Go Sox

Make a Smilebox slideshow

We had a great time at the game yesterday -- other than the heat, it was great. Kevin had gotten us the only tickets available the other day, which were pretty bad seats, but I wanted to see the Sox regardless. On our way to the game he called to tell me he had been offered a friend's season tickets, right behind home -- look at Frannie's picture and see how close we were! It was by far the best seats I've ever had at any game. My cousin treated us to $100 bleacher seats in Fenway two summers ago which were HORRIBLE seats and yesterday I paid $0 for the best ones I've EVER had. Go figure. Thanks Fast Eddie.

Yeah!

We finally got our LOA -- at least we are being mailed the LOA via overnight mail and it will be signed and shipped to the NBC tomorrow. Pray for a quick turnover!

Frannie and I had a fun time in Charlotte with the Nansons. We loved getting to know Lizzie and Lynne herself is just naturally funny so the mundane of daily life is usually fun with her around. Yesterday morning we headed over to a park to feed the ducks and ended up running for our lives. Personally I am accustomed to ducks that are so full from all the daily snacks they are given by the kids that they barely look your way when you approach them with bread. Apparently these ducks had been fasting until that very second when we arrived. Frannie and I balled up the bits of bread and began to throw them toward the ducks and suddenly a huge flock was surrounding us, along with a number of geese, one of which marched toward us fast, drooling and Lynne swears he was bearing fangs and hissing. I did not want to scare Frannie, but after slowly backing up and the aggressive duck continued, we all yelled "RUN!" and bolted for the car. I think I knocked Frannie out of the way trying to flee (and I'm pretty sure I wet my pants from laughing). Oy, those are the good times. Love you Lynne.

Our estimate for travel to China is getting more easy to pinpoint now. I don't want to speculate, but it would be good to get over there before Labor Day?

Guess What I got?

I got my new minivan! We shopped and shopped and shopped and we were told on Friday that we would NEVER find the 2005 for the price we wanted to pay unless there was something really WRONG with it. Well, we found a 2006 with only 43,000 miles for the price we wanted to pay! The Toyota dealership checked it out for us, give it the thumbs up and we are soooo excited!

This morning we are heading out to Chattanooga for a weekend trip to see the Lookouts and go to the aquarium tomorrow. And to look at the dirt we own nearby :)

Today is Day 101

We have been officially Logged in for 101 days. Not much I can do except pester my agency which is not my style (wait, zoom back about 2 years when I almost punched my agency rep over the phone out of frustration and hormones), but have been told recently that our file is "Out of the Review Room" which means we might get the LOA next week (or so). For those Chinese adoption novices out there, it means we will probably not be going to China until August or September. Not exactly convenient for a teacher or for a cameraman who works SEC football, among other sports.

My family is doing fairly well since my Mom's funeral. Thanks to everyone for all the calls and the nice cards and flowers. We all know we are going to die and we also know our parents will probably go first, but when it happens, there are no words except "this stinks." It was her time and she is in heaven (or purgatory for a while, who knows what kind of trouble she got into when we weren't looking) and we will have some great laughs some day.

Frannie is wearing some shorts I bought from Target almost TWO YEARS AGO and they are a size SIX MONTHS. Repeat: SIX MONTHS. She was walking like Frankenstein, but she got her bum bum into them! Can you believe it!?? She also likes her bike helmut just a little bit.

My Mom

Well, today I lost my Mom and more than anything, I am grateful to know I will see her again one day. I don't know how non-believers do it. I am sad, but mostly for my Dad who lost his best friend of almost 57 years. Since they dated for 5 years before that it's actually 62 years. He must feel like he lost his right side. My Mom lost her Mother when she was only 3 so I can't help but think of the two of them, together at last. And her Dad too, but mostly her Mom.

The other day when I posted that we were leaving for Florida, we never actually left due to some .... complications. We are still in Lilburn and will be leaving for Florida on Saturday for the Tuesday funeral. Kevin and I went to Mass this morning and prayed mostly for my Dad. Kevin reminded me of some of the crazy and funny things my Mom used to say like "OAFRAH Whinfrey" instead of Oprah and ROCK-CHESTER NY and it got me smiling -- she was so Ethel Mertz, it's not even funny. My Mom taught me endurance when your marriage is not fun, she gave me a love for special needs people, a great love of food (ha ha!!!!), strong-willed opinions (if they don't like it, TOUGH CRAP!!!), shared ditzy moments, loyalty and too many other memories and characteristics to mention. I have no regrets when it comes to my Mom, we said and did all we needed to say and do for each other and the last words we said to each other is I LOVE YOU and we meant it, which is the best I can ask for. Say Hi to Jesus for me.

We are going to Florida today

My Mom is still in hospice, alive, but apparently, not for long. I got a call from my sister yesterday that my Mom is not only hanging on, but she is probably aware of those around her. I have to go down so we are packing up now. Luckily we have my dear cousin who is going to put us up at her house for the week and my dear friend Laura who is willing to help in whatever way we need for childcare, rides, whatever. Thanks be to God. Today marks the 25th anniversary of my grandmother's death (my Father's Mom who died on the morning of my high school graduation). Not sure I want her to pass today -- my poor Dad would have lost the 2 most important women in his life on the same day. Egad. I'll post later.

Ecclesiastes

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted” (Ecclesiastes 3:1,2).

My cousin Judy was pregnant with Meghan when my Grandmother died. She wanted so much for our Gramma to meet her daughter, but it never happened. At the time I could not help but think that the cycle of life is just like that -- one dies and one is born. Ours is not to reason why....

Now we sit here waiting for Gracie and my Mom is literally on her deathbed in hospice. Gracie will also wear the baptismal gown that Frannie wore which was lovingly made from my Mom's wedding gown. A basic buddist tenant states that once we accept the suffering in life, we can find peace. God's will is not just good, it is PERFECT.

"Even when in our time we may not understand how a particular event can be purposeful or beautiful, we can have faith that if it occurs in God’s time for it, it is.....For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8)

End of School, Selling the House and Waiting, Waiting WAITING for LOA

We have had the Tucker house for 8 years (it was my house when I met Kevin) and have been renting it out, but we are finally ready to sell the thing and make a few pennies. Our friends have been living in the house and helping us tremendously with the fix-ups. Johan is a jack of all trades and his work is impeccable.

I have one more "school day" until the kids are finished and 3 more work days until I can officially say I'm off for the summer. I am going to be praying hard for all of my students during the summer. God bless Lisa and Brett.

LOA, LOA, LOA. Who out there can make up a blues song about waiting for an LOA. If anyone has any ideas, let me know and I will see if we can compose something funny to help ease our wait.

Hi

I like this picture (it's old) because it looks like Frannie is saying "Oooooh" and Jacob is saying "Aaahhhhh." Funny. That little Jacob cracks me up.







We are now at 65 days being logged in. Where are those LOAs? Are they actually holding up LOAs because of the swine flu too? I will post the updated pictures of Gracie's room this weekend - paint on the wall, check, crib, check, dresser, check. I'm making a bright mermaid theme. I found some towels I like with little "Olive" mermaids on them which is my favorite so I'm making Gracie a mermaid doll which hopefully won't freak her out (like the alligator freaked out Frannie in the orphanage).

Fifty Seven Days

Not so bad, in terms of waiting for an LOA, but it would be nice to set speed records in our paperchase to China. People always ask "When are you going?" and if they only knew how frustrating that question is! I don't know!!!! Quit asking!!! Just kidding. But to answer this question accurately requires a crystal ball, a secret agent working for you in the US Immigration Department, a foreign agent in the Department of Chinese Adoption Affairs, etc., etc. "We are going sometime between now and Christmas. Have a nice day."

Waaaaay too many projects, no time

Kevin and I are both guilty of starting home improvement projects out of sheer excitement and getting in over our heads. Clutter bothers both of us after a while, yet we like the outcome so we tend to have a minimum of 2 simultaneous projects going, ALWAYS. We do finish them, eventually, but it's hard in the meantime. I believe the state of our current house might have come easier if we had just knocked the house down to start with and began with our own ideas.

We had our handy guy Terry come in a few months ago to put up walls in the basement and get all the wiring, hvac ready for "Frannie's Funhouse" and we basically did the rest. See below. Next project: Gracie's room (this is a picture taken this morning -- I hope it looks better in a month).

Life is Not Always Easy

It's so sad to watch your parents get old, isn't it? We are going to Florida this Thursday to visit and I haven't seen them since ... Thanksgiving? but the stories about my Mom's decline is so sad. She is in a nursing home in St. Augustine where my Dad visits her every day, but she is so confused and scared, it's so sad. I can't wait to bring Frannie to her to cheer her up. We got a special bound book for the grandparents for a Christmas gift, but I think I need to give it to her now so she can look at it every day. I went to "mypublisher.com" and found a great deal to download photos and have a gorgeous printed book made with all the best of the Frannie pictures. Pray for both my Mom and Dad as they go through this difficult time.

Happy Easter

Frannie and I had a quiet Easter, going to Mass early with the Godparents while Kevin went to work a Braves game. She looks so huge compared to last year!

My Mom has had health problems for years, having had a minor stroke before and a couple of "minor" heart attacks, but this week, she had both. We are not sure yet how minor this stroke is, but this morning she was not sounding too good, so please keep them in your prayers. My parents have been married for 56 years and my Dad probably needs the most prayers right now.

So I'm a little busy, sue me

I do not have the ability to walk and chew gum at the same time. I can't seem to keep up with blogging when I'm busy because it stresses me out. It's IEP season which gives me a stiff neck and shoulders EVERY single year. It's like that dream when you are looking for the classroom (as in, you are back in high school or college) and you realize you haven't been to class in weeks and a paper is due and yes, suddenly you are not wearing any pants. This is how I feel during IEP season yet I'm awake. Luckily I have the nicest principal in the world who gives me affirmation about my job. Just when I feel like I've ignored my job or feel insecure about what a screw-up I am, he manages to lift me up.

The only news is that we are thinking travel to China may be mid-Julyish which will not bode well with starting school August 3 and planning a cleft palate surgery too. God is good and will take us to China when it's the right time. Even if it IS going to be hotter than ......

Looking forward to spring break, the start of baseball season (yea, Gwinnett Braves!), finishing up FRANNIE FAY'S FUNHOUSE (pictures will come, promise).

I'm Playing Catch-up with some pics

Frannie and I both have allergies and are home sick (yep, again). My voice is almost gone and I just want to sleep, but Frannie does not seem to mind being sick at all. She is getting into everything and won't let me close my eyes for one second.

We had all the PINK girls over this weekend for pizza and fun times. Aren't they just beautiful? From L to R:

Alaina and Ally H, Danielle T, Frannie, Faith and Shelby S. and in the back are Stephanie and Elizabeth T.



Also, a picture of what we found in our yard when we got home from the beach last week :)

Hey, Now Wait a Minute.....

What does she remind you of?



Think about it now. Take a guess then scroll down.

Aaaaah, Seaside Beach

Seaside and Seagrove Beach will always conjure memories of the marathon......


beautiful homes.....

good times with friends....




AND VOMITING. Okay, so this is my SECOND trip to the beach with the Brennans where I have gotten horribly ill. The first time, we were luckily (ha!) on our way home (ooops Kevin I think I just pooped my pants) but THIS time I got to vomit and sit in the bathroom while actually ON VACATION!!!! The moral of the story is, according to Dorothy, just stay the heck home and go to Stone Mountain if the urge for a trip comes up. They have it all! No need to pack underwear, just buy an annual pass and if you can't find it at Stone Mountain, then you don't need it.

Chinese Girl from Spaaaaaaaaaace

Frannie shares a lot with me, but her silliness comes directly from her Daddy!

We are going to our Third Friday meeting tonight and Lucy says she is not coming, but I'm going to pressure her until she relents. Can't wait to see everyone!

We are finally DTC

Our dossier was sent to China on Monday. What this means:

1. China will (should) approve us within about 3 months and send us an LOA (letter of acceptance) after that.
2. We sign that document, send it back to China and wait for our TA (travel approval). This might be another 3 weeks (so this puts us around the end of May). We can start then making TENTATIVE travel arrangements. Once we officially have our TA, we can request a CA (consulate appointment) with the US Consulate in Guanghzou. We should hear yeah or nay within a few days after that and once confirmed, we can make real travel arrangements (beginning of June, please) and be on our way.

One more thing scratched off the list. Thank you Lord for progress.

Two of my favorite boys, two favorite pictures

I love my dogs -- I really do. Before Frannie, they were my babies. Milo just casually sitting on wet Clancy for the heck of it just cracks me right up.

Happy Valentine's Day! We are without Kevin today, but he sent us a dozen roses from Chicago or Phoenix and he is taking me to dinner and the Cirque du Soleil this week! Oh life is good.

Frannie and Daddy, the Gator Freaks

I think they are still celebrating the National Championship.

Thanks be to God

The Heavens have parted, a choir of angels are singing....

We got word yesterday that our medicals were accepted and authenticated in Houston.... for those who don't understand, believe me, it's bordering on a miracle. I pray no one from the USCIS or the CC*A are reading this, but we worked our documents in such a way, not to CHEAT, but we worked it in such a way..... we will be dossier to China in a few days. Yahoooooo!!!!

We are shopping for a mini van, such as....

One Step Forward, One Step Back

This week received our 797 from the USCIS. Good, right? Well, then we got a call from Aisha (love you, Aisha, really) telling me we have to have our medical forms redone because of the notary date. Annoying, but doable. Oh yeah, and I need 6 family pictures, passport photos and hurry. I'm pretty sure I already did that, but okay. Kevin's doctor would not merely SIGN the form, he requires a physical, blood tests and some follow-up tests before he'll sign. We could have been dossier to China this week, but......meanwhile the Tanskis are DTC this week without us! We should still travel with them, but it makes me nervous.

Thanks Donna for your input. By the way, Readers, if anyone is interested (teachers out there?) in helping me sponsor a child in foster care in China, let me know. Gracie is sponsored by a family, who are actually paying for her to receive foster care. It costs about $20/month. Research shows, of course, that foster care is better for any child than an orphanage (I'm sorry Donna, I still think Frannie is JUST FINE and was WELL LOVED in her orphanage :)). I read on our Yahoo group today that a teacher is getting her class to help her sponsor a child. The organization will mail you quarter reports and pictures of your child. Their website: http://www.dianjiangkids.org/index.html

I can't exactly get my students to sponsor a child, but I'm going to pass this idea on to a few Holt teachers. Thanks,

Frannie Likes Armpits

Frannie likes to talk about very particular things. Shoes, jewelry, princesses, who is a boy and who is a girl. Oh yeah, and armpits. She likes to tell you how many armpits that little girl has and acts surprised when she notices a girl on tv has an armpit. Somehow I think Cheryl has something to do with this (ha ha).

Look Who!

We sent Gracie a cake for Chinese New Year and got these pictures back! We found out a few weeks ago that she is in a sponsored program through her orphanage and has been living in foster care. We are happy to see the family and to know (at least assume) that she is being loved and cared for (with multiple layers of clothing!) by this family. God bless them for caring for her! And for putting so much clothing on her! Looks like she has TWO hats on. Makes me weepy. Happy New Year Mei Mei Gracie! LEFT CLICK ON THE INDIVIDUAL PHOTOS TO ENLARGE THEM :)

We are One Step Closer

We found out today that we will receive our 797 form from the USCIS this week -- our documents are just about authenticated which puts us one tiny step away from getting our dossier to China. Which makes it THAT much more likely that we will be going to China before summer break AND travelling with the Tanskis! Yahoo! Our dossiers are going to China at the same time so......

Who do you think is running the show at this sporting event? Kevin, by the way, is gesturing to the GATOR on his shirt -- who, by the way, are the reigning NATIONAL CHAMPS, in case you didn't know. Kevin would like you to know that.

It's Nice to Know....

that adoption is not "second best" to giving birth. I have 3 good friends (my digit friends) who each had 2 biological children before they decided to adopt from China. I have since met quite a few more friends who also had biological children first. Each one of them have expressed the same feelings of love and care for these kids. God decided to not give me and Kevin any biological children, but HEY! We were rewarded with Frannie instead. We'll take Frannie any day.



Our friends Lucy and Doug are about to leave China with their 2nd daughter from China (their 4th altogether). We just got word that our other friends, Steve and Darcy have had a match with a BOY from China! Our first boy among our digit friends. We are praying hard to travel with Darcy and Steve, but our timing must be pretty close for this to happen. Pray for this to happen! We would all love to be with them in China, I think Frannie most especially. She just LOVES the Tanski girls and talks about them a LOT.



We are just waiting for that letter in the mail from "Department of Homeland Security." Come on!