Mommy Runs Away: Part One -- Nearly Childless

I've decided to name my trip "Mommy Runs Away" even though I'm not sure it technically qualifies as "running away" when I have one of my children with me. I think it mostly does because I only have 1/6 of my children. You be the judge.

I realize I don't leave for my trip until Thursday morning but my children left me on Wednesday afternoon so Wednesday counts as the beginning. Although Gauge isn't technically staying with Grandma the entire time (just while Cody works) he was as excited about going to Grandma's as Jenna and Ryan were. From the time they woke up until the time they left all I heard was "when are we going to Grandma's?" Around lunch time I finally had Jenna call Grandma to get a definite time so I could start the official countdown. Grandma and Grandpa were coming at 3:00.

Here they are lined up with their individual suitcases. (Ryan just woke up from his nap so although he wasn't Mr. Chipper, he was really wanting to go.)

Since Gauge wanted to go so badly and kept asking where his suitcase was while I was packing, I got the okay from Cody for Gauge to go with the other kids and spend the evening. Cody and Trace picked him up just before bedtime.

Suitcases were loaded into the trunk and they scrambled into the car. I had to call them back out. "Where's my hugs and kisses goodbye guys???"

Hugs and kisses were delivered, booster seats adjusted and strapped in. They were ready to go.

And as they left I could hardly get a wave goodbye.

Emma woke up from her nap to discover she was an only child and she was the most delightful child I have ever met. She let me give her pigtails and just walked around talking and playing. She was totally reveling in being the only child.

I took advantage of being nearly small child kidless and we went out to dinner at Trace's favorite restaurant, The Salty Iguana. (Okay, I admit it, I didn't want to cook.) Emma continued in her happiness by expressing herself in dance.

Sometimes a girl just has to get her groove on. Especially when sporting sassy pigtails. The sass continues though. She should be asleep right now getting ready for our early morning wake up but she apparently doesn't want the fun to end. She's crying to get out of bed. Where's a bottle when I need one???

For her silly, not me.




Don't forget to drop by Teresa's blog Continuing the Journey. She's having a raffle to raise the rest of her money for her adoption of precious Molly. A chance is only $5 and there's some awesome prizes-- in fact there's even more now! Three more prizes have been added. In addition to the 1) autographed copy of Silent Tears by Kay Bratt, 2) the Pirate and Princess costumes and 3) 7" Sony digital picture frame there is now 4) a Swarovski crystal bracelet with a bead that says "mom" 5) a Vera Bradly tote, your choice of color and 6) an 8 pack of movie tickets to Regal cinemas.

And if that's not enough, if you tell Teresa (or me) that you got to her through me and I'll enter you in my own drawing for a There's Always Room For One More mug (and Crack bars) and a $25 gift certificate to Olive Garden.

Great Raffle/Giveaway

My friend Teresa at Continuing the Journey is adopting her second child from China.

Meet Molly, aka The Pretty Princess.

I "met" Teresa last summer and became introduced her wonderful family via blogland. I've even corresponded with her 16 year old daughter Meggie. (Hi Meggie!) For awhile Teresa and I even had a friendly competition over followers. And then she got a demanding job. Her aspirations being blogging queen were put on hold.

Nine months ago Teresa and her family saw her little face and her file and sent a letter to China requesting the chance to be this precious little girl's family. They were granted Pre Approval and began the long and arduous paper chase. A paper chase that has become much more onerous since I paper chased my 3 adoptions. (Thank you Hague Treaty.) Teresa got her paper work done, sent it to China and expected to wait for 3-5 months for official permission, otherwise known as an LOA (Letter of Acceptance.) Let's just say that Teresa was shocked when her LOA came in six weeks. Great, right? Of course, but also surprising given the fact that Teresa and her husband had planned to work extra shifts to earn the last of their adoption expenses. Now they'll be in China.

So, Teresa is having a fundraiser and she's got some awesome prizes already and trying to get some other great prizes too. For a $5 raffle ticket you have the chance to win:

1) An autographed copy of Kay Bratt's book Silent Tears: A Journey of Hope in a Chinese Orphanage. Even if you already have a copy of her book, this will be a personalized autographed copy just for you if you win! Kay's got your copy sitting by her all the time just waiting for who to write it out to. Okay, maybe not all the time, but she's eager to send to a lucky winner!

BTW, if you need a refresher about who Kay Bratt is or what her book is about, check out the interview she was kind enough to give me last fall.

2) You also are eligible to win a set of Pirate and Princess Costumes.


Oh my goodness! Are these not absolutely darling? Trish at Tutu Crazy has donated these and will custom make them to size for the lucky winner. What? You don't have a little one? Give them away on YOUR blog!

And the third prize:

3) A 7" Sony digital picture frame! I gave away a digital picture frame during my Six Days of Christmas Giveaway last December and it was a huge hit. Who wouldn't want one of these? A crazy person I tell you!

So get on over to Teresa's blog Continuing the Journey and donate money on her ChipIn widget on the upper left side. For every $5 you get one entry. The raffle will end on July 10.

But wait! There's more!

(Do I sound like an infomercial because that was totally my goal with that line.)

For every entry you make on Teresa's blog I will enter you into my own giveaway! I will be giving away one of my infamous There's Always Room For One More mugs which are always accompanied by my world famous Crack Bars. Of course. I will also give away a $25 gift certificate to Olive Garden. This giveaway is only available to those who donate on Teresa's blog. When you donate either leave me or Teresa comment telling us that you donated and came from my blog. My giveaway will end on July 10th as well.

So what are you still doing here??? Get on over there!