We have POOP!!!!

I have said for a while now, that Natalie 'knew' what to do regarding going in the potty, she just chose not to comply. I even bought a pottychair and put it in the living room so it would be right there IF she decided to try it out. Well, Monday, I was out of the room, and Natalie came in to me, naked as usual, and said "Mama, potty poop." So I jumped up and followed her, hoping to get something on her before we had an accident. But, lo and behold, she pointed to the little pink pottychair and it had been used! For BOTH!!!!!!!!

I almost fell over. OK, OK! I calmed myself down by saying (to myself) that one time does not mean it's a habit. Yesterday, we had another poop and two more potties!!!!! I think she's got it!!!!!!!

Sorry it's been so long ~

Life with a preschooler is very hectic. Natalie keeps us on our toes! Now that Spring is here, keeping her inside has proven to be quite a chore. I have to bribe her to come back in the house after playing outside. I am a dyed in the wool, INDOOR person, give me a book and I'm a happy camper. I HATE the smell of dirt, worms and grass! I don't mind going for walks, but don't ask me to touch anything - eeeewwwwww! Natalie, on the other hand, is a true nature girl. She loves everything about the outdoors, everything! Personally, I think she is GOD's way of making me get off my butt and enjoy life - outside!

After long thought and discussion, we have decided that I am going to homeschool Natalie and Nora, when the time comes. I looked into preschools in our area, there are a few really good ones, but they are cost prohibitive. In other words, expensive. So, I thought - what the hell, let's give it a try. Natalie already knows the alphabet, numbers, shapes, colors and can recognize her name. She knows the sign of the cross, and is learning the "Hail Mary". She LOVES church and seeing Jesus. Yesterday at Mass, she took it upon herself to hand out the prayer books to everyone entering the church. She greeted all who came in with a big smile.

On the adoption front, the last remaining documents have been authenticated and our finished dossier should be on its way to Vietnam for translation. I can't wait to post that we finally have a log in date! I have been pretty good about waiting this time, too busy I guess! But now it seems to be getting harder and harder to have patience. Hopefully I won't have to wait too long now.

Happy 2nd Gotcha Day!!!!!!!

Can it only be 2 years! The reason that I say this is because Jon and I feel as though our lives began on March 28, 2006! We don't seem to be able to remember life before Natalie! All we can recall is a world in black and white.

This picture below is of the nannies bringing in our precious soon-to-be daughter.

Here Natalie and her buddies are cruising in their walkers, just moments before we arrived!

And THIS is the moment in time that we waited for for SO LONG!!!!

GOTCHA!!!!!!!

It's so amazing, I didn't think that our little baby could get more beautiful.

But yet she has!

We LOVE you with all our hearts, Natalie Jade HongHu.......our Forever Daughter!!!!

Happy Easter!

We wish you the the most wonderous Easter season.

May your life blossom like the spring flower.

Love,
Jon, Sue, Natalie and ....(Somewhere Out There) Baby Nora

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.