A GREAT READ....

How cool is this???

The Governor of the State of Utah, Jon Huntsman Jr. and his wife Mary Kaye have adopted Internationally not once but twice. Besides their (5) biological children, they adopted a daughter from China and now a daughter from India. Today our local newspaper, Salt Lake Tribune, talked about this. What makes this a good read is the way the Huntsman's handles the issues of International adoption in the public eye as well as install a pride in their birth countries. I wonder sometimes how I will balance the issues of abandonment while nurturing Tate's self esteem. I want Tate to appreciate the blessings of being adopted and having a life out of an orphanage, yet I do not want her to feel "less than" because she was not able to live in China with her biological family.

Unknowingly, Governor Huntsman played a major role in my decision to adopt Tate.

Summer of 2005 I was trying to decide if I would adopt and how I would finance this HUGE expensive of IA. I was trying to make a decision (prayer) to go ahead with this adoption and financing the first portion by cashing in a 401K...... The next day, I was starving and heading over to Wendy's for lunch and the dollar menu specials. As I was driving along the city streets of Salt Lake, I see a 2 for $1.00 taco cart. BINGO, there was my dollar menu lunch!!! At the taco stand, I see a group of 5 men and in the center was Governor Jon Huntsman. Why was this billionaire and Utah governor eating at a $1.00 taco stand??? As I headed back to my car, these men also were heading for their cars. Across the parking lane from my car Jon Huntsman was parked. All of a sudden, I see him making a beeline for ME!!! As he outstretched his hand to shake my greasy hand, he says "I just wanted to meet you". I looked into his eyes and said, " I am adopting a baby girl from China". I tell you, he had a look of puzzlement. He totally expected something political from my lips, but was surprised by my remark. A huge grin erupted from his face and he shared with me his experience of adopting Gracie Mei and said that next to marrying his wife, this was the most amazing thing he has ever experienced. He said that when they received their referral picture of Gracie, the looked at that face and knew that this was their daughter. Even though he is rich and "well connected" he also had to wait the required time that all of us do...... Kind of a comfort to know that in the eyes of China we all are equals. RICH or POOR. This was the turning point that made me decided to cash in the 401K and go blindly forward with faith into this IA world.....

Another article worth reading is this on transracial adoption.

MONTHLY SUPPORT...

I am not sure if others remember how I was whining (I never whine, really) about not having a waiting families group. Just as quickly as those word were uttered from my mouth, and SHAZAMMM..... I have two wonderful groups that have formed. Last night was our SWAC (Single Women Adopt China) group with three gorgeous jewels of China..... Here is the latest of the pictures.....
The stairs were the toy dejour at the PARTEE... Eliza was fascinated by them and could not help herself from climbing this toy most of the night. What a difference a month makes on the strides she is making in her toddler hood.


Just look at that look of shear delight as she rounds the corner and is surprised by Leanne. Take a look at that little drool coming off of the lower lip....

This is Liza (Elizabeth)..... Just looking at this picture I can tell how much she has grown and matured in the last 9 months of our meetings. Marque (below) is Liza's momma and has given Liza her old digital camera. Besides helping with the babies, Liza was mesmerized by her new toy and took tons of pictures.... I can only imagine the unflattering snaps of me.

Marque has her hands full with two Chinese gals..... the little one is Charlee, daughter of Yvette and the most recent Jewel to add to our crown. It seems comforting to say that I am next.... Tate will be the next to be loved by this group.....

This is Charlee. She exudes beauty and sweetness. She is so very tiny and just seeing her toddle around just blows my mind. Every inch of her is so very feminine.

Eliza and Charlee are one day apart..... these two little gals have play dates together. Somehow because of their young age, the play dates are mostly hanging out and playing separately. If I could look into the future, I can just see these two cuties hanging out at these gatherings as buds.

SURPRISE!!!!

Look what the mail person brought to me today!!!! Great saying, and a place for me to place snapshots for favorite pictures. Return address was mine. Postmark from North Conway New Hampshire....... Hmmmmmm!?

Who ever you are.... Thank you for the much needed pick me up!!!!

DID I SAY....

Gun to meet Mickey?????

Holy CRAP!!!!

Ooopppps...... GUM to meet Mickey!!! Fresh breath to meet the "Man"!!!

DISNEY SURVIVAL KIT

How cute is this little Tinkerbell bag? Michelle and sister Lisa, also a momma to a Chinese daughter, made these cute little survival kits.



Inside the kits were items needed for a Disney visit.... Crystal Lite mini packets for hydration, chap stix, gun to meet Mickey, Tissue for wiping eyes cause of laughing so hard from having so much fun. Passport holder to keep all our ticket needs in one place.... also decorated in Disney stuff, Wet Ones for Disney's little messes, Granola bars for energy, and a Ladybug magnet for a touch of good luck for small crowds and short lines while in Disney.

Michelle was not able to meet up with us on Friday for dinner but did a dropped by to just to say hi and give us our bags...... I just totally loved Michelle and will be hoping that she and Joe will come out to Utah for a visit.

MAD MOMMA HATTERS

Being the SHY gal that I am with wash and wear hat hair, I had a blast with the hats...... I have a crooked smile because under that righ lower lip lives a cankor sore..... OUCH!!!

Who the heck is this character? I know it is from Monsters Inc......

Under that hat lies another CHEESY grin from me..... I guess two smiles are better than one.

Even Disney is in touch with their REGGAE side.....

I think this is such a fun picture of Michelle!!!! I'm thinking she needs to get one of these on her next trip to Disney.... Lucky Michelle who has a year long membership to Disneyland and Adventure Parks....
This is Kim from San Diego.... she is blog-free, but will get one going so very soon..... This little momma was very quiet ( I think she just didn't have the chance with the rest of us chatterboxes) but boy would she ride the scary rides.... FEARLESS!!! Just the trait need to survive this International Adoption roller coaster.....Oh wow, I kind of did a little poetic comparison in IA and the Matterhorn!!!

POSING IN POOH CORNER........

All ears for Donna, Hannah and me...... Hannah is going to be a new big sister!!! What a trooper she was to hang with the ladies..... I am sure our conversation bored her to tears but she made up for the boredom with riding ALL THE SCARY RIDES and some more than once!!! Got to love a kid!!!

DASHING TO DISNEY

I'm off bright and early tomorrow morning to hop on a plane and meet up with the Disney Mommas!!! It will be fun to spend time with others in this big waiting game....

Thanks to Donna for organizing this fun time at the happiest place on earth!!!!

Just think Donna, next time we go to Disneyland, we will be towing along Tate and Lauren!!! Makes me just want to giggle with joy!!!

WHO LOVES BABY BOOK

I have started Tate's package to send her after I see her sweet face. My Secret Pal and friend, Kim, sent me this WHO LOVES BABY book.

The first page will be me..... MOMMA.


Then I will have NANA and MOMMA.... since we will be the two she will first "MEET". Then GRAMPS and NANA. I have a feeling that GRAMPS will be one of Tate's favorite people since every KIDDO always just loves GRAMPS. If Gramps was not such a pain to travel with, I would have insisted on having him come along as well..... But sadly too many frustrating trips to Norway, London, Paris and the USA have made me decide to leave him home to "prepare" for the arrival of Tate. I am sure he will be stocking the fridge with stuff as well as too much treats for when we arrive home.

On this picture I was torn. I wanted Tate and the Nannies to have a full shot to see how large Mesa was. I thought if I included just a face shot of Mesa, Tate might be too scared of either the picture or once we get her home, overwhelmed by this snuggle pup.

Here is my brother and sister (in law). They will be a significant part of Tate's life as they have been asked to be her guardians. In all this world, I could never find better parents and I just happen to be the lucky one to have such a brother and sister (in-law). I put the in-law in ( ) because she truly is a sister to me.

And finally are my nieces and nephews..... the parents are above. As I look at these faces, I have tender feeling for each one. I can only image Tate sitting in that space in the middle of the kids.
Each and everyone one of these kids are just plan amazing. From l to r is Twinkle Toes (just turned 8), Smiley (14), Awesome (18) and Sparkle (almost 12).

I have talked the most about Twinkle Toes. She is a little mini-me (0r so I have been told) and spends a lot more time with me cause she is the youngest and is not as involved as the older kiddos. I have talked a little about Smiley and Sparkle but have never talked about Awesome. He truly is Awesome and deserves more recognition than just his name but will be done in another post in the future.

All I need to do now is figure out the Chinese characters for Momma. Nana. Gramps. Dog. Uncle and Aunt. Cousins. I also need to figure out how to print it out in clear sticky paper to add to the pictures. Once done, into the care package it will go.

BEING POSITIVE...

Each morning this little guy comes out to play. Always giving me hope and joy and realization that each passing play day to this guy is another closer to my GAL!!!

ONE MORE MONTH.....

LID

FEELING BLEAK AND DOWN ABOUT THIS NUMBER and this MONTH of referrals.....

PUPPET THEATRE and LADY BUGS

It is kind of sad when an eight year old girl wants to give up her dolls and a dollhouse and puppet theatre for teen stuff. Although I think it is sad that she wants to grow up so very fast, I am happy that she thinks of Tate for her throw offs.

This puppet theatre came without puppets, and thanks to IKEA, Tate has started her sets of puppets. I bought recently at a trip to Houston (IKEA is not here in SLC until May 23), the two sets of puppets. One set shown is the Aquatic puppets and the other set is of Zoo animals.

In the center of all this fun, is a princess/ballet dancer puppet or what I think Tate will think will represent her. I have looked tons of places for a non-blond princess but the closest I have seen is more of a curly-haired brown girl .... Not too Asian looking. The other day, I happen on this one.... and within seconds, she became a central part of Tate's puppet theatre. I plan on buying a puppet that will represent me as the Queens and will add a crown to this ballet dancer to make a princess. Fun for play and perhaps later a great instrument for dialogue between a momma and Tate.

LADY BUG ....

Last year I bought from the gift shop in the lobby of the hospital I work in, these little ladybug galoshes to fit a three year old...... At the time they did not have a size 3T lady bug rain coat and put me on a list to call when they received more in. This request was last year!!!! It shocked me the other day while at work, I received a call from the gift shop telling me that they have a 3T raincoat now in stock and asked if I wanted it??!! Wanted it???? You bet and within minute's I, ummmm, I mean Tate now has this adorable lady bug rain coat.

And to top this cuteness off, here is the wooden, hand painted hanger that the rain coat was on!!! Because I technically live in a desert, I will be moving to Portland or Seattle so Tate can wear this darling of an indulgence.

ANXIOUS

I have been just a bit anxious this past week..... I am not sure what it is. Maybe it is the thought of the unknown anticipated referrals? Whatever it is, it is driving ME crazy, and I am sure ANYONE who is around me crazy. I am so flighty in my action and thoughts. I cannot keep on subject on any conversation and have total words blank from my mind. Case in point. The other day I am starving. So I pop something into the microwave. The phones rings and I start talking, nonesense I am sure, still have that starving pang and snack instead. Next day I am starving (again) got to the microwave to heat up something and discover what I had left in the microwave from yesterday's starving episode. So I am having major memory and food issues.....

Have I share with you the worries I have with what to feed Tate??? How often? How much? Nutrition?? What babies cannot eat? Formula after 12 months? Bottle vs sippy cup. I just bought this book......

Yesterday I was perusing blogs and came across this one. The posting was about the stork flying and landing on Monday or Tuesday. I kid you not, my heart started pounding out of my chest, I literally lost my breath. I am so very anxious about this cause I feel magic is in the air and I really feel that I am running out of time to get ready for Tate.





I have been obsessing about getting organized and ready for Tate. I only need to get two more pictures for the "Who Loves Baby" book to send to Tate in her care package. I need to get to my brother's house and take of him and my sister-in-law and another of their kiddos. These are the people that Tate will be meeting and hanging with all her life. Just the little Chinese character names and it will be done. I have also decided what to send the nannies and what blanket and bear I will send. I plan on getting my questions for the director/foster parents all ready set aside.

I will say that I have been drinking a lot of java today. Had a friend take me to St*rbucks today for my birthday. On my VENTI cup was this thing written called "The Way I See It #203". I think it is thoughts that customer submit and are place on the cups... Normally I would not have even looked, today for some reason I did.

"I wish couples who desperately take every means to conceive a child would realize that adoption is a wonderful alternative. A child who becomes your child through adoption completes a family. Just as when you commit to your spouse or partner there are no biological ties yet a family was formed. This child enters a family the same way! It is not blood and flesh that forms a family, but the heart."

I think that for some reason finding this is timely.

On a funny note, when I was buying that pink polka-dot bikini the other day I mentioned to the sales lady that "Gymboree is like crack to mommas". She looked at me and said "and for grandmas, too". Poor Poor Tate. Not only will she have to deal with me as a Caucasian mom, but people will think I am her Grandma!!!!

Heaven save us!!!

For all the waiting families who will be expecting this time around.... Congrats!!! I cannot wait to see and the amazingly beautiful babies and take joy in the making of a new family unit.....

ORGANIZE FOR A CLUTTERED MIND

I have figured out how much time I have to do stuff around here. Each week work monopolizes 56 hours..... there is 168 hours in a week. This gives me 112 hours a week to do Mesa time, sleep, clean, relax, socialize and get my multiple projects done. During my awake time, I seem to just tread water. I find myself getting up to get something done, walk into a room and forget what I was doing only to get sidetracked with something else. Common??? Age??? The wait??? Whatever, this is not getting my "stuff" done for me to be ready for Tate.

On one hand I keep thinking that things have got to be perfect for Tate. I have got to create the perfect Kingdom for my Princess to explore, crawl and walk in. On the other hand, I think that Tate will not know the difference, and I am just doing for myself. All my life I have wanted a child. All my life I have been driven to create and design a home. As I have said before, I am a frustrated artist who cannot do the typical artist stuff like paint. I have accepted this inability to paint and have embraced my artistic side by creating in other ways. This life I have envisioned for Tate is one way that I can create. Oh crap, this sounds like I will be creating who I want Tate to be. NOT this at all. I just want to create a life that Tate can be who she is and the best she can become. My Tate does not need the perfect shade of periwinkle/sky blue on her Kingdom walls.... but I do. I need to create a place that I have always wanted for a child of mine.

So once again I have a plan to approach my "projects"...... Aside from the daily grind of cleaning, shopping and the joy of spending time with the snuggle pup, Mesa, I have decide to make my projects more of a game. Into a large box I will put all the projects... the 100 wish quilt, the start of Tate's life book, scrapping pages of Mom's 70th birthday, two knitting projects, my list of one day projects, and oh so many more. Out of a smaller box I will place the projects on paper and pull the name of a project out to be completed. Also, today I will compile a list of each room in Tate's Kingdom and the things that I would like to get done. I will separate it into Needs and Wants..... Tate does not need a new couch in the family room.... I want one. This is the stuff I am talking about.....

ORGANIZATION for a CLUTTER MIND!!!

HELP.....

SOMEBODY STOP ME .........

PLEASE!!???

I just bought this pink polka dot lovely today..... Sadly (and thankfully) they were out of the 12-18 month hat. When is this shopping frenzy going to STOP????

A BLESSING??!!!

This has been in my heart for the past month.... Although I have never experience this first hand, I have witnessed this many a times.....

Into a family a child is born with a disability. There is a difference in that child that is perceived as an inconvenience to the family. Others around them pity the family and wonder how life will be affected for this family. But somehow this family deals and they learn to live with the disability. Life goes one and as it goes on, this child, this disabled child who was an inconvenience to the family now brings so much love and joy and spiritual growth to the family. What is a family but love and support for one another. And as we face our trials we grow from the experiences and the sacrifices that we make for one another.

A month or so ago, I witness such a family. I work in a hospital and as I was leaving that day after a long 13 hour shift, I watched this scene play out in the elevator for 7 floors worth of enlightening viewing. As the elevator opened on the 7th floor, in enters a family of a Mom in a wheelchair, three adult kids and one teenage child with Down Syndrome who just happened to be the one pushing the Mom in the wheelchair into the elevator. Such joy was on this child's face as she was able to assist her Mom and push her into the elevator. Pure giggles eluded from her the whole way down the 7 floors as she was being cheered on by her siblings. I looked at the faces of the adult children and could see the pure love they felt for this "disabled" sister. Looks that showed such approval and love and joy. As the door opened onto the busy lobby, the child saw the waiting crowd and a look of worry showed on her face. One of the brothers said sweetly to go ahead he would keep the doors open and turned to the entering crowd and asked everyone to give her a minute. How simple it would have been to step in and relieve this child of the task of maneuvering through the crowds. How quickly the joy of the accomplishment of helping Mom would have left this child. As the family wheeled away from my sight, I could hear the giggles of the child and see the love of the siblings as they exited the hospital.


For what if is worth, I think that this child is a blessing to this family.

LADY BUG SIGHTING

Some people think that I am sending out the Lady Bug Sightings......

I will not deny or confirm this.....

What can I say, when you see a Lady Bug....

It is Magical!!!

UPDATE

Twinkle Toes did it!!! I am sitting her listening to my Ip*d..... I have downloaded a bunch of my own CD's and even ventured to i tunes to download Lenny Kr*vitz "I Belong to You". I am not real familiar with this Kr*vitz gut, but I saw this music video "I belong to you"..... and LOVED IT so thought I would splurge the 99 cents and learn to download off of itunes. I feel like such a tech suave woman!!!

My Gift

is making me INSANE!!! This is the gift I got for the big birthday.... I am pulling me hair out over how to load songs into this one ounce of pure torture device. If one more person tell me how "EASY" it is to load, I will literally scream at decibles that will be heard around the world.



Happily if I can last only 5 more hours, to the rescue will be my 7 year old niece, Twinkle Toes to guide me lovingly into this new Techy world of IP*D. Oh how I hope she has had a great day today in Second grade and will have the patience of a Saint to show me!!!!

MONEY RAISING

Have you noticed the people standing by the side of the road or store with the signs that basically says a variety of reasons but the true meaning is.... GIVE ME MONEY, BECAUSE I WANT MONEY AND YOU KNOW YOU HAVE SOME TO GIVE ME.... stuff???? I have decided after seeing pictures of me, that this is a way I will be able to finance some serious flaws that age is afflicting on me......

If you can take your eyes off of that gorgeous babe for one second.....Just take a look at my eyes. Age has decided to play a trick, a very evil bad trick on me. What used to be hollow eyelids, gravity is now pulling them down over my eyes soon blinding me. And the bags????? If intervention does not happen, I will be tripping over them as I walk. I thought gravity was doing a number on my "girls", but the bags are definitely taking first place in this gravity pull.

So tonight I will be making a sign that will say....

"Desperately in need of your help to fund a life saving surgery, before I become blind and unable to walk"

I'm thinking this just might be the answer to plastic surgery needs.

***If this is your means of income, this post is not meant to demean you.... It is posted as a tongue in cheek funny kind of post...

BEST OF BOTH WORLDS

It doesn't get any better than this!!! Yesterday was my 50th birthday and NOW I can be a card carrying member of AARP. I will be able to get discounts on all sorts of things for me and my gal, Tate. Just look what was in the mail on friday..... just in time for the big birthday.

And the back of the invitation ...

Now really AARP, how comfortable is 5o going to be for me???? Maybe not typically comfortable, but oh the shear joy of a child. Who says that I cannot bask in the sun on some beach while Tate is splashing in the waves and digging in the sand??? Much more joy than being alone on that beach.

I wonder if AARP offers discounts on day care and diapers???

Did I buy a gift for myself???? I had Gymbucks, so off I went in search of some amazing outfits in size 3T..... Shopping for Tate is just more fun than buying something for myself......

These of course are for Tate...

For Me...... I am buying an IP*D so I can have music while I get into shape to lug a baby around China. I am coming up with a "plan" which will involve a baby carrier and a 10lb bag of flour. Something I am sure I will be working myself up to also. I am pathetically OUT OF SHAPE- Damn the Wintertime!!!!

PICTURES...

This is the front of the house with snow and the old windows......

Of the new windows minus the snow .......

I am almost too embarrassed to show this picture!!! I just see how much Spring cleaning and planting I have in store for me.... YIKES!!! Please remember that I am showing the new windows and not the house.

Now that the new windows are in, I really need to get going on the repainting of the front porch and all the trim around the sides of all the windows!!! As you can see by the reflection on the window, I live in BUNGALOW HEAVEN!!!! I think my house was the first one built in this neighborhood when it was new and being developed.

Kind of cool picture.... You can see the new side windows thru the front window.... The side windows are two sliders and one picture window like the ones above..... I think we are DONE with the snow shoveling this year so I will get rid of the shovel and salt bucket on the porch!!!!

I am getting a lot of neighbors asking about the windows.... I think I should get a commission for all the new clients I am sending this window guy!!!!

THIS LITTLE PIGGY...

came this morning for Tate.... c/o Tate's Mommie!!!!

with a cute poem that said......

This little piggy went to Utah...

The Divine Miss "T"

is destined to be

one pretty piglet.

What a fun surprise!!! A big THANK YOU to the thoughtful person who sent this!!!! You made my week!!!

WHAT DID YOU DO???

I have started this type of post many times, but somehow have either not posted it, or have gotten off topic. Maybe I should be asking my Yahoo DTC groups this as well. I would love to hear thoughts and ideas of others either in the process or those veterans that I count on to guide me through this process.

~~~~~QUESTIONS~~~~~

~~~ I plan on celebrating each year my Metcha/Gotcha/Family Day. What are some of the ideas people have to buy when in China???? I plan on getting pearls for when she is older, but what are some ideas for when she is two, three, etc......

~~~ What are people planning on bring to the Nannies for gifts???

~~~ What are people planning on sending in the gift to the baby??? What has worked for those who have traveled already? What do you wish you would have send? What would you have not send????

~~~ What question do you plan on asking for the nannies and the director???

Suddenly I feel like I need to start organizing and get the things I can do before referral done like the pictures book to the baby and the questions to the orphanage. I feel a real spurt to take the steps to get the nursery done and organize my house. Anyone else feeling the same way???

WINDOWS

Right now as I type this, I am getting NEW WINDOWS for my front area on my old 100 yr old house!!!! I am TRYING to stay out of the way so decided to take the time to post. These last two rooms are the last of all the windows in this old house. These windows are huge, drafty and face NORTH..... plenty cold in the Wintertime!!! At some time in the history of this house, the glass was replaced. I am clueless as to the original look of the windows. So in my creative state, I have decided to custom the windows add a design element that I hope is reminiscent of a 1900 Arts and Craft Bungalow. I will post pictures after they are done. So far, I love what I see.

I am so relieved to hear all my emotional stuff is common with everyone. I guess what I am going through is normal. Thanks for the comments with support and love.