Our Taiwan Bundle of Joy

New Blog - Under Construction

2010-08-24T22:42:00.003-04:00

As mentioned in an earlier post (July 29th) - I was not sure how to make a new blog & end this one.

My solution is to tell of the new blog (UNDER CONSTRUCTION):

http://ourafricanbundleofjoy.blogspot.com/

So, if you found us here at

http://ourtaiwanbundleofjoy.blogspot.com/

you can now follow our new journey, in our new country (Ethiopia), to our new child.

Regards & Blessings
-mlynne

We Wait In a Humble Sort of Way

2010-08-16T15:27:00.011-04:00

I had closed this blog, then decided to go private. This coming week, is one in which I must face the music (further testing). I have known this for quiet a bit of time but these test apts take forever to schedule and the only way I could deal with the wait was to put (it) out of my mind and heart. Eventually, I called the Doc, for further info. Thus, the start of fear concerning what this could mean for my children, husband and self. At the same time, I also thought, is this all for not? Is it worth the worry, but, really, who am I kidding, if it is pre-cancer or cancer, then, yes, it is a gift to know, now, instead of later.

So, as weeks passed, we preceded with the adoption, with conversations in prayer for guidance, we approached the application, thinking, well, this will take a bit of time, lets just get that part done. But, acceptance came in only a matter of days. This freaked me, actually, full blown panic attacks, for with acceptance, one moves forward, in a fashionable manner. Concrete schedules normally are what I like, handle well, but, when I still didn't know if I would have medical issues, we didn't have the luxery to move forward. Ethically, morally, spiritually and monetarily this was not possible.

1st: fear, what if this all means cancer 2nd: my family and 3rd: how to handle the adoption. I floundered with my lack of ability to see that we should have: waited to do the application, waited for the answers, waited to have a known results. Hindsight was not one of the tools I had at the time of my (our) decision. My poor husband, he is my rock, he is my world, he is the one who advised that AGCI would support us while we waited to hear further, if nothing else, they would empathetically listen. Me, with the history of our "other" agency, that which wanted to hear NOTHING personal, on any level, thought the worst, immediately thought, we have to w/draw from the Ethiopian program. I am human, I am not perfect. It took me two plus days to get my wits about me and realize I needed to give AGCI a chance (and us as well) if they wanted to listen. "They", basically is, our caseworker. She not only supported me, but wanted us to know that she would be there for us, as one of AGCI's families. She wanted me to know, she would be praying, only a phone call away if we needed to talk. Her thoughts: although an agency is there for the "norm", they should, be available when issues arise, it is then, that they are needed the most. I am humbled, embarrassed, that I freaked so quickly and didn't find it in me to look for the best from the get go.

We listened, this weekend at our Church, to a representative from the Comboni Lay Missionary, who came to talk to us about the ways to support mission outreach to the wider church but esp of a couple working in Africa. (Now tell me this wouldn't "hit home" near and dear to my/our heart(s). A couple who took the risks, followed their hearts, stepped up to their calling and work in Gods name. Additionally, this was the weekend we celebrate the Feast of the Assumption of Mary. We explored Mary's faith in the Lord to care for her, her unselfish sole, her ability to comfort other while she was pregnant and in discomfort, waiting for the Birth of Jesus. Her strength & her faith are what I needed to understand in this particular week.

Day by day, week by week, and year by year I keep learning that there is only so much I can be in control of and I keep trying and trying to be a better servant to God and to those around us in need. When I falter I try to pick myself up and remember we all are anything but perfect.

So, in a few days, the tests, then I hope some answers. Then we will have a better understanding of what our journey may be.

Do U Want the Good or Bad News 1st?

2010-08-12T19:51:00.003-04:00

I want to end on the most positive so here is the bad first.

On my way to pick up our E from Band Camp, I got rear ended, by a father picking up his son from Football camp at the same High School. I stopped at the light started to inch my way forward to turn and saw a large SUV start a U-Turn, so slowly come to a stop to wait for her to turn. Well, the father behind me was, I believe talking on his phone with a client and looking over some papers and slammed into me. We pull over at the gas station, he looks at my car, an EDGE, little to know damage, basically a few scratches. I can tell he is thinking he is going to try to blow it off but then he turns to look at his car, a BMW, and not so good. He buckled his hood and damaged his grate, so we exchanged info. So now I have to follow-up on yet another task.

Go to pick up E, literally around the corner, then on the way home I get a call, SYNC, from our Inquiry (Intake) Caseworker at AGCI, with GOOD news. We have been accepted into AGCI Ethiopian prog. They got the paperwork today, had a meeting and then called to welcome us into the program!!!!

We have had our internet and phone out for 2 days, something to do with upgrading the info to the new router boxes. The last post was actually the last thing I did on the computer b4 it went out. So besides getting rear ended I also spent 4 hrs today trying to straighten out what was wrong. Thus, when the call came in I was entirely distracted. I was happy to hear the great news, to say the least, but I hope that our caseworker realizes this for it may have appeared that I was lackadaisical about it.

ABOUT TIME

2010-08-10T16:42:00.010-04:00

Last night we finished the final touches to our Application to AGCI and today it was sent on its way!!! We should hear from them within the week regarding officially being accepted into the prog or not. We had all supporting docs sent, to be reviewed, prior to the official application (and check!) and it is our thought, at this point, it is just a technically. If we hear back from them, it is a go, then we have 90 days to complete our HS and Dossier, to get on the Ethiopian Prog Wait-list. Deadline: Mid-Nov. So, it isn't the least bit of an accident that we have timed it when the kids are about to go back to school, my part-time job, when the kids are in school, will be the paper-chase for this new leg of our journey to adoption.

Plz note and vote, a POLL to the left, for our selection of names!!!!!!

It is our E's senior year, so, there are a number of deadlines / milestones (senior pics, drivers test, one last college tour, college applications) in addition to his usual Fall Marching Band Schedule.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E

D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

D is now a sophomore with the highlight for him this year being that he will now be on Varsity Color Guard for AF Jr ROTC and he has Drivers Ed on his course schedule this year(OMG, the day I've been dreading, he is our daredevil)!

Miss K will be off to Middle School, the nerves are already flying, the fashion chooses have changed (uniforms limit this during school hours), the talking on the phone for hours has begun.

But prior to this all happening we took a road-trip to Tallahassee to have E see FSU (his favorite, so far) and to Atlanta. The Aquarium, Coke Museum, CNN, Fernbank Natural History Museum, American Girl (ladies), and White Water Rafting (gentlemen) highlighted the trip.

I took a few picture, posted above, at American Girl, of Bitty Babies we may have the opportunity to purchase in the future for our Bundle of Joy if a SHE. We originally had planned on requesting a girl but in the end we actually put down a request for either gender. Take a peek in this last picture, reflected in the doll-case glass is a message, written backwards. I didn't see it until I uploaded these pictures for this post.....

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . "ABOUT TIME"

mlynne

Bundle of Joy

2010-07-29T07:33:00.004-04:00

This is one of my "wearing my feelings on a sleeve" post.

We started our adoption journey wanting to share with one of the many orphans in this world our love, our home, our family, security, and compassion. Simply, we have struggled enough in our lives to know we are blessed and thankful for the comfort we live in. We have (3) children, born to us, other stories for other days. We longed to build our family, embrace, care for and raise our brood. Our Bundle of Joy, has been, a part of that "brood" in our heart through the entire way. We had our firstborn, a boy, E. We had our second son, D, and felt on top of the world that our children had siblings to lean on and yes, squabble with. Then we thought, hmmm maybe now is the time to adopt. But, God, had other plans: work changed, home changed, our lives took turns we had not predicted and then along came our daughter, Miss K. With (3) children in our care we felt fulfilled. Yrs and yrs go by, more mergers, more moves, never enough continuity to adopt, until recently. Then, then... the questions flew. Are we too old, what country, where is the need, what can we handle (on so many levels).

So the search started: research, phone calls, paperwork. Agency & program found, program put on hold, on hold, on hold. Remove ourselves from program after over a yr waitlisted. More research, calls, pre-apps. Down to two agencies and three programs w/in these agencies: Taiwan, Burundi and Ethiopia. How does one decide? How do you know which Agency and Prog is right for your family? We did all of our homework before and we landed in the wrong place, which originally said to me, you made the wrong choice and lost all of this time, energy and money. I basically beat myself up for it. But...

For the past several weeks I have been able to look on our situation differently, it was just that; the wrong place, the wrong time. We learned from our experience and we have a better understanding of the risks involved in International Adoption. We took the responsibility to change that which we felt was not our journey and took the detour, at a cost mostly emotional but also financial. Through and through we have heard, Adoption is not for the Faint of Heart.

Our evening walks, for the past few nights, have centered on the discussion: what Country, not when, when is now. I am tired of sitting, pondering, and doing nothing other than talking and pre-apps. I listened in on a Webinar the other day, by one of the two agencies we are down to and there were a few lines that the caseworker said which made our decision:

- We are going to be VERY RESTRICTIVE of the number of families to this prog.

-This prog has TREMENDOUS need for families

- Adoption is not for the FAINT OF HEART, we want you to know this going into a prog.

The first was on Taiwan, the second on Ethiopia, the third has been said to me to the point of exhaustion but obviously I wasn't listening & needed it said yet again.

Last night, we talked, again. Leave it to my finance, business husband to be able to overlook all the little details and bring out the main point. Basically, his thought was: if we are doing this journey to adopt a child with the most need, an African prog is it.

Those of you who have followed us know we have struggled with this decision, know we had thought an African country from the get-go, then joined on w/ Taiwan. Thought we might want to switch to Ethiopia (last Jan), stayed with Taiwan. Then (in May)down to Taiwan and an African Country, again. I think, I was the one, wishing not to flip flop. Stay the course and be patient. Then when we had this decision to make all over again it was comfortable to think Taiwan. I had done so much research,had the blog named Taiwan Bundle of Joy, had the stack of Books on Taiwanese culture and travel, have Panda Bears collected from Epcot's China). OK, how silly is that. Stay the course, when EVERYTHING else is pointing in another direction, and deep in our hearts, this is where we had envisioned our child from the beginning. Funny how we just don't listen sometimes.

SO, what to do with the title of this blog and to keep contact with those I have connected to. That will work itself out. We are officially signing on with an agency very soon (now need to decide on AGCI or WH) for an African Country, most likely Ethiopia!!!!!

Third Quilt- Finished

2010-07-28T16:54:00.004-04:00

"PINK ELEPHANTS"

Second Quilt- Finished

2010-07-21T09:37:00.007-04:00

"CHILDREN"

Family Visit Summer 2010

2010-07-19T09:23:00.003-04:00

"T" and Miss K- we assigned her as T's buddy, wanted to make sure we didn't loose anyone along the way. She is a fantastic mother's helper!

The touch aquarium- we camped out here for some time

Mr D doesn't like his picture taken often, so this I had to snap in a hurry
- JUST LOVE IT!

Michael's sister's family was down for a visit after the fourth of July. It was the first time we had our new niece here at our house, what a treat to get to know her better and to have the opportunity to visit more with the rest of the family. The boys are growing leaps and bounds- Mr A has passed up Miss K in height - by a long shot- even though he is slightly younger. The children had time at the Aquarium, here in Tampa, then, dinner back at our house. The following day was a BBQ B-day party for Michael's Dad's 73rd (or was that 37), he switched the candles to inform us of his real age, haha. It took me two posts to get the pictures in but in truth, as always, I actually wish I had taken more picture. What I neglected to take-

*- "A" and Mr D on the deck at the Aquarium creating Origami Stars together.

*- The entire gang chowing down on a snack / lunch on that same deck overlooking the Tampa working harbor. None of the boats / barges were in for Michael's work- better luck next time. Sun was out but we were in the shade, wind was just enough to cool us off, relaxing and talking while kids romped in the water. I tell you - if you have little one - this is a must stop if in Tampa. We love this place!

*- My niece letting me hold her, for the first time, at the spray park, she wasn't so sure about the water, but this water, was spraying out of a dolphin, thus, she let me hold her in order to get to the dolphin. I'll take what I can get.

*- BBQ dinner- after the work it always looks so nice and yummy but all anyone thinks of at that point is- lets eat.

Regards and Blessings-
Mlynne

2010-07-19T09:09:00.002-04:00

"T" - my youngest Nephew, cooling off in the hot-tub part of the pool

"C"- the next youngest Nephew, Miss K's buddy at play

"A"- The eldest nephew, in this family, Our Godson, and the child closest to age to Miss K, but, definately D's buddy at play

These last (2) are of our new Niece- "D", from China. Although we met her before, this was the first visit to her Uncle's & Auntie's house in FL.

Braces and Baby Quilts

2010-07-15T21:12:00.010-04:00

"LADY OF THE LAKE"

SO how on earth do these two blend together, you ask...

Well, on July 1st, at forty something, I got braces. Not invisalign, not enamel but mostly metal braces. You know, silver contraption many teens or possibly young adults have. My tops brackets are slightly clear, ever so slightly, as the wires are silver, the holders for the wires on the outside of the brackets are also silver, so in the end they don't remind me much of the term, clear. I didn't get braces out of vanity nor due to wanting the perfect smile. Nope, it was get them or loose several of your teeth on the left side of your mouth. It took months, another root-canal due to another cracked tooth, due to biting on a bite which is a slightoverbite but mostly a cross-bite (middle of top and bottom dont meet in middle due to too many teeth for too small of mouth. Basically, the cross-bite was what did me in. Now, for those of you not as familiar with our family, I have two kiddos which will have braces. The middle child, D, has had his on for 3 yrs, soon to have his off. The youngest child, K, will be getting hers on next summer. We have been blessed to have found a group of caring / talented doctors: Orthodontist, Endodontist, General Dentist and Oral Surgeon, and we are paying handsomely for knowing them. But, just when I thought July 1, 2010 was one of the worst days of my life, July 15th showed up and showed July 1st up.

I had two healthy (no not one of those teeth with the root-canals), extracted, today, to make room for all the rest of my teeth to eventually line-up. Since my mouth isn't large, or average, by any standard, the dentists use child sized dental gear and even those are hefty in my mouth. Anyways, many, have their teeth extracted for Ortho work and then have those lovely holes in their mouth clot (an esp important step in the process of stopping the bleeding and starting recovery) in say an hour. Not I, in all it took me from 1138 AM to 715 PM for this to happen. Several packs of cotton changed hourly. Thank heavens Miss K is not scheduled to have any teeth extracted as I would find it impossible to have this done to her, even in the name of being a good Mum. I look at the gaps, far too visible from the side, and wonder how in the heck they will ever disappear. But, this is what I have been told will happen. I will have to have faith, somehow.

Thus, after this long explanation, I have yet to tell of the second half, and the better half at that. I adore quilting. I esp, love, hand quilting. It is one of the ONLY things I do which involves sitting still for any length of time. I have a hard time sitting still, unless sleeping. There is always too much to do and too little time to sit still. I love to read, but, even with this, my mind wonders. I have to read the same paragraph over and over and still have not a clue what I just read. I guess one would say I lack focus. But, when I quilt, I find my thoughts on trying to perfecting the stitches, thinking of the pattern, or how I will change the pattern to reflect me. Then, the colors, the fabrics, the textures. Before I have finished a current quilt, I am thinking of the next, alas my mind does wonder even then, but at least it is still on subject. When the kids were born, I made each a quilt, when our Bundle of Joy was embraced in our hearts, I made him/her a quilt.

So as I tackle not one but two challenges in my life, I have turned to both prayer & quilting. The adoption, which I now have faith will happen, when and only when, it is meant to happen, I pray for, thus, entrusting that God will be the guide. The doctors I've entrusted to "fix" my mouth. I like to have control and right now I have not an ounce of it in either venture. Thus, I am listening to God, with a calm which even I have a hard time believing, and doctors, which, is hard to be calm about, but must. This finds me w/ one teeny, tiny patchwork of this whole picture, to control, baby quilts. I am making as many as I can, to bring with us as gifts to the Ministry or Orphanage, when we someday have our Gotcha Day, hold our Bundle of Joy in our arms. I have made (1) and have the (2nd) one well on its way. The pictures of the first are above, pictures of the (2nd)shall follow shortly- stay tuned.

Regards and Blessings-
Mlynne

AF Jr. ROTC End of Yr. Awards Ceremony

2010-07-08T09:13:00.003-04:00

The (8) cadets (2 from each class, Fresh, Soph, Jr, Sr, for first and second halves of the school yr) who won the recognition of "Outstanding Cadet". David is the 5th cadet from the Lft.

The (4) (again representative of ea. class, Fresh, Soph, Jr, Sr) cadets which won "Outstanding Cadet of the Year". David is the first Cadet from the lft.

David saluting the AF Veteran who presented him with the National Veteran Award. He won this due to grades, AF community service, and leadership.

It took me until July to get caught up w/ all of the end of school year events. It certainly is a whirlwind. Our children had an outstanding year!!! We are very proud of their accomplishments and their growth.

Katherine Graduates from Elementary / Double B Jamboree

2010-07-03T20:06:00.003-04:00

After months of planning, meetings, anticipation, and endings, June 9th, arrives, thus, Graduation and the Very 1st Annual Double B Jamboree. Michael, Michelle & the guest of honor, Miss Katherine early morning, ready for the Graduation and Awards Ceremony.

To say we are proud of our daughter would be an understatement. Katherine received: *a Presidential Award, a pin and letter from President Obama for maintaining Honor Roll grades and over 90th% for State Testing
*a ribboned metal for participating in Chorus her entire elementary years
*a ribboned metal for achieving straight A's her entire elementary years of school. Well done!!!

The Double B Jamboree Cake. Impressive. . . .

Jordyn & Katherine
You can't imagine how special this picture is. Katherine was in 1st grade, the start of her education in FL, with Little Miss Jordyn and she ended her elementary years in the same class with her as well. Oh, how they both have grown. I wish I had a digital picture to post of the first open house when they met each other, but, alas, as slow as I am at learning technology, at that point I still had a film camera. These two girls excel at Math and esp Science and the two of them will be attending camp together later this month at Busch's Creature Researchers.

Those Wild and Crazy Girls-
Jordyn (Jo), Casey (KC), Katherine (Kit Kat), Ashley, Hannah, Brianna (Bowie)

David's Freshman and Ethan's Junior: End of Year Concerts

2010-06-22T12:44:00.012-04:00

This was possibly David's last Orchestra Concert in High School. He has chosen to take (2) Jr ROTC electives next yr and to drop the Music. It saddens me to see this in one respect, as he truly is gifted in instruments (both violin and piano). But, w/ increasing conflicts be/tw Orch & ROTC Colorguard / drill this past yr, it became clear that one would have to go.

For David, I took more video and less pictures, since I had heard about the progress of the Grand Finale for months. It was spectacular but unless I learn how to post a video you will have to just believe me, it was a real treat.

Formal composition

Grand Finale

Ethan's concert was actually first but since I forgot that pictures download backwards he came up 2ND. The evening was graced with a special guest, Ethan's Band Instructor's College Professor. The kids worked for days, long hours, to get to a point of playing an incredibly advanced, long, complicated piece conducted and composed by this prof from Stetson. Ethan, I believe, found this experience, that much more interesting, as he has an interest in attending Stetson, himself.

Trying to look calm and cool pre-concert

Visiting Stetson Prof / Conductor / Composer

Concert over, now COOL & CALM

Turns 11!!

2010-06-08T16:12:00.007-04:00

Our Miss Katherine turned 11 this past month. Since Easter it has been hard to catch up on anything let alone getting this blog going again so I am late to post this milestone. Katherine's special day became a special get-way weekend on our first trip ever to Universal in Orlando. It was HOT but it was a blast, other than the Simpson Ride which I came off feeling rather ill, not Katherine, though. We were not even down from the rides ramp before the "can we do that again" was asked. We stayed at the Port a Fina hotel and boy what a treat. The front desk lady was also named "C"atherine and she had a card and piece of cake sent to our room while at the park to wish our Katherine a Happy Birthday. I was amazed that all of the kids went on all of the rollercoasters / rides at Universal Studios, including the really large ones (ex: Rip Ride Rocket & Revenge of the Mummy). The parks close earlier than Disney so we headed back to our hotel (by water taxi, very relaxing)for a dip in this beautiful pool with slide. They had a poolside movie (Harry Potter), thus, us adults ordered beer and just vegged while the kids played on the waterslide and explored the property. The following day was Islands of Adventure (The Hulk, Spider Man). We picked up a few Dr Seuss items on the way out but our kids are too old for that section of the park. Maybe someday we will have the pleasure of sharing this with our Little Bundle of Joy.

For now, we have memories of a great 11th birthday for our dear daughter and we already have booked another weekend for our soon to be 18 year old son. We will venture to the Hard Rock Hotel and see the new Harry Potter section this fall. For anyone who knows Ethan, he has grown up while the Harry Potter series has been written, anxiously waiting for each and every book to come out. Heck we think he even looks so much like Harry. He is a fan if ever there was so stay tuned. . . .

Boy or Girl, Bundle of Joy

2010-02-02T20:23:00.001-05:00

Homecoming

2009-11-01T10:41:00.005-05:00

This past week was Homecoming. It was one HOT week too. Band and Colorguard practices in the low 90's - this was October folks. In full uniform that would translate to sweltering. A round of ROTC Color-Guard try-outs landed David officially on the JV team. He had the Honor of being on the team to carry the colors at the Homecoming Game - his first official event! Picture taking was difficult as we were looking right into the sun. Katherine accompanied me early to catch the Band marching to the stadium thus the opportunity to catch a pic of Ethan then, too. We won the Game and made our way home exausted and with many tasks ahead as our Halloween party: only a day away.

Epcot's Food and Wine Festival

2009-10-26T14:04:00.007-04:00

We made it!

I can't tell you how many times we had rescheduled this day trip "date" to Epcot's Food & Wine (Beer) Festival. Michael and I had wanted a day to browse country by country and our children do not enjoy BROWSING, TRYING NEW FOODS and are not old enough to drink. Michael wanted to try something from all the countries Epcot has and then all the countries they added for this event but as he put it his eyes were bigger than his stomach. We got as far as France and then petered out.

The only ride we went on was Space Ship earth for it is MY favorite, HISTORY, and because by then we needed a break in eating, drinking and walking. We didn't use any fast passes, that is truly amazing! Our kids would look at this as a lost opportunity. To close out the evening we listened to a Scottish Rock Band, had enough room left in our stomachs to have a few last bites and did a bit of shopping. A few pictures from our day. The weather was beautiful!

Yes We Can, Play

2009-10-23T09:04:00.009-04:00

Casual concerts dominated the week.

Tuxes left hanging, Black attire, jeans and Yes we can T-shirts colored the stage instead.

Ethan's Band concert hit the stage first. I begged and pleated for the pic by the pool so enjoy and relish of the Oh, soooo, cool dude! The lighting was funny, may camera too, so the pictures later are less than many. But, I found one that will have to do. Note: 2nd Chair for his Sax Section!!!

Fast forward to concert number two. I learned to trick the camera and the pictures came through and through. David got the second seat of first chair for the Freshman and Sophmores Overture, then, First Chair for his Freshman Class when playing with the entire HS Orchestra! and oh what a night it was, accomplished and proud was he and I, That's MY Son!

American Girls

2009-10-23T08:38:00.005-04:00

After the pancakes are eaten,

The syrup put away,

The shower's not taken,

All they wanted was to play.

Wake up, Oh, wake up our dears

Time to dress, in the latest style

What to wear, Oh, what to wear

Doll clothes scattered everywhere.

The hours pass

They are dressed

At last!

Band at Friday's Football Game w/ Little Sensations

2009-10-14T12:45:00.005-04:00

Dressing out while Little Sensations practice on the Auditorium Stage in the background.

AF JR ROTC Color-Guard

Little Sensations in the stands cheering the team to VICTORY.

Stands empty quickly as the Band heads toward Concessions, 3rd quarter but time for one last picture.

Friday night football game with a kid in band and a kid in Little Sensations. The game to decide if our team advances to play-offs. It was the game of games with a last minute victory kick, streams of teens blanketing the field in cheers. It was the night of nights for our daughter as she took part in an annual tradition to have the Little Sensations march and perform with the "Big" Sensations. Pom Poms, Personalized Hair Ribbons and T-Shirts made it special but being on the field with her big brother was THE highlight of the evening for Kate.

Hand Update

2009-10-08T08:27:00.004-04:00

Michael went to the Docs yesterday for another xray to see how his hand is healing and all is doing well if not just healing slowly. He has 4 more weeks of the cast and then it is a question of following that up w/ PT or not. He has very little movement in his pinkie and making a fist but otherwise he does still have rather good movement considering.

Regarding the adoption we have know information. I'm on a yahoo group for our program and everyone is getting rather tired of not an ounce of news, esp those so close to getting a referral. Imagine being what you think is weeks away or next "in Line' and then waiting, waiting, waiting as 9 long weeks crawl by without a word. I feel for them and selfishly I feel for us for it means we are not moving forward either. One of the ladies on the blog shared with us that the agency, Commonwealth, which Our Agency picked up, closed its acceptance of applications for Taiwan back in May of '08 so there are a few families still waiting that are from the Commonwealth program but then it will be time to move on to Our Agency's '09 waitlist. We KNOW we are within the first 10 families. So if we could only get these referrals moving we actually are not too far out on the horizon. Think and pray all positive thoughts, PLZ, for the program to start moving again.THX!

Happy Birthday Ethan!

2009-09-29T09:23:00.006-04:00

Happy Birthday Ethan!!!

Love,

Dad, Mum

David, Katherine

Isabelle Noel, Kody Scout

E-

This is especially for you (just be thankful you can't hear me singing it)

Stay on the Happy side

Always on the Happy side

Stay on the happy side of Life.

You'll feel know pain,

As we drive you insane,

so,

Stay on the happy Side of Life!!!

2009-09-27T12:29:00.000-04:00

AF Jr ROTC Picnic

2009-09-27T11:42:00.013-04:00

Saturday was spent at our first AF ROTC picnic with David. It was great to see our young man shaking hands, high fiving, and socializing with this group of Air Force enthusiastic guys and gals. As with everything in ROTC the competitions were numerous and surrounded sportsmanship and team work for a common goal. As the parents we had the opportunity to chat with Chief and Major but in particular Major as he is the Color-Guard instructor, and was a pilot and instructor pilot for years in the USAF.

Sportsmanship, competitions and team effort are ever present in all which these Cadets do. The bonds they build together are plainly there for all to see. It was this day that I realized not only would David be building relationships with those in his Wings Group but he would also be creating stronger ties with those in his Color-Guard group.

Huddle up.

The wait to see the outcome from the past flag football game.

David's flight won that round!

Katherine was a great "camper" tagging along to her brother's event only for us to find not a single other little girl around her age to play with. She wanted to explore in the woods but it was swampy and not safe for this as the sign indicates - beware of gators.

There are days like this when life is so busy it would be easy to decide to drop David off and then get the yard work done and house cleaned. I thought about it. But then there was the stronger tug which I have discussed frequently in past post of how quickly our kids grow up and how privileged we are to have these moments with them. Our weekend was action packed: football game on Fri night with Ethan in band and a friend of Katherine's overnight. The picnic on Sat followed by a few hours in the afternoon to start the yard work, prep time for our celebration of Ethan's birthday today, and a fondue celebration this afternoon. I just love being a Mother to these Kids. Saturday, also, was the HALF YEAR mark of our being on the Waiting list for our Baby!!!

Michelle

Hand Improvement, Class Ring & Color - Guard

2009-09-23T21:23:00.010-04:00

Michael's hand update. He went to the Orthopedic today and has soft tissue regrowth with the thought that he will have another 4-6 wks before the bone regrowth. He will have pinky and ring "fingers" of the cast removed so that he can use those fingers again. But ,he was given strict instructions to not overdue it or to do any lifting as that would delay the healing. Just to make sure the Doc wants to see him again in 2 wks.

Went this evening to order my eldest his class ring. I am way too young to be ordering my kid a class ring don't you think? I am just floored that HE is this old. I tell you, know matter how much we want our lives to slow down, so we can catch our breath and enjoy the moment, it just keeps on chugging along, oblivious to our wishes. Then the next point. You wouldn't believe how much class rings cost these days. Now granted, I didn't buy my class ring, and granted I, too, got mine as a Christmas gift, but, I am sure it didn't cost even a fraction of what this ring costs. But, in my mind it is a rite of passage. I still have mine, it is a real clunker compared to the girl rings "these days". We hauled it out, cleaned it up, inspected it top to bottom so we would know just what had to be done to order such a ring. I had Track and Cross Country on mine, my son will have Marching Band / Sax. I had a very ugly devil (we were the Red Riots, not a great Mascot now that I think about it). Thankfully, my sons is altogether tasteful, a Gryphon. I did peek, by the way, to see if the girl rings are less expensive (hey they are smaller, thus, less metal, smaller stone). Let me tell you not by much. My daughter loves all which sparkles so I'll have to prepare for when she orders, thankfully I have several more years to save. Our second son, also peaked at the brochure but he was looking at the styles not price list. Only a few years more to save for his. And then, many, many years until our Taiwan Bundle of Joy will be ordering.

Our middle child is in the Air Force Jr. ROTC and he has attended his first practices this week for being on the Color - Guard team. He is a rifle man in a group of 4. He is so taken by this whole experience. I compare it to when he was 5, getting on the bus for his first ride to and from school. When he got home he didn't no his classroom teachers name, he didn't tell me ANYTHING about what he did at school that day he only went on, and on, and on about EVERYTHING that the bus driver did and he new his name, although I have forgotten it. He gets in the car after Color - Guard practices and I get ever fine detail of that practice. He would turn about 10 shades of red for me telling you this, and he does read this blog, but he is absolutely adorable when sharing his excitement.

Will post some pics soon - sorry today only more and more words.
Michelle

Nature Girls

2009-09-20T12:07:00.006-04:00

Not much to report on the adoption front. A number of families have had there updates and still some hoping, with the coming week, that they too will get theirs updates ( these come in the form of new pictures, measurements, &/or mini video clip taken by the child's foster parent, I believe). Following others journey continues to help us pass time for our adoption. We enjoy seeing the final stages of the adoption all come together. We will get there eventually. We are hoping to get a call from Lindsay sometime in the not to far future but from what we have heard there hasn't been a single referral these past 6 weeks so we remain so close yet so far until we start our home-study.

Thus, just wanted to post a picture of my daughter along with her very best friend that I just love. The two of them are like two peas from the same pod. They both are the third child and find comfort in comparing notes of being the youngest, both glass half full personalities, and both love the outdoors (water, critters, creating nature nests and pictures).

Broken Hand Update

2009-09-14T19:38:00.003-04:00

Michael had his appointment with the Orthopedic today and they are in the process of making him a "soft" cast, which is removable for showering. We shall see how this works, basically how much he actually keeps it on. The x-ray they made was far more detail oriented and he found out it isn't a straight break as it looked on the initial x-ray, rather, a spiral break. He said he could look at the image and actually see an s shaped break. This time he was told he really is looking at 12 weeks (he's already had one week) for most of the sports. That alone gives away the answers my husband was seeking. He didn't ask when it would be healed, he didn't ask what sort of functioning he would have after it healed, he didn't ask if the people making this soft cast were "in-network". Know, his questions centered on what sport he could play, when. Then he moved on from sport to sport to ask if he might be able to do a certain position earlier. I told you I would have more to come. I love him BUT, the guy just doesn't know how to be a patient!

It's Official: Broken

2009-09-08T19:42:00.007-04:00

Yup, that is right, B-R-O-K-E-N!

When Michael heard it was his doctors day at the hospital, he almost didn't have his hand looked at. However , after accidentally banging his hand lightly against his desk while opening a drawer the pain was intense enough for him to realize he needed to have it x-rayed. My husband rarely goes to the doctors for any injury, which he gets many of while playing on the men's softball team, "old-man's" basketball league (my son's name for this), or his running (which he has been doing for over 30 years, rather competitively, on and off). Thus, you might understand why I didn't flinch when he walked through the door with yet another sports injury. It was when Ethan (the kid he was passing the ball with) said Dad landed on his hand and didn't get up that I realized - Oops. Maybe I should have been more sympathetic. So today I followed up by calling him, bugging him, several times about having the hand looked at. The After Hours Clinic it was, and after the x-ray tec took the image she called him over to inform him that the line that was on it wasn't supposed to be there but the doctor would be in soon. He broke the bone on the outer portion from the knuckle to the wrist and is out of commission for AT LEAST 6 weeks. He has already said the casts an inconvenience and wanted it off -45 minutes into wearing it. I'm sure I will have more news to follow in the coming weeks - stay tuned!

Aquatica / Seaworld Labor Day Wk'end

2009-09-08T08:53:00.017-04:00

We made last minute reservations for a Labor Day Wk'end at a Hotel next to Aquatica / Seaworld. Our eldest had to miss out as his work load from school projects overwhelmed him. Either that or the new Guitar Hero game he got last week, but couldn't use because of Marching Band practices, homework, and football games, was too much of a temptation. Anyway, the other 4 family members headed to Orlando.

On the way we decided to stop at a winery and walked away with a number of gifts. The kids hung out on the front porch swing.

Next stop, Downtown Disney, we had a few hours before we could check-in at the hotel. Took a peak into the Dino Restaurant which is modelled like the Rainforest Cafe. When my nephews and new niece come for their next visit this is a must - they have a build-a-dinosaur, clothing and all. A HUGE T-Rex as you walk in which moves (this might scare Diana, however). Off to the hotel, a brand new Springhill Suites with a Seaworld pool area and modern decor.

Then, we made our way to Aquatica for the evening hours for it is then you are able to walk from water-ride to water-ride,usually, walking right on. Eventually made our way to the river rapids for it is the warmest water in the park. If you put on the life vest you can go around and around and around. By 9 we were all exhausted and hungry. Late night snack of pizza back at the Hotel. We woke-up early the next morning to get into Aquatica again, found a group of chairs to "camp-out"at. Around 2, back to the Hotel for Katherine hit a wall and was exhausted.

We headed to Seaworld for the Summer Nights shows and fireworks that 2nd evening. On our way over it started to rain so took the umbrellas, it proved to be a soggy night, but, we still had a great evening. We bolted from one show to another and got them all in. The Shamu Rocks Concert is THE BEST. Then off to the fireworks, this time we headed to the stadium, we usually watch as exiting the park, and we LOVED the show. I took several pictures but show a few here of my favorites.

Slept in the following morning - missed breakfast, the one part of this new hotel which needs massive improvement. It wasn't worth an early morning wake-up. Went to Dunkin Donuts on our way to the outlet mall instead. My kids put up with Mummy stopping at the Disney Outlet. The last time we stopped I found almost nothing, not the case this time. With in just a few minutes of arrival I had Michael toting around a full carrying basket (Disney Halloween Decor!!!). Then to the Croc store - a mad house!!! Then to the Gymboree Store. Katherine is almost out of their but we still find some outfits to send to Our Bundle of Joy in our care package after referral.

Then, back to reality - an uneventful ride home, grocery shopping, and the final touches put on all homework due today. Then, an eventful game of ball between Ethan and Dad which ended with what we think is a broken hand. Michael landed wrong and heard the POP. Of course, my husband NEVER EVER goes to the doctor. So off he went to work today with plans to MAYBE have it looked at later today.

I had a few thoughts regarding our adoption. One: how different our travels will be when Our Bundle of Joy arrives. Looking around at little ones in the park there was a part of me evaluating the changes to come. Secondly: I'm aware of how much adopted children become part of our lives LONG before they arrive. Not just the months after referral, not just the weeks before we travel but rather far, far sooner. It goes beyond the ITEMS we purchase with these children in mind. It is the process of internalizing how they will blend into schedules, plans, homes, dreams.

Welcome to the REAL world of adoption

2009-08-28T17:53:00.009-04:00

I emailed our case-worker today to let her know that Michael and I had discussed and decided we wanted our Child Preference to be changed to only accepting a female infant and know longer wanting to be considered for twins. Prior to signing on with Our Agency we had had so many conversations with different adoption agencies regarding which country, what age group, sibling or not, etc. It came up time and time again to be flexible but we found because of our ages, because we already have three children, because we have BOTH males and a female we ourselves were given very little opportunity to be flexible for the agencies (or governments) because of the restricted number of programs we would qualify for (which met our need too). SO, Our Agency helped us to find this Taiwan Program which we matched well with and they matched well with us. We were approved for an infant OR infant twins. My thought was that this was being flexible and wouldn't it be altogether sad if a set of twins didn't get adopted because there was two of them. Since then, we have found out there are many couples without children, hoping to adopt twins. Thus, that is why we removed ourselves from that "list". We wouldn't morally feel right to accept a referral for twins when there were couples w/o children also waiting.

SO we are ,and remain, happy with our country, our program. But, I am upset with the news that our agency will NOT give numbers to where we stand on the wait list. They gave us a 12 month projected wait until referral once we where accepted and then we have done numerous math "games" in order to month by month try to see where we are. As time went on it appeared that things were slowing down so we started to think we WILL be longer. Then, we learned that Our Agency took on the wait-list of another agency which folded. Because this happened before we were accepted into the program there was a goodly number of those families ahead of us. That being said let me STRESS I am HAPPY Our Agency took on these families for I can't fathom what these families emotionally went through after they had committed time, funds, and their hearts into a program which folded. However, we were NOT aware of this when we signed on so it did come as a surprise to us. W/ this knowledge we compiled our new numbers, came to the conclusion we would, indeed, have a longer wait than anticipated. We, in a round about way, asked again for a ballpark number and got an email back telling us that Our Agency would notify us when we were 8 - 9 months out to referral. SO, you see here is a simple math problem: we have been waiting 5 months add to that 9 months and then add to that at least another 1 month (since we have NOT been notified yet) that would equal 15+) BUT someday in the far off future holding our baby will be heaven. So we wait. It certainly doesn't change our minds it actually solidifies the dream even further.

Michelle

Back to School

2009-08-26T09:14:00.009-04:00

Yesterday was the first day back to school. Katherine is in her final year of Elementary, thus, Queen of the school. She had 3 of her very best buddies in her class, a classroom in the new wing, and a science teacher in her AGP class which she is very excited to have again. Katherine wants to be Marine Biologist and work at Sea World or on the Keys. Ethan and David are back in the same school again, it had been a couple of years for this, as both are now in High School. Taking this early morning picture was emotional as I just looked at the two of them and couldn't see how all of these years have passed and they have grown so big. Ethan, of course teased, "going to cry Mum", didn't, but that doesn't mean my heart wasn't skipping a beat here and there.

The top picture is at sunset of the last day of "summer". It was a perfect, majestic, beautiful transition to school year 2009 - 2010.

At Summer's End

2009-08-19T17:18:00.011-04:00

We arrived home from our last "vacation" for the summer, a short excursion to Disney for a long weekend and to celebrate my turning 40 - something. The kid's have open houses tomorrow and Ethan has his last few days as a volunteer CIT and Marching Band Camp. So what did happen to the summer? When I look at the calendar it says it will still be summer as my kids head off to their first day of school next week but once the homework, after-school activities and volunteer "opportunities" begin, you would have a VERY hard time convincing me it's summer. So here are a few pic's from our mini-get-a-way. By next week it will feel a long way off since I took them.

Sweet Pea Panda

2009-08-12T13:34:00.009-04:00

Summer afternoons in Florida mean thunderstorms. Thus, this wet afternoon, I pulled out some supplies I had stashed away to create a picture for our baby girl's room. Yesterday was spent waiting, and waiting, and did I mention, waiting for our new livingroom furniture to arrive. It is leather, so, we are hoping to be able to keep it free of cat hair for all of our family and friends whom are allergic to Isabelle Noel and Kody Scout. We almost had a new hairy member join our family as a teeny, tiny baby bunny found itself in our garage w/o it's mother anywhere in site. Miss Katherine names it within minutes and kept asking if we could keep it. Called the vet for advise but the bunny made its way off to other territory by evening. The following day Katherine had a sleep-over at a friends house which has 2 bunnies! Again, can we get a bunny? My thoughts: we have 2 cats and 1 Beta Fish, 3 children and waiting to journey to Taiwan for our 4th child . Seems to me our house just doesn't need yet another critter with our current human population of 5, sometime in the future 6. Try telling that to a daughter whom has a love for all living and breathing things.

2009-07-27T22:46:00.000-04:00

Our Journey Begins

2009-07-27T21:20:00.005-04:00

We are now 4 months into the waiting period of our adoption. We have all the paperwork done, that we can to this point, but have been advised to hold off on our Home Study until we are about 10 families out from referral. I've not been a blogger and I'm not a computer whiz but find as we begin this journey I want some sort of journal for our daughter later. I also hope to make contact with those whom have already travelled to meet and hold their children in Taiwan and those in the process. Lastly, but indeed, especially important to us, is the ability to share this journey with our family and friends far and near. Although we are experienced parent of three children we most definitely are not experienced parents in adopting or in the process of adopting. Our sister / sister-in-law, husband and eldest son are currently in China adopting their daughter and that has added to our desire to put down "on paper" this journey.

We are just beginning to look at colleges with our eldest son, Ethan, and as he passes more and more milestones we find we are not ready to leave parenting children on a day to day basis behind. We have wanted to adopt and talked of adopting for 22 years now. So maybe it is a mid-life crisis but rather we look at it as fulfilling a lifes dream . We so look forward to the day when we hold our little bundle of joy in our arms.