Starbucks
I don't drink Starbucks. I don't drink coffee....AND....with that said, I don't even drink caffeine. Although I've stated all of the above, for some strange reason I still end up finding myself in Starbucks. Each time I do, it is such a hilarious thing for me. Really, it totally just cracks me up at what people are willing to say to get the "perfect" cup of coffee. As I sat in the coffee shop I heard things like "180 degree, no water Chi, 3 pump, double whip, no foam, double cupped, personal cup, shaken...."....the list goes on and on! Quiet frankly, I don't even know what any of that means and I just can't help but wonder how all of these people ended up knowing what any of that means. Really, is their a class? How do you decide if you need a half a pump or a 3/4 pump? Does that really make or break the drink? The other thing that goes through my mind is the movie "Kicking and Screaming". It is really how I see all of you Starbucks junkies (if you haven't seen that movie watch it now!). I just can't help but laugh out loud and sometimes I want to ask them to repeat their order so I can record it and play it back to myself when I need a little pick-me-up.
The reality is, that as funny as I find the orders, I just can't help but wonder who the people behind the orders really are. Maybe all these people order different drinks depending on their moods and life challenges. The guy who just walked through the door and ordered coffee "black" and never acknowledged the barista (a term I had to verify through my personal "Starbucks junkie") might be in the middle of a bitter divorce and wants nothing more to clutter his life like whip and pumps of anything. What about the sweet couple who walked through the door together and brought their own cups. She orders for him...but does he even like what she got him, or does he just do what he is told? How about the teenagers who come through. You can tell they are "regulars" as they rattle off their mile long drink orders filled with pumps and shots and a full load of just about every ingredient that Starbucks offers. Not a care in the world, they want to experience it all!
With all of that said, it got me thinking about my kids and their personalities and exactly what I thought they would order. Here is what I came up with:
EmmaLeigh- She would order a venti (the biggest I'm told). She will get whatever they tell her is the "featured" drink as she loves to try new things and will put herself out their to always be able to say she tried something different.
Kaidon-This guy would have a different drink depending on the weather. He would be consistent enough that the baristas would know his drink no matter the season. He'd be one that would have a daily "call ahead" order so that it would be ready and waiting for him. If he was running even a minute behind he'd feel it necessary to call and let them know so that they could plan accordingly.
Mihya-She would be getting something different daily. Some days she would be going all out with whatever could bring her mood "up" and other days she would be trying to find things that could bring her "down". The baristas would be anxious each day as to which "Mihya" would be walking through the door.
Graysie-She would be ordering whatever drink is the froufrouist. Her drink would stand out in a crowd and would turn heads it would look so pretty. She might not even like how it tastes but she wouldn't care as long as it was getting the attention it deserved.
Mikael-He'd be going to the same Starbucks at the same time everyday ordering a black decaf coffee. Nice and simple, no changes, no additions. It would need to be decaf just in case caffeine might make him do something he'd regret. The barista would have it waiting for him and he'd hand over the exact change each day. They would never know his name and he'd never say more than "thank you".
Kayela-It wouldn't matter what she ordered because she would only be going in to get a few more words spoken each day. She would know all the baristas names, spouses and birthdays and she would be friends with all the other customers. They would love her too because she would have a compliment for each of them daily.
Tait- All he'd have to do is smile and they'd be handing over the keys!(...or maybe it's just us he has that power over)
In the future, as you order, think of me standing next to you "analyzing" your personality based on your drink. Seriuosly think about what your drink says about you and be sure to let me know what you unveil...I always need a good laugh!
Monday, November 16, 2009
Thursday, November 5, 2009
It's National Adoption Month
We didn't know 14 years ago when we got married that we would be adopting kids. It was never something we really even planned for, but as you know here we are on number 4! How this process is stressful, blissful, annoying, frustrating, amazing, tiring, exciting, emotional, etc. all at the same time can only be fully grasped when you choose to go through with a personal adoption. No words could ever describe how something so emotionally draining can be one of the very things that you would never change about your life. We have been absolutely blessed with the ability to be called "adoptive parents" to four awesome kids whom we love with everything we have. Each of their situations are very different from one another although the one thing that remains the same is how grateful we are that, for whatever reason, we were the "chosen" parents.
Graysie: You were the first baby that taught me that I could love something that I hadn't carried with me for nine months. I loved you from the second I knew you'd be my baby and waited for you to come just like I waited for labor pains to start with your big brother and sisters. It was the first time I got to "see" one of my babies be born and to be totally focused on your first breath. You're so loved by both Amanda and I that, unlike most kids, you have two moms who worry about you and want the best for you. You are funny and beautiful, caring and smart. I can see that you are so proud of who you are and I hope that you don't ever forget how special you are.
Mikael: You were so broken when we got you that we weren't sure how you'd be able to overcome the obstacles that had been placed in your way. Had we only known what a fighter you are we never would have lost sleep over it. You are so compassionate and concerned with everyone you come in contact with. You are a helper by nature and although it wasn't what you were taught for your first three years of life you are one of the very few kids I know who naturally puts others above himself. I know that you will do great things.
Kayela: Although we were just waiting for one baby boy, we were lucky enough to get you as a bonus! Once you decided to love and trust us as your parents, you did it with all of your heart. Their isn't a day that goes by that we don't know how much you appreciate us as your mommy and daddy. You are never lacking a great compliment and when you find something that needs to be said you never hold back. You are always wanting to share your adoption story and are so drawn to teach others about adoption that you are sure to spark foster-adopt awareness in the future.
Tait: Our sweet, sweet guy. How we long for the day that we can call you ours. You are the perfect picture of what we dreamed about for so long while waiting for the call announcing we'd be parents again. You've brought a common passion to our family, that cannot be described by words. I am a sucker for those green eyes and dimples and how I know you will use that to your advantage in the future. You are so laid back and patient and it has been nothing short of amazing to be able to love you each day.
We didn't know 14 years ago when we got married that we would be adopting kids. It was never something we really even planned for, but as you know here we are on number 4! How this process is stressful, blissful, annoying, frustrating, amazing, tiring, exciting, emotional, etc. all at the same time can only be fully grasped when you choose to go through with a personal adoption. No words could ever describe how something so emotionally draining can be one of the very things that you would never change about your life. We have been absolutely blessed with the ability to be called "adoptive parents" to four awesome kids whom we love with everything we have. Each of their situations are very different from one another although the one thing that remains the same is how grateful we are that, for whatever reason, we were the "chosen" parents.
Graysie: You were the first baby that taught me that I could love something that I hadn't carried with me for nine months. I loved you from the second I knew you'd be my baby and waited for you to come just like I waited for labor pains to start with your big brother and sisters. It was the first time I got to "see" one of my babies be born and to be totally focused on your first breath. You're so loved by both Amanda and I that, unlike most kids, you have two moms who worry about you and want the best for you. You are funny and beautiful, caring and smart. I can see that you are so proud of who you are and I hope that you don't ever forget how special you are.
Mikael: You were so broken when we got you that we weren't sure how you'd be able to overcome the obstacles that had been placed in your way. Had we only known what a fighter you are we never would have lost sleep over it. You are so compassionate and concerned with everyone you come in contact with. You are a helper by nature and although it wasn't what you were taught for your first three years of life you are one of the very few kids I know who naturally puts others above himself. I know that you will do great things.
Kayela: Although we were just waiting for one baby boy, we were lucky enough to get you as a bonus! Once you decided to love and trust us as your parents, you did it with all of your heart. Their isn't a day that goes by that we don't know how much you appreciate us as your mommy and daddy. You are never lacking a great compliment and when you find something that needs to be said you never hold back. You are always wanting to share your adoption story and are so drawn to teach others about adoption that you are sure to spark foster-adopt awareness in the future.
Tait: Our sweet, sweet guy. How we long for the day that we can call you ours. You are the perfect picture of what we dreamed about for so long while waiting for the call announcing we'd be parents again. You've brought a common passion to our family, that cannot be described by words. I am a sucker for those green eyes and dimples and how I know you will use that to your advantage in the future. You are so laid back and patient and it has been nothing short of amazing to be able to love you each day.
I love being an adoptive mom, even with the challenges it brings each day. I wouldn't change this craziness for anything!
Enjoy the video:
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Protective Paranoia
Even with Emma as our first baby I was laid back and not much of a worrier. I don't know if it's that I was too young to know to be worried or if I was just really relaxed because I read about a million books while pregnant with her, and just thought I knew it all. Either way, nothing with her really bothered me. I've never been the one on a first name basis with my pediatrician or the office staff and you'd think we would know each other considering I am in there a minimum of 6 times a year with well baby checks alone. The fact is though, I really am not one of "those" parents that freaks out about every cough and sniffle. I once had a friend who was drama through and through! I don't know how many times she told me that she was waiting for a call back from the pediatrician. I would smile and nod while thinking "oh, that poor, poor man". Actually, one time I mentioned that I knew her and the pediatrician looked sweetly over his glasses and said "wow, it's amazing how two women with totally different parenting styles could be friends like you are." I personally took that as a compliment just knowing about all the drama this person brought with her into any situation including her mothering.
It's not even like we haven't had our fair share of unforeseen circumstances either. No, we've had a broken femur that resulted in a full body cast on a two year old. We've had three broken arms, one ripped open scrotum, countless black eyes, heart murmurs, severe asthma from 2 weeks old, presumed cystic fibrosis that thankfully after many months of testing was determined to be negative, crossed eyes, speech disorder, drug addictions....Oh, how I could go on! The point is, it just didn't bother me! I rolled with it and got frustrated at times but I was not a paranoid fool about the things that have been thrown our way. It was what it was period!
Although that was my old parenting style I have to admit that my new one is more of a protective psychotic style. I fully admit that how I am parenting Tait is a bit more "helicopterish" than how I parented the other six. Seriously, I just don't know why but I am a freak about every little thing with him. Our pediatrician just received their shipment of the H1N1 vaccine and guess who they administered the first shot to? Yep, you guessed it, Tait! I got the email this morning at 7:34 and had an appointment at 8:30 where he got his shot. When I entered through the front door I played off the fact that they now call me by name by telling myself it's only because my baby is so cute how would they forget him? The crazy thing is that I haven't realized how freakish I've been until today when I was feeling uncomfortable that the plant at the desk in the pediatricians lobby seemed to be a bit droopy. I started to freak out about if they can't keep the plant healthy, than what risk is my poor baby at? Oh dear and did the nurse cough? I think she might have. However, the big sign to me that I might just need to chill out a bit is when I got this response from the nurse after asking "now, do you have staff that takes care of the well babies and then staff that only deals with the sick kids? because what risk is that for all these kids who are only coming in for flu shots to have been in contact with germs from your clothes and other stuff that has been in contact with the sick kids. Oh that brings up a thought about the rooms do you separate the sick rooms from the well rooms or are they intermixed too?...." I'm not sure how long I rambled but I just know that once I started to come up for air she smirked at me and said "Mom, don't you have six kids that go to school everyday?" Oh dear!
All I can say is that my new focus is going to be to loosen up a bit, I've gotten quite protective in my old age!
Even with Emma as our first baby I was laid back and not much of a worrier. I don't know if it's that I was too young to know to be worried or if I was just really relaxed because I read about a million books while pregnant with her, and just thought I knew it all. Either way, nothing with her really bothered me. I've never been the one on a first name basis with my pediatrician or the office staff and you'd think we would know each other considering I am in there a minimum of 6 times a year with well baby checks alone. The fact is though, I really am not one of "those" parents that freaks out about every cough and sniffle. I once had a friend who was drama through and through! I don't know how many times she told me that she was waiting for a call back from the pediatrician. I would smile and nod while thinking "oh, that poor, poor man". Actually, one time I mentioned that I knew her and the pediatrician looked sweetly over his glasses and said "wow, it's amazing how two women with totally different parenting styles could be friends like you are." I personally took that as a compliment just knowing about all the drama this person brought with her into any situation including her mothering.
It's not even like we haven't had our fair share of unforeseen circumstances either. No, we've had a broken femur that resulted in a full body cast on a two year old. We've had three broken arms, one ripped open scrotum, countless black eyes, heart murmurs, severe asthma from 2 weeks old, presumed cystic fibrosis that thankfully after many months of testing was determined to be negative, crossed eyes, speech disorder, drug addictions....Oh, how I could go on! The point is, it just didn't bother me! I rolled with it and got frustrated at times but I was not a paranoid fool about the things that have been thrown our way. It was what it was period!
Although that was my old parenting style I have to admit that my new one is more of a protective psychotic style. I fully admit that how I am parenting Tait is a bit more "helicopterish" than how I parented the other six. Seriously, I just don't know why but I am a freak about every little thing with him. Our pediatrician just received their shipment of the H1N1 vaccine and guess who they administered the first shot to? Yep, you guessed it, Tait! I got the email this morning at 7:34 and had an appointment at 8:30 where he got his shot. When I entered through the front door I played off the fact that they now call me by name by telling myself it's only because my baby is so cute how would they forget him? The crazy thing is that I haven't realized how freakish I've been until today when I was feeling uncomfortable that the plant at the desk in the pediatricians lobby seemed to be a bit droopy. I started to freak out about if they can't keep the plant healthy, than what risk is my poor baby at? Oh dear and did the nurse cough? I think she might have. However, the big sign to me that I might just need to chill out a bit is when I got this response from the nurse after asking "now, do you have staff that takes care of the well babies and then staff that only deals with the sick kids? because what risk is that for all these kids who are only coming in for flu shots to have been in contact with germs from your clothes and other stuff that has been in contact with the sick kids. Oh that brings up a thought about the rooms do you separate the sick rooms from the well rooms or are they intermixed too?...." I'm not sure how long I rambled but I just know that once I started to come up for air she smirked at me and said "Mom, don't you have six kids that go to school everyday?" Oh dear!
All I can say is that my new focus is going to be to loosen up a bit, I've gotten quite protective in my old age!
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