the importance of commas {and TA coming soon!}

I'm so happy to tell you that we are officially waiting
for our TA.

Travel Approval for you civilians.

Our Article 5's were picked up yesterday.
Which was actually Monday night for us.
Tuesday for China.
Got it?

So now it is said to be 2-5 weeks til TA.

Two to Five weeks.

Do you mind praying for TWO, please?

Then we travel, shortly thereafter.
And by we, I mean my dear husband.

I have high and mighty plans while he's gone getting
our new fellas.

For one,
I want to make and freeze enough meals to last
us until February of 2025.
It's cute how you think I'm kidding.

Alright, so we all know that isn't going to happen.

But I'll try to get enough stocked away to last us
until...mid-June of this year, anyway.

And I have an embarrassing admission to tell you.
I haven't sent either boys a care package.

Stop it!

I know.

This is how I roll, people.
Hahaha, see how important commas are?
If I hadn't inserted that little gem,
it would read,
This is how I roll people.
Isn't that funny?
Seriously though, I don't really roll people.
That's why I used a comma.

I digress.

So anyway, I sent the orphanage an email with
pics for little Isaiah Jack to see.
I'm told they're super cool with stuff like that.
I'll let ya know if I hear back from them.

And as for Elijah Andrew
(whose name may change, much to my chagrin),
he knows about us and has seen our faces,
and we did send that t-shirt he's wearing, via another family.

But I joked with Macy tonight that by the 5th & 6th child,
this is just how things work.
She thought that was hilarious.

And speaking of Macy,
I do need to do a post regarding her progress.
And my progress.
Because it turns out that she's made me a better person.

So that's the latest, my friends.

Please don't forget to use your commas wisely.

Dancin' With the Stars & Toilet Tuesday

I never would have guessed that a post on grammar would generate so much "talk." My hubby came home last night, sat down to read my blog and gave me a blank stare...."what in the world?" Suffice it to say that he didn't finish reading and made it clear that I had dropped the boring bomb on my blog for the day! Well, ok I admit it wasn't exactly earth-shattering and it sure doesn't have any eternal effects (a noun so it's effect, right?) but it was worth a quick brush up on the correct way to use our language, don't ya think? :)

Oh and now I am super paranoid as I'm typing this....and I'm sure you all are too so let's just not worry about it, okie dokie?

Last night the new season of D*ancing with the Stars started, which Brenden (and Nick too....sorta) has been waiting a long time for. But only because Shawn Johnson was on. Here is how that brief moment in our evening looked:



Yes, B is sitting in Lucy's little chair. And she made it known that she didn't like him doing so! But we are trying to teach her to share so we just let B stay there for the duration of the dance. I told B to smile for the camera and he told me that the look he was sporting better showed his intense interest. My kids are so weird.

And I have declared Tuesdays to be Toilet Tuesday because I have figured out that part of my problem with keeping up on housework & other things is that I have no routine. So, I'm scheduling my toilet cleaning. So, today it is. Please hold me accountable.

My Grammar Lesson (for what it's worth)

Way back in the early 90's when I was in beauty school there was another student there who would constantly correct the other students on their grammar. He definitely had his work cut out for him in that place, as you might imagine. He was a super nice guy (and straight as an arrow, btw) and always did his little corrections in a kind way but it still annoyed everyone....except me! I happened to care about how I sounded and wanted to speak correctly.

One of the things he always caught me on was, "I'm done." To which he would say, "No Lori...you are not done. A cake is done. You are finished." Aahh yes. That rule has stuck with me but I still flub it up once in a while.

Also, having homeschooled my boys a few years, emphasizing grammar was important. I have learned more than they have. Perhaps they will homeschool their own children someday and learn it for themselves (and actually enjoy it).

I definitely know that my own use of ........ is a bit much (is that correct at any time?? Idk, but I insist on using ......... because it adds emphasis). I like to think that my use of commas is correct but I know I goof up on that too. Oh, and to and too. That REALLY bugs me...I DO know how to use those words. I need to go to the store. I go to the store too much. Got it.

Another thing that bugs me is the use of I versus me. Kelly and I are going to the store. Do you want to go to the store with Kelly and me?

Lay and lie?? I seriously fail with those words so I simply avoid them. I can never remember the rule, though Brenden has told me several times.

Then there are apostrophes. AAAHHH! This bugs me big time!! A Presidents' Day Sale. Not, President's Day Sale. We are honoring several presidents not just one. We are the Smiths. Not, we are the Smith's. Got it? (No, my last name isn't Smith)

Then there's there, their and they're. Just learn it, k?

Ok, I will stop there because I have made myself look like a complete grammar snob. Truth is, I'm still learning what I should have learned (or paid attention to) years ago. And I am really paranoid now since I know of at least 5 (oops, five) or so teachers who read my blog. AND I often go back and re-read my posts and constantly find mistakes. But what really bugs me is when I read other bloggers who NEVER seem to make grammar or spelling errors! Ok, it doesn't bug me...it makes me jealous! :) The biggest culprit? Stefanie at Ni Hao Ya'll. She is an amazing writer. I drool over her ability to perfectly put a sentence together.

Ok, now I'm getting weird. Here's my assignment for all of you: feel free to correct my grammar and spelling at anytime. Really! But I promise, I won't correct yours...that would be rude.

Have a wonderful day!

*Disclaimer: I am fully aware that there are likely grammar errors within this grammar lesson post. See if you can find one or two.