Tuesday, September 25, 2007

1 year ago today...

...I found out what a blog was and started one (thanks Jenn)!

This is also the day that I joined the most AMAZING group of online adoptive parents.

I have had the privilege of meeting MANY families and families in waiting. Just take a look at my side bar to see that people that I have met - and those are ONLY the one that have a blog - there are many that do not have a blog.

There are friends that I have met through this blog that will/have become lifelong friends and I am grateful everyday that they are in my life.

There are SO MANY ups and downs on this journey - Mark and I are SO lucky to have such amazing people here to support us - both online and off line - cyber friends and friends and family in real life.

Thank you for the wonderful support - it is INCREDIBLY appreciated by both Mark and I and one day we will bring home our daughter and it will all be worth it!

Thursday, September 20, 2007

Rut...

...is what I am currently in...

I don't know what is wrong with me.

I haven't been reading many blogs. The odd one that I do read, I rarely comment on.

I have NO motivation to blog - it isn't even like I have nothing to blog about. My life is very full and busy - just don't feel like reporting it.

I have NO motivation to talk on the phone.

My e-mails to friends have been lackluster - I am DEFINITELY in a communication rut!

I don't like feeling like this - this is NOT me...

I am sure eventually I will 'snap out of it', but for now, I just thought I would let you know - again - that I am alive.

Friday, September 14, 2007

Johnny's Gargantuan, Rolling Meme of Doom!

Johnny's Gargantuan, Rolling Meme of Doom!
1) Read the meme that was dumped assigned to you. Answer the questions.
2) Add TWO new questions to the list. Answer those questions.
3) Forward Dump this onto the next blogger victim (and list their name and link to their blog).
4) This series will conclude when we get 50 questions - so yes, it's 25 bloggers in the chain.
5) Please make sure that the next victim in the "link" doesn't have a password protected blog.
[Optional 6] Update the links so people can follow along (this is similar to the method I used in the Why China series).
[Optional 7] When you see an update, down the chain, update your own page with the new questions and answers.
[Optional 8] Copy these micromanaging instructions into the top of your meme post.


1. What secret/surprising/personal goal (that is realistically achievable within the next 15 years) would you like to fulfill?

I would love to have 2 daughters. I am HOPING that this is realistically achievable in 15 years...sometimes I wonder...

On a totally different tangent, I would LOVE to be a surgeon. I am not a fan of school so that kinda knocks that one out of the ring for me...

As for something that I would realistically achieve...

2. Can you list an event in which you made a last minute decision or guess that significantly changed the path of your life?

I had a neighbour who was going on vacation. She had asked me to water her gardens and plants while she was away. I was in her backyard and realized that she didn't have a hose. There was a hook up but no hose attached. I had a couple of choices...

I could go home and unhook my hose and bring it over
I could go to the neighbour on the left and ask him - I knew him personally...
I could go to the neighbour on the right and ask him...I had never met him formally.

I chose the neighbour on the right - it was Mark. We were married 15 months later.

3. What is one unrealistic goal (but your total secret dream) that you would love to come true, but are pretty sure it won't ever happen?

Growing up I always wanted to be President of the United States – Being Canadian that is not going to happen.

Following that I would say that I always wanted to be the CEO of a large company. The older that I got, the more I realized that my HOME life was the important part and if I was to attain either one of these, the home life would suffer.

As a third option, I would have to say that being a famous movie star &/or Miss Canada…o.k. don’t laugh!!

4. Who has had the most influence on your life and what did they teach you?

My mother - DEFINITELY - she taught me EVERYTHING. She raised my sister and I mostly by herself and I think that she did a GREAT job! She taught me everything from how to cook, how to treat other people, how to be compassionate, how to drive, how to love myself, how to handle money. She introduced me to traveling, theatre, other cultural events, the importance of family and I could go on and on.

5. You are on a deserted island. You are stranded with someone from any point in time for 2 months (they are coming to rescue you but are busy right now). Other then family/friends/naval engineers, who is it?

I am thinking that I could stare are George Clooney for 2 months...

Then there is Sayed from Lost - he is pretty handy...

Or there is Yau-man from the last Survivor – he would be a good choice.

If we are going for realistic, I guess I would love to be on an island with someone who is funny, like to talk and who is good at trivia. As for the person that fits that category, I am going to go with David Letterman. I think he would be a good island mate.


6. Name and describe 3 things on your mind lately. Is there any particular reason why you're thinking about a particular thing?

1) My job - I love my job, but I have a hunch that the scope of the job is going to change in the next year or two. I am thinking I am going to have to take some courses (see answer to question 1

2) Finances – ‘nuff said

3) Pumpkin - she is always on my mind...I wonder if she will EVER come...


7. If you could go back to one moment in time and change it, what would the moment be and what would you change it from and to?

I think that I would go back to the moment in time when I started smoking. I was very young and very foolish for starting such a thing. I think about the damage that I have done to my body w2hile I was smoking. I wish I hadn’t given in to the peer pressure and even though I did, I wish I hadn’t continued until I was hooked…After about 20 years, I smartened up and quit. They say that the damage that was done can be SOMEWHAT reversed…I sure hope so.

8. What is your biggest pet peeve and is there anything that you can do or do do to stop other people from doing it?

I am going to have to say that I have MANY pet peeves, but currently I would have to say that bad drivers top the list. Everyone goes on about how speeders cause accidents and I am not denying that, but I think just as many accidents are cause by people who drive too slow - ESPECIALLY when they are in the fast lane.

As for doing something about it, I have thought about changing careers to become a driver test examiner...

O.k. here is the link chain as per Johnnys Command: Q 1&2 - So it's Come Down to This, Q 3&4 - Our Journey to China, Q 5&6 - 3 D's Adoption Journey, Q 7&8 - Waiting for Pumpkin, Q 9&10 - Two Kayaks

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Waiting Mommies Dinner # 6



O.k. let me see if I can name (and connect) everyone. Starting in the back left is ME, Dolores, Kathy, Doris, Bev, Lisa, Leslie.

Front row from left to right:

Catherine, Liz & Ava, Julia, Suzanne, Deb with Mercy and Lori.

Wow - there have been 6 Waiting Mommies Dinners so far! I have not missed one of them! I am not sure if that says that I am dedicated or that I don't have another part of my life that would interfere with the dinners!!

There dinners are wonderful and Saturday's was no different! It was actually EXTRA special because Doris was in town and was able to attend this one and meet these great ladies!!



We had a couple of babies in tow at our dinner - Ava and Mercy. How wonderful to see them both. For us waiting mommies, I think it is great to see that there ACTUALLY IS a baby at the end of this (SLOW) roller coaster ride that we are all on!

This is how good Doris' dessert was!!



The weekend in general was FANTASTIC! Much time spent with AWESOME friends - more on that later.

Sunday, September 09, 2007

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RHONDA!!


Today is Rhonda's birthday...I DO have a picture of her and I have met her in person!

I will NOT be sharing a picture of her here, but for a small fee, I can e-mail one to you...Oh was that said in my outside voice??

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RHONDA - head over to her blog and wish her a happy day!!

ENJOY YOUR DAY!

Thursday, September 06, 2007

9 Months Today...


Today is our 9 month anniversary...yeah...

It seems these days that our LID anniversary comes very soon after a VERY crappy and small referral batch. It is hard to get excited about things these days.

The CC*AA is only up to November 25th - 2005!!!! They are still 376 LID days away from our referral - very discouraging.

Sigh...

On that happy note, I would also like to wish a happy 9 month LID anniversary to Dolores and Shawn. They are our friends and travel mates.

Tuesday, September 04, 2007

Thank You Secret Buddy!!

Have I mentioned that I have the BEST SECRET BUDDY EVER!!!!!

Last month I was in a slump and didn't post my WONDERFUL present. So today I am going to post my July AND my August gift from my Secret Buddy!

Here is my July gift! Are those shoes the cutest thing EVER and that beach coverup is going to look SOOOO good on Pumpkin! She is going to be one rockin' chick!



Thank you Secret Buddy!!

Here is my August Secret Buddy gift that arrive today! I tell you, my Secret Buddy is the BEST!!

Check out the PUMPKIN shirt!! I have been playing with the toys too and dreaming of a day that I will be with my little one playing!



Thank you once again Secret Buddy! You are just amazing and my sanity is once again saved...