Dante's a college Man!

Dante this week has skipped on to College! The University has special summer class that cost $$$$ dollars and of course it was the oppurtunity that was most important! He was enrolled in "Build your own World Series Team". Because we all know that if he isn't playing professionally when he grows up he will be running the show for some franchise!

First Day started rough...I embarressed him by making him take a notebook and just by talking to him. He reacted by Mom"ing" me several times and being the most rude and hateful Dante I have seen. I was .....um.....NOT happy!

We talked...he had fun...end of that! The class is great! He gets to pick 5th in his draft today and has been up studying his baseball cards most the night! His team.....the Chicago Blackbirds are hoping for Ivan Rodrigues.

This has been an interesting week to get everyone where they need to be on time! Day two having to stop for gas slowed us down and breakfast ended up being donuts through a drive-thru! And just look at this....Lucy left me with this and I didn't even touch it! Oh, the pain!

Last night's game also ended with an out on a steal to home, to win the game by the BRAVES! Two more games til Champions! Game TWO tonight at 6!

little bitty TV (taken from the kitchen, still without a remote)..........BIG space.....

BIG (BROKEN) TV........BYE, BYE

On EBAY.....

These are two Items I WON on ebay. Well, kinda. I really did WIN the lamp. I also was going for a whole lot of custom made blankets and stuff that were Amy Coe Le Cirque des Enfants (Kate's bedding and room). I lost that down to the last few seconds with our oh so fast computer! I literally sat at the computer and cried. It surprised me! I had way to much feeling and emotion in that auction. It had to be Kate....that is all I could come up with. I was connected through this stuff, somehow and it broke my heart when I did not WIN. I e-mailed the winnner...she was keeping it! (Worth a try.) I e-mailed the seller and she was out of all the custome made stuff...but had a few things she'd throw in if we bought the nightlight, too! I thought great! MORE STUFF!!!!! I was happy! She was great to work with and seemed honest. I was willing to take anything I could get! So Bart bought the nightlight too!

Today it came! WOW look at all I got with the LAMP and NIGHTLIGHT!

Two pillows, one custom made

The ruffle pink and circus toile blanket

Pink circus toile photo album

The Amy Coe Pink Elephant

A circus striped recieving blanket

A diaper changing cover

I am such a happy girl! I should have known there was a better plan for me and my Kate! This is such a blessing and if you are an e-bay"er", funky*faiths*fashions is the place to go! She is so super nice (and very talented) and went out of her way to make this one of the best transactions I have ever had! Lucy was so cute laying on the pillows, and covering up with the blankets, holding the elephant and trying to turn on the light. She was pretending to be asleep in this last picture...posing!

Though you ask her, "Who's pillow is this?" She says, "KATE!" and did not fuss at all to put it in the bag to save for her sister. Did you hear that....HER SISTER. It is all becoming more REAL everyday!

CARDINALS lose again! And as Albert gets up to bat, (I am doing my nightly cleansing and polishing), Bart is in bed waiting to see him do something to catch up....BLINK....Off the TV goes! HA HA HA HA HA! I had to laugh. LOUD! His direct quote.."I don't laugh at your pain!" And out of the room he went.

CAPT. JACK! and the TV battle cont....

I am a little head over heals in love with Captain Jack... (Now that is twice on this site I have admitted other men....sorry Bart...you are always #1)
And last night there was a great LIVE red carpet celebration for the new movie and updated ride at Disneyland.

I was so excited. I was able to see Keira the leading lady...And Orlando (who I thought was cute and smiley, but short with the interview), and then I get into bed with my love (my husband) and sat with anticipation to see and hear Johnny!
Right before he gets to the mic blink.....TV off! I fight it...ON! Blink...off. This is no joke. I am waiting for THE Johnny Depp.....ON! He gets up, in all his glory...I catch that I am his boss, by being a fan, and his quote about all the people that LOVE this movie and his character.."God bless 'em." BLINk...OFF. I click and click and NOTHING!
I should be used to it, right! BUT THIS IS CAPTAIN JACK....LIVE!
I gave up and threw the remote at Bart. He battled with it. I got to see Johnny's face flash on and off until....Off it stayed, no matter what he did. OH, the furry and pain I felt as I laid there in bed. I must now go search the internet for any recordings of last night's Interview to see if Johnny mentioned me (again...ha! ha!).

I just asked Bart if I could get a new TV to replace this Horrible Nussance in my life, that evening and he shot me down. I figured taking just a little out of the Camper sale would have been okay...considering the sacrifice I have made to sell it. (I didn't really want to make a big deal since it was for Kate and all, but man I was sad!) Funny this had to happen only hours after that!

Oh....and if anyone has the remote to the kitchen TV...give it back... IT IS Not funny!


Direct quote from my husband last night when he came home from work:
"I know now what it feels like to be a Cubs fan. The Cardinals lost again today."

My cup runneth over.....

Today I am feeling VERY thankful. For so many reasons! I have been awaken from a deep set blue feeling. I have energy (from healthy eating and weight loss). We sold the camper on the second call, (with the price we wanted!). I have smooth feet, hands, and face (I bought new "spa" products that make me feel years younger). Bart laughed at me and my nightly routine to make this happen. He also got a chuckle out of me giggling about my smooth feet!
My "at home America" stuff came in and I am over my head in reading and preparing folders and ideas and gifts and displays and goodies and... It makes me very scared and happy at all once. I am excited to be doing this!
And at Church today...I was surrounded by friends. Literally on both sides and behind me. New friends who have been kind, supportive, spiritual buddies. I felt I belonged and I felt completely HAPPY.


This cup and saucer reminds me of how I feel! They sit by my sink ALL the time, and have since I recieved them at a wedding shower from my friend Bev. At the time we were friends by husbands....I then went to work in her office and have been positively changed by her great friendship.
Her note explains that this set was a gift to her at her wedding shower, and one of the few things she found intact after their house fire. They lost practically everything in this fire, right before I moved to Missouri. She goes on to say to keep it as a reminder that it is not the material things that count. It is your love and devotion to each other and your bonds to family and friends that really count! I bet she never realized how much this meant and how often I look at it (10 times a day) and think just that!

Psalm 23:5 .....My cup runneth over.

On the Adoption front.

For those people who read the ONE house adventures that are in the adoption community, this post is not for you...Boring things you have been reading on every post. Go directly to searching for the referrals coming in. I will be soon, too!

For everyone else. This box here is from China Center of Adoption Affairs (CCAA). Once a month (usually at the end) they send out referrals, pictures and info of the children to their adopted families. Before they do this they have a site that is updated with the progress of the dates they are finished in the review room (here it is October 31, 2005). And even better the dates that the referrals will go to for LID's (Logged in Dates). In May the referrals were for families LID June 7 through June 15, 2005 (9 days). And now in June it runs through June 28, 2005. Just to confuse you more with numbers Aprils referrals included May 31st through June 6th. (7 days)

If you'd like a great table. Click on the one to the right taken from "Do They Have Salsa In China" Even though I really don't know Mary-Mia....seems as if everyone in the China adoption community knows her. Her blog is one of the best and her rumor alerts are usually upbeat and encouraging!

Our LID is APRIL 12th, 2006! Ponder this...Do some math...It is going to be some time before OUR turn comes around.

It was rumored JUNE was a HUGE month. CCAA send referrals by the numbers they have each time. The timeline is still supposed to be 12 months. CCAA is really trying to keep the wait at 12 months. They will have to pick things up a bit to keep it at 12 months. I keep saying 12 months. I also keep forgetting I have been waiting 2 months! If we did receive our picture of Kate next April (12 months from our LID) we would most likely travel one year from now in June of 2007. It takes about 6-8 weekks for Travel Approval (TA).

On a lighter note. There is a family in CHINA right now from our agency that you can check out on one of the most famous CHINA adoption sites THESTORYOFYOU. Peyton Ruby is so cute and you just have to click here to see it for yourself!

I am not going to sit here an analize June dates. I have to make it through July, August, September, October, November, December.....I will then see what credibility the numbers have in my favor. Instead, I am going to search for all the cute faces that families will be receiving in the next few days and wait my TURN in HIS timing!

yes...this is all there is, today!

Bubble Wrap

The car ride to the bank-

Lucy: (singing) something, something…. “cake”
Something, something….. “eat it”

Stone: “Lucy, put your pacy in!”

Lucy: “NO!”

Stone: “Lucy, put your pacy in, please!”

Lucy: (singing louder) “Twinkle, twinkle little star
Yes, sir, yes, sir, sing with me”

(Notice the combination Twinkle twinkle, Bah bah black sheep, and ABC song.)

Long silence filled with “Funky Town from the Shrek 2 movie in the DVD player.

Lucy: (sudden loud outburst, still singing) E-I-E-I-OOOOOOO!

What's going on in our area?!

Who knew a wagon could be so fun. Dante played on this for a whole day. I think after a couple spills he put the helmet on...and after this one...he will wear the elbow pads now too! OUCH! You can't tell, but he even put his pillow into the wagon for extra cushion! The steep driveway that will not allow a camper sure makes a great "wagon run".

And Ms. Lucy has a second try at the pink make-up. ONE eye, completely surrounded. She is too happy to show us how "pretty" she is!

"Whistle while you work" keeps ringing in my head. Bart and I cleaned out the camper. Well, Bart cleaned inside with all the mouse gifts while I walked up and down the hill collecting and sorting through the many things left in the camper. It was like Christmas for us! I forgot I had collected a whole second set of things for camping! The grill-to-go, chairs for both us and the kids, toys, dishes....the toaster and coffee pot will be disposed due to the traces of mouse droppings left in the pot itself. Bart even mention how clean of crumbs the toaster was....EEEUUUUUHHHHH! I really, really do not like mice! But all was clear, and the camper is clean Except for the muddy footprints Stone brought in it after the fact. Always something!

I also cleaned Bart's truck floor....FINALLY. Poor Bart, last week on our ice cream break, cheat, treat...Stone's white (milk) fell over and the whole thing spilled out on to the passenger floor board. I felt it my mistake and told him I would clean it. I FORGOT! He went 5 days before saying anything about the smell. And then it was only to ask me to leave the windows down in the garage overnight to let the smell out. Imagine the 100+ degrees in a parking lot outside work and milk! So I hope I eliminated some of the funk with a good wash, a lot of febreeze and a new fresh rain oil car air freshener. Bad thing is, I think even he was beginning to smell from just driving to and from work!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

To my love, my best friend, and perfect match. We are opposites that attract and fit perfectly! I am blessed to be working on the hardest job in life, parenting, with this man. The kids (OUR KIDS) love you and wish you a HAPPY FATHER'S DAY! What other dad would dress up like this for their kids?

We are also blessed with a bounty of fathers of our own.

Bart's Dad, Harry Norbert, who we are proud of his service to our country and his family, has a heart of gold and has amazed us as the kid inside comes out!

Doug, my step-dad, is Gordan GOOD guy! This has been his nickname since he came into our lives. Any man who can treat teenagers with love and respect and take them under his wing is amazing. Thanks.

MY DAD....I already wrote him a mushy e-mail...but the main thing is I am so happy you are HERE to wish a happy father's day. Surgery fixed

his broken heart. The memories and times since these 2 years have passed have been priceless....and I want many many more!

Also not pictured is Bart's step-dad Kevin. Unfortunately all I have are hard copy pictures that I can find...no digitals. I know him. He would rather me not be late for church then to sit her all morning and dig one up. I will try to get one on for him this afternoon. But he is a father! Another step in and love, step in and share, step in and care kind of dad. You are special to us....even from far away!

So to all the DAD'S out there.....(especially the waiting China Dad's)

Happy Father's Day!

Has anyone seen the priest Dairy Queen Commercial? The "Father" eating an ice cream cake from the nuns? I laughed my butt off! So, for any catholics remember your spiritual "father" today. And most important I am Thankful for my Father above who has blessed me beyond imagine and continues to everyday!

Antique Tractors

My Uncle Dan recently was honored in another Antique Tractor Heritage Ride. These are very interesting to people who like tractors! He on the other hand LOVES them! Growing up he was always the quiet uncle who everyone obeyed or else. I have now seen the other side of him on these tractors. He acts like a kid in a candy store! The first one I visited him at was in Illinois when I was pregnant with Lucy. These pictures are from one in Missouri last year.

See more here at the MORRIS DAILY HERALD site.

Just a little family fun!

The view from the front porch!

I don't even have a neighbor to be angry at for this view! Thank goodness for the empty lot! Our Driveway was a little too steep for any comfort. I can only image chasing the camper down the hill! It is temporary! Now, don't get me wrong, I LOVE the camper. I LOVE to camp. But this year we have priorities. Investments, basements to finish, a trip to China next year, and more legal/orphanage fees to take care of. The expenses of camping doesn't fit into the plan! Selling this beauty saddens me, but it was my idea (unless Bart planted it into my head somehow). It is my HUGE sacrifice for KATE. And then in a couple years I hope to upgrade! 

A Chinese full moon

So this is why Bart has never been asked to go to China with a new Diaper development!

These are split-pants. They are worn by all Chinese children. It really is so they can squat and go as needed. I have even heard of some of the children arriving in them, in and around layers of clothes! The Chinese bundle up thier kids in the winter to the point of Randy in "The Christmas Story". And then let their bums hang out for convience. Puddles in the street? Hmmmm.

The three stooges

For those of you who miss seeing the kids...here is your fix! All these were taken this past week!
Stone is showing off his do-rag as Mr. Cool! He wore this growing up all summer to keep his sensitive little head from burning. We always thought he'd grow up to be a big tough Harley guy! Ha!

Lucy is showing off her first application of make-up. It is the pink all around her eyes. She loves mom's make-up drawer. I don't wear much....most of the time none, but enough for her to get into trouble with.

Dante is posing for Stone. This was one of 70+ pictures Stone took on an afternoon shopping trip with Bart! Dante's knee is still looking rough. A huge skin graft sort of thing about 2 inches in diameter! Other then that he is back on the board, bike, ball-field and swimming pool! Can't keep the big D down! 

TUB(s) of FROSTING!

On our strict diet, we are not allowed any sugars or carbs. Only natural sugars from fruits. How am I surviving you wonder. (Me too)
One of these tubs of frosting escaped the Wal-mart bakery and chased me in my dreams the other night. I can't wait til it finally catches up with me! 

A weekend full of treasures (or junk, depending how you look at it)!

This is Bart compliment's of Stone. It really is the best picture to descirbe our Saturday morning. Ou neighborhood had a planned garage-sale day. It was hot but so were the deals!

This first buy (along with some Mickey Mouse Dominos) was a score for me! I was just looking through my black and whites from Paris and planning to put them up somewhere! This will fit in perfect! And only $3. Dante scored a Missouri sweatshirt, and a cardinals tank top. He was a happy boy, even though he is suffereing from a skate board accident (Sorry, aunt Jaime no pads were on.). He was lectured for that. He also went to a buddy's house for a sleep over Friday and was a grouch all day Sat. The steriods have completely cleared the poison ivy (thanks Stacy for asking), but they also have an effect on his mood and sleeping or lack there of. I just assume this is my taste of teenager stuff!

The princess was spoiled. I saw this and walked right past it because we already bought many what I consider big ticket items. I also saw her and Bart heading towards it. Bart was surprised I had passed it up. Really I wanted him to decided. Of course, his princess now is equiped with her own make-up table. She has definately gotten the $5 out of it with her new Barbie head and hairdryer too!

The fred-flinstone car can not be shown...it is still in the truck. A cute air ball toy and a big little tykes playground were also purchased early forcing Bart to walk back and get the truck!

LADY BUGS! I really did not want to go lady bug crazy for Kate. Lady Bugs are a symbol of Chinese adoption. Lucy had a bug room and theme and before she was born we often called her Lucybug. We already have some lady bugs....

I guess I just couldn't help it. It is contagious to see other adoption Mom's with thier Lady bug stuff...It is just so cute and a great connection. I figured the 2 outfits (one smaller and one bigger) and sunglasses for less then 2 dollars is GOOD!

Lots other little things were found and stashed in the stroller basket! We had a blast. Even though it was HOT! Lucy walked the last 1/2 mile pushing her new (to here) lawn mower to be just like mom and dad!

And from there we went to the Health Fair at P&G (Bart's work) and scored more free stuff! We love the fairs his company does. They are good family fun. We did not get a chance to wear the beer goggles and drive the golf-cart. Had Dante been there he would have. Bart made Dante's buddy from basketball and baseball do the worm in the middle of the plant when he saw him. Josh didn't hesitate to show off his talent! I wish I had a picture of that! We were able to eat there and stay right on track with our allowances, which was nice. The kids were able to play in a tunnel (as if it were not hot enough already!). This is to advertise the "kids be fit" program. Very cute. Stone tried it once...can you guess what a fiasco that was! Maybe it would be different now.

So how do you end a hot day. SWIMMING at the farm. The kids had a blast and scaredy LUCY even ended up in the pool and was kicking and swimming without holding on for dear life. She was actually jumping in (taking a step and falling in really)!

Playing catch up Sunday with getting addresses ready for my new hobby, basement work, Bart's new project plans, kept us so busy! Basement about to it's last step before final trim paint, ceiling and carpet.

So on that note...I have even more to do today!

Oh, Grandma's house was cleaned out SUNDAY! WITHOUT ME! Mom even called me to tell me I would have a hay-day and that Bart would hate me if I were there. Like I say, some people's junk is another's treasure. I was told that besides the bedroom antique set of Uncle Sam's I also was given the other 2 dressers I said I would take, a twin bed, and a stardust clock. SCORE!

CAN YOU SAY GREAT WEEKEND!

The basement needs to get finished just to have a place for other's people's junk (MY TREASURES!)

"at home AMERICA"

Homeshow anyone? Maybe a book party?
I sat down last night with a very fun, energetic individual who is a StarSpecialist with "at home AMERICA".
Bart and I started talking this week about things I could do to get away for a break, and then this hit me! I love this product line and have a lot of it in my home, so why not give it a try. I love to be social, and love adult interaction. This seems perfect! And Bart is pushing me with Support! (Which makes me smile even as I type this.)
There is so much to this product to see, that I invite you to visit the small (I mean it, SMALL) online store and read more about it. CLICK HERE

But whatever you do, JUST LOOK! Contact me for all your "at home AMERICA" needs. It really does include things for all different tastes and prices. Which is one of the best things about it!

The first few months are very important and then after that I can decide how aggressive I want to be (how much money I want to make).

To get started, I am needing people right now who want to have a Homeshow, in their home or just by your word of mouth with the books (and my help of course). I need 6 parties scheduled! These can be anywhere, not just in my area. So speak up MORRIS friends and family, April DTC Flying Tigers, Idaho family and friends, Iowa family and friends, and especially all my dear friends here! These homeshows are not meant to be stressful and money making shin-digs, but a night, afternoon, day, (what-ever the time) to get together with the girls and do what we do best!

I am so tickled about this! It is something that is MINE! It does not involve the kids or Bart. It is fun and not meant to be a pushy-stressful-gotta-get-it-done type of job. A Hobby. I told Bart the minute I stress out about it, I don't need to do it!

And if I haven't named a good enough excuse for you,
I will help towards bringing Kate home.

Thanks for the support in advance!

Don't you just love these little chairs? I am looking for a real size one for my front porch.

This is from the spring/summer catalog that is only good up to the end of this month. So if you like this, there is a whole lot more to choose from. Do a book party now and a homeshow party in July or August or even September, because the fall and Christmas catalogs come out in July. I can't wait to show it to you!

Contact me!

Lucy gets a hair cut!

This is Lucy...(Like you did not know) She is nuts! I can't believe the things she does and how stubborn and scared of everything she is. I have said that a thousand times I am sure, but it still amazes me!
She is pictured with her "supersuit" on in the yard because the kids were running through the sprinkler and she HAD TO have it on. Then was too scared to go into the "rain" on the sprinkler.

I included this picture as a before picture.
Last night was her FIRST haircut. A trim really, but the first time scissor were touched to her pretty blonde locks. I was certain the curls would be gone and many people told me "NO don't cut it".
I really want to keep her hair shoulder length or above. I fought my Mom all growing up with my LONG hair and think this is my compromise.





















This is Lucy after her haircut. She is hamming it up for the camera. As you can see it is not a whole lot shorter, but it was a start. I couldn't wack it off all at once. I am waiting for it to get all one length, too. The front sides are still just about to her chin. I also trimmed the whispy bangs to so they would stay out of her eyes.






A makeover for the princess!














On a final note, not related to the Princess, I wanted to tell my Dearest Bart that I am proud of him and his will power and determination!
More to come on this later!

More fabrics at Kate's Quilt!

June 6, 2006

The world did not end yesterday. 6-6-06. But what did you do on this date that was made such a hoopla day in our society?

The good:
On the way to do errands in an area by the city park and ball diamonds Dante plays at we were slowed down by a beautiful deer walking across the road. Of course I slowed down, to show the kids and in case any other deer were behind this doe. And shortly after a small spotted fawn walks across the road. This was a sight. Poor "bambi" could not see Momma. We rolled down our windows as Momma glared at us. We were able to sit there several minutes as she called her baby. Once they reconnected they even stood there a minute or so to look at us, then something else spooked them and off into the little bit of trees there were near by. But guess what I did not have. MY CAMERA! Don't leave home without it! I was mad at myself for running out the door and leaving it behind because I was in too much a hurry to change the dead batteries.

I spent the afternoon finishing up the quilt fabrics and well wishes. I am very excited to have these sent out. I am even sending some to Australia, Canada, and Norway!

The Bad:
Poison Ivy.....Out of control to the point where it was time to seek medical attention. I was not thinking of the "mark of the beast day", just that the ER intermediate area is quick and painless and would be better then dragging all the kids the next day. Dante (cootie boy) and I head there as the rest of the family sleep.
It was a rockin party , complaints, blood smeared faces, necks, families, wheel chairs.... I regretted this decision as we pulled up, but new spots were still appearing after several treatments and I was getting worried it was something else.
As we are in the waiting room I prayed. I prayed for the people around me, Dante, the hospital staff, my sleeping family. As Dante gets called back for vitals and intial exam, I joked to the guys about a full moon. He said "no full moon, 666". Chills ran through my body. I had heard about planning births around the date, but never imaged this. He also said it was the busiest it has ever been in some time. But the good male-nurse sends us to a seperate room with no TV (Cardinals were losing anyway), since this was a pretty quick peek and treat case. He said to avoid complaints of having us go back quickly we could hide out there and they would come get us. Angel! We moved to another waiting room after that and watched the news and David Letterman. We got our full of 666 jokes and opinions. I still continued to pray for the people, the staff, and even threw in a few "Satan you can not effect our lives." I was still not a big believer of the omen day, but Satan was getting into a lot of lives this night, I could see that by just looking around.
Great nurse, great doctor. Gave him a good look. Surprised it was so much and all over but deteremined it still to be "contact dermtitis". He prescribed some steriods (so now he'll hit a lot of home runs, so he thinks) and we were driving home 3 hours later, shortly after midnight. The whole ER was quieting down as we left.
So I am learning more about prayer and practiced it last night. I know my whole experience there was positive because of this.
A year ago, two, I would have felt uncomfortable about what people thought of me if I had said this out loud, so I did not do it. I realize now my faith and prayers are what get me through the day. It brings me joy and makes me appreciate LIFE!
This does not change the fact that I still want to see the new "Omen" movie about Damien. I really like Julia Stiles and Liev Schreiber (who was in KATE AND LEOPOLD). I am a 70's and 80's horror film junkie. I loved the stuff and haven't watched much of that in years. (impressionable kids and horror films, not a good match). That does not make me any less a Believer, just a crazy horror film junkie seeking entertianment.
Knowing the story of "the Omen", I am sure that our hospital trip was much better then this one from the movie!

Check out Kate's Quilt. I will be updating this site often with the new fabrics and well wishes. Thanks to all who have sent them, I am loving it!

Happy place.

I drifted back to Paris today. In thought and mind. I had a funny feeling, smell, I am not sure exactly what really, but the other day something made me "Feel" Paris. I was in Morris, getting ready to take the journey home, but something made me feel joy and happiness and reminded me of Paris.

This is one of my favorites pictures! I took this with my back to the Louvre Pyramid at the Place Du Carrousel. It was the first day we were there and we walked and walked...went back to the room and walked some more. This was the end of our walk from the Arc de Triumph to the Louvre. A long way. Lucy of course road in style in her stroller (which she now calls a walk just like her brother Stone.). From here we took the Metro back and soon became pros at this means of transportation!

I just felt like I needed my happy place today. This is part of my happy place!