Wordless Wednesday

Senior Pictures

Oh my. T got his Senior pictures back the other day. I had very mixed emotions. My little man has grown up! When I pulled the pictures up I just stared at them. Wow - where did my baby go? Then I grabbed my cell phone out of my purse to call...my mom and dad. Boom - there go the tears once again.

Hmph....enough about that crap

As soon as I can scan those prints I'll put them up for ya.

Camping

Ok - trying to get myself out of this funk I'm in, I'll talk about camping. We had a great time last weekend, just the 4 of us. We took the boys to Bush Gardens and had a blast riding all the roller coasters! Our favorite was the Griffin. OMG!! It was awesome!!

You go up 205 feet in the air, dangle over a 90 degree drop straight down, and then hurdle down at 70 mph. It is a great ride.

After that we just hung out at the lake. Big T almost bought a boat but decided to wait until next year.

Camper









This last picture cracks me up!! These people were sitting outside and watching TV!! Nothing like getting back to nature!

4 Lousy Days!

Oh my...4 days...that's all CCAA could muster this time around was 4 lousy days. I've been in a funk all day after I saw that over on RQ. I told my dh that we should just pull our dossier - forget this whole idea. He said no, of course but jeez, 4 days!!

And here we are at 15

Not fair. It's just not fair. Yep, I'm having a pity party today. It's not fair that we don't have our little one. It's not fair that my parents will not be able to meet her. It's not fair that my oldest will be in college and his little sister will not be able to enjoy him or he her. It's not fair that another birthday, Labor day, July 4th, Thanksgiving, Christmas will go by and she won't be able to celebrate it with us. IT'S NOT FAIR!!!

There, I feel better. Sort of.

Here - go check out J&J!! They are in China right now with little Sofia. She is beautiful!!

I'm Here

Just wanted you to know that I'm here!! I'm taking training classes in Wisconsin and won't be back until late Thursday night. We went camping this past weekend and I have some pictures to upload when I get back.

J & J!!!! In China!! WOW!!!

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

New Look for an old chair

As you know we brought back my Grandmother's furniture from NY. The table and chairs are in great shape but the fabric on the chairs was beyond help. I went to the Cloth Barn and picked out some new material and big T helped me put it on the chairs. Check it out! I love the new look!!

Gymboree

Who doesn't love this store??!! I got the cutest little dress for Sofia while I was in NY. I could have spent a bunch of money there but my youngest was with me and he's not much for "girl" shopping. While I was surfing on the net today I came across a site that was having a contest for a Gymboree gift card for $250.00. Just click on this picture and follow the directions on how to put your name in the hat!! Good luck!

Out of Review

Oh wow!! I can't believe I completely forgot to say congrats to my fellow May LID'ers! We are out of review!!!! Yeah!!! That means that China has looked at our dossier and said yes, we can adopt from their country. Yesterday the referral calls were being made. China referred through November 21st. Over at RQ they are predicting that the December LID'ers will be the first group to hit the 2 year wait. I tend to agree with that. I also think that if we don't receive a SN referral we'll see our little girl by December of 2008. That will be a wait of 31 months - almost 3 years.

3 years....nope - not gonna accept that. I just can't see China letting that happen. Plus with people going over to SN or adopting from another country or just plain dropping out the time line should pick up a little.

14 Months and Other Thoughts

Wow, I missed our 14th month anniversary. Just like I missed the 12th and 13th! ha! No big deal anymore. Just another month in a long line of months!

I'm not sure if I mentioned this or not but we have also turned in a medical checklist to our agency. If a child comes available that matches a need we feel we can handle then our agency will refer her to us. This process takes anywhere from 6 to 8 months. We turned this in on 5/17 so we are all ready 2 months in. Who knows what will happen....

On some of the boards I'm on a discussion is taking place about going to a doctor, ER, dentist, or where ever and being asked for the adoption papers for your child. I asked my dh about what he would do and he of course says "It won't happen here..." Well, just because we live in a little town doesn't mean it won't happen! Some people are saying its racism because the doctor wouldn't ask to see the papers for a child that has your same color/eyes/hair. Some people are saying that the doctors are trying to protect our children and want to verify that the child IS ours and not some child we abducted. If we are questioned I'm not sure how I'll react. The insurance card should be enough "proof" that the child is mine. They could even call the insurance company and verify the child is covered. I think if they do all that and STILL need proof that I would need to talk to the office manager and then to the doctor directly. A lot of times the doctor doesn't know what is happening in the front office. Sometimes the front office people take the rules of HIPAA way out of context. If they still want me to produce the adoption paperwork after I talk with the office manager and doctor then I will probably find a new one. Protecting our children is one thing but getting into my daughters private business is another!

So, what would you guys do?

Oh - one more thing. I'm noticing that when I pull up my blog my computer is freezing. Are any of you guys experiencing this?

Well it's getting late and the morning comes way too fast. Here's H and D saying it's nite nite time!

A few pictures and a Thank You

So we are back. The house in NY is pretty much emptied out. It was hard and a little weird when we pulled out for the last time. We usually honk our horn to say good-bye and DH did again which made me smile. We took Lil'bit (Boston Terrier) to a wonderful lady in Virginia and Carrie and Goldie (Boston Terrier - sisters) went to a family in NY. My parents spoiled those 3 dogs - cooked for them every night. Poor babies were with my dad for over 3 days in that room, but they say that when a dog smells the body they know that the person is gone. All 3 dogs have lost weight and when Lil'bit came into the house for the first time in weeks she looked around for dad. DH was sitting in his old chair and Lil'bit jumped right up on him, looked at him, and jumped right back down.

Thank you guys for your kind words, thoughts, and prayers. It means a lot to me knowing that people whom I never met are thinking about me and my family. I'm okay, haven't really "broken down" as DH says. Of course, I haven't done that for momma either. It all happened so fast that I guess I'm still shell shocked. I know that dad is so much happier now that he's with mom.

While back in NY we went to my DH's family reunion. This occurs every 2 years and is a blast. DH's mom is 80 years old and really enjoys seeing everyone get together like this. I have pictures that I'll share.

We borrowed a friends trailer so we could haul back grandma's dining room set. On the way up we blew a tire and lost a fender. Jeez...it might have been cheaper to rent a U-Haul!! Oh well, so it goes. We packed a dining room table, 5 chairs, a buffet, a china closet and a couch table! I also went through all mom's Christmas decorations and lugged home a bunch of it. She loved to decorate for Christmas. I also lugged home over 100 beanie babies to sell so if any of you are collectors let me know and I'll make you a GREAT deal! Yep, she collected those, even the ones from McD's.

I'll go for now and leave you with some pictures.

Beanie Baby Hell!!



My dad was in heaven laughing his ass off at this. He would sit in this chair and all 3 of his Boston's would be with him. Well, KaCee just had to be by her daddy so she jumped up and made herself at home!!





Big T with his brothers youngest son.

This is Big T's niece's daughter. Isn't she just beautiful?!!



L and Big T's brother's youngest daughter. L hit a foul ball off his foot a few weeks back and while he was messing around with the other kids he aggravated it. The ankle swelled up and he was pretty miserable for most of the day. We ended up taken him to the ER on Sunday to see if he actually fractured it 2 weeks ago and finally broke it. It ended up being a deep bone bruise. He is wearing an ankle support and is on crutches.



This is Big T's brother's 2 older kids and K's girlfriend.



Pictures of my grandma's furniture.

Life Sucks

Just a quick note - my dad passed away unexpectedly. We are headed up to NY on Wednesday and I will return on the 16th.

Promised Pictures!!

Did you miss me?

So...I haven't been around much lately. I've stopped by everyone's blog, even left a few comments, but I haven't been blogging much myself. I decided to take a small break and try to get my perspective back about the adoption.

I've missed our 11th and ONE YEAR LID anniversary. Since one year really means nothing in the wait for our daughter I couldn't see celebrating it as a milestone. We probably have 2 more years left if truth be told. Do I like that, HELL NO!! But there is nothing I can do about it short of just pulling our dossier from China and let me tell you something folks, that is NOT going to happen!! Oh, we did fill out the medical checklist our agency has and we have been approved to adopt a special needs child. That line is still 6 to 8 months long.

What else has been going on in my neck of the woods? Lets see, T's girlfriend graduated this year, and L graduated from middle school this year. That means that next year and next year only my 2 boys will be going to the same school!! One will be a senior and the other one a freshman!! I think L is excited about going to high school. T is playing Legion ball again this year and L is on a 14-15 team. In fact this week we have a ball game every night.

I think we've actually talked my dad into moving down here!! This will be so good for him. Ever since momma died last November he has been lonely. My wonderful (said with sarcasm dripping off my lips) brother hasn't visited him in freaking months and won't because, and I quote, "Gas is too expensive". He lives around 2 hours away. Ok, whatever. Get a life bro and grow up will ya??!!!!

Anyway, we are looking for a house for him. Keep your fingers crossed!

I have some pictures of T's prom, graduation, concerts, swimming, blowing bubbles, and baseball that I'll put up shortly. Like I said, this week we are out every night and won't be in until 10:30 or later so it probably won't be this week...unless I blog at work!!

Thanks for the notes, both on the blog and by email. You are all sweet. I know we are all in this wait together and that really helps!!

WW

Pictures

Here are some pictures I've taken over the last few weeks. The first set is celebrating K's birthday - she is getting soooo old!! The next are pictures of my Jazzy. She is my princess. Finally there is a set of L and his baseball. He is in the eight grade and growing up quickly. I'll add some pictures of T playing ball soon. Oh and I've also added some of my neighbor's little girl. She is so photogenic and I love taking her picture!!

New Look!!

Sara over at Our Not-So-Patient Wait blinged my blog. I think she did a fabulous job, don’t you??!! If you want your blog blinged just send her an email and she’ll be glad to help you out.


Thank you so much Sara!!! This is wonderful!!

WW

Things I'm Thankful For

I belong to CHP. It’s a group of moms who blog, share ideas, chat, and have fun. One of the things they do is a weekly giveaway. I’ve never participated before but this one caught my eye. It’s about things we are thankful for. With the stress at the job, a friend leaving to go to a new job, China taking forever, and my mom dying this past November this will be a great time to think of the things I am thankful for.



One thing I am thankful for is my husband. He is my best friend, my lover, my supporter, my devil’s advocate, my everything. He is the best dad, staying involved in the boys’ sports to the extreme of coaching, helping to start a booster club, and being president of the baseball association for our area. (Trust me folks – that last one – wow, you just wouldn’t believe the phone calls he would get starting in January and not ending until September or October!!) I’m so thankful he came into my life that morning almost 23 years ago!!



Another thing I am thankful for are my boys. They are 14 and 17 and keep me very busy. They push me to keep up with them, get on my last nerve, drive me crazy with their antics, gang up on me, then tell me they love me at the end of the day. What more could a mom ask for?? They are so different in their personalities and looks yet so like their dad and me it’s scary. I’m thankful for the times they snuck into my room to sleep with me, for the little hugs I get and even for the cold water poured on me while I’m in the shower prank!! My life would be so boring without these two guys.



Since I started writing this I didn’t realize how many things I actually have to be thankful for! I could probably write a book on them. Take the slow down for referrals from China. What you ask? You’re thankful for the slowdown you ask? Yes! I know I gripe about it, I moan about it, I even cry about it but I’m still thankful for it. Without this wait I wouldn’t have been able to rekindle my friendship with some people. Without this wait I wouldn’t have been able to take the time with my youngest son and help him grow. I wouldn’t have been able to spend as much time with my neighbors getting to know them better. The possibility of a new job, meeting new people who are adopting, learning more about China, secret pals, learning how to knit – all of that would never have been done. This wait, this 2 or more year wait bothers me and I really can’t stand it but I’m thankful for it all the same.



My friends, my dogs, my house, my BED, my sister, my dad, the air I breathe, the food I eat. I’m thankful for all of these, from the mundane like my comfy shoes to the more profound like life itself. What are you thankful for?

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Happy Birthday Mom!!

Today is my mom's 69th birthday. I miss her still every. single. day. There are times when I go to the phone to call her and then remember I can't - she's not there. I'll call my dad tonight to see how he is doing - I'm sure it was (is) a rough day for him.

Happy Birthday Mom!! I Miss You!!! I Love You!!!

WW

WW

Wordless Wednesday

My Mother's Daughter

(It seems I posted this to my "TO DO" blog instead of this one...)

I had to go shopping the other night and decided to go to Wally world even though I despise the place. I left home around 7:00 and spent the next 2 and ½ hours looking around. That’s 2 ½ hours folks!!! What did I come home with? Some deodorant, some material for the quilt, a shoe rack and ….that’s it!!! I didn’t even think about it until I went to lunch this afternoon with my dh and my youngest son who, by the way, just turned 14! We were at B-52’s eating some wings and the conversation went something like this:

Dh: So, what time did you get home last night?
Me: Umm..around 9:30 – you were sleeping.
Dh: Yep, I got tired of waiting.
Me (looking at his face and knowing something is up): What, is there a problem?
Dh: no, no, what did you buy?
Me (becoming more paranoid): Some material, deodorant, and a shoe rack. Why?
Dh (starting to laugh): Oh, nothing. (snort…laugh…snort) And what time did you leave?
Me (becoming irrated): you know what time I left – it was 7:00!

At this point L is starting to laugh and I have absolutely no clue what is so funny.

DH (who is grinning from ear to ear): And you got home at 9:30 and all you bought was some deodorant, fabric, and a shoe rack….
Me (staring at him like a deer in headlights): so?
Dh: And you spent over 2 hours….(L is laughing so hard he is about to fall over)….and all you bought…
Me: OMG!!!! OMG!!!! I’m my mother’s daughter!!!! OMG!!!!

It would drive me crazy when I went shopping with my mom. Even if we went for something simple like milk it would take HOURS because she had to look at everything……

School Buses

Let’s talk about school buses, shall we? School buses are an evil necessity in most communities to transport children to and from school and school events. Most of them are driven by people who care about the kids and their safety. There are some that drive them because it is a paycheck but I’ll give most of them the benefit of a doubt and say most do care. So, why do I want to talk about school buses?? Let me tell you!



Here’s the scene. I’m driving to work this morning. I usually try to get in at 7:00 but this week it’s been more like 7:30. Traffic at this time of the morning is starting to get heavy but not too bad. I drive on country roads and it takes around 45 minutes to get to work. So, here I am cruising along, listening to NPR (news radio), when I go around a bend and have to slow waaaay down. Why? You all know why. There is a line of cars behind this school bus that is putt putting at a measley 35 mph. I am probably the 20th car so there is no chance to pass. The freaking 20th car!!! The part of the drive to work that I am on does not have houses so why won’t this dumb a$$ bus driver pull over and let all these cars by? I just don’t understand it. Growing up in central NY I remember having to pull over all the time to let just 2 cars by. This is something that they STILL do. Why can’t our bus drivers do this? Wouldn’t it be safer to allow these cars to pass unobstructed in their driving lane than to make them pass in the other lane, taking chances? I just don’t understand the mentality of this state that I live in!



Do your school bus drivers pull over to let you pass?

Wordless Wednesday

Two Time Conference Champ!!

Even with his knee and MRSA T worked hard and became conference champion Saturday!! His team also did well and pulled out an upset against their rival by winning the conference championship also. We are so proud of these boys and their hard work. Next comes regionals and then state. Go EDUB!!!!

Wordless Wednesday