Family

When I first saw this video, the thing that struck me was the normalcy of it.  Here you've got 2 dads with 2 kids....living life.  Just like any family you may see out there.  Making breakfast, getting the kids ready for school, going to work, tucking into bed.  It's just day to day tasks and events in this wonderful thing we call life.  We are ALL living this life.  In some households it's a mom and a dad taking care of these tasks and events.  In others it may be a mom or a dad who solely take care of things.  And in some cases, yes, you'll find 2 moms or 2 dads who are managing their family.  

Managing the family.  It's what we're all doing on a daily basis.  At the end of the day, as we climb into bed, we hope that it was a great day.  We like it when things get done and everyone is happy and healthy.  We look forward to the next day when we'll do it all again.

Does it really matter, 

as you turn out the lights, 

whether you roll over to give a kiss goodnight 

to your husband, your wife, your partner, or no one at all? 

It does not. 

Miss Independent

Dear Friends,

I know it might seem strange to some but I feel very connected with all of you, my lovely blog friends. If you think about it, it makes sense.  I've shared holidays, birthdays and anniversaries with you. I've experienced a pregnancy and child birth with you.  You supported me after the birth of Milena and Gustavo  and you transitioned with me as I became a working mom.  You've been "with" me through quite a few big moments in my life. Today, I hope that your support will once again be there as I share with you another transition in my life.

Rick and I have decided that at this point in our lives, we will be stronger and happier apart than we are together.  There is no anger. No resentment.  Neither one of us has wronged the other.  This is simply a case of 2 people who over the years have grown apart. Since this decision was made, Rick and I have had many conversations about how things will look in our new lives.  We have agreed on just about everything, most importantly that this be the smoothest transition possible for Skyler and Savannah.  We both feel a great deal of sadness knowing that this decision is by far hardest for the girls.  I am so very proud of how the girls have handled things thus far and I feel extremely confident that they will soon learn that life is still very good...and very happy.  My hope is that they will see that 2 happy parents in different homes creates a better life than 2 unhappy parents in the same home.  

How am I feeling?  I feel excited, anxious, scared and hopeful.  I am ready for the next steps and I look forward to creating the absolute happiest life possible for my family and myself.  It's new territory for all of us and that always produces some anxiety but I am 100% certain that we will ALL come out on the other side stronger, wiser, healthier and happier.

We would certainly appreciate all of the positive energy you can send our way.  I can't thank you enough for always being there for us.  

Much love,

Jeni

Perspective

I truly enjoy reading all of the blogs I follow.  It's one of the highlights of my day. It's very cool for me to be able to read about a surrogacy journey from the perspective of other surrogates.  It also intrigues me to read about the journey through the eyes of the Intended Parent.  This post was a neat one to read as the Intended Mother (Now Mom) has posted about her birth story, her relationship with her surrogate during their journey and what she anticipates the relationship will be now that a beautiful baby girl has been born.

Another Perspective: Thoughts from an Intended Mom

In The News...

I don't usually have the TV on in the morning, but recently I happened to tune in to the Today Show.  What a lovely day for them to have a story on surrogacy. Check it out!

Surrogacy

I also really enjoyed this story about a pretty incredible woman from Bogota, Columbia who is also making a big difference in the lives of babies and families.

Zachies

Completely unrelated: I spent a couple days in the mountains last week and one early morning on my way back to the hotel, I was forced to pull over.  For these guys...

Yes, elk understand English.  I think.

11 Months Old!

Happy

\

Happy

Happy

And just like the hokey pokey, "That's what it's all about."

Happy 11 months Gustavo and Milena!  Hugs and Kisses!

J & J

This last weekend was one of the greatest weekends ever.  Simply because I got to spend it with Jesse.  I'm pretty sure she and I could have fun no matter WHAT we were doing.  We had a fantastic weekend and Jesse has posted about it.  Check it out.  (Especially if you're a Dog the Bounty Hunter fan.)  :-)

J & J's Weekend in Denver

I'm Not A Flipping Robot!

Just let me post my comment for once, will ya?

Is it just me, or has anyone else noticed that it's become even harder to prove you're not a robot?  It's true that it's recently been determined that I need glasses while working at the computer, but my gosh, I squint to try to get the letters just right and half the time the numbers aren't readable AT ALL!

I take my time, fix the letter that I think may be an "a", no...a "ci", no...definitely an "a".  (see above) Good grief!  It produces a little anxiety. I slowly enter each character one by one.  I double and triple check my work and carefully press the PUBLISH button while crossing all crossables.

The characters you've entered didn't match the word verification.  

Please try again.  

I can just hear her smug, calm voice as she gives me the news that I've failed yet again.  And I just KNOW she turns her head to the side and snickers at me a little bit.  

I want the power back!  I'm TAKING the power back!

In an effort to smack that smug, calm voice right in the mouth, I am REMOVING the Prove You're Not A Robot feature from this blog.  From now on, I will approve each comment before it's posted and I will determine whether you're a robot or not, and I will have the power and I will be very happy.

Now isn't that more cheerful?  So every time you comment and hit that publish button, please know that I send you lots of happy, carefree energy full of rainbows and unicorns.

And donuts.  

Because they're yummy.