Science Project

The Pirate got a very cool present from his Aunt. He has been bugging me to send away for the larvae...so, we decided to do this as our spring break family thing. So, I sent away for the larvae and they came in a cup. They were small when we opened them up and by the end of the week they were big, fat and gross!!!! They attached themselves to the lid of the cup and then I removed them and hung the coffee filter-like thing to the side of the net. Well, we went to baseball this morning and came home to find a BUTTERFLY! Within 12 minutes of being home, there was another one! The Pirate decided to name them after his friends at school, one is Tia and one is Jacob. We went to Target and picked up some fresh flowers and sprinkled them with sugar water. We placed the flowers in the bottom of the net and they have been feeding. The Pirate can't wait to see the others emerge. Three more to go!

Update: Megan and Caitlin were born today April 27th. We're still waitng for Zach...the fifth and final one!

15 months...

ago our paperwork was officially logged in to the CCAA. The paperwork sat on a shelf in China for a year until we were matched with the Mermaid. The wait is almost over...I hope it comes soon!

Fingerprinting and Gifts Galore!

We made our fingerprint appointment. Of course, Ted's went fine. I had a problem with my thumb again! The Pirate sat on the floor of the fingerprint office holding his sister's picture. It was very sweet!!! I wish I was allowed to take my camera in...

I asked Ted to take a picture of the front of the office to put in the Mermaid's book. He thought it would be funny to take it with his thumb in the picture!

On our way home, we stopped to have dinner with our friends, Don, Melanie and Alexander. The boys got to play and they showered us with gifts for the Mermaid! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Life is the Bubbles

"We've got no troubles...Life is the Bubbles"

-from the movie, The Little Mermaid.

We need mattresses and her curtains put up and the Mermaid's room will be complete!!!. Until then, enjoy the paintings on the walls. I took the pictures in-the-round. The Pirate said to me today, "You're the best painting Mommy I know! " I think I am the ONLY one he knows. I'll take it....

A couple of things...

Twilighter is doing much better. He is up, eating and walking around.

No LOA paperwork...hopefully, it will come soon from China.

We go for fingerprinting tomorrow...moisturize, moisturize, moisturize!

Update on Twilighter....

Our boy is Home! He is a little grogy...he laid on top of his daddy in the back of the truck on the way home. Did I mention that he weighs 80 pounds?????

He had his teeth cleaned.

He had 2 teeth pulled...explanation for the BAD breath!

He had the growth removed on his side. It has been sent to the pathologist for a biospy. He has a 7 inch wound on his side. I have not counted the stitches. Too yucky to look at right now. Update...15 stitches!!!

We will have test results and stitches removed in 10 days.

The pirate is happy he is home.....me too!

Twilighter

Our beloved greyhound, Twilighter is currently at the Vet in surgery. He has a growth on his side that needs to be removed and biopsied. While he is under, they will clean his teeth. They were always yucky since he came from the track...his breath...UGGHHH!! But we love him any way. Say a prayer, he will be 12 this August. He is a tough, old stubborn dog...and the apple of the Pirates eye!!!

Will update when we know something.

2 Months Ago Today...

we sent our letter to China to inform them we want to be the Mermaids Mommy, Daddy and big Brother. We are praying that this will be the week!!! The week to get the papers (LOA) we have been waiting to sign. Once that happens, it will take 2 to 4 weeks to get our travel arrangements (TA). That letter will give us the dates we will be allowed to travel in China. Our guides in China will then make a consulate appointment so we can officially bring the Mermaid into the US and she can become a US citizen. So, between all of that, packing, making airline arrangements and getting the house ready...we will be busy!!!!

I can't wait....

Visa's!!!!!

Our Visa's for traveling to China came today. They were issued out of the Houston Texas Chinese Consulate. I had to hire a courier to hand deliver our passports to the consulate. Much easier than flying in myself and doing it! All it is is a little sticker on a page in our passports. That's it!!! So, we can go multiple times to China till March 2009 with our Visa's. I just want to go once and get my girl. China better move those papers... the clock is ticking.

Fingerprints

Our USCIS office ROCKS! We have to get our fingerprints renewed...since we have been waiting SOOOOO.... long. I had to send them a letter to request a new appointment and I asked very nicely if they could schedule it during our Spring Break. They did!!!
We go on Friday next week...yeah! I am going to be the moisturizer queen all week...

Progress in the Mermaids room....

I started on the mermaid and then added a few things with the pirate making suggestions. I think we have done a good job at balancing out the wall. I have to add another coat to the paint and then the details. The pirate and I are planning the next wall. Stay tuned....

LOA Update

I spoke with our social worker from our agency today. She seems to think we could hear something as soon as mid-April. For those of you that don't know, the LOA is the Letter of Acceptance. It means that China agrees to the adoption. we sign it and send it back. Then the American consulate sets an appointment and we get travel dates. June maybe???

WOW! That would be great...please,please, please!!!!!

Yucky night...

It has been extremely humid ( it was 90 degrees today) here and we have had thunderstorms each night. It is still raining as I am typing this. So, we have not been able to go out and play in the yard. The pirate and I have started working on the mermaids mural in her room. I painted the waves and we are drawing the pictures. We are having fun!

Our new neighbor

His name is BooBo. He is a burrowing owl and lives in our yard. The pirate and his Dad love to sit and watch him. He seems very friendly and is getting used to us being around.

We are hoping BooBo has found a Mrs. Boobo...