I haven't been around and so am late but very heartfelt in saying... CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rosemary is just beautiful! ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ˜

I'm so happy to read this update! PTL!

Especially given your dad's response to your sister, I think you've behaved beautifully. You've been gracious and respectful in challenging circumstances. I see the red flags too. The short one/homeschooling conversation makes me think she's already trying to drive a wedge between you. All you can really do is continue to be polite. Leave the door open. I'm glad that you have your mother's books, and I will be the one billionth poster to say that if you, your siblings, or children want anything else, do it now. I'm sure that it would be very helpful to your dad if you all help him pare down before his move. I'd go to the mat for pictures. If he doesn't want to give them up, copy them. I'm so sorry this is happening. I hope that the fiancÄ—e turns out to just be awkward and clueless rather than as awful as she seems.

After your follow up post, it seems like baseball is actually just one of your major concerns. Visualize each decision: 1. Stay 2. D.C. 3. Germany Does one *feel* right?

This would be a terribly difficult decision for us, for exactly the reason you are struggling. We have an 11 year old who is passionate about baseball, and the idea of taking it away from him makes me feel ill. DH may be asked to make an international move and I pray that we don't have to choose. The benefits of an international move can be tremendous. The rest of our family would love to move to Germany. I think middle child's heart would shatter if he had to give up baseball. In your shoes, I think that I would be researching my little heart out to try to find a way to move to Germany without losing baseball. I'm guessing that you are already into club/travel/tournament ball, so you might try networking with coaches and families to find out what others in similar situations have done. I'd also talk to the high school coaches I know. I would be asking for very straight answers about my son's potential, and ideas about how to do both. It may not be possible, but it's worth trying to figure out. Perhaps he could get *enough* baseball between whatever you can rustle up in Germany and summers at home to keep him competitive. I don't know what that would look like. I know we practice beginning in November and our season goes into July. I'm thankful Fall Ball is optional for us. If he can keep his skills up for the next 3-4 years, perhaps he could return to the U.S. for high school. Somebody upthread mentioned that baseball will still be here when he comes back for college, but that's not necessarily true. You can't check out of baseball for six or seven years and then compete at the college level. You can't fully develop as a player without a team, so even if you are working on skills, you probably won't be at the level to play in high school or college. Nor will you have the relationships with coaches or be on the radar of the scouts. I don't care for the whole year round nature of youth sports these days, but it is what it is. I wasn't a big athlete in school, and sometimes it's hard for me to comprehend the level of dedication DS has for his sport. Seeing the *work* that this otherwise playful and normal 11 year old puts forth for his sport is kind of humbling, sometimes a little scary! This isn't just a hobby or game for him. All of this is to say that I don't think you're crazy for really weighing this.

(((Kelly))) I just prayed for you, your DH, and your family.

My friend adopted her grand-baby and his two older half siblings. The mama died from a heroin overdose within a few months of the birth, and the father (my friend's son) got clean and into the military, but he realized that he could not parent. So at 55, and having just launched her autistic son, she took all three children. I think that the older two were two and three at the time. There were behavior and health issues, but fortunately nothing irreversible. One of the half siblings' paternal grandmothers periodically tried to interfere with the adoption. She had major issues, and they were in a good court system, so she didn't have a chance at stopping the adoption. She was able to drag it out, make it more expensive, and sadly, make it emotionally harder on the sibling. Friend's DH is not a hands on dad. It hasn't been easy, but it has turned out well (it's been close to ten years). The early years years were filled with medical, mental health, and legal appointments on top of all of the normal toddler-preschool-baby stuff. During the first few years they needed to live out of state away from family due to her DH's job. They had a supportive church, but money was tight, she also had an aging parent, and it was tough. A few years ago they were able to move to their home state where they have a big, close family. Friend is much happier in her personal life now, but is thankful that she was here for the adoption and first years. Better court system, better support services, better economy. All of the children had some homeschooling, but now go to PS. They are happy and healthy. The journey has been exhausting, and not the life my friend imagined. She didn't know that things would get to such a good place when she took all the children, she just knew that she couldn't do anything else but take them, and she was willing to accept the uncertainty. She knew they needed a lot of help and intervention and she made sure they got it. Friend and all of her family accepted all three children from the very beginning and never made any distinction about who was bio and who wasn't.

Oh, NO.

This was my first thought and remains my favorite within your parameters. 😠And this would have been my other suggestion. 😠As to Violet, it was #50 on the Social Security name popularity list for 2015, with 4,779 little Violets born. It's been steadily on the rise. In 2000, it was #734. If you go to the site you can also look at popularity by state to see what's popular in your area. Congratulations!! Oh, just thought of another: Marguerite

I choose a Mexican or Central American medium roast and grind it coarsely. Using one part coffee to two parts water, I put the coffee in a mixing bowl, and then very gently stir in most of the water. I use the last little bit of water to pour over the spoon so that all of the coffee ends up in the bowl. I cover the bowl and leave it on the counter for 24-48 hours. Its drinkable after 12 hours, but not fantastic. I strain it three times through a finer sieve each time. I keep the coffee concentrate in a pitcher in the refrigerator. 1/4 c=1 c coffee. I usually just add concentrate to milk or almond milk, but you can add 1/4 c coffee to 3/4 c water for a cup of black coffee. It sounds a little complicated but it's one or two minutes to soak it and three or four to strain it. Then I have smooth coffee for a week. You could do the same in your French press, but it will yield such a small amount.

When a question is extremely rude, I've been known to very sweetly ask them to repeat it, then say, "Oh, my. I thought I must have misheard you [short pause]," then continue on with unrelated conversation. I'm glad you spoke to her. It's stunning that she couldn't figure this out for herself'

I just prayed for your family.

If you cold brew your coffee, it will be much, much less acidic. I don't think I've ever run out of cream, milk, and almond milk at the same time. I used to use the coconut oil + butter for awhile but I grew tired of it. I've used ice cream just for fun😊

Six Feet Under Friday Night Lights Parenthood Gilmore Girls Parenthood The Office Parks & Rec The Andy Griffith Show

I hope she had fun!

Your sister's response about the weight is perfect, but it must be followed with a change of subject. "Thank you, I hadn't noticed. [Question about family, sports, activities, whatever]." The other situation is trickier. You can answer a question they didn't ask, then ask a question about something unrelated, or you can answer very generally, then ask a question. Don't give up information you don't want to share, and take control of the conversation. If you have a die hard inquisitor, develop a pressing need to leave and do it.

Her bags weren't stolen by a hotel employee, although the hotel was negligent. The hotel was full of conference attendees, all of whom were checking out that day, and most of whom had classes into the afternoon. She could not have dragged her stuff all around the Salt Palace, which is enormous. The bellmen decided to leave the door to the bag check unlocked because they were so constantly in and out. Bad decision! Security tape shows the thieves, and they weren't employees. They just took advantage of a very busy day. The hotel is responsible and they've said they will reimburse Cousin's losses, although the research is irreplaceable. TBH, I've never thought twice about checking at the hotel, and my own bag with laptop was sitting in the very same room! It's always seemed like a more personal transaction than checking at the airport (where I don't check valuables). Two other people also had items stolen from the bag check. I think for the most part, checking is fine. I've been checking my whole life and never had an issue, nor known anyone to have an issue. You know it happens, yadda, yadda , yadda. After this unfortunate event, I'll still use hotel check, but I'll be much more thoughtful about what I check. Interestingly enough, the hotel isn't responsible for theft from the rooms since they provide a safe and secure (LOL) storage.

That's so funny! I didn't know there was anything happening there but RootsTech! There were about 12,000 people, and 30,000 on the final "Family Day."

How tragic and exhausting. I am so sorry for your suffering. :grouphug:

It was the week of February 8th, RootsTech at the Salt Palace.

Yes, that makes a lot more sense to me, I can't imagine that they really want her there. I think they just don't want to put forth the effort. Again, this is not the SLC detective, but a suburban cop. I will ask about the picture, but you would think that all of the find my iphone screen shots would suffice!

Hmmm. I will mention it. I am imagining a random stranger approaching and the thieves hightailing out of their current location.

My only Apple device is an iPad, and I have no experience with the functionality of the find feature, but it's been in the same place for some time. The original SLC detective was very responsive, but the laptop is in a suburb which is a different jurisdiction, and they don't seem to care. It's absolutely maddening to see it and not be able to do anything about it! She lost two laptops, some jewelry, lots of clothes, all of the research she'd done in the Family History Library, and all of her notes from our classes. Thanks for your good wishes. I will be so happy if she can get anything back. She is a sweetheart.

My cousin and I had a wonderful trip to Salt Lake City for a genealogy conference. Unfortunately, it ended on a sour note with her luggage being stolen from the baggage check at our hotel. She's back home, thousands of miles away. She can "see" one of her stolen laptops with find my iphone, and the police will not retrieve it unless she accompanies them! I'm so frustrated and wish I could fix this.

It seems like you should only be half way there.