Does The Sky Really Open Up And Rain Babies?

It seems that every time I start down the adoption path I end up with a child. About 2 yrs ago I had really started investigating adopting a baby from China. While I was in the process of researching agencies I received a call regarding my nephew. It seemed that my sister was not going to be able to parent him. So, I put aside the agency research and started filling out all the paperwork needed to become a licensed foster home. Bash arrived almost a year ago. By the time we were settled into a routine I again started to toy with the idea of adopting a baby girl from China. But the Chinese Government was soon to change it's laws restricting single parents from adopting from their country. I looked into other countries and found Viet Nam. As everyone already knows I am at the very beginning stages of the paper chase/home study portion of that adoption. I received a call from my mother that my other sister is sick and is not able, at this time, to care for her 8 month old daughter. It is very possible that my niece will come and spend time with her Aunt in Las Vegas. It will be interesting to see how it all works out. My biggest issue is child care, but I have spoken with the director at my child care center and she has space. Now I will wait and see. I am going to continue with the VN adoption. It just seems funny that everytime I start down the international adoption path I end up with a child.

Just Sitting In The Mailbox

Those who know and love me know that I rarely check the mailbox. In fact it has become kind of a running joke with my mailman! I do really try to check it at least once a week but sometimes it eeks out to once every couple of weeks. So, I decided to check the mailbox tonight. Can't really remember the last time I checked that little box. Sitting in the mailbox is a packet from my agency stating that my preliminary application has been accepted. I can now fill out the real application and send in an even bigger check so that we can get this VN adoption thing moving. According to my timer it has been 11 days since I mailed the preliminary application in to the agency.

Sinusitis / Bronchitis

That is what was written on my paperwork when I left the Urgent Care this evening. At least it wasn't pneumonia. I have had that already and do not want it again. Who can I thank for the crappy lungs - Grandpa Henderson. He passed away from emphysema when I was in high school (I sure do miss him). I have absolutely no memory of him without Oxygen on or bent over huffing and puffing just from walking out to get the mail. But he and I shared lots of time together when I was little - we watched soap operas, I helped him in his wood shop, he always fixed me grilled cheese and soup for lunch. I loved him dearly and I just cannot believe he has been gone for so long. So here is to you, Grandpa - I raise my cough syrup and take a hit off my inhaler in memory of you. Love You!

Toys, Dogs, and Home Visits

Gianni and her son Jack came down from the Bay Area for a few days. It was a lot of fun. We always have tons of fun when she comes down. I took her, Jack, and Bash to Ceaser's Palace and the Forum Shops. They loved it - it is a really cool place. I tend to take all of the Vegas sites for granted. The best part of the whole trip was our time spent in FAO Schwartz. For those of you who don't know FAO Schwartz - it is a huge 3 story toy store. Gianni and I picked out things for our Xmas list for the kids and even our dads. Bash and Jack had a great time. The 3rd floor has arcade games, air hockey, and basketball. Jack practiced the wave board, I kicked Gianni's a#@ in air hockey, and Bash played a snowmobile arcade game. It was a lot of fun.

Bash doing very well at his arcade game

Me wiping the floor with Gianni at Air Hockey

We then went downstairs to the 1st floor to the Soda Fountain. There we made our selves sick with ice cream, root beer floats, and milkshakes.

Me enjoying the biggest shake I have ever seen.

Bash Helping me with the monster shake

Bash enjoying his chocolate ice cream - all over his face.

On Monday I received a call from every social worker known to man. I spoke with Bash's social worker in Oregon, his social worker in Vegas, and the adoption social worker. It was really weird and a little freaky. The social worker in Vegas wanted to schedule a home visit for Wednesday - ugh!!! I hate home visits - it is always very stressful! Gianni was a huge help - getting the house ready. I will be so happy to have this adoption completed and done. Then the stress will be much less. The home study went well. The house looked good. We decided to leave two of the dogs at home and take the other one out while the home visit was being conducted.

The dogs are a real source of stress for me in regards to the home visits. The are like my babies and I always worry that at some point in this process the social worker will make me get rid of the dogs. The reason for these fears - my male dog weighs 144lbs and my female great dane weighs 104 lbs. They are good dogs and very sweet but they are big and a lot of people are not comfortable with dogs that are so large.

Picture of Radar and I - look how big his head is.

Bash and Willow

So the plan was to take Willow to PetSmart and to keep Radar at home. Radar is deaf and usually will lay on the couch like a big couch potato and behave himself. Well that did not happen - he was very bad. Barking and not listening. The social worker was freaked out by his size. The only thing she wrote down for the whole visit was "Big Dog". So now I am worried!! Next time they are all going to Doggie Daycare!

On the VN adoption front - no news from LNI. They have not cashed my check yet. It's been almost 7 days!

BTW, in case anyone is wondering I am feeling much better since my last blog. Migraine is gone, I am in a very peaceful place regarding the promotion, I have decided that my sister has to deal with her own stuff and it is not my drama, and I sent in my application for midwifery school. All is good!!