We really had a great time! As soon as we left Hula Hut, Colin fell asleep. We really enjoy hanging out with you guys. What are we going to do next???

How about the rodeo? That is if they don’t hurt any animals. I’m gonna check it out online when I get a chance. Cooper fell asleep on the ride home too. He slept for almost 3 hours.

Okay…I seriously have to admit this…I feel like a freaking stalker…but I have two little boys (3 and 16 mos) and I stay home with them and I LOVE reading this blog and I always have to go to Carol Sippel’s as well….don’t be scared….I’m actually pretty normal…just been here in MI for just under two years (temporary transfer for my hubbie) and I miss my friends and Texas weather and anyway….my husband is from here originally - went to Michigan and has always loved Gregg..so anyway here it is - almost midnight and I’m cracking myself up thinking about how freaky it is that I “check-up” on you and your neighbors…..

You can live your Texas life vicariously through us. Where in Texas did you use to live?

We lived about 30 min outside of Houston in The Woodlands…..looking at Sugarland as a possiblility when we return….my husband is a pediatric surgeon and took a 2 year gig here at Mott. We were about 2 1/2 hours from Austin….LOVE the place…..I also find alot of michigan women to be very cliqueish and not super friendly….not at all like my southern roots but I have made a few good friends here and I will miss them but not the drivers and definitley not the weather!!!

LOL I actually kind of miss the drivers. Here everyone drives at or below the speed limit. It’s kind of freaky how they react to rain too. But I guess if you are happy no one is in a hurry. Found the same to be true when I lived in Boulder.
I used to volunteer at Mott when I was in A2. I was in 5 west. It was so hard on me. I was so young and couldn’t handle the kids and death. I would end up riding my bike home crying every day. AFter a few months I had to quit. My mental health couldn’t take it. It takes a strong person to work with sick kids. I admire your husband.
I would end up rocking babies that were under 2 pounds, shaking uncontrollably with wires coming out of everywhere. AND there were no parents around. crack babies left behind with bad symptoms. It was gut wrenching. The nurses would tell me I was the only contact these kids would have all day. I would rock them and hope I didn’t pull a wire or hurt them. Not the same as a nuturing rock. HOWEVER the experience did give me a whole new appreciation for the Ronald McDonald House. I don’t know how many of those families could have been by their child if not for the generous support of others. The donations that you leave in those boxes near the cash register at McDonalds really does go to the families. That is how some of the families who live out of state can stay near the hospital and be close to their children while they get treatment.
OK enough I can’t think about this this close to bed or I will have nightmares,

I used to volunteer at Vanderbilt Nashville and I was heartbroken by some of those kids and yet encouraged and uplifted at their strength and attitude. I admire him as well…he’s not only a damn fine doc, he’s a great, caring guy as well. He really wants to treat these kids and make life better….we came here for him to focus on reconstructive surgery for kids who’ve been disfigured by disease or accidents or fires….really gut-wrenching stuff. It’s hard to hear sometimes and he rarely lets himself get down but sometimes….and I have a tough time hearing about the bad ones as I get freaked out abotu my own kids. But honestly, he has more good stories than bad and he is sooo good with kids. I think I remember you mentioning a get-together for people here when you guys come back for JJ training…keep me posted and we’ll/I’ll try to come to that!! Take care!!

Golly, nikki, another thing I am still learning about you. You must have been very private about this, I sure don’t remember your doing this. The mind is a terrible thing to lose. But you’re right it takes a special person to do this sort of thing, day in and day out. I don’t think I could have either.

I can’t believe I never told you about this or you don’t remember this. I had my cute little pinstripe overall. Very cliche. My picture for my volunteer card was one of the best I had ever taken. It was still when I wore too much make up and spent time on my hair. LOL
It was really hard. Was I that much of a personal person? That was back when I used to do the most good that I could. Oh to be young. Spending the hours writing governments about their mistreatment of prisoners, alerting everone of the ills of animal oppression, and attending every speech about acceptance is very tiring at a “liberal” arts school. We don’t often get a chance to tell you everything, I mean we do have to study too.
As Gregg and dad would say they try to brainwash you. I like to think of it as opening my eyes to other possibilities and always questioning authority in a RESPECTFULL way.
I guess mom and daughters are different in some ways too. I do remember being secretive then but not when I was younger. Whoa, I shared too much with you!