[cathy102]

Gosh..I just got done reading all the posts from Thursday and Friday...You girls were so busy..

We didn't do much over the weekend. Nick and I went out to Dinner to celebrate the matchwith H and my SIL watched Lexi overnight. Saturday and Sunday just hung out at the house and wanted to be lazy. I did do laundry and just played with Lexi..

I don't know what we will be doing today. I want to take her to the pumpkin patch but not sure how cold it will be getting..

Stacy..So you are going to try and adopt through the foster care and private agency? I think that will be great, just means you will be your little one faster..What did you do over the weekend?

Jess..I love to read what you think Mckenna's REAL name is...hehe!! Keep guessing!!!

Marie...How is Justin and RL doing? Does RL have to visit with her bmom today? I can't believe she missed 5 visits..Not too good!!!

Mckenna..How do you like the weather now? Just a little cold.

I need to post the fun questions you have been asking about..

Sherry and Sandcastle...Hello..

I will be back...

Cathy

[cathy102]

If married, how many years:
Feb will be 7 wonderful years!!!

What is your favorite season of the year?
I would say Fall!! I love to wear sweatshirt with shorts!!! And I love the leaves when they change colors

Are you religious, if so what is your faith?
I am a Christian. But we don't go to church like we should..It's hard with a little one that wants to walk everywhere..

What is your favorite sport?
It used to be Hockey, Football and Baseball..Now I don't really watch any on TV...

What is your least favorite sport?
Basketball, and Golf!!!!

If you were an animal what would you be?
I would want to be a small, prissy little white dog (my favorite)!!! People could carry me, feed me, and let me sleep all the time, enough though I don't like to sleep all the time but what a life they have!!

If you were a fruit, what would you be?
Not sure but I would say an orange..It's nice and bright in color and they smell so good!!!

Hope I got them all

cathy

[MomofKaden]

Morning All! The weekend was wonderful - beautiful fall weather here...but the chores have begun of raking up all the leaves that are falling on our yard! (Thankfully hubby used the leaf blower and I didn't even have to help this time! ) It was a great weekend...time with family, went to DH's grandpa's house to hang out with them and other relatives and pick up Kaden's pumpkin from the family pumpkin patch It is amazing having DH home now - Cross Country is over! Hallelujah!

Stacy, here are your answers:
what has been your favorite vacation destination?
Britain - all England, Scotland and Ireland (don't know how I could pick a favorite among them)

if you could meet anyone in this world (or beyond) who would it be?
That is such a tough one! I guess I am going to go with Paul, from the Bible...I think he would be pretty unbelievable to meet.

Stacy that sure is a sad story about Brent. Thanks for sharing.

what is your favorite holiday tradition?
Every Christmas my whole life my dad's side of the family gets together (he has 5 sisters and a brother and all have 3-4 kids except my dad who only has us two) Anyway, it is a very musical family and we sit around in a (very large) circle and sing every Christmas carol we know - everyone gets to pick one. Then, we all recite the story of Jesus birth (Luke 2:1-20 or so) from memory - we all learned it as kids. Then we sing Silent Night - all 3 verses - and that is the end of the evening. It is really spectacular.

-if you could choose any profession, knowing what you know now, what would it be?
I love what I do - farm appraising - it is the best job I could have and get to stay home with my family as much as I do.

That's all for now - I better get ready for the day! Later,
Jessica

[melon161]

Hey Ladies,

It's been pretty slow in here over the weekend. That's good cause now I don't have a bunch of catch-up reading to do.

Cathy, yes we are going to go through both. We haven't even started with an agency yet but we have chosen the one we want to go with and I talked to a lady there and she said that we won't have to do another homestudy, just update the one we have. Which is great.

I've been wondering what kind of business do you Nick run? Is it out of your home or do you have an office? Sorry If I'm being too nosey, just tell me if I am.

Jess, I'm glad you got your husband back! And I'm jealous, you have a family Pumpkin Patch!!! Lucky you.

You're christmas' sound so fun, it actually sounds a lot like ours. We have a musical family too and my aunt and uncle usually play guitar while the rest sing. Sometimes my aunt will play accordian and I can play a few songs on that too so they make me join in. I'm not good or anything, I just know about three songs that my aunt taught me. We have pretty big family get-togethers, they're so fun. We play a lot of cards. I remember the times when I was little begging my uncle to sing to me (and he always did), I can't wait till I can play for my kids. (I'm in guitar lessons and learning slowly).

Doreen (aka Mckenna) and Marie, Hi and good morning. Marie how's Justin? Did he get to come home?

Didn't do much this weekend. On Friday Stacey and I stayed home and watched a movie and went to bed early and slept in late. It was great. On Saturday I went for lunch with my sister, SIL, aunt, two cousins and my mom for my mom's birthday. Then we went shopping for about an hour and then went home. Stacey went out with his buddies so I went and visited with my friend. Stacey didn't get home till 2:30am and I was sleeping on the couch (cause I told him to phone if he needed a ride). He had walked home. So I woke up and talked to him for a while, he was a little tipsie. LOL He wanted a sandwich so I made him one and then we went to bed. I didn't get to sleep until 3:30 am and I had to get up at 8 because I went to Edmonton shopping with my cousin Shannon.
I spent all my clothing party money and it was great. I bought two shirts, a sweater, pair of pants, tea pot (I collect them), scrapbooking stuff, pair of shoes, two bras, and that's it. Shopping was fun with Shannon but by the time I got home last night I was very tired, thank goodness Stacey had made roast and potatoes and kept some warm for me, he's so sweet.

That's it, that's my weekend, now it's back to work time! Well, better run and get to work.

Talk to you all later,

[cathy102]

Your not being nosy at all. We own a family Business that has been around for about 70 years. It's called City and Village Tax Office. We are Collectors for City Taxes and we collect for Subdivision fees for over 900 Subdivisions. I don't know if you have that in Canada but when you live in a sub, the city doesn't pay for street lights, cutting common ground areas, swimming pool fees Etc..We also collector monthly condo fees, also..We have a office about 30 minutes from our home with about 15 employees..Keeps my hubby VERY busy..I always tease him because he works with all women and has to hear all the gossip..He tells me all about the crazy stories that he is told and hears...Some are so good!! hehehe!!

Cathy

[NanaMarie]

Hi All, Sounds like everybody had quiet relaxing week-ends .. time for family. I always like those times.

Justin didn't go home on Friday but YIPPEEEE he is headed home today!!! Finally has no temperature and was so thrilled this morning just to go to the hospital cafeteria!! His numbers are still low but we are hoping these will improve at home. He goes to clinic twice a week starting tomorrow but the doctors tell us they think he is already in remission ... less than 1% left as of Friday. He looked so much happier yesterday without the IV and he wasn't even home yet .. I can just imagine his face when he finally gets home.

R-L. is doing much better thank goodness .. not sure I could have lasted another night with next to no sleep and still function. Yesterday she managed to eat some mushed up vegetables and some noodles (the first time she has eaten since Tuesday) so we were pleased. We have been managing to get her to drink some milk and the pedialyte the doctor said to try instead of juice .. but not huge amounts and only after giving her pediatric advil. So yesterday's eating was a gala affair .. even managed to eat some of Poppa's ice cream cake. As to visit .. was a message from SW that MOM had cancelled visit yet again .. so R-L. doesn't have to go .. I am so happy .. but just once wish they would consider the child before the parent.

My other two are doing great which is a bonus .. I'm not sure what I would do if all three got sick at the same time .. probably collapse.

Stacy .. have you filled out the paper work for the private agency .. you did say they were mailing something to you a while back? I think anyway.

Cathy .. Have you started getting things ready for new baby. Do you have a second crib? What about baby clothes .. did you keep some of Lexi's and are they suitable for a little boy or are you buying all new? I know a thousand ??'s .. sorry just excited for you.

McKenna .. How was your week-end? I didn't see a post from you this morning .. or did I just miss it? Hope things are fine.

Jess .. so glad that DH is spending more time at home .. how did the last cross country meet go? Or shouldn't I ask? LOL I love fall but those leaves can be a pain to rake up .. especially when you have little ones trying to help.

We had snow here yesterday. My granddaughers made a snowman in the back yard .. but today that is all that is left of the snow .. he looks pretty lonely standing out their with all the leaves all around. It tried to snow again this morning when I was taking them to school but the forecast is actually for rain later.

Well that's about all my news for now. Hope everybody has a great day despite it being Monday .. just think only 4 more days to TGIF.

Hugs, Marie

[MomofKaden]

First, Marie - what AMAZING news about Justin - I can't believe he is doing SO well so quickly - what an enormous blessing. I am thrilled he is coming home and that things are looking so stable and safe for that switch.

Wow- bmom skipping ANOTHER visit - how many times does she get to do that before she doesn't get the option anymore? I don't understand how this works, but how long could this continue? What's the status of her relationship with RL? Speaking of RL - thank goodness she finally ate something! YIKES!!!

Cathy, sounds like an interesting business! Definitely sounds busy!

Stacy, so glad you had a fun weekend and got to spend all your shopping money - what fun! I went shopping too - and ok, I get to brag on my DH big time for this - my mom took Kaden, so DH & I could have fun shopping and get some lunch - I drug DH to SIX different stores (and I am not talking like in a mall!) and he never complained!!!! WOW! What a man! It was such fun - we did our favorite Ross Dress For Less run...we got tons of stuff - we LOVE that place! I got a new pair of shoes and a jacket - both dark brown - very fun for Fall! The only problem is that the shoes are so tall I about fall over most of the time... Oh well, they are REALLY cute! LOL! I also got some Christmas shopping done.

Marie - the cross country meet went ok...I am just glad it is done! Unfortunately, some of the kids were really stupid the week of the meet - our top runner was ranked #1 in District and he got in a fight and got suspended, so couldn't run, and couldn't go on to the State Competition - REALLY HUGE BUMMER! And another good (but nowhere near THAT good) runner skipped school and his mom had told him that if he skipped school, he couldn't be in XC anymore, so he didn't run at Districts either. So, it was kind of pathetic, but the good news is that over half the team PR'd and did very well and that one guy gets to go on to State, so it wasn't all bad! Thanks for asking!

I can't believe you have snow up there - it is 70 degrees here today and sunny skies, but I hear we have rain coming soon...ugh! It doesn't really get any rainier than the Pacific Northwest! The rainy season starts about now and goes until about July! LOL!

Ok seriously, I am going to go get some work done now! Cathy - I second all of Marie's questions - how are things???

[shamba]

It is so emotional for me that even writing Mom and Dad is odd.

We have just completed our papers and are anticipating a referral. (Actually still waiting for Hubby's original cert birth cert.) then our file will be officially complete.

I am so nervous. Is this normal? All these "what if's" and "how will I?" stuff. I just read about an attachment issue and how intelligently they handled it, I was so impressed.

I am 45, hubby 40. We had 2 miscarriages and then 3 in-vitros to no avail. So here we are adopting. Sometimes I think I am crazy and sometimes I can't believe we are doing it, and then I get excited when I see little children with their family and friends.
I have good family support, although our parents are gone, except for my Dad. I sure miss my Mom now. She passed 3 years ago. I often wonder what she would think about me doing this.
I actually was pregnant when she passed and then I miscarried. It was the hardest time of my life. (pooch passed shortly thereafter! wow) We have another dog now, and I wonder how she will accept the baby too. After all she is my baby now.

My husband is normal and thinks I am crazy. (Of course, what else? ha ha) He can't understand my fears and my anxiety.
I pray that I am doing the right thing and that having this child to love and care for will fufill my need to nurture.

Any input out there is so appreciated.
(Still learning how to maneuver around this website)

Thank you.
Maura

[mckenna]

we were having an internet issue this morning, so i think it is cleared up. we had a very rough weekend, my son's asthma was horrible and he was on albuterol every 4 hours (still is). he was litterly bouncing off the walls. walmart lost our pictures and then was rude about it, i am waiting for someone from customer service to call back now. i know it was a rough weekend and i am sure i have pms but then on sunday night, when we were at my parents, i saw a card that my aunt had sent to my mom. we just found out my sister is pregnant and going to have a baby in june (yeah! finally a cousin), well, my aunts son and his girlfriend are having a baby in dec. so i looked at this grandparent congrats card and after my aunt signed it, she wrote, i still one. my mom and my aunt have this weird competitive thing going on, but my feelings were really hurt cuz i feel like my aunt and subsequently my mom and my grandma feel like my cousins baby will be the first grand child when actually my son is. there have been many issues with my son and my mom cuz i feel like my mom has an issue with his race. anyway, it always ends up with my mom blaming me for being too sensitive. i think she is not sensitive enough. so, i called my sister and asked her to come by to pick up the gift i had got for my cousins baby shower and then got into the whole story with my sister and of course i am crying and carring on and my sister says why don't you just talk to mom , but i am tired of the whole mess and i will not subject my son to the mess also. there is more to the story, but i just can't type anymore and it is also confusing. anyway, i am sure that my sister has by now told my mom who will know find someway to make this my fault, but i am rufusing to keep dealing with this. i would rather cut ties now than subject my son to this. do you guys think i am over reacting? be honest, i can take the truth. sorry for the long message.

[melon161]

Cathy, thanks, I was wondering what your business was. Sounds busy!

Marie, so glad to see that everything is going good, it's about time your family received some good news. I'm so happy for Justin, he sounds like a tough boy! Sounds like you had a good weekend. I'm glad that RL is feeling better and she's eating. I'm also glad that she doesn't have to visit this week. To answer your question. We are starting to fill out the papers, I have talked to the lady at the agency we're going with and we don't have to redo our homestudy but first we have to take a course by Adoption Options. It's a weekend thing, so Stacey and I have to decide what weekend we're going to go.

Marie, how old are your kids again? (Fosterkids)

Jess, I am so jealous about your weather. It's been so windy and rainy here the last couple of days. It's just so miserable. It's supposed to snow tonight but who knows, I do live in Canada and the weather here is stupid (for lack of a harsher word.) LOL
I got some christmas shopping done too. Only three people but it's a start. I bought my cousin Shannon a snowflake snowman ornament. I'll paste a picture cause it's so cute. I bought my aunty a christmas ball that's very pretty and I bought Stacey his tree ornament to put in his stocking. (I buy him one every year.)

Maura, have you been matched already or you're just nervous with the whole process? Either way, you're in the right place, there's lots of support here. Do you know why you are so nervous, is it because it's happening so fast or just the idea of being parents? Sorry for all the questions, just wanna help.

Mckenna (Doreen or Darlene), I'm so sorry that your family is making this so hard. I would be very upset if I were you, you're right your mom isn't being sensitive enough. It's not fair for her to treat your son as just your son and not part of the rest of the family. I don't think you should cut ties but I do think that you should sit her down and tell her that she is hurting your feelings weather she thinks so or not and that you are tired of it and you would appreciate an attitude adjustment on this subject. Tell her that if she is going to insist on continuing to treat your son tis way you will have no choice but to remove yourselves from the situation. Don't yell, just tell her calmly and maybe she'll understand. I'm so sorry for you that you have to deal with this, sometimes family can be so insensitive. I hope things can be worked out.

Jess, here's the pic. I found it on the net and it's just about exactly like the one I bought yesterday. Except the one I bought was frosted glass.



Hugs Everyone,

[cathy102]

Hello again,

Marie...We haven't bought anything for the baby yet. I think we will wait on doing the whole room until we get him. I know that expectant moms can change their mind. We do have some winter sleepers for him that my MIL bought. We did find a portacrib that we will be buying soon. I don't want to buy another baby bed. I'm sure Lexi will be out of her bed and then we can have the baby use it..We have a rocking chair in his room right now, and that is actually Lexi's playroom right now..

Jess..That is such a shame that those few boys were being so stupid before the meets..I hope they learned their lessons..Glad you enjoy shopping with your hubby. Nick and I went out to dinner Friday night to celebrate our match and ate seafood. It was so good!!!

Mckenna..Sorry to hear about the stuff with your mom. I don't think you are over reacting at all. Lexi is Multi-Racial (1/4 AA) and some of our family members (not our parents) don't look at her that way. We explain that she is and they have to deal with the fact that she is. Some of my uncle will tell AA jokes and I don't like it at all. When they tell the jokes we tell them to stop if we hear it..They say they are not saying that about Lexi but we tell them they are..They say sorry and now don't tell jokes like that..Now we will be getting a Bi-Racial little boy and I won't put up with any commons about any AA people or we will just not be around them. My children will always come first. These 2 children are where God put them..Not all family members will be supportive and just don't understand..I think you are doing the right thing!!

Stacy..So glad that you were able to shop and get alot of nice things. So hubby was a little tipsy when he came home?? hehe!! Sounds like he had a fun time..And you are getting snow??? You can keep it away from the states..hehe!!!

Cathy

[MomofKaden]

You've been busy!

Maura - welcome - sounds like you have been through a lot - glad you found the forums and hope you find them helpful! You are totally normal to be so anxious, etc...join the club!

Tina, (McKenna) I think you are right to be upset - what in the world?!!! It is like they are acting like you aren't there - I would be very hurt - I am sure they aren't intentionally trying to exclude you, but that is definitely what they are doing...that must be really tough - I am sorry! You should atleast try to talk to your mom about it, though it sounds like she is pretty difficult to get through to...what a bummer - atleast you could talk to your sister - that is a good thing!

Stacy, cute ornament! I can't believe it's already almost Christmas time again!!! I have already been getting to work on the calendars I will make for all our siblings and parents - I started making them a few years ago, and now everyone wants them every year...they are fun - with pictures of all the kids and everyone's b-days etc on there - this year I can actually put MY kid on it!!! YEAH!

Cathy, sounds like a fun date with your hubby! Yeah for fun dates! You sound like you are being awfully stress free in planning for your son to come home! I wish I was more like you!

Well, gotta go! Talk later...Jess

[mckenna]

sorry, forgot to say you guys have still not guessed the correct name. keep trying!!


everyone, thanks for your imput.

stacy, you made me laugh! my mom would have a fit if i told her she needed an attitude adjustment. i think what is the worst part is that they did not even consider that my feelings may be hurt (obviously, she displayed the card and knew i would be coming over). you can't change that in a person. it would almost be better if they were intentionally trying to hurt my feelings because at least then, they would have had to stop and even think about my son. the way it is now he wasn't even a consideration. you really just need to see the family dynamics i am dealing with. my mom is all about how it looks on the outside, doesn't matter what is going on inside as long as we look like the perfect family on the outside and obviously my son does not fit that picture.

very cute ornament, i think i have one for our tree that looks very similar. i am very jealous of anyone who has started their christmas shopping.

marie, sorry it took me so long to reply to your sw story. i had hoped that sw's in canada were more understanding and child friendly then here in the us, but i guess they are all the same!! (ha ha). glad to hear justin is feeling better, it is amazing what a turn around can happen once the fevers go away and the counts start to come up.

have a good afternoon!!

[NanaMarie]

Good Afternoon to you all!

Well as much as I hate to say this it is snowing here really good .. can't see out the window at times .. and I have to work tonight .. not looking forward to driving one bit.

Maura -- welcome. I am sure you will find all the support and answers to any questions here on one of the forums. Everybody is really friendly and a lot are in the same place you are right now so can understand your topsy turvy emotions.

McKenna -- I am so sorry your family, especially your mom, are not accepting of your little boy. Although I think it would be good to talk to your mom and explain how you feel .. I know from experience with my Mom that no matter what is said you will be the one that is in the wrong (whether that be too sensitive or overreacting). I think I have heard it all from my Mom. Any time you want to sound off .. we are all here to listen. We think you are a great Mom to that little guy and he thinks he has the best Mom in the World .. try to hold on to those thoughts.

Cathy -- I think you are wise to wait until baby is actually with you .. but then again I refuse to buy a baby gift for anybody until the baby is actually born and healthy. Sometimes my gift comes a few weeks later as more often than not I crochet a baby blanket and I start once baby is born .. good job they crochet up really fast.

Stacy .. Does Adoption Options run the workshop every week-end or do they give you dates to choose from? I know here its usually once a month only .. I guess if there were more applications they would be more often. BTW I love the ornament you bought.

Jess -- Sorry to hear some of the better runners goofed and were not allowed to compete .. it must have been disappointing to your husband who has been coaching them all along.

Oh yeah .. my foster children are 2 1/2 , 16 months and 13 months.

My youngest grandson was here this morning for a bit .. he just turned one in March. The girls didn't really know what to make of him as he is just running constantly .. but at least he seemed calmer than the last time he came.

Definitely back to folding laundry now. Have a great evening all.

Hugs Marie

[shamba]

I am probably just nervous about being parents and being good at it. Rob & I have been married 5 years and have a good marriage. He has an adopted cousin. I know some adopted people too.

I think all this anticipation is getting me anxious. Like we have nothing that resembles children in our home now. When we finally do get our referral, what am I supposed to have here at home? Do I buy all this stuff before we travel? We live in NYC so we have to get child guards on our windows. We need just about everything. Do I buy a stroller, car seat, clothes, etc., before we come back?? Also I have heard that you are supposed to bring stuff to the orphanage as well. Like what? I feel so uninformed at times.

I was hoping to find someone who has some good international feedback to give me. The woman who referred me to our attorney is Hungarian so her experience was completely different as she had family there. Then she came home and got pregnant with IVF and had twins! Boy and girl! WOW. 3 kids in a matter of a couple years.

I'm nervous about leaving my business, leaving my dog, being away for so long. Being without my husband over there, attachment to the child. Isn't that enough?

You are all wonderful souls and strong women, thank you for responding to me.
Maura