You know if you know us in real life...and if so you'll know where I'm talking about.
I think we're going to go to the Park next week. Wednesday. *need to call my friend and let her know* It's the BIG one closest to us...not southeast of us. ;)
I won't be posting comments to this post (well at least not on purpose), so if you think you might be joining us...and I guess a TIME would be a good idea to include. Umm...sometime that day?! Will that work? I'm going to go with 10am though. Bring a picnic lunch, and hopefully I'll be able to get home in time for Katie's nap. :)
Friday, July 18, 2008
Thursday, July 17, 2008
House update #1
I think we're going to hold off purchasing that one house, mainly because it's on a First right of Refusal right now AND since we've not sold our house already our downpayment (which is tied up in equity) is well...non-existant.
:)
I think, given that, our best option is going to be to build that house and specify "max of 7 months until closing" kind of deal. If we're ready and the house is ready we can close earlier. Otherwise, closing in Feb/March 2009.
*stress starts floating away*
It gives us both time to prep the house, get it sold, and save up for a larger down payment.
:)
I think, given that, our best option is going to be to build that house and specify "max of 7 months until closing" kind of deal. If we're ready and the house is ready we can close earlier. Otherwise, closing in Feb/March 2009.
*stress starts floating away*
It gives us both time to prep the house, get it sold, and save up for a larger down payment.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
why yes, life can get busier
I thought we were as busy as we could possibly get, and then this week brought a sudden possibility of MOVING. Yes, moving. Something we've been talking about for 7 months now, and had decided to put off until 2009. Well, we found a house that would just about perfect for us, however, they wanted us to close by July 31st. Yes....2-3 weeks away. Our house is not even on the market yet. It's NOT READY yet either.
Yeah, we're not exactly the best at knowing our own limits sometimes.
So, the past 3 days have been filled with getting pre-qualified for loans (and woah, I've heard getting a loan is tougher now...but WOW!). Getting our house clean and ready (includes PAINTING our bedroom, finishing up the painting, cabinets rehung, trim finished...oh my gosh so much painting)...and it's not done yet. We have a ton of clutter to get out as well. We've had a realtor come and give us an estimate for selling it. We've looked at budgets. We've looked at OTHER houses just to make sure we are making the most informed decision we can.
All while living the rest of our normal busy day-to-day lives. Oh yes. Fun times. One day, in hopefully the not too distant future, I will get more photos up online from the beach trip and wedding we went to. Sometime AFTER I sleep again.
Yeah, we're not exactly the best at knowing our own limits sometimes.
So, the past 3 days have been filled with getting pre-qualified for loans (and woah, I've heard getting a loan is tougher now...but WOW!). Getting our house clean and ready (includes PAINTING our bedroom, finishing up the painting, cabinets rehung, trim finished...oh my gosh so much painting)...and it's not done yet. We have a ton of clutter to get out as well. We've had a realtor come and give us an estimate for selling it. We've looked at budgets. We've looked at OTHER houses just to make sure we are making the most informed decision we can.
All while living the rest of our normal busy day-to-day lives. Oh yes. Fun times. One day, in hopefully the not too distant future, I will get more photos up online from the beach trip and wedding we went to. Sometime AFTER I sleep again.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Why do we hardly talk about the tough parts?
You know, the home for months and attachment issues are still there. Home for years and noticing another attachment related issue. Home and having to go through doctor appointment after doctor appointment, finding out new things, ruling other things out. We never talk about how draining all of that can be. How difficult it is to continually go to multiple therapy appointments each week (or have them come into your home). How it's harder to do the therapy assignments, the "homework" if you will. How every time you play with your child it is therapy related play.
It's HARD. Yes, we do it. Yes we do it mostly without complaining. It's what parents do. But it's hard. It's hard to hear how someone newly home is easily adjusting with something you've struggled with. You feel jealous, then guilty for not being 100% happy for them. Then guilt for feeling jealous.
So much of our lives in the adoption process is judged by someone in relation to whether we would be good parents or not. It's hard to remember, that admitting we struggle with something doesn't mean we are not good parents. It means we are human. Heck, our reasons for adoption are even scrutinized greatly.
Why do we not feel comfortable talking about these things openly?
Now, I know I am extremely lucky in that Katie has not needed therapy. However, I have been through speech therapy with a child so I know the time involved in that. I've been through the process of getting diagnosis of medical things, and know how frustrating that can be. We, as parents and spouses, must be very proactive in what we do. We must do lots of research on our own, but tempered with the knowledge that we will surely find the worst case stuff. :) We are still dealing with some attachment issues, but thank goodness things are getting much better!
Another aspect that is hard, is the struggle of adding another child to the family dynamic. When you give birth, you have a "blob" of a baby who basically stays where you put them, is easily transported to places like church, ball games, etc. with minimal extra stuff. With adoption, especially international adoption, you incorporate an older baby. In our case, a toddler. Toddlers are not blobs. They are active. They have strong opinions. They needs lots of things to go to a ballgame - things like snacks, drinks, change of clothes, diapers, wipes, sunscreen, toys, strollers, blankets, and then some! Having a child who loves to play in toilets, getting 3 children dressed on Sunday morning...can be a recipe for disaster. I do not know how many times we've had to change Katie into a 2nd dress right before going out the door! The struggles with just day to day live, adjustments you have to make. We never talk about the realities of it all. We all know it's worth it, more than worth it...but no one ever talks about how tough just being a parent is.
For everyone out there who might still be reading, I'm not in a bad place or anything. I've been writing this post for, oh, 4-5 months. Roughly when the group after ours, or the 2nd group after ours got home from China. Lately, I've begun feeling jealous over the people going through that process (like I did for people pregnant with their first child after I had JM). I was deeply moved by our entire experience, and relished every bit of it (okay maybe not the very sick child part). I know, in my heart, that we are likely never to go back. Finances just dictate that. Not to mention the amount of time involved, and the changing of family dynamics. I'm learning to slowly accept and be content in my current circumstances (well not the house maybe). :)
It's HARD. Yes, we do it. Yes we do it mostly without complaining. It's what parents do. But it's hard. It's hard to hear how someone newly home is easily adjusting with something you've struggled with. You feel jealous, then guilty for not being 100% happy for them. Then guilt for feeling jealous.
So much of our lives in the adoption process is judged by someone in relation to whether we would be good parents or not. It's hard to remember, that admitting we struggle with something doesn't mean we are not good parents. It means we are human. Heck, our reasons for adoption are even scrutinized greatly.
Why do we not feel comfortable talking about these things openly?
Now, I know I am extremely lucky in that Katie has not needed therapy. However, I have been through speech therapy with a child so I know the time involved in that. I've been through the process of getting diagnosis of medical things, and know how frustrating that can be. We, as parents and spouses, must be very proactive in what we do. We must do lots of research on our own, but tempered with the knowledge that we will surely find the worst case stuff. :) We are still dealing with some attachment issues, but thank goodness things are getting much better!
Another aspect that is hard, is the struggle of adding another child to the family dynamic. When you give birth, you have a "blob" of a baby who basically stays where you put them, is easily transported to places like church, ball games, etc. with minimal extra stuff. With adoption, especially international adoption, you incorporate an older baby. In our case, a toddler. Toddlers are not blobs. They are active. They have strong opinions. They needs lots of things to go to a ballgame - things like snacks, drinks, change of clothes, diapers, wipes, sunscreen, toys, strollers, blankets, and then some! Having a child who loves to play in toilets, getting 3 children dressed on Sunday morning...can be a recipe for disaster. I do not know how many times we've had to change Katie into a 2nd dress right before going out the door! The struggles with just day to day live, adjustments you have to make. We never talk about the realities of it all. We all know it's worth it, more than worth it...but no one ever talks about how tough just being a parent is.
For everyone out there who might still be reading, I'm not in a bad place or anything. I've been writing this post for, oh, 4-5 months. Roughly when the group after ours, or the 2nd group after ours got home from China. Lately, I've begun feeling jealous over the people going through that process (like I did for people pregnant with their first child after I had JM). I was deeply moved by our entire experience, and relished every bit of it (okay maybe not the very sick child part). I know, in my heart, that we are likely never to go back. Finances just dictate that. Not to mention the amount of time involved, and the changing of family dynamics. I'm learning to slowly accept and be content in my current circumstances (well not the house maybe). :)
Friday, July 11, 2008
About JM's photo
Yes, he DOES look older doesn't he? It's the "spike hair" that his Aunt Beth gave him. Complete with hair gel. See, after he'd swim he'd do this to his hair and we realized that we all kind of liked it. He loved it. So, one day she spiked his hair with gel.
I'm going to have the sides and back cut so it's shorter (easier to keep clean), and then I guess we'll enter the world of hair gel and spending time in the bathroom getting ready. At least for Church and outings.
*sniff* my baby boy is growing up!
I'm going to have the sides and back cut so it's shorter (easier to keep clean), and then I guess we'll enter the world of hair gel and spending time in the bathroom getting ready. At least for Church and outings.
*sniff* my baby boy is growing up!
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
9 on the 9th
This is just too much fun to pass up! :) 9 on the 9th monthly meme, and this is the FIRST ever.
Okay, honestly, I was coming from Tonggu Momma's 9 on the 9th, and would really like to steal her idea. Maybe I should ask her. I mean, what better way for you to get to know me than to know 9 of my most embarrassing moments. OH WAIT...there are people I actually see and know who read this blog. Ummm...perhaps not.
The 9 best things about having boys! Yeah, I can do that. :)
9. You have an excuse to do armpit farts.
8. If you ever do see a real snake, you won't scream as you'll think it's another plastic one.
7. You get the chance to perfect the silent scream because of hidden legoes in the carpet when you go to kiss them goodnight after they are asleep.
6. You get the chance to learn that fake vomit, fake poo, and other such gross items are funny.
5. You learn the difference between a real cry that needs attention and one that is not...especially if you have multiple boys in your family.
4. You learn to fully define what clean means - their hair MUST be wet down to the roots, the back and sides of the hair must smell like shampoo as well, teeth should not look like they are growing things AFTER they've been brushed, a clean room does not have legoes in the carpet...
3. You know the difference between soccer cleats, baseball cleats, and football cleats and why they are not interchangeable.
2. You learn that breakfast made by your sons, with "flowers" picked by their hands, is really special. (Not to mention you wonder what they want....)
1. You learn that little boys really do LOVE their Mommy, and that your heart can melt when your 5 year old wants to marry you when he grows up.
Okay, honestly, I was coming from Tonggu Momma's 9 on the 9th, and would really like to steal her idea. Maybe I should ask her. I mean, what better way for you to get to know me than to know 9 of my most embarrassing moments. OH WAIT...there are people I actually see and know who read this blog. Ummm...perhaps not.
The 9 best things about having boys! Yeah, I can do that. :)
9. You have an excuse to do armpit farts.
8. If you ever do see a real snake, you won't scream as you'll think it's another plastic one.
7. You get the chance to perfect the silent scream because of hidden legoes in the carpet when you go to kiss them goodnight after they are asleep.
6. You get the chance to learn that fake vomit, fake poo, and other such gross items are funny.
5. You learn the difference between a real cry that needs attention and one that is not...especially if you have multiple boys in your family.
4. You learn to fully define what clean means - their hair MUST be wet down to the roots, the back and sides of the hair must smell like shampoo as well, teeth should not look like they are growing things AFTER they've been brushed, a clean room does not have legoes in the carpet...
3. You know the difference between soccer cleats, baseball cleats, and football cleats and why they are not interchangeable.
2. You learn that breakfast made by your sons, with "flowers" picked by their hands, is really special. (Not to mention you wonder what they want....)
1. You learn that little boys really do LOVE their Mommy, and that your heart can melt when your 5 year old wants to marry you when he grows up.
Something I learned over the past 2 weeks...
and it's an important lesson I think. 4 main trips, 3 "short" trips, and little trips to the stores. We filled the gas tank at least 6 times (and then at least 2-3 times when it was like "half fill up" times). You know, THAT kind of driving trip? We started off, at home, with gas hovering around $3.96 a gallon, get to Savannah and Hilton Head and Tybee Island and gas was only around $3.98. This was the FIRST weekend. We drive home, and see that gas is now around $3.98 at home (it is quickly approaching the 4th you know). We drive back to Hilton Head, and gas is now around $4.02 there. As the holiday weekend progresses I notice that gas is back around $3.98 on Hilton Head as we are preparing to leave. NOT BAD!
Okay, Dh is probably going to kill me, but this is the lesson I learned. See, I ended up with lots of sinus filled cavities (either from allergies or a cold coming on) so I was not feeling quite up to driving much on our long drive home. We had a combined driving time of around 30 hours (easily) by this point in roughly 10 days. During this time we had "shot" a wedding, been on the beach, swum in pools, played conasta, watched movies, walked some, and tried to get portraits of our family.
Dh has been driving for quite a long time by this point, and we had made 2 stops already. Samuel informs us that he has GOT to go, and we're between Macon and Atlanta at this point. I've been "dozing" off and on with my sinus pressure headaches. Dh pulls off at the next exit, there is 1 gas station. He tells me, "We'll stop here, fill up and take Samuel."
I see the sign. "It's $4.12 for gas!" Dh replies, "well, he's got to go." I swear he then told me that we might as well fill up now instead of having to stop later as it would not save us that much later...just a few cents. Dh doesn't fully remember that, and since I had been sort of sleeping a little I could have just "inferred" that from the one sentence he does remember. When you've been married for over 11 years you do sometimes attribute sentences that would normally GO with a said sentence...a kind of mind reading.
I filled up our tank, 11 gallons. I'm still shocked by the $4.12 a gallon. Remember, we're between Macon and Atlanta so there are plenty of other "gas stations" nearby...well before we'd run out of gas as the tank holds around 20 gallons. ;)
We drive a little longer, probably around 100 miles or so (about where we'd have needed to get gas). Gas was $4.02 a gallon. So, in reality we spent 10cents a gallon more than we should have. At 11 gallons that's $1.10. NOT A HUGE DEAL. Just don't bring it up to Dh. ;) As we're getting closer and closer to home I comment again (see, didn't learn my lesson the first time) that gas is now $3.92 a gallon in some of the places...20 cents a gallon cheaper!
That's when I learned my lesson to NOT BRING IT BACK UP to Dh. If I didn't think $4.12 a gallon was a good price, then I should not have pumped the gas. Right?
Okay. Lesson learned. If we could have made it to the $3.92 a gallon place, that would have been $2.20 saved. Most likely though we'd have been pushing by that point. ;)
As I told Dh, it was nice to see the prices falling the closer we got to home. Too bad that right after I said that, prices started going back up a little. No I do not remember WHAT gas is here...and after all, it would change by tomorrow anyway. Suffice it to say, gas is NOT $4.12 a gallon here...YET!
Okay, Dh is probably going to kill me, but this is the lesson I learned. See, I ended up with lots of sinus filled cavities (either from allergies or a cold coming on) so I was not feeling quite up to driving much on our long drive home. We had a combined driving time of around 30 hours (easily) by this point in roughly 10 days. During this time we had "shot" a wedding, been on the beach, swum in pools, played conasta, watched movies, walked some, and tried to get portraits of our family.
Dh has been driving for quite a long time by this point, and we had made 2 stops already. Samuel informs us that he has GOT to go, and we're between Macon and Atlanta at this point. I've been "dozing" off and on with my sinus pressure headaches. Dh pulls off at the next exit, there is 1 gas station. He tells me, "We'll stop here, fill up and take Samuel."
I see the sign. "It's $4.12 for gas!" Dh replies, "well, he's got to go." I swear he then told me that we might as well fill up now instead of having to stop later as it would not save us that much later...just a few cents. Dh doesn't fully remember that, and since I had been sort of sleeping a little I could have just "inferred" that from the one sentence he does remember. When you've been married for over 11 years you do sometimes attribute sentences that would normally GO with a said sentence...a kind of mind reading.
I filled up our tank, 11 gallons. I'm still shocked by the $4.12 a gallon. Remember, we're between Macon and Atlanta so there are plenty of other "gas stations" nearby...well before we'd run out of gas as the tank holds around 20 gallons. ;)
We drive a little longer, probably around 100 miles or so (about where we'd have needed to get gas). Gas was $4.02 a gallon. So, in reality we spent 10cents a gallon more than we should have. At 11 gallons that's $1.10. NOT A HUGE DEAL. Just don't bring it up to Dh. ;) As we're getting closer and closer to home I comment again (see, didn't learn my lesson the first time) that gas is now $3.92 a gallon in some of the places...20 cents a gallon cheaper!
That's when I learned my lesson to NOT BRING IT BACK UP to Dh. If I didn't think $4.12 a gallon was a good price, then I should not have pumped the gas. Right?
Okay. Lesson learned. If we could have made it to the $3.92 a gallon place, that would have been $2.20 saved. Most likely though we'd have been pushing by that point. ;)
As I told Dh, it was nice to see the prices falling the closer we got to home. Too bad that right after I said that, prices started going back up a little. No I do not remember WHAT gas is here...and after all, it would change by tomorrow anyway. Suffice it to say, gas is NOT $4.12 a gallon here...YET!
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
Adventures in "Fish" movie.
Driving on one of the 4 trips back and forth from Hilton Head.
"Want fish."
"This movie? The Fish movie?"
"Yeah. FISH!"
*inserts Finding Nemo*
"Maaa-ooom! MOM!"
"What Katie?"
"Gook! FISH!"
"Yes, Katie there are fish in the movie."
*literally less than 5 seconds*
"MOM! GOOK!!!! Fish!"...."FISH! MOM FISH!"
*she continues in similar manner until...*
"Yes, Katie there are fish in the movie."
*another...oh maybe 10 seconds.*
"MOM! FISH! GOOK! FISH!"
"yes Katie lots of fish in the movie Finding Nemo."
she stays quiet, perhaps sensing our exasperation over her extreme excitedness?
*Nemo swims out to the boat, Marlin is yelling at him.*
"UH OH. Fish." *Katie baby babble rather emphatically sounding like she's telling Nemo to listen to his dad.* "Fish. UH OH. MOM. Uh oh."
"Yes Katie, Nemo got taken by the diver. He did not listen to his Dad did he?"
"Nope."
*Dory and Marlin run into sharks."
"Oooooh." *more babble, this time it's rather apparent she's telling the sharks off.* "Uh OH! MOM!"
"The fish will be okay Katie."
*Dory sings her "Just Keep Swimming" song....you hear a little bit of humming from Katie's seat.*
"UH OH."
*blessed quiet for a few minutes...really must have been drawn into the movie for a good little bit...then you know the part where Dory and Marlin ask for directions from the school of fish?*
"FISH!!!!! FISH!!!!! MOM, FISH!"
"Oh yes Katie that is a lot of fish isn't it?"
"Yeah. Fish."
All is quiet again, then Dory starts speaking whale.
"aaah....oooooh....fffffff-iiiiiiiiiissssh!" Yes, she started speaking "whale" and did an entire conversation in baby babble mixed with English words in whale-speak. I think Dh was laughing so hard he was crying.
All was quiet for a few more minutes, then the movie starts saying "mine! mine! mine!" You know that part? OH YES SHE DID!
"MINE! MINE! MINE!"
I started laughing and crying as well.
"MOM! Gook! Fish."
thankfully, I was able to say, "Yes Katie, that IS a good fish movie isn't it?"
"Yeah. Good."
"Want fish."
"This movie? The Fish movie?"
"Yeah. FISH!"
*inserts Finding Nemo*
"Maaa-ooom! MOM!"
"What Katie?"
"Gook! FISH!"
"Yes, Katie there are fish in the movie."
*literally less than 5 seconds*
"MOM! GOOK!!!! Fish!"...."FISH! MOM FISH!"
*she continues in similar manner until...*
"Yes, Katie there are fish in the movie."
*another...oh maybe 10 seconds.*
"MOM! FISH! GOOK! FISH!"
"yes Katie lots of fish in the movie Finding Nemo."
she stays quiet, perhaps sensing our exasperation over her extreme excitedness?
*Nemo swims out to the boat, Marlin is yelling at him.*
"UH OH. Fish." *Katie baby babble rather emphatically sounding like she's telling Nemo to listen to his dad.* "Fish. UH OH. MOM. Uh oh."
"Yes Katie, Nemo got taken by the diver. He did not listen to his Dad did he?"
"Nope."
*Dory and Marlin run into sharks."
"Oooooh." *more babble, this time it's rather apparent she's telling the sharks off.* "Uh OH! MOM!"
"The fish will be okay Katie."
*Dory sings her "Just Keep Swimming" song....you hear a little bit of humming from Katie's seat.*
"UH OH."
*blessed quiet for a few minutes...really must have been drawn into the movie for a good little bit...then you know the part where Dory and Marlin ask for directions from the school of fish?*
"FISH!!!!! FISH!!!!! MOM, FISH!"
"Oh yes Katie that is a lot of fish isn't it?"
"Yeah. Fish."
All is quiet again, then Dory starts speaking whale.
"aaah....oooooh....fffffff-iiiiiiiiiissssh!" Yes, she started speaking "whale" and did an entire conversation in baby babble mixed with English words in whale-speak. I think Dh was laughing so hard he was crying.
All was quiet for a few more minutes, then the movie starts saying "mine! mine! mine!" You know that part? OH YES SHE DID!
"MINE! MINE! MINE!"
I started laughing and crying as well.
"MOM! Gook! Fish."
thankfully, I was able to say, "Yes Katie, that IS a good fish movie isn't it?"
"Yeah. Good."
Saturday, July 05, 2008
Weekend at the beach
We're spending the weekend at the beach with family. Well, actually, I've not seen the beach this weekend so far (it's Saturday night), but I know it's there...just beyond the trees. I've seen Samuel swim all around the pool - without life jacket on. I've seen JM race Dh in picking up the diving sticks (it now takes a good 15 minutes to clear the bottom of the pool of those toys). We've seen fireworks. I sat and enjoyed a summer rainstorm from the safety of the back patio...and watched some golfers continue on with their game. Why do they keep going in the pouring rain? Especially when I could hear thunder? I slept until NOON! Yes, I'm still tired. We introduced the kids to "poppers" this evening. They loved throwing the little firework things on the ground and making them go pop. I learned to play Canasta, and beat Dh.
Tomorrow? I guess we'll actually go to the beach. I know we're doing portraits on the beach tomorrow (well, I'll set it up and hopefully someone can press the shutter for me, or the timer will do it's job). MIL wants the boys to wear their portrait clothes to church in the morning, so I hope they stay clean for tomorrow evening.
I hope the rest of you are having as wonderful a weekend as we are here...at the beach.
Tomorrow? I guess we'll actually go to the beach. I know we're doing portraits on the beach tomorrow (well, I'll set it up and hopefully someone can press the shutter for me, or the timer will do it's job). MIL wants the boys to wear their portrait clothes to church in the morning, so I hope they stay clean for tomorrow evening.
I hope the rest of you are having as wonderful a weekend as we are here...at the beach.
Friday, July 04, 2008
Happy Independence Day!
On our vacation to DC this year I ended up having a greater respect for what this day means. I knew it was a big deal for the founding fathers of our country to declare their independence. But I always said, "okay, that's great." You know. Sort of brushed it off.
But, this year, oh this year, I understand so much more. It was HUGE. It was treason. Well, it would have been if we'd lost the Revolutionary War. Those men put their NAMES on a document that would effectively be proof of their treason if we'd have lost the Revolutionary war. They'd have been killed for their actions. I knew that, but I did not understand that fully.
They also knew that not every colonist agreed with them. Many colonists were still loyal to England. Many did not want war. These men though, DID. Other colonists DID want to be free from the restrictions and laws that England was forcing on them. I learned so much at Williamsburg, and would have loved to be able to participate more in Revolutionary City.
One thing I learned, was that some people of the colonies did not like what the Bostonians did with the Boston Tea Party. That some people scoffed at their "war paint" and pretending to be Indians. Then later I was told WHY the Bostonians did dress up for the Boston Tea Party. I know I was told in school why, but I guess I never really paid attention. See, what I learned was that if someone could identify you then YOU were tried as a traitor (with all the gory punishment that entailed). I knew that. What I did not know is that if someone could have possibly identified you and DID NOT, then THEY were also tried as a traitor. The "war paint" was a way for someone to say "All I saw were Indians." Okay, that was what I think I heard amidst the chasing of Katie and appeasing of Samuel.
I enjoyed Williamsburg so much that I think I'm going to ask Dh if we can do the online electronic field trips with the boys this year. :)
But, back to 4th of July, and why today seems to be oh so much MORE to me this year. Our forefathers took a great big giant leap of faith. They believed in something HUGE. I think of how insignificant I am in comparison. I think of the people sitting in Washington DC now (well, figuratively) and I wonder...what would the people of 1776 have thought of them? Touring Mount Vernon, hearing about George Washington and what his views were on different things...I wonder how he would feel about today's leaders. I think of our military, and how the cost of our freedom is not cheap at all. I remember all the monuments we saw - the World War 2 memorial in particular. I remember the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. I'm humbled by the sacrifice others have made.
So, today, on this anniversary of what we consider to be the "birth" of our nation, I'm going to reflect on all that has occurred to bring our nation to where it is. I'm going to think of where we are headed as a nation, and I'm going to celebrate our past, our present, and our future.
But, this year, oh this year, I understand so much more. It was HUGE. It was treason. Well, it would have been if we'd lost the Revolutionary War. Those men put their NAMES on a document that would effectively be proof of their treason if we'd have lost the Revolutionary war. They'd have been killed for their actions. I knew that, but I did not understand that fully.
They also knew that not every colonist agreed with them. Many colonists were still loyal to England. Many did not want war. These men though, DID. Other colonists DID want to be free from the restrictions and laws that England was forcing on them. I learned so much at Williamsburg, and would have loved to be able to participate more in Revolutionary City.
One thing I learned, was that some people of the colonies did not like what the Bostonians did with the Boston Tea Party. That some people scoffed at their "war paint" and pretending to be Indians. Then later I was told WHY the Bostonians did dress up for the Boston Tea Party. I know I was told in school why, but I guess I never really paid attention. See, what I learned was that if someone could identify you then YOU were tried as a traitor (with all the gory punishment that entailed). I knew that. What I did not know is that if someone could have possibly identified you and DID NOT, then THEY were also tried as a traitor. The "war paint" was a way for someone to say "All I saw were Indians." Okay, that was what I think I heard amidst the chasing of Katie and appeasing of Samuel.
I enjoyed Williamsburg so much that I think I'm going to ask Dh if we can do the online electronic field trips with the boys this year. :)
But, back to 4th of July, and why today seems to be oh so much MORE to me this year. Our forefathers took a great big giant leap of faith. They believed in something HUGE. I think of how insignificant I am in comparison. I think of the people sitting in Washington DC now (well, figuratively) and I wonder...what would the people of 1776 have thought of them? Touring Mount Vernon, hearing about George Washington and what his views were on different things...I wonder how he would feel about today's leaders. I think of our military, and how the cost of our freedom is not cheap at all. I remember all the monuments we saw - the World War 2 memorial in particular. I remember the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. I'm humbled by the sacrifice others have made.
So, today, on this anniversary of what we consider to be the "birth" of our nation, I'm going to reflect on all that has occurred to bring our nation to where it is. I'm going to think of where we are headed as a nation, and I'm going to celebrate our past, our present, and our future.
Thursday, July 03, 2008
Playdate at the gardens
While the boys are with their grandparents living it up at the beach, Katie and I met her friend E at the gardens for a playdate. Well, a photo-op playdate. They saw FISH, and flowers, and bees, and rocks, and dirt, and bridges, and more dirt, and more rocks, and more fish, and oh yeah...rocks. It was so incredibly cute to listen to E say "Come on!" and then to hear Katie tell E "go back!" They played beautifully together, and I told E's Mom that I could totally see them getting into trouble together in a short year or two. We could see them put their heads together, plan something, and then execute that plan. Oh yes we could. :)
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Daddy's Softball Game - take 2
Katie went with us to the ballgame again, this time without the boys.
She fell and got a boo-boo.
She wanted the camera.
NOT her toys we brought.
She waved "bye-bye" to me.
then she ate M&Ms
She fell and got a boo-boo.
She wanted the camera.
NOT her toys we brought.
She waved "bye-bye" to me.
then she ate M&Ms
For Cheri
When we were in China, Cheri handed me a swimsuit that was not going to fit Lia. I thought it would be too small for Katie. However, I was surprised it fit her. I have some of Katie on the beach in this...but look how cute!
This is Katie NOT swimming! She wanted no part of swimming this past weekend. Oh well, perhaps one day she'll consent to get in the big pool or her little baby pool.
For those who want to know what size Cheri handed me in China, it's a 9 month size. My little 23 month old wears a 9 month size in this brand. The Circo brand one is slightly small on her, and it's a 12 month. The Dora one is 2t and it's a tad big...almost as big as the Old Navy one that is 18 months. LOL
This is Katie NOT swimming! She wanted no part of swimming this past weekend. Oh well, perhaps one day she'll consent to get in the big pool or her little baby pool.
For those who want to know what size Cheri handed me in China, it's a 9 month size. My little 23 month old wears a 9 month size in this brand. The Circo brand one is slightly small on her, and it's a 12 month. The Dora one is 2t and it's a tad big...almost as big as the Old Navy one that is 18 months. LOL
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
One sleepy girl...
Katie does not typically give in to sleep anyplace other than her crib or the carseat. Even then the carseat is a huge deal to fall asleep in as she whines a good bit before giving in (letting us know she's NOT happy with the situation). One afternoon we couldn't believe it when she fell asleep in her high chair, I guess our busy lives had taken a toll finally.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Homeschooling update for June
Do you really want to know how incredibly difficult it is to get 2 boys to do learning work during the summer? It's hard. Incredibly hard. Between camps, swimming lessons, vacations, and what not, it seems they would rather NOT do school work.
We've managed to get a couple of school weeks in so far, through pure force of parental will. Well, that and the deal is no "electronics" until school work is done so they have good motivation! Both boys are doing well so far. Samuel is reading but refuses to perform so we can't tell for certain exactly how well. However, he has no problems reading Katie's board books to her. JM is eagerly devouring his books, and doing his work. Katie? Well, Katie is loving her books lately and sits and "pretends" to read all the time now. It's really too cute.
I still need to order their history and geography books, but so far JM is doing a state history as well. My plan is seeming to work out pretty good so far!
We've managed to get a couple of school weeks in so far, through pure force of parental will. Well, that and the deal is no "electronics" until school work is done so they have good motivation! Both boys are doing well so far. Samuel is reading but refuses to perform so we can't tell for certain exactly how well. However, he has no problems reading Katie's board books to her. JM is eagerly devouring his books, and doing his work. Katie? Well, Katie is loving her books lately and sits and "pretends" to read all the time now. It's really too cute.
I still need to order their history and geography books, but so far JM is doing a state history as well. My plan is seeming to work out pretty good so far!
Sunday, June 29, 2008
1 year ago
we were LOI for Katie. It took us another 5.5 months before we would travel. I remember those days of excitement, those first days of gazing in wonder and awe at Katie's photos. I never would have thought it would take 5.5 months before we would travel. I wonder what she was doing 1 year ago. I think about that, and I think about what her foster Mom was doing. When was her foster Mom told that she was being adopted?
I wonder what her foster Mom is doing this year? Does she have another foster child? Does she think about Katie? I'm sure she must. Katie was obviously well loved and taken care of. I remember how hard it was during those 5.5 months to think about Katie and not know how she was doing, not knowing what her smile looked like, how her voice sounded, how big she was, how big her foot was....just minor details that a parent should know about their child...but yet I did not know them. I think about her foster mom feeling those feelings now, and I wonder if her first mom/birth mom has those thoughts as well.
So, 1 year ago today, China knew we wanted to be matched with Katie and her joining our family was officially started on it's journey.
(photos from a few days ago....I just love her personality)
I wonder what her foster Mom is doing this year? Does she have another foster child? Does she think about Katie? I'm sure she must. Katie was obviously well loved and taken care of. I remember how hard it was during those 5.5 months to think about Katie and not know how she was doing, not knowing what her smile looked like, how her voice sounded, how big she was, how big her foot was....just minor details that a parent should know about their child...but yet I did not know them. I think about her foster mom feeling those feelings now, and I wonder if her first mom/birth mom has those thoughts as well.
So, 1 year ago today, China knew we wanted to be matched with Katie and her joining our family was officially started on it's journey.
(photos from a few days ago....I just love her personality)
Friday, June 27, 2008
"Dop!"
Yet another post about what all Katie is saying these days as I have got to preserve those...er...precious memories. ;)
In the van running errands, Samuel will start making noises that only a little 5 year old boy can make. Very annoying ones. After a minute or so, we hear from Katie's seat, rather emphatically, "DOP!!!! DOP!!!!!!" Katie tells Samuel to stop now.
"Gon Mahk," Katie calls to John Mark when he is in her eyesight but not paying her attention. "Gon Mahk! Gon Mahk!"
"Duck!" is what she repeats when we say "Stuck."
"Wan hot." - remember that's "Want food" She now does the sign for food as well.
Buff-fly is butterfly
dah is doll
bah is ball
Baba is Daddy
Dada is Daddy
Mah-om is me when she's angry
Mom is me when she's almost happy and only says it on her own terms, which is rarely...but hey, I have a name.
co-cola is not heard nearly as much, but we do hear "du" for juice, and "mih" for milk.
She answers practically any question you ask her with "yeah" or "no"
She will also whine "NOoooooo" when she doesn't want to do something, in perfect 2 year old ways.
She will also say, "Wan nap," "nigh-nigh," and "wan nigh-nigh" which is always music to my ears. ;)
She babbles a ton, and whines perfectly.
In the van running errands, Samuel will start making noises that only a little 5 year old boy can make. Very annoying ones. After a minute or so, we hear from Katie's seat, rather emphatically, "DOP!!!! DOP!!!!!!" Katie tells Samuel to stop now.
"Gon Mahk," Katie calls to John Mark when he is in her eyesight but not paying her attention. "Gon Mahk! Gon Mahk!"
"Duck!" is what she repeats when we say "Stuck."
"Wan hot." - remember that's "Want food" She now does the sign for food as well.
Buff-fly is butterfly
dah is doll
bah is ball
Baba is Daddy
Dada is Daddy
Mah-om is me when she's angry
Mom is me when she's almost happy and only says it on her own terms, which is rarely...but hey, I have a name.
co-cola is not heard nearly as much, but we do hear "du" for juice, and "mih" for milk.
She answers practically any question you ask her with "yeah" or "no"
She will also whine "NOoooooo" when she doesn't want to do something, in perfect 2 year old ways.
She will also say, "Wan nap," "nigh-nigh," and "wan nigh-nigh" which is always music to my ears. ;)
She babbles a ton, and whines perfectly.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Referral Anniversary - Year 1
One year ago I got a phone call that changed my life! OH how I remember the day so clearly. I knew AWAA had gotten a list and knew that I had been waiting almost a year on a SN referral. While I had thought we would get a call in April with that list, I was thinking that we might not with this list. I don't know why, but perhaps I was guarding my heart. I was in email contact with a friend and I told her I had such peace this time. I really did.
The early morning of Tuesday June 26th, my family coordinator called. I thought, "OH boy is this is?! I don't want to think it is...let me chit chat about small talk so I can prolong this amazing suspense." See, I hate to hear bad news and I just knew she was NOT calling with a referral. I had not seen anyone else post referral info so I did not know they were making calls.
She told me, "I want to go over your SN medical checklist to see if things are still the same."
I had not heard that this was normal for the referral call, so I thought "Okay, not the referral but perhaps they are going to be matching and I *might* have a chance."
She continued, "You have heart conditions marked, is that still a Yes?"
OH yes ma'am it was! I told her we were okay with that. That I knew I had confused them with the constant moving of things from Maybe to Yes, but that Dh only wanted things marked yes that we were most likely to accept the referral and the maybe answers were the ones we would consider but would have to review the file some.
She then said, "I am actually calling you about a little girl that I think will be a perfect match for your family. Do you want to hear about her?"
*silence*
I finally responded, "OH YES!!!!!!"
"Well, she's currently 10.5 months old." *I think the tears started here.* "She has a heart condition, actually the paperwork says 3." *My heart and stomach fell out from under me at this point.* "It looks like, from reading through the paperwork that one of the conditions has resolved itself. In April or May, it's hard to tell which, it looks like she weighed X and was Y tall. She really cute and looks very healthy. She's from the Yunnan Province at Kunming CWI. The paperwork says she's at the orphanage in one part and then mentions she's very attached to her foster Mom. So, I'm not sure if she's in foster care or the orphanage. Do you want to review the electronic information?"
"yes." very timid answer as the 3 heart conditions scared me a little. "Remember do not send the photos as we do not want to see the photos until we are sure we are going forward with adopting her."
I stayed on the line with her to make sure I got the email, and the attachment. All 14 pages of the attachment.
It was roughly 10am. I got online and looked up heart conditions online, I tried to decipher what the paperwork was saying the heart conditions were. I had a friend I could call whose son has a heart condition, and she had told me to contact her if I had questions about a referral of a child. I called her, and she excitedly helped me figure out what the paperwork was saying. She then sent an email to the nurse she deals with the most in her son's care asking if I could email the file to her for her advice (pediatric cardiac nurse of something or other....I just needed to KNOW what the conditions were and where to research). As I was reading her the description of Katie's personality, my friend told me "It sounds like you already love her." I did. I didn't need a photo to fall in love, I did that with the description.
So, I get the file sent off to the nurse, but I am thinking I might know what the conditions are - given possible translation issues. I was feeling LESS nervous about these conditions. I did not, however, have enough info to call Dh at work and tell him about her and explain the conditions.
I called the pediatricians office, and had to go through the phone tree to get to the nurse for our pediatrician. She was thrilled for us and went to get the doctor as quickly as she could (asking if I could stay on the line). *You betcha I could!* He got on, and I gave him the bare details...and then I told him I had it in email format. He got excited and asked if I could send it to him and he would look at it as soon as he possibly could. (It's a rather busy practice, so I knew it could be a little while). I thanked him, and sent it. I told him the 3 conditions, and he felt that it was translation issues and confirmed what I was thinking. He said one did sound closed (not surprising), one was something he would consider "normal finding," and the 3rd is our only issue. He thought, from the sounds of things without looking at the file yet, that it was a PDA. He said that MANY people have this, the question would be how severe and we really would not know that until we got her home.
Less than 5 minutes later I got the response from the nurse and she confirmed what I had thought and what the pediatrician had thought. It was enough for me to get the website URLs that explained it good enough terms for my Dh. I called him. It was around 12:15, and I really hoped he had the ability to go to his office!
He reacted much the same as I did, and he too fell a little in love with the description. He was concerned about the 3 different conditions, and what all that meant. I told him the pediatrician was looking at the file and was going to call me back, but that from talking with him he seemed to think this was minor. I also told him that AWAA needed to know fairly quickly if we wanted the paper file or not. I had to explain that getting the paper file did not mean we were sending an LOI in, but that it meant we were SERIOUSLY considering this. I then mentioned that the faster we got the LOI in, the better of a chance we would have to travel before October and the trade fairs IF we thought this was our daughter. He asked me if I had seen the photos. *boy does he know me well* I told him I had AWAA hold them, but we could request them at any point. He told me to wait as he wanted to research things a little bit, and wanted to hear back from the pediatrician. I gave him a deadline of 2pm.
*I actually had to take the kids to karate and NOT say anything to anyone. I was surprised they didn't see my sparkling happy eyes, my inability to SIT STILL!*
1:45pm our family coordinator called to ask if we wanted the paper file to be sent to us or not. That the Fed Ex pick up was quickly approaching. :) I asked what the next steps were if we moved forward, what did I need to do, what did I have to write, etc. I told her I really thought we were going to accept her, but I was waiting on Dh to give the final say so. I then made her talk to me about those photos. OH how I was dying to see her face!!! While on the phone Dh called, said he would really like to wait to hear back from the pediatrician, but he too thought we'd move forward so go ahead and request the file. I asked him, "can I request the photo as well?" He told me that while he wanted to wait until we were LOI to see the photos, that he thought we had already fallen in love with the description so what was the point in waiting NOW! ;) I love that man! LOL I hung up with him, told our coordinator to send the paper file, WITH the photos. She asked if I wanted the photos emailed to me or did I just want to wait until the next morning to get them in the paper file.
*silence*
"SEND THEM NOW!!!!!"
I get an email from her with the subject XI XIAO LAN and I see the attachment marking. I thanked her, told her I saw the email and saw it had attachments but I was not going to open it until Dh got home from work so we could see her face together. The family coordinator laughed with me, then hung up the phone.
*I sat and STARED at that email in my inbox....for HOURS.*
Pediatrician called back and said "She sounds REALLY good on paper. It is what we thought it is." I told him a friends cardiac nurse agreed. I asked if we should have it reviewed by a cardiologist, and he said we could but he didn't feel like we had to as this was a minor condition. *tears again* I thanked him, and told him I could send photos after I saw them with Dh. He wanted to see them as well, so I told him to expect them that evening! :)
Sometime in here I actually managed to feed my kids lunch, eat lunch myself, and get dressed. I emailed the friend I had been in contact with and asked for prayers and positive thoughts...and was told she did not get a call yet. My heart was so sad for her.
4:30pm Dh comes in the door. I look at him, and then we RACE up the stairs to my computer to open the email. This was the first photo we saw:
My first reaction, "LOOK AT HER HAIR!"
It was true. Dh's as well. Then, "Oh she is cute!!! and so healthy looking!" Then I said, "She looks Centauri." Dh laughed. *We're big Sci-Fi fans, and the hair reminded us of the characters on one of our favorite shows.*
We then opened the other two, and fell even more in love than we already were. I was ready to LEAVE right then and there to get her.
We made the decision that night. She's ours. Our paperwork was signed and Fed-ex'd back to AWAA Wednesday night, they got it Thursday...and we were LOI (errr...EA which was the new electronic acceptance) on Friday June 29, 2008.
Over the next couple of weeks I stared at those photos so much, then I got a surpise of 2 more photos that were more recent (and my heart turned over and I knew I would do anything for her). I stared at my photos (and printed a TON out to give to people) for weeks...then months...the full 125 days until LOA/RA, then the 25 days to TA, then the 10 days until we left for China. It was 167 from the time we first saw her face until we held her in our arms. It went so incredibly slowly.
Here is Katie, with her "referral" photo.
(taken yesterday, because I was not sure if I would get a chance today or not...it's a busy day)
The early morning of Tuesday June 26th, my family coordinator called. I thought, "OH boy is this is?! I don't want to think it is...let me chit chat about small talk so I can prolong this amazing suspense." See, I hate to hear bad news and I just knew she was NOT calling with a referral. I had not seen anyone else post referral info so I did not know they were making calls.
She told me, "I want to go over your SN medical checklist to see if things are still the same."
I had not heard that this was normal for the referral call, so I thought "Okay, not the referral but perhaps they are going to be matching and I *might* have a chance."
She continued, "You have heart conditions marked, is that still a Yes?"
OH yes ma'am it was! I told her we were okay with that. That I knew I had confused them with the constant moving of things from Maybe to Yes, but that Dh only wanted things marked yes that we were most likely to accept the referral and the maybe answers were the ones we would consider but would have to review the file some.
She then said, "I am actually calling you about a little girl that I think will be a perfect match for your family. Do you want to hear about her?"
*silence*
I finally responded, "OH YES!!!!!!"
"Well, she's currently 10.5 months old." *I think the tears started here.* "She has a heart condition, actually the paperwork says 3." *My heart and stomach fell out from under me at this point.* "It looks like, from reading through the paperwork that one of the conditions has resolved itself. In April or May, it's hard to tell which, it looks like she weighed X and was Y tall. She really cute and looks very healthy. She's from the Yunnan Province at Kunming CWI. The paperwork says she's at the orphanage in one part and then mentions she's very attached to her foster Mom. So, I'm not sure if she's in foster care or the orphanage. Do you want to review the electronic information?"
"yes." very timid answer as the 3 heart conditions scared me a little. "Remember do not send the photos as we do not want to see the photos until we are sure we are going forward with adopting her."
I stayed on the line with her to make sure I got the email, and the attachment. All 14 pages of the attachment.
It was roughly 10am. I got online and looked up heart conditions online, I tried to decipher what the paperwork was saying the heart conditions were. I had a friend I could call whose son has a heart condition, and she had told me to contact her if I had questions about a referral of a child. I called her, and she excitedly helped me figure out what the paperwork was saying. She then sent an email to the nurse she deals with the most in her son's care asking if I could email the file to her for her advice (pediatric cardiac nurse of something or other....I just needed to KNOW what the conditions were and where to research). As I was reading her the description of Katie's personality, my friend told me "It sounds like you already love her." I did. I didn't need a photo to fall in love, I did that with the description.
So, I get the file sent off to the nurse, but I am thinking I might know what the conditions are - given possible translation issues. I was feeling LESS nervous about these conditions. I did not, however, have enough info to call Dh at work and tell him about her and explain the conditions.
I called the pediatricians office, and had to go through the phone tree to get to the nurse for our pediatrician. She was thrilled for us and went to get the doctor as quickly as she could (asking if I could stay on the line). *You betcha I could!* He got on, and I gave him the bare details...and then I told him I had it in email format. He got excited and asked if I could send it to him and he would look at it as soon as he possibly could. (It's a rather busy practice, so I knew it could be a little while). I thanked him, and sent it. I told him the 3 conditions, and he felt that it was translation issues and confirmed what I was thinking. He said one did sound closed (not surprising), one was something he would consider "normal finding," and the 3rd is our only issue. He thought, from the sounds of things without looking at the file yet, that it was a PDA. He said that MANY people have this, the question would be how severe and we really would not know that until we got her home.
Less than 5 minutes later I got the response from the nurse and she confirmed what I had thought and what the pediatrician had thought. It was enough for me to get the website URLs that explained it good enough terms for my Dh. I called him. It was around 12:15, and I really hoped he had the ability to go to his office!
He reacted much the same as I did, and he too fell a little in love with the description. He was concerned about the 3 different conditions, and what all that meant. I told him the pediatrician was looking at the file and was going to call me back, but that from talking with him he seemed to think this was minor. I also told him that AWAA needed to know fairly quickly if we wanted the paper file or not. I had to explain that getting the paper file did not mean we were sending an LOI in, but that it meant we were SERIOUSLY considering this. I then mentioned that the faster we got the LOI in, the better of a chance we would have to travel before October and the trade fairs IF we thought this was our daughter. He asked me if I had seen the photos. *boy does he know me well* I told him I had AWAA hold them, but we could request them at any point. He told me to wait as he wanted to research things a little bit, and wanted to hear back from the pediatrician. I gave him a deadline of 2pm.
*I actually had to take the kids to karate and NOT say anything to anyone. I was surprised they didn't see my sparkling happy eyes, my inability to SIT STILL!*
1:45pm our family coordinator called to ask if we wanted the paper file to be sent to us or not. That the Fed Ex pick up was quickly approaching. :) I asked what the next steps were if we moved forward, what did I need to do, what did I have to write, etc. I told her I really thought we were going to accept her, but I was waiting on Dh to give the final say so. I then made her talk to me about those photos. OH how I was dying to see her face!!! While on the phone Dh called, said he would really like to wait to hear back from the pediatrician, but he too thought we'd move forward so go ahead and request the file. I asked him, "can I request the photo as well?" He told me that while he wanted to wait until we were LOI to see the photos, that he thought we had already fallen in love with the description so what was the point in waiting NOW! ;) I love that man! LOL I hung up with him, told our coordinator to send the paper file, WITH the photos. She asked if I wanted the photos emailed to me or did I just want to wait until the next morning to get them in the paper file.
*silence*
"SEND THEM NOW!!!!!"
I get an email from her with the subject XI XIAO LAN and I see the attachment marking. I thanked her, told her I saw the email and saw it had attachments but I was not going to open it until Dh got home from work so we could see her face together. The family coordinator laughed with me, then hung up the phone.
*I sat and STARED at that email in my inbox....for HOURS.*
Pediatrician called back and said "She sounds REALLY good on paper. It is what we thought it is." I told him a friends cardiac nurse agreed. I asked if we should have it reviewed by a cardiologist, and he said we could but he didn't feel like we had to as this was a minor condition. *tears again* I thanked him, and told him I could send photos after I saw them with Dh. He wanted to see them as well, so I told him to expect them that evening! :)
Sometime in here I actually managed to feed my kids lunch, eat lunch myself, and get dressed. I emailed the friend I had been in contact with and asked for prayers and positive thoughts...and was told she did not get a call yet. My heart was so sad for her.
4:30pm Dh comes in the door. I look at him, and then we RACE up the stairs to my computer to open the email. This was the first photo we saw:
My first reaction, "LOOK AT HER HAIR!"
It was true. Dh's as well. Then, "Oh she is cute!!! and so healthy looking!" Then I said, "She looks Centauri." Dh laughed. *We're big Sci-Fi fans, and the hair reminded us of the characters on one of our favorite shows.*
We then opened the other two, and fell even more in love than we already were. I was ready to LEAVE right then and there to get her.
We made the decision that night. She's ours. Our paperwork was signed and Fed-ex'd back to AWAA Wednesday night, they got it Thursday...and we were LOI (errr...EA which was the new electronic acceptance) on Friday June 29, 2008.
Over the next couple of weeks I stared at those photos so much, then I got a surpise of 2 more photos that were more recent (and my heart turned over and I knew I would do anything for her). I stared at my photos (and printed a TON out to give to people) for weeks...then months...the full 125 days until LOA/RA, then the 25 days to TA, then the 10 days until we left for China. It was 167 from the time we first saw her face until we held her in our arms. It went so incredibly slowly.
Here is Katie, with her "referral" photo.
(taken yesterday, because I was not sure if I would get a chance today or not...it's a busy day)
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