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!

She's Finally Earning Her Keep

Frannie is doing her chores before she heads off to work at Home Depot. She is their tiling and chainsaw specialist.

What a Great Christmas

Most Sundays we go to Mass with our friends and neighbors, the Michaels. Mary Pat and Dave are Frannie's Godparents and they are very good to her and to us. What a wonderful day to have them over for Christmas breakfast to watch Frannie open her gifts. Traditionally, they invite friends over for Christmas dinner and have fun games and lots of good food. Although Frannie didn't burn or maul herself this year at their house, she DID wet her pants so the Griswald tradition lives on....

Neener Neener Neeeeeener

I got to meet Faith the other day at McDonald's. I know, I know -- how did I get so fortunate? Donna called me on my way to Dunwoody, saying she wanted to meet for lunch and we were both equi-distant from the spot so I got to hear all about the lurid details of the trip. Yeah! She is just adorable and soooo good.

From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. Because while the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. John 1:16-17.

Late Pics from the Holidays

Give Thanks

Today I am thankful for the friendships that have come from adoption. I love it when people see Frannie, stop me on the street and share their adoption stories. There is such a wonderful bond among all the families.

I read an acquaintance's blog today and she inspried me so much about how our next adoption is such a good thing. It may be difficult at times, I may want to cry in frustration with CC*I changing it's rules, with USCIS changing it's rules, agencies changing their rules ("NO, TODAY YOU HAVE TO WEAR purple PANTS AND SPIN AROUND twice *THEN* YODEL AND BARK LIKE A DOG! COME ON!! GET IT RIGHT ELLEN!!!"). Those who have done this know I'm not exaggerating too much.

Some angel put a Gymboree coupon on my office door this morning and I got the BEST deal on a Christmas gift for my niece in Seattle. Check out their sales!

So much going on

Hi -- Photos are about Locks of Love. New photos to come from our fun SEC fanfare event this weekend. Frannie was on tv twice -- she knows people. We got our fingerprints complete this morning -- check. We are planning Christmas, our trip to NY the day after and all the families we love and who need prayers this year. Just when you think you have stress and issues -- you hear about a family that is in dire straights and still manages to smile. Please pray for my friend Lisa who is this angel. No details required, but she needs a LOT of prayers. If you only knew.....

We would like to make some donations this year and forego all gifts for adults. I plan to make my usual little treats for those around us, but the rest of you will receive a card and our prayers. God bless!

Friend in China

My buddy Donna ("Digit" friend #1 returning to China for Chinese child #2, child #4 in the family) is in Hong Kong as we speak. I'm so excited for her. It makes me weepy thinking about it. God bless her and her family!