Wednesday Musings: Shot through the Heart

Ok, I have to admit it.  This song came to mind when I saw these leaves:  "Shot through the heart, and your to blame, darling, you give love, a bad name"  Can you name the artist?  Need a hint:  big 80s star with long flowing hair from Jersey.  Bet you won't be able to get it out of your head.  I've been singing it to Mike all night long.  

Which got to me thinking:  Me thinks I need a son who can really sing.  I'm not sure this house can handle three tone deaf people who can't hold a melody.  That would just be wrong and might make the pups howl from agony!

Wordless Wednesday: Grandmom H's Irisis

EP Submitted!!!

Mike just called to say that we received an email from our agency that our Emigration Permit was submitted today.  Wow!    We're getting closer and starting to get to the final steps.

Last week, a group on the agency bulletin board was notified that they were submitted in early April and most of those couples had December referrals.  We are a late January referral and an early February acceptance so we knew that we were really close for the May submissions cutoff.  By God's grace, we actually are being included in another April submission (two submissions in one month hasn't happened this year to my knowledge).  Hopefully, this is a good sign for a quick approval turnaround.  We shall see.

After the EP approval, there are a series of steps that need to be taken:  Holt Korea applies for a Travel Certificate, a Visa Physical is scheduled (done by a doctor at the Holt Clinic), Holt Korea sends the Embassy the P3 (for the one way travel visa), a Visa Interview is done (the foster family takes him) and then TC (Travel Call).

How are we supposed to work after hearing this news....

Ohio Family

And how did my family in Ohio spend Easter?  As a family, of course.  They went to church in the morning.  Headed to my parent's house for an Easter Egg Hunt for Cameron.  Then, off to Aunt Margie's for brunch.  And my grandmother even showed her presence today.  After arriving home, I was treated to the first bloom of her daffodils.  I planted these flowers from Ohio over two years ago--and for the first time they have flowered.  Life is good.

Brunch at DuPont

We met Mike's parents and grandmother for Easter Brunch.  We are so happy to have such a great support system locally.  And our son is going to be so lucky to have them as family.  They have been very supportive throughout our process.  Something tells me that the Little Man is going to fit right in, especially when it comes to getting our Chow Down at DuPont!      

One set of Little Man's future grandparents.  Boy is he one lucky little boy.

Did We Really Close Brunch?

I'm not saying that they threw us out....but we were the last to leave.  We caught this great picture with grandpop on the way out.  Couldn't resist a picture with the sculpted ice bunny.

Beautiful Betty

We started our Easter Sunday with church service.  As I get older, Easter means more and more to me.  And it is a little emotional.  I have fond memories of going to Easter Service in Ohio with my family.  So, when I hear the music (such as Christ the Lord Has Risen to Day) I think of my beautiful grandmother.  If I listen carefully enough, I can almost hear her voice singing.  Thank you family for giving me the joy of God at a very early age.

Immediately after church, we headed to see Betty.  When I first moved to this area, Betty became my surrogant mother.  She gave me a place to stay and always had food on the table for me (and boy can she cook).  She is simply amazing.

Happy Easter

Super Saturday

This Saturday, we finally met our newest nephew.  And, he is a cutie.  He really is nine pounds of total awesomeness.  Little K, his big sister, has really adapted to her new role.  It's really neat to see her personality come to life.   And she's a little sweetie as well.  My favorite part:  watching her chase Trojan around the basement.  I'm sure they both slept better last night because of it!

We spent the morning hour at church watching an Easter Egg Hunt.  Then off to Mike's parents for some family time.  Throw in some Phil N Jim's Hoagies and you really have the perfect day.  

Future Play Pal

Easter Egg Hunt

Wednesday Musings: The Little Man

Ok, I admit we were a little down that there were no pictures with our April WBC.  Last night, I went to bed pretty much resigned to the fact that there would be another month wait (sigh). So, imagine our surprise when I opened the email and saw the little man.  Pure delight.



  

Don't Squeeze the Charmin

We had our very own Denver like moment this morning.  The pups LOVE toliet paper.  And, they know not to squeeze the Charmin or for that matter, rip it and tear it into a thousand pieces.  I knew something was up.  There was way too much joyful barking and running around.  So, when I turned the corner and saw bits of toliet paper everywhere, I knew the little devils had grabbed the full roll.  Now, Mattie was easy to convict, quiet frankly, she hasn't learned to hide the evidence (see Exhibit 1 above).  A novice really.  She has much to learn.  Trojan, on the other hand, was much harder to convict.  

Immediately upon seeing me, she went into her I didn't do it stare and I noted a small gulp as she swallowed the last of her evidence.  Well played Baby Girl.  

It has been pretty quiet on the adoption front.  We are still waiting for our EP to be submitted and I'm gathering that will be awhile due to the end of year backlog.  We did receive a WBC report yesterday.  He continues to be on track.  Still close to the 90% in height and weight and is reaching his milestones.  It looks like he has conquered sitting up for himself and standing, but still holding onto furniture to walk.  It was also noted that he LOVES his toy car, don't all men?!?  

We were a little disappointed that there were no pictures.  We had made a request during the last report.  Our first and only pictures are from his referral when he was only 6 months old.  I'm sure that he has changed quiet a bit since then.  Oh well, we'll have to hold out hope for the next WBC.   

Denver Official Guilty! Dog Video www.facebook.com/guiltydog

My Poor Little Birds

My poor little birds.  First, we ran out of bird feed and we watched as bird after bird stopped by to eat only to be disappointed.  Then, Trojan made it a game to boldly charge after any feathered creature that landed in her territory.  Now, the mower has scattered them for good.

Fear not little aviators because food has arrived.  My little blue birds are going to be so happy.  Now, if we could only switch off their chirping until a later hour (5:00 am is a bit much).  And I thought my dad and his early mowing was bad as a child!

First Mow of the Season

It seems like overnight our grass not only came alive, but also started growing like gang busters.  With rain in the forecast, Mike decided it was best to mow the lawn.  I love the smell of cut grass.  It brings back memories of my childhood when my dad insisted on mowing at 8:00 every Saturday morning.  Thinking back, I was NOT amused to be awakened at that hour.  But there is something idyllic about that wonderful smell.           

Spring Has Arrived

It's been pretty quiet on the adoption front.

So as we wait, the attention has turned to spring time.  Last Saturday, we picked out a Forest Pansy Redbud from our local nursery.  Now granted it, I probably shouldn't have been hobbling around their gardens, but I just can't help myself.  I love this time of year.  Mike spent most of the afternoon putting the new tree in and cleaning up various gardens.  What a man, What a man, What a mighty fine man...can you name the artist?

As for me, I continue with my twice daily physical therapy sessions.  I must admit that there have been some issues (and I don't mean with me).  Every time I drop down to the floor to do my exercises, the pups take it as an opportunity to shower me with kisses.  And if they aren't doing that, they make their presence known by standing directly on top of me (see Mattie below).  But, I really can't complain.

Wordless Wednesday: Whatcha Doing?

Wordless Wednesday: Spring Planting

Signs of Spring: Climbing Rose

There is always a renewed energy during this time of year.  Especially after a winter that we just went through.  Could it be possible that we have finally turned the corner on winter?  I certainly hope so.  Monday is supposed to be 85 degrees, a record high for that date.

My beautiful little plants are starting to show signs of life.  And that can only mean one thing? Mike and I will be spending plenty of time in our gardens.  Of course, this year is a little different.  With my hip surgery, I really can't get into the heavy lifting of cleaning up outside.  Which is hard because I actually enjoy this time of year and the work that it involves.  Mike, on the other hand, would rather be golfing.  So as Mike sighs is way through this season, I continue to look forward to the day when I feel a renewed spring to my step.     

Signs of Spring: Pink Turtleheads

Flowers From A Dear Friend

Wordless Wednesday: Progress

There has been progress made in this household.  We received a letter on March 31 that we were NVC In and NVC Out.  Our information is headed to the Embassy in Seoul where the visa interview will take place.  Today, we also received our class certificate indicating that we completed the required hours of lessons for the state, so we meet the requirements to adopt.  We are making real progress on the US side.  Of course, we still have not heard about the EP and Korea.  So, we shall see...

The big news:  the girls have made a recovery.  It got so bad on Sunday that we rushed Trojan to the vet, who decided it was best to keep her overnight.  Baby Girl, how should I put this delicately, is not a fan of the vet.  Let's just say that she likes to barricades herself in the carrier as soon as the car stops and she gets a big sniff of the place.  But even she was too weak to put up too much of a fight.  (Trojan and Mattie have been fighting a nasty bug, which has really kept Mike busy between the three of us.)  Happily, we picked up Trojan on Monday afternoon and she howled with delight the whole way home. Either that or she was telling us how ticked off she was at us for leaving her.  That's really a judgement call and I'm going to go with she was REALLY happy to be home :)

And there has been progress with me as well.  I continue to be able to walk and have my first officially physical therapy session later this afternoon.  I was actually riding a bike by day three.  I captured the above photo of Mike and Little Miss Mattie on their return from walking in the park.  For now, he becomes their official dog walker.  Did I mention that my girls love to take walks, even when mildly sick?  

Last Adoption Class

Today, we headed to our last adoption class.  The focus of this class was on our transition to having an international child.  The class was very enjoyable and we had a good group of parents who kept the class lively.  Several couples had already been through the process and offered their advice.  We both realize that there will be a transitional period with a new child.  After this week, I have no doubt that we can meet this challenge.

I also feel amazingly very well.  Started my physical therapy and even got on the exercise bike.  The pups on the other hand have been (for lack of a better word) a mess.  When we arrived home, Trojan was a sick puppy and it didn't take Mattie long to follow suit.  Poor Mike spent last night in triage tending to me and the pups.  So, it's been a little rough in this house hold.

But as Winston Churchill so elegantly said "A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."  So, which are we, optimist or pessimist?  I'll answer with a Fight On!  And yes, our child is going to be a big time USC homer.  Is it wrong to teach the fight song before the alphabet?  Now there is a question to ask during one of those adoption classes.

Long Delay at Airport

And what is a trip without at least one delay.  Unfortunately for us, our flight was delayed for over 7 hours due to weather in Florida.  So, with little else to do, we waited, and waited, and waited.  Finally, Mike found an outlook so that I could plug my ice machine in---sweet relief.  

Vanderbilt University

On Tuesday afternoon (prior to my surgery), we walked around Vanderbilt University.  Very pretty campus.  We walked as much as possible knowing that it might be a little while before I could get such a walk in.  Notice that their Eastern Redbuds are already in full bloom.  

In Good Hands

I knew that I was in good hands with my doctor selection when I saw these pictures.  Turns out, a bunch of the hometown Flyers have also been patients of Dr. Byrd.  Thursday morning, we actually saw an NHL hockey player who had surgery the same day as me.  We both were scheduled for our first physical therapy session.  

Nashville

It's been an up and down kind of week.  I headed down with Mike to Tennessee for surgery on my torn right hip labrum.  Nervous and scared, would be an understatement.  On Tuesday, I met with Dr. Byrd (one of the top hip specialist in the world).  He thought that I had a torn labrum and possibly a bone issue that was causing the tear.  So, off we went for a CT scan to look at my hip structure.  When we arrived back in his office, his nurse mentioned that I might be a micro-fracture candidate (which was really not good news).  So, I spent the next couple of hours in sheer panic (that's hard to hear when you are active).  Luckily, I have a tremendous support system in Mike, my brother and both sets of parents.  They talked me down from the ledge (thank you to all).  So, the decision was made to continue with surgery.  

The next morning we woke early for surgery.  I was still nervous, but at the same time calm.  To be honest, the next thing I knew I woke up.  And, to excellent news.  No bone issue.  Just a torn labrum and he was able to save a good portion of it.  The day after surgery I felt incredible.  A little stiff yes, but no more pain and I was actually able to walk (although I am supposed to be on crutches for a week).  The diagnosis is very good.  In 2 to 3 months, I should be completely back to normal.  And the doctor said that this in no way will impact our trip to Korea, if as planned we get our travel call in May or later.

I will say that I could not have done this without the unconditional love and support of my husband and family.  Mike continues to show me that he will be an amazing father.  His heart is golden.  And, I have a super family who supports and empowers me.  To all of you, a heart felt thank you.