Catching Up

I received my home study update info in the mail on Saturday. Now I just have to start. Even last year I would have had the criminal history check, child protective servics check, autobiography update, the "yes, I am straight" forms, as well as several other blah blah blah forms signed and in the mail that night. I would have visited the doctor and waded through the finanical forms asap. But I can't seem to get started. I know I'll eventually get it done, probably when I should be frantically finishing a school project instead! At least this annual homestudy crap forces me to clean my house once a year!

On the home improvement front I've picked out my new kitchen faucet (see pic) and sink and my mom found the curtain rod I want to put in Ellie's room. Big steps for me! =) I figure I'll start decorating next summer/fall. All of you bloggers out there have such great pictures of your nurseries for me to use as reference points...I have plenty of time to admire them all for awhile!

This weekend I attended two baby showers. Congratulations to Amanda & family (for Daniel) due in early March and Sara & family (for Lily)due mid-March. Both showers were lovely.
I also went to an Admir@ls hockey game with some new friends. Haven't gone to a hockey game in years. Lots of fun. Might post more on that at a later date. ;)

Rumors range from referrals of just one day to maybe almost the end of December. Any bets?!

Midweek Filler

Today a mouse scurried right in the door of my classroom, past a wide-eyed student, down the center of the classroom and finally (thankfully!) under the heater. My fourth grade boys proceeded to finish the lesson (what could be salvaged)with their feet tucked under their bottoms. =) Usually the mice stay out of my room (as far as I know!) and wander about in the other, busier, "trashier" rooms. Lately, about once a week you will hear screams (teacher led, I might add) from one of the halls. Lambs and mice do not belong at school.


My knee is killing me! Back in early November I tripped on a preschooler's shoelaces and tried not to fall on the poor girl. I managed to avoid T@j-Zh@ne, but fell square on my right knee. It's still hurting two months later. I don't really have a doctor since (knock on wood) I rarely need one. I'm never gonna run the next half-marathon or be able to kneel and clean up Ellie's toys if it doesn't heal soon! My SIL, however, is burning up the treadmill for the Sh@mrock 8k.(Way to go, D!)

I filled out my summer school application today. Another opportunity to save money for China, right?!

Lastly, it's Re@ding Month so we have guest readers Friday (therefore, no way I can interupt for therapy as it is on par with testing!) and tomorrow is pajama day! Yup, even the teachers!

A Quote from my SW

"Our December families are traveling and hopefully it won't be too long before Jan and then your month!"





Bwaaaahahahahaha!
And guess what? It's time to update my homestudy, medical and fingerprints once again.

Dare To Dream

Hopefully tomorrow won't be the last time this season that K. will get to wear her S@n Diego Super Ch@rger cheerleader outfit at game time!

Update: Well it was a nice 13.9 second dream...=)

23 Months...

...Since LID. I'm feeling every moment of it today.

Update: Thank you all so much for your positive comments. =)

Hen & Chick News

Mama Hen is getting Libby Doodle Doo early! Sunday China time!! Not only is it wonderful to share in The Hen Family's union, but we both (oh, and don't forget Angelina J.) use the same agency so it is kinda cool to see the mechanics of the trip.

Update: They're together!


Can you believe that Jenny still doesn't have her luggage? No need for it now, really...she and Abby come home in 4 days!

Time for Another Meme

Laura sent me this MEME. It’s short and sweet so please join in!
Name a CD you own that no one else on your friends list does.
I think I can do this one!
Cow.boy Mouth –It Means Esc@pe (crazy fun NOLA band)
For.ever Mod (tribute to Rod Stew@rt done by Metalheads)
A signed, but never listened to Sl@ughter Back to Re@lity cd
Edn@swap-Wonderl@nd They were a great,if short-lived, band.
Evit@ Soundtrack (original cast only, please) I remember delivering newspapers (yeah, also something that was short-lived!) in the 8th grade to this on my
walkman!

Name a book you own that no one else on your friends list does.















He.re Be Dr@gons and Way Down De.ep in the
De.ep Blue Se@ (Children's book-ya just HAVE to get it!)








Name a movie you own on DVD/VHS/whatever that no one else on your friends list does.
Ro.om with A View and Swiss F@mily Robinson. Favorites, both. I have them both on VHS!!


























Name a place that you have visited that no one else on your friends list has.
How about to Cork, Ireland to kiss the Bl@rney Stone?






















Yes, that's me looking like I'm in labor! I traveled all over Europe by myself. I guess I was lucky to have someone take my picture there. I took my own at the Eif.fel Tower, my first stop by myself!



Lisa have you been to Budor, Norway ? Here I am on our week-long 4th grade class fieldtrip. Snow survival, tracking, skiing…not a bad fieldtrip! That’s me, Selda from Turkey, Fleur from The Netherlands, and Anne (or was it Inger her twin?) from Norway.

I’ve also been to Betws-y-Coed in North Wales to see Dolwyddelan Castle. I wanted to visit this place after I read that book I listed above, Here Be Dr@gons. =)
Lots of sheep and me enjoying the view!























Name a piece of technology or any sort of tool you own that you think no one else on your friends list has.
This is hard. I’m not much into technology. I have a turntable…








Anybody up for a turn? Taking the Meme, I mean?! =)

Almost forgot to add that Mama Hen is off to get her little chick tomorrow and of course, Jenny & Abby are still in China even though their luggage isn't!

The Box Is Gone

The C.C@@ is taking away the public website notification box that tells where they are in the adoption process.
*Possible* implications are too crazy to think about so just head on over to RQ if you want the scoop.
Do adoption agencies actually give information?!

Then cheer yourself up by viewing Abby & Jenny's latest pics from China!

Such a Cutie!

Meetcha/Forever Family Day photos!

Jenny & Abby Update

Jenny is in China! Despite the fact that her luggage went to California, she is soldiering on, enjoying Beijing and counting down the minutes til beautiful Abby is in her arms. Meetcha/gotcha/forever family day should be our time tomorrow morning!!! I'm wearing my red thread bracelet, Jenny, and can't wait to see you both together at last!

Sleepless

In VA.
Quite possibly the *only* drawback to winter break is that it takes me so long to get back into waking up early. I fell into the stay up late and sleep in til whenever pattern so easily! Why is it so difficult now to step back?! =) And now that school is back in session those 3:30 naps are just a far off memory...
How many days til Spring Break?! =)

New Year's Eve with the Family

a>We met up with long time family friends to go to a local Chinese buffet, just like previous years. Here S. Jr. and K. model their HNY hats.
K. shows us the utensils we are going to try not to use this year. Well, except for spoon collecting by my nephew D! He thinks the more you have in your hands the better!
Chopsticks! We always get the same waitress and she treats us very, very well. Especially the kiddos. Even (newly!) 15 y.o. M. got a balloon! =)
Where's my food?
JELLO! One for each hand would be better!


Shane, D. and M. playing around outside. We all met up early so M. could get to her boyfriend's NYE party!

D. gives his Daddy a sloppy kiss!



Me, Frosty & my niece K.


This one is cuter though!



My fortune cookie? You will stumble into the happiness of your life. Well, I'm ready! The word? Long Time. Snort...
Happy 2008 everyone!