Friday, May 8, 2009, Lafayette, Louisiana, 4:44 a.m., D.S.T.~

Dear Journal~

Howdy from the land of Mardi Gras, Cajuns, zydeco music, and steamy-hot bayous!  Hope this finds y'all in fine shape!

I am happy to say we got here to Louisiana in one piece (with our group, that can be an impossibility at times!  LOL); we will be here the entire weekend, probably start headin' back home sometime Monday or Tuesday. 

We are here because it's Crawfish Festival time.  We come to this every year; I have been going to it ever since I was a little pup; to me, it's like comin' home.  We always have a blast!

There ain't nothin' like the sweet, mouth-waterin' smell of boiled crawfish, soaked in Cajun spices, to whet the appetite; it's one ot the best smells around!  There also ain't nothin' like the strains of cajun accordion-and-fiddle laced music to get the feet a tappin' or the heart to pumpin'!

We come for both the food and the music.  And, of course, the kids come for the rides; somehow, rides and kids seem to go hand in hand.  I don't see them until we meet back together at specific times, or until before the main concerts start.  It's a good way for Bill and I to have some "alone time", and it's good to know they are having fun (as are we).

It's kind of nice not to think of work (but somehow, work is never far from my mind; I miss my ladies [and gentlemen; I also miss my patients]); all I have to worry about is keeping tabs on over fifty children (and one big child, aka my husband!   LOL  He's the biggest kid of all!  LOL).

Somehow, I think with it being Mother's Day weekend, they have something concocting in their busy little minds, and I think it involves me.  Hmmm..I wonder, I wonder...*giggle*  I hope they spoil me rotten come Sunday; I could use a break from motherhood!  LOLOL  Let daddy take over as caretaker while I lounge the day away in a nice, hot bath, or lying about in my nightgown, eating bon bons.  LOL  Sounds great, doesn't it??  (I think so!  LOLOLOL)

I am happy to report that Audrey, Rick, and family have made it safely to their new home in England.  I still find it hard to believe that they've moved so far away, but hopefully, they will be happy.  I know they have had it hard these past few years, and I pray nothing but the best for them!

Yes, Aud and I have had words in the past, but we've since apologized, and we keep in contact with our computers (thank God for e-mail!) or phone calls.  Somehow I don't think we'll be calling England too much; that's too expensive!

Yesterday, we went to Vermilionville here in Lafayette; the children had a good time, as did we.  It was like stepping back in time, and we enjoyed learning about how the old-time Cajuns (Acadians) lived so long ago, when they first came to Louisiana.  It was very interesting, not to mention eye opening.

Today, we may go to the Acadiana Mall, then head over to Breaux Bridge, to Parc Hardy, where the festival opens at five; tonight it's BeauSoleil, the best darn Cajun band in the land, playing, along with Terrence Simien and then Wayne Toups, to cap the evening.  Some great Cajun (and zydeco) music to start things off right.  Oh, yeah! :)

Tomorrow it's Chubby Carrier, Helene Boudreaux, Damon Troy, Hunter Hayes and "Louisiana H.O.T.", Ronee' Le-Anne Reaux and "Cajun Spice" (with special guest Johnathon Sandusky), Belton Richard and his "Musical Aces", Jackie Caillier and "The Cajun Cousins", Kyle Huval, Camey Doucet and friends, Waylon Thibodeaux, and the biggie of the evening, Steve Riley and "The Mamau Playboys".  A full day of music and fun (not to mention, food and dancin' aplenty)!

Sunday it's even more Cajun music:  Lesa Cormier and "The Sundown Playboys", Sheryl Cormier, Terrence Simien, Lee Benoit, Kristy Guillory, Johnny Sonnier and "Cajun Heritage", and to close the show, Bruce D'aigrepont.

I've made sure I've brought plenty of extra dancin' shoes (not to mention, foot ointment and bandaids)!  LOLOLOL  I have a feelin' we're gonna need 'em after we do all that dancin'!  LOLOLOL

Not to mention, plenty of sunblock, sunburn cream, and my trusty first-aid kit!

I look at my little family, and I realize just how blessed I am.  The children are (for the most part) good kids, and I have a husband who loves and cherishes me.  And next month, on June 26th, we celebrate 17 wonderful years together as husband and wife.  So many others don't have it nearly as good as we do, even with all the uncertainties or daily occurrances of raising children with special needs!

I know this anniversary will be quieter for one thing.  And that's okay.  Last year, the children chipped in and got us, their parents, a cruise to Mexico.  It was pure bliss!  Don't expect anything that extravagent this year, but I'm sure the children will get us something nice!  They always do; they are such good, thoughtful kids!

Well, I must go now:  Johnny is crying again; he got blistered by the sun, and he looks like he could be a boiled crawfish:  he's bright red!  I am giong to have to give him some ibuprofen and rube him down (gently) with sunburn cream.  It hurts for him to move.  I don't blame him, and I thought the sunblock would protect him from the Louisiana sunshine!

Not on yer life:  he still got cooked!  Poor kid!  He's so red he's practically G L O W I N G!! 

I will write in here again (probably when on the bus, headin' back home); until then, this is Louisiana saying so long, and may God bless you as much as He's been blessing me as of late!  And to all the moms out there:  may y'all have the best Mothrr's Day EVER!!

~Love, your friend, Louisiana Mayrah.  :)