Breakfast or Butterflies?

Friday mornings are usually chaotic, and this Friday has proven to be no different. With a rough night sleep for me, Hayden and I wake to our regular Friday routine… wake, shower, dress, eat (in my case inhale food and put on makeup) and pack up to trek out to Hayden’s occupational therapist. The only difference today is the yuckiness I feel in my stomach…

Once home, I scramble before school to:

1. Assemble the rest of our dossier to be mailed once Hayden steps on the bus
2. Chug Lemon Lime soda (yuck)
3. Prepare for my business meeting tomorrow
4. Make Hayden lunch & school snack
5. Remind Hayden to bring a “Show & Tell” object that isn’t considered a weapon

At this point, my stomach was still feeling pretty sour and Hayden needed an explanation on why Mommy had skipped lunch. It must have been hilarious to be a fly on my wall when I was explaining to Hayden that I was anxious and nervous about mailing baby sister’s papers today. I don’t quite know if he understood, but I did my best.

Now sitting at home, catching up on Grey’s on the DVR, I am relieved that part 2 is now in the mail and should arrive in Cali by Tuesday morning. Even better, part 1 arrived today in Cali as I type – hopefully in one, easy to read piece.

Can’t say my stomach feels any better but our kitchen table is a little lighter.

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Posted by Mel at 2:41 PM

Lazy Day

With part one in the mail and being processed - it's been a slow baby week. The replacement furniture came and the damaged set left. Michael can finally park in the garage after weeks of delay.

Hayden continues working hard at school, enjoying it just as much as the day before. He is getting over a cold, but still manages to chug along. He has been diligently practicing writing his name amongst other letters. (See pics in the slideshow) Reading is another past time Hayden is aiming for. He is excited to have finished his October reading list early and get his pizza reward. He is recognizing lots of little words and we are very proud.

Today we got a head start on our pumpkins. Every year we buy one for each of us, and an unusual one (usually a white one that I carve to look like a ghost) and this year we purchased one for Baby V. I managed to get 2 done today and Hayden was proud to help give me eyes, nose, and mouth descriptions. (Also in the slideshow)

I didn't get as much done as I wanted to this week. The kitties sure got their nap in. ;)
With Trick-Or-Treating this weekend we are left with a hole on Halloween. It always feels weird each year when the 31st actually rolls around and my door isn't ringing and my cats aren't hiding. Oh well, I'm sure we will manage to find something to do with our day. Maybe assemble Baby V's last bookcase... oye.

Though the reality of Baby V becomes more real everyday, the possibility of her coming home tomorrow leaves a gloom over our heads. While it could be any day or week or month before we hear who this wonderful young girl will be to grace our lives forever... we manage to keep chuggin' along. I give much credit to the many of families who have kept the patience and faith by continuing to read our blog. With that, as the days pass I visit my Kyrgyzstan (and some other countries) familiy blogs and am filled with joy and heartache. I wish these families the best and hope the news of our daughter arrives soon - with her being healthy and beautiful - like I imagine her to be everyday.

On that note, it's cold, it's time to cook dinner (oh boy-fun!) and I wish the cats would have saved me some room for a nap. 0 comments

Posted by Mel at 4:35 PM

Mail Call

As I might have mentioned in the past, I have always been a fan of mail - not the bills kind though. But I'm quite favorable to the junk kind as long as it doesn't belong to someone else. :)

The past week and a half we have received 2 very important pieces of mail in our box and we are very proud to share. First one's first - our I-171H. This form states that we "are able to furnish proper care" to our daughter. Gotta love their wording. Last but not least... came the approval of our I600A - to allow us to get our visas in Almaty Kazakstan when we bring our daughter home. Two very important pieces of paperwork that if not received, well you know where I'm heading with this.

On another note, October is a busy month. Lots of bdays and fall activites to keep us moving. We recently went to our favorite pumpkin patch - we have visited every year since Hayden was in womb LOL. We nabbed our pumpkins, Hayden went on a few rides, all while I pouted over forgetting the camera. Someone tell me, do they make a drug for forgetfullness?

This weekend we will be celebrating Nana and Aunt Kelly's birthdays. Oddly enough Nana still thinks she's 29... (Golly mom, how is that even possible to be a year older than me? LOL). My sis will be turning the BIG 20. Hard to believe... :)

Hayden has finally gotten the hang of it that our town doesn't Trick-OR-Treat on Halloween. I explained that we do it differently so the Mommy's and Daddy's can be home from work and everyone can go together. I'm sure this is the reason, or close to it, but try explaining it to an anxious 5 year old who is dying to be Speed Racer but can't on the 31st... good thing school is having a party on that Friday!

And lastly, we moved Baby V's furniture to her room (I know, what's taken us sooo long...) however, in talking to the "store" it was purchased from, another item needs to be replaced. Oye. I'm hoping to get her room painted in the coming months and put the crib in. I'm assuming it will look more like a room then the heap of furniture it is now.

Ooooh, before I forget (sorry this is so long - though they usually are huh, I must write more frequently). I want to thank the man at the currency exchange. Though he may never read this I want people to know there is a man out there with a kind heart. The last two times we've needed a notary, we've went to him, he's done his thing (this time giving Hayden a lolly) and wished us goodluck. Though he only makes a buck a signature, this man just saved us another dollar. To him and everyone else that has sent prayers and kind words - Thank you. 2 comments

Posted by Mel at 9:08 AM

Our New Look

While waiting for the phone technician to NOT fix our phone, I needed to do something with my time. That time was well spent updating the blog.
I think it looks spiffy, Hayden says it looks awesome! :) 0 comments

Posted by Mel at 6:38 PM

Spooky Times

We never have had much luck when it comes to electronics, furniture, appliances and services (hence one of the reasons why I had spent close to 2 weeks researching a new version of cable to switch from our awful satellite company). We went from not being able to watch TV (satellite) to now not being able to talk on the phone - static (new cable/phone company). Such a headache.

Meanwhile, our water heater breaks and a puddle (just a puddle thank goodness) is looming in our basement and past the threatening stage of the finished area. We spent several hours in panic mode soaking up water, worrying who to call, and how to pay for what we thought would be a new water heater. Thankfully though - it ended up just needing a valve replaced LOL. Too bad though that the technician forgot to put the airconditioner tubing back when he was done draining the water heater - thus another puddle in the storage area of our basement! This was not-so-quickly discovered when Michael noticed the hutch from our office desk was wet and ruined. Nice...

Anyway, the day prior to the madness Michael and our neighbor Dean put together Baby V's furniture. 4 out of 5 ain't bad right? The tall bookcase will need to be exchanged due to damage during shipping. When I will find time to do that, I don't know, let alone lift it.

Most importantly... the item that brings great pride to my frugal eye. I gave up on the hunt for the baby bedding of pink and brown butterflies and flowers. Though I ended up being able to special order the valance and even picked it up, the items can only be purchased at one place. So, since I spend a great time looking for deals and sometimes in auctions... I found a better deal and a better set! This one fits Baby V much better and is simply precious. Though it took several days to win (and much nights of almost wanting to throw the laptop when I'd lost) it is totally worth it in the end!

Next up, I have volunteered for Hayden's first school field trip - to a pumpkin farm. Unfortunately it is this Friday and I am hoping for nice weather, it's been chilly and we go rain or shine - yikes. He is super excited that the other kindergarten classes will be going as well, someone better remind me to bring my migraine medicine. ;)

Lastly, we are all decked out for Halloween, one of my most favorite holidays of the year. For those of you who don't know, or just read from across the country (or globe) I have a front window that is like a bay window - large enough for a bench seat. Every Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas I decorate with my collections... though Halloween is a little different. I have been creating new scenes since we moved here 2 years ago (3rd Halloween) and this year is a Pirate theme. If I can get a picture to come out, I will post it. (Though it proves hard to do).

On my "Ciao" note, I want to say there has been movement in Kyrgyzstan. Though we haven't heard much, we are hoping to hear some developing news on Friday. I will post soon to give an update. In addition, we are still waiting for our 171-H, though I received word that it shouldn't be much longer.

Ok, novel done. Take care and prayers! :)

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Posted by Mel at 12:59 PM