LID!!!!

It is with great joy that I announce that we are paper pregnant! Our dossier was
logged in with the CCAA on March 8, 2006. We have been pregnant for 22 day's now!
Here is an ultrasound picture of our little bundle of joy. Isn't she beautiful? We are one step closer to bringing home our baby girl. Well, I'm craving brownie's so I have to go now. I AM eating for two ya know!

Re-Decorating

Thought my blog needed a little re-decorating. I was getting tired of the puke color and the
ticker was just depressing. How on earth can you start a time ticker when you have NO
IDEA when you are going to get your baby girl? Until we have some kind of time frame, the
ticker is history. I am REALLY hoping that we find out our LID tomorrow. I really need
SOMETHING, ANYTHING to lift my spirit's as the new's just get's worse with each passing day about the time frame for the adoption. Yes people I'm moaning again! I'll try and have a better attitude tomorrow.

I'm Learning

I want to send a special thank you to Johnny for teaching me how to link to another more interesting blog! You the Man! I miss reading your post's. Please come back soon.

Blogging 101

Alright fellow Blogger's, I came up with a great idea. I think that some of you "Expert" Blogger's need to share some of your secret's with the rest of the class. You know who you are! You're
the one's that have these template's that don't even look like anything you can find on Blogger!
You're the one's that have these never ending Blog Roll's of your favorite reads! Please don't be insulted if you are not listed on my favorite's- if I add anymore my whole side bar gets screwed up. I need help! So, what I think some of you guy's need to do is do some weekly tip's so the less fortunate (I'm sorry to create extra work for you) can learn some of your fancy move's.
The Blogger Help is not doing it for me. Would someone PLEASE tell me how to add a link to
my post (so, I can send you away from my dull post to a more exciting one)? I SEE so much during my hour's of stalking blog's and I'd like to share! I can't afford to pay my 11 year old another dime for his knowledge of the blog. Let's all learn this blogging thing together.

I'm Exhausted!

I have been hard at work trying to get my square's done for my February DTC quilt swap.
I am happy to announce that I am finished. I will do my best to finish addressing the envelope's
and drop them in the mail later today. Except, for one lonely square that I will mail on Friday
for Melissa so it can reach her at her brand spanking new house! Also, a big THANK'S for all
the quilt square's I have received so far! I am behind in updating Ava's 100 Good Wishes site
with all the beautiful square's but, check back soon.

Luna Speaks

Luna wants to say a big HELLO to her new blogging pal's Jeter (from Georgia) & Raegan (from Texas)! She also has promised me that she will think before she speak's so that she hopefully, will not offend them in the future. I wouldn't count on it if I were you. She likes to stir up trouble!

Adoption Video

Adoption1
Video sent by ludo

I saw this on other blog's but, felt the need to share with friend's and family. I'm going to warn you right now that your gonna need some Kleenex.

WHAT A RIDE IT IS!

So, I think I'm over my little pity party over not having a log-in-date (LID) yet. What a
week it has been. I never realized how difficult this adoption would be and all the up's and
down's we will have along the way. I have felt so down these last few day's when the rumor
was announced that the CCAA was only sending out referral's up to and including May 30th.
I REALLY thought that they would at the very least go thru June 15th. I just feel so sorry
for the families with that May 31 LID. I cannot even begin to imagine their disappointment.
So, me not having my LID is nothing compared to what they are dealing with or what the
families dealt with that were among the lost referral's last month. I know I'm logged
in and I'm going to do my very best to stop moaning about it! Our journey to Ava is going
to be the ride of lifetime in spite of all the up's and down's! Glad so many of us are enjoying
this ride together! Oh, and I'm ditching the Stone's! I really don't think they were helping
my mood any!

I VISITED THE DARK SIDE AGAIN!

I GOT TO SAY I'M JUST FEELING A LITTLE BLUE TODAY! FIRST, I HATE TO KEEP
BRINGING UP THE FACT THAT I STILL HAVE NO LOG IN DATE. SECOND, I HAVE BEEN BACK TO READING ALL THESE RUMOR'S AGAIN. I JUST CAN'T HELP MYSELF-I'M JUST NOT A STRONG AS SOME OF YOU! THIS SPAIN RUMOR STINK'S (I WOULD HAVE USED STRONGER LANGUAGE, IF MY MOM DIDN'T READ MY BLOG)! I JUST WANT TO KNOW WHEN I WILL GET MY BABY! IS THAT SOOOOOO WRONG??????????????????

THERE IS NOTHING QUITE LIKE AN AFTERNOON NAP!

IT DOESN'T GET MUCH BETTER THAN THIS!

HANGING OUT WITH YOUR BEST BUDDY AND HAVING A "COUPLE" KRISPY KREME'S
MAKE'S FOR A PRETTY GREAT DAY! LIFE IS GOOD (UNTIL I GET ON THE SCALE TOMORROW)!

HAPPY? ST. PATRICK'S DAY

AS YOU CAN TELL WE STILL HAVEN'T RECEIVED OUR LOG-IN-DATE! I ALSO,
HAD A HAPPY DANCING LEPRECHAUN JUST IN CASE WE RECEIVED IT TODAY!
A PART OF ME IS KINDA GLAD CUZ, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A SHAME TO LET
THIS GUY GO TO WASTE!

WAY TO GO GIRL'S!

HOPE AND HER BEST PAL HAVE BEEN GOING TO SOFTBALL PRACTICE ALL WEEK.
LAST NIGHT THEY FOUND OUT THAT THEY BOTH MADE THE HIGH SCHOOL GIRL'S
SOFTBALL TEAM! WE ARE SO PROUD OF BOTH OF THEM!

HOW QUICK CAN MY MOOD CHANGE?

I was feeling a little down today since, we STILL haven't heard about our LID. Then........
I went to my mailbox and discovered I had my very 1st square for Ava's quilt. I want
to send a REALLY BIG THANK YOU to my blogging buddy Lisa from Utah! She is also
doing a quilt for her daughter Tate
if you are interested in sending her a square. Thank you so much Lisa!

WOULD YOU LIKE TO HELP SEND A BLONDE TO CAMP?

My daughter play's the flute in the high school band and they are currently selling candy bars.
The band is raising money for a trip to Disney World late December, 2006. Yep, that's right
December, 2006. I still have high hope's that it will be when we are traveling to China so,
I am a little nervous about handing over $870 (non-refundable) because, I GUARANTEE
you that would be when we would end up traveling!( I'm sorry fellow February DTC'ers I love
you guy's but, I'm not going to plunk down the cash so we can travel in December!). So, I
decided that I was going to buy 25 boxes(50 bar's per box) and sell them because 50% of
the cash goes back to the student! So with the other previous fund raiser her ticket is now
paid in full! My plan was wonderful until, I had to cut the school a check for $1,000 for chocolate. So, I sent two of my kid's out this weekend selling candy to the neighbor's.
They had it all figured out-our neighbor kid was going to be the driver, my son Griffin was
in charge of sales and my little guy Ian was going to help boost sales because he's cute! Griffin's
sales pitch was as follow's: Would you like to help send a blonde girl to camp? Well, they sold
25 bar's plus, each got to eat one for all their hard work. If anyone want's to buy a candy bar
we will deliver (providing our golf cart can make it there & back without re-charging!).

AS YOU PROBABLY ALREADY HEARD

WE ARE STILL LISTENING TO THE STONE'S AND WE ALL KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS!
THAT'S CORRECT, STILL NO LOG-IN-DATE! GOSH, I AM BEGINNING TO HATE THE
STONE'S!

LOOK AT ME NOW!

If you told me a year ago that I'd own a pair of these babies, I'd tell you were crazy! My
husband picked these up for me this weekend. I swear, I'm not going to get all crazy and
buy up every ladybug item I run across. Boy, did I get some looks when I wore these
beauties to the corner store yesterday! My husband told me to click them together 3 times
and maybe we would be in China................It didn't work.

R.I.P.

FROSTY THE SNOWMAN
JANUARY 18, 2006-MARCH 10, 2006


We came across a tragic discovery this weekend when we found the remains of our beloved
snowman. With the above normal temperature's here in Michigan, Frosty passed away.
Rumor has it, he will be back again someday.

100 Good Wishes Quilt

I have just added a new link for information about Ava's 100 Good Wishes Quilt. Click
here for information and to see Ava's quilt square's. If you are making a quilt and want
to exchange a square, let me know.

Snowcoming Dance

This is my daughter & her date for the Snowcoming Dance a couple week's ago. She is
a few inches taller but, I think they look cute together. Oh, I remember the day's when
I was taller than every boy in school (even a few of the male teacher's). Stand up straight
honey, you don't want to get the big hump on your back that your momma has!

and I can't forget to mention Rylee

Rylee is a very good boy. He was a stray that I picked up from a woman from daycare. She had found him & was going to take him to the local animal shelter. The shelter she was taking him to put's the animal's to sleep in 3 day's. I told her that I would take him to the shelter in Grand Rapid's where he would be given a lot better chance. Well, let's just say Rylee never made it to the shelter. He has gotten VERY protective of his human family & would give his
life for any of us. I can let Rylee out the door and he never travel's farther than the sound of my voice. However, Rylee does have a bit of a dark side. Rylee is ALWAY's hunting and when he is sucessful in his kill, he pee's on his victim! I have a hard time with that! He
also has a habit of taking some kitty treat's out of the litter box.

MY SWEET FUR BABY

This is Luna. She is almost 12 year's old and has quickly become the love of my life. I have
only had her for 7 month's (she was my brother's dog) but, she has won my heart. My husband
doesn't appear threatened by my love for Luna. He has even heard me tell people that SHE
complete's ME. I had ALWAY'S been a cat person............Who knew this little rag-a-muffin
would win my heart.

YOU ARE GONNA HEAR SOME CHANGE'S AROUND HERE

UNTIL WE RECEIVE OUR LID WE WILL BE LISTENING TO THE STONE'S! AFTER THAT, WE WILL BRING BACK THE "SWEET" SOUND'S OF SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW.
UNTIL THEN....................................ROCK ON!

SING WITH ME

(PLEASE SING TO THE TUNE OF OH WHERE OH WHERE HAS MY LITTLE DOG GONE)

OH WHERE OH WHERE CAN MY LOG IN DATE BE?

OH WHERE OH WHERE CAN IT BE?

MY DOSSIER WENT TO CHINA 27 DAY'S AGO.......

PLEASE GIVE MY LOG IN DATE TO ME!

BUT, I LOVE THEM BOTH!

So, I was sure the crib bedding in the first picture was exactly what I wanted for Ava's room!

THEN........................I saw crib bedding #2! I CAN'T DECIDE!!

COULD WE GET THE WHOLE MONTH IN THE NEXT BATCH?

I'm NOT a Dirt Bag

This post has nothing to do with our adoption process but, I need to vent about a couple thing's
that have happened the last 2 day's. First, let me take you to last week when I returned 2 movie's & 1 game to our local Blockbuster. So, I was a little late (per usual) but, at least I didn't
get the dreaded reminder call (this time). My daughter and I head Saturday to pick up some other movies and I am told at the counter that I owe $32 for the other movies that were NOT
returned. I explain that I DID return both movies along with the game. I guess they only have
the game logged in as returned. The nice Blockbuster boy told me that maybe, I should check at
home for the movies and maybe, I would find them! "Listen here you little punk (I was only thinking the little punk part) they are NOT at home." He checked on the shelves and they weren't there either. I asked if perhaps they may have been put in the wrong spot. I guess nobody at Blockbuster ever makes mistake's! Duh, I am so stupid to ask! So, the little punk got the manager and he is looking at me like I'm some criminal (I know I don't have a great track record for returning movies on time but, cut me a little slack here). After explaining my story he decides to take off the balance on my account. I thank him and tell him I SWEAR he will find them in his store-He say's there is NO WAY they are in the store but, he isn't going to charge me. I left with my new movies but, the whole thing just bugs me. I don't look like some Dirt Bag( you guy's are going to have to take my word on that since, I have yet to figure out how to post my picture!).
So, let me tell you about the next thing that happened. Last week I decided to change our phone # to a non-published number (so, companies like Blockbuster can't call me-kidding!). I try to call long distance this A.M. and it says my account is restricted. I call the number they gave me and it says I need to make a payment to my account. Why? I talked to 5 people and spent 45 minutes on the phone and it still wasn't taken care of. I think that whoever had the # before still owes them $. When I give them the # and my name it doesn't match. Hello, just because THEY owe you money doesn't mean I shouldn't be able to call long distance! This just shouldn't be that difficult! I finally hung up on the 5th lady. Gosh, I miss the good old day's when you could just switch your long distance carrier. I guess they are ALL linked together now! I just heard on the news this A.M. that SBC and AT&T merged together! So, I guess I'm off to buy a long distance card today. I just HOPE I don't get the old owner of that #'s bill on my account. Thank's for listening to me vent.

Being a Blogger is Hard Work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have spent hours (and I mean HOURS) trying to figure out this whole blogging thing! I
wanted to make my blog more interesting by adding some links, a few picture's etc. Am I the
only idiot that can't figure all this crap out?? I had to pay my 11 year old son some serious $
to help me out. You don't know how close I came to just click the old delete button! My blog
still has some serious issues. I can't get more than a few links entered in without it starting to
add all these spaces, I'm having some major issue's with this stupid picasa program and I can't
make my beautiful ladybug any larger!!! I REFUSE TO GIVE UP! At least I have month's to
figure this out before we try to post from China. Why the picture of the ladybug in this post? Well, that was a little test picture. Stay tuned to see if I can post any other pictures! If I can't, the ladybug is kinda cute! Right????

One more thing.................That picture on the profile is NOT me! I haven't a clue how to get
ME over there!!!!!!!!!!! I do think she is pretty darn cute! One word to tell you what I think of blogging.........GRRRRRRRRRRR!

It's March!

I have been so busy as of late that time seems like it is flying by! I can't believe that it will be
3 weeks on Friday that our dossier was sent to China! We haven't heard whether we have a
LID (log in date) yet but, it seems like they are taking about 3 weeks. I hate to say it but, I
went a couple of weeks without reading blogs and it really helped. Sometimes, I
think it may be easier if I distance myself a bit from all the rumor's. It really bother's me when
you hear how long the wait could be. I just need to focus on "happy thought's" and not all the
negative. I started stalking the blogs again on Friday when all the referral rumor's were pouring
in and haven't missed a day since. I feel like such and addict! Just give me a little taste and I'm
hooked all over again! Congratulations to all the families that received their referral's! Let's
hope that the next batch is for all of June!