Nothing New to Report, but I've got cute pictures!

I haven't had a lot to write about these days, just trying to keep busy and my mind off the endless waiting game that we seem to be playing. I'm trying to keep busy through reading about fifteen books at the same time, finishing the nursery and my new coffeemaker. I'm now addicted to this new little machine.

This past weekend was very hectic, but loads of fun. I spent Friday with my sister and brand-new niece. At six weeks old, she has me completely wrapped around her little finger. We had a great time together and learned many things about one another. Annie learned that I will do anything for her with only the slightest whimper and I learned that she loves hair metal. Her favorite song you ask..."Livin on a Prayer," by Bon Jovi. We sang it a lot! Here are a few new pictures.

Auntie M can't resist this face!

Seriously, that's enough with the camera!

Saturday and Sunday were spent celebrating my cousin Mandy's bachelorette party. Very low key and lots of fun. I wish we could spend every weekend that way, particularly the spa day, which was complete with a mint chocolate pedicure. It was bliss!!! I can't wait until the wedding.

One more step closer?

Tomorrow, Larry is going to deliver our portfolio and letter to the domestic agency. I'm so excited about moving forward. But I will say that writing that letter was difficult. Coming from a background steeped in writing, I thought that perhaps I would breeze through it. But instead I got a gigantic case of writer's block.

Alas, it's written now. And I am very happy with the results.

Not much other news to report. Our 8 year old niece spent the night Friday night and I introduced her to the movie "The Goonies." I LOVE IT!!! It was fun sharing one of my greatest childhood memories with her.

Our dossier is on the way back from the Vietnamese Consulate right now. Not sure what to do with it yet.

Hope everyone had a great weekend and has an even better week.

Random Things

So, I was tagged again, this time by my blog friend Carissa. This one looks like fun. Here are the rules:

1. List 7 random things about yourself that people may not know.

2. Link the person who sent this to you, and leave a comment on their blog so that their readers can visit yours.

3. Post the rules on your blog.

4. Tag 7 random people at the end of your post, linking their blog. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

So here goes nothing:

1. I have a really good memory, particularly for random phone numbers, dates and trivial information. If you need to know the name of a celebrity's dog or child or third husband; call me because I will most likely know the answer.

2. I hate ice cream with crunchy things in it. I want my ice cream to be smooth and creamy, not filled with things that have the potential to break my teeth.

3. I'm a tad obsessed with celebrity pop culture. I have to read Perezhilton.com; celebritybabyblog.com and people.com at least three times a day.

4. I eat cheeseburgers by the layer.

5. I'm an Indigo Girls junkie. I know the words to every Indigo Girls song, have seen them in concert about 20 times and walked down the aisle to the song "Power of Two."

6. I've been coloring my hair since I was fifteen and can no longer remember the original color. It's been every color from jet black to super blond with a pink streak running through it. Right now it's a lovely auburn.

7. I love grocery shopping. It's an almost Zen-like experience for me.

I know I'm supposed to tag 7 people, but I'm going to leave this open for anyone who wants to participate.

MeMe

So, my blog friend Anne from MN to VN tagged me with the Book Meme. It's been awhile since I've done one of these, but perfect since I am trying to read a book a week! So far, it's going well!


Okay, onto the Book Meme.

The rules:
1. Pick up the nearest book of at least 123 pages.
2. Open the book to page 123.
3. Find the 5th sentence.
4. Post the next 3 sentences.
5. Tag 5 more people.


Interestingly enough, the book nearest my computer desk was "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows." Imagine me, having a Harry Potter book near by! Here it goes:

"'I am here, as I'm sure you know, because of Albus Dumbledore's will.'
Harry, Ron and Hermione looked at one another.
'A surprise apparently! You were not aware that Dumblebore had left you anything?'"

Oh, how I love Harry Potter. J.K Rowling is a genius. And I can't wait to share these books with our child!

I'm supposed to tag 5 people, so here goes nothing:

1. Marcie
2.Kathryn
3.Jennifer
4.Kelli
5.Jilian

Have fun!!

I can't believe I'm sharing this!

I'm beginning to wonder what might be wrong with our cats. This used to be Josie's favorite hangout.

Fun with Pictures

We've been going through lots and lots of pictures at our house. I wanted to share one of my favorites.



I promise that we don't routinely keep our animals in the fridge. Zoey apparently thought this was an appropriate place to hang out.

A turn in the road

It has been almost one year since Larry and I decided to enter the realm of adopting a child. When we made the decision to adopt, we both went into it with the biggest, rosiest rose colored glasses slapped on our face. We were sure that we would breeze through all the steps and we would have welcomed our child from Vietnam home quicker than anyone imagined. And then reality stepped in. I won't rehash the details, you can read about them in the archives if you need to. But it involved four sets of fingerprints, multiple repeat background checks and questions surrounding a biological daughter that neither of us has.

And while the journey thus far has been frustrating and exhausting, it has also been educational, enlightening and eye-opening. There have been days when Larry and I have been so excited that we were finally making progress and others when we've collapsed from the emotional strain. We've learned tons about ourselves and each other. I knew Larry was an incredibly patient man, but nothing like the patience he has had with this journey and with me, particularly in the last few weeks. Someone probably needs to give him a medal!

In November, when some rumblings concern the status of adoption in Vietnam began, we decided to continue cautiously down the path we were already on. However, we began to discuss other possibilities should the need to pursue them ever arise. And when the Department of State released an announcement regarding adoption in Vietnam, it became apparent to us that we may need to reevaluate our options.

The last weekend in January, we were both on pins and needles. Our agency, which we have great faith in, sent out an email and told us they would be in touch. Larry spoke with our Program Coordinator at length, we spoke to each other at length, and we leaned on family and friends for support. At last, we knew what we were going to do.

So, at this point, the road we started on ten months ago has taken a sharp turn. We've decided to pursue a domestic adoption and are as excited about this decision as we were when we took a leap of faith into adoption last year. This is not to say that we've given up on adoption in Vietnam. We both feel strongly about what is going on in the world of Vietnam adoptions at this time and are hopeful that in the end what is best for the children of Vietnam will prevail. We are also hopeful to one day bring home a child from Vietnam.

There are many things to be done over the course of the next days and weeks. We know that this too will be an emotional roller coaster, but I do love a good roller coaster.