[x] K.'s working the bedtime circuit so instead of doing anything productive, I decided to sit down and scratch out a quick blog. That's almost productive, right? Sorta? Yes? Anyway.

[x] I happy the weekend is here. The back half of last week was a tad stressful. In attempting to get everything in line for Sunshine's (potential? possible?) arrival, I realized a few things: 1. we're going to need to further perfect our time management skills and 2. we're going to have to start accepting help when it is offered. In short, this upcoming fall will bring a school schedule that is a nothing short of a hot mess. Bear has full day school (no bus), Beauty has two separate schools (and is taking the bus to one of them--there and back) with a lunch break in between, and Sunshine has (maybe will have?) half day schooling that requires a bus ride both to and from). None of the kids start at the same time, and none of the kids get out at the same time. Yep.

However, the plus is that from August through December, there are only eighteen school days that I'll have to hack this myself. I've already enlisted my mom for her assistance on those days, so we should be all set. And hopefully, K. will be able to use a couple of vacation days to offset the damage. And also hopefully, K. will be able to pounce on any trade requests--especially this summer--should anyone be in need of a day off. It's not too bad, though--but looking at the schedules all penned out? What.an.incredible.headache.

At least LF and I will get LOTS of quality one-on-one time. I know she'll miss her sibs something fierce (she misses them now and they're only in preschool!) but this will give the two of us lots of time to spend together. Definitely looking forward to that. <3

But the thing that really roasts me? Sunshine is only eligible for schooling for two and a half hours a day, five days a week, until she's five. FIVE. She's three now.

Seriously?

She's currently in full-day school now. She has a whole host of activities, from her multiple therapies to gym class to cooking class. So, basically, they're going to bus her to school, complete her therapies and bus her back, I guess? So much for progression in the greater Chicagoland area. Ugh. Oh, and? She's probably eligible for summer school due to her CP, but--BUT--it only runs from early July to late July. At least it's four and a half hours a day at that point, I guess. I hate the thought of most of June and most of August being therapy-free. We're going to have to work on that and figure out a way to offset the lack of therapy. A fellow special needs mama recently told me about success with chiropractic therapy for CP and if I can get DCFS to sign off and approve it (and find a chiropractor who would be a good fit to treat Sunshine), I am totally interested in pursuing this option.

It will work out, as these things tend to do. It will just take a little bit of juggling to get it straight and settled.

[x] Other than that, placement is still looking like mid-May if it's going to happen. I am strangely calm and prepared, but not entirely confident this will all go through as planned (just with the nature of adoption, really). I'm pretty tired of any and all adoption related stresses, and believe me, there are quite a few of 'em. Not to say I'm unappreciative--that couldn't be further from the truth, really--but I'm just tired of the actual process and hoop jumping. Oh, the hoops. So tired of the hoops.

[x] Anyway, if placement is still looking likely, we'll break the news to a few select people the week of the 9th, I think. It's so hard to commit to saying something when there is that chance--a very real chance--that something, anything could derail the potential placement. It's hard enough to have a blossoming-but-always-so-cautious hope, you know? So it goes. Time will tell, as it always does...

[x] I'm continually amazed at the number of hits this blog receives on a regular basis. Who ARE all of you? ;) I know very few of my "real life" peeps keep up with me here, so to see so many hits...it floors me. Well, thanks for reading, whoever you may be. Glad there's a few of you out there who find me at least a little interesting. ;)

[x] Do you own this CD yet? If not, you need to get your hands on this disc, like, pronto. It's pretty amazing stuff. We've been rocking it hardcore as of late. I am loving it something fierce. It bumped me off my Flogging Molly/Pantera/Foo Fighters kick, but that's okay--I'll be back eventually. But man...Mumford & Sons seriously swept me.

[x] K. and I had the most interesting conversation about my exes today. I can't (won't?) really detail here because as previously stated, I really *don't* know who's reading this, but it's so incredibly amazing to have a partner who supports your past for what it was: a stepping point to get to where you are now. This characteristic seems like a given, but it's painfully astounding to find some people will tear you apart--based on your past--simply because they don't like the choices you made, the person you were, the activities in which you engaged, and the like. But I digress.

[x] I can't blog about it in detail, but my shipment of beauty products from Parents magazine arrived last week and I am loving the anti-aging products they sent! When all is said and done--and if I wind up looking like a twenty year old instead of a thirty year old, I'll impart my wisdom, but I've gotta sit tight (and stay zip lipped) until the issue with the reviews drops. But getting an enormous package of beauty products was pretty much a total beautygasm. SO good. Thanks, Parents! You've got one happy tester on your hands, let me tell you.

[x] I'll have you all know I broke my cardinal rule of "no-shopping-on-a-Saturday-if-possible" today, and even managed to pick up the supplies needed for red velvet cake balls for all my favorites at K.'s station. The choice at hand was between cookie dough scoops and red velvet cake balls, and one of my favorite ever people cast the deciding vote and tipped it in favor of that latter. I hope they look at least semi-decent this time around. I know the guys at station three don't sit around critiquing the presentation of my desserts, but it always makes me feel so...icky to serve unattractive food. Fingers crossed...

[x] Okay, time to wrap this up and pretend to do something productive until K. completes the bedtime circuit for our popcorn date to begin. It's a little cold, but we'll take it. :)  <3 PS - Secrets are already up on PostSecret. Love when Frank posts 'em early.