Nepper's Landing: 'Tis Good

Its been a few days since I last posted, but that's mainly due to the busyness of life. I feel like my adoption reunion week was a total whirlwind, and school really got put on the backburner, so I have been trying to spend this week getting my head back in the game, and refocusing myself.

Today I start working on my first History assignment. According to their little recommended schedule that should have been completed on October 5, but according to my life and my schedule, that just ain't happening! They set it up that you would finish the course in 14 weeks, which I would love to do, but I do have until April 20, 2010 to actually complete the course, so I'm not going to stress too much about being a few weeks behind schedule.

To bring you up to date on the adoption reunion. I spoke with my half brother, Jason on Monday. It was good, although somewhat awkward. Not because he doesn't seem like a great guy or isn't easy to talk to, but seriously, where do you even begin? But all in all, he was quite happy to talk to me, and was really receptive.

That's what I'm thrilled and also so relieved about. The three people that I have had contact with have really had open arms to me. From what I read, in a lot of adoption reunions there is bitterness and jealously, and while those very things may exist here, I'm not feeling them. Tara is so excited to be able to chat to me. Jason was more than happy to arrange a phone call. I would say its been a very positive experience.

I phoned Sheri the other day to tell her that I had sent her a package, and she was telling me about her morning. Which I quite enjoyed because I learned she was doing a Sudoku. I HATE Sudokus! I just don't have the mind for them, although I do enjoy crosswords. Seems totally insignificant, but for me, I thought it was really neat to learn something like that. I also learned that Tara is a total bargain hunter. How cool is that!

So I'm still not sure exactly how to proceed, but I'm excited about my package I mailed off. Sheri should hopefully be receiving it today. I included a 6 page letter, in which I tell Sheri a bit about my life up to now. Not too personal, or detailed, but just the basic facts. (Nothing like "In Grade 5 I was the cheer captain. In Grade 6 I took up the debate club." Not like those are true facts, although I did always want to be a cheerleader!). I also included 3 recent pictures of each of the kids. A picture of myself. A picture of our family. A picture of the teddy bear she gave me. As well as photocopies of the two letters she wrote when I was adopted. I also included a little picture that Abbi drew, which I think generally melts any Grandma types heart.

Other than all of the adoption reunion stuff, life has been good. Rob started 4th year carpentry apprenticeship school this past Monday. Wow, 8 weeks to go until he is a journeyman carpenter. Very exciting, but it sure is a lot of work for Rob. It also means money is usually fairly tight around here for those 8 weeks. Plus, he comes out of school one week before Christmas, which generally means no work until after the New Year. So we are trying to live as frugally as possible for the next few weeks (well, as frugal as us Nepper's can be!).

Although when I say we went to the Oiler's game last night, that doesn't really make one think of frugality! But the tickets were free through the Children's Heart Society. Often corporations (or even sometimes individuals) will donate their tickets to an organization called Kids Up Front. We get numerous e-mails throughout the week about tickets available to various events. Normally we pass them up, but I thought the kids would enjoy a hockey game. This was the first time that both Abbi and Gabe have been to a professional hockey game. Edmonton Oilers vs. Colorado Avalanche. Sigh, we lost 3-0.

I'm happy to report that we lasted until halfway through the second period! At the beginning of the second period Abbi said to Rob, "I don't want to watch anymore hockey Daddy. Lets go home to bed..."

OK then! Rather than being interested in the game, Gabe was much more interested in entertaining the guys standing behind us. We were at the top of the second section (borderline nosebleeds), and behind us there was a section for standing room. So Gabe was quite happy to stick out his tongue, and goo and ga at the guys behind us. And the best part? They were swooning over him! Despite the hockey game going on below. "What a cute baby!" "Look at this guy he's adorable!" So when we got up to leave, I offered the guys our seats, and they just said, "Thanks, and by the way, your son is ADORABLE!" I've never had so many men comment on the adorableness of my son.

Another funny Gabe story was I was searching for somewhere to go change him amongst the maddness. And yes, this might be fairly desperate, but I thought, I'll catch the elevator and quickly do in on the floor (if no one was in it). The door opens and there's this lovely little old man, sitting on a stool, asking which floor I wanted. OK, Plan B it is! And yes, I did discover Rexall Place has change tables!

So as I'm walking back to our seats, I have a fairly attractive young man stop me and ask me how little guys (meaning Gabe) do at hockey games. Now, I don't drink, but I can tell when someone has had a little too much. So he was being very friendly, mainly to me. "You know I have a 3 month old son at home. But he isn't even as cute as your little guy." Hmm hmm. So we proceeded to chit chat about how adorable Gabe was, and "Did you know I have a three month old son at home?"

Not a bad pick up line if you ask me. I can just see the beautiful blended familyness down the road. Me, being alone at home, with his 3 month old, my 10 month old, while he's out at the hockey game, drinking too much, hitting on other young mothers. Yes, yes, it could be beautiful. Almost brings a tear to my eye. I mean ladies, don't we all have a similar fantasy?

I'll leave you with some pictures from our evening.

Abbi and Wayne