Friday came and went with no update from our social worker. I will be giving her a call today. My waiting period is over for unemployment, so I will finally be getting a check this week. On the job front I have sent out like 100 resumes and I have heard nothing from any of them. Damn economy. I have never had this much trouble getting calls on my resume before when I sent them out.

This weekend was great. On Saturday morning Jerry took me to see the movie Push. It was pretty good. After that we went and picked up our niece and nephew to have them over to play and spend the night. They are so easy to have over and they are no troube at all. We painted pictures, made cupcakes which they decorated with redhots and spinkles, danced, took pictures, and made blueberry and chocolate chip pancakes on Sunday morning. I always try to have some project for them to do and I alway let them help me bake. They don't get to do much of it at home. Naz, my nephew especially loves to help me cook. Maybe he'll be a chef someday. That or a professional dancer. He sure does have the moves for it.

My sister-in-law still hasn't had the baby yet and she just looks misserable. Her belly is so big, but it's all baby and I am sure that her belly will be back to normal in no time after she delivers.

Today, the plan is to just hang out, send resume's and hit the post office. We sold 12 more things on e-bay over the weekend. If I found a wholesaler or vendor with some good stuff, I could make that a good living selling things on e-bay.

Fogo de YUMMMMM...

I had such a good time at Fogo de Chao today. I was a little concerned at first because the salad bar had some really different things on it like Hearts of Palm, Asparagus, and Crab Salad, but once the meat started to arrive at the table, I was in love with the place. My favorite cuts of meat were the Ribeye, Sirloin, and the Filet Mignon rapped in bacon.
Also, I really liked the the waiters in gaucho pants who spoke with thick Brazilian accents. I was even treated to a slice of Key Lime Pie for my birthday. It was decorated with 3 of the prettiest Pink Orchids. They even wrote "Happy Birthday" in raspberry sauce on my plate.
It was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. I will definatly be going back there when I have a job again. I'll take Jerry next time, because he would love it.

100

Without even realizing it I have reached 100 posts in this blog. I never thought I would ever get there. It's not like I was trying to reach 100 posts, but it's satisfiying none the less.
Today has been a pretty boring day here at my house. My nose was a bit runny so I didn't use my CPAP last night and I can really tell. I am so tired today. I can't tell if it's because the cold has whiped me out or if it's because I didn't get great sleep last night.
Also, this morning I started out my day with a piece of cheesecake. It was yummy, but all day long I have been eating it feels like. I know that if I eat too much sugar then that's all I crave. Even after knowing that I still can't help it. I wish I had stronger willpower. I ask GOD for it in my prayers everynight, but it seems that I need to learn to create it on my own.

This weekend was pretty fun. On Saturday morning Naz and Tekaija were dropped off by their parents. The snow had already started to fall, but no worries, I baked homemade gingerbread houses. They had a blast decorating them, then my husband judged whos was the best. Of couse it was a tie. I thought it was cute that he gave them reasons that he liked each one.
Then we hung out and had Alfredo with chicken for dinner, then we watched Spy Kids.
On Sunday, we woke up and made pancakes and sausage for breakfast. Then everyone had a bath. Naz had his with bubbles. Around 1:00pm my sister Melanie came over and Tekaija and I went to the Nutcracker Ballet. Her exact words when I asked if she had a good time were, "It was AWESOME!"
I am glad that she had a good time. Uncle Jerry and Naz had a good time too. They read books, watched a movie, and took a nap.
After we got back from the Nutcraker we played a bit of Guitar Hero, then packed everything up and went to McDonalds for dinner, then we made the trek to take the critters home.
I felt really good about the weekend. It's so easy to have them over. We have fun, and I am sure that they do too.
I can't wait to see them on Christmas Eve!

Christmas is only a few days away!

Christmas is getting closer. Today at work we had a holiday lunch with our whole department at Jimmy’s, a restaurant that’s close to the office. I had the best French Dip sandwich with aus jux and shoestring French fries. We also got a chance to reveal who our Secret Santa’s were. Mine was a lovely girl named Heather, who was very generous with all my presents.

Tonight I will have to get my house cleaned because in the morning my niece and nephew will be visiting for an overnight. On Sunday Jerry has people over for our fantasy football championship, hence the reason the house needs to be clean. Also on Sunday my niece and I as well as my two sisters will be hitting the theatre. We are going to the Nutcracker at the State Theatre downtown. I am very excited. I hope that Tekaija, my niece will enjoy herself. She loves dancing, so I think she will.

Last night I was able to get Jerry’s gifts wrapped before he got home from work, I just have one gift left to get in the mail. Its expected delivery date is on Monday. It is being shipped from Canada, and for that reason is taking longer then normal. It’s a good thing that I didn’t wait any longer to order it, or it never would have made it here. As it is, I am crossing my fingers and saying prayers day and night that it makes it to my house in time for Christmas Eve night.

Adoption Update: I sent a follow up e-mail to our Social Worker yesterday, I haven't heard from her yet. I expect that she won't get back to me until after Christmas.

Christmas and Kids

I received my Zero Child Waiting news letter this weekend. It’s a news letter that gets sent out monthly and contains things relating to adoption through foster care etc. I didn’t realize that there are more then 600 kids in foster care right now. There are only 100 or so on the online listing site that I look at once a week: www.marn.org. It gets me curious what other kids are out there that could be ours some day. I know that I have likened it to having a baby before, because you don’t know what you will get. We don’t know if we will get a boy and a girl, or two girls, or two boys. We just don’t know, but the reality is, that we won’t know beyond gender just what we get either. At least with a birth child you know where they come from, and what genetically they could get from you or your husband. I feel like I am putting a lot of trust into the almighty that he will choose for us wisely.
I am letting myself start believing that this will be our last Christmas that we celebrate alone. I am keeping it light though, because I know all to well that things could change in a heartbeat, but I am getting a wee bit excited for it.
This weekend our niece and nephew will be coming over on Saturday. I think Jerry and I have plans to take them to the $ store to get some small things for their parents and grandparents. Then on Sunday my sisters, my niece and I are going to the Nutcracker and my nephew will be spending some quality time with Uncle Jerry. It should be nice. Then, next week is the big week!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Tonight's the night. We are having our Annual Halloween Party! I'm excited and looking forward to the night. Hopefully, we will have a good turn out, but not too good, because my house gets pretty HOT when there's lots of people running around. I just hope that my dog doesn't freak out. She loves people and gets really excited when there's lots of people and energy flowing though my house.

Can you Believe It?

It's already Thursday and I still haven't finished my Halloween Costume. I started it last night, but I want to add more "Stuff" to it. I don't have long. We are expecting people at our house right after work tomorrow to eat Chili, and enjoy Trick-or-Treaters. Then to Par-Tay...
We have a Halloween Party at our house every year. We have more and more guests come every year. This year we are expecting about 60 - 70. I will be taking tons of photos, and I shall share them this weekend, once i recover.
We have a costume contest, and have some really great costumes each year, so it will be tons of fun. I am looking forward to it. Halloween has got to be my favorite holiday.
It will be fun when we have kids to dress up and carve pumpkins with. I will definatly be the mom that goes all out on their costumes, and follows them around the neighborhood when they go out Trick-or-Treating!

This weekend was a success. You are probably wondering why that might be. Well, first of all, we were lucky enough to have Naz and Tekaija this weekend, and second, I felt like I got a lot accomplished.

Friday, we picked the kids up. It was kind of late, so we just watched a movie and ate some popcorn. We all fell asleep on the couch. On Saturday, we went to my step-dad’s house for a picnic, and to watch the annual Osseo Lion’s Roar parade. I planned ahead this year and brought zip lock bags with the kid’s names on them for all the candy. The plan was to go back to the house and let Naz take a nap, then go up to the fair and have dinner and ride rides. We never made it to dinner and rides because it started raining. So, we took the kids to Chucky Cheese and used up 200+ tokens. That Uncle Jerry is so generous with the little ones. After that we went home and got ready for bed. Sitting on the couch with popcorn we turned out the lights and watched the fireworks from Osseo over the treetops. We have a perfect view from our addition.

Sunday, we woke up and made Cinnamon pull apart for breakfast. Everyone had a bath, and we headed over to Cousin Elisabeth’s Graduation party. Sunni took the kids home from there, and I was able to finish up my laundry and hem my curtains.

Now, I hope that this week just flies by because next weekend we have NOTHING planned and it sounds very good right now.

Road Trip

Tomorrow Jerry and I will be leaving on our annual trip to Missouri to visit Jerry’s sister Angee and her family. I look forward to this trip because I miss them. Jerry and I rented a house with Angee and her husband Mike for a few years, then when we bought our house, they moved in with us for a couple years. We did a lot of things together, and when they moved to Missouri I cried for days because a part of me was gone. So, we have made it an annual trip we never miss. Now, Mike’s daughter Kali lives with them. She’s 17 and I will be taking her senior pictures this year. I can’t believe that she’s getting so old. Time goes by so quickly. They also have a little boy who’s name is also Michael, like his daddy. He’s so cute, but I have missed so much of his life I am anxious to scoop him up and hug him. In December, Angee will have another little boy. I think we will have to make a special trip down in the winter to meet him. I don’t think I can wait another year. Another reason why I like this trip is because we drive. This year is the first where it’s just going to be myself and Jerry. In the past we have always had someone with us. It will make the experience different, but I think maybe more relaxing too. While down in Sikeston, we will surely visit Lamberts. It’s an amazing Southern restaurant that has down home southern cooking where they throw rolls when your raise your arms. We will also probably venture 45 minutes Northwest to Lake Wapapello, which is a manmade lake that’s as warm as a bathtub, but its fun all the same. Jerry and Mike like to fish, and the kids like to play in the water. Sikeston also has an outlet mall, which we always visit, as well as a flea market. We will also be having a BBQ. Just thinking about it makes salivate. The point of this description is to say that I might not be blogging for a week or so because Angee only has dialup internet, and I’m not sure that I will be patient enough to blog, but maybe we can find a coffee shop with free wifi, and in that case I will.

Garage Sale Table

Garage Sale Table
Originally uploaded by gemjlo

This weekend we had a garage sale. Once we started pulling things out to sell, I couldn't believe how much stuff we had. I was glad that the weather held out until almost 4:00pm, but I wish it wouldn't have been so hot. We sold alot, but have a lot more, so the plan is to have another sale in the fall when it's not so hot, and we can get more people involved.

Our 4th Of July

Maia with a sparkler 2
Originally uploaded by gemjlo

We had a great time on the 4th at our friend Aaron's cabin. There was a bunch of us, and we spent the day in a lazy fashion. We played in the water, went tubing, skiing, we ate, we laughed, and we also played with fire. It will be fun to spend the 4th with children when we have them. Their awe and wonder over sparklers and fireworks is such a fun thing. It will be like experiencing them as children again.

Update on adoption...There's not update, as there's been no progress that I have seen. I have not heard from our SW in a couple of weeks. I will try and contact her again in a few more weeks, as that will be about the time she's supposed to be done with our paperwork.

On a sadder note. We have made the appointment to put our kitty boo to sleep. DH and I both wanted to be there, so Friday was the only day that would work. Unfortunatly, that's DH's birthday too. It's a shame that it has to be that way, but little buddy won't last another week and I definatly don't want him to suffer more then he needs to.
Keep us in your prayers.

Manic Monday

It's just another manic monday. I think this whole week is going to be a blur. DH and I will be on a flight to New York this thursday and I know the next few days are going to be busy with preporations for the trip. While in NY we are planning on going to a Yankees game, to see the statue of liberty, ground zero, and hopefully some other fun stuff. On Saturday we will be driving up to Boston for two days. While ther we are going to tour the Freedom trail and go to a Red Sox game. I just hope we haven't tried to pack too much into a five day trip. DH likes to be one the go so I am sure he will have no problem, it's just a matter of me keeping up.
Over the weekend I did all the laundry and cleaned up the house a bit. Tonight, I will mow the lawn. Tomorrow, I will start packing. Wednesday, I think I'm gonna just spend the night babying my pets because I am sure they are going to miss us terribly. I know that I will certainly miss them a bunch. It will be strange not having a wet puppy kiss to wake me up in the morning, but maybe I will be able to sleep later, and that would be nice.

Last night, I was sitting on the couch at 9:00pm when I realized that I hadn't thought about our adoption process all day. For so many days over the past year, it's been obsessively in my thoughts, so it was a weird realization to think that I hadn't mulled over an aspect of it all day. Daily, I check blogs of others who are waiting to adopt, or have already had their children placed with them. I went through that same routine yesterday, and not even then did I think about our process. I was curious to see what other people were up to. Weird that it didn't lead me to thoughts of children I might have.

I think today that I might send my SW a little e-mail to check on the status of our homestudy report. It has been a month since we finished up our interviews, so she should have had a chance to get started on our paperwork.

Last night we also got most of our travel reservations taken care of for our trip to New York and Boston that's right around the corner. It's strange to think that it's only a week away. I am looking forward to flying with my husband for the first time, and getting away from work for the first time since I started this job last August.

The hubbs and I had a really good memorial weekend! This picture is from Soundset 2008, and that's what we did all day on Sunday. Soundset is a music festival with local and some not so local hip/hop artists. They said that there were about 12,000 people there, and I can definatly believe it. The music was good, and everyone was pretty nice. It did rain a bit, but we didn't get any of the bad stuff like the tornados that they forecasted. I think I might have spotted a funnel cloud at one point though. It's a good thing I don't remember enough from my Meterology class to have been too worried. The day went really fast, but my feet were still screaming by the end of the day. We went home and ordered a pizza and I was in bed by 10:00pm. I'm such a party animal, NOT!

Then, on Monday, I spend most of the day cleaning my stinky carpets. Hubbs asked if I wanted to go see the new Indiana Jones, but I was too tired, so we BBQ'd, and again I was in bed by 10:00pm.