala you probably will love it. Food wise, this restaurant excels at breakfast and makes a leisurely Saturday morning outing.
Boulevard Steak House - Hands down the best steak house in Oklahoma City. I have also been to the Range (which is way more expensive and still quite great) but I have to give the award to Boulevard. We went on our anniversary and my steak came out tender, sizzling, perfectly seasoned and melt-in-your-mouth to die for good. I really wanted to try the oven-roasted Boursin from their appetizer menu, but seeing as dairy is not on my diet I courageously declined.
Irma's Burger Shack - Get the No Name burger. It is local oragnic meat and made the way a burger should be. Great laid-back, family restaurant.
Sushi Neko- Okay, okay, I know that there are other, "better" sushi restaurants around but I'm loyal to my first love. This is the first place I ever tried sushi and I'm addicted to the way they prepare my favorites. Plus I like their miso soup the best and you have to admit their fried banana icecream with choclate dessert is pretty darn fabulous. In terms of atmosphere, this place has got the music down to a T. Not too loud, not too soft, trendy but not in an uncomfortable way. Plus they always give Georgia a balloon when we eat there. The last time we did her balloon blew away after about 2 minutes outside. The staff was so nice because before I knew it, a waiter came outside and gave Georgia another, brighter balloon. So considerate!
Sage - This is a new downtown restaurant started up to supposedly meet the high-end grocery needs of the residents of this trendy, venture-capitalist community. While there are some specialty groceries tossed around the place, overall the restaurant seems more like a bar/sandwhich shop to me. I find the atmosphere rather cold and uncomfortable, but there is one item on the menu, Steak and Potatoe soup (for only $6) that knocked my socks off. So much so that it would be amiss for me not to include it here. The bowl is huge and the soup delicous and filling. It is a steal at $6 and even worth sitting in hard chairs to eat.
Cafe Nova - I've only eaten here once in the past year and it was for brunch. Apparently this is a hot-spot for the after-party morning crowd because they have cheap mimosas. I enjoyed swanking it up with Rodolfo and Gigi that morning, ate a really delicious breakfast and treated myself to a mimosa as well. The portions in the morning are much more generous than the lunch and evening menus. Fun place with wild atmosphere.
Bellini's Ristorante - Still my favorite outdoor spot for dining. Wish I could eat their pizzas. The margarita pizza is divine. Good spaghetti too, but not as good as my next entry's spaghetti. Lovely place.
Victoria's - Used to be the most romantic spot in Norman for a date. Now it seems grimy and slimy to me (perhaps it is just my perspective that has changed). Thank goodness the food is still as delicious as ever. Fresh, handmade spaghetti noodles that are so thick and chewy they make the stuff from the stores seem like an entirely different species of food. And the spaghetti sauce!!! I don't know if it is cinnamon or what but there is some kind of savory/sweet combination that makes this sauce hands down the best I have ever eaten.
County Line - Potatoe salad and brisket heaven.
OKC Museum of Art Cafe - Food is fab or bad, but the windows and atmosphere are spot-on big city glamour. On Thursday nights they serve drinks on the roof. Very cosmopolitan.
Old Kaiser's icecream building - They have an old fashioned soda fountain and bar. I need to take Gigi here for a banana split. Love their warm potato salad. Nostalgic place to lunch.
Prairie Thunder Baking Company - Owned by a Geologist (who happens to share Georgia's birthday) that always wanted to own a bread baking store. This is the place to go to for baguettes and fresh bread. Man that place smells good when they are cooking.
Have you ever seen those tutus on etsy.com? Well, I am hooked to this website and have purchased several as gifts for friends. I decided that the tutus don't look that complicated and tried my hand at making one for Gigi. Georgia loved it and was bouncing on the couch because she was so happy. I was trying to take her photo and fell over while snapping due to her bouncing. The result was this fabulous photo. I love it so much! It is artistic and fluffy just like a tutu!!!! What a happy accident.
Monday morning Wally caught a bird and was torturing the poor creature. Rodolfo intervened and rescued him from certain death. He has been nursing the bird (maybe a dove) back to health ever since by feeding him some of my health-food grains (amaranth) and water. That same morning while driving to work Rodolfo also noticed a turtle crossing a busy street. I didn't get to see the turtle because he released it on the grounds of Chesapeake near their little river, but he said it was a nice turtle. I told Rodolfo his super-hero name should be St. Rodolfo of Assisi, inspired by Saint Francis himself, the patron saint of animals. :) Gigi has had a blast helping Rodolfo care for the bird. I think we need to name him. How about Flit?
The tomatoes are nearly ripe. My mouth is watering as I type. I didn't stake my tomatoes too well so they are a jumbled mess, next year I will have to stake more strategically. However, I am happy that at least they have tomatoes growing on them! I've also had success with my jalepenos, my kung fu peppers and then some kind of other peppers, I don't know what they are because they are not what I thought I planted, but oh well, nice surprise I guess. My Bell Peppers grew and were so beautiful, but then some kind of ugly pest ate a really odd portion of each bell pepper top and they have not been the same since. We also had some delicious sweet peas and a couple of squash (my squash have also been attacked and are no longer producing). Overall I am very pleased with this experiment and need to clean up my beds to prepare for late summer/fall plantings.
What is summer without the bubbles? Not the same! We pulled out the bubbles that Gigi hadn't really played with since last summer. She had a good ol' time realizing that she is much more capabable in the bubble-blowing department than she was last year. Amazing what an entire year of growing and development can do for a toddler!!!!
"A sister is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost." -Marion C. Garretty. I found this quote in a recent library book. I love it because it is sooo true! We traveled down to Dallas a couple of weeks ago to visit Mindy and Rebecca and their fams. Gigi and Elle pretty much had these kind of blank stares the entire time. We tried taking them to the American Girl Doll store. What a fabulous place for young girls! Unfortunately ours were a little too young for the fun in store at this place. Mainly the bathroom interested Georgia as the floors leading too it were filled with sparkles. She didn't really seem to understand the fun of lunching with your favorite American Girl doll. We'll have to revisit this store in a few years. Elle-belle was under the weather with a cold but kept the smiles rolling none the less. Gigi and I did have a memorable swim at Auntie Rebecca's pool. We are slowly re-introducing Gigi to the water. I made the mistake at the beginning of the summer of not catching her properly when she jumped into the water and let her go under head and all... oops! Apparently learning by fire isn't the way to teach young ones to swim. So, we hung out mainly by the fountains at Bec's place and still had fun. Can't wait to see you two sisters again!
As we were getting ready for church this morning I couldn't help but notice how pretty Gigi looked. Had to snap a few photos. What an angel! 
My lavender is blooming (see above photo)! Hip hip hooray! I have never had the good luck of having this fragrant herb bloom. I feel like I am in Provence. Every time I glance towards the blooms I silently cheer and feel flat out giddy. There is certainly great joy in gardening. When other perennials come out, like these cone flowers, I feel like I am seeing old friends. Isn't their color gorgeous? I would love a dress with those colors! Lamentably, my hydrangeas, the most showy and fabulous of all blooms (in my opinion) have decided to sleep through this season. I think I need to fertilize them. Otherwise, we have been eating tons of lettuce, some sweet peas and one squash (so far) from the garden. My tomatoes are green and growing and I have lots of tomatillos that look to be on the way. Boy am I amazed at what comes from seeds, dirt, sun and water. Makes me really appreciate God's creativity and constant act of creation.
Rodolfo, Gigi and I went to the park around noon. I didn't realize that we have a splash park just down the street from us until a couple of months ago. It really is a great park, Gigi had a blast! Unfortunately, this park is also a fine example of the racial divide in Oklahoma City. The park is smack dab in the middle of an area that has a great mix of ethnicities-- Asian, Hispanic, African American AND Caucasian. But, for the most part, the only people that frequent this park are African Americans. A long time ago when I worked for Senator Nickles, a co-worker of mine, who happens to be African American, explained to me that in Oklahoma she feels very segregated from the white population. She said that when she travels to DC or to other parts of the country she doesn't feel the tension and the attitude of prejudice that she feels here. I never really paid attention to these things until she mentioned this to me. And I have to say, when Rodolfo and I moved to Houston I COULD see a huge difference. The African American population was much more a part of the mainstream activities of the community. Although tensions still exist in Houston (as I learned from teaching high school in Houston ISD) the dividing line is much more blurred than it is in OK. Moving back to Oklahoma from Houston made the picture even clearer-- restaurants, the mall, the parks, movie theaters-- there are the places white people go and there are the places black people go. It is unfortunate that in 2009 Oklahoma is still so segregated. I don't know what the solution is, but by crossing the lines today I felt like a rebel and I was a bit scared, even though Rodolfo was with me. The people there, especially the men, looked at me like I was an alien. I don't think I will return to that park, which is unfortunate since it has such a great splash park. But I did not feel safe there. I felt like I was treading on someone else's territory and that I was an unwanted presence. Having prejudice reversed is enlightening, but also disheartening since most prejudice stems from ignorance. When will we all just decide to be friends, embrace our differences and move on to become equal citizens of a beautiful country? Isn't that how it is supposed to work? Isn't that what the school books teach? And while I am on the subject, I wish we didn't have to differentiate between African American, Hispanic American, Asian American, Native American, and Caucasian. Why can't we be like they are in Canada? The citizens of that country are from all over the globe, but they simply call themselves Canadian. When are we just going to start calling ourselves simply "American"? And I ask this question not to ignore the diversity of races here but wondering when will we make peace with the past, embrace each other as brothers and sisters and look forward to moving on to greater good as a united citizenship of people. Oh no, now I am having flashes of the French revolution when people called each other "citoyens" and no trace of social or political hierarchy was allowed. I certainly don't mean that type of equality to the masses Sovient Union-Fidel Castro mentality. I am a firm believer in capitalism. But damn these lines. They sure do make teaching your child about love and equality of all people difficult.
