Questionnaire

Ok, I was reading another adoption blog that I read ALL the time and that's in my yahoo group and she asked me to play along with the questionnaire also. So.....here it goes!!!!!! p.s. Thanks Brandi, I actually think this is pretty funny.


1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? Yes, "Lisa Marie"....I know I know.....Yep, you guessed it after Lisa Marie Presley (mom was an Elvis fan).

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? About 5 minutes ago. I was reading a blog about a 2 year old that just passed away. Very Sad.

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Not usually, always in a hurry. I have a long last name, so I get to the first 4 letters and then the rest is chicken scratch! (ha ha)

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Smoked Ham (Honey Baked Ham)

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Yes, 3 boys, Craig, Zack, and Rylan

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Yep

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? Yes, Gotta spice up things and make people laugh!

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yes

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Before kids, probably --After kids, to much at stake.

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Foot Loops

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Nope, Wear sandals in the summer, Wear boots in the winter just slip those on.

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Physically:No, I keep saying I'm going to work out.
Mentally: Yes, until my husband comes home then I hand off the burden to him, he's much better at handling it.

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Vanilla with Carmel topping

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Honesty and how kind they are.

15. RED OR PINK? Red

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? Sometimes I let myself get taken advantage of.

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My husband. He travels ALOT. My kids, anytime I'm away from them...even for a EVENING!

18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? Sure

19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Its bedtime, so white shorts and no shoes.

20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? Pizza

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Nadda thing

22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Blue--My favorite color

23. FAVORITE SMELLS? Fresh Panera Bread

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? My husband

25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Yep, I follow her blog all the time and would love to meet up with her family some day. I feel like I know them fairly well since we are in the same Yahoo group to bring our daughters HOME.

26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? Basketball -Cleveland Cavs (Lebron James)

27. HAIR COLOR? Stawberry Blonde

28. EYE COLOR? Brown

29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? No

30. FAVORITE FOOD? Tacos

31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy Endings -- especially the one where we all get our referrals. Too much of a scarety cat to watch horror movies.

32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Harry Potter

33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? white and demin blue tank top

34. SUMMER OR WINTER? Summer

35. HUGS OR KISSES? Hugs, especially from my boys

36. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? ?????

37. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? ?????

38. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? Siblings without Rivarly (thanks RQ!)

39. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? Don't have one for computer at home.

40. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T.V. LAST NIGHT? Law and Order

41. FAVORITE SOUND? Hearing the baby as he awakes singing and talking in his crib in the morning. Always says "Mom...Mommy...Come On mommy...want down...peas..." Don't get to sleep in, but hey, who needs it!

42. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Rolling Stones

43. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? St. Maarten (cruise with the hubby and kids)

44. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? Multitasking with three kids (ha ha)

45. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Kansas City, MO


46. WHAT SUPERPOWER WOULD YOU LIKE? The power to speed up REFERRALS

47. FAVORITE HOBBY? Entertaining and Rumor Queen

48. A FRIEND THAT YOU WISH YOU COULD HANG OUT MORE WITH? Krissy and my sister, Kim

49. IF YOU COULD BE ANYWHERE RIGHT NOW, WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE? Home from China (Brandi...I stole your idea)

PBS Arthur Cartoon Airing China Adoption In September

The PBS Cartoon "Arthur" will be airing a two-part story about Binky's family adopting a little girl from China. Here's the link


http://www.adoptivefamilies.com/articles.php?aid=1310

Caught Sneeking Candy!

Last night as I was checking all my emails and went upstairs to go to bed as usual, I checked in on the boys. Well, to fully appreciate this photo. We have what you would call a candyaholic in our house (ha ha). Craig had just got a treat bag from a birthday party the other night and I thought I had hide the candy. Evidently I didn't do a very good job. The candy napper feel asleep with his evidence!!!!

Logged in for 9 months

Today marks another month gone by. Still no signs of a speed up for referrals. We're hoping once they get through their back log of LID (log in dates) for November 2005 and December 2005, that maybe just maybe things will speed up a little bit once they hit LID's for 2006. We're LID 11/27/06. I pray each month as referrals come out that they may of reached more than 6 or 7 days worth of LID's. As I post our 9th month of being logged in, I'm reminded that I still don't know when I will meet my daughter and I'm also reminded on how very very blessed I am to have three loving and wonderful boys. They make each and every day so special and memorable. Mommy and Daddy love you so very much Craigy, Zack, and RyRy. You boys are the most wonderful blessings in your Mommy and Daddy's eyes and I thank God for walking us through this journey. I know that some day Kayla will join our family and be able to meet her brothers that are so anxiously awaiting for her to come home.

Also I wanted to note that you boys did a great job making a number "9" the picture. Too cute!



KISSES IN THE WIND

I hold you in my heart and touch you in my dreams.
You are here each day with me, at least that's how it seems.

I know you wonder where we are... what's taking us so long.
But remember child, I love you so and God will keep you strong.

Now go outside and feel the breeze and let it touch your skin...
Because tonight, just as always, I blow you kisses in the wind.

May God hold you in His hand until I can be with you.
I promise you, my darling, I'm doing all that I can do.

Very soon, you'll have a family for real, not just pretend.
But for tonight, just as always, I blow you kisses in the wind.

May God wrap you in His arms and hold you very tight.
And let the angels bring the kisses that I send to you each night.
--- Unknown

It's Color Time!

Well, what can I say. Rylan our 2 year olds favorite thing is to color. This evening his Uncle Dan stopped over and the two of them sat down and started coloring all the rocks and numbering each one of them. RyRy would yell "yeah" and clap for himself cause he was so proud to show off what his Uncle taught him. Which was pretty funny. Well, after Uncle Dan left RyRy thought he would move to the big rocks (boulders) to try out some more of his coloring ability. Well, Uncle Dan, I must say, he's become quite the artist. You should be pretty proud what your nephew learned (ha ha). Good thing the markers are washable. Ry Ry had a blast. Actually I think Uncle Dan had just as much fun too:-)

End of Summer Fun

Well, we're down to 1 week before the kids start school and the summer is coming to an end, so we thought we had some of boys school friends over one last time. We had a terrific time and the weather was perfect (ok, maybe a little hot, but hey, we do live in Ohio, so I'm not complaining!).

Say CHEESE!!!!

Ok, I had to post this picture. It was too funny to pass up. As I was getting the boys ready to head to the store today to go get them some school clothes, Rylan decided he wasn't quite ready that he wanted a snack. So...I gave him a piece of cheese. Who would of thought that something so simple would be so much fun. He took his piece of cheese and folded in half and took a bit out of it (he loves doing this with bologna too)and made a whole. He kept saying "mommy...cheese.....mommy....hi....mommy, mommy, mommy peek a boo and giggling" I turned around and quickly grabbed the camera and told him to smile and say CHEESE!!!! at the camera. Talk about a Kodak moment. I thought during this long wait we could all use a good laugh. Enjoy

Geauga Lake Amusement and Waterpark

Today the kids from daycare went to Geauga Lake Amusement and Waterpark from the money they earned from their garage sale. We all had so.... much fun. Craig and Zack rode alot of rides and slides as well as the rest of the kids in gang. Di Di had all the kids make up their own tie dye t-shirts the night before (thanks Di Di!!!) which was a great idea to kids help keep track of the all kids. After the daycare group left the boys and I hung out and went and played some games. Craig and Zack each won a wacky looking hat and I won Ry Ry and stuffed doggy to bring back home (thanks grandma for babysitting Rylan). After we finished playing games the boys and I went over and did our traditional western/saloon photos. That was really a blast.

Hop Abroad The RyRy Choo Choo Train

Rylan decided to dump all his toys out of his toy box container and make a choo choo train and recruited big brother Craig to be the caboose. Too Cute!!!

17th Anniversary!

Wow, it's hard to believe that 17 years ago today Craig and I were married. We met each other and started dating in 1986. Two years later we decided to get engaged and two years after that were married. It's been a long journey and I can't image spending it with anyone else. I love you, honey....Happy 17th Anniversary. We may be gray by the time we finally get our daughter, but its a journey we shall travel together.

This Much Fun Should Be Illegal

Today was such a blast! We had some family and friends over for dinner and to swim and the weather was perfect. I think the Dad's had more splashing in the pool than the kids did (ha ha). Way too much fun!

p.s. Notice Craig in one of the pictures treading water. He's record now for treading water is 30 minutes. Pretty awesome for a 10 year old. Great Job, Craigy!!!

Fun With Gifts The Boys Received From Our Secret Buddy

Craig and Zack had so.... much fun with their gifts that they each received from our secret buddy. They couldn't wait last night to dig out and discover what was inside their sand objects and to be just like an archeologist.

Oct 2006 DTC Group -Secret Buddy Theme (Aug. - Learn and Play)

Wow, today was an exhausting day and very hot day, but when I got home it was the last thing on my mind after I saw my SB buddy gift by the front door. It's always so exciting each month. We, as usual, loved absolutely EVERYTHING. Kayla is going to love her new Mulan rag doll, cell phone toy (love it), stacking cups (which I hear are a must have), peek-a-boo panda, stuffed musical ladybug, and red thread book (mommy can't wait to read this to her). Also you were so kind to include the boys again. They loved their sand carving kits and rocket balloon set. They've been bugging me since we opened the box to play with them. Also for baby brother, Rylan, he will enjoy the bath buddy dinosaur and bubble tumbler. He loves bubbles!

USCIS ALLOWS ONE-TIME EXT. OF APPROVED APPLICATION

USCIS IMPLEMENTS CHANGES TO ASSIST PROSPECTIVE ADOPTIVE PARENTS
Allows One-Time Extension of Approved Application

WASHINGTON - U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on July 30, 2007 implemented several changes benefiting prospective adoptive parents who experience delays finalizing their adoptions.

USCIS now permits prospective adoptive parents to receive one no-charge extension of the approved Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition (Form I-600A) if they have not already submitted a petition (Form I-600) to classify an orphan as an immediate relative. This extension is valid regardless of the number of children the
prospective parents are authorized to adopt. Prospective adoptive parents must make the request in writing and USCIS must receive the request no earlier than 90 days before the expiration of the Form I-600A approval, but before the approval expires. In addition, requests must include an updated or amended home study. USCIS does
not charge a fee for the home study, however, the home study provider may charge for preparing an update.

Further, prospective adoptive parents who have an approved Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition (Form I-600A) on file with USCIS may now request a one-time, re-fingerprinting without charge. Since the original fingerprints are valid for 15 months, and the approved Form I-600A is valid for 18 months, the free
re-fingerprinting is valid for an additional 15 months and will cover the three-month gap, aligning with the timeframe of an extension of the I-600A.

Prospective adoptive parent(s) may also make one request for a change of country notification without charge. The written request must include all supporting evidence to substantiate the change of country request. Prospective adoptive parent(s) should not use the Application for Action on an Approved Application or petition, (Form I-824) to request this one free change of country request. For a
second or subsequent change of country request, however, prospective adoptive parents must file the Form I-824, with the appropriate fee.

USCIS made these changes because the processing of orphan petitions often may take longer than the current valid approval period. In addition, adjudicating applications to adopt foreign-born children involves some of the most complex decision-making within immigration services. These modifications will help families to continue the adoption process without occurring additional expense.

Additional information on intercountry adoptions is available on the USCIS web site: www.uscis.gov.

– USCIS –

China Information

Below is a link from national geographic of China's history and facts.

China Flag and Fast Facts

Population
1,303,701,000
Capital
Beijing 10,849,000
Area
9,596,960 square kilometers
3,705,405 square miles)
Language
Chinese (Mandarin), Cantonese,
other dialects and minority languages
Religion
Taoist, Buddhist, Muslim
Currency
yuan, also referred to as the Renminbi
Life Expectancy
71
GDP per Capital
U.S. $4,700
Literacy Percent
86

http://www3.nationalgeographic.com/places/countries/country_china.html

Picnic with Friends

Today we spent the day with some very dear friends of ours Jeff and Rita. Every year they have a picnic and we've unfortunately missed out on a couple here and there due to being out of town, etc, but not this year. We always have so much fun, and this year was no exception. The kids and adults played volleyball, had waterball toss, basketball, cornhole, and much more. We had lots of great food. Even little Rylan our 2 year old jumped in on the games. I would of posted pictures, but I forgot my camera (oops). We were blessed with a beautiful warm sunny day to top it off!

Referrals through Nov. 21, 2005

Congratulations to all the families that received their referrals today!!!

Nov06LID Group - Hair Bow Ribbon Exchange (July Theme:Red/White/Blue)

Thank you to Corinne and family for the beautiful bows, hair clips, an adorable panda pony tail holder. Our little Kayla will look so cute in them. We loved each and every one of them, and with so many different colors to chose from, I guess that means I'm allowed to shop!