My children near and far

“I may not always be with you
But when we're far apart
Remember you will be with me
Right inside my heart”
― Marc Wambolt, Poems from the Heart

It does not matter how old your children are, or where they live, you never stop worrying about them, or taking care of them. 

I worry about my baby, Riley, for obvious reasons – I mean, who would be excited about their child living in an orphanage?  I worry about Sam because she needs reassurance…sometimes daily…even though she truly has things figured out.  I worry about Carter because he is trying to figure out where he fits in the world and his heart is so tender.  I worry about Maddie because she is about to have her world turned upside down when her baby sister arrives. 

But most of all I worry about my Codi.  I think I mentioned he joined the Job Corps and moved to the other end of the state.  I’ve been Codi’s mom, nurse, chauffer, teacher, punching bag, confidante, psychiatrist, champion, and every other role in between for the last 18 years.  None of those 18 years could be described as easy between juggling doctor appointments, school, medicine, counseling, and just trying to be his mom.  All that being said I really love that boy!  He is talented, artistic and can have a wicked sense of humor.  The most challenging part of his leaving home was my giving up the role of medical supervisor.  Codi had never fought me on taking his medicine, he knows it helps, and except for being forgetful, he never purposely skips his meds.  This has probably been the most difficult part to work out – turning over his day-to-day care to him.  The good news is Codi is doing great!  He really likes where he is, what he is doing, and he has a plan!  Keep him in your prayers, but just know, he sounds happy and we are happy for him.

Halloween was really fun!  Maddie was a witch and Carter went scary this year and chose a character from The Purge.  Creepy!  I told him it was a good thing he had such a cute little sister, otherwise I don’t think our neighbors would open the door for him.

 

John and I are in packing mode – which consists of packing, unpacking, repacking, juggling, unpacking, repacking…we are having a tough time deciding what to bring, while staying under the 44 pounds rule and taking into consideration a 30 degree difference from North and South China.  Beijing is COLD and Guangzhou is shorts weather.

Maddie is now reading books Carter gave her - think middle school reading versus elementary school. Carter is doing his best to keep his grades at A’s and B’s and practicing his golf game.  Sam will be home this afternoon for a long break and to take care of the little ones while we are in China.  Codi will be home for two weeks at Christmas.

This is my last week at work before I take my vacation and maternity leave.  Everyone at work has been so supportive!  I’ve relied heavily on my best friend, Angie, and all my goofy friends at work, to keep me sane and slightly distracted.  Two weeks ago we had the “Great Nevada Shake Out” to prepare for a possible earthquake at work.  This is us under Angie’s desk making the best of the situation. 

This is Angie diving under her desk because Jason blew his earthquake whistle again.  (Okay, okay, the truth is she was plugging in her new lamp and Jason and I staged the picture – but our version is WAY FUNNIER!) 

 

Here are pictures from Halloween – we were supposed to dress as a Hero or Heroine and our department chose the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.  Someone nicknamed us the Middle Aged Mutant Ninja Turtles.  Whatever!  We rocked those masks!

 

Things are going to start getting FUN!  Hang on tight, here we go!

Big Hugs!

Marlo