If that means anything at all to you (and you would know almost instantly what I am talking about if it did), then please leave a comment...I need to find out if what I have is correct.
Does it lead to sandbagging?
If so, then HELP with sandbagging! LOL
If you are 100% completely clueless, then I'll need to post something soon on this. It's been great at keeping me busy so I do not think about how slowly the world of International Adoption is moving. :)
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Saturday, December 30, 2006
What an amazing year!
It has truly been an amazing year for us. 1 year ago I was anxiously awaiting approval from our agency to start the process of adoption. We needed one doctor's letter verifying the information we had given them before they would approve us. Samuel wasn't potty trained. We had only been in the house for 1 year with lots of projects still undone. LOL we still have those projects undone! It's amazing what all can happen in one year.
Most of all, I'm thrilled that I started blogging. That I have found so many people online who share my passion for adoption and adoption from China (I have a quote about that passion versus obsession but I'd have to go look it up and I'm way too lazy tonight to do that). On my list of things to do is to update my blog with all the blogs that I read. :) I also want to update the look of things, change the theme out (and I need to talk to someone about that).
On the subject of to do lists, does anyone else have one that seems to only GROW in length? Mine never seems to shrink. I keep adding more than I mark off. One thing that I will be marking off soon is New Year's Resolutions. We always make them, and some we actually keep. "Get out of Debt." Is NOT one, rather it's more like "Pay $xx to debt to reduce it." Why this way? It's an attainable goal, and "out of debt" includes the house in our books. This year though, I think I'm going to put in a resolution of "eat out only X times per week...or month" Then another will be something like "exercise Y times per day...week...month...year" LOL Dh wants to lose weight, and I think I will resolve to help out in anyway I can (which means no more chocolate binges during that week of every month IYKWIM).
As soon as I get business stuff taken care of (end of year stuff), and as soon as we get our 2007 budget squared away (ooooh boy that sounds fun doesn't it?), I'm going to post some photos - Then/Now for the Friday Foto challenge, and "year in review" type of thing. It always amazes me how much the kids grow each year, how much older they look in December than they did in Jan. Where is that pause button for Life?
Most of all, I'm thrilled that I started blogging. That I have found so many people online who share my passion for adoption and adoption from China (I have a quote about that passion versus obsession but I'd have to go look it up and I'm way too lazy tonight to do that). On my list of things to do is to update my blog with all the blogs that I read. :) I also want to update the look of things, change the theme out (and I need to talk to someone about that).
On the subject of to do lists, does anyone else have one that seems to only GROW in length? Mine never seems to shrink. I keep adding more than I mark off. One thing that I will be marking off soon is New Year's Resolutions. We always make them, and some we actually keep. "Get out of Debt." Is NOT one, rather it's more like "Pay $xx to debt to reduce it." Why this way? It's an attainable goal, and "out of debt" includes the house in our books. This year though, I think I'm going to put in a resolution of "eat out only X times per week...or month" Then another will be something like "exercise Y times per day...week...month...year" LOL Dh wants to lose weight, and I think I will resolve to help out in anyway I can (which means no more chocolate binges during that week of every month IYKWIM).
As soon as I get business stuff taken care of (end of year stuff), and as soon as we get our 2007 budget squared away (ooooh boy that sounds fun doesn't it?), I'm going to post some photos - Then/Now for the Friday Foto challenge, and "year in review" type of thing. It always amazes me how much the kids grow each year, how much older they look in December than they did in Jan. Where is that pause button for Life?
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Why is it?
Why is it that I can think of wonderfully witty blog posts in the van, but when I sit down to blog them I have forgotten them? Why is that?! Oh, it's probably "Mommy brain" you know that phenomenon that occurs when you become a Mom. You suddenly have so much on your mind (like did you match up the number and dollar amount of stocking stuffer for both boys or did you make a boo-boo and they are unequal...because you KNOW that 8 year old will figure it out) and since you have such innane things on your mind you can no longer remember important adult like things...such as what you were going to post on your blog.
Blech.
Was it about the Christmas songs you were listening to?
Was it about the super cool anniversary trip you just took?
Was it about the stupid drivers on the road who are rushing around for last minute shopping and driving you crazy?
Was it some silly quip the 4 year old made?
Who really knows at this point. LOL
OH YEAH!!!! I remember now!!!! It was about our trip. *giggle*
Dh and I were in EPCOT, and visited this Coca-Cola place where they have flavors of Coke from around the world. One flavor was from China, and I found it quite yummy. It was a very sweet watermelon type flavor. Being the sweet, loving, adoring wife I am, I got a sample of the China one for Dh and then proceeded to get him a sample of Italy's "The Beverly." Now, admittedly, there are descriptions above each flavor, and "Beverly" said something to the effect of "bitter tasting drink that is supposed to stimulate the appetite." I had heard on the Disboards that it was foul. I too had a sample of "The Beverly" and I took a sip. Being someone who never drinks, I am assumming that this cola is similar in flavor to some nasty alcoholic beverage, and I thought it tasted remarkably like pure soda water...you know the nasty stuff that comes out in the drink fountain with the syrup for Dr. Pepper is gone? So, here I am with a sip of this foul concoction in my mouth and I notice Dh take a BIG OL GULP of the stuff. I, of course, started to giggle. BAD idea with a sip of nasty foul tasting soda in your mouth. Not wanting to spew it out everywhere I try to swallow. Dh, has of course swallowed his huge gulp and I heard, "It's not....OH MY WORD the aftertaste." Oh...I could feel it....the burning on my tongue, and I knew it would really really hurt to come out of the nose. I had to turn around and swallow quickly because just thinking of Dh's reaction and looking at his face had me rolling with laughter. I got my teeny tiny sip down. I gulped down the wonderfully sweet China cola, and that aftertaste...oh that aftertaste was STILL there. Dh and I were laughing like crazy (he didn't finish his Beverly and I tossed the rest out). The rest of the colas were decent. The ginger one was not too bad. I don't remember the others that much.
So, there's my advice...don't drink "Beverly" at EPCOT! LOL
Oh, and when you leave, be sure to pay attention to all the people who give you weird looks for laughing so hard with your beloved. :)
2nd tip of the day...baby wipes in the toilet are NOT a good thing.
Blech.
Was it about the Christmas songs you were listening to?
Was it about the super cool anniversary trip you just took?
Was it about the stupid drivers on the road who are rushing around for last minute shopping and driving you crazy?
Was it some silly quip the 4 year old made?
Who really knows at this point. LOL
OH YEAH!!!! I remember now!!!! It was about our trip. *giggle*
Dh and I were in EPCOT, and visited this Coca-Cola place where they have flavors of Coke from around the world. One flavor was from China, and I found it quite yummy. It was a very sweet watermelon type flavor. Being the sweet, loving, adoring wife I am, I got a sample of the China one for Dh and then proceeded to get him a sample of Italy's "The Beverly." Now, admittedly, there are descriptions above each flavor, and "Beverly" said something to the effect of "bitter tasting drink that is supposed to stimulate the appetite." I had heard on the Disboards that it was foul. I too had a sample of "The Beverly" and I took a sip. Being someone who never drinks, I am assumming that this cola is similar in flavor to some nasty alcoholic beverage, and I thought it tasted remarkably like pure soda water...you know the nasty stuff that comes out in the drink fountain with the syrup for Dr. Pepper is gone? So, here I am with a sip of this foul concoction in my mouth and I notice Dh take a BIG OL GULP of the stuff. I, of course, started to giggle. BAD idea with a sip of nasty foul tasting soda in your mouth. Not wanting to spew it out everywhere I try to swallow. Dh, has of course swallowed his huge gulp and I heard, "It's not....OH MY WORD the aftertaste." Oh...I could feel it....the burning on my tongue, and I knew it would really really hurt to come out of the nose. I had to turn around and swallow quickly because just thinking of Dh's reaction and looking at his face had me rolling with laughter. I got my teeny tiny sip down. I gulped down the wonderfully sweet China cola, and that aftertaste...oh that aftertaste was STILL there. Dh and I were laughing like crazy (he didn't finish his Beverly and I tossed the rest out). The rest of the colas were decent. The ginger one was not too bad. I don't remember the others that much.
So, there's my advice...don't drink "Beverly" at EPCOT! LOL
Oh, and when you leave, be sure to pay attention to all the people who give you weird looks for laughing so hard with your beloved. :)
2nd tip of the day...baby wipes in the toilet are NOT a good thing.
Monday, December 18, 2006
What do you mean there is NOTHING Mulan in Disney?
Dh and I just got back from a wonderful 3 day anniversary celebration trip to Disney World. :) We honeymooned there, so for 10 Wonderful Years together, we went back...without KIDS!
I figured, okay, I've struck out EVERYWHERE finding a Baby Mulan doll for Katie. I figured I could find at least something Mulan for Katie in Disney World. I was WRONG. Nothing. Nada. Zilch. No Mulan stuff? I couldn't believe it!! Sure I could have gotten a photo taken with her at the China pavilion, but to NOT have anything to purchase with Mulan on it? I was shocked. Not to mention dismayed. If you find anything Mulan, please please please let me know. Well, nothing too expensive!
Being a Mom, you learn about puke. LOL I've learned that I can't stand it. One thing you learn in Disney is that puke is sometimes unavoidable...kids, lots of "rich" foods, rides, and then sweets is a BAD combination. Here were some of the phrases we heard:
Waiting to ride Dumbo (yes Dh and I rode Dumbo...at night, in the rain):
"Just a couple of minutes! One is extra wet and one is not so pretty." It was raining, so I guess the "extra wet" one was peed in, and the "not so pretty" one was puked in. LOL We stayed away from those and managed to get in an elephant that didn't go up and down. Not a problem though as I didn't care about that part.
Going on the "Green" side of Mission Space (you know the not so intense version):
"We're experiencing technical difficulties in the more intense version so we're letting the "Orange" riders use the "green" side with spinning turned on. It should only be a few more minutes before the technical difficulties are cleared up."
Then walking down the street I hear one cast member say to another:
"We have a protein spill just outside of Buzz Lightyear. Who is on that duty today?"
Then...I heard from an older-than-little-kid size person (could not figure out if she was 12, 18, 20, or 25)..."I don't feel so good." Yes, I quickly WALKED away.
Overall, we were lucky as we were not around as many "sick" sounding people as we typically are during our September trips. See, I'm the lucky one who ALWAYS (and I mean always) sees, hears, or just about steps in puke on our trips. Never fails...the kids sitting next to me at Beauty and Beast lean over and puke between the bleachers. The kids sitting down from us at Spectromagic pukes all over the sidewalk. The people sleeping 5 doors down from us in the hotel have balled up bedding outside their room...with suspicous looking stains. Ah yes...just LOVELY memories. LOL This trip I only had people around me complaining LOUDLY of sore throats, or they were coughing, or they were sneezing. So many kids sounding like they had bronchitis. So many feverish looking tweens. Airborne was taken daily. Dh did come home with a cold.
I'll have to share photos and share more stories of our trip. My feet are aching, more so than normal. I wore Crocs for 1.5 days, and my arches were not happy. They are GREAT for rainstorms (yes we had that). I feel like I pulled some muscles around my ankles and outside of my feet. Walking was interesting, but it is amazing what you can "push through" when you are having fun with your dh. :)
Missed the kids, of course. They didn't really miss us. Grandma is GREAT! She kept them busy busy busy. Now we can not wait to take the kids back to Disney (trip coming up this year).
Here's one photo - from the day after we heard "One isn't so pretty" in riding Dumbo.
*removed because it's been long enough*
LOL...oh the new point and shoot focused on DUMBO not on us. :) *giggle* I have back focus problems with the big camera, and notice focus issues. Ignore the focus issue here, just enjoy the snapshot of us on our anniversary trip. :)
I figured, okay, I've struck out EVERYWHERE finding a Baby Mulan doll for Katie. I figured I could find at least something Mulan for Katie in Disney World. I was WRONG. Nothing. Nada. Zilch. No Mulan stuff? I couldn't believe it!! Sure I could have gotten a photo taken with her at the China pavilion, but to NOT have anything to purchase with Mulan on it? I was shocked. Not to mention dismayed. If you find anything Mulan, please please please let me know. Well, nothing too expensive!
Being a Mom, you learn about puke. LOL I've learned that I can't stand it. One thing you learn in Disney is that puke is sometimes unavoidable...kids, lots of "rich" foods, rides, and then sweets is a BAD combination. Here were some of the phrases we heard:
Waiting to ride Dumbo (yes Dh and I rode Dumbo...at night, in the rain):
"Just a couple of minutes! One is extra wet and one is not so pretty." It was raining, so I guess the "extra wet" one was peed in, and the "not so pretty" one was puked in. LOL We stayed away from those and managed to get in an elephant that didn't go up and down. Not a problem though as I didn't care about that part.
Going on the "Green" side of Mission Space (you know the not so intense version):
"We're experiencing technical difficulties in the more intense version so we're letting the "Orange" riders use the "green" side with spinning turned on. It should only be a few more minutes before the technical difficulties are cleared up."
Then walking down the street I hear one cast member say to another:
"We have a protein spill just outside of Buzz Lightyear. Who is on that duty today?"
Then...I heard from an older-than-little-kid size person (could not figure out if she was 12, 18, 20, or 25)..."I don't feel so good." Yes, I quickly WALKED away.
Overall, we were lucky as we were not around as many "sick" sounding people as we typically are during our September trips. See, I'm the lucky one who ALWAYS (and I mean always) sees, hears, or just about steps in puke on our trips. Never fails...the kids sitting next to me at Beauty and Beast lean over and puke between the bleachers. The kids sitting down from us at Spectromagic pukes all over the sidewalk. The people sleeping 5 doors down from us in the hotel have balled up bedding outside their room...with suspicous looking stains. Ah yes...just LOVELY memories. LOL This trip I only had people around me complaining LOUDLY of sore throats, or they were coughing, or they were sneezing. So many kids sounding like they had bronchitis. So many feverish looking tweens. Airborne was taken daily. Dh did come home with a cold.
I'll have to share photos and share more stories of our trip. My feet are aching, more so than normal. I wore Crocs for 1.5 days, and my arches were not happy. They are GREAT for rainstorms (yes we had that). I feel like I pulled some muscles around my ankles and outside of my feet. Walking was interesting, but it is amazing what you can "push through" when you are having fun with your dh. :)
Missed the kids, of course. They didn't really miss us. Grandma is GREAT! She kept them busy busy busy. Now we can not wait to take the kids back to Disney (trip coming up this year).
Here's one photo - from the day after we heard "One isn't so pretty" in riding Dumbo.
*removed because it's been long enough*
LOL...oh the new point and shoot focused on DUMBO not on us. :) *giggle* I have back focus problems with the big camera, and notice focus issues. Ignore the focus issue here, just enjoy the snapshot of us on our anniversary trip. :)
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Not this time.
That's my update.
Actually, my agency received 29 referalls, 12 of which were girls and VERY few of those were in our requested age. We are really wanting to preserve birth order and after 2 boys I am wanting a girl! I need some more girly things in this house. I mean, even the cat is male (well neutered but male). LOL
I was amazingly okay with not getting a referral. I did not really expect it, I had hoped. I told some friends it was much like getting that negative HPT after TTC for 3 months. You really hoped for it to be positive, but when it wasn't you didn't fall into a deep dark place. Now, a year from now if we are STILL waiting and I don't get a referral? I just might fall into that deep dark place. However, and this is a BIG one, I know I can survive. I know I will have a child at the end (well I hope so anyway). It's all about trusting in Him and His timing. My daughter is coming to me, everything about this adoption would NOT have happened the way it has unless He had a plan and He had a daughter picked out for us.
Then, it's almost Christmas! (heck of a topic change huh?) I can not believe another year has passed. I can not believe that it's almost Christmas. It's been quite hectic this year, and luckily we're done shopping. Now, it's time to focus on us...on our family...on celebrations. One thing we're doing this year is the Jesse Advent Tree, and it's been truly awesome. That's the first link that popped up from Google. :)
Now that my Christmas Rush season is just about done (last day for orders was today), I'm hoping that my house can regain some semblance of order soon. I am also hoping to be able to start on getting the kids rooms situated, pics posted, etc. The boys are enjoying the bunk beds. All of Samuel's toys are the "boys" room. I am *almost* ready to start on Katie's room. It's going to be SLOW going until we get a referral. Of course, I've fallen in love with some bedding, and I hope to catch it on sale soon. It's Cherry Blossoms from Pottery Barn Kids.
There I am. No referral. Christmas is almost here and I'm giddy about it. Christmas rush is over. I have vague ideas for Katie's room. :)
Actually, my agency received 29 referalls, 12 of which were girls and VERY few of those were in our requested age. We are really wanting to preserve birth order and after 2 boys I am wanting a girl! I need some more girly things in this house. I mean, even the cat is male (well neutered but male). LOL
I was amazingly okay with not getting a referral. I did not really expect it, I had hoped. I told some friends it was much like getting that negative HPT after TTC for 3 months. You really hoped for it to be positive, but when it wasn't you didn't fall into a deep dark place. Now, a year from now if we are STILL waiting and I don't get a referral? I just might fall into that deep dark place. However, and this is a BIG one, I know I can survive. I know I will have a child at the end (well I hope so anyway). It's all about trusting in Him and His timing. My daughter is coming to me, everything about this adoption would NOT have happened the way it has unless He had a plan and He had a daughter picked out for us.
Then, it's almost Christmas! (heck of a topic change huh?) I can not believe another year has passed. I can not believe that it's almost Christmas. It's been quite hectic this year, and luckily we're done shopping. Now, it's time to focus on us...on our family...on celebrations. One thing we're doing this year is the Jesse Advent Tree, and it's been truly awesome. That's the first link that popped up from Google. :)
Now that my Christmas Rush season is just about done (last day for orders was today), I'm hoping that my house can regain some semblance of order soon. I am also hoping to be able to start on getting the kids rooms situated, pics posted, etc. The boys are enjoying the bunk beds. All of Samuel's toys are the "boys" room. I am *almost* ready to start on Katie's room. It's going to be SLOW going until we get a referral. Of course, I've fallen in love with some bedding, and I hope to catch it on sale soon. It's Cherry Blossoms from Pottery Barn Kids.
There I am. No referral. Christmas is almost here and I'm giddy about it. Christmas rush is over. I have vague ideas for Katie's room. :)
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
I have an 8 year old now.
Wow. I can not believe that my oldest is 8 now. Seems just like yesterday I was bringing him home from the hospital. He truly is a joy and so smart! Well, we think he's just the smartest. We have been discussing birthday parties and expenses. We offerred to send him to Parent/Child weekend at Space Camp or another similarly priced type of Camp (or multiple camps) in exchange for doing a big birthday party. He agreed. It was a bit rough leading up to his birthday, but he seemed okay with it.
We were going to make his actual birthday all about John Mark. Anything would go, he got his way. 2 things happened though. I ended up watching my friend's twins. She's very close to delivering her 3rd baby, and with the twins in daycare and she thought she would be having a late appointment at th doctor's yesterday. It was fun. 2nd thing, now that we are "twin free" I think I am getting sick and so is Samuel. Strep again if I can diagnose myself correctly. I mean, I just had strep last month! ugh
Other than that, we're just waiting to see if the Special Needs list contains our little Katie or not!
We were going to make his actual birthday all about John Mark. Anything would go, he got his way. 2 things happened though. I ended up watching my friend's twins. She's very close to delivering her 3rd baby, and with the twins in daycare and she thought she would be having a late appointment at th doctor's yesterday. It was fun. 2nd thing, now that we are "twin free" I think I am getting sick and so is Samuel. Strep again if I can diagnose myself correctly. I mean, I just had strep last month! ugh
Other than that, we're just waiting to see if the Special Needs list contains our little Katie or not!
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Check out this monitor
Okay, might need to scroll over to actually see the article...8 LCDs in One
I want this monitor! LOL I doubt I could make this a "need" at this time, but hey, I can dream.
8 LCS in One
Referrals through Sept 8 are coming! Which means our "LID date" for a referral is what...ummm...365+6 = 371 days away. Coming down, slowly, but coming down!!! However, we're pretty sure we'll get a question in Review so we all know that this will actually make our LID pretty much useless. *sigh* According to Dh's spreadsheet (which he's running based off of all the places LIDs are listed), we have a chance of getting our NSN referral in Feb 2008.
I want this monitor! LOL I doubt I could make this a "need" at this time, but hey, I can dream.
8 LCS in One
Referrals through Sept 8 are coming! Which means our "LID date" for a referral is what...ummm...365+6 = 371 days away. Coming down, slowly, but coming down!!! However, we're pretty sure we'll get a question in Review so we all know that this will actually make our LID pretty much useless. *sigh* According to Dh's spreadsheet (which he's running based off of all the places LIDs are listed), we have a chance of getting our NSN referral in Feb 2008.
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Just a few from our Thanksgiving
We went to Dollywood on Saturday for an enjoyable time with my Mom, brother and his girlfriend. It was rather pleasant until the sun went down, then it got a wee bit COLD for my taste. Those of you that live out of the Southeast US don't laugh at me, but I was freezing. Yes, it was a mighty cold 50ish degrees outside. LOL
I got my hair straightened a couple of weeks ago, and had not gotten a picture for my friends. Here's me with Samuel (notice the STRAIGHT hair)! This is a huge deal for me as I've lived with this extremely curly hair for my entire life. I told Dh that I was turning into a high maintenance gal this year. Who knows, I might even *gasp* start wearing makeup!
Samuel, at his shrimpy size, is still not tall enough to ride rollercoasters. However, JM is. He's my thrill ride junkie. When we go to Disney, he begs to ride Mission Space over and over and over and over again. He managed 7 times in one trip once. We were considering paying people to sit next to him. So, here is his reaction to Thunderhead, a wooden rollercoaster at Dollywood. He's ridden it a few times, but this time he and Dh rode it in the front seat. I think he liked it.
I have a "tree" image as well for the Friday Fun Foto challenge it's not MY tree, but one at Dollywood. Anyway, it's a huge tree in the middle of Dollywood (real tree) that they wrapped every branch with blue lights. Pretty darn cool in person. Not so cool in a photo where you don't really see it. My excuse? I only took the point and shoot. If I'd have had the "big" camera, I could have exposed it properly, done my magic on it and voila a wonderful image of this awesome tree. So, sorry, you just have to imagine it all beautiful!
I got my hair straightened a couple of weeks ago, and had not gotten a picture for my friends. Here's me with Samuel (notice the STRAIGHT hair)! This is a huge deal for me as I've lived with this extremely curly hair for my entire life. I told Dh that I was turning into a high maintenance gal this year. Who knows, I might even *gasp* start wearing makeup!
Samuel, at his shrimpy size, is still not tall enough to ride rollercoasters. However, JM is. He's my thrill ride junkie. When we go to Disney, he begs to ride Mission Space over and over and over and over again. He managed 7 times in one trip once. We were considering paying people to sit next to him. So, here is his reaction to Thunderhead, a wooden rollercoaster at Dollywood. He's ridden it a few times, but this time he and Dh rode it in the front seat. I think he liked it.
I have a "tree" image as well for the Friday Fun Foto challenge it's not MY tree, but one at Dollywood. Anyway, it's a huge tree in the middle of Dollywood (real tree) that they wrapped every branch with blue lights. Pretty darn cool in person. Not so cool in a photo where you don't really see it. My excuse? I only took the point and shoot. If I'd have had the "big" camera, I could have exposed it properly, done my magic on it and voila a wonderful image of this awesome tree. So, sorry, you just have to imagine it all beautiful!
Sunday, November 26, 2006
A family Thanksgiving adventure.
Having been swamped with clients the past couple of weeks (still barely keeping my head above water there), we took the boys to visit Grandma and Grandpa for Thanksgiving. Ahh, nothing like doing 5 loads of laundry Tuesday evening/night/wee early hours of Wednesday, frantically packing, then realize the van is totally and completely DISGUSTING and in need of a good cleaning, only to realize that half of the city had the same realization at the automatic car wash (hey it was like 40 degrees outside and I refuse to wash the van with the boys in THAT weather), and THEN finally getting out the door only to turn around because you forgot to put the trashbag with the rotten smelly eggs in their containers out in the trashbin. LOL
So, finally, we get to Grandmas and I sigh in happiness in NOT HAVING BROUGHT work with me! Yippee!!! 3 full days of NO work. So, I bake some desserts, read a book, and relax.
Thanksgiving morning I get up and help Mom with dinner, watch TV, get dressed, and then go with Dad to pick up my grandmother from the assisted living home. My grandmother has had 2 major strokes this year, and the doctors feel like it is only a matter of time before she has another. Anyway, Grandma is a bit feisty still, and we had a fairly good visit. I enjoyed seeing her at any rate. :) Knowing how fast life passes you by, I cherished getting to see her. Dad takes her "home" and then when he gets back Dad, Dh, and JM all go to bed around 6pm. Yes...my 8 year old voluntarily went to bed at 6pm! Guess he was tired. Dh was tired as well. Me? I read another book. LOL Well, Dh had been scouring the Black Friday ads for weeks, and had decided to brave the crowds. Imagine his surprise when Thursday afternoon he found out he could buy some things online?! It was great, and reduced his need to 1 store. Since he went to bed at 6pm, he woke up at 2:15 AM. Yes, 2:15. He was out of the door at 3AM, standing in line at 3:30-3:45AM. Me? I was happily snoozing away, nice and warm in BED! LOL Circuit City was his store of choice, and he got all he wanted (except for the free camera because of a non-moving line he got into). However, he was done around 8am. He called me, told me he was on his way back. I was preparing to leave with Mom and my sister to go to visit my other Grandmother where my cousin was having a baby shower (yes a 3 hour drive there, 2 hour baby shower, and a 3 hour drive back) so I told him I'd see him later.
20 minutes later he calls to tell me he has lost his wallet. ACK! I ask if he checked the car really well (he's done this before but the wallet was in the car). He said he had. So, I start the exhausting process of cancelling the cards. PSA only carry those cards you are going to be using! Well, after getting the 4 cards cancelled, we commisserate over the lost "free meals" on the frequent diner cards. 4 hours later...he calls again. Guess what? The wallet was under the driver's seat. *explecitive* I'm now trying to remember what was on the cards that was "auto-draft" so I can call tomorrow and get that sorted out. Only one I'm needing is the card I use for business, and that is because my main work source needs to have something ordered TONIGHT, so I'm going to call tomorrow morning and see if I can have an account opened with them for the next week so I can make my orders.
I get home finally...Dh leaves with my Dad. He forgot his cell phone at the house, and panics that he lost it. ARGH. Then Saturday morning we get up to go to Dollywood and Dh can't find his wallet again. This time he checks the car REALLY well, and it's there.
Yes, I've had loads of fun teasing him about his lost wallet. LOL
We had fun at Dollywood, it was nice.
So, finally, we get to Grandmas and I sigh in happiness in NOT HAVING BROUGHT work with me! Yippee!!! 3 full days of NO work. So, I bake some desserts, read a book, and relax.
Thanksgiving morning I get up and help Mom with dinner, watch TV, get dressed, and then go with Dad to pick up my grandmother from the assisted living home. My grandmother has had 2 major strokes this year, and the doctors feel like it is only a matter of time before she has another. Anyway, Grandma is a bit feisty still, and we had a fairly good visit. I enjoyed seeing her at any rate. :) Knowing how fast life passes you by, I cherished getting to see her. Dad takes her "home" and then when he gets back Dad, Dh, and JM all go to bed around 6pm. Yes...my 8 year old voluntarily went to bed at 6pm! Guess he was tired. Dh was tired as well. Me? I read another book. LOL Well, Dh had been scouring the Black Friday ads for weeks, and had decided to brave the crowds. Imagine his surprise when Thursday afternoon he found out he could buy some things online?! It was great, and reduced his need to 1 store. Since he went to bed at 6pm, he woke up at 2:15 AM. Yes, 2:15. He was out of the door at 3AM, standing in line at 3:30-3:45AM. Me? I was happily snoozing away, nice and warm in BED! LOL Circuit City was his store of choice, and he got all he wanted (except for the free camera because of a non-moving line he got into). However, he was done around 8am. He called me, told me he was on his way back. I was preparing to leave with Mom and my sister to go to visit my other Grandmother where my cousin was having a baby shower (yes a 3 hour drive there, 2 hour baby shower, and a 3 hour drive back) so I told him I'd see him later.
20 minutes later he calls to tell me he has lost his wallet. ACK! I ask if he checked the car really well (he's done this before but the wallet was in the car). He said he had. So, I start the exhausting process of cancelling the cards. PSA only carry those cards you are going to be using! Well, after getting the 4 cards cancelled, we commisserate over the lost "free meals" on the frequent diner cards. 4 hours later...he calls again. Guess what? The wallet was under the driver's seat. *explecitive* I'm now trying to remember what was on the cards that was "auto-draft" so I can call tomorrow and get that sorted out. Only one I'm needing is the card I use for business, and that is because my main work source needs to have something ordered TONIGHT, so I'm going to call tomorrow morning and see if I can have an account opened with them for the next week so I can make my orders.
I get home finally...Dh leaves with my Dad. He forgot his cell phone at the house, and panics that he lost it. ARGH. Then Saturday morning we get up to go to Dollywood and Dh can't find his wallet again. This time he checks the car REALLY well, and it's there.
Yes, I've had loads of fun teasing him about his lost wallet. LOL
We had fun at Dollywood, it was nice.
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
I blinked and it's Thanksgiving!
Does this ever happen to anyone else? You vividly remember taking the kids Trick or Treating, and then you blinked and it's now suddenly Thanksgiving? Where did the time go? I mean, it's good that it went by so fast and I really hope the rest of the "Big Colossal WAIT" goes this fast, but WOAH where did the time go?
I think being extremely busy is one help. I'm currently buried in client stuff with my home business. Working from home AND homeschooling requires tons of organizational skills of which I have none. So, since I know this about myself we were already over 90 days into our school year so the past 1.5 weeks have been "Thanksgiving Break" for JM. He's loved it. My house has not. Unfortunately I promised the kids that we could put up the tree before Thanksgiving...and now I'm not sure we'll get it done.
I did manage to work on our Christmas card image...all I hope is that the rest of you in blogger land had an easier time of it than I did.
I'm seriously considering that feet photo for our card.
and ON that note, I had this brilliat idea to do a "Christmas Sock Feet" photo of all of us. Target only had Christmas socks for Women and Girls. So, I bought my pair, and bought girl socks for the boys (in a more gender neutral design...you know green with Santa or blue with snowmen...not the red with girly colored ornaments). JM can read, and he saw "Girls Socks" and that was the end of that BRILLIANT idea. Humph. I can not wait for Katie to be part of this family so I can do girly things, but yes I'm prepared for even her to turn up her nose at the idea of Girly Christmas Socks.
I think being extremely busy is one help. I'm currently buried in client stuff with my home business. Working from home AND homeschooling requires tons of organizational skills of which I have none. So, since I know this about myself we were already over 90 days into our school year so the past 1.5 weeks have been "Thanksgiving Break" for JM. He's loved it. My house has not. Unfortunately I promised the kids that we could put up the tree before Thanksgiving...and now I'm not sure we'll get it done.
I did manage to work on our Christmas card image...all I hope is that the rest of you in blogger land had an easier time of it than I did.
I'm seriously considering that feet photo for our card.
and ON that note, I had this brilliat idea to do a "Christmas Sock Feet" photo of all of us. Target only had Christmas socks for Women and Girls. So, I bought my pair, and bought girl socks for the boys (in a more gender neutral design...you know green with Santa or blue with snowmen...not the red with girly colored ornaments). JM can read, and he saw "Girls Socks" and that was the end of that BRILLIANT idea. Humph. I can not wait for Katie to be part of this family so I can do girly things, but yes I'm prepared for even her to turn up her nose at the idea of Girly Christmas Socks.
Saturday, November 18, 2006
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Katie's future room
oh my is it fun to look for bedding and decorations for Katie's room. My biggest problem is that I find I like it all. I'm at a total loss as to what I want to do. I fell in love with this Pottery Barn set, and was quietly saving up money for it. However, when we moved the boys into 1 room, we had to decide which bed set to keep for Katie's room (on the floor without a frame). The twin bed or the full bed? The full bed means family visiting will actually have a place to sleep. The twin bed means Katie has more room to move around and play. The full bed means that she can sleep on the bed with me or Dh when we get home. The twin bed means her crib will actually fit in the room. LOL Then there is the whole question of if we move and Katie is in her own room, what size bedding will she need then. I need to figure out which size bed she will HAVE when we move. Her furniture is pretty girly, so the boys won't want it. S has had it for a little while, but since he was a baby/toddler it didn't really matter. One boy will get the bunkbed set, the other will get the maple furniture that is currently in about 3 bedrooms! LOL Hmmm...the full size bed frame matches the maple furniture, so I guess Katie will get the twin...but I could always order her a white bedframe in full size...right?
Why is this important? well, that set I love at Pottery Barn will not be there for a long time. I need to decide WHICH size I need now.
bit of a stressful situation trying to decide. So stressful I may just ignore it all and NOT order it. Who knows, something better may come along. I think she needs the twin size, but who knows if I will even LIKE this bedding when she's ready for it.
Guess I should wait huh? But I want to start on her room so badly (since I can't feed that shopping habit with buying baby girl clothes!).
Why is this important? well, that set I love at Pottery Barn will not be there for a long time. I need to decide WHICH size I need now.
bit of a stressful situation trying to decide. So stressful I may just ignore it all and NOT order it. Who knows, something better may come along. I think she needs the twin size, but who knows if I will even LIKE this bedding when she's ready for it.
Guess I should wait huh? But I want to start on her room so badly (since I can't feed that shopping habit with buying baby girl clothes!).
Forgot to cross off days on that referall list...
Made it to August 25 (but some were "skipped" and will come up later, but I'm not going to think of that happening to me!).
So, August 25, 2005-August 25, 2006 = 365 days
August 25-August 31, 2006 = 6 days
August 31-September 14, 2006 = 14 days
Grand total of...385 days of dossiers ahead of us!
So, August 25, 2005-August 25, 2006 = 365 days
August 25-August 31, 2006 = 6 days
August 31-September 14, 2006 = 14 days
Grand total of...385 days of dossiers ahead of us!
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Friday's Photo Challenge
Doublehappiness posts a Friday Foto Fun challenge, and this week was "crybabies" and while I know I have some of my boys crying somewhere, there are not any on this computer that I can find!
So, instead, I'm doing a "Pouty-Baby" but Samuel will be the first to proclaim "I'm not a BABY, I'm a BIG boy!" So, I guess pouty-boy will have to be our cry-baby this week. LOL
So, instead, I'm doing a "Pouty-Baby" but Samuel will be the first to proclaim "I'm not a BABY, I'm a BIG boy!" So, I guess pouty-boy will have to be our cry-baby this week. LOL
Friday, November 10, 2006
Insomnia, caffeine, and a good fluffy romance novel
add up to me being awake at 3 AM. egads I'm in for it in the morning. The boys (who also went to bed late) will still be up bright and early, but they will also be whiney. Oh the JOYS of parenthood.
since it's 3am, I have also forgotten this great topic for a blog post. Guess that fluffy romance novel had more mind numbing powers than I thought. ;) Hey, it was nice and relaxing to lay on the couch for a few hours reading about Knights in medival times. Why is it I never can seem to remember HOW to spell that word?
OH, exciting news is that JM got a 93% on his spelling test today!!! He, unfortunately, got his father's genes in spelling. I know he'll make a grand engineer one day as I swear he could spell the simplest word 5 different ways and all of them wrong after studying it for 2 weeks straight! I find it endearing since Dh has financial spelled wrong on 3 different budgeting spreadsheets (and yes misspelled 3 different ways). But JM, as a 2nd grader, really does need to learn how to spell such words as hundred, circle, force, and porcupine correctly. So, we celebrated his 93% tonight with a meal out where kids eat free.
since it's 3am, I have also forgotten this great topic for a blog post. Guess that fluffy romance novel had more mind numbing powers than I thought. ;) Hey, it was nice and relaxing to lay on the couch for a few hours reading about Knights in medival times. Why is it I never can seem to remember HOW to spell that word?
OH, exciting news is that JM got a 93% on his spelling test today!!! He, unfortunately, got his father's genes in spelling. I know he'll make a grand engineer one day as I swear he could spell the simplest word 5 different ways and all of them wrong after studying it for 2 weeks straight! I find it endearing since Dh has financial spelled wrong on 3 different budgeting spreadsheets (and yes misspelled 3 different ways). But JM, as a 2nd grader, really does need to learn how to spell such words as hundred, circle, force, and porcupine correctly. So, we celebrated his 93% tonight with a meal out where kids eat free.
Thursday, November 09, 2006
disjointed update...
I'm procrastinating on a bit of a updated paperwork for our dossier, which will in turn require an update to our homestudy, which in turns needs to all be notarized, certified and authenticated. Oh joy joy.
In other exciting news, I heard through the grapevine that my agency has requested the next Waiting Children list. I hope and pray that we get a referral on it this time. Trying to remember what all I put down so I can update and put in other conditions I've educated myself on that I feel we could handle in our family.
I started on my first preparations for Katie in our lives. The boys are now proud owners of bunkbeds. Which also meant I painted their room. I took photos of it, but have not yet been able to get them web-ready. So far, we've only had a few jumping off the ladder to the floor or bottom bed. Both boys have hit their head on the ceiling from standing on the top bunk. Both boys seem to have a harder time going to sleep now due to talking to each other! Of course, being brothers, I've also had my share of going in there to break up arguments, and soothed my share of bumps. So far though I think they like them. S, the 4 year old, was scared of the bottom because it was so dark underneath. Oops! Dh went to get a nightlight (did you know they make an LED all in one piece that can't be taken apart easily version?), and he found one that has color changing lights. The first night we heard S exclaim "Ooooh pretty colors!" Which of course had us laughing! I will say the "pretty colors" kept S still and entertained long enough for him to fall asleep.
I want to join in the photo challenges, but who has TIME? So, I guess I'll just add some fall foliage photos instead! :)
In other exciting news, I heard through the grapevine that my agency has requested the next Waiting Children list. I hope and pray that we get a referral on it this time. Trying to remember what all I put down so I can update and put in other conditions I've educated myself on that I feel we could handle in our family.
I started on my first preparations for Katie in our lives. The boys are now proud owners of bunkbeds. Which also meant I painted their room. I took photos of it, but have not yet been able to get them web-ready. So far, we've only had a few jumping off the ladder to the floor or bottom bed. Both boys have hit their head on the ceiling from standing on the top bunk. Both boys seem to have a harder time going to sleep now due to talking to each other! Of course, being brothers, I've also had my share of going in there to break up arguments, and soothed my share of bumps. So far though I think they like them. S, the 4 year old, was scared of the bottom because it was so dark underneath. Oops! Dh went to get a nightlight (did you know they make an LED all in one piece that can't be taken apart easily version?), and he found one that has color changing lights. The first night we heard S exclaim "Ooooh pretty colors!" Which of course had us laughing! I will say the "pretty colors" kept S still and entertained long enough for him to fall asleep.
I want to join in the photo challenges, but who has TIME? So, I guess I'll just add some fall foliage photos instead! :)
disjointed update...
I'm procrastinating on a bit of a updated paperwork for our dossier, which will in turn require an update to our homestudy, which in turns needs to all be notarized, certified and authenticated. Oh joy joy.
In other exciting news, I heard through the grapevine that my agency has requested the next Waiting Children list. I hope and pray that we get a referral on it this time. Trying to remember what all I put down so I can update and put in other conditions I've educated myself on that I feel we could handle in our family.
I started on my first preparations for Katie in our lives. The boys are now proud owners of bunkbeds. Which also meant I painted their room. I took photos of it, but have not yet been able to get them web-ready. So far, we've only had a few jumping off the ladder to the floor or bottom bed. Both boys have hit their head on the ceiling from standing on the top bunk. Both boys seem to have a harder time going to sleep now due to talking to each other! Of course, being brothers, I've also had my share of going in there to break up arguments, and soothed my share of bumps. So far though I think they like them. S, the 4 year old, was scared of the bottom because it was so dark underneath. Oops! Dh went to get a nightlight (did you know they make an LED all in one piece that can't be taken apart easily version?), and he found one that has color changing lights. The first night we heard S exclaim "Ooooh pretty colors!" Which of course had us laughing! I will say the "pretty colors" kept S still and entertained long enough for him to fall asleep.
I want to join in the photo challenges, but who has TIME? So, I guess I'll just add some fall foliage photos instead! :)
In other exciting news, I heard through the grapevine that my agency has requested the next Waiting Children list. I hope and pray that we get a referral on it this time. Trying to remember what all I put down so I can update and put in other conditions I've educated myself on that I feel we could handle in our family.
I started on my first preparations for Katie in our lives. The boys are now proud owners of bunkbeds. Which also meant I painted their room. I took photos of it, but have not yet been able to get them web-ready. So far, we've only had a few jumping off the ladder to the floor or bottom bed. Both boys have hit their head on the ceiling from standing on the top bunk. Both boys seem to have a harder time going to sleep now due to talking to each other! Of course, being brothers, I've also had my share of going in there to break up arguments, and soothed my share of bumps. So far though I think they like them. S, the 4 year old, was scared of the bottom because it was so dark underneath. Oops! Dh went to get a nightlight (did you know they make an LED all in one piece that can't be taken apart easily version?), and he found one that has color changing lights. The first night we heard S exclaim "Ooooh pretty colors!" Which of course had us laughing! I will say the "pretty colors" kept S still and entertained long enough for him to fall asleep.
I want to join in the photo challenges, but who has TIME? So, I guess I'll just add some fall foliage photos instead! :)
Friday, October 27, 2006
Dove's Campaign
Dove's Film - Evolution
If you have not seen this yet, please take the 1 minute it takes to view it. Amazing evolution of a woman to model and all that goes into it. Our daughters NEED to know this is how it is done. Our daughters (and sons) need to know what REAL BEAUTY is.
If you have not seen this yet, please take the 1 minute it takes to view it. Amazing evolution of a woman to model and all that goes into it. Our daughters NEED to know this is how it is done. Our daughters (and sons) need to know what REAL BEAUTY is.
Thursday, October 19, 2006
If I had 5 minutes...
If I had five minutes to myself, I'd
#1 I'd check Rumor Queen
#2 I'd drink a Dr. Pepper
#3 I'd check my Mommy blogs
#4 Find a book to read
#5 Eat something chocolate!
If I had $5 to spend, I'd
#1 Buy a new fluffy romance novel
#2 Buy a package of playdoh as it keeps S entertained for hours
#3 I'd rent a movie for the kids, so I can read that fluffy romance novel.
#4 I'd call my best friend who is long distance
#5 I'd take the kids to buy a treat from the dollar store.
Five Items I'd love to get rid of:
#1 All sibling rivalry in my house. AMEN!
#2 All whining in my house. AMEN again!
#3 Excess hand-me-down furniture that causes my house to be cluttered with junk
#4 The clutter all over my desk and Dh's desk.
#5 The waiting for our daughter's referral.
Five Items I wouldn't part with:
#1 My books.
#2 The hugs and kisses from my kids (and Dh too I guess) ;)
#3 My Bible
#4 My friends
#5 The internet
Five Words or Phrases I'd love to hear:
#1 This is Amy/Allison from your agency, I have a picture here of a beautiful little girl for you!
#2 This is your agency, I know you just got your referral today, but we have your Travel Approval in hand and you leave tomorrow.
#3 Dh to me, "Just sit down and read your book, we're going to clean the house spotlessly clean"
#4 Dh to me, "I'm taking the kids out for the day, the house is clean, please do whatever you would like to do all day long."
#5 "Mom, I'm totally caught up on my school work, can I have more to do?"
Well, my five minutes are up! If you haven't done this one, consider yourself tagged! Let me know in the comments if you do it, so I can come visit yours:)
#1 I'd check Rumor Queen
#2 I'd drink a Dr. Pepper
#3 I'd check my Mommy blogs
#4 Find a book to read
#5 Eat something chocolate!
If I had $5 to spend, I'd
#1 Buy a new fluffy romance novel
#2 Buy a package of playdoh as it keeps S entertained for hours
#3 I'd rent a movie for the kids, so I can read that fluffy romance novel.
#4 I'd call my best friend who is long distance
#5 I'd take the kids to buy a treat from the dollar store.
Five Items I'd love to get rid of:
#1 All sibling rivalry in my house. AMEN!
#2 All whining in my house. AMEN again!
#3 Excess hand-me-down furniture that causes my house to be cluttered with junk
#4 The clutter all over my desk and Dh's desk.
#5 The waiting for our daughter's referral.
Five Items I wouldn't part with:
#1 My books.
#2 The hugs and kisses from my kids (and Dh too I guess) ;)
#3 My Bible
#4 My friends
#5 The internet
Five Words or Phrases I'd love to hear:
#1 This is Amy/Allison from your agency, I have a picture here of a beautiful little girl for you!
#2 This is your agency, I know you just got your referral today, but we have your Travel Approval in hand and you leave tomorrow.
#3 Dh to me, "Just sit down and read your book, we're going to clean the house spotlessly clean"
#4 Dh to me, "I'm taking the kids out for the day, the house is clean, please do whatever you would like to do all day long."
#5 "Mom, I'm totally caught up on my school work, can I have more to do?"
Well, my five minutes are up! If you haven't done this one, consider yourself tagged! Let me know in the comments if you do it, so I can come visit yours:)
Please support Hunter!
Over the past few months I've been following this little girl name Hunter. I've never met her, only know of her through a friend who has met her and her family. Hunter is fighting cancer again (she relapsed), and Hunter is 4 years old.
"Hunter is the 2006 "Taco Bell kid" for Taco Bell's annual Jimmy Fund fundraising campaign! From today, October 18th, to November 8th, Taco Bells in New England and parts of New York will be asking for donations to the Jimmy Fund. Hunter's cute little face is on all of the promotional materials."
her Caringbridge site is here.
Reading this journal, and others like it, remind me everyday that our children are truly blessed to be healthy. I hope that all these little warriors survive, but I also pray for a cure...and soon. I can only imagine what their courageous parents go through, what these precious children go through, and I pray I never find out because I'm not strong like that. I don't want to be a downer, but truly, the Jimmy Fund needs all our help and these little kids need our prayers and support as well.
"Hunter is the 2006 "Taco Bell kid" for Taco Bell's annual Jimmy Fund fundraising campaign! From today, October 18th, to November 8th, Taco Bells in New England and parts of New York will be asking for donations to the Jimmy Fund. Hunter's cute little face is on all of the promotional materials."
her Caringbridge site is here.
Reading this journal, and others like it, remind me everyday that our children are truly blessed to be healthy. I hope that all these little warriors survive, but I also pray for a cure...and soon. I can only imagine what their courageous parents go through, what these precious children go through, and I pray I never find out because I'm not strong like that. I don't want to be a downer, but truly, the Jimmy Fund needs all our help and these little kids need our prayers and support as well.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
