Peanut Update:

I just had a chance to post. They let our Peanut come home Saturday midday. His numbers are still not perfect but he is improving. He will forever be on a strict diet, prescription dog food ONLY! He is happy to be home and getting better each day.

Thanks for the kinds words.

Our Peanut has been in the hospital since Monday. He has Pancreatitis. On Sunday he had two seizures, he started having these about a year ago. After the first one, he was very weak and acting different, we were afraid he'd had a stroke. I took him to the vet on Monday fearing the worse, but prepared (as much as one can be). The vet said he was a very sick dog. Today, Friday, he is looking better, he still hasn't had any food or water yet. They are hoping when his blood test come back tomorrow that the numbers will look better. If that happens and he is able to take food and water and keep it in, he will be able to come home. I went to visit him today, he really wanted to come home. Paul Ray really wants him to come home. Hopefully we'll get good news!

Well we've been logged in the traditional program for 8 months now. The CCAA is finally through November 2005! Our Medical Checklist for the Special Needs Program was submitted two and half months ago. I'm thinking we may hear something from that in March.

And now we just wait. Paul Ray has been helping with this, we've been on two trips and there always seems to be something going on.

This weekend, I have Erin's babyshower (for baby Noah Avery - due in December) on Saturday and then on Sunday we're going to see Mercy Me in concert! I'm really excited about that.

We have Brandon's birthday on the 24th, this is the first year we're not doing a big dinner for him, he'll be 22. Saturday night is when his band practices, so the band won out.

Little Man's birthday is the first weekend in November, so from here on out we will stay busy through the end of the year.

I have work to keep my mind going during the week and as we all know the holidays (my favorite time of the year) are knocking on the door! I am so ready. Bonny, Ashlee and I are ready for our annual shopping spree to Myrtle Beach on Black Friday. It's not so much a shopping spree as it is another bonding day for us. Bonny and I have been best friends for 20 years now. 20 years and we still get along so great. God didn't give me any biological sisters, but he did give me sisters. We took her daughter Ashlee with us last year for the first time, we also started taking her on our birthday breakfasts. I love this girl to death, I cant wait for her and Grace to get together.

I also went back to the doctor for my follow up on these headaches that wont go away. In addition to giving me a prevented medicine (sure hope it works), she is sending me for a MRI just to make sure.

So thats our life in a nutshell right now! What's up with you?

Finally, The CCAA is through the month of November, 2005!


The CCAA has finished the review of the adoption application documents registered with our office before August 31, 2006.

The CCAA has finished the placement of children for the families whose adoption application documents were registered with our office before November 30, 2005.

Happy Anniversary Paul Ray!

Today marks our 16th wedding anniversary. You made me the happiest person alive that day. Thank you for all the great gifts you have given me and for the greatest one yet to come.

One Year Old!

I just realized that I have been keeping this blog for one year now! If anyone knows how to save a website to disc, I would sure love to save this for Grace. I started this for her, so she would know what we were doing while we endured the very long wait. Let's all hope she is home before another year is up!

Here are some more pics from the Happiest Place on Earth!

Showing his Uncle Paul he can drive and look around at the same time!
This was the funniest thing. A talking, walking and spinning trashcan. I saw it coming and sent little man to go say hello. Well as soon as it spoke to him, little man took off running, see the video in the next post. It was too funny. I wish I had gotten a close up of his face.
Now, this little thing, we stopped at the Waffle House on the way home for dinner. His Grandaddy must be so proud. He takes him to breakfast most days during the week and I guess what he does not eat, he takes with him. Well from the moment we walked in, he just charmed the waitress, she was eating out of his hands. We were getting ready to go, and I asked for a cup to take my drink in, when right on cue, he says, I need a Go Box, she looked at me, I looked at Paul, we were like, "grandaddys" It was the cutest thing ever. He does love his Grandaddy!

Here is a link to the video of Little Man and the talking trash can. I hope it works.


www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYIMrwqIuTE

You may have to copy and paste.

Our trip to the Happiest place on Earth . . .

The ride there all we heard was Mickey, "we going to Mickey House", Mickey Car, Mickey Motorcycle, etc, etc, etc. That or, Aunt Peggy I have to pee (He's 3, well in 2 months). It was great, I love doing anything with this little fellow. He's just so cute.

We left on Thursday, around 930, got there somewhere around 5. We met up with Paul's sister and her family. After checking in we went to Planet Hollywood for dinner. In my opinion, it was entirely too loud to think, let alone, eat. Back to the hotel, I didn't think he would ever fall asleep. He was so excited, he finally dozed off about 11:30. Friday, we were up, had breakfast and was at the Magic Kingdom by 830. Little Man had a ball. I had forgotten how hot it is. I have decided we wont be taking Grace until she is 5 and we'll go in October. We spent a week there when PaulPaul was 4 and he doesn't remember any of it. We spent the whole day at the park, which closed at 7.

Now, here is the moment we've all been waiting for. He was in total AWE. He said Aunt Peggy, you carry me.

Notice how pretty the sky is, and how Hot we are. . . . .

Now, here comes Mickey and guess what he is bringing with him??????

RAIN, RAIN, and More RAIN, and the sky is still so pretty, we were soaked! It didn't bother little man one bit, and seriously, how can these girls keep on dancing in the rain?

He only got upset twice, once in the Magic Kingdom and once in the Animal Planet, both when they turned out all the lights completely, but he was fine once they came back on.

He is going to really have fun when he goes back with his parents and the rest of the clan. We had adjoining rooms and the kids had a ball going back and forth. He wasn't tall enough to ride alot of things.

I've been asked why I don't post pictures of all the family, it is to protect their privacy, not everyone is comfortable with having their pictures posted on the Internet.

Well another very depressing month for NSN (Non Special Needs - Traditional Program) out of the CCAA. They only referred 4 days this month. At that rate, I would think the wait could go way beyond the 2 or even 3 year mark.

The SN program is still looking at about an 8 mth wait. That would hopefully put us somewhere around March 2008, which is originally when we thought Grace would go home.

More Goodies for Grace . . . . . .

OK, I just could not help myself. The book, I got a while back from church.

I went to the outlet shops to get some things for Destinee. I found these little hair clips, Grace just had to have them.

OK, Now I knew she had to have one of these the first time I ever walked into a Strasburg Children Store. I mean, how could she NOT have one? It was also 30% off, so it was a done deal.

For those that don't know Strasburg, it is a really nice Children Clothing Shop. They make these dolls that you can buy matching dresses for your child and the doll. How Cute.

This little dress was marked down, how could I not get it, it had a ladybug on it!!!!!!!!!! I hope I'll be able to find a matching dress to fit Grace when she comes home!

Not much new to report. My mom and I have been keeping my cousins little girl for the last few weeks. I think she is my training for when Grace comes home. Her mom is about 7 mths pregnant and having contractions, and Destinee can be a handful. She went home for the weekend, I miss her being here, its very quiet. It has been so much fun shopping for a little girl and doing her hair every morning. We're suppose to get her back on Sunday afternoon and she is going to Disney World with us. Paul Ray, myself, PaulPaul, and my little man are going with Pauls sister Donna and her family. I sure hope Grace comes home soon.

We're heading off to a tractor show this afternoon. Paul Ray, myself and PaulPaul are going with Chris, Erin and the boys. I haven't seen little man in a while so it will be nice to see him today. Erin and Hunter came over on Labor day, OH and guess what, (Labor Day 2007) Little Master Hunter Boy actually held his hands out for me to pick him up. Now he only let me hold him for about 4 minutes, but still, its a step in the right direction.
So just maybe he is coming around to his Auntie Pegs.

Brandon starts a new job on Monday and will continue to work part time at Walmart, so I hope all goes well for him. He is so ready to move out (so he thinks), but I am no where near ready for that. It scares me and I'm just not ready to let go. He goes and does as he pleases here, but he's here!!!!!! I am so thankful that God is giving me another one, because I'm just not ready for my kids to leave yet. I guess having Brandon and Paul at such a early age, it was almost as if I was continuing to grow up myself.

PaulPaul seems to be doing ok in school, lets all pray that it continues. He is due to graduate in 2009, and if all goes well we well be taking a cruise (7 days) that summer. I sure hope Grace is home by then. Anybody wanting to go, just let us know!!

My favorite time of the year is just around the corner. Christmas!!!!!!! I've bought 2 (well actually 3 - one is for Grace) gifts so far!

I need to get up and do a little cleaning now!!!!

How Awesome is this diaper bag!!!!!!!!

August was the final month for our Secret Pal gift exchange. As always, my secret pal has outdone herself.

The Watts Family - Julie, Glynn and their beautiful daughter Annalee. Thank you so much for all the beautiful things that you have sent for Grace, we will always think of you when she uses them.

Thank you and lots of love to you in this journey to your second child from China.

I've Been Tagged!!!!

Thanks Sara. Sara is in our LID group, but she actually left today to get her son from China, so please keep her in your prayers for a safe and wonderful trip.

Here are my responses:

FIVE THINGS I WAS DOING TEN YEARS AGO
1) Still working for Captain D's in the regional office
2) Planning our next house, bought the lot
3) We got our dog Peanut that year
4) Dealing with our boys who were 8 and 11 at the time
5) Celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary (yes they came first)

FAVORITE SNACK FOOD (its no wonder I cant loose weight)
1) Cookies - Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal Raisin or Snickadoddle
2) Cotton Candy
3) Chocolate Milkshakes with whipped cream and a cherry
4) Hersey Bar
5) Chocolate covered potato chips, thanks to my boss


FIVE SONGS I KNOW ALL THE LYRICS TO
1) Kokomo - Beach Boys
2) Fun, Fun, Fun - Beach Boys
3) If I had only known - Reba
4) I saw mama kissing Santa clause - Reba
5) I can only image by Mercy Me


FIVE THINGS I WOULD DO IF I WERE A MILLIONAIRE
1) Tithe 10%
2) Pay off all debt including house and buy me an expedition :) see #5 of bad habits
3) Buy my parents a new house
4) Take a big vacation with family and close friends (and you know who you are)
5) Have Paul Ray open his own business, I'm gonna stay home and play with Grace


FIVE BAD HABITS
1) Spending too much time on the computer
2) Not making the effort to meet more people
3) Laziness, especially with housework
4) Lack of exercise
5) Wanting things I shouldn't


FIVE THINGS I LIKE TO DO
1) Shop for Grace (who am I kidding I like to shop period - what woman doesn't)
2) Plan for Grace, actually I like to plan anything. I am a planner, especially vacations
3) Check my email and blogs
4) Play with my nephews
5) Spend time with Paul Ray and my boys

FIVE THINGS I WILL NEVER WEAR AGAIN
1) snow skis
2) Perm in my hair
3) High Heel Shoes
4) bangs (DH hates them)
5) bikini (I hate getting old)

FIVE PEOPLE I TAG FOR THIS
1. Penny
2. Sheri
3. Adele
4. Kimberly
5. Becky

Today is our six month LID anniversary in the traditional program. The CCAA is still only referring about 7 days a month. At the same time, they also say they expect the wait to top out at 24 months and stay there awhile.

We submitted our MCC almost a month ago, and we've been in the adoption process for a year now.

We went to a picnic with some of the families from our LID group last weekend. Everyone was so nice and we had a really good time. A special thanks to Kelly and Jen for putting it together and for the bag of goodies. Jen's daughter did a wonderful job decorating the bags. Also a big thank you to Sherry (who by the way is the mother of one of the beauties from China that was there, she was such a little lady) for the beautiful outfit and towel. There were 3 beautiful children from China present that day, one little boy who was just as cute as can be who has only been home for 8 weeks. It was good to hear the stories of their trips and see how well the kids are doing. I think it was really good for my DH, it made it more real for him.

He, by the way, is taking me and PaulPaul on a weekend trip in September (Brandon didn't want to go). We're going to see Mickey. PaulPaul hasn't been since he was 4, so that is exciting.

It's 330 in the morning and I cant sleep (which is normal for me anymore). PaulPaul went with Chris & Erin to Fl. They are getting new cars (Randy - Paul Ray and Chris's brother sells cars and lives in Fl) and PaulPaul is driving Erin's car, so I've been worried about him. My child tends to have a heavy foot and they didn't leave until this afternoon. They were about 25 miles out half hour ago. I've been calling him once an hour to see how he is and you can just hear it in his voice, "I'm not a baby, I'm fine". Well you know what, you will always be my baby, Get Over It!

That is about all there is to tell. I'll post pictures of the goodies later.

I have the best Secret Pal ever!!!!!

I cant wait to put this outfit on Grace, she is going to be soooo cute. I'll think of you every time she wears it. I'll be sure and post a picture of her with all the nice things you have sent.

Look at this pretty little frame that says Gracie's Room! I love it.

This is what the CCAA website says, another month of 7 days referred!


The CCAA has finished the review of the adoption application documents registered with our office before June 30, 2006.
The CCAA has finished the placement of children for the families whose adoption application documents were registered with our office before November 21, 2005.

Noah Avery

It's a boy! Chris and Erin are expecting their 3rd child in December, and yes, its another boy!!!! I was hoping for a girl but so loved the boy name. But I am thrilled to have another nephew.

Little Man spent the night with us Saturday, its always nice to have him here. When we took him home on Sunday, his brother, Hunter boy, who as you all know does NOT like his Aunt Peggy actually let me hold him. He had gotten to where he would walk by and hide a smile, like, "yeah you're gonna have to work for my affection". Well he let me hold him for about 4 minutes, but I had to be doing Pat-a-cake the whole time. It was worth it.

Stone Mountain Park, GA
Next Saturday, we're off to meet some of the families that are in our LID Group. It should be an exciting time, we're looking forward to it.

Well I saw this shirt at Wally World (Walmart). I thought it was neat, since her oldest GeGe (older Brother) is in a band, Grace can wear this when she is hanging out with him.

They are actually both home this morning, so I think I'll go fix them some pancakes. It is so rare to have them both here, and I know it wont be long before they will both be gone out of the house.