As part of our Adoption process we are told that we need to take a vacation BEFORE we have children placed with us. To kind of unwind, relax and prepare ourselves for what lies ahead. (All you mothers know exactly what they are talking about......don't you?) We have been searching all sorts of vacation plans (note previous blogs) And it is a tough thing to do. We are in family mode in our minds. All we want to do is play. We couldn't think of a 'serious' 'grown-up' vacation. Is that weird. We have planned out the next 15 years of family vacations though. :) So after many weeks of different vacation plans.....we decided 'DISNEYLAND'. I know, it is a bit odd. But we are still children ourselves. The funny thing is, I feel so guilty about not taking our children. And we don't even know who they are!!!???!!! How weird is that?
It has been a strange experience. The whole adoption process. Years ago we thought we would adopt a baby. We even filled out ALL the paperwork for the agency. And let me tell you....it is a lot of paperwork. But it just didn't feel like it was time. We hummed, and hawwed. And then withdrew from the process. We couldn't really tell you why. Then a few years later we thought, OK....we need to get this taken care of.......and did it all over again. But again, we withdrew. There was something holding us back. Not that we didn't want children.....it just wasn't time. Now, it is kind of funny. We cannot wait until we find them. Almost like something exploded inside us. This process takes too much time. The great thing is. Our children are out there already. They have been born. We don't know where they are, Who they are, or when we will get them. But they are there. Looking at the same stars we are. Waiting for us to come and get them. This was the opportunity we have been waiting for. There is no way that I could care for an infant in my condition. To have to pick it up hundreds of times a day would have been physically impossible. I would have done it anyway.....but would have paid for it too. With this adoption the youngest we can get is 18 months. Already toddling. Not needing to be picked up ALL the time. Ready to play. Ready to communicate. And I have to be ready to tell them that we went to Disneyland without them:)
Blog to you soon :)
Monday, May 19, 2008
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
BEST NEWS
It's been a bit since I've been on here. I haven't had any time to just talk or write. It's been a great week though. We went home for a few days this last week. I love doing yard work. Oh, I missed it so much. Even in the rain :) We got to spend time with friends and family. You couldn't ask for a better Vacation. Although....it does not fall within the "Dream Vacation" realm. Have any of you been to the 'Melting Pot' in Portland? YOU HAVE TO GO. It was absolutely wonderful. I recommend taking great friends with you. It definitely made the evening. And the food......YUMMY. GO! Enough said.
The best news: We have decided that we are ready to be a family!!! Can you believe it? After 14 years of trying to do it naturally.....we have decided that adoption is the way for us. We are so excited. We start all of the classes and home studies this next month. And who knows, we might have a family by Christmas. Maybe. We are so ready for this next step in life. I know I wouldn't have been ready if it weren't for such great friends. Seeing them be a family and how much they wouldn't trade it for the world. All the love and frustration that comes with it :) We are hoping to find a family group. Maybe 3-4 siblings that need parents. We thought.....if we are going to do it....we might as well do it. All the advice you can give us will be greatly appreciated. I know my bookclub group will be immersed with questions. I know I will be making a list.
Blog to you soon ~
The best news: We have decided that we are ready to be a family!!! Can you believe it? After 14 years of trying to do it naturally.....we have decided that adoption is the way for us. We are so excited. We start all of the classes and home studies this next month. And who knows, we might have a family by Christmas. Maybe. We are so ready for this next step in life. I know I wouldn't have been ready if it weren't for such great friends. Seeing them be a family and how much they wouldn't trade it for the world. All the love and frustration that comes with it :) We are hoping to find a family group. Maybe 3-4 siblings that need parents. We thought.....if we are going to do it....we might as well do it. All the advice you can give us will be greatly appreciated. I know my bookclub group will be immersed with questions. I know I will be making a list.
Blog to you soon ~
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Dream Vacations
We are always trying to figure out what our dream vacation destination is. Do we dream of sandy beaches? A cabin in the snow? A cruise? A road trip? There are so many to choose from. And it seems that we can never come up with one. We realized that the first 7 or more years that we were married, we always used our vacations to visit family in distant lands. So I think we never truly understood what a vacation was. We do have a dream vacation for when we retire. And I recommend it for everyone. There is a cruise. It is like 220 days on the ship. And supposedly hits every major port in the world. I think it is only $50,000 a person. But I'm not completely sure. So start saving. We can all go together. :D We are looking at 2018 for the cruise. YEAH RIGHT! We'll see. I would love to know what everyone's dream vacation is. I am trying to find out what suits our fancy. All the ideas we can get.......will be helpful. My dream growing up was to do the whole convertible road trip across the US. But now that I'm older.....the thought of sitting in a car for hours at a time is not appealing. PLEASE HELP!!!
Blog to you soon :)
Blog to you soon :)
Happy Earth Day!!
Earth Day was initiated in 1970 by Wisconsin U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson, who started a grass roots “teach-in” focusing on the lack of environmental protection laws.
Earth Day is observed on April 22nd every year partly to honor the actor Eddie Albert (of Green Acres fame!) whose birthday falls on that date. Albert was a real life organic farmer as well as an outspoken environmental activist whose work included initiatives to ban the pesticide DDT.
Earth Day eventually led to legislation including the Clean Air Act (1970), the Clean Water Act (1977) and fuel efficiency standards for automobiles.
Earth Day is now celebrated worldwide by over one billion people!
Ok - So you know I didn't write that. But just a tid-bit of information. We are very interested in Earth Day. We base our entire work life off of the ideals of keeping the Earth livable for all animal and plant life. I have been reading a book called 'Silent Spring' by Rachel Carson. It was the book that started the whole Environmental Movement in the 1960's. It is actually a fascinating book. But, I think that only people interested in Environmental work or reducing the use of pesticides would be interested. I may be wrong. It fascinates me to read of the stupidity of man. How could they not think it through that dangerous pesticides wouldn't leach into the ground water and soils and contaminate everything and kill everything in its path? Ok.....a bit over the edge.....but come on people!!
Happy Earth Day Everyone!!
Earth Day is observed on April 22nd every year partly to honor the actor Eddie Albert (of Green Acres fame!) whose birthday falls on that date. Albert was a real life organic farmer as well as an outspoken environmental activist whose work included initiatives to ban the pesticide DDT.
Earth Day eventually led to legislation including the Clean Air Act (1970), the Clean Water Act (1977) and fuel efficiency standards for automobiles.
Earth Day is now celebrated worldwide by over one billion people!
Ok - So you know I didn't write that. But just a tid-bit of information. We are very interested in Earth Day. We base our entire work life off of the ideals of keeping the Earth livable for all animal and plant life. I have been reading a book called 'Silent Spring' by Rachel Carson. It was the book that started the whole Environmental Movement in the 1960's. It is actually a fascinating book. But, I think that only people interested in Environmental work or reducing the use of pesticides would be interested. I may be wrong. It fascinates me to read of the stupidity of man. How could they not think it through that dangerous pesticides wouldn't leach into the ground water and soils and contaminate everything and kill everything in its path? Ok.....a bit over the edge.....but come on people!!
Happy Earth Day Everyone!!
Monday, April 21, 2008
Spring Fever
We cannot believe it snowed at our house (OREGON) yesterday. We are down here wearing sunblock. Amazing to me what difference there is in 600 miles.
I have to tell you....spring fever is pure horror down here when you rent an apartment. I usually get spring fever right after Christmas. I always start looking at bulbs and hanging baskets right away. We rented an apartment down here that doesn't allow you to have anything on your front porch. (That was well planned out) :( I think it is even harder down here because everything blooms so early. Daffodils are usually blooming end of February in Oregon. We came down here the second week in February and they were already dieing off. Same with the Calla Lilies. They are in full bloom down here already.....almost gone.....and I know the ones in my yard won't bloom until the end of May. I guess the blessing in that is that I get to enjoy a longer spring, since I will be home by June 1st. I guess there is also the fact that if I had planted when I started spring fever in December....they wouldn't have lived through this strange weather that is happening in Oregon. Ok, Ok......I see the up side now. I guess I just needed to see it in writing to really appreciate it. I am getting a good base coat of a tan line for the pool season this year. We are going to go fly a kite at the beach this week, and soak up all the sun we can before we come home. Miss everyone and everything.
Blog to you soon :D
I have to tell you....spring fever is pure horror down here when you rent an apartment. I usually get spring fever right after Christmas. I always start looking at bulbs and hanging baskets right away. We rented an apartment down here that doesn't allow you to have anything on your front porch. (That was well planned out) :( I think it is even harder down here because everything blooms so early. Daffodils are usually blooming end of February in Oregon. We came down here the second week in February and they were already dieing off. Same with the Calla Lilies. They are in full bloom down here already.....almost gone.....and I know the ones in my yard won't bloom until the end of May. I guess the blessing in that is that I get to enjoy a longer spring, since I will be home by June 1st. I guess there is also the fact that if I had planted when I started spring fever in December....they wouldn't have lived through this strange weather that is happening in Oregon. Ok, Ok......I see the up side now. I guess I just needed to see it in writing to really appreciate it. I am getting a good base coat of a tan line for the pool season this year. We are going to go fly a kite at the beach this week, and soak up all the sun we can before we come home. Miss everyone and everything.
Blog to you soon :D
Monday, April 14, 2008
Love Thy Neighbor?
Suggestions?
Imagine the most difficult person you could ever come across. Someone who is self absorbed. Has no cares for how others are feeling. Every word that comes out of their mouth is negative and disrespectful towards others and they have really bad language (even thought they know it is offensive to you.) The only time they say something nice is when they are trying to glorify themselves.
Now imagine that you are trying to love your neighbor. You spend time with them, trying to be cheerful. Finding only good things to discuss. Trying to make them laugh and see the goodness that life can give you. But all you end up with is hurt feelings and an eagerness to leave.
How long do you suggest that you should put yourself in this situation? Should it be forever? Should you never give up? Or should you cut your losses and live with the fact that you cannot love everyone?
I would love to get input from everyone. Sometimes we get these struggles that challenge us to the core. Do we choose what is right? Or do we choose what is best for us? And where is that line drawn?
Imagine the most difficult person you could ever come across. Someone who is self absorbed. Has no cares for how others are feeling. Every word that comes out of their mouth is negative and disrespectful towards others and they have really bad language (even thought they know it is offensive to you.) The only time they say something nice is when they are trying to glorify themselves.
Now imagine that you are trying to love your neighbor. You spend time with them, trying to be cheerful. Finding only good things to discuss. Trying to make them laugh and see the goodness that life can give you. But all you end up with is hurt feelings and an eagerness to leave.
How long do you suggest that you should put yourself in this situation? Should it be forever? Should you never give up? Or should you cut your losses and live with the fact that you cannot love everyone?
I would love to get input from everyone. Sometimes we get these struggles that challenge us to the core. Do we choose what is right? Or do we choose what is best for us? And where is that line drawn?
Friday, April 11, 2008
Dreams?
Ok, so I know I just started this, but I keep thinking of things to write down. If anyone knows anything about dreams, I would love to hear what they think of this.
I was at a vet. (I have dogs.....I dream as if I'm a dog too I guess) And the doctor was telling me that I was sick and he didn't know how long I had to live. So while he was putting another dog down, I jumped in and said that I wanted the shot too. I didn't want to suffer this illness that I had. As soon as the Vet gave me the shot, I had this horrible feeling of needing to be with my husband. I knew at that moment that if I died right there that I may be missing a good 50 years of life with him. I felt that whatever the illness was, it might not be so bad to suffer through, as long as I had him. What would he do without me. So at that point, I was doing whatever I could to stay awake. I knew that if I fell asleep I was a gonner. So I searched for Dan. Found him and told him what was happening. And wanted to know if he knew anyway to reverse the drug. Dream ended.
It has been three days since that dream and I cannot seem to shake the fear that I felt in the dream. When I go to bed, I am afraid to fall asleep. I'm sure it will pass. But has anyone ever felt a dream hang on so long?
Anyone have re-occurring dreams?
I was at a vet. (I have dogs.....I dream as if I'm a dog too I guess) And the doctor was telling me that I was sick and he didn't know how long I had to live. So while he was putting another dog down, I jumped in and said that I wanted the shot too. I didn't want to suffer this illness that I had. As soon as the Vet gave me the shot, I had this horrible feeling of needing to be with my husband. I knew at that moment that if I died right there that I may be missing a good 50 years of life with him. I felt that whatever the illness was, it might not be so bad to suffer through, as long as I had him. What would he do without me. So at that point, I was doing whatever I could to stay awake. I knew that if I fell asleep I was a gonner. So I searched for Dan. Found him and told him what was happening. And wanted to know if he knew anyway to reverse the drug. Dream ended.
It has been three days since that dream and I cannot seem to shake the fear that I felt in the dream. When I go to bed, I am afraid to fall asleep. I'm sure it will pass. But has anyone ever felt a dream hang on so long?
Anyone have re-occurring dreams?
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