So there is one drawback to having such a warm and cozy bed – getting out of it in the morning. With the daylight hours still waning and each morning feeling a bit chillier than the previous, I’ve noticed the kids are not as spry to come running upstairs to mommy and daddy’s room. What does this mean? I’ve lost my natural alarm clock to roust myself and wipe the sleep from eyes.

Now if the bed is cozier and the kids aren’t jumping up and down on it at 6:30am, why should I get up? You tell me. I remarked wryly last night that now is the time to buck up and get back to those times of waking up early to start the day fresh and not rush at tearing speeds to make it to school, office, morning appointments, etc. on time. Yes, I’ll wake up at 6:30am with the mechanical/electronic sort of reveille, and go to bed by 10pm – ok, well 11:03pm.

The results this morn: FAIL And so, I’ll try again tomorrow…

It’s official, the weather has become cold enough to warrant flannel sheets and an electric blanket. I just added one more layer to the bed so that I no longer ‘yip’ when I slide under the covers. It’s funny how in another 6 months, I will be making the same adjustment the other way – ie. ‘Just removed every last thick thing which goes over the mattress in an attempt to keep cool.’ It’s funny, but it sure does bring a little change and coziness into the daily routine. As I’ve seen a few hibernation remarks from my Facebook friends regarding the change of seasons, this is my way to usher in and welcome the cold drafts with aplomb. … well that and a good book to cozy up to as Lisa is currently doing with the Twilight series. I’m currently working on Twain beyond Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn.

Came up to Vancouver today to attend my really good friend's, Stephane's, wedding. We're staying at a B&B called OceanBreeze in their French Provincial room. Located in N. Vancouver, the amenities aren't too bad given our budget. I was aiming for about 120-130/night and we came in at around 145. Cute room with king bed and a view of downtown over the bay. No tub, but nice shower. Owner is German, I think, based on accent, but it's a guess. She's been very welcoming and even let us in without being here by leaving a key under the mat. So far, I like it. I look forward to breakfast tomorrow.

 Seeing Steph and Laura tonight was wonderful! It's been so long since I last saw them, and they were so quick to see and greet us at the rehearsal dinner. Let's see, I met parents on both sides and Steph's uncles, some of Laura's best school friends and met up again with Steph's brother and his girlfriend. Seeing Sebastian again brought back memories of game nights at Steph's old apt. in Montreal.

Lisa is currently relaxing by continuing her biography read on Howard Hughes. *sigh* Really nice to have a few days without the kids.

It all started with an innocent cough from Kitten on Monday leading to hospital Wednesday... and culminated with both twins spending Friday afternoon/night and Saturday morning at the hospital after being diagnosed with pneumonia. Lisa took this photo of the girls sharing a bed when not yelling over one another or squabbling over a snack. Yes, confined spaces and multiples is a piece of cake (ay! shush it over there, I'm only typing cake not serving it!).

Funny moments from this event:

A. At least two of the nurses remember the girls just after they were born and had to 'bake a little more'. I mean who wouldn't forget the Thompson twins, I guess.

B. My supportive coworkers sent a little 'get well soon' package to Kitten... It arrived the day after they ordered, just in time for Princess to arrive and note she didn't have one. Of course! :-)

C. Researched and updated Lisa's cell phone ROM while at hospital. Nurses probably thought I was the most terrible dad seeing me hunkered down in front of my laptop most of the time Kitten was occupied or sleeping.

Currently, Kitten is still at hospital while I'm at home with the other two. Princess seems on the mend, but still a little weazy. I'm guessing a 50-50 Kitten can come home tonight.

Is there anything quite like the feel of a fresh haircut?  All 4 of the kids got one today.  Before and after photos:

ALEX

           (before)                                             (after)

TUCKER

                  (before)                                                              (after)

QUINN

            (before)                                                 (after)

CLEO

              (before)                                         (after)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiyGhNF0WzQ

Alex’s new favorite YouTube clip.  I have to say it, I love it, too!  Enjoy!

I hope this doesn’t break my mother-son confidentiality agreement….

Thanks, everyone, for your concern and interest in the “Poca” case:  a local foster child who was removed from her stable foster family unjustly.  I wrote a lengthy blog entry about this a couple days ago, and asked my friend for an update.  Here’s what she has to say.  (FYI, you can also see several updates on the channel 5 web site, www.king5.com. There’s one on the home page, and search “poca” for more):

We had 23 people come make signs Tuesday afternoon, 5/12 (mostly Girl Scouts from various troops).  KING-5 came by and covered it. 

Rod and I took the signs to the rally Wednesday morning, 5/13.  I told the girls their colorful signs looked great peppered throughout the crowd!  While at the rally, we got word that the hearing scheduled for that afternoon at 2pm to remove Poca's little brother from his foster home was being cancelled.  For now, he gets to stay in the only home he has ever known!!  Yeah!!  The rally was covered on KING-5 last night.  Susannah Frame interviewed Governor Gregoire, who said she could not get involved.  The judge in Poca's case called KING-5 to say she would be willing to listen to arguments regarding Poca's situation, but can only do so when a request is brought before her court (which means she's opening the door to someone bringing a request - a big change from her previous position).

This morning, the Langley's (Poca's foster parents) were on the "Today Show" interviewed by Matt Lauer.

This evening, an ombudsman report was released finding clear wrongdoing by DSHS, and clear retaliation against the foster parents!   Additionally, Gov. Gregoire changed her position and is calling for an immediate investigation into Poca's situation!!  Finally, late today, DSHS says they are going to begin proceedings to terminate the parental rights of Poca's bio parents, which should have been done at least 2 years ago! 

All of this is wonderful news, but until Poca is back with the Langley's, and they have papers that say she can stay with them, we have to keep up the pressure on all the powers that be.  It seems to be the only thing they respond to.   You would think the pictures of poor little Poca crawling behind a chair, when DSHS came to pull her out of her home, would be enough..........but maybe that's just me.

Anyway, thanks so much for your support, Lisa.  Tell all of your friends thanks for theirs, as well.  It really is everyone contributing that is helping this turn around.  Like the old saying goes, "all that has to happen for evil to prevail, is for good men (and women) to do nothing"  and that isn't happening.  Good men and women are standing up (and emailing, phone calling, whatever) all over the place!!!  Thanks again.

A very close friend of mine, someone I’ve known many years, has been so moved by a local Seattle-ish area foster child, that she has decided to get involved.  “Poca” is a medically fragile foster child who has been removed from her stable foster home undeservedly.  She’s lived there since birth for all of her life (4 yrs).  The family has been a foster family for medically fragile children for 10 years.   All investigations by the local television station KING 5 and others point to DSHS bias against the foster family.  There appears to be NO REAL reason for the removal.

More detailed and lengthy information follows, but here is the gist.  YOU CAN HELP!  On Wednesday, 5/13 there will be a protest at the courthouse.  The night before, Tuesday 5/12, there will be a sign-making session to prepare signs for the protest.  If you can’t make the protest itself, the sign making event is a great way to get involved. 

EMAIL FROM MY FRIEND CINDY, ORGANIZING SOME PROTEST EFFORTS TO HELP POCA (long, but hang in there)

----- Original Message -----
From: "cindy richardson" cindy.richardson@comcast.net
Sent: Monday, May 11, 2009 12:37 PM

Okay, Everyone!!  

We have a location for our sign-making session, thanks to Kerry Johnsen!!   It will be 4:00pm to 6:00pm tomorrow, May 12th at The Cove in Normandy Park!  The street address is 1500 SW Shorebrook Dr. // Normandy Park, WA  98166. 

Please send this out to your friends, your girl scout troop, any kind-hearted person you know.  We would love to have a bunch of girls (and boys) there to make signs for Poca at Wednesday's rally.  Susannah Frame from KING-5 TV will be there with a film crew.  Hopefully, with the news exposure people will go to the rally the following day!!   We have to get this little girl back with the only family she has ever known!

Please call or email with how many of you plan to come, so we have enough sign supplies.

Also, if you can go with me to the rally on Wednesday, please let me know.  I really want to take a van full.

Thanks so much,

Cindy

PS.  The KING-5 broadcasts are at the very bottom of this long email.   Some folks were asking me for them, so here they are again.

----- Original Message -----      ------------------------------------------------------------
From: "cindy richardson" <cindy.richardson@comcast.net>
Sent: Saturday, May 9, 2009 5:46:31 PM GMT -08:00 US/Canada Pacific
Subject: Fwd: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Justice for Poca Protest Rally May 13

Hi, All -

I've never done anything like this before, but I am compelled to do something to help this little girl, nicknamed Poca, who has just been taken from the only home she has ever known!

She spent the first 4 months of her life in the neo-natal intensive care unit, born to a drug addicted mom.  Upon release, Poca went to live with the Langley's, a foster care couple trained in caring for fragile infants.  Poca is now 4 years old and has been living with the Langley's all of her little life.  Her drug-addicted, biological parents haven't been able to get it together enough for Poca to safely live with them.  (Her little brother was just removed from their home, as well.)  The state law is that after 15 months, the parents rights are supposed to be terminated so the child can be adopted and not continue to just live "in limbo."  The Langley's want to adopt her, but the CPS workers on the case keep trying to place her back with her biological parents, even in the face of advice to the contrary from nearly everyone involved with Poca's case.  In fact, every person that has recommended the parents' rights be terminated and that Poca be permanently placed with her foster family has been removed from the case - Poca's lifelong pediatrician, her neurologist, the ER doctors that identified abuse when she visited with the biological parents, the guardian-ad-litem that 5 times recommended parental rights be terminated - all of these trained professionals have been systematically removed from Poca's case by CPS because they dared to disagree with the CPS caseworker!  Now, because the caseworker has manuevered to get Poca removed from the Langley's home - the only home she has ever known - KING 5 has gone public with the story trying to stop it!!  Didn't work - Poca was taken out of the home this past Wednesday, and placed with a new foster family!

I've been following Suzannah Frame's news stories on KING 5 about this little girl's plight, and called Suzannah to find out what the "other side" of the story was.  There had to be more to it than was being told for a little girl to be ripped from the only home she has ever known!  Suzannah assured me there is no smoking gun.  She has been investigating this story since last August, and has read file after file on the case.  She said there is no reason why this is happening other than caseworker bias.  

My next question was "what can an average citizen do to help?"  She put me in touch with Gary Malkasian, who was also a foster parent, who's foster child was unwisely put back with the biological parents, and died shortly thereafter.  I am forwarding an excellent email I received from him.  It has more details, and the broadcasts from KING 5 about Poca's case.  Watch them to find out more.

Gary is spearheading a rally at the courthouse in Everett next Wednesday, which is when the hearing is for Poca's little brother.  I have rearranged my schedule so I can attend that rally, and would love to take a van full of people with me!  If any of you can go, please let me know.  I'll probably leave Burien around 9:00am, May 13th. 

I have to tell you, I've gone to bed every night since Wednesday thinking about Poca - that she is in a strange bed in a strange house with people she doesn't know.  It just breaks my heart.  I know there are tragedies all over, but this is one we can maybe do something about.  If we put pressure on the lawmakers, maybe we can get Poca back with her foster family.  The senator in the Everett area is already starting to call for an investigation, so all the attention is working.

I need some help.  I just got a call a couple of hours ago.  Suzannah says if we can find a place to make a bunch of signs ahead of time for the rally, she will have a news crews there to film it.  I'm going to ask Seahurst Elementary on Monday morning if we can use the cafeteria.  If anyone has a better idea, please let me know. 

I'm going to get supplies for signs, but I need people to make the signs.  If kids could come too, that would be great.  I know they'll be in school when the rally takes place, but this is a way they could contribute.  It will obviously have to happen Monday or Tuesday afternoon or evening.  If you can help, please let me know which night works better for you, and we'll go with the time that works for the most number of people.  I think kids making signs that say, "Save Poca" would make for good TV, and hopefully get more people to the rally as well.

I know this is a really long email, and I know that tomorrow is Mother's Day and everyone is busy, but it's also one more day that little Poca is away from the only family she has ever known.  My heart just aches for her.  Please let me know however you can help - provide a location, provide sign supplies, come make signs, come to the rally, or all of the above!!!  Thanks so much for your time.

Sincerely,

Cindy Richardson

(206) 431-1223

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: fosterjustice@live.com
To: "cindy richardson" <cindy.richardson@comcast.net>
Sent: Friday, May 8, 2009 4:59:18 PM GMT -08:00 US/Canada Pacific
Subject: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Justice for Poca Protest Rally May 13

Foster Care Justice Alliance

Defending the Rights of the Child

http://www.FosterJustice.com

May 8, 2009

"They deserve a better deal than they are getting. They deserve life. They deserve hope… What they need is for you to stand up and fight for them. I seem to have made a career out of crying on the six o'clock news. But the truth is, they don't even need our tears. They need our outrage."

Gary Malkasian (me), Sirita's Playground Grand Opening, Lake Stevens, August 26, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JUSTICE FOR POCA PROTEST RALLY

Wednesday, May 13, 2009, 10 AM

Denny Juvenile Justice Center Courthouse, 2801 10th Street, Everett, WA

Because even a child has rights.

To say I am outraged is an understatement.

"Poca" is the nickname of a four year old girl. She has been in foster care her entire life. Born drug affected, premature and medically fragile, she spent the first four months of her life in the NICU at the hospital. All the rest of her life she has spent in the home of Dick and Amy Langley, who have devoted their lives to caring for special needs children.

The Langleys have been subjected to the worst case of retaliation against a foster parent I have ever seen. This week a judge ordered Poca removed from their home with no transition. She said they had "interfered" with reunification by reporting bruises after unsupervised visits. After four years, the parents are still unable to be a safe placement, so the judge ordered the child moved to a new foster home.

Poca is one of six siblings, all born premature and medically fragile. At least one tested positive for meth at birth. The father has a felony conviction for selling meth. Three children died in the home. The other three were sent to separate foster homes. The birth parents have tried for four years to get their children back. The eldest living child was returned home, but removed again last week - more on that below.

The Langleys have cared for 20 foster children over the past 10 years, including a blind baby and children with severe disabilities. Some have been successfully reunited with their birth parents, and some adopted. But when you adopt a special needs child, sometimes they have issues that are not immediately apparent.

The charges against the Langleys stem from their adoption of a boy named Taylor, who developed anti-social, violent and aggressive behaviors. It was suspected that his parents put alcohol in his baby bottle to keep him quiet, which caused serious neurological damage. By six years old he attacked family members with a screwdriver and a knife, broke Amy's nose and fingers, and threatened neighbors. Taylor needed special one-on-one attention in a therapeutic home where he was the only child. They found such a home, and he was readopted. DSHS called that child abandonment, and asked the judge to move Poca.

A scathing 36 page report by an administrative review judge exonerated the Langleys and castigated DSHS for their inept investigation. Cleared of all charges, did DSHS reverse course, allowing Poca to stay with the Langleys? No, DSHS filed a new charge: Poca should not stay with the Langleys because they did not move Taylor fast enough. Darned if they do; darned if they don't. The state has now argued both sides of this issue, in an apparent attempt to oppose placement with the Langleys regardless of the facts and evidence.

When Poca returned from an unsupervised visit with marks on her thighs, she claimed her birth mother did it. The ER doctor suspects abuse in his report. But DSHS calls it "unfounded". The child returns from another visit in respiratory distress with welts on her buttocks. The mark looks like a hand print. Another ER doctor indicates that this is abuse. The department calls this also unfounded.

However, new charges have been filed against the Langleys. Apparently, searching for a bruise in response to the child's own complaints is considered an invasion of the child's privacy – a four year old child that has been with them from infancy and still needs help with toileting and hygiene! So finding a bruise is child abuse? But causing a bruise is not? I wrote Randy Hart a letter about this incident. I asked, quite simply, "Are you nuts?"

DSHS have come up with multiple theories about Poca's injuries. They have alternately claimed that a car seat was responsible, or that the welts were really an allergic reaction the just happens to look like a hand print. Or that the Langley's just made the whole thing up. Yet Poca's older brother was removed just last week after he revealed to his school teachers that he was abused in his home and instructed by his mother to lie about it. Or are the Langleys responsible for that, too?

I have been working on this case since August. I wrote to Governor Gregoire in October and asked her to investigate this case. In my letter I said that we hold her responsible, as the head of our state, for the safety of this child.

Here is a list of all the people who have warned DSHS about this case, and what happened to them:

1 The initial social worker listed safety concerns and recommended adoption. She was moved to another case.

2 Dave Lindsey, the initial guardian ad litem - a court appointed special advocate - recommended 5 times termination of parental rights (TPR). He claims his guardian reports were altered. He was removed from the case, and replaced by an attorney that usually represents birth parents.

3 The child's neurologist, Dr. Stephan Glass, one of the top 3 neurologists in Washington State according to Seattle Magazine, credits the child's progress to the Langleys and warns that she will be seriously harmed by removal from the home. He is no longer allowed to see the child.

4 The child's pediatrician warned against removing the child. She is no longer allowed to see the child.

5 Two different emergency room doctors found evidence consistent with abuse after an unsupervised visit. Yet unsupervised visits continue.

6 Three psychological evaluations concluded the mother is "off the charts" in anti-social behavior. The department ordered fourth which concluded the mother is okay. This is called "shopping" for a provider to give a desired result. Anti-social behavior does not simply disappear without years of therapy. The more recent tests are not more reliable; on the contrary, they are less valid because patients eventually learn what the "correct" responses should be.

7 The Child Protection Team recommended TPR and adoption. Recommendation ignored.

8 The Langleys, Poca's foster parents, who have been subjected to the most egregious, venomous attack against a foster parent I have ever seen.

9 The foster parents of Poca's little brother also opposed the case plan. DSHS refuses to renew their license, despite no allegations against those foster parents at all. The hearing on May 13 at 2 PM is to remove him from the only home he has ever known.

In other words: everyone. The social worker, the guardian at litem, all the medical providers, two sets of foster parents, the entire Child Protection Team, and the mental health evaluators. Those that oppose the department's case plan have been systematically removed.

This case is just the tip of the iceberg. I can list you 10 other cases just as bad. I am sure there are hundreds more I don't even know about. These children have rights that are not being respected.

There are 10,000 kids in foster care in Washington State. Half have been there for more than three years. Don't these kids have rights? Don't they deserve a life?

It takes money to fight these cases. We need your donations, which is why we have set up Poca's Fund at Bank of America. The money will go to help pay the legal fees of fighting this case and create a legal defense fund for all the other children whose rights are being abused, but who do not have media coverage. They number in the thousands.
They are defenseless. They have no voice. That's why they need you.
Gary Malkasian
President
Foster Care Justice Alliance
www.FosterJustice.com

CONTACT US
Foster Care Justice Alliance
P.O. Box 233
Woodinville, WA 98072-0233
E-mail: fosterjustice@live.com

24 Hour Message Line: (484) 288-4364
Fax: (206) 493-2773

MEDIA

Watch for this story next week on the TODAY Show.

Coverage on KING 5 Investigators with Susannah Frame:

April 29, 2009: http://www.king5.com/localnews/investigators/stories/NW_042809INV-kids-in-limbo-SW.11d2b688e.html

May 1, 2009: http://www.king5.com/localnews/investigators/stories/NW_043009INV-langley-foster-parentsKS.6d8ad6b.html

May 5, 2009: http://www.king5.com/localnews/investigators/stories/NW_050409INV-tax-dollars-state-services-KC.1e475b81.html

May 6, 2009: Wave of support for foster parents following TV coverage http://www.king5.com/localnews/investigators/stories/NW_050609INV-poca-foster-home-KC.28a1ac76.html

May 7, 2009: Stevens' calls Poca's case 'a travesty'

http://www.king5.com/localnews/investigators/stories/NW_050709WAB-stevens-poca-KC.46ebc28.html

Watch for more updates at http://www.king5.com/localnews/investigators

Dori Monson Show, KIRO Radio 97.3 FM

(download)

April 29, 2009: http://icestream.bonnint.net/seattle/kiro/2009/04/p_Dori_Monson_Show_20090429_2pm.mp3

David Boze Show, KTTH 770 AM

(downloads)

May 1, 2009:

http://icestream.bonnint.net/seattle/kiro/2009/05/p_David_Boze_Show_20090501_3pm.mp3

May 6, 2009:

http://icestream.bonnint.net/seattle/kiro/2009/05/p_David_Boze_Show_20090506_5pm.mp3

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP
What is happening is an outrage. You can help us stop the insanity.
1. Join us at a PROTEST RALLY at 10 AM on Wednesday, May 13, in front of the courthouse at the Denny Juvenile Justice Center, 2801 10th Street, Everett, WA right before the next hearing in this case, scheduled for 2 PM. Let's let Judge Ferris hear us.

2. Join us in Facebook: http://www.causes.com/FCJA

3. Get on our mailing list for updates: http://www.fosterjustice.com/about/contact.htm

4. DONATE TO POCA'S FUND TO PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF CHILDREN: Make a tax deductable donation online, or at any Bank of America branch for "Foster Care Justice Alliance": http://www.fosterjustice.com/donate/donate.htm. Donations designated for "Poca's Fund" will go first to help pay the legal expenses of the Langleys. Any money donated above that will go into a legal defense fund for other foster families in similar situations.
5. Write to your legislators expressing outrage. Ask them to support an investigation and a change in venue for this case, and a resolution honoring the exemplary foster care given by the Langleys. Find your legislators here: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/Default.aspx

6. Write to Washington State Governor Chris Gregoire. It's time she stops the outrageous behavior of the Everett DCFS office. This is just ONE CASE out of MANY where foster parents have been attacked for advocating for the child.

Governor Chris Gregoire

Office of the Governor

PO Box 40002

Olympia, WA 98504-0002

Phone: 360-902-4111

Fax: 360-753-4110

Online: http://www.governor.wa.gov/contact/default.asp

7. Write to Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna. Tell him to reign in his staff and protect this child.

Attorney General Rob McKenna

1125 Washington Street SE

PO Box 40100

Olympia, WA 98504-0100

Phone: (360) 753-6200

Online: https://fortress.wa.gov/atg/formhandler/ago/ContactForm.aspx

8. FORWARD THIS E-MAIL TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW. I have never asked that before.

Donations to Foster Care Justice Alliance are tax deductable, and will help us continue to fight for changes in law and to support foster families under attack.

I recently came across the following little piece.  As the first paragraph promises, it really strikes a chord with me and my feelings about raising one child with autism, and two others with mild special needs.  World Autism Awareness Day seems like the perfect time to share this. 

I don’t begrudge anyone their trips to Italy …. although I sadly admit that I have let a few friendships fall by the wayside because they are having such an exceptionally marvelous time in Italy. I miss you, dear friends!  I hope you understand, and I promise that this will not be the end…

WELCOME TO HOLLAND

by Emily Perl Kingsley. (c1987 by Emily Perl Kingsley. All rights reserved.)

I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability - to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It's like this......

When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip - to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make your wonderful plans. The Coliseum. The Michelangelo David. The gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting.

After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, "Welcome to Holland."

"Holland?!?" you say. "What do you mean Holland?? I signed up for Italy! I'm supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of going to Italy."

But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in Holland and there you must stay.

The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease. It's just a different place.

So you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have met.

It's just a different place. It's slower-paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you've been there for a while and you catch your breath, you look around.... and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills....and Holland has tulips. Holland even has Rembrandts.

But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy... and they're all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life, you will say "Yes, that's where I was supposed to go. That's what I had planned."

And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away... because the loss of that dream is a very very significant loss.

But... if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things ... about Holland.

Kids and wife are away at church while Alex and Lief dress for a ceremony welcoming another Eagle Scout to the world. Sipping on coffee and looking at little birds hop and peck in a light snow dusting searching for seeds fallen from the bird feeder… did I mention listening to KPLU’s morning jazz program? *sigh*… would love to freeze this moment for awhile and savor. *yawn*

Love Sunday mornings like this!

Weekend walk:

Had a great interaction with an elderly couple while walking ‘the trio’ around the neighborhood this past weekend. The couple passed us (yes, they passed us since the twins poke along unless you’re holding their hand), and the woman stopped and was so pleased to see all three walking with daddy on a crisp, sunny afternoon. ‘What little darlings,’ she exclaimed. I love moments like this – I truly savor them, because I need all the encouragement I can get since it takes sooooo long to get everyone out the door for walks.

Lisa’s dad:

Bill is still in hospital bouncing between hospital proper and physical therapy from a spinal operation and recovery from pneumonia. Lisa is actively covering mail and health/life insurance issues. Don’t think Bill’s life will be back to the way it was before he went in – extended family is actively trying to help in all ways and are willing to care for him until a caregiver is hired for his apartment (Lisa’s task at the moment). I wish/pray for Bill’s recovery, but wonder how far in the offing assisted living is?

Scouts:

• 3 Boards of Review.
• 7pm troop meetings approved (from 6:30).
• Scoutmaster transition: Sloat and Meehan have been identified. Asked for other suggestions from committee.
• Documenting steps for being listed in the Samm. Review.
• Need a meeting to approve budget.

So, I’m reading The Power of Positive Parenting and came up on quote from an unknown author: “The first half of our lives is controlled by our parents. The second half is controlled by our children.”

… feels very true. I take comfort in that (scary!).

Last night, Alex shared with me a little clip on YouTube of the “McDonalds Rap”.  It was funny as all get out!  (funnier than many of the things he shows me, with the exception of the brand new T-Pain “In a boat” song.  I spewed spittle laughing at the chorus of that one, even though you wouldn’t repeat it in polite conversation)  Anyway, little did I know that Alex set out to memorize the lyrics.  So tonight as we are on the long drive home from visiting my dad in the hospital (separate post coming about that), Alex began teaching them to me, and we rapped all the way home in our sweet ride (aka “The Big Gold Van”).  Neither a rapper or beatboxer will I ever be, but a mom-son bonding moment?  You betcha!  Here it is for all to enjoy, followed by the lyrics below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sw2OvIgoO8

MCDONALD’S RAP LYRICS
I need a double cheeseburger and hold the lettuce
Don't be frontin' son no seeds on a bun
We be up in this drive thru
Order for two
I gots a craving for a number nine like my shoe
We need some chicken up in here
In this dizzle
For rizzle my nizzle
Extra salt on the frizzle
Dr. Pepper my brother
Another for your mother
Double double super size
And don't forget the FRIES...

Spent the week in meetings, meetings and more meetings concerning the cuts and upcoming projects. Things are sort of getting back on track at the office with all the scheduling and specs which need to be updated… though it’s still a little odd to walk by an empty office which once had a fellow colleague. Management has been sharing how the cut positions will be reallocated to more strategic business plans – well, we’ll see I guess. Just hope that ‘my peeps’ will be able to find something to meet their career needs soon, whether it’s in or out of the company.

Listening to the news two nights ago though, my region got hit with more somber news on the job front. Boeing (4500) and Starbucks (up to 6700) just announced job cuts after they posted losses for their quarterly earnings report. Obviously, these cuts are not bound to just where I am, but still it’s quite a blow to the area since those two companies are synonymous with the Pac NW.