Travel Packet II

We got notice this afternoon to download Travel Packet II. YEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What does that mean you say, well its means that the CCAA has now moved our Dossier to the match room to be matched with our sweet baby girl!

Hold on Gracie. I continue to pray that God's keeps you safe. I hope that you have someone to hold you until I can get there. I promise to always love you more than you'll know. It wont be too much longer now.

My shower for you is this Saturday, good timing, its time to get busy now, not that I wasn't already. We've also hired someone at work, she starts next week, so training will start then. There is just so much to do that I am over whelmed! I think I may need something to calm my nerves. (before I drive everyone around me insane)

Taken from "Waiting to Asend" blog

I have come up with an idea for a swap as I have been walking around at the Mall lately. I think it would be fun to do a bow swap. I think it would be nice to trade names with 2 or 3 other people and send a couple little bows totalling no more than $10. I don't think the postage would be much either.

If you would like to participate, or if you would like to let others who read your blog about it, please send me an e-mail at npoellot24 at yahoo.com. My goal is to get names out and try to get this going be early Febuary.

I am also thinking about doing a swimsuit swap for the summer.

Chinese New Year

The Chinese New Year starts on 02/07/2008.

There are 3 ways to name a Chinese year:

1. By an animal. There are 12 animals. 2008 is the year of the rat.

Gracie was born year of the monkey.

2. By its formal name 2008 is Wu Zhi

3. Current year is Year 4705 by the Chinese calendar.

Parties / New Puppy / Registered

Happy Birthday Hunter Boy!!!! He just turned 2, and to say this little fellow is obsessed with Thomas Trains would be an understatement. Every gift he got had to do with Thomas the Train.

His chair and Little Mans Chair

You may think he wants the cake, but he wants the train on the cake.
Hmmm, but the cake was good to.
And Yes, he is using his train as a spoon.
Nope, not ours. Chris & Erin finally got the boys a puppy of their own. They love dogs. Meet Tana (Short for Hannah Montana). She is a sweet dog.


Now, I finally got registered for my upcoming shower which is on 02/02 (my Daddy's birthday)I don't know how long Bonny and I were in the store, the day was wet and cold. We thought we'd be the only person in the store on that kind of day, WRONG, but you could say I was the only mom registering that didn't look like she was ready to pop!



Some things on the list I plan on getting myself (the big things) but it took me so long to pick those out, I had to make a decision and be done with it, so when I go back I can just order the furniture and not look anymore. Do you know how many choices you have in a store like that. Whew!


Babies R Us

http://www.babiesrus.com/ControllerServlet?registryNumber=71411773&target=search





I need to get to the store and get some books to get started on her baby (life) book and her quilt book. I was hoping to have her quilt done before the shower, but that's not gonna happen. I need to start that. I was hoping to have some time to breathe before we go get her, but I don't see that happening. Hopefully I'll be able to take a week off before we go to China, but we'll see.



Paul Ray starts his new job tomorrow, lets everyone say a little prayer for him. I know he'll be happy there once he learns his way around.



Now, I've really got to start exercising and loosing some weight!



Have a great week.

Mardi Gras at the Omar Shriners Ball

Last Saturday, we attended the Omar Shriner Ball. Paul's Uncle Roy was installed as the Potentate and my best friends Bonny's brother was installed into the Divan. I think everyone had a great time, I know we did.

Paul and I.
Chris & Erin
Best Buds! Peggy And Bonny

Bonny's sister in law Debbie took these pics, she did a great job. We also took pics there with Chris & Erin, so I'll post those when we get them. This was most likely my last "nice night" out before our Gracie comes home. I'm going with Bonny, Ashlee and Stacy Nicole tomorrow to register for my baby shower. I'm really excited.

Today is also that dreaded birthday, I must say it has not really bothered me too much! Paul Ray is taking me to dinner tonight, maybe even a movie but I wont hold my breath. I'll have our traditional breakfast with Bonny tomorrow and Sunday night my mom will cook my favorite!

Oh I almost forgot!

Happy Birthday Hunter Boy

Lots of Hugs and Kisses to you

His birthday was the 15th and his party is Sunday at noon!

Our To Do List Before our Baby Girl is Home!!!!!!!!!!!

(Those in Blue Are Done)
I'm sure this list will continue to grow.

1. Finish the Paperchase YEAH!!!!!!
2. Print out and put at every phone "The Referral Call" questionnaire
3. Child Proof our House
4. Continue to shop for "Princess Gracie" This is an ongoing thing, It wont ever end.
5. Continue to gather fabric for her "100 Good Wishes Quilt" Have Quilt put together
6. Buy things for the orphanage (my mom just bought 5 very cute outfits for this)
7. Decide on theme for her room
8. Paint, Decorate, and Supply her room
9. Learn Chinese
10. Learn the lullaby "Mama Hao" ("Mama is the Best" in all the world)
11. Prepare a Care Package to send to Gracie (if possible) after referral, make sure to include Family Album and Disposable Camera
12. Order Adoption Magazine
13. Design/Find/Order Adoption Announcements
14. Decide on a Pediatrician, Dr. Bruce Etheridge, he is so sweet, in case you're looking for one
15. Find a babysitter/caregiver and a backup when I'm at work (3 days a week)
16. Continue to read about International Adoption
17. Once we get a referral, track down and buy copies of local/international newspaper
18. Prepare a list of questions for caregiver or foster mom
19. Join and get involved with local FCC
20. Stock up on diapers and wipes - Wont Be Needing These
21. Get in shape. Loose 20 lbs. Start carrying 15 (BETTER MAKE THAT 20 NOW) lbs weights
22. Start a Journal
23. Build a website for everyone to follow
24. Start a lifebook for Gracie
25. Learn how to use camera and video camera BEFORE leaving, Mama got us a new one for Christmas
26. Research, choose, and buy a car seat, learn how to use it
27. Research, chose, and buy a stroller, LEARN how to use it (the first time I took little man to the mall, I seriously could not close the thing. Good thing I was in the Explorer or his mommy would have had to come resue us!!!! They have changed since mine were little.
28. Buy an EXTRA special outfit for her to wear home
29. After Referral, Research Graices province
30. Research post-adoption tasks (birth certificate, re-adoption, SS card, child's new passport
31. Join adoption networks (I am on 13 Yahoo Groups-lost count now )
32. Address baby announcements before leaving
33. Make a list of everything we need for Gracie!.
34. Register at Babies R Us, Target and Amazon for her books
35. Get a Rocking chair (leather recliner) for front room and a Glider Rocker for her room
36. Take a Vacation with DH before Gracie comes home.
37. Practice reposnses to Dumb Questions "Is she your Real daugher?" I hope I never have to deal with this.
38. Choose Godparents/Guardians
39. Start a list of what gifts to take to China (officials, caregivers, etc)
40. Put a stop on mail and newspaper
41. Make sure we have lots of crisp bills (This is Aunt Erins:) Job)
42. Take a seminar in Adoptive Parenting
43. Set up appointment with Dr. Etheridge/Dr Boatwright for a few days after return
44. Send out Thank You's
45. Make a list of what gifts to bring back (Tea Set for Gracie)
46. Start a packing list (make sure have enough of meds)
47. Start / Finish packing for us and Gracie
48. Make arrangements for bills to be paid (online)
49. Make sure house is spotless before leaving.
50. Service Car before leaving
51. Make arrangements for food to be in house upon returning

Ramblings and Such

I just found the most amazing blog site, Mama's Fixins, she has the most wonderful receipts, not that I'm anywhere near being a cook, let along a good cook. But I do know a few who are that could give a few of her receipts a try.

Lets see, just to update everyone. My DH had the flu and was nice enough to pass it on. I still don't have my tree down.

We've submitted a request to have our fingerprints redone since they expire this month. I failed to include a copy of PaulPauls birth certificate, I'll call them back first thing Monday. They left me a message on Thursday and I failed to check the machine until today.

I also received our Home Study Addendum from our SW today, that will go off Monday to CCAI. So now we just wait, the next thing will be our dossier is moved to the match room and we'll get travel packet 2, (I haven't gotten travel packet 1 yet).

We had a surprise birthday party for Pauls Dad here last Saturday, Happy Birthday Grandaddy! I think he really enjoyed it.

Paul Ray and I are attending the Shiners Ball next Saturday, he uncle his being installed as Potentate. I'm really excited, DH usually declines those kinds of events.

The following weekend is my birthday, DH is taking me to dinner on Friday, I'm spending all day Saturday with Bonny and Ashlee (we're going to register and find some stuff for Gracie). Then Sunday, my mom will cook my birthday dinner, Lasagna, my favorite and I get this every year.

Then for the very biggest news, my DH has made a very BIG, difficult decision. He is leaving the company he works for after 24 years. He is going to work for some very good people and will be much better for him, a much better quality of life. I'm so excited for him.