Ramblings...

I got my hair chopped off...see...


We had a good Christmas, now let's move on to New Year's....like the new layout? I thought it was cool, but I'll have to change it again next week :) Looks to me like I have too much time on my hands, actually, it's just that I'm putting off work in lieu of something more fun.

We're going to a murder mystery party for New Year's Eve. We did this earlier in the year and it was really fun.

Brian's mom only has ONE more chemo treatment!!!! YAHOO! We are so happy for her. Hopefully, she can be finished with the radiation treatments before we leave for China to get AG.

Speaking of AG, she got a few things for Christmas. I'm not in the mood to follow the rumors right now. So, I think I'll just live in blissful LALA land until I referrals actually get closer to getting here for January.

Brian and I are starting to live on a budget of only his $$ to see if we can make it without me working. I cannot tell you how happy this makes me. I have always wanted to not work once AGgets home and now I will have the opportunity to do that. I am bound and determined to make this budget thing work. I will do whatever I have to so that I can stay home with our little girl.

Ok, I guess that's it for now. Hope all of my bloggy friends had a good Christmas!!!

MMMM, what kind of cake are you???

You Are Strawberry Cake

Fresh, sassy, and romantic. You're a total flirt, who never would turn down a sugary treat. Occasionally you're a bit moody - but you usually stay sweet!

What Kind of Cake Are You?

Yep, that about sums it up-haha!

My Girls!

These are my very best friends! We meet every year for a Christmas lunch, where we exchange gifts and have some mimosas!! MMMM, those were good! We always draw names around October, but have it all figured out by the time we meet for lunch. Mostly, it's because someone forgets who they drew and have to call the others to find out. Oh well, it's always fun. Brian wonders why we even bother drawing names anymore-LOL.

These girls have been through the good, the bad, and the Ugly with me over the last 17 years. Gosh, it doesn't seem that long ago....I guess that's what happens when you get older! Having these girls have been one of the biggest blessings in my life!! Go hug a friend today!

Referrals have arrived from China and they got through 12/14/05. That means there are 21 days ahead of us. I think it will be March before we see AG's referral. Do you realize how close March really is? I mean, it's almost Christmas, then New Years, then February (which is a short month by the way), then March!!! I guess I will go out on a limb and say that there is a VERY slight chance that it could be February.....but, deep down, I don't think it will happen. Although, it would be a great birthday present for Brian! I think March is our month.

Updates...a little late

It's been a while since I posted, again! Here are some pictures from our Thanksgiving-yes, I'm aware that it was two weeks ago...

Here is the slide show from when we worked on the nursery. Yep, it still looks like that-incomplete-lol. My dad is coming back in January to paint the final bird(he doesn't want me doing it-haha), then we will be putting the crib up and arranging the furniture.

Being Thankful

I know it's been a while since I've posted. I don't really have an excuse, just haven't felt like it, I guess. I do have lots of things to update, but that will all have to wait until after the holiday.

Even though, our daughter isn't here yet, I have lots to be thankful for this year.

1. My wonderful husband, who accepts me just like I am and who comes homes early from hunting because I sounded lonely :)

2. My family: my dad for coming up to draw on AG's nursery walls and then taking the time to paint some of it, too. my mom for trying to keep my spirits up when I get down in the dumps about the wait. my brother, Matthew, who is so very excited to be an uncle to AG that he recently told me that he is thinking about getting a tattoo with her name on it once she is finally here. my brother, Andrew, who is a very quiet person, but is very sweet and kind

3. My friends, both the ones that I've known forever and the ones that I've only known for a short time-all of which have been such a blessing through this longer than anticipated wait for our daughter

4. I'm thankful that my MIL is more than half completed with her chemo treatments and will hopefully have them completed by the end of the year. Also, that the spots on her lungs have not changed in size, meaning that they are probably NOT cancer

5. My church

6. our health

7. that our wait really is almost over

8. I am thankful to our daughter's birthmother/birthfamily

9. I am thankful for our jobs and that I will have the opportunity to stay at home with our daughter

I wish all of my friends who are reading this a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Referrals, Referrals, Referrals

They've completed matching through 12/8/05. That leaves 27 days before our LID! It's finally getting close, it's actually getting close! I know, it still may be 3 or 4 more months, but that is sounding good to me!

Go to Cheri and Shane's site to see little Hope, she is absolutely adorable!!!!!
Congratulations Cheri and Shane!!!!!

And go to Stephanie and Steve's site for a glimpse of their little angel, Savannah!!!

How many months??

That's how long China has had our dossier. I wonder how many more months we have until we get our referral? My guess is 3-4 more months, of course I would be estatic if it was less than that!!!

You Should Have Been Born Under:

You are totally loyal, faithful, and honest. However, you don't trust others to be as ethical as you are! Straight forward and direct, you really aren't one for small talk. You are a great listener - and an agreeable companion when you're in a good mood! You are most compatible with a Tiger or Horse.

What Year Should You Have Been Born Under?

I'm actually a pig!

What monster are you??

Since it's Halloween...

You Are a Werewolf

You're unpredictable, moody, and downright freaky. You seem sweet and harmless, until you snap. Then you're a total monster. Very few people can predict if you're going to be Dr. Jekyll or Mr. Hyde. But for you, all your transformations seem perfectly natural. Your greatest power: Your ability to tap into nature Your greatest weakness: Lack of self control You play well with: Vampires

What Kind of Monster Are You?

That sounds about right!!

Race for the Cure

This month is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This year, the Race for the Cure was more special to me, since my MIL has breast cancer. She is currently undergoing chemo treatments and seems to be doing well. Please keep her in your prayers for the next few months until she can finish up with her treatments.


Here is a picture of me and my BFF Shelli right before we we took off on our way for the Race for the Cure last weekend in Little Rock. This is something that we do every year and have been doing this for about 7 or 8 years now. It's such an amazing event. Here is another photo from the Race below.

What year do you belong in?

You Belong in 1966

You are a free spirit with a huge heart. Love, peace, and happiness rule - oh, and drugs too.

What Year Do You Belong In?

That sounds about right, I've always thought that I should have been a teen in the 60's.

Menu Plan Monday (a little late)

I'm running a little behind this week, but here is our Menu Plan Monday for this week.

Monday-we had Colton's Steakhouse with Brian's parents

Tuesday- I made mexican spaghetti(recipe below) we liked this, so we'll make it again and probably add some black beans to it

Wednesday-vegetable soup and cornbread

Thursday-leftovers

Friday-out to eat with our friends, Kelly and Michael

Saturday-eat at the Silent Auction that we are attending

Sunday-sandwhiches or more leftovers (the mexican spaghetti makes alot)

MEXICAN SPAGHETTI RECIPE
1 lb. hamburger meat
1 med. onion, diced
2 cans cream of mushroom soup
1 can rotel
2 8 oz cans tomato suace
1 lb. spaghetti noodles

Brown hamburger meat with diced onion. Drain the meat and add the soup, rotel, and tomato sauce. Mix this all together and then pour it in with spaghetti that has been cooked according to package directions. Mix well and serve.

Don't forget to go here for more Menu Plan Mondays

Menu Plan Monday

Monday-Tonight we had Shrimp Scampi and birthday cake! Yum!

Tuesday-Grilled Sesame Chicken (recipe below)with Asian Noodles

Wednesday-Baked Chicken (lemon pepper for me and BBQ for B), steamed broccoli, carrots and cauliflour

Thursday-I have Bunco, so I won't be cooking, but B will have left overs

Friday-out to eat with my friend, Shelli(mexican food, I'm sure!)


Recipe: Grilled Sesame Chicken

2 Tbsp sesame seeds
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 Tbsp soy sauce diluted iwth 1 1/2 Tbsp water
4 uncooked chicken breasts
3 cloves of garlic
1 Tbsp brown sugar

Combine all ingredients except chicken in shallow dish, add chicken and coat, cover and marinate for 2 hours-grill for 15 minutes or bake 25 minutes or until chicken is done

Head over to Laura's for more Menu Plan Monday and some great recipes.

Have a great week!

I'm Pooh Bear....Who Are You?

Take the 100 Acre Personality Quiz!

More Shopping and Gifts for AG

In September our wonderful Secret Pal sent AG the cutest little bikini and towel set, along with a remote car shade. I can't wait until AG can have a little pool in the backyard and wear her bikini and use her towel! They are too cute!


I have the most wonderful friend, Angela! She sent me a suprise birthday present all the way from Canada! I'm so lucky to have "found" her during this ever extending wait for our daughters. It truly makes the waiting more manageable to have friends who are in the same boat. Angela sent AG a pair of Robeez-like shoes that have a Chinese symbol on them. Aren't they cute?!?! She also sent me an angel ornament that says "miracles happen, just believe"-I really needed that! And, finally, she sent us a clip on calculator to attach to our backpack while we're doing all that shopping in China! Thank you, Angela! You're the best!!


Finally, I've been to yet another consignment event. This time I took my mom and aunt with me. Since they went, AG got more clothes than she would have if I had gone by myself... Here is a picture of all the clothes that we bought. We bought different sizes ranging from 12 months to 24 months, in hopes that she will actually get to wear some of it! Brian said that the clothes that I bought for her looked like something I would wear and now says that I am going to dress her like a mini-me! That's not true, but I guess the clothes I bought for her this time, do look more like something I would wear. I bought her the orange shirt with the off white pants, little green jacket, and the red plaid dress. Nanna bought her the overalls/shirt, Christmas dress, and ballerina shirt. Then, Dot bought her the overall dress with shirt and pink warm up outfit. I think they are all really cute and can actually picture her wearing all of it! OH, I can't wait!

Oh, we also bought some books and a memory game. Then, I bought her some Veggie Tales videos this weekend at a yard sale. And, I picked up All Dogs Go to Heaven last week at Wally World b/c it was only $5. Ok, so I think she's racked up over the past couple of weeks, don't you?

It's about time.... & Menu Plan Monday

NOVEMBER IS DONE!!! I don't think I'll ever feel the same about that month again! I'm so glad that it's over, not to mention that I'm happy for all the new families that got to see their children for the first time last week. I have to admit, I was pretty let down last week when we "thought" that the cut off would be 11/30 and not into December, but then I just became happy to FINALLY be finished with that huge month. Now they only (and I use that term very loosely) have to complete referrals for December and then it will be our turn. How long will it take for them to get through December? Well, the answer is we don't know, just however long it takes them, but at least it's only one calendar month left. That really is a BIG relief.



We did pretty well with last week's menu plan. The only thing we didn't have was the Teriyki Chicken on Thursday night and the soup on Friday. We had enough left overs to not cook Thursday night and Friday my parents ended up not coming over, so we ate out.

Here is this week's menu:

Monday-Pork Chops & Potatoes with green peas, macaroni and cheese and carrots

Tuesday- Cheesey Chicken from Mommy of three. This is a new recipe that we are going to try, I'll post how we liked it next week.

Wednesday-ham & cheese sandwiches

Thursday-left overs or shrimp scampi (depends on how many left overs we end up having from Mon and Tues)

Friday-headed out of town-so we'll eat on the way-something fast, I'm sure

Saturday- we'll be at a football game, so we'll be having nachos or chicken tenders (oh, I'm sooo excited, can you hear the sarcasm?)

Sunday-back home, sandwiches after church

Overall, I guess it's kind of boring. I am going to post the recipe that I use for the pork chops/potatoes, but it may be tomorrow. You can go to I'm An Organizing Junkie to get more cool recipes!!

BTW-I read somewhere that your taste buds change every 7 years, so I challenge you to try something new this week! I tried some pumpkin pie over the weekend and I actually liked it pretty well, and the only thing I have ever liked pumpkin before was the smell of a candle-lol!!
Happy Eating!!

Menu Plan Monday

I'm starting something new, well, actually, I've done it before, but didnt' stick with it. I thought that since we will be getting Abby Grace in the next 6 months or so (I know that might be a little on the optomistic side), I thought I would try to get in a habit of it, so I found Menu Plan Monday by Laura at I'm an Organizing Junkie and thought, what a great idea! So, here it goes, my first week!

Monday- Poppyseed Chicken Casserole (this is one of our staples) with rice and green peas

Tuesday-pizza (since B will be out of town-I always like to treat myself!)

Wednesday- left over pizza or poppyseed chicken

Thursday- Teriyaki chicken with Asian noodles

Friday- Vegetable Beef Soup

Sat/Sun- we'll be eating out Saturday night and Sunday night is usually a sandwich

Ok, so there it is, I hope I can stick with it and do it again next week! Go over to I'm an Organizing Junkie-Menu Monday to get lots of good recipes from other participants!

ABC's of ME

A is for Age: Are you serious?? I'm not telling that!

B is for Beer: Don't touch the stuff

C is for Career: social worker

D is for Dogs names: Jake and Sadie

E is for Essential Item i use everyday: water- I must have a shower and wash my hair!

F is for Favourite TV shows: Grey's Anatomy- unfortunately most of my faves have been cancelled ie. Sex & the City, Gilmore Girls, Friends- looking forward to some new ones this season

G is for Favourite Game: Scattagories

H is for Home Town: I don't claim one

I is for Instruments: took piano lessons and hated them with a passion- of course, now I wish I could play

J is for Favourite Juice: ummm, apple I guess, oh wait that's cider

K is for whose butt i would like to Kick: I'm not typically the fighting kind-unless you mess with the fam or close friends

L is for Last Place I ate at: Sonic-but it was in the car, does that count?

M is for Marriage: 5 wonderful years

N is for Name: ag's momma

O is for Overnight Stays in Hospital: N/A

P is for People i was with today: wonderful hubby

Q is for Quote: The journey of a lifetime begins with one step-Chinese, of course!

R is for Biggest Regret: I'll have to think on that one...

S is for Sport: I like football, but can play nothing

T is for Time i woke up today: 9:30- yep, that's right, working from home does have it's perks. It also doesn't hurt to get to sleep in a little when you didn't sleep the night before!

U is for Current Underwear: pink or is that TMI (too much information)?

V is for Vegetables you love: Potatoes, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, green beans, any type of peas, pretty much anything besides mushrooms or beets

W is for Worst Habit: worrying about any and everything

X is for Xray: just had a mammogram-can you say ouch!

Y is for Yummy Food You ate today: my fave-chicken and rice casserole

Z is for Zodiac: I am a Libran!

If you haven't done this Meme consider yourself tagged!

Top 10 Things that AG Needs!

I've been tagged by Kim to list the top ten things that I still want/need for AG. Here is my list:

1. She needs a little red wagon, don't you think?



2. I would like for her to have some outdoor toys, like these:



3. She definitely will be getting an Asian Cabbage Patch doll or two or three...




4. She still needs a car seat, this is the "big" purchase that we haven't made yet.


5. I would like to get her 100 Good Wishes quilt completed, but that would mean that I have to start on it!

6. I think this is the cutest shopping cart cover I've seen yet. You can get them from kozycartcovers.com


7. We plan on getting her a children's bible. Actually, I'm pretty sure that both sets of grandparents will probably cover that one.

8. I would love for her to have a water table to play around with, I guess this could have been added to the outdoor toys, huh?



9. I really need to get started on a scrapbook, but I definitely want one of these with the Chinese silk covers.


10. And finally, I would like for her to have a good children's dvd collection, complete with Big Bird from China, Disney, Veggie Tales, Little Einstein, Backyardigans, etc.


Ok, now I tag Angela. Come on girl, I know you've got lots of stuff, but there's got to still be something that Ella has to have!!!

Diaper Backpack Challenge

I know I'm late in posting this, no excuses other than being extremely busy last week and didn't get around to it.

Here are pictures of the backpack and some of the stuff that will go in it. Like Angela, I am going to be using this as my carry on to/from China, so there might be extras that I wouldn't pack just for an outing while in China.

Here's the list (so far :)

diapers
wipes
diaper rash cream
charmin tp
calculator
hand sanitizer
plastic bib
disposable bibs
change of clothes
pajamas
book
toy
blanket/lovey
bottle/liners/nipples
formula dispenser
pacifier
travel utentils
Tide pen
digital camera
office kit(stolen from Stephe)
changing pad
thermos
1st aid kit
baby meds
adult meds
translation cards
snack container
snacks for AG and us
earplugs
Kleenex
feminine products

OOPS, I forgot...

We celebrated our 5th anniversary on the 24th! Here we are about to eat at the restaurant that we drew from a bowl-lol (it's our tradition!)



And, I went to yet another consignment event and bought these items.





Then over the weekend, I bought these really comfy Merrill shoes for our trip to China.

Lots of updating, so here it goes...

:



Tuesday


Tuesday marked our 20 month LID, yuck yuck yuck! At least, we can have some cake with it! We keep inching closer and closer. What I mean by inch is, this
4 DAYS! It's actually a day more than I was expecting, so I guess that is good news! I don't have much to say about it, on to next month...


Saturday



We went to the first game of the season! We also got to meet our friends who just got back from China with their little one, Lydia. She was the cutest little thing, ever!!

Friday



We went to the doctor with Brian's mom and found out that the tumor they removed from her ovary a few weeks ago is NOT cancer!!! WOOHOO!! What a relief! She now will be getting a scan to see what is on her lungs and then they can begin the chemo for her breast cancer.



Last Thursday we had our 3rd homestudy update! Yep, our homestudy needs to be updated every year until the adoption is final, lucky us! This time our social worker told us that she didn't want to come back here until we have a baby that she can play with....yeah, us too!

Retro Sat from us

Since, we're out of town this weekend, I'm posting early.

Brian's pick is Slaughter-Fly to the Angels (although, I almost fought him over it b/c it was on my list,too!)

SLAUGHTER FLY TO THE ANGELS

Add to My Profile | More Videos

My pick is Rick Springfield-Jesse's Girl-oh how I love 80's music!

Jesse's Girl

Add to My Profile | More Videos

Brian's Retro Saturday...

Peter Gabriel - Sledgehammer

Add to My Profile | More Videos

Cris' Retro Saturday...

Dexy's Midnight Runners

Add to My Profile | More Videos

How can you not just want to get up and dance to some Come on Eileen?? Love it!

This was pretty on target

Your Five Factor Personality Profile

Extroversion: You have low extroversion. You are quiet and reserved in most social situations. A low key, laid back lifestyle is important to you. You tend to bond slowly, over time, with one or two people. Conscientiousness: You have high conscientiousness. Intelligent and reliable, you tend to succeed in life. Most things in your life are organized and planned well. But you borderline on being a total perfectionist. Agreeableness: You have medium agreeableness. You're generally a friendly and trusting person. But you also have a healthy dose of cynicism. You get along well with others, as long as they play fair. Neuroticism: You have high neuroticism. It's easy for you to feel shaken, worried, or depressed. You often worry, and your worries prevent you from living life fully. You tend to be emotionally reactive and moody. Your either flying very high or feeling very low. Openness to experience: Your openness to new experiences is medium. You are generally broad minded when it come to new things. But if something crosses a moral line, there's no way you'll approve of it. You are suspicious of anything too wacky, though you do still consider creativity a virtue.

The Five Factor Personality Test

Happy Anniversary to us!!

Our anniversary is later this week-5 years!!! We went to a concert last night-Puddle of Mudd, Daughtry, and Nickleback. Here's a glimpse of some songs we heard last night.

if everyone cared

Add to My Profile | More Videos

Puddle of Mudd-Blurry

Add to My Profile | More Videos

Daughtry - It's not over

Add to My Profile | More Videos

Brian's Retro Saturday...

The Cult - Fire Woman

Add to My Profile | More Videos

I chose this song because that's what my wife is....a Fire Woman.

Retro Saturday.....

Blondie - Heart of Glass

Add to My Profile | More Videos

There are just SO many songs that I want to post on Retro Saturday!! So, I've decided to start posting my absolute favorite ones. I love Blondie and Heart of Glass is one of my very favorite songs ever!!! This one takes me back to college when my best friend, Shelli, and I would go dancing. There's a picture below of us dancing at a karaoke bar this past March. Some things just never change and I certainly wouldn't want them to, I love my Shell!

Enjoy some disco retro today!

More gifts for AG

Here are more gifts for Abby Grace! The first picture is of some clothes that I bought yesterday at a consignment store. All four outfits cost a total of $5. I got them at 75% off! What a deal!
The next three pictures are from our Secret Pal. She sent two gifts in the month of July. She is WAY too good to us! The first gift had a theme for eating and the second was some Chinese scrapbook papers, a ladybug book, and a Chinese lullabies cd. The gift for August was a ladybug purse for Abby and a ladybug learning book.