Friday, Feb. 22, 2013, Nashville, TN., 4:29 p.m., C.S.T.~

Dear Journal~

Howdy from Music City, U.S.A.!

It's me, Louisiana Sandusky, writing.  I hope this finds y'all well and happy.

I am sitting in the kitchen, watching my husband, Bill, cook supper and enjoying a nice break from the kids.  The younger kids are taking a nap and the school aged ones are working on their homework.  I will wake the napping kids within the hour; until then, I am going to enjoy the peace and quiet.

Bill is making chili and mashed potatoes, as well as a super-sized green-lettuce and tomato salad; the chili simmering on the stove smells heavenly!  Bill is such an awesome cook; well, I trained him: he learned from the very best: me!  LOL

The kids are doing well; no complaints, of which I am very grateful.  Also no sickness to be had; I am desperately praying that continues.  At work, there has been a rush of kids coming in with whooping cough, the common cold, flu, and even meningitis and MRSA.  I have been working in the ER the past few days and there have been a lot of cases involving babies and kids, not to mention, teenagers.

I have been watching over my kids like a hawk, to make sure they don't get sick.  I know it can't be prevented, but I DO worry about them, especially ones like Jodie and Todd, who are both so medically fragile; anything can hit them and make them desperately sick because their bodies aren't that strong to fight off any germs.  The same applies to Johnny.  Even though Johnny has his own place now, I still worry about him, since he is on a ventilator and has a tracheotomy!

So far, Rebekka and Ronee' 's pregnancies are going without a hitch.  Everything has been progressing beautifully and Rebekka has just started showing a little belly that will only grow larger in the coming months.  Ronee' is too early to worry about a "baby belly" yet; it's only been a few weeks since we (and she) found out.

It still floors me that my first two children that we adopted are going to be parents; I keep thinking it is all a dream and it is all I can do to keep from wanting to pinch myself to see if it is real! LOL

Sebastian, our newest child, has since adjusted to life at Casa Sandusky; he has started calling us Mommy and Daddy and has shown affection towards his brothers and sisters.  Even in light with his physical, mental, and developmental problems, Sebastian is still a great little kid; we feel blessed that God brought him into our lives!

The adoption group that I belong to is still going strong: the Mommies (and Daddies) keep in constant contact with me, and those who are in the process of adopting never cease to write or call me with questions that I am only too happy to answer.  I still write to all my friends, but I do have to make more time to write more than I do, but they have to understand one thing.  I have over 60 children; the children keep me hopping, and I also have my job at the hospital to consider, not to mention, my church activities.

I am a very busy, busy woman.  Yet I wouldn't trade anything for the world; I absolutely LOVE my life!!

The weather here in Nashville is sunny and cool, with highs in the forties.  Very beautiful outside.  Perfect for hot chili over mashed potatoes!

Well, the baby monitors are going off; that must mean one thing: Jodie and Todd must be waking up.  I will go so I can tend to them; until later, this is Louisiana Sandusky saying so long; I will write again soon!  Take care and may God bless you as much as He's been blessing me!

~Love, your friend in Tennessee, Louie May.  :D