Happy New Year's!!!

Just wanted to give a quick shoutout to everyone.

Have a great 2009!!!

Pics of Steven

As I was reading through my blog, I just realized I completely forgot to update Steven's birthday and awards from school. Bad Momma!

Steven's birthday, fell in a time, when I had started a second job, we had some testing going on at school, and I'll be honest, I slacked off on my blog. So, I'm going to post some pics of my fabulous little guy and get up to speed with what he's been doing!


Fourth Grade School Picture


Christmas Morning 2007




10th Birthday Party - It was a movie theme party. I made his cake to look like a big bag of popcorn. I used Kettle Corn popcorn for the top.


End of School awards - Yea - he's going to fifth!

Also, Steven brought home his report card yesterday - AB Honor Roll! We are so proud of him!

High School Dances

David went to his first high school dance last weekend. He was so excited, I could barely get him to stand still to take the picture.




I just look at his picture and I'm just dumbfounded. He has turned into quite a young man.

A lot of growth in five years! This picture was taken right before Kevin and I got married. David was 8 years old.

More Birthdays!

David celebrated his 14th birthday last weekend. Boy, it's hard to believe that only a few years ago he was still just a little boy!

Birthdays!

This weekend my best friend and her sister had a birthday party for their daughters. The girls are only 13 days apart. They made each one their own little pink birthday cake. As you can see, baby on left is looking at baby on right as if she is crazy!



I made my friend a picture wall hanging for the baby's room:



I made her sister a small picture album:







It was a fun party!

Political Cartoons I love!

It seems whenever I look at political cartoons these days they are definitely left winged. I found these following pics while browsing the net today. Also, not very easy to find. I think they're great!




He he!

Hurricane Ike

About two days ago, we boarded up our windows, nervously bought our supplies and debated if we should stay or go. Now, as we watch, Hurricane Ike has decided to go more north. Phew!



So, the kids and I have had the last two days, Thursday and Friday, off from school. We've been really busy!


For all my peeps in Houston, hold on tight!

Never Eat Soggy Waffles . . .

. . . is what I like to tell my students when teaching the compass rose. North = Never, East = Eat, South = Soggy, and West = Waffles. I found myself thinking of that when I ate my waffle this morning for breakfast. So, if I can use a compass rose to prevent me from eating a soggy waffle, could I use a waffle to show me North, East, South, and West? Things that make you go "HMMMMM!!!!"

Contrary to what you think . . .

. . . I have not fallen off the face of the Earth!

I started a second job, about a month ago, after school tutoring. I've just been extremely busy!

I will have to take a time out this weekend and post some pictures of our trip to Chicago. It was a blast!

Referrals are in!

CCAA Status


Reviewed through:
October 31, 2006

Placed through:
January 4, 2006

We should be going into review soon. Keep your fingers crossed that everything comes out okay!

OH YEAH!

This is how I feel this morning! I lost 4.8 pounds this week!

I was just hoping to break even after the gain last week - but a loss like this is just icing on the cake. Pardon my pun!


I know everyone is tired of reading about my weight loss journey, so I'll talk about our other journey - Lily Anne! Referrals from China are going to be coming in any day. 'Rumor' has it that referrals may go through to January 4, 2006. Right now people have been waiting about 25 to 26 months from LID to referral.

Kevin and I will be going to Chicago this Spring. Neither one of us have ever been. It's going to be fun. Hopefully it will also lift our spirits in the adoption. We will be attending an "East meets West" conference. Our agency does two conferences a year. Usually in the Spring and in Fall. So, we're going to learn about the culture of China, traveling tips, and we're going to meet other families that are waiting to adopt or have already adopted from China. I'm really excited!

Babies and Babies!

Referrals were sent February 1st - The CCAA matched families that were referred up to December 27, 2005. I can no longer paste the CCAA referral box because they no longer have it up on their webpage. Darn!

On, February 12th, we will have waited one year since our log in date in China. It's all good - we'll have Lily in our arms in about another year or so.

On to some more news, my nephew, Jospeh Michael was born Thursday night at 8 pounds 14 ounces; 21 1/2 inches long. He is one solid baby! Kevin and I have been blessed to have been asked to be his godparents. I am so thrilled for my brother-in law! This is his first baby.

Also - if you take a look at my weight loss ticker, you'll see that I have had some success! Yes! I am down about 15 pounds or so now.

I hope to be at my goal by the time Lily's referral comes. I want to climb the Great Wall of China!

The Chinese New Year began February 7th - it is the Year of the Rat.


I'm hoping Lily will be born in the Year of the Ox - because she'll be born in 2009 and she'll still be little, little when we go to China to get her!

Yes!!!!

My lifestyle change is being met with success. As of today, I have lost 11.8 pounds. I think that's pretty awesome! I was doing some spring cleaning yesterday, you know, cleaning closets, cabinets, and dresser drawers. I came across this picture of myself from when I was in college - it was taken about ten years ago.




I had to crop it - but - I would love to look like that again!

Pictures of China's Landscape

I thought these were beautiful! Enjoy!

Referrals are in . . .

. . . and it was a small batch. There were only 60 babies referred.



Hopefully, February referrals will have more.