Monday, July 16, 2007, 10:06 a.m., D.S.T.~

Dear Louisa~

Louisa, it was such a surprise to hear from you! It has been a long time! Thanks so much for writing!

How are you doing? I certainly hope things are going as well as can be expected for you. Here, things have been hectic at best. With sixty kids to raise, free time for me is severely limited; I don't write nearly as much as I used to. I'm lucky if I do a letter (or write in my journal) more than a few times per week.

Our children have been doing well: no unexpected hospitalizations since Johnny's seizure in the spring (April). Johnny was supposed to have his MRI and EMG testing last month, but they were cancelled due to a problem with the MRI machine. (He was very happy about it, too.) He has his MDA camp next month (August) for a week; his health has been holding out surprisingly well; I pray this continues!

Ronee' is going to Las Vegas, Nevada, in just a few hours; she is auditioning for the semi-finals on "America's Got Talent". She is getting nervous, but when she's practiced, she's sounded really good. We are extemely proud of her; this is a huge opportunity for her singing career! (For the show, Ronee' will be singing "A Moment Like This", orginally done by Kelly Clarkson.) Hopefully, Ronee' will do well; even if she doesn't make it to the AGT finals, we'll still be proud of her!

Ronee' was on "America's Got Talent" earlier last month; this was how she made it to the semi-finals. She wowed the  judges (and the host) with her Cajun accordion playing/singing; she sang the Cajun classic, "Jambalaya (On The Bayou)". By the end of the song, everyone was on their feet.

We'll let you know how Ronee' does in Las Vegas; stay tuned~

July Fourth proved to be a difficult challenge for our youngest child, Emir Muhammed, our one-year-old. You see, the sounds of the fireworks reminded him of gunfire or bombs going off. Even in his brief life, he knows of the horrors of war: he came to us from Iraq, and is still plagued with ongoing nightmares. One can only wonder what horrors this young toddler experienced prior to coming to us here in America.

He is also a war casualty: he lost all four of his limbs in a bomb blast that wiped out his family. Little Emir was the only one who survived--but not without a heavy price, for he must now face life as a quadruple amputee.

His story is really very sad; it still makes me cry whenever I think of all the hell he has faced in his life already!

Next month (later on), our daughter Dwerlina is getting married. She and her fiance' live in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, where she and Antoine both attend college (in Lafayette; they go to Louisiana State-Lafayette [my old alma mater!]); both work at Mulate's Cajun Restaurant on the weekends; both are doing very well. We're also going to Louisiana for the upcoming "LeCajun" Cajun Music Awards Show and Festival; we go every year; we have a great time listening to/dancing to our favorite Cajun bands.

Busy times ahead, as you can see!

Now you know why I haven't written or don't write letters as much as I once did. I am sure my list of pen friends have slacked off considerably. I only write to a handful of people now: you, Kendra, Audrey, Eileen, Missy (Kendra's daughter; she is in college), Breeanna, and Theresa Aine. Also Jenna Doucet, Sari Constantinos, and Sikik Eegeesiak. Not much more'n that. I've since lost touch with Gretchen Wagner, Hiroko Osaka in Japan, Rosamunde Alcorn in England, Jenna Meadows, Wilma Gardner in Oklahoma, Wyndi Storm Piestala, and many others. It's sad, but I'm not at all surprised. Between the demands of my family, my job, my adoption community, assisting others with the adoption process, and church activities (as well as my writing), I don't know whether I'm coming or going half of the time!

Well, Louisa, I must go now; fixin' to see if "Cajun Gold", my tiny three-pound pit bull in the guise of a Pomeranian, is hassling the Rottweiler down the street; she is barking furiously. Before there is any bloodshed, I'd best deal with this situation before it gets out of hand! I swear, I don't think "Cajun Gold"  has the good sense that God has given her! Why on earth does she think she can lock horns with a dog that's three time her size/weight?? Not good, I tell you, not good at all!!

~Love, your friend, Louisiana Mayrah. :)