We spent much of today preparing for birthday season and Christmas. This means we took the kids "window shopping" at various toy stores. We came away from this with loads of new toy ideas, many of which we hope never make it into our home.
"Have-A-Kelly" is what I heard when JM was telling me about one particular toy. "HUH," I said. "Have-A-Kelly? What's a Kelly?" JM would reply, "No Mom, Have-a-Kelly." I swear that is what I heard. After 5 minutes, during which he got progressively frustrated with me, he finally pronounced it in such a way that I could understand. "Havoc Heli" and then he talked about the battle set and how it had a red heli and a blue heli. He also told me that it doesn't break easily when it crashes.
Later on he wanted to know exactly why he could not get this set of Star Trek micro machine ships. We explained that they don't make them anymore. He said, "Well, I'll ask for them for Christmas." To which we explained that he wouldn't get them because they don't make them anymore and we couldn't find them. He got a little more frustrated with us and exclaimed, "But I'll ask for them for Christmas MORNING."
Ah-ha! He's thinking Santa will bring them, but can't remember that it is Santa. He knows someone brings "gifts" for Christmas morning. But since we don't make a big deal out of it being Santa he must not remember very well. Hmmm...I think we might have a problem. He's going to figure out this year that the person (or persons) are Mom and Dad. See, when I was near his age I asked for something completely unattainable to see if Santa was real or not. JM is going to ask for something completely thinking he can get it and then be totally disappointed. OR NOT! Micro Machines Star Trek
*hint Grandparents JM and Samuel want some of those!*
Do you even want to know the price Dh paid for the 2 sets (#1 and #2) when he was in college? Huh? I think it was like $5 each.
Oh look! MORE
anyone want to help us out in finding the Lego Minifigs? You know, the people? The boys really only want all the little people to play with, and they only want the Star Wars, Harry Potter, or Pirate ones. Yeah, the popular ones! Never mind, search engines to the rescue.
and that is the list we are currently up to. Helicopters that don't break easily when crashed (yeah right), special collector's edition Star Trek micro machines, and Lego Minifigs.
Guess it's a good thing we started NOW!
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Busy busy Saturday
We had games this morning, bright and early in the nice cool fall morning weather!
Samuel's game started at 8:30 with Dh as a coach to the 5 little soccer players. JM's game, which started at 9am, only ended up being a practice as our team only had 4 players. I was chosen to sit with JM since Dh had to coach. I don't do mornings, so the thinking skills at that time left a little to be desired, which is why I made the mistake I did.
I saw JM bat twice between 9 and 9:30. During that time JM hit the ball down the first base line, but got out at first. This was HUGE. Remember, he's playing his first ever kid pitch league and had gotten hit early in the season. Lately, he's been "running from the ball" and not staying at the plate to actually try and hit a ball. His 2nd at bat he once again hit down the 1st base side, but more between 2nd and 1st base positions. 2nd baseman picked it up and overthrew to first (JM would have beaten it there btw). JM ran on to 2nd, then on to 3rd narrowly missing a tag out at 3rd. He was all smiles, and so was I. I was now awake enough to realize something...the coach that I thought was coach of our team was not acting like he was overly confident. In fact he mentioned he would be thrilled when Dh made it down to take over. OOPS. Dh is, umm...about the 4th assistant coach and I thought the parent helping out was one of the assistant coaches. No biggie, I figured it was close to the end of Samuel's game and I would walk up there to meet with Dh so I could walk Samuel down to the field where JM was and Dh could run ahead. Told you I was starting to think. I get up to the soccer field and tell Dh about the situation down on JM's field. Dh finishes refereeing the soccer game in about 1 minute and then takes off for the baseball game.
I walk with Samuel back to the baseball field after doing our "celebration tunnel" and getting Samuel's snack (which I ended up carrying). On the walk back I got to hear all about how Samuel sort of scored a goal. He "deflected" the soccer ball with his legs while standing next to the goal and the ball went in. Hey, in my book, that's a goal! He was all smiles, and so was I. I was also much more awake now. We sit and watch the rest of JM's game/practice/scrimmage and I see JM make some awesome catches at catcher position and he even managed to learn a little more about playing that position!
All that, and we were home by 10:30am.
We do some housework, try to make sense of where we should be with our homeschooling work, and then work on some of the lessons and study for upcoming tests...and then I go to work and Dh took the kids to a friend's house. I meet up with them at the friend's house for some great fellowship...and now it's time for bed.
We have another early morning tomorrow! Perhaps one day soon life will slow down? Maybe?
Samuel's game started at 8:30 with Dh as a coach to the 5 little soccer players. JM's game, which started at 9am, only ended up being a practice as our team only had 4 players. I was chosen to sit with JM since Dh had to coach. I don't do mornings, so the thinking skills at that time left a little to be desired, which is why I made the mistake I did.
I saw JM bat twice between 9 and 9:30. During that time JM hit the ball down the first base line, but got out at first. This was HUGE. Remember, he's playing his first ever kid pitch league and had gotten hit early in the season. Lately, he's been "running from the ball" and not staying at the plate to actually try and hit a ball. His 2nd at bat he once again hit down the 1st base side, but more between 2nd and 1st base positions. 2nd baseman picked it up and overthrew to first (JM would have beaten it there btw). JM ran on to 2nd, then on to 3rd narrowly missing a tag out at 3rd. He was all smiles, and so was I. I was now awake enough to realize something...the coach that I thought was coach of our team was not acting like he was overly confident. In fact he mentioned he would be thrilled when Dh made it down to take over. OOPS. Dh is, umm...about the 4th assistant coach and I thought the parent helping out was one of the assistant coaches. No biggie, I figured it was close to the end of Samuel's game and I would walk up there to meet with Dh so I could walk Samuel down to the field where JM was and Dh could run ahead. Told you I was starting to think. I get up to the soccer field and tell Dh about the situation down on JM's field. Dh finishes refereeing the soccer game in about 1 minute and then takes off for the baseball game.
I walk with Samuel back to the baseball field after doing our "celebration tunnel" and getting Samuel's snack (which I ended up carrying). On the walk back I got to hear all about how Samuel sort of scored a goal. He "deflected" the soccer ball with his legs while standing next to the goal and the ball went in. Hey, in my book, that's a goal! He was all smiles, and so was I. I was also much more awake now. We sit and watch the rest of JM's game/practice/scrimmage and I see JM make some awesome catches at catcher position and he even managed to learn a little more about playing that position!
All that, and we were home by 10:30am.
We do some housework, try to make sense of where we should be with our homeschooling work, and then work on some of the lessons and study for upcoming tests...and then I go to work and Dh took the kids to a friend's house. I meet up with them at the friend's house for some great fellowship...and now it's time for bed.
We have another early morning tomorrow! Perhaps one day soon life will slow down? Maybe?
Friday, September 28, 2007
More ladybugs
We heard nothing this week, despite the hopefulness brought from ladybug sightings. But the week's showing dwindled...
Monday night there was 1 ladybug.
Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday nights there were no ladybugs. *so sad*
Tonight...there were 4! and 2 were needing to be censored from the kids eyes (if you know what I mean). LOL
So, perhaps, these 4 little ladybugs might mean something? Hmmm....we know that China is probably working this weekend before their big national holiday week, and we know that in the past they have liked to clear out the work load as much as possible. So, here's hoping that Monday or Tuesday we have some GREAT news to share.
If not, then it will be at least another week, and we will fly right by that 100 day mark.
Monday night there was 1 ladybug.
Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday nights there were no ladybugs. *so sad*
Tonight...there were 4! and 2 were needing to be censored from the kids eyes (if you know what I mean). LOL
So, perhaps, these 4 little ladybugs might mean something? Hmmm....we know that China is probably working this weekend before their big national holiday week, and we know that in the past they have liked to clear out the work load as much as possible. So, here's hoping that Monday or Tuesday we have some GREAT news to share.
If not, then it will be at least another week, and we will fly right by that 100 day mark.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
and there was much wailing and nashing of teeth
no, not from me for not getting a phone call today (on day 89....tomorrow is day 90 of a 70-90 average wait).
but from the kids when I finally broke down and picked up their Lego pile of bricks. I've told them all day to clean it up. Multiple times. Did it get picked up? No. They must not care for them or they would have picked them up. So, "bye bye Lego bricks"
I'm sure they will get more for birthdays and Christmas so I'm not concerned at all. Plus it wasn't all of them.
but from the kids when I finally broke down and picked up their Lego pile of bricks. I've told them all day to clean it up. Multiple times. Did it get picked up? No. They must not care for them or they would have picked them up. So, "bye bye Lego bricks"
I'm sure they will get more for birthdays and Christmas so I'm not concerned at all. Plus it wasn't all of them.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Okay, enough with the whining and complaining!
Exciting things have been happening in our family, yet I've focused on the "no phone call with LOA" through most of it here. I need to share the "fun" things we've been up to.
First off, I decided that our nasty stained carpet (it was light creme and NOT scotch guarded for those of you with children) needed to be cleaned REALLY well or replaced. After about 1 hour of trying to clean, we opted to replace. Perfect distraction during this wait...right? Oh my word has it been exhausting. We have new carpet in, it's lovely. We are so tired though. Tired of packing up junk, tired of moving furniture, and tired of sitting at the table to be on the computer. But man oh man that carpet is so pretty. It's "flecked" but mostly a dark khaki (color of wet sand). It has brown, black, and creme pieces in it. I was also smart and got the special pad, the moisture blocking pad, so future stains won't soak in and come back to haunt us.
Secondly, JM pitched a baseball game and actually struck some kids out! After his first outing where he walked 4 batters in a row, we were so proud. He's also doing a great job with the catcher position as well.
Third, Samuel is now an orange with black stripe belt in Karate like his brother. He passed his test, and he is just about always kicking at least waist high these days. Not bad for a 4 year old (okay, he's really ALMOST 5).
The boys also got new gameboy games for helping us move furniture and take out the old carpet (well, Samuel helped us out by staying out of the way and away from the dust so we didn't have to administer any breathing treatments). The games have really helped them stay busy during the long hours we've needed to get things back to rights, shopping for organizing things (be still my beating heart), and time for us to be on the computer...like now. ;)
See, I told you, EXCITING times!
First off, I decided that our nasty stained carpet (it was light creme and NOT scotch guarded for those of you with children) needed to be cleaned REALLY well or replaced. After about 1 hour of trying to clean, we opted to replace. Perfect distraction during this wait...right? Oh my word has it been exhausting. We have new carpet in, it's lovely. We are so tired though. Tired of packing up junk, tired of moving furniture, and tired of sitting at the table to be on the computer. But man oh man that carpet is so pretty. It's "flecked" but mostly a dark khaki (color of wet sand). It has brown, black, and creme pieces in it. I was also smart and got the special pad, the moisture blocking pad, so future stains won't soak in and come back to haunt us.
Secondly, JM pitched a baseball game and actually struck some kids out! After his first outing where he walked 4 batters in a row, we were so proud. He's also doing a great job with the catcher position as well.
Third, Samuel is now an orange with black stripe belt in Karate like his brother. He passed his test, and he is just about always kicking at least waist high these days. Not bad for a 4 year old (okay, he's really ALMOST 5).
The boys also got new gameboy games for helping us move furniture and take out the old carpet (well, Samuel helped us out by staying out of the way and away from the dust so we didn't have to administer any breathing treatments). The games have really helped them stay busy during the long hours we've needed to get things back to rights, shopping for organizing things (be still my beating heart), and time for us to be on the computer...like now. ;)
See, I told you, EXCITING times!
We have not heard anything yet
87 days down, tomorrow is 88 days.
We've heard nothing on our approvals, and it is supposed to be 70-90 days. I think we will pass the 90 days mark personally. So, that is our "no news" day.
Do I *really* need to tell you how I feel right now?
We've heard nothing on our approvals, and it is supposed to be 70-90 days. I think we will pass the 90 days mark personally. So, that is our "no news" day.
Do I *really* need to tell you how I feel right now?
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Something is going on outside...
there are now 6 ladybugs. Hmmm..."double lucky" perhaps?
But honestly, WHERE did they come from? All are attracted to our outside light on the front porch (along with about a gazillion other little flying insects). We're having to go in and out the front door since our garage is full of furniture. Why? We're getting new carpet upstairs tomorrow! :) We've worked really hard to get it ready to go, and now, tomorrow I entertain two boys while the installers do their work. I can't wait for it to all be done though.
I hope, really really really hope, that we hear from the agency tomorrow.
But honestly, WHERE did they come from? All are attracted to our outside light on the front porch (along with about a gazillion other little flying insects). We're having to go in and out the front door since our garage is full of furniture. Why? We're getting new carpet upstairs tomorrow! :) We've worked really hard to get it ready to go, and now, tomorrow I entertain two boys while the installers do their work. I can't wait for it to all be done though.
I hope, really really really hope, that we hear from the agency tomorrow.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
3 ladybugs outside tonight
Dh saw 3 ladybugs this evening!!! Since ladybug sightings are considered "lucky" in China adoption and since many of our own "ladybug sightings" do seem to have significance to our adoption situation, I'm hoping this means good things on Monday. If we do not get our LOA next week, it is doubtful we could travel October 25th. That breaks my heart to think about. I'm just so ready to go and get her.
3 ladybugs...for our 3 kids? Or for Dh, myself, and Katie traveling? I like the 3 kids idea, especially since 2 were bigger and close together and one was little bitty and about a foot or so away from the other two.
Today we were cleaning out our computer area, and I found a picture that Samuel had colored last September. It was an outline of China and he had colored sections, then he drew a smiley face on it. I remember saying to a friend, "I'm going to keep this. When we get our referral I want to check and see if she is from the province where Samuel drew the smiley face." Guess what? She is! How is that for another "red thread" connection?
3 ladybugs...for our 3 kids? Or for Dh, myself, and Katie traveling? I like the 3 kids idea, especially since 2 were bigger and close together and one was little bitty and about a foot or so away from the other two.
Today we were cleaning out our computer area, and I found a picture that Samuel had colored last September. It was an outline of China and he had colored sections, then he drew a smiley face on it. I remember saying to a friend, "I'm going to keep this. When we get our referral I want to check and see if she is from the province where Samuel drew the smiley face." Guess what? She is! How is that for another "red thread" connection?
Thursday, September 20, 2007
One more thing checked off the list!
Our homestudy addendum for the SN adoption is just about done (emailing between the SW and my agency is happening today). :) Then, once that is done, we will have the finalized versions of it!
I have to say our Social Worker rocks! She's one of the fastest people I've ever heard of getting done with the homestudy and the addendums. She contacted me Tuesday to get started, Thursday it is basically done.
Phew! One of the major stresses of this process is lifted. Now, we just need to get that LOA/RA!!!
I have to say our Social Worker rocks! She's one of the fastest people I've ever heard of getting done with the homestudy and the addendums. She contacted me Tuesday to get started, Thursday it is basically done.
Phew! One of the major stresses of this process is lifted. Now, we just need to get that LOA/RA!!!
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Just keep waiting.
That's what we are doing. Waiting. Thursday marks day 83 since LOI (not that we're counting or anything). The average time for someone LID before LOI (which we were) is 70-90 days.
We're at 83 days. Mighty close to that 90 don't you think?
We did see movement at our agency this week though, someone LID 7/06 (we're LID 9/14/06) with a LOI of 7/13/07 (we're LOI 6/29/07) got their LOA/RA. How's that for lots of numbers and letters? What this means is that their dossier was definitely translated and was being reviewed for NSN when they sent in their LOI. It was pulled and processed faster than our own as it was in the midst of review to start with.
What does this mean for us? Well, we have to be getting closer right? It means that they are working on things, and it does not appear that we have been skipped in any way...yet. :) We have to trust that it will shop up soon, and who knows, it might show up by the end of this week. I am not sure, but I think our agency will inquire about it after 90 days. However, they may wait to 120 days.
At this point, I want it. Plain and simple. We are hoping to travel with the October 25th group. Please please please let us travel with them!!!
We're at 83 days. Mighty close to that 90 don't you think?
We did see movement at our agency this week though, someone LID 7/06 (we're LID 9/14/06) with a LOI of 7/13/07 (we're LOI 6/29/07) got their LOA/RA. How's that for lots of numbers and letters? What this means is that their dossier was definitely translated and was being reviewed for NSN when they sent in their LOI. It was pulled and processed faster than our own as it was in the midst of review to start with.
What does this mean for us? Well, we have to be getting closer right? It means that they are working on things, and it does not appear that we have been skipped in any way...yet. :) We have to trust that it will shop up soon, and who knows, it might show up by the end of this week. I am not sure, but I think our agency will inquire about it after 90 days. However, they may wait to 120 days.
At this point, I want it. Plain and simple. We are hoping to travel with the October 25th group. Please please please let us travel with them!!!
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Will it be this week?
That is what all my agency friends are wondering along with me? Will we finally see our LOA/RA this week? Could the end of our wait for our daughter be almost over? Maybe?
I've decided it is hard to wait, even when you are trying ever so hard to find peace and knowledge that this is really out of your control. The timing will be perfect whenever it happens, I know that. But this waiting. This not knowing. This uncertainty of when we will travel is really starting to get old.
We have developed some rather expensive "coping" techniques this past week. Too many more weeks of not getting that important piece of paperwork might see us more broke than we ever seem to be. We are finally replacing carpets upstairs (yes, all those who have been in our home can breathe with relief that we addressing that problem finally). I've also started shopping for our trip more. This typically means Katie gets yet another outfit. This past weekend I found her a bib for the trip. Then I saw the cutest hairbrush for her...it's a ladybug.
So, I'm really hoping we hear this week. Not too sure how much longer I can keep shopping. ;)
I've decided it is hard to wait, even when you are trying ever so hard to find peace and knowledge that this is really out of your control. The timing will be perfect whenever it happens, I know that. But this waiting. This not knowing. This uncertainty of when we will travel is really starting to get old.
We have developed some rather expensive "coping" techniques this past week. Too many more weeks of not getting that important piece of paperwork might see us more broke than we ever seem to be. We are finally replacing carpets upstairs (yes, all those who have been in our home can breathe with relief that we addressing that problem finally). I've also started shopping for our trip more. This typically means Katie gets yet another outfit. This past weekend I found her a bib for the trip. Then I saw the cutest hairbrush for her...it's a ladybug.
So, I'm really hoping we hear this week. Not too sure how much longer I can keep shopping. ;)
Monday, September 10, 2007
He says the cutest things!
I sent Samuel to the bathroom to clean his face, wash his hands, and brush his teeth. After a good long while of hearing the water running, Samuel calls out "Moooom! Where's my....where's my....where's my tooth soap?"
awwww....Tooth SOAP! I love it.
I had to go help him find his tooth paste, and I told him "Here's your tooth paste, be sure to brush your teeth really well." I'll check of course.
awwww....Tooth SOAP! I love it.
I had to go help him find his tooth paste, and I told him "Here's your tooth paste, be sure to brush your teeth really well." I'll check of course.
Sunday, September 09, 2007
Love Without Boundaries
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceAmyu1FpBc
Katie, luckily, has not needed surgery while in China for her heart condition (and we're hopeful she won't need it once home). However, she has benefited from Love Without Boundaries through the medical fund. She was able to have 2 heart ultrasounds. While her orphanage is not one of the poorer ones, I know medical checkups like she had are not cheap.
Love Without Boundaries also has a great foster care support for the Yunnan province
Katie, luckily, has not needed surgery while in China for her heart condition (and we're hopeful she won't need it once home). However, she has benefited from Love Without Boundaries through the medical fund. She was able to have 2 heart ultrasounds. While her orphanage is not one of the poorer ones, I know medical checkups like she had are not cheap.
Love Without Boundaries also has a great foster care support for the Yunnan province
Friday, September 07, 2007
the diving video
Here's the one of him diving. Just kindly ignore my voice. Does anyone EVER like their own voice?
Note to self, when videoing in China do NOT talk! LOL
OH, and isn't that little foot kicking up at the end of the dive just adorable or what?
Testing out video
What we learned with this "test" is that videos in low light are not great. :) 2nd, I think Samuel is just about the cutest little diving board jumper in history. I'm going to see if I have the video of him diving, it's even better than this one. Of course it was in daylight.
We bought the little Flip Video for our trip to China, and tested it out last weekend. It's not too bad, it's extremely easy to use. It's tiny so taking it to China will be easy, and it runs on AA batteries (which is even better as all my various cameras have different size batteries!).
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Not looking good for this week!
While some of the much anticipated and longed for LOA's for our agency did arrive, ours was not one of them. Since today (Thursday) marks 69 days since we sent our LOI, I was not totally expecting it. I think we are getting close though as others near our date out there in "internet-land" have gotten theirs, especially since they have similar "dates" to go along with their LOI.
So many of you have asked when we might travel, and after this week we are pretty much assured that travel before the end of October is out. Our new "hope for date" is October 25. In order to make this date we will really need to get our LOA in the next couple of weeks.
I am really hoping to have Katie home by Thanksgiving! I really hope we do!!
So many of you have asked when we might travel, and after this week we are pretty much assured that travel before the end of October is out. Our new "hope for date" is October 25. In order to make this date we will really need to get our LOA in the next couple of weeks.
I am really hoping to have Katie home by Thanksgiving! I really hope we do!!
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
What did you do Labor Day weekend?
We visited family, and went to Dollywood. The boys had a great time swimming daily in grandma's pool, playing with cousins, and riding rides in Dollywood. Samuel was finally tall enough to ride the "big boy" rides (not to be confused with being tall enough to ride roller coasters).
Samuel also learned how to dive into the pool, and loved showing off his new skill to all. It was so cute. He is not afraid to go under the water at all anymore.
Samuel also learned how to dive into the pool, and loved showing off his new skill to all. It was so cute. He is not afraid to go under the water at all anymore.
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