Monday, August 25, 2008, 2:36 a.m., Lafayette, La.~

Dear Journal~

Louisiana here.  Am tired, tired but happy.  LeCajun was a howlin' success, and everyone had a wonderful time.  Now we rest up, shove on out later today, after a good lunch at one of the fine Cajun establishments here.

We have to be back home in Tennessee by Wednesday, Thursday at the latest, because on Friday, in just four more days, our long-awaited foster child, Billy Ray, who's six, comes to stay with us.  How long that will be is yet to be determined; it all depends on how well he gets along with us, how he handles things. 

Billy Ray has an autism spectrum disorder.  It's like autism, but he hasn't officially been diagnosed.  He has trouble relating to people, and anything can cause him to go off the deep end.  We are going to have to be really careful with him when dealing with him; it's going to be quite challenging, but with the Lord's help, we will persevere.  I have no doubt in my mind about that!

The children are looking forward to their new foster brother's arrival, but I have warned them time and time again to go easy on him as he probably isn't used to a lot of people being around him. 

LeCajun went without a hitch:  no unforseen problems, no health crises; everyhing went as smooth as silk. We all got a lot of serious two-steppin'/Cajun waltzin' in, and everyone had a ball.  We saw the best in Cajun music:  Belton Richard (still in fine voice all these years later!), Jo El Sonnier, Walter Mouton, Wayne Toups (a little too rock-edged for my liking, but still a dynamic entertainer, nevertheless!), Jackie Caillier, Hunter Hayes (he's sure grown up; now sixteen and a half, and a ladykiller, at that!! LOL), even "BeauSoleil" got into the act.  They were marvelous, as always!

Johnathon and Ronee' brought the house down on Saturday morning, and again prior to Belton Richard; they were fantastic!  You never saw a prouder mama in all your life!  I was taking video tapes of their performances; maybe I ought to post them onto YouTube, so the world can see the potential in these two youngsters! 

I've become quite adept at using a video camera; maybe I ought to go through some of the old family tapes, post some of them on YouTube, if it's okay with them.  I'd love to have people see a part of our lives, see that with a lot of love, logic, and good old fashioned family values, large families can survive intact! 

This vacation to Louisiana has done me a lot of good.  I have been a bear lately, and I am sorry for that; things have been stressful at best, and it was threatening to catch up with me.  I have spent a lot of time in prayer/fasting, and the Lord's revealed in my spirit that I need to slow down, take time for myself, which I have been doing (or trying to, at least!).  I've been sleeping in later, and taking some serious "Louie-time" while Bill and the older children handle the little ones, and it's been marvelous!

Now if things at work have calmed down, I'll be happy.  Work has been a booger-bear lately, and I wonder if the hospital is still standing! LOLOL

Guess I'll find out when I go back on Saturday.  :P

The Olympics in Beijing are now history.  Lots of drama, much excitment.  Typical Olympics. Now the baton has been passed on to England, London, to be exact, while it is just under two years from now when the Winter Games commence in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.  Maybe by then Gemini will be ready, can try out for the U.S. Gymnastics Team.  Wouldn't have any doubt in my mind that she'd make it; she's really come along in her gymnastics!  A future Nastia or Shannon to be sure! :)

We watched the closing ceremonies last night; of course, there were some tears shed.  We hate to see the Olympics end; the Olympics have become something of a trusted friend in our lives.  Now we wait until the next one, get back to our regularly scheduled programming.  *siggghhhh*

And wait for the Democratic Convention, which holds no interest in our lives anyway; for one thing, we're Republican.  We'll wait for the Republic National Convention.  Still don't trust ol' Obama oh-what's-his-name further than I can throw a stone across a creek; he scares me somehow!!  I hear his name, and I just *cringe*!!

Well, I am going to go back to bed now (or as Jodie likes to say, "Go-bet"!).  It's way too early for the chickens; I should be sleeping!!  Now that we're on vacation, I can do just that.  Ahhh, sweet vacation time!  How I love thee! LOL  Until later, this is Louie signing off!  Take care and may God bless you mightily!

~Love, your friend, Louie May. :D