Hellloooooo Kittens, Mrs. Spice is back....

Well, that was quite the hiatus, eh? Can't a blogger take a break? Evidently not. I am still hosing down my front door from the numerous flaming bags of poo thrown at it. Not quite sure how to get rid of the smell though.

So, let's catch up. Come on in, have a seat. Look, I made fresh scones....still warm from the oven....have a one with your coffee. And for your viewing pleasure...here is a peek at just a few events in the past months with the Spice Family. Basically, here are the times I remembered to bring my camera and actually take pictures. Get cozy!

Asha attended AWANA this year with her friend Madison. She loved it! She loved having Madison in her class and did an amazing job at memorizing tons of verses! Madison is moving on up...to the kindergarten class next year so they won't be together....shhhh.....I haven't told Asha. :-) I am proud of these girls. (Don't mind the bearded guy in the background...he's safe...and background checked.)

So, Asha comes to me casually one day and in her calmest voice, says,"Mom, a helicopter landed in our front yard." As if it happens every day. WHAT? I thought she was kidding....and then I remembered who she was....the MOST LITERAL child in the world. She doesn't joke. And...so I thought I had better take a look. Sure enough....there was a helicopter in the park across the street (we call it our front yard.) I grabbed the camera and started taking pictures of it. There were a couple fire engines there too....I thought they were doing a drill. So, I said things like, "Hey, Asha stand here so I can get your picture with the helicopter" and "Asha, stick your tongue out like you are going to eat the helicopter" and "let's go see if they'll give us a ride." And then....the Sensitive Sally that I am.....realized....this was no drill. They were transporting someone from the ambulance into the helicopter. Oops. Then Asha wanted to know what was happening....so we sat down on the stoop and talked about the possibilities and then prayed for the person being transported. It was interesting to watch. Mr. Spice could hardly believe he missed all the action when he got home from work! We showed him the pictures and videos we took and Asha gave him a recap. It's not everyday you have a helicopter land in your front yard....or even the park across the street that you claim is your front yard, but don't water or mow.
Surf's up Dude! We have a new friend in our lives...Jelena. (Pronounced Yell-in-A). Jelena is a couch surfer from Switzerland. There is a new movement called....couch surfing. It is a thing where you can host your couch or surf someone else's couch.....and it's all free. Basically, you offer your couch and open your home to someone who may be passing through....or visiting your area and needs a place to crash. Jelena stayed on my Aunt Kathleen's couch in Los Angeles and then surfed our couch as she passed through Phoenix and headed up North to the Grand Canyon. Jelena is awesome! She is 25 and saved up for 2 1/2 years to spend 10 months traveling around the world. She really wants to see how other people in the world live....hence the couch surfing. She stayed with us for 24 hours.....but I begged her to stay longer! She was so nice and so much fun....and Asha thought Jelena was her own personal guest. These two were hilarious together. It was as if we had known Jelena our whole lives. What a joy! And....now we have a great place to stay in Switzerland....if we ever go! Technically, Jelena surfed an Aerobed in the guest room....our couch is not very comfortable to sleep on.....unless you are Mr. Spice and there is a football/golf/basketball/racing/cricket/soccer game on.
Asha's last day of her first year....of preschool. OR the day I wanted to crawl under a pew and cry. The day came with much anticipation.....as parents and grandparents filled the sanctuary, ready for the big event.....I chose my position.....center seat in the front pew. Mr. Spice as wel as the Spice Grandparents had to work that day.....so I was alone....and cursing their names by the end.
You know those times where you watch another kid meltdown into a train wreck and you look over to the kids parents with big....sorrowfilled eyes......and then say to yourself...."Wow...what is wrong with that kid? There must be major problems at home!" Yeah....that was what every parent was saying to me on this day. It was horrible. First of all.....Asha hates to be in a position where she is getting extra attention. She does not perform.....for anyone. For weeks ahead of time I would tell her how much I was looking forward to seeing her class sing the songs they were learning. So on the day of the performance....my kid....my sweet angel....was NOT going to conform. I believe in the picture below....where the class is doing the Pledge of Allegience.....a sacred and patriotic duty.........my sweet angel is telling her teacher that the boy to her right, RJ, the kindest, nicest boy ever.....is in her space. Clearly, the two feet of space between them.....was not enough. Of course Asha was placed center stage....so everyone could see and hear the meltdown. I can't talk anymore about it.....except to say.....that at the end.....as the group bowed their heads and folded their hands to send the class off in prayer......my child annoucned....."I don't want to pray." And....scene. Let's just say that the first few days of summer.....were tough....and not full of fun and frolic. They were sad, sad days for our sweet angel. Whose attitude has greatly improved. Thank you Lord. I haven't decided if I will be showing my face again for year two of preschool. Maybe I'll go dressed as Ellen Degeneres?

Ahhh....foster care. Okay. First let me tell you about this picture. Then I will give you the update on where we are in the journey. To be licensed to foster in Arizona you have to attend 12 weeks of classes and donate an organ. Okay, not the organ donation part....but there is a ton of work and lots of hoops to jump through. Rightly so....I mean...you are trying to prove that you can take care of kids.....better than they were being taken care of.....and then give them back. So, every Wednesday night for 12 weeks we attended class with the craziest bunch of people ever! And we absolutely fell in love with each other! So we have stuck close by and continue to get together months after classes ended. Here we all are at a park having a BBQ. The group is a mixture of foster and foster/adopt and adoptive families. It's amazing how much we all have in common already. It will definitely be a blessing to have these crazies with us during our journey of fostering.So, where exactly are we with the foster care thing? We are waiting. Waiting for a phone call from CPS. Basically, DES was forced into HUGE budget cuts by the state. Foster care monthly allowances were cut by more than $200. CPS lost over 600 staff!! So the end result is....an understaffed, underpayed system. Now, CPS is just NOT pulling that many kids because they don't have the manpower to provide case managers. So there are hundreds of empty foster homes......hundreds if not thousands of abused and neglected kids being left in unsafe environments.....and a lot of frustrated DES and CPS workers. It's a flawed system. I have a lot of experience in working with DES and CPS....and as long as I have known it and worked with it....it has been flawed. So....we wait.....and wait......and wait. Anxiously.....waiting. Trusting....that God knows when....and who will enter our home. But frankly.....the waiting is killing me.

So there you go Kittens. It's not a lot. It's not complete. It might not even be enough for you. And to that I say....Lower your freakin' standards and give me a break, will ya! No, no. What I mean to say is....I am back and you were missed.

Yeah....I've Got A Problem....

Apparently, I'm not the only parent who has an addiction to Chic-Fil-A. It's not the food I'm addicted too, it's more like the fact that I can have an adult conversation with another Mom....without being interrupted 800 times in one sentence! Besides, my kid thinks it's Disneyland there. She doesn't even like meat...but she will eat at Chic-Fil-A any...day. Besides, it's better than McDonalds....because it's closed on Sundays....right? :-)

Perspective and Priorities....

4 Going On 25.....I Can't Believe It...

Asha-isms that I never want to forget.....but eventually will....because I already can't remember what I had for breakfast this morning.

Blimp - Ballimp
Of Course - A course
Touching - chuching
Spaghetti - basketti
Wall-E - Waw-ee
Elevator and/or Escalator - Elligator
Cinnamon - Cimanon
Remember - Benember

Four years ago on this very day....my heart, as well as my 'nether-regions', were ripped wide open as my daughter was born. I told God I didn't want kids...but He knew I would be a better woman with kids. I also told Him that I didn't want a vacation home in Hawaii....hoping we had a good thing going with reverse psychology....but so far....no vacation home.

To celebrate this great day...I've written Asha a letter.

Dear Asha,
You are four. I can hardly believe how fast the time has gone. On the morning of your third birthday you awoke a different person....completely. You awoke with a strong personality....opinions....a voice. It was challenging at first. Your father and I briefly wondered if you had started your period. But we were quickly comforted by friends and family telling us that no....this behavior....this was three. The year of three....sent our heads spinning.

The last 365 days have been the greatest team building exercise our family has gone through...as of yet. Your Father and I feel like singing from the rooftops this morning....the morning of your 4th birthday. Today you are 4! You are no longer a baby or a toddler. You are a little girl. We just can't believe that you made it....alive....and without any broken bones! You are a rough and tumble girl! You will climb and jump off of anything. For a while I thought you had that disease where you don't feel pain....and that's why you did all these crazy things. But then we just realized...no....you are crazy. Cute....but a little crazy. I'm sure it's from your Father's side.

You love the outdoors. I constantly apologize to you for being born in a state where at least 4 months out of the year you are stuck indoors. Mostly because I sweat too much. But also because it's 150 freakin' degrees outside. You love animals and nature so much. You will pick any flower, leaf, branch...etc...you can reach. I appreciate your love of God's creation. Recently, you have entered into a deep love of horses. I have deepened my prayers and lengthened my quiet times in this phase....just hoping to avoid the inevitable question, "Mom, Dad, can I have a horse?" My answer is, "When I can have a Porsche Cayenne."

This morning while driving to school, you uttered words so precious that hearing them was like being rolled into lambs wool lying beside a fire....with a martini in hand.

You said, "Mom, can you play my music?"

I even had to ask you to repeat the sweet phrase to make sure I heard it correctly. Those were such sweet, sweet words to Mommy's ears because over the last 4 years I've collected hundreds and hundreds of songs on my iPod just for you. I have hours of songs from movies you love, songs from church, cute songs I thought you would like. But you wanted none of it. From the minute you could speak you made sure that Daddy and I knew that you did NOT want "your" music playing in the car or at home. We can only listen to "Mom and Dad's" music. Once in a while I would try and sneak on one of your songs in the car....wow. And after you recovered from the meltdown of the century...NORAD was called in....and we put "my" music back on....you would tell me you never wanted to hear that music again. Okay...so how did you really feel about it?

Don't get me wrong. You probably know more gangster rap lyrics then most 4 year olds. It's been neat to have Mother-Daughter bonding moments while rapping it out to Big Poppa. It's been special. And I guess those moments are over. It brings a bittersweet tear to my eye that you are leaving Justin Timberlake behind....for Laurie Berkner. Maybe they'll tour together someday...and we can go to the concert together. I'll even buy you a t-shirt.

I love and adore every cell in your body and every ounce of your sweet spirit. You have an amazing personality and the energy of a husky with a love for Red Bulls!? I look forward to this year and cannot wait to show you more and more of this great big world that you love so much. You are a blessing and gift from God. The meaning of your name says it all....Hope. May you grow in your knowledge and love of Jesus Christ and learn to depend on Him for all your needs. May you come to learn quickly that just because you CAN do it....doesn't always mean you should. Trust me....I had to learn that one a little late in life. :-)

I love you Asha Jean. With all of my heart. Now....let's go see when JT is coming into town.
Love, Mommy

**A special disclaimer to those who don't know me well enough to know that I would never let my child listen to gangster rap. Please don't call CPS...they already know all about it.

Minimally Adequate. It's a term used by "the system"...judges, lawyers, CPS caseworkers, etc... to determine whether a child whose been removed from his/her home can be returned. It's an unwritten law. See there just aren't enough foster homes for all the children who need them. So, judges return the children to their homes...as long as they are minimally adequate. A possible scenario for this situation may be....parents smoke marijuana, but both work...right now and can financially for their children....right now. The parents live in an apartment/condo/house/trailer. It might be in a bad neighborhood, and so what...it's trashed all the time. It's a roof over their heads....even if it is infested with cockroaches. There is no evidence of physical or sexual abuse ...even though CPS has been called for abuse in this family before. The children attend school regularly and don't complain of hunger. So the judge returns the children to the home....because it is what is considered minimally adequate.

You see there is no law that says you cannot parent and be a drug addict at the same time. There is a law that says you cannot neglect or abuse your child....which are often consequences of drug use. But doing drugs and being a parent. Not a crime.

A licensing worker gave me a recent statistic that startled me. 70% of the children who are removed from their homes in Maricopa County...are removed for METH....and METH alone. METH is powerful and addicting the very first time it is used. There are just too many children removed from their homes and not enough foster homes or adoptive homes to handle the need.

Minimally Adequate. If you went to a restaurant or bought something at a store....would you accept that it was minimally adequate? Would you take a sweater that had only one sleeve and no buttons because the shop owner told you it would have to do? Would you eat a steak that had been sitting in the sun all day and was not properly prepared....because the waiter told you that it was necessary? So then why is a minimally adequate standard of living acceptable for our children? This is not happening in a third world country. This is happening here. In our country. In our state. In our cities. On our streets.

As Mr. Spice and I enter this new world of foster care....we are learning some scary statistics and hearing heartbreaking stories. We have met and spoken with many foster families and learned that this adventure will be heart wrenching, yet rewarding all at the same time. There are moments in which Mr. Spice and I turn to each other in terror and wonder what we are getting ourselves into. But...the majority of the time....we feel like we were born to do this. Becoming a foster family is in many ways becoming a missionary. You are forced to leave all comforts behind...and walk into the unknown. And without Christ as your Guide....it will fail. So I keep Him close.

It is only with God's help that I can go forward into this. For months He has been preparing me. Refining me. Disciplining me. He is stirring my soul...so that the scum will rise to the surface and be skimmed off. I wish I could say I have reacted perfectly...each time He moves me. But....alas....my flesh still gets in the way every once in a while. However, I can see now where He is taking me....and why. He is asking me to give up more and more of myself....for Him. So that I might be used by Him.

Got Rid of the Rocks...Now I Feel Better...

Beginning sometime in October I began feeling sick. Nauseous after every time I ate...no matter what it was. The symptoms got worse and more serious. By Christmas I was sick all the time and in constant pain. Finally, after a pretty serious pain-filled episode on New Year's Day, I made a Doctor's appointment. After several tests and such...the Dr. determined that I had a broken gallbladder filled with stones that needed to come out. So on February 17th I went under the knife and had my gallbladder removed. Since then I am feeling much better. I still can't eat many things...but I am not in pain...so that is nice.

What a way to start off the new year, eh? Next week my baby...turns 4. I should be able to update my blog somewhere around her 8th birthday. Ha...Ha.

On the Foster Care front....we are almost done! We have 3 classes left in our training....our DES home inspection and that's it! We should have our first placement in April/May. We are very excited....but we also realize that it is going to change our lives in BIG ways. We are a very simple family of 3....and our world is about to turn upside down. We are just going to take it step by step and day by day. Thankfully, we have a great support system of friends from our training class and family, of course. I know there will be a lot of tears and times of frustration in our journey....but I have been praying fervently that God will guide me as I become a temporary "Mom" to some very needy, damaged kids. I covet your prayers as well!

So, I was tagged to ask Asha questions and post her answers. Here is what she said. None of the answers surprised me....because my child is VERY literal. So I could have predicted most of them. However, I had to hold back tears on #20. Dang she is sweet.....but oh, so literal.

1. What is something mommy always says to you? I love you.
2. What makes mommy happy? When I tell the truth.
3. What makes mommy sad? You don't get sad.
4. What does your mommy do that makes you laugh? Tickle me.
5. What was your mommy like as a child? A girl.
6. How old is your mommy? I don't know, tell me.
7. How tall is your mommy? This big. (Holding her arm up)
8. What is her favorite thing to do? Play with me.
9. What does your mommy do when you're not around? Try to find me.
10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for? Dancing.
11. What is your mommy really good at? Doing the computer.
12. What is your mommy not very good at? Nothing.
13. What does your mommy do for her job? Do something on the computer.
14. What is your mom's favorite food? Chicken.
15. What makes you proud of your mommy? Going poop in the potty.
16. If your mommy were a cartoon character, who would she be? Nobody.
17. What do you and your mom do together? Play.
18. How are you and your mom the same? We are both girls.
19. How are you and your mom different? I got different hair.
20. How do you know your mom loves you? You got a great, beautiful heart.

Thank you for your loyalty and patience as I recover from sickness and surgery and get into a "normal" routine again. More to come...no, really.

This is dedicated to....The One and Only....Aunt Shannon....

A recent comment....by an anonymous blog stalker mentioned that he/she would like to know more about my sister. Well, say no more. I am dedicating an entire post to her. Why a whole post? Because she is special....and worth it......and my parents are giving me $50 to do it.

Shannon is her name and camping is her game. If you are single and ready to mingle....she's your gal. Here is a list of her requirements for marriage:
1. Male
2. Age 18 and over

Okay, not really. She does have standards....he also has to be breathing. Enough! Stop it!

So, I called my sister this morning for her permission to post about her. She said it was okay as long as I used good pictures. Which....takes all the fun out of it for me.....but I see where she's coming from. I doubt Mr. Right will come calling after seeing her school picture from 3rd grade. Just sayin.
Here is a picture of Shannon (on the right) along with our cousin Sara. Sara is also single...as far as I know. Just sayin. Hey....here's one way to get my blog stalking Aunt who never leaves a comment......to start talking! Hi Molly!

Shannon lives in Scotts Valley, California....near where we grew up. She works full-time as a Program Assistant for the Outdoor Education Program at Mission Springs Camp. Basically, she hangs out in the trees and plays with people of all ages. Sounds pretty fun to me! She is very outgoing and great with people. She is an amazing artist and likes to paint and draw. Best part is...she never likes any art she creates....so she gives it away freely.

Here is a picture of Shannon (Shannon is on the left) with her friend. I have no idea who the friend is.....so I am posting this picture without her permission. Hey...maybe Shannon's friend will get a date out of this post too!

Shannon is a very passionate person. Growing up she was passionate about animals. She collected all types of animals including tarantulas at one point. And rats at another. Sick. Don't worry....she doesn't have them anymore. Now her passions are focused on people. She loves serving people and serving the Lord. She's also a passionate reader. She has a wealth of interesting books under her belt.....and in her head.

So if you like long walks on the beach, quiet nights at home and don't mind the occasional loud gregarious laugh.....Shannon's your gal. Oh, and for a limited time only my parents are offering a free plasma t.v. to take her on a date. And a free Bose stereo system if you marry her. They are so generous. When Umesh and I married.....he only got.....me. And Asha. It was a two for one special. HA! I think I just made my Mom cry.

Okay, back to Shannon. She's single....and ready to mingle. Call your brothers, cousins, single Father's....and Uncles. Maybe not Grandfathers.....that might be weird. Because it's not like this blog post isn't weird.

Good Luck Shannon! I love you!

Dear Kittens...

So, I knew it was time to update when....the nicest person I know...called to tell me she's angry at me for not updating my blog. Something like that....a simple phone call like that....affects you. And here it goes:

Did you think I had forgotten you? After all....we've been friends for so long. But alas...I have to admit....I got carried away by the season...and many other distractions. I mean jeez...if you missed me just look at the Christmas card I sent you. Oh. You didn't get that either? Wow...I really am slipping...aren't I?

So...what happened in all that time I was away?

Here's a quick update on the last....?? weeks.

Thanksgiving:
Awesome..we hosted in our new house...friends....family....food....football. What could be better? We celebrated in thankfulness for all God has done for us. Oh, and I baked 2 pumpkin pies.

Then came....Christmas season. We packed December with school programs, parades, late night drives to look at Christmas lights and lots of fun with family. It was a different kind of Christmas this year. I didn't bake one cookie. I didn't hang one decoration. Don't get me wrong...I wasn't a Scrooge. I thoroughly enjoyed and celebrated the season....but this year was different. Partly because we were leaving town for Christmas....and partly because it's been a crazy year. Don't worry. Next year I'll be back....back to baking and decorating. This year was more of an informal celebration.

My parents, sister, Mr. Spice, Asha and I spent Christmas week at Disneyland. What a dreamy trip that was. We loved every stinking' second. It was a wonderful vacation full of family fun and Disney magic. Boppa treated us to a wonderful week. We are eternally grateful. Thanks Boppa!The biggest news is.....NO.....I am not pregnant. Wow...you people really have a way with throwing that one in. Let me just give you this piece of info....IF I get pregnant....look up into the sky....because pigs will be flying....and they'll be wearing Superman capes.

Okay...the big news is....Mr. Spice and I....are going to be....Parents! Foster parents! That's right. We are smack dab in the middle of our licensing process. We will be licensed to Foster and certified to adopt. We will have very fancy certifications that basically state...."we will try really hard not to mess up your kid as bad as we messed up our own." We are very excited and learning a lot!! We attend a three hour class every Wednesday night at our agency for training. The process is INTENSE....as it should be. We should be receiving our first placement as early as April or May.

I will be able to blog about foster parenting...however, I won't be able to share pictures, names or details of the children. So basically...I can't tell you much. But I can talk about the ups, downs and learning curves we face during the journey. That should be good enough.

Something else exciting that happened recently was a reunion. My three best friends from high school and I had dinner last weekend. It was amazing. Going into it.....I was afraid it might be awkward....but it was great. We picked up right were we left off. These women are awesome. Mostly because they have been my friends for over 19 years. That right there...is not easy. They have stuck with me through thick and thin. They know the best parts of me.....and the even better parts of me. I don't have any worst parts....so that's easy. It's a great feeling to have history with friends. To know that no matter what....you won't leave me....and I won't leave you. That's a big deal between women. Anyways, I hope we are still laughing it up over dinner...twenty years from now. Which....would make us in our 50's. So I will have to remember to wear Depends....cause if I dribble when I laugh now....I assume the whole freaking' dam is going to break in twenty years. Amy, Amanda, Mrs. Spice, and Mandy

Okay...so I won't go so long without blogging next time. Really. What? My promises are empty to you? I'll show you. Love you Kittens. Thanks for your loyalty.

Answers......to All of Life's Questions......or.....Just Yours...

Let's start at the very beginning....a very good place to start. I ripped that off from Julie Andrews...don't tell.
Kristi asked, "Thiruh-huh? What, is that like 17 syllables?"
It's a toughie. So tough...in fact...that they have a nickname for it. Trivandrum. It's phonetic...just sound it out and you'll be right on the money. Tra-van-drum. Or...just call it, "The place where Mr. Spice is from." See...that's easier.

Katie asked, "Do you think all 1/2 Indian 1/2 American kids are as cute as Asha or is she just really extra special? If you had 10 kids how many do you think would have those dreamy curls?"

Actually, I have seen several 1/2 Indian and 1/2 American kids.....and you know what? Every single kid looks completely different. Duh. No, I mean some look more Indian.....dark, dark skin, dark hair, dark eyes. Others are blond haired, blue eyed, and light skin. I will never forget Asha's pediatrician, who is Indian, telling us that we should not be surprised if we have a second kid and he/she is blond haired and blue eyed. She said she has had to reassure many grandparents from India that yes, that blond haired, fair skinned child is in fact is your biological grandchild. I would be curious....however, we are done having biological children....but not done having children. More to come in another post.
Katie, I am biased. I believe Asha is a cutie...she definitely inherited a lot of beautiful Indian traits.....but darn it if she didn't inherit a spicy personality along with them! :-)

Carrie asked, "WANT TO GRAB THAT COFFEE WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT FOR LIKE TWO MONTHS???"

YES! Carrie, every frickin' time I drive past your 'hood' I think about you. Which...by the way...is a lot. So, let's do it. Let's meet soon. I have your phone number and I will make the call. You have my word.....and my address....so you can totally throw flaming bags of dog poo at my door if I don't call.

Mikele....I'll totally answer every single one you ask!

Rachel....Oohhh.....I'm so curious about what I said. Email me if you need clarification about any of my "inappropriate comments."

Anonymous asked, "Does Mr Spice plan to (or want to) become an American citizen?"

Great question....and one of the more popular ones that Mr. Spice gets asked. He goes back and forth on the issue. The only reason he would is because of his work. He travels out of the country several times a year for work. As an Indian citizen he has to get visas for every country he goes too, where as American citizens there are very few countries we need visas for.
However, I have told him to think long and hard before he gives up his citizenship. It is not something I think he should take lightly or do for any reason except....he wants to. Giving up your citizenship is a tough thing. He's given up a lot of himself for me....and to live in my country, speak my language, be with my family...etc. His citizenship is one of the last things he has...that is his own....something that no one can take from him. So the answer is....I have no idea. :-)

I have so much more to update you all on...but I have to wait on some of it....you know...top secret stuff. But after this week I should be able to let you in on more details.

We leave for our vacation at Disneyland 3 weeks from Tuesday...YEAH! We can't wait. Asha is so excited she doesn't know what to do with herself. It's also Mr. Spice's first time. He doesn't know what to expect....so he is neutral....but I know he'll love it.

How can a place feel so foreign and yet so familiar at the same time? That is how I feel about India.

Here is a view of Mr. Spice's home town, Thiruvananthapuram. Enjoy! And...you'll see why we have extra life insurance...



I get asked so many questions from people about what it is like to be married to someone from India....or sometimes what it is like to be married to a non-American. Part of the purpose of this blog is to share just that....the life of the Spices! So, ask away...we are an open...spicy...book. :-) Come on...get real...get personal....I dare you! Much to the dismay of many of my friends....there is very little that I choose not to share about my life. :-)

Here is a recent question....and answer.
Question from a "Friend":How does Mr. Spice feel about celebrating American holidays? Does he mind?

Answer: When in Rome, right? No, he doesn't mind. The nice thing is...all American holidays have one thing in common...and Mr. Spice happens to love it.....FOOD! Mr. Spice came to the U.S. January 1, 2001. Having not grown up in the U.S. he doesn't always understand the depth and/or history of some holidays...but he respects them and fully participates in any activities. On religious holidays such as Easter and Christmas, we share with Mr. Spice what we believe and why we are celebrating. He does not share my beliefs in having a personal relationship with Christ...but that's a whole other post! :-)

As a family we celebrate two of Mr. Spice's holidays, Onam and Vishu. One is similar to our Thanksgiving...and the other is a New Years....type holiday. On those holidays we gather with our friends from Mr. Spice's community of friends here in Arizona and eat, tell stories, sing songs...etc. My plan is too take a video of the next holiday, Vishu, in the spring and show it to you.

So..there you have it. The ice is broken. Ask away. Nothing is off limits. Ooohhh....that makes it interesting...doesn't it! :-) Okay...well some things are off limits....but I can't think of one of you that would even approach those subjects. :-)