October Family Project...

This month our project was to dress the gingerbread man in J's Halloween costume. I helped him draw the outline and he did the rest.


Our example...

The Invisible Woman...

In December, I shared the text version of this discussion. Today my sweet friend K sent me the live version via you*tube so I thought I would share it again. It has been one of those days for me too K. Funny how things like this pop up when you need them most.



and another from today in my Inbox. You think someone is talking to me today?

Top 10 reasons why I am officially OLD...

1. I have developed a liking for coffee. Well, not REAL coffee as Daddy would like to point out. I've always liked the smell of coffee but not the taste. Then I discovered FLAVORED creamers and syrups. I like a little coffee in my mug of yummy flavored goodness. The point: I am now a coffee drinker even if only 1/3 of my cup is coffee. I'm old.

2. I am truly interested in the presidential election this year. Last week, I anticipated the debate days before, watched the ENTIRE viewing intently and critiqued each of the candidates along the way. Yep, that's old.

3. I found a gray hair on my head and promptly scheduled an appointment for a cut and COLOR. Definitely old.

4. I drive a mini-van. No longer do I jump out and walk away quickly before someone notices that it belongs to me. I've actually started to appreciate it for the family vehicle it truly is. No denying it--I'm old.

6. I went on my first official Kindergarten field trip as a chaperon. Old again.

7. My cholesterol panel is high so I've taken to oatmeal, Cheerios or anything else high fiber to naturally reduce my level. I'm REALLY old.

8. We have a recycling center in the garage and our own reusable grocery bags. I think that makes me old AND granola.

9. Recently I said to my son, "When I was your age we didn't even HAVE computers". Ugghhh...I'm soooo old.

10. Daddy found a hair on my neck. It was long enough that he could pull it out without tweezers. Gross. I think that constitutes more than old.

I don't know how or when it happened but I know it's true. All I need to do now is sign up for water aerobics and dye my hair blue. Anyone care to join me?

Confirmation...

• Delivered, October 01, 2008, 6:43 am, CHICAGO, IL 60680

• Arrival at Unit, October 01, 2008, 5:14 am, CHICAGO, IL 60680

• Acceptance, September 29, 2008, 11:30 am, MY CITY
  

I love you smart person who invented the technology to track packages online. I will sleep well tonight knowing our envelope is safe in the hands of Chicago Lockbox. Any department with the last name "Lockbox" makes me feel like they have their ducks in a row. So long I-800A...

The big day for Susannah...

Sweet Susannah is in surgery today. She went in early this morning for a total of 10-12 hours in the Operating Room barring no complications. This family has weighed heavily on my heart over the past few weeks. Please continue to pray for healing for this precious child.

UPDATE @ 8:30pm: Susannah is out of surgery! Her little heart is beating on it's own and the surgery went well. For my medical friends, she had BOTH a Glenn and Fontan procedure today. Yes, I said BOTH. Two weeks ago we prayed that this child would make it out of China alive. Today she has accomplished so much more than that long plane ride home. Please continue to remember her in prayer over the next few days. They are critical to her recovery.

Just another day in the neighborhood...

Meet the offender...
View the scene of the crime...
Our little offender was placed safely in her crib while throwing the queen of all two year old tantrums. I came downstairs to call her Father and tell him what a little sassy pants his daughter was being. Two minutes later I see a little orange and black figure sneaking quietly across the living room. WHAT?????? Little sassy pants is standing in the living room. WHAT?????? Did you note that I placed her kicking and screaming IN HER CRIB? I could not speak. Every time I opened my mouth I almost laughed with disbelief. Did she REALLLLY jump out of her crib? There MUST be another explanation.

Mom: MG, HOW did you get out of your crib?
MG: {blank stare}
Mom: MG, HOW DID you get out of your crib?
MG: {blank stare}
this went on for about two minutes and then she replied...
MG: I used my feet

Lord, help us! This is what happens when your two year old is at the 97th percentile for height. I should note that her brother was too but he never attempted an escape. So, can you guess what I'm doing right now?

The forthcoming solution...Two white iron "Molly" headboards...coming right up. Operation Jie Mei Hwa (beautiful sisters) is coming around a little sooner than I expected. Good thing I've been preparing for it for a while.

{Edited to add: The picture of her crib was taken before she was born at our old house. Now, the mattress is at the lowest level and the bumper is gone. I just wanted to add that before someone thought I was a complete idiot. Also, I'm just buying the headboard in the picture...not the 1982 heart bedding. I found the picture online.}

May I have your attention PLEASE...

I have confirmation from our social worker that our packet was mailed this morning. It will arrive in Chicago Wednesday morning and we will officially take our place in line. It's gone! It's gone! Praise the Lord! I have never been a dancing kind of girl but today I'm turning over a new leaf. The Sprinkler, the Cabbage Patch, a little Hammer time, the YMCA, some moon walking and my favorite, the Carlton, have all made an appearance at our house today. Go ahead. Click the link. I'll wait for you.

OK, now for the serious part. The i-800A is the "application for determination of suitability to adopt a child from a convention country". Translation: are Daddy and Mommy suitable to adopt a child from China? It has taken us almost four months to get to this point. A boat load of new adoption laws effective April 1, 2008 have made this process longer and more tedious. Just in time for us to get started.

Now that we have completed our homestudy and submitted our petition, many have asked what happens next. Much to our dismay, the answer is MORE WAITING. The current wait for immigration clearance is 90-120 days. At the end of that 3-4 month period, we should receive our "golden ticket" (AKA I-797). Once we receive the I-797 we can complete the authentication process and mail everything to China. If the current estimated wait holds true, it will be late January before that will happen. I'm hoping beyond hope it will be earlier but we have to be cautiously optimistic. We ARE dealing with the government so really it's just a guess. With that being said, let the first of several countdowns begin.


I'm warning you now. If this ticker goes over 120 days I'm going to need some serious therapy.

What type are you?

Take the test and discover your personality type.

MY RESULTS...

Your personality type:

Warm-hearted, popular and conscientious. Tend to put the needs of others over their own needs. Feel strong sense of responsibility and duty. Value traditions and security. Interested in serving others. Need positive reinforcement to feel good about themselves. Well-developed sense of space and function.

Careers that could fit you includes:

Home economics, nursing, teaching, administrators, child care, family practice physician, clergy, office managers, counselors, social workers, bookkeeping, accounting, secretaries, organization leaders, dental assistants, homemakers, radiological technologists, receptionists, religious educators, speech pathologists.

(I think I chose the right profession)

Pray hard...

for sweet Susannah today. Her cardiac cath is scheduled for 9:00am CST.

Quoted from Leslie's blog...

Here is what we know: she is a fighter (well we already knew that but we have some trustworthy medical confirmation), her heart defect is worse than the referral but we are not completely shocked by this--though we are completely disappointed for her sake, she will be having a cath procedure tomorrow, and possibly open heart surgery next week. We will know the prognosis on that for sure tomorrow. In other words, we will find out for sure if she is even a candidate or if it is too late because her precious little body has just waited too, too long.

Please pray that Susannah is a candidate for the surgery she needs to save her life. Leslie, we are praying diligently on her behalf.

Say CHEEEEEEEEEEEESE!

See what happens when you send your 5 year old for Kindergarten pictures without you? I was not there to remind him to smile a "regular boy smile" and look what happened! Did you note the strained neck muscles in Pose 2? How could you miss them? Sorry Mrs. Courtney but your efforts to rid my children of the words "say CHEESE" have officially failed. I would bet the farm that is exactly what he's saying here (if I were the betting kind OR had a farm but that's beside the point). I happened to read the note from the studio before I saw the proof so I KNEW whatever was in that envelope was going to be GOOD! This is how it began...

Dear Parents,

In viewing the fall underclass images taken at your school, we discovered that your student's images did not come out well...

Hmmmmm...ya think?

They are HOME!

I am happy to report that Susannah and her family are HOME! They arrived last night and became a family of 5. She is off to see Cardiology for the first time today. There is a possibility that she could get admitted immediately to the hospital due to her condition. PLEASE continue to pray for them.

Apple Pickin' with friends...

It was a day of firsts...

--first day to wear the official Kindergarten t-shirt...
--first ride on a REAL school bus...
--first visit to an apple orchard...
--first attempt to turn an apple press...
--first time to pick an apple...
--first Mommy and J Kindergarten field trip...together...even though I didn't think to have our picture taken. He was SOOO proud that I was there. He introduced me to all of his friends as "This is MY Mom". I do not have a photo but I know I will remember. I was there for his first field trip and I plan to be there for many more to come.

Update on Susannah...

Susannah has been released from the hospital!!!!!!!!! She is officially the daughter of Charlie and Leslie and has now flown to Guangzhou for the last leg of their adoption journey. The good news is should she need further medical intervention there is a western hospital in that city (one where the MD has more than a high school education--that blows my mind).

People all over the world, literally, have prayed diligently for this little girl over the past five days. We all prayed for God to move mountains and I believe without question that He has done just that. From what I understand He may be in the middle of another mountain moving miracle even as we "speak". I will keep you posted.

Please continue to pray for situation. The road ahead of Susannah and her family will not be easy. However, after the miracle I have seen unfold this week I can't wait to see the plans God has in store for this precious child.

REVIEW IS COMPLETE!

After much ado, our homestudy review was faxed to our social worker this morning. It took two weeks and one day. Tuesday was a stinky day on the homestudy front. The bad experience prompted a "heart to heart" discussion with one of our agency directors on Wednesday (concerning the lack of professionalism on the part of an agency employee) . The result of our "heart to heart": home study was reviewed and faxed by 10 AM this morning. In the words of my social worker, "The squeaky wheel gets the grease". Today you can call me squeaky. :-)

Next stop...USCIS

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

UPDATE AS OF 9/17 @ 4pm: Leslie's blog has been opened back to public access.

UPDATE AS OF 9/17 @7am: Thank you for the emails and prayers for Susannah. The last post I read (~2:30 AM) said they would not release Susannah from the hospital until at least Monday. This is coming from the "doctor" that is treating her (the doctor with the high school education!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) This is bad. Leslie sounded completely HOPELESS in her post. By the time I logged on at 7, the blog had been set to private. If I hear anything I will pass it along (if it is appropriate for me to do so). PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY! THEY NEED NOTHING SHORT OF A MIRACLE!

Dear friends,

I am coming to you on behalf of my friend Leslie. In real life, she is a friend of a friend. Over the past several months we have become friends during her wait to bring home her daughter Susannah. Here is the prayer request...

Her daughter Susannah is VERY SICK! That is an understatement. She has a severe heart condition that requires extensive surgery once she arrives home. They left for China last Thursday and were supposed to meet Susannah yesterday. Instead they were taken to meet her in the hospital. From Leslie's description she is GRAVELY ill. They need nothing short of a MIRACLE to bring this child home. There is only One who is in charge of miracles.

This morning, as I read the words of Leslie's post, I have tears flowing down my cheeks. I am asking you to pray for this child. This is a child we do not know but a child who is loved by so many at this very moment. PLEASE PRAY THAT GOD WILL MOVE MOUNTAINS TO BRING HER HOME TO THE FAMILY SHE DESERVES. It will take moving mountains to bring her home alive.

I do not have permission to link her blog but considering the circumstances I know that Leslie will want all of the prayers possible at this point. If you pray for her, please leave her a word of encouragement on her comments. I think they are a lifeline to home right now.

Room for At Least One More

Happy Fall Ya'll...

It feels as if autumn has arrived today and I couldn't be happier! I am anxiously anticipating the...

pumpkin patch
autumn leaves
hot apple cider
new Halloween costumes
cool nights
homemade chili
warm fires
pumpkin carving
fall clothes
football games
caramel apples
pumpkin spice latte (my new indulgence)

and the two main reasons why fall is my favorite season...
family traditions and giving thanks.

I hope the new blogover puts you in the fall spirit. Drag out those fall decorations and go buy yourself some mums. It is TIME! Happy Fall Ya'll!

Love,
Mommy

Press Play...

The Womble Times is up to date!!!!!!!!!!!! Can you believe it? Over the past two weeks I have added random posts from mid June until today. I'm so glad that monkey is off my back. Now, for all of you who sent me "words of blog update encouragement", rightbackatcha! I'll be stalking you for updates very soon. :-)

"Mrs. Womble, this is Nurse Sue"

Nurse Sue: I have J in my office right now. He has a fever of 103. Could you please come pick him up right away?
Mommy: Yes, ma'am. I'll be right there.

Guess who has hand-foot-mouth just like his sister? He was DEVASTATED that he had to leave early. He said, "I’m missing art and recess and Makenzie's snack and rest time and orange car rider line and..." as he cried his little eyes out. If he was so sad to leave, I think it is safe to say he was having a good day at school. Wooohooooo!

Dear Parents...

"We would like to report three cases of hand-foot-mouth disease..." was the opening line of a letter I received today at MDO pick up. Hmmmmm...do you think that has anything to do with the random fever MG had on Tuesday evening? Ding-ding-ding-ding-ding-ding-we-have-a-winner! By 8:00pm we discovered that they now have FOUR confirmed cases of hand-foot-mouth disease. One case belongs to this little cutie (who obviously hasn't seen Mr. Hairbrush today)...

Where were you?

When I hear the beginning lines of Alan Jackson's song I am immediately taken back to that horrible morning. We were in our hotel room at "the happiest place on Earth" with our dear friends in the adjoining room next door. We were beginning what was to be our last day in WDW before we headed out to sea for our cruise. We were running out the door but took a second to click on the TV to view the daily park schedule. I stood there in amazement, utter disbelief. Then I ran to our friends door to tell them to turn on the TV. We all sat in silence. The parks closed, we had no way home, were scheduled to board an oceanliner the following morning and an airplane on Saturday. The happiest place on earth quickly became silent as we all processed what was happening in the world around us. I was overwhelmed by fear...what would happen if someone, someone evil, decided to make the happiest place on Earth become one of the saddest. They closed the parks for that very reason and I think we all recognized it. I have never felt more relief than when they grounded every plane in our nation. Plain and simple, I wanted to go home. Not that I felt home was safe but I wanted to be home within the security of my four walls. Our parents were trying to reach us all day but the lines were jammed. I wasn't a parent at the time but I can only imagine the relief my Mother felt just to hear my voice that evening. It was a horrible day, the greatest national tragedy in our lifetime. I will never forget the look on my friend Rachel's face or watching my husband hold back tears. I will never ever forget. It bothers me that people want to forget this day and move on. If my husband had been one of the innocent people who lost their lives that day, I hope that someone would remember him seven years later. For the families that lost someone that day, I know they will never forget, and for their honor, neither will I.

Where were you when the world stopped turnin' on that September day?