Bad Blogger

I know I'm a bad blogger. But since we've been home I am just so sick that all of my energy is going to toward Boko and once he goes to bed I can barely stay awake. In fact falling asleep as I type.

Sitting at the airport

Of course our flight was delayed today - mandatory crew rest. I'm not sure if I should feel reassured by this or nervous.

So I had about three paragraphs on here and then it all just disappeared!!! I hate it when that happens.

So, we are sitting in the Crown Room now, and I am watching the woman across from us re-ball or whatever you call it her thing of yarn. Over and over again. Makes you almost want to take shots. That an the woman who just walked buy with a matching red patent leather purse and red patent leather clogs.... WOW And she keeps parading around the room like its a fashion show. And those brand new red patent leather shoes that she spent weeks look for to match her bag, are obviously NOT comfortable. Already limping.

Hey, fyi, and everyone else may already know this, but you are only allowed one clear quart ziploc bag of liquids per person when going through security. I never take anything but a Tide pen, lip gloss, and sample perfume usually so this has never come up. But in the interest of not being left high and dry if our luggage is lost, like Prague, we thought we should take essentials so we had a bunch of little .5-2oz containers of shampoo, etc..... Yah, that was a HUGE pain in the ass. This was right after the TSA guy at the initial line had yelled at Cory that he needed to go to the podium at the end, NOW. Well, I was obviously handing him his passport and boarding pass, which took a whole 10 extra seconds ass bag and gee, the five people behind are probably going to miss their flight now. Then Mr. Sunshine proceeded to yell at me.... "Are you with HIM??!!" Yes "Well then you need to stay TOGETHER"..... FINE.....

But what I really wanted to say was, well actually we came here together but since he forgot my Food & Wine, Conde Naste and book that Christie gave me for Christmas at home, we just agreed that was the last straw and are getting a divorce, so I DON'T WANT TO STAND NEXT TO HIM YOU SECURITY NAZI!!!! But I thought better of it. I am not good with no food.

But at least the world is now safe from bombs made from Crest Sensitivity toothpaste and Scope. You can all sleep soundly tonight.

20 Hours

Which is really more like 14 since I will try and fit in some sleep there.

Good news - I called the Netherlands embassy in Addis Ababa today and was told that we do NOT need a transit visa. I just needed to hear it from someone who was actually in a position to say yes or no, not just hear say. So I feel much more relaxed now.

Still sick. Actually I woke up at 4 am because the left side of my face hurt so bad, I am assuming from my sinuses. It was perfect timing for calling Addis though. =)

Only really nervous about forgetting some important document. This is so much different from a vacation trip out of the country where all you really need is your passport. Most of the places you go on vacation you can replace pretty much anything else. I suppose I should have included wallet with passport as all you really need!! ;) This is different. In lots of ways.

Have to take the dogs to the kennel today. =( I always HATE doing that to them. Poor guys. But they had a pretty good Christmas. Christmas was celebrated early at our house. Last night, Cory stayed up late packing and when Sake didn't come when he called her to bed he went looking for her and found her on the big dog bed in the living room, with four stuffed toys around her and one of the big rawhides from their Christmas stockings, totally passed out. SOOOO sweet. Still hate taking them though. The worst part is that last night when the house is so quiet. I really wish that the Utah Pet Center, and their 24/7 drop off pick up schedule hadn't closed. We used them in September and it was one of the best kennel experiences we have ever had, me and the dogs. Oh well.

So once I finish up with work, go pick up the dogs, come back down then drop some stuff off at my mom's, go home and finish packing, which is pretty much just getting toiletries and prescriptions into the remaining space. Packing clothes was fairly easy this time. Jeans, other comfy cotton pants, lots of Shade long sleeve shirts, a couple of scarves and some sweaters. Two pairs of shoes and good to go. Not like I need a lot of wardrobe options on this trip!!

36 Hours

Kind of the final count down. In 36 hours we will be on the plane to Ethiopia. Crazy huh!!! I would think that I would be a bit more wigged out now, but I'm scarily not. I need to start actually packing tonight. I think that I have gotten most of the packages that people were sending to me at this point, so I can start getting things in my bags.

I keep getting distracted though. I really hope that I'm not forgetting anything.

Did I mention I have a cold too. SOOOO happy about that. Perfect timing.

Found out when our birth family visit is today too. We get in on Thursday night at 10:30 pm and we have to be ready to go on Friday at 5:30 am. Knew that would happen. Its good and bad. Not fond of getting up that early but it will be nice not to have it hanging over our heads. Its an over night trip to Southern Ethiopia so we'll back in Addis on Saturday so that will be the earliest that we will be able to meet B. In case anyone is wondering where we'll be.

Polling

Anyone wanna fess up to the "Pity the child already" vote??????

I must admit that I'm surprised that I didn't get anyone that wanted to donate anything, even $20. Not trying to guilt anyone, just surprised.

Poll

I don't know why, its not like I'm bored, but I added a poll on the right side, below Ethiopia time......

Coincidence???

As we all know, I am having some difficulty with the fact that I will not be here for Christmas this year... Think the along the lines of the dad in Christmas Story after Bumpes' dogs ate the turkey.. No turkey hash, no turkey soup.... so on and so on.

Well, when I came downstairs this morning, I could have sworn that I smelled Christmas popcorn in the kitchen. You know the kind that you melt white almond bark all over. And people only make it at Christmas. I always make it. Well of course it was just my tumor playing tricks on me, or so I thought.

But then, today when I went to Hannie's for a manicure, guess what my holiday treat was? Yup, a bagful of Christmas popcorn!!! Yay!! Thanks Hannie for making me feel a little less Christmas deprived. =)

The Ticker

I had myself all convinced today that we had PLENTY of time until we have to leave. A WHOLE 12 days.... Then I made the mistake of looking at our blog, and the ticker at the top, and it says ONE week and FIVE days. This seems like much less time to me. ONE week.... Can you imagine what I'll be like this time next week????? Hallelujah, Holy Shit, where's the Tylenol!!!!!

Where we are....

So far I have made reservations for flights.... At least I think that is taken care of. I still haven't seen a receipt from the travel agency. I think that they needed a letter from our adoption agency so they could confirm us for the adoption rate though, and I sent that to them today.

Hotel is done. Thanks Christie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Aunt Christie...... hee hee

Dogs have their reservations for boarding but this new place requires bordatella every month and they have it within the year but not 6 months so I need to call and make a vet appointment for them. I could just wait and do this at the new kennel, but I figure maybe I can get their checkups out of the way too, since those are usually after the first of the year.

Prescriptions for Cipro, my malaria meds, and scabies body wash were picked up tonight. I have an appointment at the pediatrician next Friday, where she is apparently going to give me more RX. Need to ask her about something for lice.

Cory put together the car seats today. =)

Lots more to do though. I need to go to Old Navy still and do some shopping.. Underwear, socks, shoes, etc....


Hey, a while back I had mentioned the topic of donations. I did not get any responses. Don't feel pressured, but a few people had asked me previously about giving donations. If you still want to, please let me know NOW. =) I want to get this handled as soon as possible. As I had mentioned earlier I think that cash will be best. Let me know what you are comfortable with though or if you have a specific idea.

Photos

Presenting Boko Jaxson Nannemann.



This was the first photo that we ever saw of him, the one that we "picked" from all the other pictures of little kids.



Having a little snack.


Dum Dums and Tea. Christie thinks that I should take a big bag of Dum Dums with me to Ethiopia... She doesn't think that I should abuse the child until we're home, you know with things like vegetables and fruit. REAL food.



Not a ham at all.....

Overwhelmed

Jessica and I went for pedicures today from Hannie, which are always wonderful!! We were finishing up, getting up from the massage chairs, when my phone beeped. I had a text message. It was from Cory saying that I should check my email. I assumed that it was something having to do with insurance. We had an argument last night about sending me emails about insurance leads, him not being specific enough, building enough urgency.... blah blah blah. Anyway, I asked him which email. He told me my sctigger.

So I checked my email on my phone, thinking that if it WAS an insurance lead it would be perfect timing since I was on my way to my reserve class. I'm scrolling through the emails and see "Travel to Ethiopia - Nanneman (misspelled) Family". I opened the email and see a reaffirmation that all of our information is up to date at the Embassy in Addis... Big deal. We get these once a month. And it would not be the first time that Cory got overly excited about one of these. I'm thinking you JERK... Ready to kill him, then I realized that there is something about that title. Its just different. Scrolling further, trying to read the email on my phone.. Yell at Hannie and Jessica to shhsh I'm trying to read............. Then I'm telling everyone in the room, Oh My God, we are going to Ethiopia, We have to be there the 20th - of December!!!! My hands are shaking I am trying to read the email. Jessica is impatient to hear so she holds my hands still to read.

Lots of screaming, excitement. I called the district manager at Farmer's, tell him I won't be coming in for class today, I have to start making travel arrangements. So since 2:30 I have gotten our reservations at the Sheraton - the end of the December was the only time within like a five month range where they had starhot rates by the way - dogs reservations at the kennel, and decided on a flight, which will hopefully be booked tomorrow - I just happened to decide to try another agency last Wed. The woman at the new agency had left for the holiday, but got back to me yesterday with a quote, and she just happened to use the dates 12/17-27 in her guesstimate. The exact dates we ended up wanting. And Cooking Light has a section on Ethiopian cooking this month. Strange. I don't know why I felt the need to put all of that out there right now.

So, barring any mumps outbreaks or CIS hold ups, we will be leaving in just over two weeks from today.

I am 99.9% sure that it is okay for me to post a picture now and give his full name, but since I am slightly paranoid of government agencies in general I want to double check.

I also have to say that I am very disappointed to be missing Christmas. I know, everyone keeps saying its the best present ever, and it is, but given the updates and info that we were getting from our agency, I had put a lot of time into convincing myself that it would not happen this month and that I was actually happy about it. And I am pretty damn convincing, so now I have to completely switch gears and get out of the mind set that "Cory and I will have this great one last Christmas just the two of us - go to plays, go to dinners, go to tea at the Grand." Plus Christmas IS my absolute favorite holiday and missing it just bothers me in a ridiculous way. We went to the Bahamas one year and I said I would never go on vacation for Christmas again. The things about the holidays that stress everyone else out get me excited. I love the baking, the parties the slight rush, but mostly I love it when a Christmas Story starts its 24 hours on TBS, and we sit down to shrimp and whatever else we found at Market Street and a couple of good bottles of Champagne on Christmas Eve, Santa comes, and then we get up and spend the day having cocktails and taking our time opening presents - With a Christmas Story still on of course. Anyway, just had to get that out. I know its kind of selfish to feel this way, but like I said, I spent a lot of time convincing myself in the last month, that this scenario was going to be the best EVER because I was so convinced that we would not be traveling this year.........

Don't even get me started on how stressed out I am just thinking about what I am going to do about work when we get back...... Oy!

B's Room

As promised, some pictures of B's room.



Every kid HAS to have a hanging chair.



I hope I don't regret the bunk bed. At least it can't be flipped over to a regular bed.

Update

So another mother went over to Ethiopia last week to visit with her child - she of course has not passed court yet either. She emailed me yesterday with the following update on B....

Greetings ..
We spent the afternoon at the big kids house. It's beautiful with a lovely garden and lovely house; very clean and welcoming. It's a nurturing environment, felt like a big family house. Sister S. was there AMAZING, INCREDIBLE WOMAN.

B is charming and relaxed and smiles ALOT!! He's tiny. He ABSOLUTELY LOVED looking at his picture. I'm so glad you sent it. He loves to play with other kids, they said he's a GREAT SHARER. Always looking out for the younger kids. He LOVES balloons and movies, the teletubbies of all things.

They said he's come a long way. When he first got there he hated taking pictures and was quiet. Now he's very composed and engaging and just wonderful. He's gonna make your heart melt. Such a nice, handsome kid!!! He also loves to dance, as we left the whole house was rocking along to an Ethiopian band on television. He was shaking up the dance floor .. giggle.

Email is not so great here. No way I can send the pics we took. Will do so next week. Just wanted you to have my little notes on Thanksgiving!

Sigh........

Donations

Obviously I have been trying to occupy myself with thinking about anything BUT when a travel date will come specifically, but I realize that there are a lot of other things that we can get in order while we're waiting.

One of these is donations. I don't want anyone to feel like they have to do this, but if you are interested in donating in some way, either to the orphanage we are going to, or Hope Enterprises (see right hand bar), or possibly AHOPE, the orphanage for HIV positive kids, then please let me know. I want to get an idea of who would like to be involved and to what extent. My feelings are that I would prefer to take as few things with us as possible, but I realize that there are some items that they will want that can't be found in Ethiopia. My thoughts were to collect money from most people and then go out and buy items there that they need. This way, I don't have to haul it all over like a pack mule, or one of those couples you see at the airport with 17 pieces of luggage dressed like they are about to have their photos taken, who obviously don't fly over 2 hours very often and are in for a rude awakening as they enter their 15th hour of international travel. It also puts money directly back into their economy which is a good thing.

Let me know what you think and which option you would be more likely to want to participate in - Giving me cash, or items (which I will have to get a list of when we are closer to being able to travel).

And maybe no one will want to. I know its not like everyone has piles of extra cash this year. But a little can go a long way there. ;)

No Cavities

While I was laying in the dentist's chair this morning, getting my teeth cleaned it occurred to me that I will most likely be back in this office sooner than the normal six month check-up/cleaning. Given my obsession with teeth, B will be needing to visit the dentist ASAP once we get him home. ( I hope I'm not being overly optimistic thinking that will be sooner than six months from now!)

Anyway, as I'm sitting there, looking at the woman with the mask on and the funny goggles over her glasses, and the bright light shining from up above I had tow thoughts.. 1.) Sitting here with my mouth held wide open for an unnaturally long time is NOT helping my efforts to reduce the signs of wrinkles, and 2.) WTH is this poor kid going to think? If he'd ever seen an episode of X-Files I would assume that he thinks this is what happens when you're abducted. This is a fun outing that I have to look forward to. Especially since I hate having my teeth cleaned. You know how some people have a problem with fingernails on chalkboard, well I'm that way with metal on teeth or dinner plates... But sticking with the situation. Teeth. I can only imagine how uncomfortable the whole situation will be for him. Just one more odd situation that you don't usually think much of because its so normal, but will seem so insane to him.

The dentist is under the impression that his teeth should be okay, due to lack of sugar, but given the blog posts I have read about kids basically having to have a surgery on their teeth to repair the damage after coming home from Ethiopia (not all but a few) and the fact that I have a photo of the midget eating a Dum Dum, I won't hold my breath. Maybe Dr. Lucas will be able to go down and buy a new truck!

No Comments

I have to admit, that I am a bit surprised by the lack of comments on the Festivus entry. I hope I didn't scare off any readers! Figured the picture of Dave would bring some sort of a response.

Festivus Miracles

Saturday night we had a Festivus party at our house. I know, a month early from when it actually should be, but oh well. Although we did not have the feats of strength, I was not sure how to do this without being held liable for loss of future earnings, we did have the airing of grievances. Which I have to say, was the funniest thing I have ever seen.... Pictures to follow. I think that everyone had a good time, and to those of you that left some time after 12, I am sorry if I didn't say goodbye or said anything actually. Obviously I hit a wall somewhere around then. Unfortunately it did not stop us all together, but that's another story for another blog.



Pat and I in the bar..... I do not remember the taking of this picture. Not that that means anything.



"Come on Troy, just one cookie.. No one will notice.. Those girls? They're drunk, they don't know what's going on!"



"You build that Festivus pole yourself Clark?" "Sure did Eddie, with my own two hands" (Yes, I know, I'm mixing my media here....)



Bye Jenny ......... She left the next day for CO and is still ignoring me. =)~




Funny and disturbing all at the same time. Dave's grievances were a full stage show. This is as far as the stripping went though. I promise, it was nothing perverse.

Oh, the camera was only dropped once, again, not by me, but this time, it made it out in working order. I still have 18 months on that oh so worth the money, no questions asked, warranty at Best Buy.....

Instead of Working..

I stole this from someone else's blog. Give it a try, but only one word answers.

· Where is your mobile phone? Desk
· Where is your significant other? Working
· Your hair color? Depends
· Your mother? Alive
· Your father? Pat
· Your favorite thing? Food
· Your dream last night? Drunken
· Your dream goal? Unknown
· The room you’re in? Office
· Your hobby? Non-existant
· Your fear? Uninformed
· Where do you want to be in 6 years? Somewhere
· Where were you last night? Home
· What you’re not? Patient
· One of your wish-list items? Travel
· Where you grew up? Wyoming
· The last thing you did? Ate
· What are you wearing? Dress
· Your TV? Fixed
· Your pets? Unruly
· Your computer? Addictive
· Your mood? Bored
· Missing someone? Yes
· Your car? Cold
· Something you’re not wearing? Bracelet
· Favorite shop? Anthropologie
· Your summer? Fast
· Love someone? Yes
· Your favorite color? Red
· When is the last time you laughed? Today
· When is the last time you cried? Questionable

Its a Dog's Life

Since this blog was started to keep people up to date on the adoption, and there is nothing to keep up to date on right now, I need to find somewhat interesting things to post about.

I have seen a tag that is pick the sixth photo album on your computer then post the sixth picture from that album. This is what you get....




Chivas posing for photos for a Christmas ornament.

And for some added entertainment.



The girls in a heated game of Monopoly Here and Now. This is tough playing with all these large sums - help mom!!



I shouldn't have drank so much wine.......



Seriously, this is what you guys consider to be a good time. Shelby, why don't you play tug of war with a squeaky toy with Sake and I will hump her in unison to the squeak. Ahhh, that sounds like a good time.

They are having such an easier time distracting themselves from B than Cory and I... Its a dog's life.

New Year

After a call with our agency today, which was basically just a repeat of things we already knew and morale booster, I am now fairly sure that we will not be bringing B home until after the new year.

Originally we were hoping/thinking that we might have him here by Christmas but that looks very unlikely now. At first I was a little disappointed by this, but they made some good points on the call today. One of the main things you hear over and over again is to guard against over-stimulating a child when you bring them home. Don't have a house full of toys or a lot of people outside of the two of you. He needs to understand that we are his parents and bond to us. Also, if he comes into welcome parties, and a lot of excitement, he will have a hard time understanding the natural order of the house, and what life is like on a typical day.

All of that said, Christmas is obviously not a typical day. Especially if you come to our house. We usually put up 3 trees, There's lights on the house, decorations everywhere.. Basically looks like an elf vomited holiday cheer everywhere. If we were to bring him home before Christmas we would really have to tone everything down. Which I would do, but, I suppose that one last Christmas on our own isn't the worst thing in the world. Plus this way I don't have to miss Jenny's party, we still get to go do a lot of the things that we like to do, and I can still have presents. =) Yes, I really am that shallow. Or possibly just that good at forcing myself to get over the bitchy streak I've been on.

Ethiopia Update

Got another update from our agency today. They are being told that no families will travel until late December at the earliest now. Lovely. The courts are apparently backed up with so many cases, and they are still working through a backlog from summer, before the courts had closed.

So nobody ask me if I've heard anything for at least a month. Understand. Not that I'm angry, but I am disappointed, and I have nothing, absolutely nothing to tell anyone, and it is very frustrating. I think that my head might pop off at this point if someone asks me if I've heard anything. Remember, this is not anger directed at anyone, I am just not a patient person and I can feel this pressure building in my head. Seriously. Its all compounded by the fact that people from other agencies are traveling already... WTF???!!!

Lack of Pictures

B's room is done for the most part, and I should take pictures, but Cory still hasn't moved the ladder out of there and it would be distracting. That and I have had an unspoken goal of getting off the couch as little as possible today. I promise that I will get pictures up though. Bed is up, the other furniture, pictures, and the hanging chair. Haven't quite decided where to put the growth chart. Which is awesome by the way.

This woman hand paints wooden growth charts or other name plates with whatever you like and your child's name. http://www.creativenamesigns.com She did ours with a Dr. Seuss type of look, a big tree, a goofy bird in it and a dog. Trying to push the dog thing as much as possible.

There are a couple of different schools of thought with the dog issue too. A lot of people say not to send pictures of the family pets to your children over there because they are taught to be afraid of dogs. They are taught to avoid them because they are strays and may have rabies. Many of the children are actually afraid of them. We included pictures in his album anyway, because I think that it would be worse to blind side him when he comes home as opposed to giving him time to prepare for the situation and have people around him who speak his language to explain the situation to him. If anyone else has an opinion, feel free to share, although the album was sent off a while ago. So, there is a good chance that he has it by know and knows about the strange looking people with the wild animals that he will be coming to live with... Poor kid!! ;)

Running Out of Things to Keep Me Busy

Obviously.......

You are most like: Selective Procrastinator
As a selective procrastinator, you know how to procrastinate but only do it when you feel you can afford to. Your a faker!
Take this quiz: How Bad A Procrastinator Are You?
Visit Toys For Your Blog.com for more blog quizzes

Who knew Calvin was moonlighting as a model?

You are most like: Average Joe
Your pretty regular. Chances are your still a little afraid of the other drivers or your car just can't go fast enough to get away from other drivers.
Take this quiz: The Road Rage Meter
Visit Toys For Your Blog.com for more blog quizzes

Better than I thought I would do!!! A LOT better!

You are most like: Sentimental Shopper
You spent hours on each persons gift. Browsing as many stores as possible to find the perfect present. Each gift is based on your feelings for that person. Cost (no matter how great or small) is never an issue.
Take this quiz: What kind of Christmas shopper are you?
Visit Toys For Your Blog.com for more blog quizzes

Not sure how accurate this one is.

You are most like: Occasional User
Don't be fooled by the title of an "Occasional User". Your on your way to being a full out addict! Beware the addiction.
Take this quiz: The Quiz Addiction Quiz
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That should do for today...

Something to Pass the Time

Some gratuitous kid pictures.....

If Anyone Cares

My license for Life and Health has come through.... So, give me a call.

Hey, I have to advertise any way that I can!!!!! You're supporting B. ;)

Announcements

I bet that all of you waiting and watching to find out if we have a travel date, though that was what this post was about, huh??? Suckers!!!!

Nope, not yet.

I do have two things to share though. First of all, since the best way to encourage the universe to send you something, like a travel date to a country half way across the world to pick up your first child, is to not plan for it and plan other things in its place so you are appropriately thrown into chaos when it happens, that's what we're doing.

A Festivus For the Rest of Us
November 15 at our house - evite to follow of course.



The second announcement is not quite as fun for the rest of you but hopefully it will eventually turn out to be for me. I am officially selling insurance. At least property and casualty, which includes, home, auto, toys, business... pretty much anything that you can think of outside of life and health. I am waiting for my license to come for the life and health, so will be able to sell that in a couple of weeks... So, if you need insurance, don't like your agent, are indifferent to your agent and of course like me much better, or just want to get a quote and see what's out there, please let me know. Right now I can only do this for you if you are in Utah though. Come on, support a mommy to be. =)

That should be it for now.

Change is the Only Constant

Does anyone remember 2 months ago, when we accepted our referral and I said that it would be 2-4 months before we could go get B. Well, add those together and you're closer to what we are now looking at. Yup, you heard it, 6 months... Grrrrr.... That much longer for me to obsess....

And I AM obsessing. I need to get over it and just let it happen. Now, keep in mind, six months is not an absolute, just a possibility. Our agency does not expect to have anyone traveling before the end of November. Apparently, due to the low number of judges, and the increased number of adoptions from Ethiopia, world wide, plus the back log from their little rainy season vacation, things are REALLY backed up.

So keep your fingers crossed, pray, or whatever you have to do, that this will all be done sooner rather than later. This puts all sorts of things on hold for me. Which I'm sure only adds to my antsy feeling.

Visitors

I've noticed that I get a lot of visitors from who never leave comments. I know this because of where people are viewing from. I would love to have everyone leave comments when you come to visit. Even if its just hello, no matter who its from. Its kind of like mail, everyone likes to get it!!! Especially from people I see popping in from Wyoming.....

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Also realized that I never followed up with more pictures from Napa.... So here we go. By the way, loved it there and kept my eyes open for kid friendly things, so we will definitely be going back.



This first one is Darioush. The wine was pretty good here, but you have to go to see the building. As the lovely gay couple we met the night before said, its very ornate and looks a little pretentious at first.



These are the pugs that were completely in love with Cory's shoes ... That his brother's dog had peed on a couple of days before..



Look at the cute Corgi. He was at the sister winery of the one with the pugs...




Rub my belly, I'll love you forever.




Look how sober we are. V Sattuie (sp?) We did the wine tasting with food pairings. Every time our wine was empty and we still had the food that went with it, the woman would fill our glasses up again. Totally worth the $15 a piece.

No News is Good News...

Isn't that what they say? I don't know if I buy that one. And really, I can't honestly say that there is NO news. Although we have no idea if our paperwork is moving through in Ethiopia, which I'm still deciding if I like. I know that some people swear by doing it the WHFC way, it still seems as though some tiny bit of encouragement would preferable. Nothing I can do about that now.

We did get an update on B though, and he is taking after his older "sister" Sake. In the last photos that I saw of him, we thought that there was a bit of tummy, but attributed it to the clothes. Nope, my little porker has gained 8 lbs since the last report we had on him, but only grown an inch. Which, as a newbie to this, I am told by the experienced mommies, that this is normal. Can you imagine if any one of us women gained 8 lbs. since August??? Holy crap!!! Melt down!!! Its just a different view point that I need to switch to I guess. But in all seriousness, it is a good thing that he is chowing down and gaining weight. I just want him to stay sort of little until we get there... So I can enjoy some of the tiny time. At lease he weighs more than Sake now. That was going to be so embarrassing for her.

TEARS!!!

Go to Jenny and Troy's blog - to the right... They have video posted from the party they threw for us last weekend and I am laughing so hard, I just about had tears running down my face. I think that it would be funny to anyone, but let me know if its one of those things that you had to be there for!!!! OMG!!!!!

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I just realized that this is my 100th post!! I've been blogging for over a year. Some how the pictures I pointed you to just seem so appropriate for a 100th post.

Tequila Shots..????

There were tequila shots??? Seriously, there were??? I remember those on Saturday night but not so much Sunday........

Shower

Sorry I haven't updated for so long, but I have been really busy, with work, insurance exams, playing, you know.... Life!

So, the courts definitely appear to be open, and the people who are with agencies that tell you your court date (which we are not) are apparently having dates assigned. I have NO idea what this means for us. At this point we could be going any time from November to January... Which is fine, because apparently, and this is for Troy, the instructions at IKEA have not been improved. There is still a frustrated little dough man calling IKEA on his phone for help. So needless to say, Cory got a very small child dresser put together, and it only took him ALL of yesterday afternoon.

Also, last Sunday, our friends, Jenny and Troy threw us the best shower ever!! I hesitate to fully call it a baby shower, since B isn't a baby, but still. It was great! Awesome food, great games, complete with shots. This is the best way to be pregnant, seriously, and wonderful and extremely thoughtful presents from our friends. We are very lucky to have them all.

I don't have a lot of pictures, when I get a chance I will post the ones that I have, but, if you go to Hannie's blog over on the right, you can see some!

Rumor Has It.....

Yesterday our agency sent out their weekly update, and in big red letters it said that there were no updates on the court opening. Okay, good to know.

Well, the rumor today is that the courts have opened. I say the rumor because I've read it on a Yahoo chat group, a blog and another agencies website..... So, it looks like there is a good chance that the courts in Ethiopia have reopened. What does this mean to us? Not much unfortunately. All the families that accepted referrals before us need to get their court dates, and there are people who accepted their's at least a month, if not longer before us. Hopefully our documents have been working their way through the dozen or so other agencies that need to give their stamp of approval prior to getting a court date though, and... Oh well, no point in trying to guess. I really don't even know what the point of the post is.

B's Room

Here are a couple of pictures of the colors that we painted the munchkin's room. Its hard for me to get a good picture of the whole room so here are two angles. We're going to have to go buy a bed soon, and start putting it together but this is a good first step.






I'd ask for opinions but its not like it really matters. Its painted and done. =)

Parkers??

I was still trying to catch up on some of the blogs I missed while we were out of town, and I went to read the Parkers... And they're gone. Like completely gone, not even private where you can send a request to be allowed in. =( Where did they go?

We're Baaaaak!

The trip to Gillette went well. Better than I would have expected. Then we were off on vacation. We flew from Gillette to San Francisco on Monday and then drove up to Yountville. Kind of messed up and did not take the most direct route, however, it was much prettier than the faster more direct route that we took back down a few days later. Too bad I couldn't really appreciate it since I had not eaten ALL day. By the time we got to the B&B we were pushing 6 pm (flight delays and stupidity at the rental car place - not to mention a car seat that smelled like ass). And I was dying. Thank God we got there on the tail end of the evening wine and cheese that they put out for you. It was a really cute place.



See, pretty drive. However I was seriously giving consideration to how one of those cute little gray squirrels would taste.. I don't care what Eddie says about the cholesterol.




The B&B was soooo cute.

I'll put some more pictures on a different entry. I've run out of steam now... Big painting day. ;)

We're Baaaaak!

Depressed

Typically, we are on vacation this time of year. Not because our anniversary is this time of year. Our anniversary is this time of year because its when we usually take vacation. But we are a week off because Cory dropped the ball and didn't right the days off before someone else decided to take a cruise. I hope they were hit by a hurricane. You can tell, I'm very understanding.

So tomorrow we are finally leaving, unfortunately, the first two days of what should be vacation will be spent in Gillette with Cory's family. Its his Grandma's 80th birthday. Now, if you know anything about Gillette, you know why this is not a beginning of vacation. It'd be just like going to my home town. We're both from Wyoming for those of you not up on the history.

Anyway, Monday morning we fly out of there and spend the rest of the week in San Francisco and Napa Valley.

So why exactly am I depressed? Not just because of where we are going tomorrow, but because of where we were this time last year. My friend Brenda has been in Italy for over a week now and it just rubbed more salt into the wound, that that is where we were last September. I can honestly say that I have never been so depressed about NOT being somewhere that we had visited on vacation. Sure, when we are leaving I always pout a bit, I don't want to go home and reality, but I get over it. Especially by the time we go on another trip and this year we've gone to Mexico, Prague, and I've been a bunch of little trips in between.... But Italy is different. So, in honor of my depression ;) here are a few pictures from this time last year.



The beach outside of our hotel in Venice... looking at the Adriatic Sea.




The glass blowers at Murano. It's kind of sad that most younger generations have no interest in learning this skill. They really are artists and it would be horrible to see it just disappear.



The Grand Canal



Our Gondola ride. Something everyone has to do.



View from the old palace in Florence. It is right next to the large duomo. We had the choice of walking up hundreds of stairs to the top of that or a fraction of that and get this view. This was good enough for us.



Capri - I cannot possibly express how much I LOVED this island. LOVED LOVED LOVED LOVED LOVED LOVED LOVED..... Like its between coming here and ever seeing your husband again. I would really have to take some time on that one.



The view from our hotel room in Capri.



A bunch of locals fishing off the docks - still in Capri.


Okay, enough pictures for today. If anyone is interested though I have a lot more, including a bunch of really cool ones from Pompeii.... Then again, they might get posted on here even if you're not interested. I am bored, and don't have any other interesting pictures that I can post at this time....

Hard to Watch

I can't say that I have any definitive decisions regarding the election this year, but watching this video made me want to cry. What can I say, I'm an animal lover. And I honestly think that it says a lot about someone who, maybe isn't necessarily an animal LOVER, but who has no respect for nature and any living creatures, other than humans. It is very egotistical and short-sighted, to say the least.

Click here to watch our new television ad on Governor Palin’s support for aerial hunting and help us run it on television stations starting in Ohio, one of the handful of swing states that will decide the election.

Warning: This television ad -- like the governor’s support for this brutal practice -- is disturbing.

My Kingdom for a Decent Picture

So one of the things that I still need to accomplish since accepting our referral is putting together a photo album that I will send to B. I ordered a talking photo album, which the kids apparently really like. You record little 10 second messages for each photo. Problem is, I am having trouble coming up with pictures to send.

I have found a few pictures of Cory by himself that are appropriate, but for me it is harder. I actually caved and used a couple of head shots from a photo shoot. I feel like that is kind of weird, like it could be taken as vain, but seriously, I have limited choices.

The problem is that I have so few pictures of Cory and I together. Typically we take pictures on vacation, which means that I am taking photos of him or vice versa. We have quite a few photos from Italy, even a few together, but the issue there is that my hair is VERY blonde. I don't want to confuse him and I doubt that he or the nannies are going to understand the concept of spending 3 hours every 4 weeks to radically change the color of your hair. In fact, I am being good right now and trying to keep my hair pretty much the same color so that the pictures I send look like me when I get there.

So I have 24 picture sleeves to fill and not that many pictures!! And I was told not to send more than one of the pets, because the dogs might scare him since they are not used to having pets like that there. And NO, I am not worried about him eating the dogs or wanting to eat the dogs when he gets here. They don't eat dog there (to the best of my knowledge) so I hope that clears it up for everyone!

At least trying to put together photos gives me something to do while we are waiting. I was telling Jessica today that I'm starting to act the same way I do when we plan a big vacation. I am always really excited when I book everything, a couple of months in advance, then not again until we are going to the airport. I seem to be that way now. Really excited with the referral and now..... ah. I think its my own internal gauge that keeps me from going nuts since I have NO patience.

Oh, we have also decided that we are not going to do the few days in Paris on the way over anymore, and are now just going to spend some extra time in Ethiopia and maybe do a short tour there. Go and see some of the historical sights or go to one of the national parks and check out the baboons. Not sure which yet.

Well, that's about it I think. Passed my Property and Casualty exam yesterday, so that is another good thing!

So Sad....

A Couple of Items

First of all, the referral contest, that only TWO people participated in... Here is my question, since I didn't actually get the "normal" type of referral, where the big surprise, unexpected phone call comes and they tell you who your child is, and we chose on our own, do I honor the contest? I would ask people to vote, but since I couldn't get any of your lazy asses to participate in the original contest, I won't hold my breath.

Wow, and I just had an elderly moment and totally forgot what the second thing was that I was going to mention..... Maybe it will come back to me later tonight and I will come back and add it in.

Not what I was originally thinking of, but.... Since we are no longer getting a baby, or baby range, I won't have any use for crib bedding...



So if anyone is interested.... There is the 4 piece crib set, the bumper, quilt, dust ruffle and fitted sheet, the lamp, and a hamper... I'm still iffy on whether or not I'll keep the hamper, but definitely not the other. So if anyone is interested in these, let me know. Never been opened!!

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NEW BLOG THAT I ADDED

I added a new blog to the right, the Parker's Check out all of the pictures and video from their recent trip.

What Kind of Flower Are You?

Since I don't have much else to talk about......

"Mischief is your middle name, but your first is friend. You are quite the prankster that loves to make other people laugh."

I am a Snapdragon What Flower Are You?

We did get all of our final paperwork sent off to WHFC this week though and now we're just waiting.

Made Some Announcements

So I told my grandpa, grandma and dad today. That was actually fairly painless, so now we just have Cory's family to make the big announcement to. We will be up there next month for his grandma's 80th surprise birthday party so he can knock them all out at once.

So my previous post, about not telling people is null and void.

Okay, I'm tired. It's late and I'm ready for bed. =)

Note To Quiz Below

If you just click on the submit button, it will take you to the Quizilla website, where you need to take the quiz from. Then you should get your results.

Which Dr. Seuss Character Are You?