So Much to Do Where to Start

I just finished all the next step of requirements (requesting our fingerprints again, home study is done again, and odds and end paperwork is complete). Whew, hoping we are done for awhile. Now on to the fun stuff.
Of course I have been shopping for 2 ½ years (therapy) and now it is time to organize it all. We have also been blessed with so many wonderful gifts from friends and family. What a job finding a home for everything. Steve and I have spent hours hanging up clothes by sizes organizing shoes, painting and “M” has been breaking in the toys.
I have started to shop for her care package which I plan to send this weekend. I am also sending one through Ann at Red Threads so I can get pictures back ASAP. I am not so patient these days after waiting more than 2 years.
I am praying time will fly by not that I am ready for “M” to start kindergarten, but I am ready for the girls to be together.
We started our packing list and I am already crossing things off. I keep telling myself pack light everything we need is there except our size clothes. Last time I wore XXL in their size. I was in size shock.
Before I could finish typing this update I got an email from our adoption agency and a call from our social worker USCIS has changed the rules again 2nd time this month. I said WHAT! Now what we thought was all finished we have to go back and do a complete home study update, more background checks, and a social worker visit ugh…
Adoption is definitely not for people who do not have patients. Thank goodness we have the greatest social worker and Steve knows people to get our clearances done the same day at the departments. All should be done again we hope for the last time Tuesday. Then it is waiting for USCIS to approve us with another I171H.Still praying for late September or early October travel.

The call we have been waiting for.......

It is with great joy that we can share the referral of our daughter. We received the call on July 9 at 11:20am. I was at home with"M" and I was on the line with one of my developers when the call came in you can imagine that call ended quickly. I was speechless because we had just talked with Sara 2 days before.

They told us she is a tiny girl. She is just precious and perfect for our family. We can't wait to get her in our arms. "M" is so excited to finally know that she really is going to be a big sister. She carries her picture everywhere.

Family in town

My sister and her 3 children came to stay with us for a few days. It was so nice we have not had time together for a while now and it was great to go shopping and let the kids play. Shopping with 4 kids was an adventure I will tell you that. They played their little hearts out till almost 12:00 each night. I was exhausted.
Everyone is growing up so fast her little girl is 27 months and a doll. She loves her auntie who spoils her. I am the aunt all moms dread. Spoil their kids rotten but isn't that what aunts are for:). Can't wait for them to come back in two weeks to play again.

Our Trip

We all had a great time, but as all vacations it was not long enough. "M" asked if we could move our house on the ship and she could just live with Mickey and Cinderella. Well after another week I think that would be enough for me :). She had even more fun this time because she was old enough to go to the kids club and do all the on board activities they offered.
One day we all went snorkeling and she could not believe all the fish that were swimming around her, the best part was she saw a fish that looked like Dori from Nemo. That sealed the deal for snorkeling she wanted to go everyday. The weather over all was nice not to hot we did have a little rain but what do you expect it is the Caribbean they said.
Of course the food was spectacular as always, even "A" ate off the adult menu as picky as she is. We were all amazed. Everyone came home a few more pounds heavier. So now we will just have to work harder.

The girls loved to go back to the rooms each night after dinner before the show to so see what animals would be created on their beds and how much chocolate they got. "M" loves the towel animals and played with them just like her animals.

"M" always doing an animal set-up.

Stitch had a thing for "A" I guess he likes red.

I love this picture

'M" and Dug having dinner

Catamaran and snorkling

Set Sailing Party




3-D Movie UP

Setting Sail