News: The Bad and the Good

Sheryl, my sweet precious mom, went to be with the Lord on Sept 16, 2010. Her pain is gone and she is in His presence now. I miss her more than words can say but I'm reminded of God's goodness through my pain.

Today we received our approval for adoption from Immigration. I wanted nothing more to tell her, to call her and be excited with her. I have to believe that she knows, because I believe that she already knows our son. I believe she walks every path with me and will until the time I see her again.

On a lighter note, we have a new (smaller) addition to the family. Her name is Molly. She is a 4 months old Shichon puppy and she is precious! She is so sweet, loving and playful. My dad bought her for the girls as a healing present more than anything. Lily even told me "Pop didn't want my heart to hurt so he gave me a puppy, and now my heart doesn't hurt as much". From the mouths of babes...

Fingerprinting done

So we both completed our Immigration fingerprinting. So easy. Took 10 minutes for each of us.

We did have to send off our second FBI clearance letters. The six months is almost up and we haven't gotten approved by immigration yet.

Mom is not doing well. She has been in the CCU for 21 days now with pneumonia and ARDS. The next 24 hours are crucial. Her kidneys have started shutting down and with all the complications with her lungs, signals the beginning of the end.

My prayer is that God will either take her home with Him or let us take her home. My knowledge tells me the first will occur soon.

I know my mom was excited about meeting her grandson. I know that will never happen. But it will not stop me from telling him someday about how determined she was that we continue the adoption process after her cancer diagnosis in May.

I think her determination and her love for her children and her grandchildren will prevail long after she is gone. We will keep them alive.

School Days

Lily started school last Thursday...she was only put in time-out twice on that day, once on Friday, and luckily...not once today

She told me as we were driving home:

"I was a good girl today Momma"
"I'm so glad Lily! That makes me so happy."
"I CHOSE to be a good girl today"
"Well that's good...I think"

Kids...Mia is having a hard time adjusting to "Sissy" being gone for the morning. She wanders the house calling her name and then comes back to me and says "Sissy gone gone"

We're praying she adjusts. She starts a MDO program in September so hopefully that will help when she goes to the same place as Lily for two mornings a week.

Also Lily started soccer practice this weekend and will have practice twice a week for a month. She did great and said she had a good time...


PRAISE:
My mom got an amazing report from the doctor last week. According to her new PET she is free of all living cancer cells! Living being the key word...so they are still continuing chemo to rid her body of those little suckers! Then in November they will re-evaluate and decide whether to do the surgery then.

Let's just pray it stays dead! NO ZOMBIE CANCER!

Oh, and we have finally completed our adoption online training...after a horrible experience with one of them (no names)

So we are just waiting on the word from immigration...waiting...patiently...tapping finger as a type..just kidding

So I will leave you with some Lillisms:

Last night, lying in bed with her daddy.

Don't go daddy!
Why Lily
Because there are monster in my tummy
In your tummy?
Yes, and they live in my tummy and they come out of my nose and they play with me and then they go into my closet and they come out.
Really?
Yes, and then they have to have a tea party
Oh?
Yeah, and they have to have cupcakes, and cookies
Uh huh...Go to sleep Lily.
But Daddy, I'm scared.
Of the monsters that live in your tummy?
Yeah and they come out of my nose and they play with me.................


You get the picture.

Back after a loooonggg summer...

So, good news and bad...

Bad I'll do first:

My mom was diagnosed with Stage IV Breast Cancer in June of 2010. She is currently undergoing chemo every week for 1 year to hopefully treat it...then she will have to take a pill for the rest of her life.

It has been a trying and horrible time. God is good and we constantly have to remind ourselves of that..Sometime we don't understand why things happen...and may never have the opportunity...but they still happen...be it "SIN" or "the Devil" himself...we just don't know.

She has, however refused to allow us to stop the adoption process...So that brings us to a bit of good news...

We are just waiting to receive approval from Immigration and then we will be ready to submit the Dossier..then the real waiting begins...

Lily starts school at ECS next week and then Mia will start a MDO program there in Sept. I am going to use that time to complete my thesis.

It is strange how God leads us to things...My thesis is on grief and trauma through literature....I've read all the books...Elizabeth Kubler Ross and Jon Allen, among many others, that discuss how to deal and cope and with the realization that a loved-one is dying or seriously ill. I've been researching this for 2 years now. Strange and ironic...

Now, to lighten the mood!

We had a nice vacation to Antigua, just Garry and Me...We spent a week relaxing and sunning by the beach and pool. We realize this may be the last opportunity for a vacation for the 2 of us for many years. Hopefully Our next 2 "Holidays" will  be to Bulgaria!

Home Study Over!!!

Yea!!! We are through with the Home Study..well, Ok...our part. The loads of paperwork and such. Now we just have to wait for our Social Worker to write her report, send it to the agency for approval and then on to Immigration. Then a long wait. We've been told 10 weeks to 3 months. Of course, we basically have everything ready for the dossier (paperwork) and will just be waiting for USCIS approval.

So summer is here..hot hot.. so the girls and I have enjoyed the weather and spent as much time as allowed outside. 1 bottle of sunscreen down, 3 to go before we stock up again.

I'm looking forward to holiday in June. Can't wait to go to Palm Island...snorkeling, sun, sailing, swimming, sleeping in, etc...
Need it...
Plus we've heard the Grenadines is gorgeous.

Mia has entered the "terrible twos" phase and is no replying to ever question, statement, or comment "No"

Lily is obsessed with the iPhone apps for kids. I guess it's good for her dexterity and brain...I can only guess...Ha

Not much other than that.

Almost through...I think

Tomorrow we have our individual interviews with our social worker. Not sure what else they can ask but I'm determined to make her laugh either way.

Mia has hit the "terrible-twos" I'm afraid and now says "NO" "Uh UH" "Waaaaa" and "ahhhhhh" on a regular basis.

Lily is learning how to deal with such precarious behavior. She said today "Momma, Mia hit me!"
I asked what she did and she said "I ran in here to where you are."

Mia has begun to hit, bite, and pull anything that resembles human hair. Love this stage.

So while finishing up with the thesis, and dealing with two opposite creatures, Garry and I are planning a holiday..yeah!!!!!

So excited. I'll leave you with some general Lillisms

Lily: Momma why are the people riding their back (her reactions to the Wonder Pets onstage)

Mia: WAAA
Lily: I didn't do it. I was over here. (as she runs to the other couch)

Mia: Yiyi!! (Lily)
Lily: Mia I'm busy you'll have to come back later. Or you can leave me a message.

Been awhile

Yes, it's been awhile. We have had tons going on but luckily we have almost finished all of the required paperwork for the home study and have begun working on the dossier paperwork, which actually isn't that much stuff.

I did get my new passport with my married name so that part is taken care of. I think one of the last things we have to do is take the girls to get physicals. I am of course waiting for one to get sick so we don't have to make an extra trip. (Is that mean?)

Oh well, today is an amazing day!

One of my college girlfriends and her husband have just signed the paperwork required to adopt their precious baby girl. After struggling with years of infertility, they felt God lead them to adopt domestically from Utah.

They began the process in September of 2009 and as of today have a brand new baby girl. They are beside themselves with happiness and I know they will be the best parents and spoil her to the brink.
(as they should)

I can't wait to meet her!