One Two Grow

Back from the Edge...

...of the world!  What an incredible weekend!  I'm still in awe of the beauty of the last few days.  Our campsite was literally on the edge of the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean.  The added bonus to the weekend, it's migration time for the whales!  We saw HUNDREDS of them right from our chairs.  Every night it was like watching a show, the sun setting and the whales passing us by!  Here are a few pics...more to come later...

Here's a little tidepool find!!

Off to readjust!

We are on our way to Big Sur!

Where we are and where we aren't

I know this blog is supposed to be about our adoption and of course I don't blog too much about the adoption. You know why? It's hard. I try to not think about it (the adoption) and just move forward each day, sometimes each minute. But I'm sure many of you who aren't in the adoption world who are our friends and families wonder what is going on, where are we?

Well we are 9 months 14 days in to our wait of 15 - 20 month wait. It seems so far away until we see our daughters face, but we know we will when the time is right. One of the important things that we are waiting for is to be approved by the Chinese Adoption Center. Right now February 06 is in the review room, they have been there for 70 days today. A very long time! Once all of the February families have been approved to adopt, March 06 moves in to be reviewed. During that time, the center will review every single family who sent in their dossiers in March 06 (that's us!) and make sure we are "fit" to adopt. Yes, there is still a chance we could not be able to adopt from China. We are told by our agency and social worker that we have nothing to worry about though, we hope.

So this is exactly where we are at as of today. It's been a pretty rough road, but we are moving forward and enjoing the time we have right now. To adopt from China is not for the faint at heart and boy is that statement sooooo true. I know many of you may not understand this process or wonder why things change so much, well we don't understand the changes either, but there is nothing we can do to make them stop or work in our favor. Also many of you may have seen a lot of press lately regarding Chinese adoptions and yes much of it is true, but also the press has been talking without educating themselves first.

What is happening right now with Chinese adoptions is in the hands of the Chinese and we all must understand that it is their right to make the rules. NO MATTER WHAT THOSE RULES ARE. China LOVES their children and only want what is best for them. The new rules that have come out wont affect us for this adoption, but if we want to adopt again from China (and we do) we may not be able to due to my diabetes. Today, that is okay with me, but ask me tomorrow and I may not be too happy. That is how this process has been. We have good days and we have REALLY bad days. So for now to keep the bad days away, I have closed the door to the nursery, we will actually be putting the crib in storage and putting all the things we've gotten or bought in storage as well. I'm just not ready to do that yet, so I just close the door. We continue to educate ourselves and learn more about the Chinese culture. And we are just plain spending time together and being thankful for what we have today and that's eachother. And I pray. Thank you Lord for what you have blessed me with and continue to be with those who need your blessings.

ABC, it's easy as 123!!!

     •     A - available or taken: Taken, Taken, Taken!  By the best man in the universe!
    •     B- best friend: My husband!
    •     C- cake or pie: Pie!  Lemon Meringue...yummmm
    •     D- drink of choice: Diet Coke, a good red wine, and water.  Not in that order.
    •     E-essential item you use everyday: Insulin Pump
    •     F-favorite color:  Lavender
    •     G-gummy bears or worms: Neither
    •     H-hometown: Born in Pomona, CA - Living on the Monterey Bay, La Selva Beach, CA
    •     I-indulgence: Travels to Hawaii
    •     J-January or February: I guess January, no February, no....I don't know!
    •     K-kid's names: Holly (15) and Jacob (11)
    •     L-life incomplete without: Friends and Family  - Definately!
    •     M-marriage date: May 20, 2000 - By far in my top 3 things in my life!
    •     N-number of siblings: 4 Sisters (3 step and 1 half) and 2 Brothers (1 step & 1 half)
    •     O-oranges or apples:  Apples, good cold ones with peanut butter on it.
    •     P-phobias or fears: Phobia - Spiders, Fears - Passing out in public
    •     Q-favorite quote:  "Don't Point A Finger, Lend A Hand"
    •     R-reason to smile: Life
    •     S-season: Summer!  I live in my shorts, tank and flip flops!!
    •     T-tag 3 people: Stephanie!  Mardi!  and Leda! 
    •     U-unknown fact about me:  I can be shy....
    •     V-veggie I don't like: Eggplant
    •     W-worst habit:  Picking my dogs eye boogers
    •     X-xrays: Tooooo many to count!
    •     Y-your favorite food:  Please don't make me choose!  I LOVE FOOD!!!
    •     Z-zodiac: Aries

It's Been One Year

Since a HUGE tree came crashing down on our home!  Well we had 5 trees come down last year, but the big one was on New Years Day!

Mirth on Monday

So I got this idea from Joannah  who got it from this way cool blog In His Hands 

I must write about something that brings me joy.  Oh there is so much!  But what first comes to mind is my family.  My family is not just the people related to me, but the friends in which I hold dear.  When I am lonely, my family is there.  When I am excited, my family is too.  When I am overwhelmed, my family helps me out.  When I think of my family, they bring me joy and warmth in my heart! 

New Years Anyone??

Anyone want to meet up in San Francisco for Chinese New Year?? Saturday March 3rd!

Introducing!!!

I have recently started a marketing business for art and am VERY excited to announce the launch of my website! Red Thread Fine Arts  Browse around and see what you like!  I have prints, cards and more available!  Oh I'm so excited!!

I do have a list of people here that I NEED to thank!

My logo was designed by Stephanie Wise who is a fabulous graphic artist, photographer and has a great line of adoption clothing for the whole family at Jiinkin Kids.  Stephanie was also instrumental in keeping me sane though this!  Thank you Stephanie!!

My husband and son who would bring me water and crackers to keep me alive during the making and breaking of the website!  I couldn't have done this without their constant remarks of what looks good and what didn't.

And finally my Dad and Step-mom for pushing me to do this!  My step-mom is an INCREDIBLE artist and I am so blessed to be able to market it for her!

Happy Dog!

So not only do we (humans) eat almost all organic and natural food in our home, but so do our dogs.  Yes folks, our dogs DO NOT eat Alpo.  We won this box of dog food at a school function a few years ago and our dogs have been healthier for it!  They LOVE their food....and so do we.  I mean it's actually REALLY good!  NO seriously!  It's all people food, well kinda, it's still dog food, but...It has oats, barley, dried veggies, garlic, parsley and other herbs and grains.  We have to cook it up and add ground turkey meat and let me tell you, when it's cooking my house smells WONDERFUL!!  Check out the company and the pics of Happy Dog dog food!
Happy Dog

The China Report

So when you are in sixth grade you get to study world history for the first time! Well having a sixth grader this year and also having a HUGE interest in China, Jacob was given China to do his country report on. Gee what a surprise! Well, let me tell you, what an easy report if you are obsessed with said country! My sweet sixth grade boy did a PHENOMINAL job on his report. He talked about everything including the issues going on with abondoned baby girls. His oral presentation included many "props" that we have received from people who have been to China and lots of other fun stuff. He brought in his favorite Chinese dish, Orange Chicken and proceeded to entrance his peers. The teacher and the other kids said his report was by far the best out of 33! I'm so proud! My pride was boosted to the point of tears when he brought home his grade! He received the highest score in both oral and writen! Way to go buddy!!!!!!!!Download china_oral_report.pdf

Download china_report.pdf