Away We Go

We're off to file our federal paperwork and get fingerprinted. We're making a little trip out of it. I've (Missy) been sick with allergies or a cold but I feel better this morning. Thankfully, Zeke hasn't gotten this. Praise the Lord! Here's to safe travels and fun times.

By the way, we're trying a new strategery to occupy Zeke at Cheesecake Factory. We're taking the portable DVD player so he can watch Cars. Brad calls this the "constitutional option" because we don't like to see him zone out in front of the TV but sometimes you've got to do what you've got to do!

More July 4th Photos, Courtesy of Auntie Weed

Copies

I was going through our dossier documents two weeks ago and I started looking more closely at the police letter for Brad. It became apparent that it was a photocopy and not an original. When we went to pick them up, they had made copies for the sheriff's office to keep but somehow they got mixed up and gave US the copy of Brad's letter. The guy who issues the letters was out of town last week and I've been waiting to see when he's going to have the new one ready for us to pick up now that he's back in the office. I'd like to get it this week. Pray that I'll hear from him soon.

I also learned that for some reason, our adoption agency needs us to get our home study agency to sign another copy of a paper they signed back in May. I don't mind doing this but sometimes it's hard to get in touch with the home study agency. Since we are going there this Thursday to pick up our home study papers, I am hopeful that we'll be able to get them to sign the document while we're there. We will need it to submit with our dossier.

Finally, I'm going to make photocopies of our dossier documents (the ones we have already) sometime this week. I want to be READY as soon as our I-171H arrives to put the dossier and the necessary copies on the FedEx truck that same day. I'm ready to be done with the paperchase so we can officially begin THE WAIT.

Radio program on Vietnam and Rice Farming

I haven't had a chance to listen but I plan to check it out.

What is God Calling YOU to do?

In different places and in different ways, I've been encountering this message a lot lately: "Is God calling you to adopt?" Obviously, for us, the answer is YES! And so, the only thing I can figure is that maybe it's a question I need to pose to you, dear readers. (Even as I was typing this, an email came from our worship leader announcing Sunday's sermon will be about hearing God's voice!)

Why adopt? Because you want a child to love. It's really that simple. It's about expanding your family and heart to encompass all the love and joy God wants to place there. So, I don't know who this message is intended for but I'm putting it out there.

Woot to the Woo

We got an appointment with the feds in KC for Friday, the best day for us. Thank you, Lord! SWEET!

A New Video Fun Time

You've GOT to check this out.

WOOT!

Looks like we found a solution! Brad agreed to a meeting with the USCIS Monday, August 3rd at 7:45AM. That means we'll head to KC on the 2nd, get up bright and early for our appointment and come home right after. This will allow Brad to be at work in time for the important stuff he has going that day.

Ok...let's try this again...

We should know MONDAY if we can go at all the week of Aug 3rd. If not, it looks like August 10th is a possibilty. I've emailed the adoption officer in KC to see if we can get an appointment on July 31st. I continue to hold out hope. We'll see what happens.



In the meantime...we're just enjoying life with the amazing Zeke! He's as wild and as squirrely as ever. We have developed a tradition this summer of meeting Brad on Friday nights at a Mexican restaurant downtown for dinner and then strolling around afterwards. There's usually some live music on the street...it's nice. We often bump into people we know. Zeke likes being out and about. And the restaurant where we go is loud and there are chips all over the floor (like those steak places where you throw peanut shells on the ground) so if he's loud and drops food on the floor, it's less of a big deal than at other restaurants. Yep, that's about as exciting as it gets around here and that's fine by us.

We're so happy to join our friends Misty and Joel as they celebrate Garrett's Gotcha Day tomorrow! He and his sister are so special and dear to us. They are both miracles!

We'll Find Out By the End of Today

If we'll get to go to KC Friday. If not, it will likely be delayed until August 5. Will keep you posted! Would love to get this done THIS WEEK. Prayers are appreciated!

Want to See What's in Store for Us?

If you're like me, you LOVE to follow as other families get their babies. And of course, then I imagine what it will be like when WE'RE there. Check out this family's adventure. They are with our agency. Say some prayers for them as they open their hearts for this new blessing!

Please Pray

Ok...so in the grand scheme of things, this isn't like a huge deal but...if we can't get our home study approved by mid-day tomorrow, we can't go to KC Friday. And we won't be able to go until August 5th or later. I'd prefer to go this Friday for a variety of reasons: to get it done and out of the way, to be up there on a Friday when we can spend the night and make a weekend out of it and not have to worry about being at work the next day. It all depends on getting our home study approved by tomorrow afternoon. Will keep you posted! Of course, I know whenever this all comes together, it will be perfect timing. I'm not uptight about it. Just eager to get things wrapped up!

Exciting Adoption Update

We hope and pray that we can pick up the FINAL NOTARIZED COPIES of our home study Thursday! Our agency still has to review the final draft and approve it. I've got an appointment for us for this Friday with USCIS. I can always cancel it if our home study is not ready. But, I really, really hope it is...because we'll make it a fun trip and will likely spend Friday night in KC. What fun! If we end up going during the week, we won't spend the night.

We got a pile of documents signed and notarized yesterday. I created our dossier photo pages this weekend. So, when we get our federal paperwork back, we'll be ready to submit our dossier. WHOO-HOO!! How exciting!

Frank McCourt's Passing

You may not know the name "Frank McCourt" but he was a teacher and a Pulitzer Prize-winning author. He wrote the memoir Angela's Ashes, which was made into a major motion picture in 1999. I had the chance to meet Mr. McCourt and interview him in 2006. He was gracious, kind and generous in sharing his life story. I was honored that he granted me a one-on-one interview. He was a class act who cared very much about the high school students he taught in NYC.

Walter Cronkite

Brad and I both had the privilege of meeting Walter Cronkite on separate occasions. I first met him at a receiption at the governor's mansion when he was receiving an award. I met him a second time when he came to campus to give a lecture. Brad met him at an awards ceremony in Los Angeles. I remember my grandfather watching Walker Cronkite on the evening news. Rest in peace, Mr. Cronkite.

Two Peas in a Pod

Katie and I always felt like we were destined to be sisters (and we are sisters in all senses except biological). We were born one day apart. We've been best friends since kindergarten. And that's best friend as in we would do anything for each other. And our kids were born only 1 month apart. Pretty amazing, considering one of those kids came from the other side of the world! So, imagine my delight when Katie emailed me this candid photo with her commentary: no wonder everyone thought we were sisters growing up. Katie wishes me to add the disclaimer that she thinks she has a funny expression on her face but I think she looks perfect, as always! I look like a goober! How blessed we are to have each other!

A Funny Thing Happened

This is long overdue. When I called a local flower shop to order flowers for my sister on her birthday in January, I had them fill out a card for me. We have called my sister "Weed" since she was little and our grandfather observed, "She's growing like a weed!" So, you can see how the flower shop spelled it. And how they freestyled with their spelling for Zeke.

Since You Waited So Patiently...

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Disclosure and Quilla Musings

I confess...I did cut myself out of the Blue Steel photo you see below. Why? Because when Katy was photographing us and she said to give her "Blue Steel," I must confess in the interest of full disclosure that I had no idea what she was talking about. I didn't say anything because Brad knew what she meant so I thought, "Maybe it's a reference I *should* know and Brad can fill me in later." Well, not only did Brad fill me in, we rented Zoolander. Yes, it is appalling that two cine-philes like us took so long to get around to seeing Zoolander. Anyway, it was delightful and funny though I must say that I'm partial to Ben Stiller's more recent Tropic Thunder.

I bought the first Quilla-exclusive clothing items today. I say "exclusive" because I've got quite a few baby girl things (remember, this all started with excitement over adopting a baby girl from China). So, here they are. Quite cute, no? They both came from Old Navy.

Well, here's something.

So, here are a couple of photos from our Ethiopia gathering from a few weeks ago. Thanks to Katy, mom of the handsome baby boy Diesel for snapping these photos for us!

Blue Steel, Baby!