Ramblings for today

It feels good to be somewhat human again. We have been stricken with the creeping oogies and just when you start to feel good, you go back to yucky! Natalie has a non-stop nose drip and cough, and an 'on again, off again' fever. AND Jon had the unmitigated gall to say that she looked better than I did!!!!

For the past few weeks, I have been trying to stay optimistic about Nora's adoption. We are using a small agency, who are the most wonderful, generous, giving and caring people. But, big government doesn't seem to take all that into consideration. Long story short......we thought that we might have to start all over from square one with our adoption.

A meeting was scheduled in Vietnam and we were afraid that 22 agencies, that have been working in Vietnam would have their licenses revoked as of April 1, 2008! There was a pray vigil last Sunday night(at the time when the meeting was scheduled to begin in Hanoi) by a lot of families effected by the new US push for only Hague accredited agencies to be honored by the Vietnamese DIA. Our prayers must have been heard because the result of the meeting in Hanoi was in our favor. Our agency has been assured that they (non-Hague accredited agencies) will be allowed to continue receiving referrals through September, 2008 and anyone "in-process by then will receive a referral. I just hope and pray that things work out and the agencies will be able to continue after the deadline.

Our Lady of Lavang

Pray for our Children

What I do know is that we are still on track. Our dossier was updated and sent to our agency. They sent it for authentication and were sending it to Vietnam for translation and submission to the DIA (Department of Inter-Country Adoptions). Now we wait for our 'official Log In Date'. With the current slowdown, I do not know when we might expect a referral. But at least I know that we will be getting one!

Natalie has begun talking about her little sister, Nora. (too cute) Though I'm sure she has no idea WHAT a sister IS!!!!

I will post more when I find out anything.

The Waiting Game

I know that I have not posted anything new about our adoption of Nora. But to anyone familiar with international adoptions.....the process is hurry up and wait. W-A-I-T! So, we wait! Our dossier is updated and has been sent to our wonderful agency. They will be authenticating it, and then sending it to Vietnam for translation and then submitting it to DIA. We continue to pray that GOD shows us a way to bring our daughter home to us.

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On a lighter note, Natalie has found that interactive tv is a blast. Mommy, on the other hand, can sing all the songs from Monkey-Doo, HI-5 and Yo-Gabba-Gabba! Natalie gets exercise and mommy goes bonkers!!!!! I even find myself singing these little ditties when no one else is around!!! ARGH! I need a Days of Our Lives marathon to bring me back to the adult world. LOL

Potty-training 2008 style

We have been using a non-traditional approach to potty-training Natalie. We have shown her how to use the potty (not necessarily on purpose), let her know what is expected of her and encouraged her to use said potty. Unfortunately, she thinks that we were just making a suggestion and not a request!


She has taken the whole matter under advisement and, after much thought, decided that she has a different approach! The Natalie Method is ....... when soiled - remove whatever clothing you have on, grab ahold of outer tabs on diaper, pull tabs and release diaper, drop diaper, run over to wipes, grab as many as your hands can hold, wipe private regions with wipes, drop used wipes on floor, get fresh diaper out of bag, spread new diaper out on floor, center yourself over diaper, and plop hopefully in target area, try repeatedly to fasten side tabs. Once this is accomplished, run to Mommy and inform her that you are poopy!!!!!!!!!

Celebrating the New Year!

We went to our favorite restaurant Sunday to share in their New Years celebration. It was wonderful. We had dim-sum, which Natalie HATED! But when the lion came out to dance, she was fascinated. She kept calling it a 'kitty cat' and was furious when it finished its dance and left. I think that she would have taken it home, if she could have. Though she really did not like the dancer that accompanied the lion. She was very scared of him, and personally I thought he looked creepy, too.

Happy New Year!!! ~ Year of the Rat!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!