What do you see?

Lisa June 10, 2009 2Comments

Dear Mom and Dad…

It is a beautiful day in Michigan.  I felt grass for the first time.  I picked a flower and I had a great day at camp.   I know you are both hurting very much.  I know how much you miss me, and want to be with me.   I am doing okay here.   You need not worry about who is caring for me, it is always the same family.   You need not worry when I am being fed, or how often I am changed.   I have no schedule, I get to eat as slow as I want, or discover as much as I want.   I have a very nice ‘situation’, and am growing and seem to be happy!  There is love and there is everything a princess can need for a ‘camp’ experience.   CAMP is just that, ‘C‘ertainly ‘A‘ ‘M‘omentary ‘P’lace…. A MOMENT IN A LIFETIME.   I will spend what is to be  a moment of my life with Nana and the gang…and don’t worry,  I will be keeping you up at night worrying about fevers, or school papers, projects  and a million other things soon enough.  I will be late coming home and will keep you worrying that I will fall and hurt myself when I ride a bike, or when I am sleeping too quietly.   I HAVE A BAZILLION THINGS I WILL BE DOING FOR YOU AND ONLY YOU…. SOON. 

   I told you I had picked a flower… so here it is…

Nana has been a ‘surrogate’ all her life.  A surrogate mom, or pet owner, a surrogate friend or spouse.  We hope that things will last forever, instead we find that all things are but temporary situations that go fleeting by when we least want them to, and seem to take an eternity when we just want them in the past!   She and Poppy have raised six kids now  –  whose lives are their own, but they still worry.   She can dream or hope for them so many different things, but the truth is, she had them all as her family to nurture them and let them grow.  Years and years of ups and downs…  THE POINT IS,  I am in most ‘C’ertainly ‘A’ ‘M’omentary ‘P’lace where she can do a few small things, like hold a bottle, or change a diaper while you work! When your work is done, and you have honored your promises to each other, you will have become the kind of father and mother you always wanted to be.   There is so much for you to do beyond these upcoming days and weeks…. they are a temporary problem, but being together again, accomplished in your goals… well that will make you both parents of integrity, of honesty and help us to live the princess dream!  Look at me mom and dad… tell me what do you see?

   I love the outdoors, the feel of the grass….

And how about this…

I had quite a day, it was full of sunshine and laughs… tell me.. what do you see in these as well… I am not feeling abandoned.  I am not afraid, and I will SNUGGLE BUNNNIES with you both when you come home.   I PROMISE!   It is not a perfect situation… but Nana says… nothing ever is… the secret is to make it the best situation it can be…. and for all the men and women who sacrifice so much …. to protect our freedom, well now you two both have a new appreciation for that sacrifice.  It’s been made by men and women before you, and I will always be SO PROUD TO SAY MY MOM AND DAD….THEYARE HEROS, and I am living proof of what Freedom can bring.    In my chapters is the story of how I came to be an American.   For me… it is my mom who traveled the world to become a citizen of the United States…. and you and she together protect her long journey.   You and she make all the heartache she endured as a child, and the loss of her mom, have a purpose other than sadness, you make it so that other kids like me, get to have the American dream we all hope to see… it begins and ends with being FREE, and that freedom has a price… that you are paying for me and everyone else.   THANK YOU… I am not a political scientist… I am just a baby… whose parents think they are hurting me, but in reality they are making a path for me, and so many others.   You feel you are doing nothing, or that you are abandoning me, and NANA and EVERYONE knows you are fulfilling a promise…. and no matter what anyone does to you, or says, no matter how wronged you may feel, TWO WRONGS can never make anything right.  YOU cannot be jaded by others who do things inappropriate.   SO I AM TOLD, since I am just a baby… I am only learning.   I just wanted you to know that both of you have your parents… who love and admire you.  They don’t want to see you hurt anymore than you would want to see me hurt.   They want you to feel as proud of your work as they are.   They want you to keep your head up, and your heart full of love, and your mind in a place that doesn’t focus on what is missing, but instead on what is going to be in each of our futures…

Today and always, where ever you may be, and no matter what the distance, I am always YOUR DAUGHTER, just fixin’ to get myself ready for when you come home, and you are done with your committment.  Safe, and happy.   We can then begin to embark on all the dreams you have for me, and the great SURPRISES I will surely have for you.   Love always, Little Miss Adorable,  your princess daughter,

The one …

the only…..

GUILLIANNA!

 PLEASE LOOK CLOSELY…. TELL ME WHAT YOUR HEART SAYS, AND HOW NANA CAN HELP EITHER OF YOU THROUGH WHAT IS SURELY THE MOST DIFFICULT OF TIMES…. THERE IS SO MUCH WE HAVE TO LOOK FORWARD TO, YOU TWO AND I, AND SO MUCH WE WILL DO TOGETHER.   THIS TIME APART WILL HOPEFULLY MAKE US CLOSER AND BUILD THE FOUNDATION FOR OUR FUTURE.   WHEN IT IS DONE, WE WILL ALL MOST CERTAINLY APPRECIATE WHAT WE HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH.  AND OUR FAMILY… OUR FRIENDS WILL HELP US  THROUGH IT.

XOXOXOXOXO

If we dream it, we will achieve it…with honesty and with integrity.   Poppy has had that motto his entire life, and nothing in life could be more important.   Being true to yourself, and to those you have engaged in this world.   No lies, no deceit, hard work and faith, will bring us all of our dreams and more! No matter what decisions are made, if they are done so with integrity, you will succeed. Success is measured in the happiness we not only have in our own lives, but in the happiness we bring to those we love.  I am happy Mom and Dad, YOU HAVE BEEN AWESOME, AND I AM TRYING TO SHOW YOU JUST HOW AWESOME EVERY SINGLE DAY WITH MY LETTERS….

I   love  you!

DON’T GIVE UP… WE ARE ALL GOING TO BE OKAY!

WOW…. I AM EXHAUSTED… Long Love Letter, but I thought you could use a little support…. afterall…. I AM A LITTLE HUMAN ‘SPIRIT’ STICK… and I am hoping I filled your heart with good positive “spirit  stick” energy today!      Afterall you would want me to good at my job wouldn’t you?     Go Mom and Dad… Go Wings… Go Gugu BEE!

P.S.   NANA AND POPPY SUPPORT YOUR DECISIONS… NO MATTER WHAT, SO LONG AS THEY ARE ALWAYS  HONEST AND FORTHRIGHT.   XOXO

Aunt Arri is a Graduate!

Lisa June 9, 2009 4Comments

Dear Mom and Dad,

Tonight was Aunt Arri’s commencement!

We saw her graduate high school with honors.  She looked so awesome.

They were announcing names as the graduates walked across the stage, and the lady who said Aunt Arri’s name mispronounced it.   At first it was a little odd, since Aunt Arri knew her well, but she said, ADRIANNA  followed by her correct middle and last name.   Nana says she thinks it is serendipitous, ‘since ADRIANNA is her given name by her ‘momma’ in Romania… and Aunt Arrianna is the last of six kids who have now graduated, all five girls have made it so far, and how pleased Arrianna’s’momma’ in heaven was to hear her daughters name being read!  I know Nana cried, and is so proud of Aunt Arri.    Nana, too was sick for a while, and there were days she did not think she would see all of her children graduate.  Tonight she did.  Nana has made endless school projects and helped with countless reports, seen many a school music show, and sent in snacks and Valentine’s for thousands of kids, she and Poppy have worked very hard going to conferences, and open houses, with six kids,  and splitting themselves among all the different teachers and classes.  They have fought battles for all of her kids sake, and has even home schooled them for a year or so,  with the intention that they could get a step up, instead of feeling behind from the language barriers… They hoped to use the education to open doors of opportunity that their parents in Romania had always wanted for them…. and when they read Aunt Arri’s name, it made Nana get goosebumps, BECAUSE NANA knows all about  ‘MOM LOVE’ – AND KNOWS THAT LOVE MAKES MIRACLES HAPPEN.   We are proud of  our sweet  Arrianna/Adrianna… she made ALL of her parents, and everyone else who knows and loves her, very happy to be a part of her life and her accomplishments.   During her academic career so far she has faced teacher after teacher who have had several of her siblings before her in class!  She has never been first to go to school, first to graduate, first to drive or first to do anything, but has never complained about it, and has always been proud to follow each of her siblings.  Yet when she wanted to she has been confident to make her own way.  She has been an awesome sister to my mommy and is also an awesome daughter to Nana….  

This is a shot audience and the Class of 2009 in the center!

I was so good, and looked adorable as usual… here we all are!

I was so happy Uncle Brian and Aunt Pam, with cousin Brittany came too.

Papa and GG-ma were there too.

We all sat together, and watched the last of Nana’s kids do the walk..

and she was so very PROUD!

I was a little spirit stick there too, representing you and daddy…. the Nelson Family was well represented by my the little Princess!

What is crazy is Uncle Nick had been to your graduation mom, and all of your sisters, and this one last one was going to be missed because he had been in the South Pacific, but you know what, he pulled every string, and SURPRISED AUNT ARRI by getting home this weekend, SPECIFICALLY so he would not miss any of his sisters commencement excercises.

So awesome!

Maybe all my Aunts and Uncle will be at my GRADUATION ONE DAY?   I hope so… right now I have to keep working on rolling and sitting though… not quite ready for High School, thank goodness I have time before I have to worry about that….

It was a great day with great weather, except, our Red Wings lost, which means I am going to be a spirit stick again on Friday June 12th when they play for the last time this season…. I hope they win.  Until tomorrow, I want yo to know I love you, and as always, I am your LITTLE MISS ADORABLE, your daughter,

Guillianna!

P.S.  Nana says… she remembers your graduation too, and your graduation from basic training… she remembers all of your accomplishments, and hopes you know how proud she is of you and daddy!

Rain Rain Go Away!

Lisa June 8, 2009 1Comments

Dear Mom and Dad,

Today it is raining at Camp, and I love going in my stroller outside, but today, alas, I cannot!  Tear!

I stayed in most of the day, however I did get to make a trip to the post office with Aunt Arri and Uncle Nick.   I had to stay in the car with Aunt Arri, while Nana and Uncle Nick went in to deliver care packages for both of you.   It also gave Uncle Nick a chance to meet Nana’s special helpers who always make sure she has all the right forms and zips to get things to her kids!   THANK YOU EVERYONE AT THE POST OFFICE AGAIN FOR MAKING SURE MY MOM AND DAD GET THE MUCH NEEDED CARE PACKAGES I SENT THEM. (sometimes they check in on my love letters…so Hi Everyone! )

Poppy was wanting you to see how cute I am so he went out in the rain and took these pictures for you OF ME, LOOKING CUTE THROUGH THE WINDOW!

After we went to the post office, we dropped off Uncle Nick and Aunt Arri to help pick up our car at work and take it in for service.  

 Nana and I HAD TO STOP at the store ever so briefly, and into the cart came a few necessities, one of which was this adorable little bib…

Personally, I find it most appropriate….

and to be honest, I need not wear the bib at camp, they all know this already, maybe I will save it for field trips where there is the potential that I run into someone who needs to know WHO THE PRINCESS IS, and how we roll around here…

Read it… learn it, understand it and just plain and simple do things my way… and we’ll all be cool.

I am soooooo big…. and love being awake and taking it all in…..

Pretty cute huh?

Today Daddy called me and I was sleeping…

I’m sorry daddy, but little cat naps just pop up out of the blue, and boy oh boy do I try to avoid them, but every once in a while, I sneak in a quick nap… and today … just as I fell asleep, you ‘reached out and touched someone (an old telephone commercial expression probably older than you and mommy, I call those NANA-ISMS, and believe you me, she has quite a few…) from the land of sand, only to find the apple of your eye fast asleep!   Next time, maybe I will be awake and laugh for you again!  Until tomorrow, I am your LITTLE MISS ADORABLE, YOUR DAUGHTER,

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Another Sunday at CAMP NANA!

Lisa June 7, 2009 6Comments

Dear Mom and Dad,

Today is Sunday.   It was Uncle Nicks first day back home, and his birthday.  

 We met with some of the family for dinner, but really we just had a relaxing day at camp, and I was adored.    I have been thinking about my little spirit stick job, and giving the penguin a talking to… and a gnawing at… I figure if I gnaw at his little feet, maybe those Penguins will skate slow, or just not play well and we will win this CUP thingy….

I gnawed and gnawed at those litte feet,

and then it occurred to me,

If we win, I am jobless…

No More Spririt Stick, no more Red Wing Jersey…

I will only be a PRINCESS

and an unemployed princess at that…

So…. I have been trying to come up with a new job, where there is NOT so much potential to fail… I mean if they lose,  ITS SAD BECAUSE I will have all these WING NUTS being all DISAPPOINTED and stuff…

and if they win, I am OOW, which is my little acronym for OUT OF WORK’!

I figure, I am a princess, and that takes so much of my time, and I am the worlds most adorable human ‘spirit stick’. 

(not an opinion either since… I am so adorable  that I even WON OVER SOME DIEHARD BLACK HAWK FANS THIS WEEK END)   here I am ‘negotiating with the Penguins again. 

Until I realized… ITS A DUCK… darn… I have been wasting all this on a duck… well, win or lose on Tuesday, I know one thing for sure… Poppy say’s no unemployement for me, because, I have the all important task of making my mom and dad smile.   SEND THEM INTERNET HUGS, AND SUPER COMPUTER KISSES EVERY DAY…to keep them from losing sight of US.  Our family that extends from the GREAT LAKE STATE, to the LAND OF SAND.  

Nana says you called today, and she wanted me to say, you too are adored.   You and Dad have to be ‘army’ strong… and know that I am doing very well.   I am glad you will not get deployed when I am able to do so many things with you.  She said you are really missing me and daddy badly, but guess what I know a secret.   I know that no matter where you are, no matter how far – you need to remember that  daddy and I are thinking about you, and loving you more than you know.  No sadness!  My princess heart wants your heart to be happy about all the things we will do when you come home.  AND BELIEVE ME, I WILL KEEP YOU BUSY DOING SO MANY FUN THINGS.  For today I am sending you these pictures of me, to make your heart smile!  I love you today, and always… your Little Miss Adorable, your daughter,

Guillianna!