State Fair and Family

The girls and I went to the Fair last week. On Thursday my day care provider called at 7:20 to say she was sick and needed to close daycare. After calling the boss, I fed the girls and got us all ready and off to the Fair we went. We had alot of fun but missed some important things. We didn't have corn on the cob, or Tom Thumb Donuts or go to the mini farm for kids. We did go on rides and flew down the "Big" slide in Kidway (Kids rides) and went to the Stinky Barns. Elizabeth's words... except the only barn that was bad was the Pig barn. We also ate corn dogs, hamburger, pretzels and had snow cones - purple. I rented a wagon at the Fair instead of taking the stroller. It worked great. Ella even took a nap. We also went to the new International Bazaar... when I was a teenager it was called Mexican Village. On the way out we picked up some Chinese Umbrellas. Fun Day

Elizabeth's photo of one of the roosters

The girls milking a fake cow in the Cow Barn

The wagon setup

Getting ready to go on rides

Ferris Wheel - Elizabeth called it the Merry Go Round


I think Elizabeth liked this ride - Alot.

Two girls in a wagon with their cool umbrellas

We headed for home about 4 because that night was the Open House at school for Elizabeth. They even had dinner for us so I coasted that day. ;-)

It was so good to see everyone and get caught up on the summer. I got choked up when I walked into Elizabeth's room with her. She will be at a real desk this year instead of a table. It hit home that my baby is now a First Grader. I had heard other parents say that time really flies and didn't really believe them. But, it really does. I am so proud of Elizabeth and am excited to see her personality continue to develop. I thank God for my girls!!! Both of Elizabeth's teachers from last year were there too. They both were very sweet with Elizabeth and gave her hugs.

On Saturday we went to watch Laura with her horse Patches. Laura is my nephew Josh's wonderful girlfriend. She was doing dressage and cross country jumping. It was a great day to be outside and we all had a great time. My brother Kevin was there as well. Unfortunately, the only picture I took was of Ella sitting on one of the horse jumps. She was tired and clingy and only wanted to be held. Laura and Josh wanted to walk the jump route before her time to ride. Elizabeth and Kevin walked with them but I knew I couldn't hold Ella all that time so we stayed in one spot. Kevin tried holding her but she didn't want anyone but me. Times like that are when its really hard being a single parent.

Sunday we did some shopping for school and church. We needed to go to Marshall for a funeral. My aunt Nellie passed away on Wednesday night. She was almost 98 years old and a wonderful woman. She was my dad's oldest sister. Nellie's funeral was on Monday so the girls and I piled in the car for the trip down. Dad and Kevin rode together in Kevin's truck. After the funeral and lunch, the girls and I stopped at my aunt Joyce's. She is my mom's youngest sister. We were able to visit with Jim and Joyce as well as my aunt Chink, her daughters Rose and Julie, Butch and Jeanne and 3 of their granddaughters. Butch, Joyce and Chink are some of my mom's siblings. Rose took some great pictures and I was so happy they all were able to come over to Joyce's while we were there.



I don't recall which night it was, but we had Birth Mom discussions again. Elizabeth told me she thinks her Birth mom is dead because she can't see her. I can understand and tried to explain that she was probably alive and thinking of Elizabeth all the time. The questions are getting harder but I keep trying to listen and answer truthfully. I told Elizabeth that her Birth mom and Foster mom mean alot to me too because they loved her first. She said they mean more to her and I agreed.

I am going to start asking more questions of the girls to make sure they know they can always talk to me about anything, even the tough stuff. I remember when I was little and wanted to talk about my Mom with my Dad. I could tell it was tough for him so I quit asking. My hope is to be as relaxed as I can be so they don't stop asking the tough stuff.