Thanks...

I didn't post anything Thanksgiving Day.

Here's what I am thankful for right now, at this very moment:

George just sunk down into a sink hole in our backyard up to his neck.

I am thankful that:

a) Jason was outside with them and heard George yelling for help.

b) It wasn't Vinny that fell in, because the dirt would have covered him completely...

Where to begin...

What a week!!!!!!

We had an amazing week at Disney and the kids were so sad leaving...

"Good bye, Castle...good bye, gate...good bye, Goofy!" all the way out of the park!

I asked Mimi and George what their favorite thing was from our trip.

Mimi said, "The fireworks and the ticket gate."

George said, "The castle and the hotel."

Natan said, "No scream, Tigger..."

Natan managed fine--he is not in any of the character photos with the others, but I promise he was on the trip with us!!

Vinny ate it all up--loved the characters and all the crowds--ACTION!!!

Mimi and George loved every part of each day. They had a blast! Even eating became a magical experience. George kept asking if the characters were real and was very satisfied that I told him they were. Mimi would then whisper to me, "I can see a zipper--they are not real, but I won't tell George..."

We ended up spending three days at the Magic Kingdom, one day at Epcot, and one day at Animal Kingdom. Had a princess meal at the Norway Akershus Royal Banquet Hall and I thought M and G would explode if one more princess came to the table--they loved it!!!!!!!!

Fabulous!!!!

Pictures posted in Picasa.

The Old Eagle Has Landed...

4 days down...132 to go--but who's counting?!

Mum arrived safely on Saturday afternoon and we are now waiting for the movers to deliver the rest of her stuff. She has already lost her voice and her patience (kidding about the patience!). Mimi finally stopped hugging her at random--and many--intervals...very excited to see Nana!

She successfully watched three of four kids yesterday while George and I went to the Cardiologist.

So far, so good!

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We are switching adoption agencies for various reasons. It may set us back a month or two, but we'll get there. We weren't happy with the options presented by our current one, and while we love the service provided, you have to feel comfortable with the process.

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Asked the Cardiologist the question we have never asked: what will happen as he grows, but his arteries don't? She gave me the dreaded look and said, "We have no way to answer that...we have to wait and see." Grrr...I understand but it doesn't make it any easier. They are still interested in testing for the Williams spectrum disorder, but that really doesn't affect anything.

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Revving up for Disney--leaving this Saturday a.m.!!!!

Almost there...

Received an email from our agency yesterday--our home study is officially approved, and once they have our fingerprints, we're in the referral queue!!!!

If we continue in the HIV program, our wait is longer--and we have no idea how much longer. But...no matter the wait, the end result is the same: Montague Number 5!!!!

Ending or beginning...

I just called my Mum's "Cobourg Number" for the last time...ever.

She is en route to my aunt and uncle's and then she'll head down here.

So why does it bother me so much?

We've been so excited to have Nana coming that I think I forgot why she is coming.

If my Dad were alive, and even more, if he were alive and well, they would both possibly be spending winters here.

But, that is not the case.

My mother is moving here for the winter because she has no family left in Cobourg.

I don't have a Dad.

That did not just dawn on me, but there it is...catching in my throat and making me think about him.

True...we were so much alike it was like oil and oil--I didn't appreciate that until I was an adult. That the very things that gave me spunk and fight were the same things that I'm sure made my Dad lay awake at night and fret!

And I miss him not seeing his four fabulous grand kids who are in love with an image we've created for them--one before he got sick. I hear myself throughout the day telling them things I remember about Dad--they are wearing pairs of his old--LARGE--sunglasses and I wish he were around to hear Mimi exclaim, "Everything looks lellow in Papa's glasses!"

So, even though Mum is moving here, it has just hit me that the only reason is because we lost something.

Storing Stuff

OK.

Mum will be here this weekend.

Mum's stuff arrives later this week.

So, we are busily keeping ourselves busy!

Making room for the stuff. I love purging. And not just Jason's stuff (!)--my crap, too!!

I realize we keep stuff around for some sentimental reason that I can't remember anymore...and now we are tossing stuff to make room for more stuff!

The kids are so excited that Nana is coming...and even more excited by the big moving van coming! They have drawn chalk lines all over the driveway and front walkway to "guide" the driver. Of course, all the rain has washed their lines away! Mimi & George have assured me they'll get to work as soon as the rain stops, otherwise the driver won't know where to go!

In between the stuff tossing marathon, spent another great day watching the kids just have fun. Playing, drawing, dancing--basic kid fun stuff!

If I loved this life of mine any more, I might explode!!

C'est un bon matin...non?

It's early.

I love early morning--it's the only time it's really quiet with the exception of Mum & Dad's G'Father clock chiming (that's a good thing, not a complaint).

Heart Walk today!!! Woo Hoo!

Last night, Jason arrived home at 6:00 to find Natan and Vinny sleeping, Mimi lolling on he couch with me, and George doing my hair in his "hair salon." Yes, his hair salon. He said, "Wait, mama--I'll go get my tools," which turned out to be: 2 whisks, a baster, a cooking brush, a garlic press, and and a pair of chop sticks. He talked to me the whole time, just like at HIS hair salon (he went for a scissor cut the other day and loved it).

Well...the festivities began!

As some of you will recall (not that I dwell on it!!!!), a certain someone-who-shall-not-be-named forgot a certain someones birthday last year (well, he remembered it on the wrong day). This year, the certain someone received: a giant homemade birthday card, a beautiful bouquet of my favorite flowers (sunflowers), my favorite cake (carrot)--the whole cake, not just a slice--and REAL coffee cream, not my usual fat free "creamer."

To some this will seem sad. Not to me. I was overjoyed to be spending the eve of my b-day with the people I love to be with the most!!

Now on with the Heart Walk!

Ahhh...again!

Baked 2 dozen muffins for my devoted walkers tomorrow morning, 3 dozen cookies for same walkers after the walk, roasted a chicken, roasted some asparagus, now cooking the carrots and broccoli (trees, as they are called here!), managed to run 4 miles doing 8.5 minute miles (finally!!), played with bubbles in the backyard with the kiddos, and now we just need hubby home after renewing the tag!

How am I doing so far, Auntie Gail???? If I could just perfect the art of butter tarts!!!!!

Big day tomorrow--Go Team George!!

Happy Thursday!

Jason and I do not often get to just sit together with the kids. Usually, when he comes home, I take the time to finish whatever needs finishing from the day--dishes, laundry, the usual!

Tonight, we sat and watched as all four put on one their "shows." Whisks become microphones, furniture is pushed together to make a larger stage, and stories unfold beginning with "Once upon a time..." and always ending happily! Most of them have kings, princesses, dragons, bears, and R2D2's. Vinny offers back up by just dancing to some tune running through his head. He also added to the party tonight by counting to five and then racing against himself.

And...off topic, but Mimi and George went wild for the Christmas music being played in Wal Mart today! However, they were easily distracted by a cool Disney shirt which elicited yet more exclaiming!

Good times...

Good Times...

Our second annual "Total the Knoll's" Halloween extravaganza!

Finger cookies compliments of Todd!

As a funeral director's daughter...I give them two dead, rotting thumbs up!!!!

Not sure about the chick in the funny hat, though!

Are my ears bleeding?

This morning (OK, really it started yesterday, but...)

"Can we put the Christmas tree up now?"

"Is Santa going to come tonight?"

"Can we listen to the Monster Mash?" Answer from another creature: "No--it's not Halloween anymore!"

"Are we going to Disney today?"

"Is today Nana's day?" (As in, is she arriving today)

"Is this the Heart Walk day?"

"Why can't we put the Christmas tree up?"

"But why is it not Halloween Day anymore?"

"Can we have candy?"

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Deepest Apologies...

Dear Anonymous,

I know I already cleared things up with you, but I am still feeling saddened and guilty.

As I ate ANOTHER piece of your cake that Natan won a couple of weeks ago, which we froze and then thawed, I thought about you. Oh, how I would have loved to see you in your inflatable clown suit!!!

The kids are still mad that we missed you. I keep telling them it's Rachael's fault...I'll stick with that!

So...forgive us.

We are not Halloween worthy.

Next year.

Most definitely.