Leaving Las Vegas

It appears that Las Vegas was not meant to be. Won’t bore you with the details leading up to the decision, but it culminated with the death of my mother who was the main reason for my moving west.
At Thanksgiving, when I visited mom, I mentioned that I was considering a return to Florida. Her response: “of course you are, you’re a water baby.” I sobbed because wow, my mom really knows me.
So, with the support of my extended family, I have made the decision and on Friday we leave. My job was as understanding as they could be, considering I’m leaving in the middle of the year. My students are amazing, and one of them brought a huge card by tonight that they all signed for me, so I will have a special place in my heart for Henderson and especially for Green Valley High School. I can’t say enough about the wonder of that place.
I’m happy to be back to my great friends, to the beach, and oh yeah, to Michael and Brooke. If you have read this blog for a while you have heard about my relationship with him – well, we want to be together for good. We bought a house and are planning on getting married. He has also made it possible for me to stay at home with Alexa until school resumes in August. Poor girl has been hauled all over the place so I am thrilled to hang out with her for a few months without having to send her to day care. I also get to enjoy a new relationship with Brooke, who is so excited to be a “big sister” to Alexa!. Michael flies out Wednesday to help me finalize the move, and to help me crate up the cats and get us all home. I’m looking forward to this new phase – more soon. I think this is an appropriate time to start a new blog - in our new life back home where we belong.
This way to the new blog:
http://alexa-shannon.blogspot.com/

'bye Mom

I know my mom is looking over Alexa, and tonight is proof.

Thank you, my friends, for the words of comfort. I know losing a parent is not unique to me, but it still hurts. My dad died in a plane crash when I was 16 so my mom, brother and I were extraordinarily close. That, and the fact that my mom wanted nothing more to love her granddaughter and was so excited to meet her and was my biggest supporter in this adoption, it just breaks my heart that she left us so soon.

Sunday my brother Mike and his wife Ellen and two kids, my mom's sister and brother-in-law, and Michael, Brooke, Alexa and I traveled to Powder Mountain in Utah for mom's goodbye.

It was a beautiful, sunny, cold crisp day - the weather mom loved. We reached the snowy peak overlooking the valley and Mike turned on U2's "It's a Beautiful Day"(a song my mom liked),we all held a handful of rose petals and gave the four kids each a red balloon.

Ellen explained to the kids that mom was in heaven, and the balloons symbolized her ascent. At that point, Mike said a few words, we all said goodbye, and he sent the ashes into the wind. We scattered the rose petals and the kids let go of the balloons. We hugged and kissed each other, told our loved ones how much we loved them and how much we loved mom, and cried.

The next day we woke up to a stunning white snowfall. I think it was her way of telling us she is safely in heaven, and all is well.

But I'll never stop missing her.

The Brightest Star in the Sky Tonight

I am devastated to tell you that my mother died this morning.

A beautiful soul has left us, and I will miss her every day, forever.

I could go on and on about her but I won't and I can't. She was everything to me.

Goodbye mom, please look over Alexa.

Happy in her 70's:

Happy as a mommy to Shannon and Mike:

Happy as a fighter pilot's wife:

She will be missed beyond belief.

Thanksgiving Weekend

Alexa's "Let's go see Nana" outfit, sans the hat: She hated the hat, and this is her face after I put it back on and asked her not to take it off..... Alexa and I had a quick weekend up to see my mom. We stayed at my brother's house, while he and his wife and kids went to see her family in Denver. A few photos, and more about the trip (and my great visit with mom) later............

Giving Thanks

This week I want to give thanks for my family and friends, to give thanks for being close enough (for now) to quickly fly up to see my mom, and to give thanks for Alexa coming into my life.

I love that little girl so much, I sit here as she sleeps and miss her smile and hugs. She makes me laugh and she makes me mad but I love her the same. She is loving and stubborn and I love both. She is silly, goofy, kind, thoughtful, hard headed, and smart and beautiful. She loves me, too, so for that I am especially thankful.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Old Mother Hubbard, Harry Potter and Alexa

While I was making breakfast this morning, Alexa was taking her usual tour of my tupperware cabinets. But after a minute I didn't hear her (which is usually trouble) and looked down to see what she was up to and.....the feet gave her away.


I started calling out "Where's Alexa?" I wonder where Alexa is?....


Busted! Come out of there you little rascal!


Am I in trouble mommy? (of course the answer is a big no, because I was too busy laughing!!)

One year ago today I heard my dossier was in Kazakhstan, and was electric with anticipation of wondering where my daughter was. Who knew all I had to do was to look in my cupboard?

Photos