Zoo Sleepover

Finally, a weekend that brought a few smiles into our home or should I say our Aquarium! :) Alexandra had a Brownie outing this weekend at the Zoo in Omaha. We went "hiking" Saturday night and again this morning. The weather got down into the 50's and brought out LOTS of Mosquitos. I rarely ever get bit but ended upw it some whopper bites. Poor little Janie has one above each eye and one on each knee and who knows where else. I had to give her some medicine to help with the irritation. Alexandra has one on her eye lid but has yet to complain. Most everyone came out with bites. I even packed the repellent but forgot it in the backpack. We slept in the Aquarium on inflatable beds. We had never been to this Zoo before but loved it. Always have heard that it was worth the trip, and it was! What a fun adventure we had. There were 14 little girls between the ages of 4 and 11 with the majority being between 7-8 years of age. Now, with the Brownie Troop let me tell you we have some very beautiful and high spirited ladies ~ they are all from China! Yes, it is a troop for little China Dolls! :) It was so fun watching them all run around and have a blast. They have so much to share and so many things in common.

Saturday morning I did get your bed stained before leaving and it sure did turn out nice! So, now I can get the curtain made and actually get things tidied up for you. I have to go through your closet. Over the past several months I have been putting things aside to take with us in a basket. Honestly, I have no idea of everything that I have. Not to mention, I need to do an inventory of what you have but believe that we will be in "overload"! Poor little guy, you probably wont care a stitch about what you have in your closet and here I have stressed out about it.... Oh well, at least Mommy will look at you with a smile on her face because you will be walking around looking triple handsome! Oh yeah, what a vision ~ I can hardly wait.

Hoping and praying that tomorrow brings us good news son! Wave to the airplane please as he passes over Hunan with your paperwork in a couple of days! :) I sure do hope .. shhhh, not too loud so I wont jinx myself here!

The TA Ladybug Lands

For the last 2 days there have been lots of TA's arriving from China. They were able to clear out all of 5/29 and 6/9 from what we understand. So, maybe this will be good news when they go to issur out TA soon! So far, the only news we have heard on LOA are that #1 someone had theirs issued on Tuesday and #2 someone from Canada I believe was told that their's was put in the mail on Friday and #3 that there are packages on the way to the USA with "Unknown Items". It is a little early for referrals by a few days yet so the only other possibility is that it could be LOA. I am truly trying not to get to excited about this just in case it isnt. My blood pressure has been way to high already literally! But, how can I not be excited and get my hopes up about my son!

Dr Grimes & TA Ladybug Landings

First thing on Monday I called Doctor Grimes to discuss the reports that I had received last week. We decided that it would be good to ask for your case to be expedited. Hopefully, our LOA will be here this week and then we only have to worry about the travel portion. At this time TA's are only taking about 18 days roughly - subject to change at any time. I am certain that our terrific agency will work with us to get you home as soon as possible if it is within their ability to do! I ran around trying to get to the USPS and his office so that the letter could be sent overnight today and could be received tomorrow. Yes, it was and it was forwarded to the appropriate place! What a fabulous caseworker you have :)

I am hearing that TA Ladybugs are landing in spots this week but not alot of talk about LOA's. Only 2 families have received information that it was sent or would be processed. Maybe Friday will be our Magical Day! I really need some good news badly. Bummed out doesnt even scratch the surface.

We survived yet another week and weekend. Hoping that next week brings some good news to our house. The "Rumor Mill" says that it will. This weekend we just worked around on a few projects and did a few fun things with the girls. Daddy worked on your bed a bit more off and on in between fishing! :) It will be ready soon. Hummm, I wonder if you have received your packages thaat were mailed to you???

Update

Today we received Medical Updates ~ We were promised that photo would be sent soon! I am anxious to see your sweet little face again! :) As your sisters say "Mom, I am tired of looking at his pictures, I just want to see his real face and touch him!" Amen Sisters!!

~ No News Yet ~

So far, there is no news this week of any kind! 3 PA's were received today but that is all that has arrived this week. I am really ready for a good nights sleep. At this point, we have no idea what this means for us in terms of travel arrangements or if we will make it before the Olympics. At this point, I am ready to break tears and pull out my "begging" tools! Hoping tomorrow brings us better news/information.

Today, I asked for an update on you and am sincerely hoping that we receive something. I am especially worried about your medicals and the blood shortages due to the earthquake.

By this time you should have received your first package and possibly the cards that we sent you. We hope that you enjoy your goodies! There will be another arriving in about a week or so.

Happy Fathers Day Daddy & Papa!!

Here's to a Happy Fathers Day to your Daddy and Papa! We took Daddy out to breakfast after Church and called Papa later in the day. It was a relatively yucky day outside - storms in the afternoon and spits of rain off and on. Of course, he did go fishing with his buddy Jim knowing it was going to storm - not totally a surprise thought :) The girls gave your Daddy a T-Shirt from all of you (Janie signed your name to the card) that said "Dad #1" with the Chiefs logo on it and a pair of his favorite shoes for kicking around the lake in! He was not overjoyed about the shoes but is about comfort so that made it ok in the end. I took him to the fishing department at Dicks but he came out empty handed. My three Hunan Dollies came out good with new life jackets!

Only a Few Days Left of Vacation

Today was the day that I was supposed to get sooooo much done!!! Ok, well that never happened :) The girlies talked me into taking them a couple of places and being outside in the humidity. But on the bright side I did at least get the items purchased for my sewing project. Now, to buckle down and get them done this weekend. I really hope that your sisters dont rub off on you honey - they talked me into taking them out to eat for lunch again and into the Littlest Pet Shop deal that clips onto your belt loop! I took them shopping at Gymboree this afternoon and bought ahead for next year and a few things for you too! It really was a big sale :)

Late this afternoon we went outside to play frizbe, baseball and practice casting. I almost had to beg them to come inside - I feel happily whipped! We will have so much fun together! I can see it now - the Hunan 3!

Also, a few TA's arrived today for folks but no LOA. It has to be soon!

Flying Vacation!

Wow, this vacation has absolutely flown by! We have been so busy and had so much fun :) Everyday we have been somewhere... no jammie days for us. We have been to Kaleidascope, shopping at more than one store (just for Janie), roller skating, parks, movie and fathers day shopping. Whew! I told the girls that I really need a little bit of time to complete a few projects so maybe tomorrow we will stay in for a while.

While we are Kaleidascope the other day, we picked up a few things for you to make also and will try to send you a package out soon with those items in it. Lets see, there will be goodies to make cards, a crown fit the for the king that you are, puzzles (that Mommy had to draw on), stickers and decorative items for each of those things. Today I bought a disposable camera to include. That way you can take photos of friends or who ever you would like and we can develop it when you get home!

Earlier in the week we did hear that our paperwork was past review and being moved into the Matching Room (Department 2) for signatures and our LOA to be prepared for mailing. They said that we would have it "soon". Not sure what the definition of that is for sure ... everyone had different opinions. So, my definition would be a few days .. theirs could be three weeks! In the end the important thing is that we receive it in time for our travels before the Olympics. Time will tell! :) The sooner the better.

Day 1 of Vacation!

What a day this has been - the ride on the emotion roller coaster!!! I am hoping that it is done soon. Today, our agency received 3 LOA and they were out of order. No reason! I was told that they would try to find out why we have not received ours ... but was told a few weeks ago that there were no problems with dossiers. Several other families received their yesterday but were really scattered. Maybe tomorrow will be the day!

Today, your sisters and I went "window shopping". Alexandra told me that I broke the rule of "window shopping" because we went inside of the store and looked instead of staying outside. I guess she is politically correct .... however, we never bought! What a kiddo ... so full of questions. Tonight she was telling me about how Hawaii was formed and the volcanos there! Anyway, back to today ... Both girls checked out ok at the eye doctor this morning ... later we went card and sticker shopping for you. The girls were so excited to have their own card to mail you and to be able to write in it. I enclosed a picture of each of them and wrote their name on the back again. Hopefully, those will get to you. And of course, it rained today so that put a damper on things.

** Officially Vacationing **

Your sisters and I are officially on "Vacation" as of tomorrow morning for a week. I will need to make a trip to the spa after this! :) We actually have a good week planned and hope that it included receiving a call from our agency that your LOA has arrived!! I am way to excited and keyed up - Just ask your Dad and Sisters! :) Anyway, we are planning a trip to the eye doctor tomorrow and the rest of the week we have Kaleidoscope, Marble Moon and of course to get a manicure and who knows what else on the agenda. Janie is really wanting to go to the T-Rex Cafe. For some reason she loves to eat inside of a restaurant. They will think of lots of other things. Janie is busy asking to go shopping. :) Asked who was gonna pay and she just shrugged her shoulder with a smile and her cute little laugh. I explained the concept of "Window Shopping" ... she didnt much like that.
This weekend we just did a few small projects for your arrival.

USPS Coming Your Way

Yesterday we were told that it was OK to send you another small package. So, today I gathered a few things for you and will try to send it your way soon. At this point, you have ball cards, a T-Shirt that says "USA", suckers, stickers, silly putty, hot wheels and sticker book. I plan on adding a few photos for you in there also. I hope you enjoy!
I am really hoping that we receive your LOA this week or early next. I have been hearing that "Ladybugs" will be falling within the next few days! :) Besides, I am going crazy here and about to get the straight jacket out of the closet from the previous 2 adoptions!:) We hopefully, will make it to China before the Olympics if that happens :) Be on the look out for 2 Hunan Dollies and 2 old folks (we really arent that old but your Dad seems to think I am at least - or so he says)! :)

Another Weekend Down

Well, we have another weekend down and counting the days for our LOA and then our TA to arrive! Hoping this is our lucky week Quinn :) It was really hot and muggy all weekend to say the least. Saturday, I stained the front and back decks and the wood on the front of the house. What a sticky job! Glad that one is done and can be crossed off the list. The girls hung out on the swings and played.

Today, we went boating and fishing. Janie was the only one that didnt catch anything. She sure tried her best and was a good sport about not catching one! :) We took a boat ride over the C-Point and had a picnic early in the day. The sail boat races were going on also. It was interesting watching them when the wind layed down :) Not a pretty site to see. You will love C-Point ... there is a very large castle (For Real) off to the side and you can see most coves on the lake and all of the beautiful houses - The lake is absolutely gorgeous - and we hope you will love it as much as we do! :)

Late this afternoon, Daddy groomed the holly tree out front and was quite interesting watching him dance around the yellow jackets and trying to keep from being stung! Yikes!!! He made it without any stings - Yeah Daddy! The girls were so tired after being out in the sun the majority of the day that they just wanted to lay around and watch "High School Musical" and put a puzzle together!