Our Christmas Fun!

Well we had a great Christmas with lots of cheer. We all had fun and received gifts that we wanted. We have fond memories from each side of the family and had a wonderful time spending time in our little family as well. Hope you all had a great one.

"Us"

Youngest niece and sister

cute nieces

The dog taking what she wanted for Christmas

Scott, Alyssa and the nephews

New books, Hooray!!

Lyssie Lou's Christmas hat & mittens

tired of waiting for the picture

It was a beautiful day.

Today was the day that William Theodore was laid to rest. It was a beautiful day. The snow was falling covering everything with a soft, white blanket of snow. William looked peaceful as if he were just asleep. After the services graveside, the sun came out of the clouds, lit up the sky and warmed the earth. We will always be grateful for the short time we had to spend with William and we look forward to seeing him again.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Just when we thought that things were settling down, Whitney is back in the hospital with an infection. We had to postpone the services and now are not sure when they will be. Poor Whitney. This lady has spent all of December in the hospital except for a few days. Our prayers go out to you and your family Whit. Hang in there. The scriptures never say things "Come to stay," they just "Come to pass."

On another note I cannot believe how fast time flies when you are old. I never thought I would be my age, never pictured it. I don't feel like I am over 20....but we all know that I am way passed that age. Oh well, what can you do about it. It was my oldest neice's birthday on Saturday. I can't believe how big she is. Next year she will be baptized. I just love this little girl. She is so full of spunk and sometimes (according to her mom) too much spunk. Happy Birthday Haley!!


We took some photos of the kids so I thought I might post a few for your viewing pleasure.

It has been over a month since I have written anything here. This wasn't really intentional, but I didn't feel that I had anything important to write about. Nothing significant except the daily routine. Now...my head is filled with thoughts and I don't think I'll be able to accurately put them into words.

The Christmas season is a wonderful time of year for me. It is my favorite holiday. This is not because I am excited for my own gifts. I feel the Spirit of the Lord so strongly this time of year. I love thinking about perfect gifts for others. I love to pick angels off the angel tree. I wish I could help in some way the people that we all know are out there suffering.

I haven't really discussed my spiritual beliefs before on this blog, but I will say a bit now. I know that God lives and loves each one of us individually. I know there is life after death. I know that our Savior Jesus Christ bled from every pore in the Garden so that we can return to Him once again. I know that children are a gift from God. I can't wait until I am able to hold Emma in my arms and feel that everlasting love for her.

My nephew William Theodore was born December 9, 2008 at 7:59 pm. His sweet little body was perfect. He had long slender fingers, blond eyelashes and perfectly formed toenails. His spirit returned to Heavenly Father a few hours before. As I saw his mother smile and kiss his head the tears flowed freely because it was such a tender moment. I felt an overwhelming calm and peace because William will be with his family again. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16). Through the plan of salvation, families can be together forever. We are so very blessed by the Savior's gift to us.

William's Mother and Father are very proud of their son and they can't wait to see him again. Neither can I.

Tuesday Tell All

So I know it's not Tuesday, but a good topic anyway. I checked the Tuesday tell all blog that has ended, but a couple of readers took it upon themselves to keep the weekly fun going. Their most recent question was "Tell us about the last book you read."

The last book I read was "Silent Tears, A Journey of Hope in a Chinese orphanage" by Kay Bratt. It is her journal of her experience of living in China and her volunteerism in the Chinese Welfare Services (orphanages). I know that a great many families adopting from China have read and are reading this book and there will be many different opinions, but here is my take:

I have never read a book that had me so riveted to the story. I could not put it down. I'm not sure if it was because I am adopting from China or if the story was just that compelling. She talks about her move to China for her husband's new job. She talks about the change and how difficult it is in China. Once her life seems to smooth out a bit she starts to volunteer at a Chinese orphanage.

At first it is all she can do to return to the orphanage the next day. The things she sees the first day in the orphanage make her sad and disgusted at the way the babies are treated. The story moves on to describe how she tries to help the babies by giving them extra time to eat, rubbing their backs, talking with them and comforting them. She starts to notice some change in the babies. Some of the babies she is able to help, even finding them an adoptive home. Other babies die, some suffer pain and agony. She gets move involved trying to get people to donate money for special surgeries in which the babies will die without them. She sees many heartwarming and courageous children which often gives her hope, but she has very painful experiences that leave her thinking that she won't go back to the orphanage the next day.

Knowing that my child is coming from China makes this story all the more real to me. I know that things have changed for the better in China, but I also know how poor and desperate some orphanages are. I will never know if my baby will be subjected to the treatment that was talked about in this book. All I can do is hope and pray. Pray my child doesn't suffer as much, isn't as cold and that she doesn't go without food. My most fervent wish is that my daughter doesn't cry silent tears as most of the children do.

An excerpt from the journal:

November 4, 2003

"When I arrived today and headed for my special baby, Squirt, I found his little bed empty and all his blankets gone. A dreadful feeling washed over me. I didn't want to ask; I was afraid to know and I was afraid not to know. My hands began to shake. I glanced around and caught the workers turning from me. I could tell from their downcast, guilty expressions that it was bad news. My eyes finally met Xiao Annie's and then I knew. She made the sign over her eyes to indicate someone had died.

I stumbled over to the small stools we sit on while holding the babies. My legs lost all strength as I lowered myself and covered my face with my hands. Mercifully, no one tried to patronize me by attempting words of comfort. I was in shock. I couldn't understand. Three days ago, Squirt had been fine; he was not sick, and he was eating with a hearty appetite. I was certain he was going to make it. Every time I fed him, I stared into his eyes and willed him to survive. Sure, he looked like a shriveled up old man, but it seemed his hunger to live was sustaining him and helping him to become stronger each week.

Squirt is gone. He never had the chance to get well and to have a family. I can't stop thinking of his last moments. I wasn't there for him.

I wasn't there. I did not get to hold him as he left this world. He had to die alone. I wasn't there. I can't do this anymore.

FOR AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE SEE THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE!!!

Tales from the "Rat Children" Series

So....I'm what I call at "rat child." My family (sister's) completely know and understand what this means and now so does the hubs. I can easily call myself a "rat" child and have no problem whatsoever with it. Let me explain. I grew up in the late 70's and 80's. I did not have what you would call an "overprotective" mom. Mom was an English/Literature teacher and taught school until she started having us. I know mom had read ton's and ton's of children's literature as she had many of those books out for us to read. They had wild, romantic, whimsical stories of child play and imagination and fanciful things. Mom wanted us to grow up just like that...taking in the world and delighting in our imaginations. She wanted us to have adventures just like Tom Sawyer, Huck Finn and Alice in Wonderful. Little did she know what that turned into...

We did have adventures, many, many adventures. I'm just not sure that they were exactly as she had pictured them. I, being the eldest of 4 girls always had something on my mind. Some purpose to our play, and I was perfectly please to invoke the rights of my age and command my sisters to be actors in my...ahem...well thought out adventures.

So back to the "rat child" description. I use the term "rat child" to describe me, so don't take offense if you were this type of child as well. You can choose not to call yourself any names, and that is just fine with me. A "rat child" is a kid that is pretty much told to go outside, entertain yourself and come back for lunch and return for dinner. We found all kinds of adventures through the stuff we found and had available to us outdoors. (Not in the winter mind you, but during spring, summer and part of fall.)

Here is the first of many of my "rat stories" to come.

I'll call this one "Swimming Pool Slime"

It was a sunny day during a month and a year I don't remember. We (my two younger sister's) and I were all hot and put on our swimming suits. Maybe it was too early in the year to have a little swimming pool or maybe we just didn't have one. I don't remember and it really doesn't matter anyway. My little sis's Lori and Karen wanted to go for a swim. We were tired of just turning on the hose (because I mostly held the hose the most and would squirt them down over and over again). I always had a great time playing with the hose...I don't know why they didn't.

Anyway it was the day after garbage day and I suddenly had a great idea. I grabbed our metal garbage cans and drug them into the back yard. I pulled the hose as far as it would go and started to fill the trash cans up with water. By the time the trash can's had filled up almost all the way the water was actually getting warm because the can's had been sitting in the sun and they were now blistering hot. When the task was done. I picked up my younger sister Karen and plopped her in one of the cans. Lori was old enough that she got into her can without help. As they were sitting in the warm water I came closer and I saw things floating in the cans...old paper, some vegetable peelings etc. Then came the stink. We all knew that the garbage cans held garbage but for some reason that never came into play in my thoughts. When I smelled the stink and saw the garbage I grabbed my nose and ran. I remember looking back over my shoulder and seeing my two sisters in the garbage cans up to their arms and neck with this look of horror frozen on their faces. I'm sorry about this part, but I just can't seem to remember what happened after that. All I know is that they still talk about this today and I always hear my name being tossed about as being the mean older sister. I might have actually felt bad at the time I did it, but now we all laugh and laugh at the stuff I got them to do as well as the fact that they did it every time.

That's all for now, but tune in as more of the "rat child" stories will be discussed.

Alright, Okay stop your laughing

Now I know most of you never rented Toy St*ry 5 that never made it past the video store. Most people haven't. Jessie the cowgirl lost interest in Woody. Woody became depressed after Andy grew up and became friends with Sid the sadistic next door neighbor. Andy started blowing up his toys and even went as far as to put Slinky's head onto Rex's body. Rex became a trans-animal who eventually became homeless. Jessie was disgusted with Andy and how pathetic Woody had been begging Andy to still be his friend. Woody finally eloped with Bo-Peep who had by this time lost all of her sheep.

Jessie set out on her own and met Mr. Potato Head. She loved his smile, his sense of humor and his humility. After 6 months of dating they married and have been happy ever since. Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head are now content to live their lives, but Mr. Potato Head has a bit of OCD and doesn't like to leave the house much. Jessie convinced him to come to the church Halloween Party and had herself a GREAT laugh indeed.

The End.

Mrs. Jessie Potato Head

Mr. Potato Head

"Late Nights" are Great Nights

So there are moms around our neighborhood who don't really want their kids to have sleep overs. I'm okay with that, they have their reasons and it really means less work for me as well. Instead of having sleep overs we have "Late Nights." A Late Night is when the friend comes over and plays, does activities, eats dinner (obviously pizza), watches Movies and stays up late but then returns home to do the sleeping in her own bed.

Last Night Lyssie Lou had one such activity. Since its getting close to Halloween, and she'll be with her mom this year on Halloween, I made the Late Night a "Halloween Theme."

Here is the "Pumpkin Pizza"

The Girls working on carving their pumpkins.

Showing off their blue tongues from eating blue suckers while watching

"The C*rpse Br#de"

The finished projects with Ace protecting them.

Bad Luck Blues

When

will

this

Bad Luck end?

Scott and I were just walking around in our living room when all of a sudden we heard the crash of glass shattering. We wondered what it was and after looking around, Scott thought about our pool table light. Yes, indeedy our light (which cost more than our stove) had pulled out of the ceiling and shattered on the pool table.

I'm beginning to think that I inadvertently stepped on 5 black cats, walked under countless ladders, saw several broken mirrors and was without salt to throw over my shoulder.

Some Sunshine out there

Today I was feeling down, I felt like I didn't have the information to make a wise decision in this adoption pursuit. I wondered, how I could make a decision when I didn't know how the process was to be done. But then I came across this Statement coming from the USCIS. My hopes are again renewed. It may be 2011 when we get Emma, but we will get her under the same rules we have been following. Read the following good news!!

******BREAKING NEWS******
Dear Families & Friends,
After advocating on behalf of adoptive families for the past 6 months, Joint Council is very pleased to confirm that USCIS has announced a very positive ruling concerning the I-600A process.
In summary, it is our understanding that, effective immediately, families who filed Form I-600A, Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition, prior to April 1, 2008 and whose USCIS approval of that petition (aka the I-171H) has not expired, will be able to proceed with their adoption under the I-600A process if they take certain steps while their approval remains valid. This means that families with valid Form I-600A approvals will not be required to transition to The Hague process via Form I-800A. In order to maintain their status as ‘grandfathered’ cases, families with non-expired Form I-600A approvals must request a one-time free extension. Then, prior to the expiration of the one-time free extension, families must file a new Form I-600A and pay the appropriate fee.
It is also our understanding that families with a Form I-600A approval that has expired and who have not obtained an extension or filed a new Form I-600A, will need to undertake the Hague process. The Hague process will also apply to any petitioner who has not completed their adoption by 2014.
As we noted in our Position Statement, this ruling will save adoptive families thousands of dollars, eliminate countless sleepless nights and ensures that their adoption can proceed to completion.

We need your help to bring our daughter home!

As most of you know, Scott and I have been in the process of adopting a little girl from China for several years now.

Recently new legislation has been passed to help better regulate and facilitate international adoptions. Unfortunately several government agencies have chosen to interpret this legislation in a manner that will negatively impact our adoption, along with thousands of other American families who are trying to adopt internationally.

We have been waiting for almost 3 years for our adoption in China. We are so close to seeing our daughter's face and picking her up from an orphanage where her cries go unheard. This loose interpretation of the new legislation is a HUGE penalty for families who started their adoptions before The Hague legislation was implemented and is unfair and unjust.

Let us finish our adoptions, and allow us to bring our long-awaited children home!! We are only asking that you take a few minutes of your time to read and then sign the following petition to help us welcome the daughter we know is waiting to be held in our arms. Please help us to bring our daughter home!

As you go to the link please take a moment to read the explanation offered to better understand the situation and our predicament:

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/adoption-for-all.html

In addition, we have sent emails supporting the Joint Council Position Paper on I-600A Renewals. In a nutshell this would allow us to continue using the I-600A paperwork we started with rather than having to:

• Switch agencies.
• Have an updated home-study done.
• Pay thousands of additional dollars.
• Re-qualify under the new and more stringent Chinese rules (If we can).
• Ultimately end up at the back of the line (behind more than 25,000 people).
• All of which would effectively end the pursuit of our Chinese adoption.

All of this can be prevented if these overseeing government agencies will follow the letter and intent of the law which was to allow us to continue using the I-600A paperwork rather than the more stringent I-800 forms the Hague wants to implement.

Please help us by sending an email with your support to the following addresses:
advocate@jcics.org
mark@ccainstitute.org

Below is a sample of what you can send:

To Whom It May Concern,

“I/we understand that USCIS is actively engaged in seeking a resolution to the I-600A issue. I/we wish to offer our support in their efforts to find an immediate resolution to the I-600A Extension issue.”

Thank you for your attention to this important issue.

Sincerely,

Thank you for your help so we can welcome Emma home,

Susie & Scott Phillips

Tell me it ain't so!

I CAN NOT believe that I am actually in the situation I am in. Me being young and stupid (and in tune with the cosmic forces, and not paying attention pretty much) killed my microwave a few days ago. I thought I had just put it on a timer mode to time the dinner, when in actuality I had put it on cook mode. So while I was out "being good and helping the community" my microwave had a meltdown literally. I came back and the thing had shut off completely warped the glass plate and everything. So... kicking myself a few hundred times I set off to find a new microwave.

Yay! Got a new microwave! While installing the new microwave today the hubby and I were trying to balance the stupid huge monstrosity and we put some weight on my glass cook top. Yes, you guessed it...my freaking stove now has a huge hole in the middle of it and yes I now need a new stove.

What a craptastic day.

Anatomy of an Elk Hunt (as told by my hubs)

Friday morning leave early at 4 am so you can get to the place early and scout for elk.

• Friday morning leave early at 4 am so you can get to your Dad's house to find out the trailer hitch has a hitch problem. You fix the hitch problem and end up 1/3 of the way to your destination around 11 am.

Get to campsite and set up so you can scout for elk.

• Get to campsite late and get camp set up late and find out that it is to dark to scout for elk.

Get up early again to go for the morning hunt

• Actually get up early and hunt elk while the weather changes from soft to drenching rain. Get drenched, head back to campsite for lunch.

Get back to campsite, while pouring rain try to make sandwiches with uncut lunch meat. Hubs, cuts the lunch meat in preparation for the sandwiches.

• Hubs cuts the lunch meat with sharp hunting knife and while doing slices a 3 inch incision down the finger. Finger bleeds, bleeds and bleeds and now has gone numb.

Go get medical care

• 3 adults men decide that since the bleeding is so profuse they should seek some medical attention. Drive to small town and go to instacare.

Receive stitches and watertight finger packing.

• Hubs receives stitches and having already been given 4 shots to numb the pain feels every stitch being pulled through the skin.

Go back out to hunt in the evening.

• Since it was a downpour decided to get some lunch and go to a movie.

Get up early the next morning and hunt for elk.

• Sit in truck and listen to conference with the heater on while watching the snow collapse the tent.

Eat lunch and go back out for the evening hunt.

• After listening to conference brave the snow to pack up belongings and head for home.

Arrive home having "seen a few deer" and having an awesome story to tell the nephews about being attacked by a chipmunk.

Holy Hideous Batman!!!

So I'm trying to learn how to knit so I can make some cutie things for Emma and Lyssie Lou. I just talked with my sis Karen who said that she could help me crochet some stuff as well. (I did learn to knit and crochet a bazillion years ago when I was 12 or so, but those memories are long gone). Anyway, I was surfing the net to find some free patterns that were cute when I came across this:

Katamari Damacy Prince of All Cosmos Baby Hat

Okay I am really sorry to the person who designed this hat, but who would torture your dear sweet baby and make them wear this??? I did have the pattern listed below thinking that some of you might be into the tortue of children, but since I wasn't seeing any takers I have since removed them. I would like to note, however, that the author of this pattern said "who knows may your baby would enjoy "bopping the padded sides against things." I'm sure that is exactly what the newborn is doing...bopping it head against the sides of things. snort. yeah right!

Getting a little bit of the fever...

Just getting a few vibes for spookiness. Here are some pumpkins we carved in years gone by aren't they awesome?

What to talk about?

I have about a bazillion things floating in and out of my mind right now so there is really not one thing I want to talk about. I think if I start talking about one subject it could easily lead to another and another and another and that will just seem like mush to me and most certainly to you. I decided instead to fill in the blank as I feel this may be the only way to slow down my brain.

I'm supposed to answer the following questions with just one word. Here goes:

1. Where is your cell phone? ....................pocket
2. Your significant other?.......................love
3. Your hair?....................................long
4. Your mother? .................................miss
5. Your father?..................................frustrating
6. Your favorite thing?..........................many
7. Your dream last night?........................none
8. Your favorite drink...........................virgin Pina Colada
9. Your dream/goal?..............................Mother
10. The room you're in?..........................Baby's
11. Your children?.....................................love
12. Your fear?...................................many
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years...........home with kids
14. Where were you last night?...................home
15. What you're not?.............................patient
16. Muffins......................................blueberry
17. One of your wish list items?.................perfect yard
18. Where you grew up?........................... O-town
19. What you read last........................19 minutes
20. What are you wearing?........................casual
21. Your TV?.....................................off
22. Your pets?...................................Ace
23. Your computer? ..............................busy
24. Your life?...................................complicated
25. Your mood?...................................depends
26. Missing someone?.............................mom
27. Your car?....................................runs
28. Something you're not wearing?................earrings
29. Favorite Store?..............................Banana Republic
30. Your summer?.................................okay
31. Like someone?................................yes
32. Your favorite color?.........................none
33. Last time you laughed........................5 pm
34. Last time you cried?.........................5 pm

Probably not very interesting but some of those made me think. Consider yourself tagged "if you want to." Karen, Stacie and Lori, I better see this on your blogs soon!!

It's a Fright!!!

Okay I don't know if I have ever done this before on my blog, so here it goes...actually I'm quite nervous to do it because I don't know if I'll enjoy the results. (Blowing my breath out now) I'm going to post how many more days until my referral date. I know I may be a bit premature doing this, but a lot of friends are posting theirs because they are getting closer to their referrals.

I posted my LID anniversary's before and kind of got bored with doing that, but if any of you out there are interested we are coming up on our 26th LID anniversary on October 11th. For those that don't understand China adoption talk that means our dossier has be in China for 26 months now.

Here is what I've dreaded...there are officially 183 more days until our referral. That is actual days weekends and holiday's included. I just find it so much easier to not worry about certain days getting a certain number of referrals. I just take the total amount of referrals from the 183 days left before our referral. Typically the CCAA refers 5,6,7,9 and once in a blue moon 12 days of referrals. Here are my scary numbers:

Actually I just tried to work out all the numbers and I was getting answers I just can't deal with right now suggesting at worst referral in 2011. I just need to think positively, not worry about numbers. Concentrate on hope, attrition rates and pray for my little one to get here as soon as possible. I never in my wildest dreams thought that we would have been still waiting at this point in time. I think Lyssie Lou who was almost nine when we started this and now is 11, has given up hope of ever "actually" having a little sister.

Too Many Birthday's

In our Family we have a lot of birthday's starting from July until January. In fact I think they are all in that time frame. Dianne and Whitney's birthday's are in July, mine and Lyssie Lou's are in August, Mike and Shannon in September. Ted's is in October I think, and I also think Russell's is in November along with Tanner and Ethan. Scott is in December and Steve's is in January. Fall is a crazy time for us. Over the weekend we celebrated Shannon and Mike's birthday together. It was a great time. Dianne made Cafe Rio dinner yum, yum. I'll include some pics from the party.

Scott & Dianne

Evan (my cute newest nephew)

Tanner & Ethan (my cute older nephews)

Ted and Whitney

Sorry Whitney, I just had to post this picture...you made it too easy to do it. LOL

A GREAT flick!!

I'm not sure whether guys would like this show, but I loved it. Rented "August Rush" tonight and it just made me cry. I'm not sure if I'm just a bawl baby, a wimp or just emotionally exhausted. I thought it was just an excellent movie. Oh well it doesn't really matter anyway. I just wanted to recommend it to people who haven't seen it.

On another note, Scott and I cleaned out our soft sided swimming pool. Talk about disgusting! We turned the filter off a few weeks ago when the interest in it started dwindling and since that time the bottom turned an ugly shade of green-brown. I don't want to know what that stuff was other than algae, but there were GIANT dead bugs of all kind. Huge bumblebees, dragonflies, water skeeters, grasshoppers and who knows what else inhabited that water. Ewwww. Needless to say I am not going to be happy about putting that up next year for the kiddo. Maybe she won't remember next summer...yeah right. Scott came in the house with an outline on his leg of green goo. Yes gross I know.

I just found out that some local China waiting mom's are getting together soon for lunch. I can't wait to see everyone and catch up. I hope a lot of people show up. It should be soooo fun.
I'm off to bed as it's midnight and I'm having to think twice about what I'm saying and writing.

A Fishin' we will go

Labor Day weekend we went up to Grampa's Cabin for some semi-campin' and fishin' fun. Once we got all the cousins their together they had a blast. With all cousins included we had 7 kids under the age of 12. Lyssie Lou, Haley and Carly always have fun together while Jackson, Dylan and Garret play like champs. Avery, the littlest gets along with everyone especially because the older girl cousins love to play mommy with her. She, of course is the perfect baby!! A great time was had by all.

The kids rode 4 wheelers, played in the sand, took walks and went fishin. The following pic is with some of the cousins in the boat with uncle Cary and Grampa. The boat was full to the gills.


On another note...I just found out that a friend dear to my heart received an answer to prayer and was able to bring her baby girl home. I am so happy for my friend. Her daughter is beautiful and she reminds me of why I still wait for Emma. Congratulations!!

Gettin into it!

So I'm going to hurry and post for August 26th's question so I can be right on target. The question for the week is:

This week, for posterity's sake, share with us a school memory from your own childhood.
What is your earliest memory of school, what did you love about the first week of school, who was your favorite teacher, subject, or playground game?

My earliest memory of school is pre-school. I have some vague memories of bubbles floating up in the air and painting, but my firm memory is that I had days-of-the-week undies. I remember using the potty and pulling down 2 or 3 days worth of undies. The teacher asked me why I had donned so much protection that day and I remember answering that I wasn't quite sure what day of the week it was so better safe than sorry. My favorite subject was definitely English or science. 4 square or teatherball were my fav's and I have to admit I was hard to beat.

On a personal note...those of you who are following along with our Chinese adoption we have a bit of bad news. New this year the Hague (a governing body in adoption) has specific requirments that now must be met in order for an agency to handle your adoption. Our agency despite being so good was turned down for Hague Accreditation. They are reapplying after a few minor adjustments and we hope they are approved this time. We are asking for your prayers to join with ours in hopes that this will happen for our agency.

What this means is if our agency does not gain accreditation, then they might not be able to handle our dossier if it expires again before we are referred a baby. There might be a stipulation wherein all the agencies previous clients would be grandfathered in. We are hoping for this. If this were to occur we would hope to be referred a baby by 8/19/09 which is when we would need our dossier updated.

We are hoping that all who know us will keep this in their thoughts and prayers. Thank You to all who have shared in this journey with us thus far. You honestly don't understand how much it means to us.

A renewal of effort

Okay I know that I have been really lazy in posting this summer...not that we sat around, just that I didn't feel like blogging. I came across this new blog through my sister's blog "The Cozarts". It is call Tuesday Tell All. I don't know why it is called that because it seems like they post a question every Friday. It is kind of a Q & A. I think these questions will give me some motivation to post at least every week.

Their question of Friday August 15th was: What are your families back to school traditions?

My answer is that we don't have many but we always go school shopping for new clothes, new folders, pencilboxes, pencils and pens...things like that. I am not sure if we will continue this into a tradition, but this year we got Alyssa a pedicure and polish. Boy did she loooovvve that!!!

4th of July Celebration

This year we spent the 4th seeing the "Stadium of Fire." This show included military tributes, the Blue Man Group and Miley Cyrus. Lyssie Lou had a great time. She sang and danced, she totally immersed herself in the music of her teenage idol.

Splish Splash we were takin' a bath

Lyssie Lou and a few friends trying to beat the summer heat!!

Thanksgiving Point Discovery Gardens um..um..fun

The Kids had fun this past week at Thanksgiving Point's Discovery Gardens.

Below are the photo details

Where will our next adventure lead?

Happy Farter's uh Father's Day

I am posting a little late for Father's day, but I have a cute photo and some commentary on Father's.

"A father is a fellow who has replaced the currency in his wallet with the snapshots of his kids.”

I think Scott had a good Father's Day. We went to see Grandpa Ted and he had a good day too!

Here is a cute picture of Scott and Ace chillin' like villians.

Summa Time!!!

Lyssie Lou finished school yesterday and now has the rest of the summer to go crazy. That, I'm sure she will do. We have some fun ideas for her and some exciting plans. I hope she enjoys this summer as that is a goal I have every summer for her.

This wait for our adoption is really hard. From one moment till the next I can't tell you how I'll be feeling about it. Sometimes I think about it almost all day and there are other days that I don't think about it at all. It's when I don't think about it that I do better. I really think that women do have "little clocks" that tick. I'd swear it wasn't true, but I feel it all the time. I think "when will this finally happen," and "geez how old will I be when I get our child?"

Scott and I are actually toying with the idea of doing an interim adoption domestically while waiting for our Chinese daughter. I don't know how things will end up being but I guess that is why adoption is so exciting.

I talked with Karen today and I'm so glad she is feeling better. Every living thing in her home has been sick with the vomit flu. Yesterday Karen felt like crap (as I'm sure anyone would when chucking every hour, and having your baby chuck right along side you). Today even though she still wasn't feeling well she was cleaning her bathrooms of all the nasty. So Karen feel better and remember that I'm happy to help in these situations. When you work in a hospital you get used to the 3 P's...Pee, Poop and Puke. Call away.

Pictures from Mouse World and other So Cal places

So, I know it has been a long time since I have posted. Why? I don't know. I just can't seem to get into blogging like I was before. I'm trying to kick that feeling but only time will tell.



The pictures should tell the story of the Vacation pretty well.

And we're off

Disneyland checklist

1. Packing 3 people...check
2. All errands ran... check
3. Paperwork in order... check
4. Dog care arrangement... check
5. Ready for 7 days with 6 children under the age of 10... no way!!!

I'll report the details later...wish me luck!

Yippie-kay-yi-yay

Don't know why I chose that title...probably because I'm in this wierd giggly everythings funny type of mood. I really wish the weather would stop being so whishy washy. It's spring already, I know we live in a desert but I don't care I want warm weather. It snowed yesterday. It's not like it's February or March, it's April already we can stop with the winter weather.

By the time it warms up enough for me to go out and tend to the flowers it'll be July!! I found a sketch of my dream home today. I know it is the house I have always dreamed about. Someday when we are filthy rich it might happen but not until then.

My youngest sister started a blog, but as of yet she has only made one post. I think maybe she doesn't think it is cool because no one has visited her blog yet; only family. If you feel like it click on her blog in my sidebar. The Rigby's #4 sister.

I'm getting anxious to leave this weather and we are taking a trip in a couple of weeks down to good ole' mousetown to see the main mouse himself.

Once again it is Sunday. Today was so great for me. I had many things to think and ponder about. It comes to me again what a miracle life is. We all have choices to make and live as we live and time goes by. I am a firm believer in attitude. I believe you can be in the lowest of circumstances and be as happy and free as any rich and/or prosperous people. It's how you look upon your life and what you place importance on.

I feel that I have been very blessed in my life. I have wonderful parents who reared me to be thankful for many things. Life is difficult at some points, but if we remember how wonderful life really is we can be happy in any circumstance.

I feel blessed to be able to adopt a child, especially one from such a wonderful culture. I know that the wait is hard (we all know that)...but I hear that once your child is placed in your arms the long feelings of the wait just disappear. I hope that we can all be as positive as we can while we wait for our precious children to be placed in our arms. I am dreaming of that day and I will hold on for that day.

Why do I have such a writer's block?

This task of writing in a blog seems to be a lot more difficult than I thought after the long break I took from blogging. Now my two youngest sisters have blogs and they are much funnier than I am. I will direct you to theirs if you are looking for a good laugh. My sister Karen has 3 kids which keep her very much entertained. Although sometimes I get several calls a day from her telling me of the fun "adventures" that have created an absurd amount of cleaning for her now to do. I guess I'm not much help because I only live maybe 5 miles from her but I don't volunteer to come help. Sorry K.

I'm frustrated as I'm sure everyone else is about this darned wait. Recently I saw the rumor queen state that they were placing through Jan. 10, 2006. A whopping 4 days! It seems like forever before we will get to my date of August 11,2006. Good Glory!!

A Fun week

Valentines Day...a day I have mixed feelings about, is it fun? Is it lame? I don't know. I do know that we sure did have fun this valentines day. We all dressed up and went to the Ballet to see "Cinderella." It was so good. The evil stepsisters were played by men who completely exaggerated their characters. They had us laughing the whole time. Afterwards, we went to dinner and overall it was a great evening. My hubs also sent me flowers..so nice.


Friday, Ace was done with boot camp and let me just tell you that was one happy dog that we brought home. We were all happy to have him back, and back minding and obeying everything we say. I LOVE MY DOG!!

Needless to say when we got home both A and Ace were both happy and tired as I snuck a few photos of the sleeping friends.