Quick Note to Matched...

Hey, not that this should come up, but just in case someone in Rock Springs ran across my grandpa or grandma... They still don't know. And I know that Jenny is saying, WHAT??!! And shaking her head saying that I am so weird and its just so bizarre...

But I do have my reasons. They don't know about this yet, and there will be a lot of explaining involved when I talk to them just because of that. My thoughts are to wait and spring the news when the adoption is actually complete. I can just see me telling them, something going wrong and then having to explain why - over the phone - to multiple people because they are not blog/computer people and that is just not something that I want to deal with.

So, don't ask my grandpa how he feels about being a great grandpa!!! ;) He will look very confused, and then next thing you know people will be talking about how sad it is that he is losing it. You know how RS is.

Celebrity Collage by MyHeritage

http://www.myheritage.com/collage

MyHeritage: Family trees - Genealogy - Celebrities


Does anyone even know who most of these people are?????

Matched!!!

As some of you know, last week Cory and I decided to ask for more information on one of the waiting children at Horizon House (the orphanage in Addis run by WHFC).

They sent us his file, the cutest little four year old ever, and we decided that we would change our age request, once again, to an older child. This involves additional paperwork for our agency, including an updated Home Study, Local Resource Provider Worksheet, another form for our social work to sign off on and meeting with a pediatrician to have his file reviewed. Oh, and another on line course for adopting the older child. So my Thursday and Friday last week were spent calling all over the valley, looking for an International Adoption Clinic - only took me about 4 hours to finally find one at the U. Therapists, interpreters, respite care providers, etc..... And why you might be asking was there such a rush to get all of this completed by Monday? Because there were other families who had thrown their hat in the ring for him. Yup, multiple other families.

So when there are multiple families requesting a match with a waiting child, our agency has a match meeting, where they sit down, compare the files and decide who they will assign this child to. There are a lot of different things they look at to make their decision.... So, I kept telling myself that there was a very good chance that we would not be matched with him, and made myself look at some of the other kids, even though he was the cutest with the biggest brown eyes and long eyelashes EVER.

So, I had everything in yesterday, and my social worker said "Um, you're very thorough...." I wasn't sure if that was a good thing or what.. So she tells me the meeting will be this morning (today) and she could be able to call me by this afternoon...

Imagine my surprise when the phone rings at 10 am and the caller id says Massachusetts.... I answer the phone and Nicole says, "Hi Stacy, I have some good news for you and Cory...." Well, I think that you can all figure out what that is..

In 2-4 months we will be going to Ethiopia to get our 4 year old son. That still sounds kind of weird to say and I really don't think that any of it has hit me yet. I was so prepared for them to call me later in the afternoon that I just don't feel like I was ready for it. I was just kind of like "Oh, that's something...wow" Happy but just not the same I guess as if you totally weren't expecting it, like with the referral stories you hear. Cory was kind of the same way. I called him and tried to be all coy about it, dropping hints the size of boulders, like "We'll need the money to pay the agency this week... You know the big balance you have to pay when you are matched with a child......" Nothing, I just got okay. In his defense though I did wake him up and he said the same thing that he just didn't have time to think about it. I talked to him later and it had kicked in and now he's making lists of things that need to be done (so my thing usually) and climbing around on the roof killing wasps.

One other thought, this poor kid is going to come home with us in the winter. Full on winter at our house, complete with 20 foot piles of snow.. Jungle, winter. Fun! Jessica told me there is a Patagonia sale on Labor Day. I am thinking toddler snow suit... Anyone want to come shopping....?? ;)

P.P.S... Because of the Ethiopian laws I cannot post pictures of him on the blog and I am not completely comfortable sending them to everyone either. They can't be posted ANYWHERE!!!! So no pictures until he is officially ours which will be some time after the courts reopen. They reopen in a month or so, and then we have to wait for the adoption to go through the courts. So it will be a while. Sorry!!! I don't even know if I am supposed to put his name on here honestly, so I am airing on the safe side.

So Not an Accurate Quiz

You are most like: You are Yellow
The clouds part and the smell of daffodils and daisies fill the air when you are around. Your sunny disposition cheers most, and makes others (the jealous and bitter ones) wish you'd never gotten out of bed.
Take this quiz: Which Crayola Box of 8 Color Are You?
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"Kid Friendly" Explanation

I was already thinking that I would have to explain that comment......

It is true, I don't like to sit next to children in restaurants. Most restaurants. Why? Because most of the time when people take their children out, especially in our current home state, the parents see it as a chance to try out that, "It takes a village to raise a child" motto. It's suddenly mom and dad's break. I mean seriously, they will let the kids run around the restaurant, turn tables into sties a pig wouldn't frequent, kick the backs of booths, run up to other people's tables... And generally cause every childless couple's reproductive organs to shrivel and disappear.

Before I get the crabby comments, notice that I said most. And let's face it, anyone reading this agrees with me. You're right there with me, asking for a bottle of wine and shot of ANYTHING to drown it out. Now, you go to some places though and you learn to expect a certain amount of child noise, but over the last few years, I've been taking note of the places where people take their kids, but control them for the most part. They make them sit there and act like humans, like the little mini forms of adults... What a novel concept. Some of these would be Citris Grill, The Porcupine, Fratelli's even... All casual environments, good for well behaved children. I still don't think that other restaurants are made for children, but we will see how my opinion changes in the next few months... Although I guarantee you I will not sit somewhere like the Metropolitan as my child screams and throws a hissy fit, ignoring him to the detriment of everyone else who wanted to enjoy an evening out. Junior will be seeing the outside of the building faster than he can say "But I want it". I don't care. That's what take out is for and mommy has plenty of wine at home. You can sit in your room, and I can play pool.

So, in conclusion, yes, I have been taking note of events, restaurants, etc, where a well behaved child would fit in. And the one that we went to last weekend was the best of both worlds. Kids can run around and play on the grass, while mom and dad enjoy a nice sauvignon blanc and a slice of pate with a berry salad.

Happy now Jenny.... You better watch the smart ass cracks, or I will have to take your appointment to Aunt Jenny under review.....

Taste of the Nation

Last Sunday we went up to Solitude to attend the Taste of the Nation. This is an event held in cities across the country to raise money for people here in the states who can barely make ends meet. Basically, in honor of those who cannot afford Spam, the rest of us spend $x to go to an event where 40 or 50 local restaurants come together and create a tasting to represent their establishment. You go from tent to tent, and back as many times as you want, getting helpings of things like steak tartare, paella, corn chowder, mole's, awesome seared tuna, cupcakes, ice cream, etc... As well as all you can drink wine and beer. I know that in some places they have a mixologist.

I highly recommend attending this. The silent auction was pretty cool too. We walked away with a 100 year old bottle of balsamic vinegar and a limited edition Dr. Seuss Cat in the Hat cookie jar, a ton of cookies and brownies from Mrs. Fields, a cute little Dr. Seuss lunch box, and pail, which probably end up as a trash can for the upcoming midget.

It was definitely a good time though and kid friendly as well. You're outside the whole time and its just a nice summer afternoon - for a good cause.

Camera Update Part Deux

So, last Friday or Saturday, I can't remember, I got a message at home saying that my camera was being shipped back to me and I could expect it in about 5 days... I wonder if they were actually able to fix the poor thing.

Canine Casino Night

So last Friday my friend Jenny and I each took one of our dogs to No More Homeless Pets Canine Casino night. Its a fundraiser for homeless pets, in case you didn't catch that already.

It was great, dogs everywhere, a lot of them dressed up. Shelby wore a pink dress with a rhinestone skull and cross bone on the back, and Molly, Jenny's Boston Terrier, wore her wife beater with shiny Playboy bunnies all over it. For $35 everyone took their dogs to the Radisson, destroyed a ball room in the only way a room full of usually potty trained dogs who just met each other can, and drank so so drinks and had so so hors d'oeuvres. It really was fun though. We didn't ever get around to playing any of the casino games, but we hit the silent and live auction. I walked away with a gift certificate to Fleming's from the silent auction an Jenny got a day at doggy camp. In the live auction Jenny paddled us into another Fleming's gift certificate and tickets to the Slippery Kittens Burlesque show. If you go to this photo gallery, http://www.reddragonflyphotography.com/Galleries/Gateway.aspx?g=22 you can see all the cute doggies, including Shelby and Molly, and their great costumes. Check out the chihuahua, it was barely 2 pounds.

And everything went to a good cause. So if you ever have the chance to attend one of these, I fully recommend you do so!!!

Busy Busy

So I've been really busy lately so not a lot of time for blogging......

I realized that I never covered the whole vaccination outing. Cory and I are now protected against Yellow Fever, Menongitis, Hep A & B, got my first tetanus shot EVER and typhoid and a polio booster. I think that is it.

Cory wanted me to point out to the doctor that I have never had chicken pox and ask for the new vaccine that they have for that, but I thought that I had enough viruses being shot into me and I was done. I figure that my great grandma on my mom's side, and my grandma on my dad's side has never had it so I have a natural immunity... That's my story and I'm sticking to it. Seriously though, my class go chicken pox on two different occasions, where half got it the first time and the last half the second time and my younger brother had it over Christmas break when I was in junior high and my mom basically had me lick everything he ate off of, sit next to him, which was horrifying to me at the time, and drink from his glass, and nothing... I think I'm good without a shot.....

So now that I've covered that, I will try to do a few entries on what we've been up to, including Canine Casino night, when Jenny sends me the pics to add.. ;)

Sky Diving Decision

Unfortunately, I just have too much going on in August to do the sky diving. I know, don't I sound so important? But seriously, I have like the next 8 weekends planned with different parties, trips, etc... So no jumping out of a plane for me, this time....

And, who voted you're crazy anyway, do whatever you want? It was Christie, wasn't it?

Sky Diving

I see that two people have voted, and they both said yes, and take me with you....

So who voted and who is coming with?

New Poll

There, I did it ahead of schedule. You have a new poll to vote in to the right. I really am trying to work this out for next month. Amber is arranging it and I am not sure what I have going on the day that she has it scheduled for.. But it would be exciting. Anyone else want to go?

Polls

I realize that I have gotten totally behind on the polls. I had intended to do one every week, and that lasted all of two weeks. Big shock, ey?

I will put it on my to do list for this weekend to come up with something at least semi-interesting.

In the meantime, the baby pool is sucking it up. There are only two people over there. Now I realize that Christie and Jenny are good with those odds, but come on!!! Where are my gamblers?

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Camera Update

After my first camera was mercilessly smashed to bits in a dimly lit bathroom in a tiny bar in Prague - Yah, sugar packet, ha! I purchased another camera. This was on April 22. I bought it on line from Best Buy and during the checkout process was given the option of purchasing the warranty for Accidental Damage. Considering the demise of the previous camera, I thought that this would be wise. It lasted for 2 years.

Well, here we are 3 months later, and that is the best $30 I have spent in a long time. I took the camera and accompanying pieces into Best Buy today, and the woman at customer service took me to the Geek Squad. They were quite impressed with the state of the poor camera. After having me sign it into their care, one of the geeks said, "That should be ready in 2-3 weeks..... that's if they can even fix it." He sounded doubtful.. So I confirmed, "What happens if they CAN'T fix it"... "It'll be replaced." Fantastic!!! Happy customer.

Oh, and here's another little aside on the camera epic... Last night I was hosting a Liv Fit (SXinney) Party at my house. I wanted to use Cory's camera, since mine is broken and all. Well of course his is not charged. I put it in the docking port by the computer, and no lights come on. Keep in mind this is more Cory's PC than mine and behind the desk is a jungle of cords that no sane person would risk putting an appendage into. So I call him at work.
"Hey honey, the light is not coming on. Don't I just plug it in...?

Cory: "Yes, but it might not be working...."

Me: "Ok, why? And what is my alternate course of action"

Cory: "I unplugged it all when we went to Prague. I plugged it back in but not all the way..."

Me: "......" there is nothing to say.

Cory: "Use the cord that plugs into it its right there"

Me: "Right where, there are LOTS of cords here"

Cory: "Its black with grayish, and its got another thing on it, then it plugs into the camera.."

I am getting very irritated at this point needless to say. This is not the only thing that I have to do. I start looking under all the crap that is accumulated up there and finally find it, as he is still going on and on trying to describe with all sorts of helpful words and phrases like, "you know, the thingy, gray, black, like the computer"

I finally find it, and do you want to know what he said to me.... Divorces happen over less than this.

He says....

Well if you'd quit breaking your cameras you wouldn't have to be using mine.....

Thought he was funny.

Thought he was real funny.

You know how they show dams or other large objects in movies when they are about to break. Its all quiet and then they explode.

Yah, it was kind of like that.

What the #$#@%$@$@$@$#!!!???????? I HAVE NOT BROKEN ONE #$@$# CAMERA!!! And correct me if I'm wrong but every one that has been broken has been by someone with a penis!!! AAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!

Of course, you can hear him trying to cover up the phone laughing his ass off on the other end. yah.

Time Flies

So I know that I am going to be put on some adoption blog hit list for this one, but I really feel like the wait time for the referral is flying by. I mean seriously, I looked at our ticker today, and it seems like just yesterday that the little elephant was barely even pulling away from the left side. Now he's about a third of the way across.

I know that most people have a seriously hard time with the wait and considering how impatient I am typically, you would think that I would be too. But nope!!! It feels like it is just moving right along to me. I think that a large part of this is the fact that I had set expectations going into this regarding a wait time. I notice that a lot of people move fairly quickly from the decision to adopt, then into the process. Whereas we have been talking about this for years, knowing that we wouldn't start until last fall, so I got a lot of the urgent "I want it to happen now" out of me I think and had been reading the adoption blogs for so long that I had a realistic expectation set.

Wow, sounds like I'm awfully proud of myself doesn't it? Didn't mean to. Just wanted to comment on how quick that little baby elephant is moving!!!

Memories - Stolen from Amber's Blog

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.



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What Tree Did you Fall From (Also Stolen from Amber)


I am a Hazelnut Tree:

Hazelnut Tree (Extraordinary ) -- charming, sense of humor, very demanding but can also be very understanding, knows how to make a lasting impression, active fighter for social causes and politics, popular, quite moody, sexually oriented, honest, a perfectionist, has a precise sense of judgment and expects complete fairness.

Find your birthday and then find your tree. This is cool and somewhat accurate. Then send it to your friends, including the one that sent it to you, so they can find out what tree you fell from, but do not forget to change the subject line to your tree. Find your tree below and see how accurate it is ....

Dec 23 to Jan 01
Apple Tree
Jan 01 to Jan 11
Fir Tree
Jan 12 to Jan 24
Elm Tree
Jan 25 to Feb 03
Cypress Tree
Feb 04 to Feb 08
Poplar Tree
Feb 09 to Feb 18
Cedar Tree
Feb 19 to Feb 28
Pine Tree
Mar 01 to Mar 10
Weeping Willow Tree
Mar 11 to Mar 20
Lime Tree
Mar 21 (only)
Oak Tree
Mar 22 to Mar 31
Hazelnut Tree
Apr 01 to Apr 10
Rowan Tree
Apr 11 to Apr 20
Maple Tree
Apr 21 to Apr 30
Walnut Tree
May 01 to May 14
Poplar Tree
May 15 to May 24
Chestnut Tree
May 25 to Jun 03
Ash Tree
Jun 04 to Jun 13
Hornbeam Tree
Jun 14 to Jun 23
Fig Tree
Jun 24 (only)
Birch Tree
Jun 25 to Jul 04
Apple Tree
Jul 05 to Jul 14
Fir Tree
Jul 15 to Jul 25
Elm Tree
Jul 26 to Aug 04
Cypress Tree
Aug 05 to Aug 13
Poplar Tree
Aug 14 to Aug 23
Cedar Tree
Aug 24 to Sep 01
Pine Tree
Sep 02 to Sep 12
Weeping Willow Tree
Sep 13 to Sep 22
Lime Tree
Sep 23 (only)
Olive Tree
Sep 24 to Oct 03
Hazelnut Tree
Oct 04 to Oct 13
Rowan Tree
Oct 14 to Oct 23
Maple Tree
Oct 24 to Nov 11
Walnut Tree
Nov 12 to Nov 21
Chestnut Tree
Nov 22 to Dec 01
Ash Tree
Dec 02 to Dec 11
Hornbeam Tree
Dec 12 to Dec 21
Fig Tree
Dec 22 (only)
Beech Tree

TREES (in alphabetical order)
Apple Tree (Love) -- quiet and shy at times, lots of charm, appeal, And attraction, pleasant attitude, flirtatious smile, adventurous, sensitive, loyal in love, wants to love and be loved, faithful and tender partner, very generous, many talents, loves children, needs affectionate partner.

Ash Tree (Ambition) -- extremely attractive, vivacious, impulsive, demanding, does not care for criticism, ambitious, intelligent, talented, likes to play with fate, can be very egotistic, reliable, restless lover, sometimes money rules over the heart, demands attention, needs love and much emotional support.

Beech Tree (Creative) -- has good taste, concerned about its looks, materialistic, good organization of life and career, economical, good leader, takes no unnecessary risks, reasonable, splendid lifetime companion, keen on keeping fit (diets, sports, etc.).

Birch Tree (Inspiration) -- vivacious, attractive, elegant, friendly, unpretentious, modest, does not like anything in excess, abhors the vulgar, loves life in nature and in calm, not very passionate, full of imagination, little ambition, creates a calm and content atmosphere.

Cedar Tree (Confidence ) -- of rare strength, knows how to adapt, Likes unexpected presents, of good health, not in the least shy, tends to look down on others, self-confident, a great speaker, determined, often impatient, likes to impress others, has many talents, industrious, healthy optimism, waits for the one true love, able to make quick decisions.

Chestnut Tree (Honesty) -- of unusual stature, impressive, well-developed sense of justice, fun to be around, a planner, born diplomat, can be irritated easily, sensitive of others feelings, hard worker, sometimes acts superior, feels not understood at times, fiercely family oriented, very loyal in love, physically fit.

Cypress Tree (Faithfulness) -- strong, muscular, adaptable, takes What life has to give but doesn't necessarily like it, strives to be content, optimistic, wants to be financially in dependent, wants love and affection, hates loneliness, passionate lover which cannot be satisfied, faithful, quick-tempered at times, can be unruly and careless, loves to gain knowledge, needs to be needed.

Elm Tree (Noble-mindedness ) -- pleasant shape, tasteful clothes, modest demands, tends not to forgive mistakes, cheerful, likes to lead but not to obey, honest and faithful partner, likes making decisions for others, noble-minded, generous, good sense of humor, practical..

Fig Tree (Sensibility ) -- very strong minded, a bit self-willed, honest, loyal, independent, hates contradiction or arguments, hard worker when wants to be, loves life and friends, enjoys children and animals, sexually oriented, great sense of humor, has artistic talent and great intelligence.

Fir tree (Mysterious ) -- extraordinary taste, handles stress well, loves anything beautiful, stubborn, tends to care for those close to them, hard to trust others, yet a social butterfly, likes idleness and laziness after long demanding hours at work, rather modest, talented, unselfish, many friends, very reliable.

Hazelnut Tree (Extraordinary ) -- charming, sense of humor, very demanding but can also be very understanding, knows how to make a lasting impression, active fighter for social causes and politics, popular, quite moody, sexually oriented, honest, a perfectionist, has a precise sense of judgment and expects complete fairness.

Hornbeam Tree (Good Taste) -- of cool beauty, cares for its looks and condition, good taste, is not egoistic, makes life as comfortable as possible, leads a reasonable and disciplined life, looks for kindness and acknowledgment in an emotional partner, dreams of unusual lovers, is seldom happy with its feelings, mistrusts most people, is never sure of its decisions, very conscientious.

Lime Tree (Doubt) - intelligent, hard working, accepts what life dishes out, but not before trying to change bad circumstances into good ones, hates fighting and stress, enjoys getaway vacations, may appear tough, but is actually soft and relenting, always willing to make sacrifices for family and friends, has many talents but not always enough time to use them, great leadership qualities, is jealous at times but extremely loyal.

Maple Tree (Independence of Mind ) -- no ordinary person, full of imagination and originality, shy and reserved, ambitious, proud, self-confident, hungers for new experiences, sometimes nervous, has many complexities, good memory, learns easily, complicated love life, wants to impress.

Oak Tree (Brave) -- robust nature, courageous, strong, unrelenting, independent, sensible, does not like change, keeps its feet on the ground, person of action.

Olive Tree (Wisdom) -- loves sun, warmth and kind feelings, reasonable, balanced, avoids aggression and violence, tolerant, cheerful, calm, well-developed sense of justice, sensitive, empathetic, free of jealousy, loves to read and the company of sophisticated people.

Pine Tree (Peacemaker) -- loves agreeable company, craves peace and harmony, loves to help others, active imagination, likes to write poetry, not fashion conscious, great compassion, friendly to all, falls strongly in love but will leave if betrayed or lied to, emotionally soft, low self-esteem, needs affection and reassurance.

Poplar Tree (Uncertainty) -- looks very decorative, talented, not very self-confident, extremely courageous if necessary, needs goodwill and pleasant surroundings, very choosy, often lonely, great animosity, great artistic nature, good organizer, tends to lean toward philosophy, reliable in any situation, takes partnership seriously.

Rowan Tree (Sensitivity) -- full of charm, cheerful, gifted without egoism, likes to draw attention, loves life, motion, unrest, and even complications, is both dependent and independent, good taste, artistic, passionate, emotional, good company, does not forgive.

Walnut Tree (Passion) -- unrelenting, strange and full of contrasts, often egotistic, very attractive, aggressive, noble, broad horizon, unexpected reactions, spontaneous, unlimited ambition, no flexibility, difficult and uncommon partner, not always liked but often admired, ingenious strategist, very jealous and passionate, no compromise.

Weeping Willow (Melancholy) - likes to be stress free, loves family life, full of hopes and dreams, attractive, very empathetic, loves anything beautiful, musically inclined, loves to travel to exotic places, restless, capricio= us, honest, can be influenced but is not easy to live with when pressured, sometimes demanding, good intuition, suffers in love until they find that one loyal, steadfast partner; loves to make others laugh.