one more try!

This Week

Goodness, time does have a way of slipping away. Of course it doesn't help when you are sick, but who is complaining?

ME!!!!!!

The olders had their masquerade ball on Sunday night.

The little had fun playing ball in the leaves.

We have moved one step closer to our newest little - our immigration paperwork was awarded it's provisional approval. It should now be on it's way across the ocean blue for our final Travel Approval! We could possibly hear within two weeks - but that would be on the WAY lucky side!

Homecoming

I guess it really is fall. IBoy went to the Homecoming Dance! Although he is not a part of the school, a friend that he has known for over 4 years invited him to accompany her. They had a great time, but neither of them cared much for the music selection. They danced the slow dances, the few rock songs that were played, and chose to otherwise occupy themselves when the rest of the music played so as to avoid having to witness the inappropriate gyrations and activities taking place on the dance floor. Seriously - isn't that what the chaperones are supposed to not allow????? Have I shared with you how much I love my children - how proud I am of them????

Who has the horse face????

THIS is what happens when we are trying to watch a movie and Chicka leaves the room.

A view that we were greeted with as we descended our driveway a couple of mornings ago. I wish that I would have had my good camera with me - now that I have gotten used to the better quality, this seems so inferior!

A LITTLE News

While I was on our conference call titled "meeting your new child" with 3 other families and a social worker, Aunti took Chicka outside. Of course since I was in the bedroom with the door closed, they couldn't get in for a coat or shoes. No worries - boots and a robe always makes a wonderful fashion statement!!!!

We received our notice of I797 - immigration is now processing our final approval to bring our Zabi-Chu home!!!! Our agency says that we SHOULD hear of our Travel Approval in 3-4 weeks!

Apology

Time? Where does it go? I feel like I am a chicken running around with, well, you get the idea.

My apologies for not posting AND for not reading YOUR blogs! And, it doesn't look like anything is going to slow down anytime soon.

Here is something that I have read before, in fact I think it was part of a class that I have taken not once, but twice. As glaringly obvious as the answers to these questions are, you would be amazed at the number of times that I have been asked the exact same questions!

The one that I am actually looking forward to, with TWO Asian daughters is: "are they sisters?" - let's see - I am the mom, these are my children. Gosh - I guess they are! Ha! I know what they really mean is are they biological sisters, but come on - get real!

ANSWERS TO DUMB QUESTIONS PEOPLE ASK OF ADOPTIVE PARENTS...

Some answers for those stupid ??s

Unreal...Q- How much did she cost?

Smart Answer (SA)- All my heart.
Educational Answer (EA)- Buying children is both illegal and unethical. If you're interested in knowing more about gov't fees and donations for someone you know that's adopting, I'd be happy pass on my agency's website to you.

Q-What is she?

SA- She looks human to me.
EA- Do you mean what is her ethnicity? She is Chinese.

Q-Why China when there are children in the USA that need homes?

SA- Is that where you're adopting from? Oh, you're not adopting? I just thought you might be since you're so interested in making sure the children in the good ole USA are taken care of.
EA- China was the right choice for us at this time for many reasons.

Q-Are you going to tell her she's adopted?

SA- Seriously? Have you even looked at us?
EA- It will be pretty obvious. Besides, I want to share her adoption story with her.

Q- Are you her real Mom/Dad?

ONLY ONE ANSWER- YES!!!

test

I figured that I better test sending an email post to the blog before we actually travel. So far on the tests, the text comes through just fine, but the photos don't. I use a Mac - don't know if that has anything to do with it or not, but if anyone has experienced this problem, drop me a line!

We cut and hauled firewood this week with some good friends. Good friends, good laughs, sore muscles!!!!

Happenings

Not too many happenings for awhile. That is a good thing!

IBoy and a friend, Chick-a-Dee and myself drove up to Great Wolf Indoor Waterpark last weekend to play. Chicka had a great time clutching my hand in one vice-grip and an inflated tube in the other and walking from non-existent water to waist deep water and back again. Over and over ad nauseum. That was her water fun, and she really did have fun. I walked alot. Back and forth. Over and over. fun. We didn't see the boys at all - they had a blast in all the water slides.

A friend graciously offered us their bounty of grapes from their garden, so we went and picked them, came home and canned about 20 quarts of yummy grape juice and made a ton of grape jelly.

Continental Airlines Voucher

I have $600 in travel vouchers through Continental Air that I am not going to be able to use. Does anyone know of anyone who might be willing to purchase these? I can gift this amount to anyone and I could sure use the $600 to purchase a ticket home from China for Zabi-Chu! It expires on January 16, 2010. I believe that it can be used with any Continental affiliate also, but not certain - we'd have to check that out. You can even use it for international travel as long as your leg flies in/out of Newark. I am even willing to gift the $600 for $500 cash to make the deal even sweeter!