Tentative TRAVEL DATE!

I just can't believe it! We were given a tentative date of Feb 21st! Which means that since we are planning on traveling early to see some sights that we will actually be leaving on the 16th, which is
Next Saturday!!!
We will get confirmation on Monday, and if we can't go in this group then our date would be the 28th, which would mean leaving on the 23rd..worse case scenario.
AHHHHH!!!
Malakai - Momma's Comin!

For Lost Fans

BIRTH CERTIFICATE

Finally! It's here and we couldn't be more excited.. Well, actually, I will be much more excited to finally meet our little boy!
Our agency contact said we would hear from her later today with our travel date.. so stay tuned! I am trying to ready my heart for an early March date..even though I sooo hope it is Feb 21/28!

Political Surprise

With all the swirling talk of Super Tuesday and my personal confusion on who I want to be in the White House next year, I decided to take a test to see if the internet can help me decide where I really stand. I was definitely surprised:

Surprised b/c generally I would have thought of myself as a Republican (even though I know it is so COOL to be a democrat and vote for Obama -Ha:) i {heart} Heather and Erin!) I am for smaller government, pro personal rights and less legislation. I do not like huge government spending on social programs that are merely a handout without education or guide to independence. BUT, I am for helping people who cannot help themselves due to poverty, disease & lack of education, though programs need to start solving the root problem, not just throw dollars at it. I am for corporate responsibility while also recognizing that multinational companies provide millions of jobs.. so I wouldn't want them legislated out of business.. I think the fair tax for our country is a great idea, eliminate the IRS and those billions alone could get us out of debt. (not to mention the decrease in headaches across the country). We spend so much as a nation on material goods it might do us well to have to think twice about it.

Anyway, I thought it was interesting to see where the 2008 candidates stand:

Looks like I should have been campaigning for Dennis Kucinich after all. All the others aren't really THAT much different from each other.. Maybe that's why I was so confused on who to vote for, even after watching a ton of debates..

This is my favorite one:
At least I am closer to the Dalai Lama than George W.

Take the test Here

Park Fun

I had the pleasure of spending the afternoon with my 8yr old niece and I decided that since she did not have PE today (as most days!) that she needed some time outside to play and run, & so did Norman, so we were off to the park. We walked Norm for a good bit, skipping along the paths (when was the last time I skipped?) and then went over to the playground for some fun. We played tag, got good and dirty and out of breath and then it was time to go. On the way out we passed a man with his son and Kalli said "I think that he is a hockey player on the Thrashers! He has the same beard as one of the guys" ?ok, really? Kalli has gone to several NHL games with her dad, has the player yearbook and knows her favorite player's stats. She would know, she's not pulling my leg, so I asked if she wanted to go back into the playground and get a better look. "Sure!" So we hang from the monkey bars about 10 feet away from the guy and I ask her, "So, what do you think?" "I don't know" she said, a little timid. So we headed out of the park back towards the car and I notice his t-shirt on the way out, NHPA in big letters.. NHPA.. what could it be??? National Hockey something.. So we drive out of the parking lot and it hits me, National Hockey Players Association! "Kalli! Your right! He is a player! Want to go back?" "Yah!" She exclaims, excitedly digging through her 3rd grade backpack for a pen and paper. She came up with a giant blue marker and a sheet of binder paper. He definitely was a player and was glad to give her an autograph. She was so excited she was screaming and singing for joy the whole care ride, continuing on as she ran inside up to her room to grab her player yearbook. The first words she said after gaining her composure were "Can I call Daddy?"

Eric Boulton #36
(notice the "beard" that she recognized :)

In Hopes of a Birth Certificate

Finally, today, two people have received the Birth Certificates for their kids, & hopefully more are coming. We got through court 18 days ago and are waiting for this essential piece of paper in order to get our travel date, which should be right around the corner! It is beyond frustrating that it is taking this long, we were hoping for a 7-14 day turnaround. Everything in general is just taking much longer than we first hoped. When we started this process families were home in 9-12 months. As long as we get home by the end of this month (please God!), our process will be 14 months from start to finish. I really feel for families in China adopt programs, they are now up to 3 years..

We also found out last Friday that a few families who were scheduled to leave over the weekend had their trips delayed due to USCIS (nothing they did or can do) and that the delay could be up to 60 days! Our hearts just break for them and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it all weekend.. They were packed, booked and ready - leaving in 2 days to meet their children and !BAM! nope, no go, back to waiting.. ugh.. Really, this process has made me have to just throw my arms up in the air and say, ok God, whatever, whenever.. I know you've got us covered, just help me endure it.. and then I look at the photo of little Kai on my desk, and I just know he is sooooo worth it.... We are SO close!

Love to all -

The 8

For Laura

8 Things I'm Passionate About:

1. Learning new things
   
2. Loving those around me
   
3. Growing Spiritually
   
4. Giving
   
5. Good Food
   
6. Laughing
   
7. Health/Wellness
   
8. (not passionate yet, but working on it) Exercise
   

8 Things I Want To Do Before I Die:

1. Skydive/Ski/Snowboard
2. Live in a big old country house
3. Learn to speak another language
4. Become good at meditating
5. See my children grown and happy
6. Stop biting my nails
7. Travel to Africa (soon!)
8. Adopt at least once more

8 Things I Say Often:

1. Umm, ok
   
2. No way!
   
3. What?
   
4. I'll be ready in 5 minutes
   
5. I'm hungry/cold/thirsty
   
6. Go to bed (to Norman, when he drives me CRAZY!)
7. You're driving me crazy!
   
8. It's trafficky
   

8 TV Shows I've Recently Watched:

1. LOST
2. 1000 Places to See before you Die
3. Friends
4. Oprah
5. Football (almost over! :)
6. CSI
   
7. The Dog Whisperer
   
8. ummm.. I'm reaching now..
   

8 Songs I Could Listen To Over and Over (in no particular order and off the top of my head):

1. Trouble (Ray LaMontagne)
2. John Saw that Number (Neiko Case)
3. I Want You to be My Love (Over the Rhine)
4. Bittersweet Symphony (The Verve)
5. Rainbows in the Dark (Tilly & the Wall)
6. Sons and Daughters (The Decemberists)
7. Hoops (The Chemical Brothers)
   
8. The Joshua Tree album.. I can't pick just one (U2)
   

8 Things That Attract Me To My Friends:

1. Positive
2. Hopeful
3. Honest
4. Transparent
5. Like to Laugh
6. Don't put me in a box
7. Love their spouses
8. Trustworthy
   

8 Things I've Learned (or been reminded of) This Past Year:

1. I have the perfect husband for me
2. I have to much stuff
3. It is ok not know what you want to do with your life.. it's the now that counts
4. The path to adoption is hard & long
   
5. Not everyone is as excited about adoption as I am
6. Where did last year go?
7. People are very generous
8. God is so patient with me

8 People I Think Should Do "8":

1. Heather
2. Chevella
3. Autumn
4. Christina
5. Quinny (private blog)
   
6. Erin
7. Dauray
8. Pat