I got tagged!!!

Okay, my good friend Tamara tagged me, which means I must tell the world (the whole world reads this, right?) 6 random facts about myself. Here's the link to Tamara's blog: http://tamaras-corner.blogspot.com/

6 Random Facts:

1) I was born in Anchorage, Alaska. Hey, that's close to Russia, isn't it? So close that we could wave to the folks over there every morning! LOL!

2) I wanted to grow up to be a giraffe. My Dad told me when I was little (keep in mind, too, that this was the '70's with women's lib and all) that I could grow up to be anything I wanted to and I told him I wanted to be a giraffe. It hasn't worked out so far, but there's still time, right? When I told my son the same thing, he said he wanted to be a bee so that he could fly all around! He was going to be a bee for Halloween, but changed to a skeleton and wants to be a bee next year, so stay tuned for that!

3) When I lived in Alaska, later as a college student, the dormant-for-25-years-volcano, Mt. ReDoubt erupted, leaving 4 inches of ash all over the Kenai Peninsula. People freaked out and told everyone to stay in doors because it's like breathing fiber glass (I have no proof of that, but took their word for it) and we couldn't use the heater because it would run the motor inside. A day later, it snowed 4 inches, so we were free to move about the city once more.

4) When I was in high school, I was very shy. I was still funny then, but was forced to keep it all bottled up, which is why I'm even more funny now. What, you don't agree?

5) I've started writing a book and plan to be on Oprah's Book List.

6) Thru this adoption, I have made so many friends across the nation that have played an integral part in decision making and helping me keep at this crazy conquest to bring our baby girl home! Thanks everyone!!! :)

Okay, here are the rules:

1. Link to the person that tagged you.
2.Post the rules on the blog.
3. Write six random facts about yourself.
4.Tag six people at the end of your post.
5. Let each person know they have been tagged.
6. Let the taggers know when your entry is up.

I am tagging:

1) Tracy (Russian Sweetheart) Mom to 5 bio sons and 1 Russian Sweetheart!
2) Jena (Waiting for our Dyeti) They are waiting no more! Congratulations, Jena!
3) Nichole (Our Uzbek Journey) She will be going to Russia soon to meet her daughter!
4) Chris and Jackie (Step by Step) They are playing the waiting game...
5) Hoping for Girl (you don't have your name on your blog, so I didn't want to OUT you--lol!)
6) Tanya (The Baers) brought home her sweet son earlier this year!

Paka, everyone!

Spookily Delicious

We made a very scary cookie house today. Hint: Have child wear old shirt/same color as frosting shirt! Our hands and teeth will probably be orange and black for days. Oh, well, we had a lot of fun decorating. Notice it's not a close up because it looks better at a distance! Also, no, I didn't bake gingerbread and carefully cut out and assemble the pieces into a haunted house shape. This is a kit from Wilton. Just make the icing mix and wah-lah!

Happy Halloween, a little early! :)

Stay tuned for reindeer sugar cookies in December!

Jumpin' Jack Flash

Whew, we have been busy, busy, busy making plans! We found out a week ago that we are finally going to Russia, but it's been a whirlwind of activity getting our accommodations, plane tickets and visas taken care of. Not to mention we are also in the midst of updating our home study and gathering paperwork (medical exams, police clearances, etc.) for the trip and oh, yeah working and taking care of normal every day things.

Here are some photos of our son. As you can see, he has a little bit of energy! These were taken after the Jog-A-Thon at school which he was so excited about. They jogged around the school for about 20 mins., wearing a device on their ankles to record how many laps they did. Sounds awful to me, but he talked and talked about it for weeks before and is still talking about it. It does raise a lot of money for the school, so that's good. If I were him, I'd just find out how much it would take for me to not have to do it and get out the checkbook!

Jumping!

And this is the completed high chair that I have been working on for a long time. I hand tooled the spindles from the cherry trees we grow out back and then hand carved the seat and tray with a chisel. Yeah, right! Had you goin' there for a minute, didn't I? I did get it at a consignment store for $25, glued some of the joints and tightened some screws, painted it, added a cushion from Penney's made just for highchairs and bought a safety strapped purchased online. Wooded highchairs new are about $125 so this was a good deal, plus it matches the kitchen perfectly. Now, we just need to add that baby! :)

We will be keeping details about our referral and trip very general and will be making this blog private at some point, if we decide to blog while in Russia. We very much appreciate the well wishes and prayers from everyone as we embark on this very exciting time! :)

WE GOT THE CALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We found out today that we have travel dates to meet our baby girl!!!! We don't have any more information than that as we are traveling blind. We will be leaving for Russia in a few weeks!!!!

Hallmark Channel Adoption Stories Online

I just added the link to the series on all types of adoption that the Hallmark Channel did in 2002 to the blog (right side below "About Us"). If you click on "Episode Guide" it gives a summary of all of the shows. Number 7, 12 and 13 are specifically about Russian adoption, however, they are all very good.

Number 13 in particular is about a place called "The Ranch" that helps internationally adopted kids who's parents need respite from the child or who's parents have made the devastating decision to disrupt the adoption.

The director, Joyce Sterkel, and her family run a farm that helps kids heal as they live in the country and contribute to the farm responsibilities, giving the parents a break from the trials some adoptive journeys have. Joyce has adopted some of the kids who's parents could no longer care for them due to many reasons, as you'll see in that episode. She is incredible in her ability to help these kids heal.

Whatever story you watch, grab a Kleenex, you'll be needing it! :) They are all incredible, heartwarming journeys.

Par-tayyyyy!!!!

We all had a blast at our son's 6th birthday party yesterday!!! We sang happy birthday, ate pizza and cake and then our son opened his presents. My Mom made the Incredible Hulk cake, which was very cute (sorry Hulk, but it's true!) and delicious!

Next, we headed out for a rousing game of mini-golf. Every hole was a par 10 or 15 or 20 or more, but who was counting?

Next, the kids went on the bumper cars and then played video games.

Trust me when I say, there is a reason that 6 yr. olds don't drive!!!!!!

Our son won a few tickets playing games and then got 100 for being the birthday kid and walked away with a plastic pirate eye patch, a glow in the dark die (not dice because that would require more tickets!), some lovely black and white tattoos which I'm sure his kindergarten teacher loved seeing on his arm this morning and a small Styrofoam rocket. Boy, 120 tickets just doesn't buy much these days with this economy! LOL!

6th Birthday and "After" of Laundry Room

Our son turned 6 today!!!!! It's hard to believe he's already six. Here are some shots from his party at home. He's still in his p.j.'s because he opened them at 8 a.m.--a great way to start the day! :) Tomorrow, he's having a party with his friends at Andy Alligators, so I'll post more pictures then.

And, finally after 4 weekends, I have finished the laundry room!!! I had to re-route the dryer vent thru 3 walls and replace the electrical cord in the dryer with one that was longer so that we could stack the dryer onto the washer (Dan is strong!). I would have liked to have had the w/d all the way over to the left, but they don't make a dryer cord any longer. I made use of that space to the left anyway. I tried to take a picture of it, but it was too close to get a good shot. It's so nice to be organized and to have an actual place to hang our clothes now! This more than doubled the storage space as well.