Quarantine Highlights!

 We celebrated Mother's Day, which was much different this year. We went to have lunch at Mom and Dad's house. Dad ordered out a meal from the country club. We also went to visit Arnold's parents that afternoon. And that evening we got Dos Amigos for pickup. 

 I've gotten my mom so many gifts over the years that I was running out of ideas. Arnold suggested some flowers or a plant, so we went to Lowe's that morning and I walked through the plant nursery. I am horrible with plants, and kill everything I've ever gotten really quickly. I don't know anything about plants, much to my brothers dismay, who's a landscaper :D I picked out a pretty planter I liked, then picked out some flowers to put in there. Arnold helped me move the flowers over to the planter in the parking lot, and potting soil went everywhere, haha. I guess we overerestimated how much soil the planter could hold. I was laughing and taking pictures while arnold was on the ground trying to do all this, and he was mad at me :D

 Arnold ordered me a mothers day cake from Publix. Their cakes are delicious! I made fun of him for days, because he had no idea what to order and kept messing things up. The cake ended up looking like Christmas theme, but at least he tried! He and the kids also got me some great gifts including a new bracelet, new purse, and some new books. My mom and Dad shipped me a tower of fancy, delicious chocolates.. which the kids broke into and started eating immediately. 

 So thankful to be their mom!! :)

 While on quarantine at home, I joined a facebook blessings facebook group, which has become popular right now. You post amazon wish lists and you choose random people or friends to send gifts or little surprises to, to make someone's day. It was a way to brighten everyones spirits during this hard time. I sent a few friends some things, and a few strangers, too. I love doing random acts of kindness type things, so this was great for me. I also got some sweet things in the mail, including this cute pineapple yard sign from my friend :) 

 My best friend Jessica celebrated her 32nd birthday!! I was so sad we weren't able to go out and celebrate like we usually do, but its on the schedule for whenever it's safe again!! We have been friends for over 18 years, and she's been with me through all my ups and downs. She saw me learn to drive a car, get my heart broken, go off to college, have babies, and all sorts of adventures. I cannot thank her enough for always being there... to listen, support me, and to have fun with. :)

 Rachel and I discovered an art called diamond painting! I picked up a kit at hobby lobby and we tried it out. This is not the actual picture of what we did. Our's were smaller. Rachel did a butterfly and I did a flower. Basically you use this little "pen" to pick up tiny beads ("diamonds") and place them on the right spaces according to the color chart. Then it makes a pretty 3D picture that can be framed, or in our case they were big stickers that could be put on something. It's a lot of fun. 

 We have recently found out my brother and sister-in-law's baby is a BOY!!!! He is going to be named Roman Alexander (Alexander is my brothers name.)  My very first nephew, and I am so excited!!! Unfortunately they found out that he has a condition where his intestines are growing outside his body. They say a surgery right after birth can hopefully correct the situation and he will live a pretty normal life. Christina will have to be induced a few weeks early, so he will be an August baby (just like 2 of my kids!!!) We have all been praying hard for him, we know God will take care of this situation!!!! Meanwhile, I've been buying gifts, and of course I've already started his library ;) They plan to come into town the last weekend of June, where we hope to have a drive through/drop in baby shower for Christina! I hate she isn't getting a big, normal baby shower, especially for her first baby, but at least we can do something to celebrate. Please keep them in your prayers!!!! :)

 I have definitely been doing some amazon shopping during all of this, and I MIGHT have bought some unnecessary things along the way ;) Oh well, it was fun, and it made me happy to be getting lots of mail sent to the house. My friend had gotten me two of the Golden Girls funko pops and I knew I needed to get the other 2 to complete my collection :) 

 Our favorite icecream place Udderly Delicious has opened up, and we have made a few trips!! Nothing like oreo icecream in a waffle cone to make you have a good day!!! 

 My dad ordered some washable face masks online, and gave our family some to use. I haven't really used them much out, unless I had to. It gives me such a yucky feeling to have something over my face. Rachel seemed to get a kick out of them, though ;) 

 We had planned on going out to the movies this month to see the new SCOOBY DOO movie, but with everything closing down, we decided to rent it at home. Yes it was $15 to rent, and I usually wouldn't spend that much, but it was worth it to me to have a fun family evening at home. The kids, Arnold and I all sat together in the living room, ate snacks, and turned down the lights. The movie was really cute :) 

On Memorial Day weekend, we went to Mom and Dad's house for dinner, to have low country boil. ONE OF MY FAVORITE meals!!!! Our family has always nicknamed certain meals weird things (dont ask me why!) and we always called this meal CRAP IN A POT!! To this day that's what my dad will call it when he talks about it, and now even our kids know :D Haha. Anyway, dinner was great, we spent time out on their deck talking until it started storming. Then afterwards we all ate watermelon and watched golf (it was what dad had on tv :D 

After 2 1/2 months I am now back at work!!!!!! The kids are staying at my mom and dad's house, and will continue to all summer. I was so happy to get back and see my friends, and my babies.. who have GROWN so much. I actually started back in a new classroom, the young toddlers. I have a few babies that were mine in the last class and recently moved up. It has been quite an adjustment dealing with the toddler room, since I am used to being an infant teacher all these years. But nothing beats those smiles they give you when they see you, or how it feels when they jump in your lap and snuggle you. I also get to go outside on the playground, or to the gym now, since they are older. I have been walking laps in the gym this past week when it rained, and got a lot of exercise :) 

"Life Doesn't Come with a Manual, it Comes with a Mother"

Things I love about my Mom...

1. She is a confident woman. She speaks up for what she wants, and what she knows is right. She doesn't let people intimidate her. I wish I had her confidence.

2. She puts her family first. She was always there for me, even if something at work was important, or she had something else to do.

3. She's a hard worker. I remember her getting up early every single morning. She was a neat freak and always cleaning something. She made sure we had HOT breakfast before going to school.

4. She's thoughtful. She always amazed me how much she thought of other people. She gives gifts and baked goods to everyone at Christmas, even mailpeople, her dry cleaners, and dog sitter. She sends people "just beacause" gifts, even me. She still sends real letters and cards through the mail :)

5. She's helpful. She has helped watched our kids so I could go back to work. She watches the kids  overnight occasionally so Arnold and I can go on a date. She's helped us out of more jams than I can count.

6. She's caring. She would always take me out for icecream or some sort of treat after dr or dentist appointments. Even to this day she will sit with me if I'm scared of something or having a hard time.

7. She's wise. She used to tell me that I'd be lucky if one day I could count on one hand the number of TRUE friends I had. That friendships would come and go, and only a select few would stick by me. And boy was she right. She also reminded me that heartache in the teen years wouldn't last forever.

8. She's intelligent. She would drill me on the multiplication tables until I cried. She would help me with science projects I waited until the last minute to do. She would read books to me every night before bed.

9. She shows the importance of traditions. Every year we'd go stay in our condo at Lake Lure. She'd let us open one present every Christmas Eve. She and I would visit the Southern Christmas show every Winter. She makes me her famous homemade lasagna every year on my birthday (even now!)


10. She was a good role model. She used to let our house be the "hangout" house and all my friends would come over all the time. She'd give advice and a listenning ear to all my friends. She has been married to my dad for almost 50 years-- she stuck by him even when things would get tough. She helped my dad run a successful business.


11. She is so brave. When I was 18 she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She fought that battle and has been in remission for 16 years! She has had both her knee and hip replaced.

I love you Mom!!! Thank you for all you've done for me!! :)

Adoption Search Journey Pt 2!

Since I last wrote, I found my biological father. DNA from the ancestry site had linked me to several distant relatives, and it turns out that huge family tree that was so confusing was from the father's side. I have been in contact with his sister through facebook, and she has sent me some pictures and some family medical background. She told me he'd like to be able to talk to me, and even gave his phone number. I have decided not to contact him, though. I have been using a website during all of this, that allows me to do somewhat of a background check on people. Since I knew going into this I would probably be introducing myself and my family to a lot of potential strangers, I wanted to be as safe as possible. Turns out, my biological father lives in Florida. He has had 4 other children. And unfortunately, he has a criminal record. And I'm not talking just minor things that people get excused or did when they were young and stupid.. a few disturbing things. Without going into details, I knew right away I didn't want to make contact with him. I am a very non-judgmental person, and I can get along with just about anyone, but I have to be careful, especially since I have children. Anyway, I was a little disappointed, but I am ok with the news that I do have. I have a name, a few pictures, and some background, and that's enough for me.

Now onto more about my biological mother, Donna, and her family. I still have not talked to her, and while it is a little disheartening for me, I understand she has no obligation to talk to me. A few nights I found myself tearing up thinking why didn't she want to know me? But I think we are just very similar. I have always had anxiety and worried about every little thing. And I think she is the same way. I have had a little longer time to process all this, since I was searching for awhile. And I don't think the shock has really worn off for her, yet. I have talked to a few family members and they say to just be patient, and shell hopefully come around. I sure do hope so! 

My younger bio brother, Jamie, who was helping me talk to Donna through him at first, has been out of town on work this week, and will be for awhile. So that has made things tougher right now for me, but I am being patient. I know these people have lives and I can't disrupt them. I continue to keep in contact with Jamie through facebook, and hes a raelly great guy. He sent me some pictures of their family, and I have given him more info on myself and my family. He says that he'd be open to meeting me and my family one day. I think I would be, too. And I'm hoping by the time that comes, several of the family members will want to be included!!:)

I wanted to share an update about my parents Guynell and Richard, and how they are doing. I was very, very nervous about telling my mom the news about finding Donna, and I didn't want to hurt her feelings. But she was very happy for me, and so supportive. That was such a relief to me. We talked, I showed her all the pictures I'd been sent, and she agreed I looked just like Donna. My dad is a lot like me, he just sat off to the side and listened. Made a few jokes. Then went to mow the yard. haha! I think he is doing ok with it all, also, but he's not always the most openly emotional person. Mom said that she was excited, and that we should go on a trip to meet Donna's family!! I told her to hold on a minute, that things were still so new. :P But I'm relieved to know that in the future she'd be willing to go with me. My sister-in-law has also said shed love to go with me if I traveled to meet them. Their family lives out near the coast so who knows-- we might be having a future family vacation! ;)

My facebook has been filling up with lots of family members and distant cousins that I've met through ancestry, or through Donna's family. I feel happy knowing that for the most part, everyone is very supportive of this and have welcomed me kindly. It occasionally feels a little strange because I don't want to overstep or hurt feelings on either side-- adoptive or birth family. But I figure this can only be good news. I love my parents, and they gave me a great life, and they will never be replaced. I now have more people in my life to love, and while I know the love from them won't be the same as the love from my adoptive family, I feel blessed. This also is crazy that it all happened so close to mother's day. For the first mother's day in my life, I will not just wonder if my biological mother is thinking of me that day, I will know it. :) 

AND a few more FAQ people have requested:

Will I EVER come around to contacting my bio father? No, probably not. I am happy with the information I have been given. I just don't want to take the risk. If it wasn't for that record, almost 99 percent chance that yes, I would have called him. 

What things run in your family? Well we've discovered that diabetes runs on both sides. And it also runs in Arnold's family, so I guess we need to watch out for the kids in the future. Also, heart problems run in my father's side. I've always been terrified I'd die one day of a heart attack! A lot of the family on Donna's side wears glasses. I wear them when driving, and could probably stand to wear them all the time if I were honest!!

Will my kids get to meet Donna's family? I hope so!!! I have included them in this whole situation, and been honest. They get just as excited as me when I find new things out. I'd love Donna to meet her biological grandchildren some day :)

How am I feeling now? Mostly SO HAPPY! I feel relief that the search is over. I feel so joyous that so many people have been trying to get to know me. A little part of me still feels scared Donna won't reach out, but I am choosing to have HOPE!!!! :)

Any interesting tidbits to share? My biological grandfather was in the navy for years! A lot of my cousins want me to attend their huge family reunion they have every year. We'll see... :D

And for your viewing pleasure (haha) a few pictures to share....

This is my biological father. 

This is Donna's highschool picture. 

This is Donna's son, Jamie (brother!!)

This is Wes, Donna's other son (another brother!) And his fiance. They were actually supposed to get married this past month, but had to delay the wedding due to the Coronavirus :( 

This is Donna and her siblings. Cute kids :)