By popular request - a post

After reading through a few of the surveys that are floating, especially question #4 of said survey. This sums it well: "Even if you don't really have anything to say...don't keep us hang'in!

While I was waiting for Amy to get back from Indianapolis last night, I decided to dust of my guitar. It was been a very long time--to but it perspective, after I opened the case, I literally had to dust of my guitar. Expecting to play it worse than I played the trombone in 5th grade, I tentatively fingered the frets to find the cords I use to know. I was no virtuoso before--not even good--but I played fairly well. I was able to get through a few phrases of the song in my head (of course I had to look up the cords on the Web).

As I said before, picking up the cello again has been in my head for a few weeks...maybe this will suffice for a bit. Although, I will have to remember how to restring it--my old strings have rusted a bit...and my high E string has a slightly buzz to it. I add it all up to character.

Cheers

OK, I'll play too

1. How many blogs are listed under your favorites list that you check EVERY day? 2 of 2...and I will usually lurk through the linked web of connections.

2. How many times a day do you "go to the bathroom" and end up checking blogs? At least 4 times a day.

3. Do your kids recognize the other kids from the blogs that follow? No kids...but there are many familiar faces to both of us.

4. Do you keep track of how often people update their blogs and get upset when they don't keep to the schedule?? Nope...if there are no new posts since my last visit, I read the old stuff again.

5. Favorite time of day to check blogs? Anytime.

6. Who's blog is your favorite? I like them all equally...in their own special way :)

7. How many of the blogs that you follow are people that you have never met in person? None, but I hope that soon changes

8. How long have you been married? 44 days from today will mark six wonderful years

9. Fav. food? it may be easier to list what I don't like...the tops would be wood grilled strip steak, and Amy's potato salad and broccoli cassarole....oh, and, white half-runner green beans, fresh tomatoes, and corn bread.

10. Fav. TV show? Dirty Jobs...Mike Rowe makes me giggle....maybe a little Ninja Warrior thrown in for good measure.

11. Anything that you forbid your kids to watch on TV? I am sure there will be something...

12. How long was your adoption journey from beginning to end? Started in March and are still waiting...

14. What did you imagine your family to be like as a little girl? Well, as little boy and after....nothing even remotely close to what I have now.

15. Favorite Momma down time activity? Daddy down time will be reading or surveying the inside of my eye lids

16. Do you have more online friends than "in person" friends? I think the in-person friends have the edge.

17. Tell us the cartoon character that you most look like: Stimpy

18. What toothpaste do you use? Colgate

19. Stupidest adoption comment/question that you've received? Too much for here....it kills me

20. Fav. non-adoption website? Geez...there are so many...Amazon.com....Lexington Public Library...poems.com....poetryfoundation.org

Sophia's Mix

Over the last few months I have been collecting and collating songs that strike me for a "mix-tape" for Little Girl Sophia. I have imaged it playing softly from the corner of her nursery--the lifts and falls of each phrase carrying her off to Dreamland..

Here is what I have so far, in no particular order:

"Father and Daughter" -- Paul Simon
"Circle Dream" -- 10,000 Maniacs
"Rainbow Connection" -- Kermit or Sarah McLachlan
"Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World" -- Israel Kamakawo'ole
"Dreamland" -- Mary Chapin Carpenter
"Godspeed (Sweet Dreams)" -- Dixie Chicks
"Imagine" -- John Lennon or Chet Atkins (I haven't decided yet)
"Nothing but a Child" -- Steve Earle
Something my Andrea Bocelli, maybe "Ave Maria"

More to come later

It has been too long since last I posted

All is quiet on the baby girl adoption front. Chris (our agent) is back from vacation and is checking for any updates in our case. Not too much has noticeably moved forward in that last few weeks. So, in the place of any real news, I offer a few scattered thought.

This weeks mind-consuming-diversion thought: "I would like to play the cello again."

I do have a beef with Fischer Price. A few times throughout the day I stalk all the e-mail accounts for any shred of news about the adoption. I checked Amy's home account and my eyes keyed in on the subject line of an e e-mail from Fischer Price "Are you ready to bring baby home?" A flutter, a peak of excitement, and crashing disappointment--all in the span of about 1.2 seconds.

Flipping the channels last night I stopped on an ABC program called iCaught. I was caught by the segment about Parkour, or extreme running. I stayed with it for awhile. At the end, they have a regular segment called "3 words" that features viewer-submitted videos feature a three-word manta. Some people held up paper with their hand written messages to the camera, others wrote on their hands, arms, etc. One reduced me to tears. A mother holds her sign, "Adopting from China." Her son holds his. "Waiting for sister". And the water works ensued.

IT'S THERE, IT'S THERE!!!

We just received word from our agent that our dossier has arrived in Ethiopia! WOOT WOOT!!

Still don't know what affect, if any, the courts being closed will have on the processing of our dossier and referral. Our agent leaves for vacation tomorrow, so, hopefully, he will have time to get us that tidbit before he goes.

Definitely a good bounce for this Monday!!

Waiting Game -- Expanded Edition

First off--a big HOORAY for the Clevinger family! They received word (and FedEx tracking number) that their dossier is making the trip from DC to Ethiopia. That is a great milestone and huge relief to them, I am sure.

As for us, we are still awaiting word from our agent as to the status of our dossier. He told us Monday ours should be sent sometime this week. We are still waiting for more detailed information. So, we wait.