Okay so I got 26 shots. They weren't so bad since the allergy specialist puts the needle in sideways in the fatty part instead of straight smack dab in the muscle. My arm looks like truck tire marks, so my husband says and I've elected to stay inside today instead of running errands. Can only imagine the looks on people's faces as they see me with my 3 children and a very "torn up" arm. I could just imagine them calling CPS on me and my not so innocent looking arm. eek!

This picture is just great... I have no idea why that baby looks content?! And the duck has it around his neck! haha P.S. Disclaimer: not my child and not my doing!

Congratulations, Updates & Craziness

My sister Juleena had her baby girl!!! This is little Miss Vivian... sweet little sugary piece of heaven. She actually was born in April since I live out of her state, I had to wait for good photos and then life got crazy when they arrived. My sister understands so don't worry everyone! A family of 10 definitely doesn't get feathers ruffled easy! Anyways, she was a little bitty one under 6 pounds and absolutely adored by her family. My sister had her 3rd at home birth and needs some serious round of applause for that feat!!! Woohoo you go Auntie Ju! So congratulation to my sister, her husband and Stone and E'toile... Vivian is absolute doll... can't wait to hold her and smoother her with kisses! Oh and kiss those toes! And the Pandas... well they were just cute and I'm talking about babies and couldn't resist!

Alright, you want an adoption update... oh well going type it anyway (j/j). The golden ticket hasn't arrived yet but I'm not worried. I have been told once or twice that our timeline hasn't changed but I've still been a bit worried (for various unconfirmed craziness in my speculating mind). Today my friend with the same agency posted that she received similare news to mine that we should receive a referral next year between March and Sept. Mentally, I've tried to add another 6 months for the referral but that is hard to do! That means we are at month 9 with 9 to 15 months to go... WOW! That actually sounds cool.

I go in this Thursday for the shots/ they like to call it allergy testing... awh dang it... just call it pin-cushion therapy and get it over with. I can actually be thankful though. I was a bit concerned about megashots when I learned my neice had one hundred shots placed in her back when she was younger for allergy treatments. Suddenly 18 shots doesn't sound so bad. Yep 100 shots! That's just down-right torturous! I couldn't even go for the epidural with the birth of my children because I'm a little freaked out about big horse needles and possibly paralyzing medicine. I elected the natural pain. I have a high pain threshold but still don't like signing up for it!

On the kiddo front, we've been having a fun busy summer, been trying the potty training tango with Jadyn... keeping Kole and Nika busy with no school... went swimming and to a carnival at the mountains... etc. I've been doing a little "Life Spring Cleaning." Cleaning out any old projects that I'll never do... make firm commitments about just stuff (you know what I mean). I'm going to start running each morning while my husband sleeps in with the monkeys as I miss running. I used to run track and I love nature and terrain! 6 am is the only way to go here as the overnight temps are 85 at least! So hope anyone doesn't mind if I head off for a bit. I'll still check in on everyone but if you get a referral & I don't respond right away... I'll get there and I'll still be just as excited! Consider it a spontaneous labor and I didn't make it to the delivery room but came running up the stairs with ballons and flowers instead! Love to all. =0)

Haha! I've got a golden ticket!

This is how I roll!

Okay not really the golden ticket, but close enough. I received a letter in the mail last month to get our fingerprints done immediately for USCIS. We never received our fingerprint appointments and the response of the USCIS 1-800 line was... "they must have gotten lost in the mail!" haha That's funny.

Anyways, after calling 6 supervisors, one actually sounded like he knew the answer and said I can arrive with no appointment! Ack... I was worried about getting turned away but nope... took just a few minutes and done. Then I was worried because the officer in charge of our case (as well as the main supe.) was going to be out of the office for weeks (which made me nervous that our prints may be overlooked and we'd get... DENIED). Turns, out I couldn't handle it today, and for the first time in a year (yeah, I've called this office before), I reached my main girl! SWEET! She really is such a sweetheart, just bogged down with apps. to process. I chatted with her for a while. She lived in Guam and said we will absolutely LOVE Taiwan (which we pretty much knew) and said it is one of her favorite places to visit.

Okay, okay... the good news... She actually knew exactly who I was and had my file in front of her, approving it right then and there! She said she'd have it in the mail tomorrow. Ah-ha, all that worrying and she's taking care of it all... so my very last piece of paperwork... D-O-N-E... well until renewal, expiration, updates... etc. but we won't go there right now. We're just going to bask in the ambiance when one finally completes THE GOLDEN TICKET. Just a mini celebration here!

Do I bug you?

For those of us needing something to do, this picture is of the jungle in Brisbane, Australia; now find my husband somewhere in it!

haha! Have you ever had the feeling you bug your agency? I know it's probably not true (well mostly) but I send an email every once in awhile which doesn't always get a reply. I just always seem to conjure up these crazy questions that don't go away. Here I sit thinking about them everyday which I know isn't true for them, but yet it makes me feel slightly guilty when I do finally call or email.

Anyways, I'm so excited for Sarah W... She recieved their call for their little one in Taiwan. What a great day! I wish the best for you and a short court process!

One other news, I've lost my voice for about 6 months and sound like Marge Simpson (not an exageration either) and finally went to the doctor. I have fluid in my vocal chords (edit: just remembered the name: Reinke's Edema)! Neat huh? They stuck this camera up my nose and down my throat (sorry no picture on that one but you can look up some savory one's on the net) and said usually only smokers get this. I've never smoked and am never around second-hand smoke so the secondary cause is allergies. Ah, yes off to become a human pinata! Yippee! I will get 2 sets of shots (not sure how many but the number of 18 sticks in my head) and they will pump me full of allergens and find out what lovely critters I'm allergic too. Strangely, I'm not really very allergic or have many symptoms... I just magically lost my voice one day and it never returned. I used to sing semi-professionally (weddings, Christmases, funerals, etc.) and felt like I lost a piece of my soul not being able to sing (I am quite depressed about it) so off to the doc my stubborn behind went. So Viva Pinata!!!!

p.s. This is a picture of my hairless chinese-crested, ergh I mean shih-tzu. The doc said that I am more than likely allergic to dog dander... my bright idea; shave the dog! Close to being bic'd he is. On the bright side, everytime he does something a bit puppy naughty I can't stay mad too long because he looks so dang funny. Poor dog! Also funny is the tiny piece of hair I left on the end of his tail tickles his back and makes him attack it!

Just Listen

I've Been Tagged! ... belated version!

This pic is the original tag: Kole tagged and tackled Pluto at one year's old.
My friend Judy tagged me a few weeks ago and I've been playing catch up with all the things I've missed while being sick-ish... plus these tags make me think. =0)Sorry that it took so long Judy. Here goes:

5 Things You Can Find Inside My Bag:
1. Decoy wallet for child entertainment purposes and prevention of "child-chucking-credit-cards-at-strangers-for-id-theft" game.
2. Enough emergency snacks, protein bars, bandages, & sippies for a 72 hour kit
3. A whole jar of "Wet Ones" for those look-what-candy-I-found-on-the-store-floor times.
4. Tampons, half of which seem to have magically ripped themselves open... hmmm, Jadyn!
5. 8 different colored pens and a pad of paper for color on your Sunday dress, oops I mean, paper fun!

5 Favorite Things Inside The Room I'm In:
1. A black and gold gong with Chinese characters painted on it that I have no idea what it says. Love that gong... the kids LOVE it as well.
2. Two Hawaiian Tiki Guys: one the Goddess of Love, the other the God of sun, sand, and surf.
3. Framed art piece of an African village made completely from different shades of dried banana leaves.
4. KY... nah, really my 9 foot long picture of China's coast painted with water colors.
5. My Darth Tater, Mr. Potato Head dressed up like Darth Vader

5 Things I've Always Wanted To Do:
Did you guys really want to ask this one?!
1. Visit Iguassu Falls in Argentina/Brazil and then go to Angel Falls in Venezuela and base jump over the edge! Wheeeeeeeee Oh and then run around all the ruins of Machu Picchu.
2. Gather items from every country in the world & display them in a Moroccan decorated room with colorful silk drapes hanging from the ceilings and walls with pillows instead of chairs. It will be a library with shelves of books,pictures and treasures I've found.
3. Be opposite Jet Li in a martial arts film (has to be more traditional than Hollywood'ed out, something like Once Upon a Time In China) or opposite Jackie Chan in something like Drunken Master... Yeah... I'd need some serious Sifu's to teach me the physical aspects and inner teachings... I'd be one beat down little sucker!
4. Explore the underground cities of Cappadocia, Turkey and the ruins at Sukhothai, Thailand & just become a scientist of some kind so I have reason to travel... okay just make me Lara Croft... haha
5. Get my husband to go on a hot air balloon ride with me... he'll go sky-diving he says but not on a hot air balloon!

5 Things I'm Currently Into:
1. My family: entertaining my husband & children and helping them be happy
2. Knowlegde... I'd love to be a college student forever and just learn everything.
3. Making it through this adoption without going stir crazy!
4. Going to the library with the children (it is so fascinating to see how excited they are over books).
5. Food... I love food. LOVE food... I'll try almost anything (can't guarantee I'll like it but hey!) Would love to learn to cook it though. hahaha

4 people I Plan To Tag:
1. Tammy- because she has no idea I read her blog... moohahaha, luv ya sis.
2. Amanda- because I always take up all the time when she does my hair so I'd love to see what she'd have to say.
3. Sarah K- because she knows she's not busy enough.
4. Sherry- because she just went through 2 birthdays and probably has lots of fresh ideas.

Lots of little tidbits

Here are the goings on of a mad woman (or my husband spells women as wemon... like demon; I always laugh as he truly thinks it's wemon). Not only was I sick from peppers, I seem to have become stressed; how do I know? I got a migraine. Not your average migraine, the kind where you can't see, hear, you get sick, and it's like your left side of your body is paralyzed and all you can do is sleep. Haven't had one of those for many many years and I rarely get them. So this is where I started the de-stressification process. First, I'm gonna to be jolly and thankful even when things go wrong, no matter what. I'm not a stress case at any rate but I do not need anymore migraines, EVER. Next, I'm going to go to sleep earlier (see I think if I write it down, I'll have to obey it)! Finally, I'm going to spend more time being a kid....why not! I like coloring and reading children's books and watching Disney classic movies too.

I have to say also what has gotten me a bit stressed, the world. Watching the people in Myanmar (Burma) have to struggle not only through political problems but now they are absolutely being battered by mother nature. Seeing the pictures (which don't need words) of the Earthquake survivors in China is heartbreaking. I've been staying away from watching the news as always but I read it online. I don't need my children being so scared that they can't go outside. I do tell them what is going on but with my words and ways so that I can give them comfort & reassurance (I'd rather them hear things from me then other people)... not some exuberant newsperson trying to win an emmy. And with things like this, it's hard to even compare any worry of the state of the international adoption programs, although it is painful to think of how many people are waiting helpless, hopeful, and so looking forward to a day that they succeed in building their families. So I take a step back.

I want you to know, I read all the blogs and especially am grateful for others sharing the news about relief funds and tales of hope and community spirit. If I post about it.... I will dwell on it and as I am already heartbroken by it, it will not help any type of migraine prevention. So I'll say prayers, send donations when I can, read about your wonderful intentions of bringing others much needed support, and most importantly enjoy my life! I've been kissing my kids a lot more and hugging them a little tighter everyday. My husband and my kids often catch me tearing up just by looking at them. So in this time of trials and hardships, joy, hope, and love abounds. Go give your loved ones a kiss, call your parents, or siblings or any loved ones and just say I was thinking of you today and you really are wonderful, you know that? Don't miss any moment.

Now on to other things, this picture is my birthday gift. I told my husband I didn't need one so whenever I have done that... he gets creative. This is a picture he had painted by the master artist at an art school in China. This watercolor is on 9 FEET of paper! It is sooo beautiful to look at and so fun to stare at all the intricate details! Sigh... if only I could paint. I'm a nature LOVER... could sit happily in the grass listening to the wind in the trees for hours (hubby could ride happily through the grass on dirt bikes for hours... haha... love ya). Thank you so much for my b-day gift, Love! ALright enough sappyiness! hehe

The pics of us and the children are at the Shark Reef... notice Kole covering face, notice Jadyn scowling! And finally we have a Chocolat! creation from my husband's work. He gets these for every holiday at his work.... this one is a purse for Mother's Day (yeah it was delicious). He also took pictures of the New Year Rat but I can't find those pics. Last year's Chinese Dog was a 2 foot tall solid white chocolate masterpiece! Soooo yummy!

Oh My! Surprise!

I get a phone call from a friend who tells me to check an email... Oh My Heavens to Betsy! Look at this beautiful header! Am I allowed to cry over a blog? YEP indeedy! Miss Sarah K... I can not even begin to show my appreciation for this. It means so much more than you'll know. With a little secret slipped in, you have so made my day. Thank you mega mucho mondo massive much! Just so ya'll realize how much I can't do this stuff... one night while you all were tucked into bed, I deleted half the blog, mixed up all the posts and almost down-loaded a virus trying to "improve" this sucker! haha I love looking at it. When any of you got a blog up-do, did you want to stare at it forever too? Husband says it looks really cool and said "WOW!", which you know that means a lot in husband talk! haha You asked if it was a perfect fit... it totally is! Love it and love you.

OKay... I'm getting back down to blog biz. I owe a lot of people a lot of hello's and checking in's and I'm totally tagged! You might ask why I was under the weather... I was totally nauseous for over a week. What was the verdict???? Peppers! The bell kind! I'm allergic; they cause ulcer symptoms... bad ones... But I'm good now... definitely no taqueria taco bell for me! It wasn't toxic hell... oh I mean, taco bell... it was a home made fajita type meat (just in case I might have caused a mass manic attack... beware the ringing of the "Bell" Edgar Allen Poe.. if you forgot High School Lit. =)).

So welcome to my newly re-decorated blog living room just leave the bell peppers outside!

Been a little sick

Sorry guys, I've been a little sick and then also a bit overwhelmed by so many things to share that I have committed blog-neglect. Sorry bloggy. Later, I'll try to share until then have a pic or 2.

Hehe… I’m “IT” Is this like Sardines in a Can where we all squish in together? Thank goodness I had an example to follow because I was a bit confused as first!

My friend Andrea tagged me... (man, she really learned to run in just a few days! ;) I've always wanted to be tagged; I feel loved! Sorry still can't really figure out links (sad, sad me huh!)

What were you doing 10 years ago?

Hmmmm…. April 1998? I had just graduated High School in 1997 and decided to move around and travel a bit. I was a young girl just running about enjoying new found freedom with absolutely no direction to my journey... yet! I hadn’t started dating my husband yet (Oct. 1998), which is a funny story because I met him prior to this on a blind date with his best friend! Haha At that time, he moved to Australia for a couple years and when he got back, we started dating. Actually on the blind date all I thought was… ohhh he’s cute! I’ll date him when he moves back! Funny thing is, he drove that night and was an absolutely insane driver and I remember screaming at him from the back seat that I will never marry a man who drives like this! HA… I ended up marrying THAT exact insane driver! Luckily he gave up his crazy driving (at least while I’m in the car). Maybe driving on the wrong side of the road in AU beat some sense into him. He also had the car hit by a kangaroo or 2 and thousands of toads.

5 Things on your to-do list for today:

1. Get all 3 children ready for church in one hour flat
2. Sunday family dinner at my in-laws home and hubby’s siblings (eventful)
3. Actually have a day off with my husband! Movies, Hot Tamales,Ice cream, and kids are sleeping! WooHOO
4. Play tag and draw with the children
5. Squeeze my love handles

5 Things that you would do if you were a Billionaire:

1. Create a self-sufficient income so that we can renew it indefinitely
2. Travel to every country in the world and definitely help rebuild any place in need. Help grow jobs and farms so they can be self-sufficient, healthy and no longer hungry.
3. Pay off all of my siblings houses, etc., buy them new cars and actually set up a formal family reunion since the 10 of us have a hard time being in one place at one time. Set up trust funds for all extended family (as well as our own of course)
4. Revamp the entire U.S. foster care system and lobby for changes in education/ pay the teachers more than basketball players and entertainers (great teachers are priceless). Then we would have more teachers, brighter children, brighter futures. Make college free and part of the high school program.
5. Create more recreational activities that are free for youth so they can grow to be productive, happy members of society and have positive role models and a life plan for their future.

Name 3 of your bad habits:
1. If I hear a song or someone says a phrase that reminds me of a song, I sing it… even if it’s in the grocery store or Disneyland lines!
2. I’m a clean freak (which I have relinquished some control to the children by not looking at the clutter).
3. I have word vomit! My words spew out of my mouth as they are becoming thoughts! Thankfully I don’t think horrible thoughts… or I’d have a lot of black eyes!

List 5 jobs that you have had:

1. Babysitter to nieces, nephews, pets and helped mom at her daycare after school.
2. Summer job at my sister’s sports store in Sedona, AZ (so fun and I met people from all over the world).
3. Assistant to an executive assistant for an Engineering company (aka… “please do all my work so I can take half the day off everyday” job). hehe
4. Hostess and Waitress at Marie Calendar’s… oh yeah the pies are that good!
5. Most rewarding job ever: Momma!!!


List 5 books that you have recently read:

1. The Paper Dragon by Marguerite W. Davol (my favorite)
2. 20 Things Adoptive Kids Wish Their Adoptive Parents Knew
3. Naughty Parents (yes, it’s a children’s book… get your mind outta the gutter;)
4. Love and Logic Magic for Early Childhood
5. Brothers by Yin and Chris Soenpiet (children’s book)

List 5 people you are going to tag:

I’m gonna sleep on this one!
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