Because I'm the punk big sister and I have a genetic obligation to bust my younger siblings chops sometimes that's why...

Okay, I've been debating on whether or not to post a picture collage because it may upset the primary subject. I've decided that it's too funny to NOT share so if you are the subject and would like me to remove this post, text me and it will be done in a flash. Having said that, here's one of my siblings pulling some classic faces instead of smiling at my camera like a good man should.

P.S. If you click on the picture, you can see it MUCH bigger. He he he.

And So Life Takes Another Turn

We are back from Korea. It was a very valuable learning experience for us all. We are now living in Arizona. Owen and I have decided to do some roll reversal and I will be the full-time student/ wage earner and he will be the full-time stay at home parent. This was a decision that came directly from our experience in Korea.

As you might guess from the above picture, I am in training to become a chef. Today is the end of my first week of classes and I will say that each day as I return from school, I feel as if the stars have aligned and I have found the huge missing piece in my life.

That sounds dramatic I know, but for the past 8 years I've tried to take what I thought was the most righteous path for a woman and force that idea into my gaping hole with disastrous results. I love being a mother, but when you are a mother through adoption things tend to be quite different for you. You can pretend to be like all of the other mothers at play group, but aside from the fact that you also have a child to hold and care for, you are quite a different breed of woman. I won't go on about this but I'm sure that most of you know a lady like me and can empathise.
Anyway, flash forward to right now. Dylan loves that his mommy is training to be a chef and loves to be my "chef's assistant" in the kitchen at home. I let him wear some of my gear and I think that I will get him his own hat and apron with his name on it just to make his honorary position more official.
Owen has been nothing but accommodating and supportive and has graciously put his own career on hold until I am finished with school and my externship. As for me, I won't lie, although the training is riggerous and the classes are challanging, I absolutely love every minute of class and the hours of study that follows.

We are currently getting things together for Dylan to enter 2nd grade. He's a bit nervous but we are certain that he will do just fine. Owen is adjusting pretty well as well and we will se how he likes house work, cooking and dealing with the PTA and all things elementary in the following weeks. I plan to take over my rightful place as head homemaker once I'm done with school but I am so grateful that he is willing to allow me to focus fully on my studies right now.


We have become a non-traditional family but I think that the long-term results will be positive.