Ethan, are Mommy's teeth blue?

Sunday, December 7, 2008

I bought some Inspector Hector Plague Detector on Saturday for Ethan. It is a pre-brush rinse for kids when they brush their teeth. You swish it around your mouth prior to brushing your teeth then spit it out. Where your teeth or tongue are blue that is where you concentrate when you brush your teeth.

Ethan didn't want any part of it. I had Daddy do it and show Ethan how it's done. Very little blue in his mouth. He then brushed his teeth and showed Ethan it comes off and there is no blue remaining in his mouth. Then I did it. I asked Ethan... are mommy's teeth blue? I had very little blue but my tongue was blue (good old coffee). I brushed my teeth... etc. It is bubble gum flavor. Ethan didn't want to put it in his mouth. I think he tought it would hurt or something. Finally he did it and spit it out. I was surprised at how little blue was on his teeth. He brushed his teeth and tongue.

Now he really looks forward to brushing his teeth! I'm serious! No more fighting when it comes to brushing teeth. He can't wait to see how blue his teeth, tongue, and mouth are. Then he brushes away all the blue. Wow! I wish I bought some a long time ago. (I originally was searching for the toddler toothpaste that you put on their teeth prior to brushing and it turns blue as well. Then the toddler brushes away the blue. However, after searching a few stores for it (I saw it in a magazine) I found Inspector Hector Plaque Dector in the mouthwash section. You can't miss it... it's bright blue.) I'll take pictures of Ethan tonight to show you.

The latest picture of Evan...

I couldn't believe this is our little boy, Evan! He has grown so much! Matt didn't believe it was him and made me prove it by going back to his website to show him. He is growing up was too quickly and needs to come home to his mommy, daddy, and brother!

Our referral...More good news....

December 1, 2008, Thursday....

We received our much awaited referral today! For those not in the adoption loop, it is the actual, official presentation of paperwork all about your child. At this point you either accept or deny the child "referral." Along with the referral is well baby check up reports, birth reports, a little history on birth mom, birth dad, family -sometimes not so much history is in file. Evan is now 2 years old so his referral was much thicker than Ethan's. Ethan came home at 6 months. Evan has more medical reports, occupational and physcial therapy reports. He has shown so much improvement over time. I am uncertain at this point if Evan will wear a leg brace like Ethan. Evan is walking and running now without the brace. In some pictures he is even wearing flip flops which is something Ethan still can't accomplish. Both Ethan and Evan have schizencephaly with hemiplagia. Ethan's hemiplagia is on the right side of his body and Evan's is on the left. Evan is doing fantastic!

Along with the referral packet is more and more paperwork to complete with only 10 days to get it done. (Ethan has strep with a high fever... up to 104.8... so he is home sleeping thus allowing me to work on paperwork.) We just received our I800A approval so now we move onto the I800 form and the I864 and the I864A not to include all the forms that need to be signed and notarized in the referral packet. I will be so happy when the paperwork part is done. It can be overwhelming at times.

As part of the referral, there is a baby picture. I wasn't expecting it as I've only seen my son since a little over age 1. Well there it was! He looks to be around 10 months old, perhaps, and is standing on a chair. There is a hand holding onto to arm. He has NO hair... bald little guy. Not one strand on that head! It's really cute! Ethan has fine hair that stuck straight up and we use to call it chicken hair! Evan's picture he has the fattest little wrists with fat wrinkles that I call braclets. Then he has the cutest, chunkest legs. I just want to lift his shirt and blow raspberries on his belly because you know he has a tummy too! I was absolutely not expecting this picture and it brings such joy to my heart to see it! I found another new picture of Evan on his website and he is just growing up each day. He now doesnt look like a toddler but a little boy. I really look forward to seeing him in person and hugging and kissing him. I can't wait until he comes home with me to be part of our family. What a blessing that day will be!!!!

A gift from the mailman.....

November 29, 2008, Saturday

Matt, Ethan, and I got home from our day of shopping, browsing, and playing late tonight. Matt was searching through today's mail as I was getting Ethan settled. He lifted up a large envelope to show me. I stopped what I was doing and said something to the effect of "no way!" Matt opened the envelope to reveal the GOLDEN TICKET! We received our I800A approval! Hallejulah!!!! It finally arrived! Homeland Security has a target of 90 days and we submitted our paperwork on 6-26. Our approval date is 11-25 which is a tad bit beyond 90 days but it is all in God's time. He has a time for everything and now is the time for Evan's I800A approval! I wanted to share the good news with everyone. The next step is Evan's official referral. Our adoption agency has his referral but could not offically give it to us until our I800A approval. Once we accept his referral then officially Evan will be matched with us between our agency and the Philippines. PTL! God is good! We have to complete more paperwork (I800 and some more referral paperwork... gee I love paperwork) and pay another 5k not including travel. Money is difficult during this time of year, or any time of year, but God will provide. With God all things are possible!

Karrie received her I800A approval too! Yeah, Gates is coming home too! During the time of tirelessly waiting for our I800A's Karrie wrote me a line of inspiration that said, "one day we will be able to say I800A been there... done that!" I kept saying that to myself over and over. The other day while I was working Karrie sent me a text that read, "I800A btdt" when she received her approval. Now I can officially say I800A Been There Done That! Now I must make matching shirts because we deserve it! It's been a long process!

We have our approval! One step closer to having Evan come home! Praise God!

New picture of Evan...

November 5, 2008, Wednesday

I needed a little Evan loving today. I found this new picture of him. Not sure of the date of the picture. It's new to me though.

He is just so cute!!!!

Really exhausted...

November 5, 2008, Wednesday

I am really exhausted lately. I've been working last week and this week and it's tiring me out. Monday I have cake class after work. Tuesday Matt has church after work so it's just Ethan and I. Wednesday we have a meeting we attend for 3 hours. thursday we usually go to bed really early. Friday is movie night. I feel so crummy because I haven't even wrote a thank you card to my mother in law and sister in law for my wonderful birthday gifts (my bday was back in oct)! I'm pathetic! I still need to post Halloween pictures. Oh yeah, our I800A got declined on Saturday. Hopefully that will be fixed and approved soon. My social worker is working on it right now. Someday soon life will slow down a tad bit. We only have 3 more weeks of the class on Wednesday so that will eliminate one night gone from the house.

Our adjudicator is Meredith...

October 30, 2008, Thursday

I called the NBC today to find out the status of our I800A. The female that answered the phone said, "let me transfer you to your adjudicator." (Holy cow! Jumping out of my skin!) Meredith answered the phone. She said she has spoken to me many times. I said, "really?" She said yes, adjudicator's answer the phone. (But when they answer the phone I didnt know they were an adjudicator and usually they don't give a name.) I said that since we've spoken many times that we must be lifelong friends. She laughed. She was extremely nice and very helpful! She said she has 10 cases on her desk and we are one of them. Wow! She said she works today, Friday, and Saturday. She said she will have an answer for us THIS WEEK! I asked her what happens after she reviews our case. She said she will type a letter to be mailed to me and our adoption agency. She said she will also send me an email at the same time. After she reviews it she could ask for more information or documentation or.....(praying) she could just approved it! Today is a great day! God does answer prayers!

Happy Birthday Sister Conover....

October 30, 2008, Thursday
Happy Birthday Sister Conover! We miss you! We wish you were here! Have a very happy birthday!

56 days until Christmas, yikes!....

October 30, 2008, Thursday
Is it true? 56 days until Christmas! Yikes! Money is not the same as previous years. I have purchased a total of six gifts thus far. Three of them are for Ethan.

Pumpkin carving, 2008...

October 25, 2008, Saturday

Ethan was excited this year about buying his pumpkin and carving it. He picked out a pumpkin and told us all about drawing a face on it. When we got home he put on his apron (minus his shirt but not sure why). I washed the pumpkin and cut a hole in the top. Ethan looked inside the pumpkin but that was as far as he would get (my little "sensory" boy). No matter how much I tried to coax him into touching the pulp and seeds he refused. At one point I had a handful of the insides and dumped it on Ethan's hand which was laying on the table. You would think I dropped a vat of cement filled with ooey gooey stuff on his hand. He freaked out! Thus the pumpkin carving stopped while Ethan washed his hands really good. When that was done he drew a smiling face on the pumpkin but nothing that could be cut out. We wiped that off. Mommy and Ethan drew a face together. We began to carve the pumpkin but Ethan got bored and ran to play with his crash cars. He occasionally came running back to see the progress being made but didn't want to stay. We showed him pictures from last year but he didn't care. When the carving was done Ethan handed daddy the candle and watched it being lit then ran away again. I saw on a show on the Food Network that they make these little pegs that you tap into the pumpkin to make a face (think Lite Bright). I think that is what I will buy next year for Ethan.... and Evan. I couldn't find them this year. Here are the few pictures I have.

Happy Halloween!

Really? You want me to do what?

Course 1, week 4, cake decorating...

October 27, 2008, Monday

Last night was our last class of Course 1 for Wilton Cake Decorating. I can really attest to the fact that decorating cakes is all about practice, practice, practice. I set my timer for an hour and practice all the various techniques/designs/writing. Last night we learned how to do the final steps in the Wilton Rose. Ok, let's just say I need lots of practice on the roses. Rachel and I signed up for Course 2 which begins next week. Stacy said she has to work two of the four classes and won't be joining us for Course 2. Here are pictures of our final cakes.

Rachel's beautiful cake!

Stacy's beautiful cake!

My cake. Looking back now I should have written "my cake stinks" because "my cake sucks" are not really a good choice of words.

Side view of cake looks like it is lopsided. However, the paper doily was simply sticking to the icing.

God hears screams....

October 27, 2008, Monday
I just received this email from my adoption agency....."Actually, I just heard from JCICS. Your case will be assigned an adjudicator today or tomorrow...." God answers prayers! God is good!

If you hear me screaming just ignore it...

October 27, 2008, Monday

Yep, you guessed it.... another update on our I800A form. I called the NBC this morning and got a very curt woman. She asked my name. I told her. She punched it up in the computer then said, "it has not been reviewed." I asked if it has been assigned to an adjudicator. She said no and hung up. (big scream!)

My adoption agency sent me an email on Friday saying that www.jcics.org is collecting a list of names of I800A that have taken longer than 90 days. She submitted our name.

It has been 123 days since I mailed our application! With Ethan's adoption from the day I mailed our paperwork until approval it was 6 weeks! Of course back then it was I600A. Now due to Hague requirements it's I800A effective April 1, 2008. 123 days!!!!!

Karrie said that her adoption agency suggested she write to her congressman. She wrote to both her congressman and senator about her I800A. Her congressman actually called her last week! Yeah Karrie!

Today I wrote a letter and sent it to Congressman Buchanan and Senator Martinez. I even wrote to Secretary Chertoff, Secretary of Homeland Security. To top it off I sent a letter to President Bush. Why not???? What can it hurt?

I feel our adoption is at a complete stand still at this point. We are a freaking application in someones IN box. I can only imagine the paperwork is stressing employee's out as I'm positive the stack keeps getting larger. We are not the only family out there! So instead of this being a great thing for the employees to feel and do... granting someones adoption.... it now becomes a stress point and another freaking application!!! I can do NOTHING until the I800A is approved. I am at the mercy of Homeland Security. All I can do is call to inquire the status of our application.... and write letters.

My adoption agency just sent me a lovely email. It said that she is experiencing I800A approvals are taking 3-5 months. 3-5 months!!!!!!!

Ok, my hair just fell out in huge clumps on the floor. I am bald. I think I'll go bake my cake for tonight's cake decorating class. Anyone have a hat?

Lana came to visit again...

I hate it when Lana comes to visit! Of course, everyone remembers my wonderful (said sarcastically) twin sister. She is such a huge bully and nothing like me! Saturday morning I made yummy homemade blueberry pancakes for Matt, Ethan, and I. I even doubled the recipe so I could individually freeze the left overs for Ethan to enjoy during week day mornings before school. After breakfast I heard this soft little tap on my front door. I went to open it but had the chain on the door. When I opened the door, with the chain on, there she was! Lana pushed on the door shouting that I am going to clean out the china cabinet today. She was so loud I thought the neighbors would come out to investigate. I tried to tell her no and close the door. She wouldn't listen. Plus she is stronger than me. It felt like she was the big bad wolf huffing and puffing my door down. She said I'd better let her in because she wasn't going anywhere. Defiantly I said ok and opened the door. I didn't dare offer her coffee or pancakes. No way! She then made me.... made me... take every piece of crystal, dishes, figurines, and glasses out of the china cabinet. I washed each piece with hot soapy water. She even made me take the shelves out and wash them. She is so mean! I sprayed Windex and wiped the mirror at least four times until she was satisfied. Then I put everything back. The worse part was that she didn't even help! She sat in the chair and barked orders at me. She didn't even let me get sidetracked like I normally do. When I was all done she just got up and walked out the door without another word. She closed it softly too. I took a picture to prove what she made me do! The little witch!

The cake was cut...

October 24, 2008, Friday
The cake came out delicious! It took forever but it was worth it! I guess I'll continue to make cakes. Sister Kosugi and Sister Conover raved about it. Ethan was excited, too. It was definitely worth it!

Sister Conover...

October 24, 2008, Friday
Sister Kosugi and Sister Conover were our guests for dinner last night. Sister Conover is being transferred on Tuesday. We wanted to spend one last night enjoying their company. (Sister Kosugi is staying and getting another missionary companion. We still get to enjoy her company for dinner. See previous posts about the sisters.) We exchanged all pertinent information so we can contact her after her mission in May. We are going to miss her. Both of them has been such loving, giving, and inspiration woman. Sister Conover was the one that gave me my scripture for Evan's wall.... James 1:17.

Matt was setting up his camera on his tripod. Sister Kosugi was being silly. She didn't realize Matt took the picture.

Sister Conover and Sister Kosugi waiting for us to join them in the picture. We sat between them but the picture didn't turn out the best so it won't get posted.

I just love Ethan's expression in this picture!

My first cake...

October 24, 2008, Friday
I made my first cake today! Ok, my hand hurts like anything. The missionaries are coming over for pizza tonight and I thought I'd make this cake. It seemed simple enough. I baked the cakes last night. I dropped Ethan off at school, came home, and commenced on making my cake. It was 830am. I finished at 1130am. All in all, I think it turned out cute. When you cut the cake it looks like a candy corn. I found it on the Wilton website. I decided to take pictures of my progress. My hand still hurts!




Leveling the first cake. I used the checker board cake pan and instead of alternating the colors I kept them the same.















Leveling cake two. Cake one is already on the board waiting for filling.









Damming the cake to prepare for filling.














Vanilla pudding filling. Snack Pak pudding which doesn't need to be refrigerated. Instructor recommended. Last week, I used pudding made with milk and had to keep in frig to prevent spoiling. We'll see how the fake pudding tastes. Can't imagine what it is made of .... ewww!










Ta da.... stacked cakes!












I started with the piping of the stars but the icing had a difficult time sticking to the fresh crumb layer from cutting to level. I then did a crumb coat to help. (crumb coat picture) Also with piping stars, the stars have to be completely touching on all sides or the cake will dry out. Being this is my first cake I thought the crumb coat would help prevent dryness as I am positive I wouldn't be 100% on my star technique from the beginning.





Piped the white center
















Mixing orange icing for the next ring of color.












Ok, got this far and absolutely wanted to give up. My hand was killing me! I normally use a parchment bag but my mom gave me 25 plastic disposable ones. I was using the plastic. My hand was sweaty/greasy or something because I couldn't get a proper grip. Almost felt like I had icing on the palm of my hand. Even after washing it still didn't help.






Done with orange row.












Switched to parchment bag with yellow color. Worked much better and I was able to do more with less pain. I think I made the decision to always use parchment from now on. Finished with top of cake.













Finished piping side.












All done! Will take a picture once the cake is cut.

Hunsader Farms 2008...

October 18, 2008, Saturday
We made our annual trip to Hunsader Farms for their Pumpkin Festival. We have such a good time. Ethan loves the "train" ride which is the first thing we saw. He was really good at waiting his turn. We saw the petting zoo, the craft booths, then had some homemade potato chips. We ended the day at the playground. Ethan had a blast!




































The "train" ride. Ethan is in car number 3.












































Leaving the playground.

Jumping off the planter border... because we jump off everything these days.

Ethan's breakfast today..

October 24, 2008, Wednesday

Today is week 5 or week 6 of our foster parenting class. Last week I made a homemade pumpkin pie and took it to the class. I got rave reviews and felt good. This morning I made brownines to take to the class. Ethan, of course, wanted to help. I had coffee for breakfast. Ethan licked the batter for breakfast.

What a messy face!

After I put the brownies in the oven, I made him two scambled eggs with cheese and a biscuit with butter for breakfast.

I800A update...

Wednesday, October 23, 2008

I called the NBC to get an update on our I800A. The lady said that it is still NOT assigned to an adjudicator yet. I said, it's been 90 days. She said they are back logged. She said it won't be assigned to an adjucator for at least a couple more weeks.

Ok, who tells that to all the children waiting to come home?

Cake Class week three..

Monday, October 20, 2008

We made clowns this week. We also learned step two of the Wilton rose. Next week is our final week then onto Course Two. Somehow, I didn't get pictures of Rachel's clown cakes. I thought she used my camera to take pictures but they were not there when I downloaded the pictures. I will personally make sure I get them next week.

Rachel practing "the rose".

Stacy's awesome clown cupcakes! They turned out so cute! She had her clowns in all different poses. They are really cute!

My headless clowns. I left my clown heads at home.

Finally, at home, my clowns have their heads. However, one clown jumped from the side of the cake on the ride home. I am sad to report that he did not make it.

Scripture of the day...

A soft answer turneth away wrath; but grievous words stir up anger. Proverbs 15:1

Scripture of the day....

I prayed for this child and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. 1 Samuel 1:27

90 days for I800A....

October 17, 2008, Friday

Our I800A paperwork has been with the NBC for 90 days as of today. This is lovely Homeland Security. We need this approval before we can adopt Evan. When I called NBC today for an update they nicely said that "90 days is just a guideline." They said that my paperwork has still not been assigned to an adjudicator yet. Oh please pray that it gets approved soon! We want our son home. Please pray for Karrie's I800A too. She is adopting from China. Her I800A was sent in about a month after mine. Please pray for the well being of both of our sons!

School picture 2008-2009...

This is Ethan's new school picture for 2008-2009. I am amazed at how much of a little boy he looks like now. Where did the baby go? He turned 4 years old a couple weeks prior to this picture. The smile he is sporting is not his usually smile. These are the wonderful school pictures that all kids dread as they grow older.

Ethan, age 3, 1st year of pre-k, 2007-2008

Ethan, age 4, 2nd year of pre-k, 2008-2009