EMOTIONS

I'm a kind of gal that you know exactly where you stand with me.... I cannot hide my emotions either joyful or dislike to anyone. What you see is definitely what you get!!!! So I am surprised with this feeling about myself.....

I never thought I was emotinally void..... I have always been able to express unconditional love towards others, however I find it difficult to recieve this same kind of love back. I think that perhaps life with all it's many twists and turns has slowly made me cautious with my emotions. So I have kind of put up a little armour of protection so that I would not get hurt totally.

At this point of this post, I am wondering where this is going.... As I am sure you are. I have just recently been together with others who have gotten their gals here in their arms. I see the joy that these new mommas have. I hear the stories. I see the faces. I see the Gotcha moments on other blogs and see the intensive emotion that is expressed. I just worry that I cannot handle such joy... such emotion. This raw emotions just frigthens me. Will I be able to handle this emotion. Do I want to feel so intensely for another. Am I just freaking out due to drug induced cold medications. Is it because in a few days fifty is breathing down my neck and I am looking at my mortality straight in the face. I have no answers to these questions. I think I just need to take a deep breath and hope that March blows by fast. That way I will have made it through a majorly bad cold, a majorly BIG birthday, and be one month closer to facing my raw emotional fears.

I'VE BEEN

LID FOR ..........

MONTHS

ALSO KNOWN AS THE

YEAR MARK

FOR LID....

THE PARTY'S OVER,

Let's call it a day......

All of us...l-r Tiffany and Eliza, Marque, Kimi, Leanne, Yvette and Charlee, Me (Lisa) and Liza (Marque's gal)....

Actually, it is the day after our SWAC gathering and I am sitting back thinking about the time we spent together. Who would have guessed that there would have been such love in one room. All of us rolling around on the dining room floor... A kiddo, two babies, mommas and future mommas. Low key I tell you, everyone casual feeling.... just like family. Enjoy pics...

Charlee and Eliza are one day apart in age, comparing the height.

Our two Z girls.... LiZa and EliZa...

Tiffany (r) totally shocked that Eliza was awake and HAPPY at 1100pm!!! Leanne is waiting for her very own baby.... "Li".

Why is it that the toy someone else is playing with is way more fun than what you have???

I'm off to nap just trying to get rid of this sickness before my week starts once again in full force....

COMEDY OF ERRORS???

I called in sick today at work cause I AM SICK!!! Really I am. Tomorrow I will be hosting the monthly meeting of the SWAC (Single Women Adopt China). This is such a low key group and we just love to hang out, talk, and enjoy the new babies, ELIZA (l) and CHARLEE (r), and the delightful 6 yr old eye candy LIZA.

(picture at airport when Charlee came home)

I have the menu planned, the shopping list made and all planned while I am under a down throw on my couch. I muster up some energy and decide that I needed to at least clean the bathroom for this gathering..... This is when the comedy of errors all began. Off to the back closet to get out the bucket. WHAT??? Inside are tell tale signs of the mouse in my house. FREAK.... decided I needed to pull out everything in that closet and de-mouse-ize the closet. I started pulling out stuff.... a bag full of rags in need of washed!!! Suddenly there is a noise above me, and all the coats hanging in that closet come crashing down on top of me. WHY ME??? All I wanted to do was clean my bathroom. After an hour of exhausting (remember now, I am sick) cleaning, I am once again under my down throw and sprawled on my couch....

Kind of aggravating but still kind of funny!

EXPOSED

The scene... Wednesday afternoon in a Costco line.

Boy you've got to just plain LOVE it when Costco sends out their coupon booklet, and you see all the things you need, but just didn't realize your needs, until you start cruising thru that booklet!!! So here I find myself with such a booklet in hand, waiting with all the other bargain shoppers in line. I am not even going to go "there" at this moment about the overly zealot rude adults pushing HUGE carts around and loading up on "STUFF".... NOPE, not even going to waste my breath on that one. So, I am checking out everyone's cart.... What is it that these people just need to be buying in mass quantities? Then my eyes turn to my wee bit of a cart!!! What does this medal wheeled contraption say about me???

A glimpse into who I am and who I am becoming......

Oh so very defining... Why this woman must be a large dog owner (52 lb of dog food), mother of a toddler (Huggies, size 4), person with major allergies (bulk supply of Kleenex), stressed out (large bottle of Mega Vit B complex) in need of a good night sleep (new pillows), health conscious (almonds, string cheese, frozen fish) and kid party gift buyer (Junie B book)....There are a few things I wished I would have picked up once I got all my "STUFF" home, treats!!!!

What does you shopping cart say about YOU???

FATE WILL HAVE IT

You all know that thing that just kind of happens as soon as you make the decision to do something that you have been kind of waiting for??? Have I lost everyone on that one??? Let me be more decisive. As I am sure all of you have your m$ney China-ready, sitting and waiting, just awaiting for that magical time when it is our turn. I am ready, and waiting, and there sits the goods in a low interest savings account. So someone suggested I move it to a higher interest 6 month money market account. SIX MONTHS!!! So I am kind of feeling safe that these funds will be able to mature the full six months, unless by miracle, referrals speed up..... SO I am going for it.... Six months risk that I will not be needing such funds...... so with that being done, YOU know that the referrals will be speeding up, just because I have committed these funds.....

When this happens, I will be accepting thanks you from everyone!!!

OH FOR FUN!!!

I saw this on another blog... I thought I had traveled a lot, but now, I see that I still have a whole world to discover!!! China will just begin to fill my aspiration in the Asian area.




create your own visited countries map

IN THE MOMENT

Four years ago, someone suggested I adopt from China. Two years ago Tana (that someone), suggested it again as she was going for her second Chinese daughter, Sofie. This time IT just felt right, and off I went on this amazing journey for Tate. In the back of my mind I have always thought of ways to keep Tate connected to who she truly is. The melting pot as I think of it. She will be by birth and race, Chinese. Just looking at her will give that simple piece of truth. The rest will be up to me. She is formost AMERICAN.... what better culture that represents the melting pot of people and culture. By instinct, I will provide her with Norwegian traditions, customs and some words. I plan on celebrating all holidays of the US, China, Norway, and the diversity of the US..... Greek festivals, Cinco De Mayo, Italian days..... All of it..... Just by saying this, I feel like my life will be nothing but celebrations and parties. I want Tate to feel that so many elements make up who really she is.... That she is unique, yet she is "normal". This normalcy drives me to make the connections with others who have adopted from China. I love to socialize but somehow I crave this connection with others who are in my similar situation. I am counting on this support to help me thru the tough time of unanswered questions, feelings of value, and abandonment. I plan on being there for those I could help. We all have been entrusted with the well being of the greatest gift ever, that of the love and caring of a child, and not just a child, a child who is in need of ME as much as I am in need of HER. Today I feel that need for HER. It is a snowy lazy Sunday morning, and boy do I wish I had a little snuggle baby to be with.....Cook teddy bear pancakes, rock and read to. As with everything in my life, I say there is always tomorrow. That tomorrow is just getting closer each and every passing day. Who knows one year from today, I will be wishing for the type of alone day that I am having today. I guess I just want what I do not have at the moment. But this very moment would be so magical if only I held TATE.......

SNOW

An Ode to my 4 WD…….

How do I love you???
Let me count the ways….

When out in this snow storm,
you act like it’s child’s play.

While others are sliding around us,
we are just a gliding home safely.

Way worth the extra cost…
I could never image another car without you.

Enough said…
I’m off to bed.

MESA.....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY 90 LBS OF SNUGGLE LOVIN'.....

(at 8 weeks)

THREE YEARS OLD

TODAY!!!!!

CAT or DOG????

The 90 lbs of snuggle lovin' just surprised me the other day..... I came into the house via the front door for a change and totally surprised Mesa. She was in the backyard anticipating my arrival thru the garage. Much to her excitement, she greets me and then runs full force into the bedroom and dashes out into the dark living room where I was in the process of turning on some lights. As the lights turn on and I gaze at the bright happy brown eyes of Mesa, I see hanging from her mouth a tail....... not just a ordinary tail, but a mouse tail with a complete body attached to it..... A quick "leave it" from me, and a drop by her, and I see that she has honored me with such a loving gift... This mouse was in perfect form without any mangling, Mesa had accompished to catch that mouse which has been eluding me in my house..... All this was done by Mesa who is missing two bottom and one top teeth in her mouth.... These missing teeth are yet another dramatic story in the saga of Mesa....

Mesa the Mouser????

Cat or Dog???

YOU be the judge.

ADVENTURE!!!!!

When you last heard from me, the plan was to be in BOSTON, and Boston we did see and do.
Less than 24 hours later....

DumDumDUMMMMM....

I am sitting in a Double Tree Inn in Houston TEXAS!!!!! What an Adventure this has been!!! First off to frosty Boston with all the joys of the wind chill factors of the Arctic. We were cluelss as to the week long vacation the schools system gave the kiddos. That and the havaic of the snow storms caused all flights out of Boston to be overbooked until next Tuesday. Just these words will cause panic in any airline employee joy riding standby. So after an overnight sleep and an amazing buffet lunch of Indian food in Boston, we head back to the airport to go standby to anywhere. That anywhere put us in Cleveland and by the miracle of a delayed flight and a three minute RUN down the terminal, put us in Houston Texas!!! This is the first time I have actually stayed in Houston. Most times it has been just a layover or a connection. So for at least a day, we will venture out with a rented car and check out the sites!!! Shopping will be first since all we have are Arctic worthy clothing and Houston is hot. So very excited to discover this place... The Holocust Museum, IKEA, and the Galleria with Janie and Jack (a store I have been wanting to see).... and the FOOD. I hear that next to NYC this has the best resturants!!!!

So I am off on an adventure, something that I am all about!!! Oh how I hope Tate has this Gypsy spirit that I have!!!

See you all LATER.....

BEAN TOWN....

Going TRIPPIN' on Wednesday for a few days!!! This time to Boston. It was too good of an offer to stay home, so off I go into the COLD weather of New England!!! I've been to Boston many times on day trips but never stayed for a few days!!! So I am off to have me some FUN!!!

OH SHUCKS.......

SHOTS!!!!!

I've started my shots for China..... THREE days ago I received my DPT (Diphteria, Pertussin and Tetnus)... in my left arm!!! Really did not hurt and I am not a whimp for shots. BUT, OH MAN does it itch!!! I think it has become the size of a tennis ball. I have weighed the pros and cons of taking Benadry... Sleepiness or Itchiness.... I just popped a pill with a swig of JAVA. Just hoping I can make it thru the next 4 hours of work....

S' UP?????

Oh man it is HARD having aging parents....

I haven't shared this with the blogging world, but somehow I felt the need today. It is something that is on my mind and clenching at my heart. Somehow our parents seem forever young and ageless, but slowly as time creeps along and we mature, parents do also. It is not evident to our eyes until we stop and study their faces. My dad is so very fun and full of life!!! He can always find joy in most occasions. His mother and my grandmother had a habit as she got older to be watching tv and fall asleep in her chair. The acorn has not fallen too far from that tree, and just the other day I looked over to my sleeping dad in his chair. His face was totally relaxed and this is when I really got to take a close look at his age. I looked and studied and could not believe that that OLD MAN was my delightful dad. He still had his handsome face but it was saggy and full of wrinkles. His thick wavy dark hair has now turn to thin and greying. Here slept my 77 year old dad.

My 72 year old mother???? Health issues. I have spoken before that she has a slow growing Non-Hodgkins lymphoma..... treatable when it flares up, but not curable. Twenty years is guessed by the Doctors before this will end her life..... TWENTY years is a long time, and I am OK with this!!! But this was not a guarentee that this will be her only aging problem. I guess with lymphoma, there is more of an increase of the likelihood of other immune suppressed illnesses. Last Decemeber I sat in the ER with a a pain ridden momma. Unexplained jabbing pain in her head.... a headache that brought on nausea. After two CT's of neck and head, and a LP (fluid taken from her spinal cord) she was send home with not knowing WHAT was causing all this pain. Fast forward three days later, and out pops Shingles on her right side of the face and head down her neck. She is all cleared up from the shingles and we have dealt with this. Ah, but the fun has not ended there. A week ago I received a call from her about a strange incident that had occured in the middle of the night. This incident effected her speech and moter skills..... but subside after a few hours. There was NO WAY this lady was going to go check it out and she went on her merry way. SUPER BOWL SUNDAY.... After I arrived at my parent's house for the Super Bowl, I notice that Mom had a hard time grasping words and expressing herself. I guess that she noticed a difference once again in her motor and speech on Saturday and then again on Sunday. I am sorry, but the Super Bowl is not that important, and I wisked my mom to the ER. She was admitted with TIA's (mini-strokes) and had a total work-up. The Doctor did warn that if TIA's go untreated, she would most certainly have a major stroke in just a few months. After three days in the hospital and countless of assessments and scans, she has returned home on a heart monitor worn for two weeks and MORE medication...... UGH!!! The initial stress is over and I have had a doozie of a headache.... NO SHINGLES or TIA'S for me though. SO... when it is time for my China trip to get Tate, I am hoping that we have all medicial needs in order and Mom will be traveling healthy and carrying her 5 lbs worth of medicines. I am a little concerned the what if something were to happen to her in China. I have heard of the nightmare hospitals. I guess I will do my usual Scarlette O'Hara behavior and figure tomorrow will be another day.

LID.....

THEIR HERE!!!

Nine months ago I posted about Utah FCC missing in action. I needed to have connection with others that were going through the same stuff I was. Both Veterans and Newbies!!! Ask and you shall find.....

UTAH FCC CHINESE NEW YEAR!!!

YEAR OF THE PIG!!!

I actively belong to two groups now. Last Summer, about the time I was missing this connection, I got a call from a gal who was interested in working with my agency. Little did I know that this was the beginning of our Single Woman Adopt China (SWAC) group. At the beginning, we all were six women all waiting, except for Marque who has Liza and is an inspiration to us all. Since the start of this group of 5 waiting, one is home...ELIZA, one is in China right now... CHARLEE, and then there is me... TATE and Leanne... Baby LI who are still.....WAITING. We try to meet once a month with this month being the Utah FCC Chinese New Year celebration. This was my first FCC activity and it was FUN!!!!

Eliza was the soup de jour... and the most recent gal home. This is Eliza and I.... She is so amazinging cute and has a personality to match her cuteness!!!!

On the left is Marque, our inspiration and her daughter, Liza who is smart and sweet and beautiful and so very amazing..... Tiffany is holding from Inner-Mongolian her sweet gal, Eliza.

Tiffany made this outfit especially for this Chinese New Year celebration... so cute!!

This cuteness is Leanne and Eliza..... We cannot wait until Leanne has her baby Li in her arms....

WAITING FAMILIES GROUP!!!

Back in January, I recieved an email from Leanne..... A waiting families group was starting up!!! The spearhead of this group is Tawni (left) and waiting family member, Andrea. Last night we had the second (my first, though) Waiting Families Gathering. It was so fun meeting others in the area that are adopting and going through the long wait with me. I was brought to tears, just meeting these amazing families and feeling the love and support from them.... While there, I realized out of this group of 11 waiting families I am the first to get my referral for Tate!!! This is the first time in any gathering that I am the first!!! It is so very overwhelming and touching to know that there are families out there waiting and anticipating each and every Stork flying with me....

Life is good!!!

WHEW!!!!!

A big sigh of relief for me..... My Dossier have made it through the review room!!!! I was so worried that they would have so many question on my Dossier.... SINGLE??? AGE (almost 50 in March)??? WEIGHT??? INCOME???? I guess everyone worries until they see that magicial posting on CCAA..... It really did not help that EVERY TIME I mentioned to my Mom something that might seem like I had worries, she jumped right on it and reinforced my doubts. She really doesn't know she does this and out of love she is just trying to protect me for having my heart broken.... She did this the whole time I was with my BoyToy or want to try something a little risky. I know that as parents, we fall back on how we were parented..... My Mom was such a loving and fun parent..... These are the things I will try to epitomize while falling back on my parenting of Tate.

Does anyone feel they are being missionaries for Adopting Chinese Children, especially the girls???? I feel like I am looking for people to join in on Adopting these little amazing girls. Just today, I was having a contractor come and bid on replacing my windows in the front room and dining rooms. I asked him about his family, three boys and no girls. I shared with him that I was in the process of adopting from China.... He was so interested because he has a good friend who is in the (also long) process of adopting from Vietnam. I asked him point blank if he was considering adopting a girl and that he really need a little daughter to round out all those boys. I am finding myself doing this way too much!!! I hope I am not offending people by suggesting this but it is my passion right now and I just want so many people to feel the love and the joy I am experiencing even before I hold my Tate. My Tate??? Do I sound possessive??? I will not possess Tate, it is just she is MY everything.... The SUN. The MOON. The STARS.

These are words from a favorite James Taylor song...

"Though we are as nothing to the stars that shine above,

You are my Universe, You (Tate) are my LOVE."

FEEL IT???

Can you just feel the energy coming off of my HIGH SPEED INTERNET CONNECTION???? Smoke is just a whizzing off of my keyboard as I am madly pushing keys getting from one BLOG to the NEXT..... I am speed reading each and every one of your blogs.... NO TIME TO COMMENT, yet. But soon, oh so very soon when I am on board with everyone's information you will hear from me!!!! How did I make it without my Internet connection???? Ten torturous days out of the loop, with only little sneak peeks from work or while on lunch. BUT.... I am back and so very glad to be.... TONS of thoughts on my mind. And of course will be sharing them ALL.

SHOPPY????? Just got done buying Bitty Baby clothes (on sale) at American Girl and books from Amazon.....

Also worthy of mention, I CAN NOW WATCH YOUR VIDEOS that are on your blogs!!!

FEELS OH SO GOOD!!!

NORWEGIAN PANCAKES...

In the kitchen cabinet, right next to the stove, is a recipe solidly taped on the door. In my parents home, for the past five years, this recipe has taken on a whole new meaning. Here sits the instructions for making Norwegian pancakes (crepes) and something my dad has takening to making. At the beginning, these FIRST pancakes were a bit too thick and charred. Every single partaker of this earlier effort acted like they were the most delicious pancakes EVER. With each confidence building attempt, my Dad has perfected these pancakes into amazingly delicious delights. This pancake making has become a tradition for "Gramps" to cook the morning after a sleep over with the Grandkiddos. This is a tradition that I am hoping that Tate will have the memories of.... You see, even thought he is so very healthy, he is almost 77 years old. I wonder how long it takes for a child to form those memories as vivid memories and just not hearsay. I will document in pictures Tate's Gramps making these pancakes. I will talk about this tradition to reinforce her memories..... I just feel like time is just a wasting when I think of the fragile time of the elderly and the quick growth a child.

As I write this, I am enjoying the left over Norwegian pancakes from one of his sessions. Cooked to a perfectly golden brown and so very delicate and thin.... It is funny what triggers my thoughts for the future and things that I want to blog about.

Hmmmmmm, food for thought.

WHAT????

Was I thinking???? I decided to take charge of my spending. I took a close look at my lifestyle and the ways to cut back on my monthly bills..... I am NEVER home and my land line is a waste of money..... Also I have SLOW dial up internet services. Out went the land line phone which wiped out my internet access. My DSL cannot be set up until Feb 1.... FEB 1!!! I am going thru withdrawal, wandering around the house, mumbling to myself..... Time has never gone so SLOWLY......

TUBA GIRLS

As promised, a little more of my trip to visit the Salsa girls...... Marie and Rose's daddy Rod, is a professional Tuba Player, with a list of some pretty impressive musicians he has played with. On the wall of the home at Team Salsa are mounted musicial instruments. One is a mandolin that was made for Mary-Mia by her grandpa and another is Rod's first tuba. For my entertainment, the girls were offered which musical instrument they would like to perform for me..... THE TUBA was picked!!!



Shocked was I as I saw these little pint size tuba players pucker up their sweet lips and expand those silky cheeks..... Above you can see that Marie is very serious with her performance and would not even think to start without my undivided attentions!!!! To the right is the performance.... take a look at those cheeks and the intense concentrating eyes!!! This was serious business and after a few great bellow out of the tube she looked at me with such self contentment and a grin that was unstoppable.... I on the other hand was laughing so much that I was unable to capture this with my camera.... What fun!!!!

Rose was not going to be outdone by her sister, so into the arms of her Daddy she ran, grabbed that mouthpiece, pucker those sweet rose lips and blew the tuba like there was no stopping her.... Rod has actually taught Rose (and I am sure Marie also) a pulsating burst of notes.....


Rose was so pleased with herself, that you can see that slight smile as she played the tuba. I am telling you that these little gals as so very adorable!!!!




What a great time we all had with the Salsa family.... Mary-Mia and Rod have their hands full of two amazing, adorable, and TALENTED daughters..... I only wished I lived closer and could spend many fun feel days with Rose, Marie, Mary-Mia and Rod.


Oh..... I got to meet one of the two Salsa furbabies... Mango the cat. What an upside down world these two furballs have had with the introduction of Rose and Marie.

CALIFORNIA DREAMIN' ON SUCH A WINTER'S DAY...

I am back from my three day weekend get away to Northern California…..What an amazing time I had!!! It has been shockingly 30 years since I have been to the bay area, a fact that will be changed PRONTO!!!

FUN AT THE WHARF…
All I can say is…… burrrrrrrrr!!! When you hear about “sunny” California, don’t believe a word!!! It might have been “sunny” but warm it was NOT!!! Being a simpleton cold weather Utah girl, I assumed to just bring a trench coat minus the button in warm lining!!! NO HAT. NO SCARF. NO GLOVES. One cousin and spouse flying in for the memorial hooked up with us on the Wharf. We had such an amazing fresh seafood meal and gut-busting laughter, that I believe people in the restaurant must have thought we had just got finished with a wine country tour…..


SALSA FIX…
What would a trip be to Northern California without a little SALSA???? The minute I thought I just might be heading towards Team Salsa, I emailed m3 with hopes that I could drop by for a quick meet and kiss Marie and Rose.... What FUN and JOY to see m3 again, meet Rod and watch the amazing antics of the Funshine Girls. Mary-Mia has said that these gals just crack her up..... I am here to testify that these little bundles of cuteness are a crack up!!! What amazingly cute parents Rod and Mary-Mia make. I will post more pictures and tell more tomorrow.... Oh, Rose is closest to me and Marie is the other cutie.....




CLOSURE...
The main reason for this trip was the memorial for my cousin. I was so dreading this!!! We had a drive of about an hour and a half. On the way down my Dad, Mom, Brother John and I talked about of memories of Ben and the childhood memories of visits to this area to visit the California cousins. I really thought we would be having a SOB FEAST. I could not have anticipated anything more beautiful, spiritual and enlightening. I knew Ben as a teasing cousin. Always fun, teasing me, and oh so very cute!!! I knew the Ben from the Christmas and ski vacations. The guy who came for school at BYU and spent Sunday dinner and Thanksgiving weekend with us. After the memorial, I knew him as a spiritual man, community leader, friend and a much loved “Uncle Ben”. Years ago, he was chatting with a friend about what they each wanted at their funerals….. Ben wanted people to be happy, have fun, and remember that part of him….. I cannot convey enough about the beautiful music and the memories of Ben. Instead of a sob feast, all of us left feeling the essence of Ben….. Comfort, Peace and hopefully closure for his beautiful mother and siblings. We may never know what happened to Ben a year ago, but we all feel his is in a better place.

STUFF.....

Just a few things...

I am kind of freaking out!!! I have decided to be all "HAPPENIN' " and have decided to disconnect my land line phone service and rely totally on a cell phone. Thankfully, I was able to transfer the land line phone number to my cell. I have been assured by a lot of people that this system works and not to worry. These "a lot of people" are all in their twenties and technology is nothing to them.... it scares me!!! What does this mean in the long run to me???? Gone will be the slow dial-up internet service that I have!!!! I will be adding services that will give me high speed internet as well as cable programming. I am not that big of a TV watcher and really do not have the time to watch much, but it was the best package for the money!!!

On to other things, I am not sure if anyone remembers when I posted that my cousin disappeared into thin air. He still has not been found. We all need closure on this, so I will be flying to Northern Califorinia this weekend for a memorial for Ben. Oh how I am dreading this, yet look forward to the gathering of the so many of the cousins and other relatives who will be flying and driving in from near and far.

During my trip to Northern California, I am hoping to do a drop and kiss the twins of Salsa in China. I so loved getting to know Mary-Mia during our Blogger Summit in Utah last August and cannot wait to meet cool Rod and those adorable Funshine girls, Rose and Marie!!! Of course I will post pictures ... if I can work in all out. I do promise that I will be flying back soon for a few days of a "kiss and play fest" with the Salsa gang.

Had to post the new buys for my Tate. I have been eyeing these Little People toys for a while. Finally bite the bullet and bought them!!! Mesa is so amazed by the sounds that the SUV makes. Every new item bought for Tate gets an thorough inspection from Mesa. I think that Mesa is starting to suspect things are changing in her house.

TO CHINA WITH LOVE...

To Echo and Lena and others in China (or anywhere out there) wants to join in on my journey for Tate.... Come along and join in the FUN!!! You are so very welcome here!!! Lurk or comment, makes no difference ... Now that I know that CCAA is not spying on me!!!

Hugs
Lisa and Mesa and Tate.

MY FIRST TIME....

With Gymboree BUCKS!!!!

I bought these cute little outfits at 60% off and get to return on January 11th to buy more PLUS get $25.00 gymbucks towards more cute stuff!!! I have invited my mom on this fun shopping excursion. Preparing for a child of mine with my mom has been a dream of mine!!! This will be the second shopping excursion we have done together for Tate. She was there for me when I registered at Babies R Us... and bought me an amazing stroller. Chick day!!! LUNCH.... and shopping for my TATE!!!

***I am buying sizes 18 and 24 mos***

LID....

MONTHS

TODAY!!!

FREAKIN' OUT

Does anyone out there get freaked out when they see on their statistic counter map consistent hits from BEIJING???? The CCAA just got done with the reviews of January 31 2006 dossiers with some February 2006 dossiers being asked questions, and RUMORS that March 2006 is in the review room. MARCH!!!! I AM MARCH 7th!!! Really is there a Chinese big brother out there monitoring blogs and what we are saying??? I can not think of a soul who would know me and read me in BEIJING!!! With all clear conscience, I have never written or even eluded to anything that would be negitive towards China. I love anything Chinese!!! Really, and I've even offered up my body as a sacrifice if it would move referrals along!!! Kind of freaking me along whoever you are in Beijing, And really, I promise I am a heterosexual single woman who will always love and protect and educate this gift of a rare jewel from China.... My Tate!!!

TO CHINA WITH LOVE,
Lisa

NEW YEARS RESOLUTION

This year I have a partner in my 2007 New Year's resolution..... Mesa!!! This change in behavior is necessary for the well being of my little family of three..... Me, Mesa, and Tate. I love driving around in the car with Mesa always at my side. She will perch on the console between the two front seats and snuggle with me while I drive. Oh how I love it when her left front leg settles on my right shoulder while placing her left cheek against my face. This way I can reach up and scratch and nuzzle her sweet little fur face and soft ears. Not a soul in the back seat can escape the wide wag of her feathered tail. Here is where Tate comes in. Tate will be sitting in her car seat in the way of that wagging tail. Fur will be flying off of that snuggle puppy.... EVERYWHERE!!! Hence, serious changes have got to be made. As suggested by an experienced Mom to a dog who added three kiddos to the mix.... "Break this habit now so that the invasion of Tate is not associated with Mesa's banning in the car". As I have said before, Mesa is in training to be a dog. And those dog barrier SUV/car things were invented for desperate times like these.....

This will be so tough for Mesa, but even tougher for ME!!!! Oh how I love my time in the car with my snuggle pup!!!

COLLAGE

This is in the smack-dab center on my fridge.....

My COLLAGE of inspiration of the past, present and future of Tate. Much better than the three stone diamond ring being pushed by the jewelers here in this part of American. More precious, finer and brighter than a diamond anyday........ AH, MY TATE.

Ringing out the OLD 2006 and ringing in the NEW 2007, has come and gone. I have just wound down from another marathon work week and will finally sit back and think of my past, present and future. I will think of this last year, the love and friendships I have found here in the International China Adoption community. The ones who have a past with their gals, the ones like myself who are at present waiting for our gals, and the ones in the future doing the paperchase for their gals. My wishes and prayers go out to the singles frantically working on meeting the May 2007 LID deadline.

PAST...

PRESENT...

FUTURE....

All moving forward towards families, love and happiness!!!

Wishing everyone a belated Happy New Year !!!