Music?

I don't believe that I figured out music...lol Woohoooo! I was looking for butterfly kisses and just could not find it.. I thought it was a perfect song for us... So we have "We are Family" This is one of those songs other than YMCA that make ya smile...lol
I am nervous about the adoption.. We have to send extra paperwork to try and get everything moving and PRAY for a PA!
It's really hard.. I want to show off Nathan (Xin, Xiao Liang) and cannot until we have PA... I am soooooooo in love with him. I am going to try to rush through the paperchase and get him home soon... Heck-- I am planning on getting a **job** to help bring him home that much sooner...Then once we leave and come home I'll return to be a SAHM again.. Mitch likes me at home and he thinks the kids learn alot more and the kids are upset when we mention jobs and me.... But we have explained as well as we can that its only temporary. PLus I think we will be getting another vehicle too in the future. Alyssa amazes me.. She asks about Our baby and wants me to go get him now... Sometimes she even grabs my shoes and purse....lol She is exicted. We all are. It surprises me that Mitch would like to do this one more time..and we are just barely at the tip of the ice berg...of paperwork...
I just have to say that I am so Thankful for meeting Suzanne (Hi Suzanne) as without her I would not have known about harrah's...and would not have stumpled onto the WC list....and would not had fallen in LOVE with this little boy. You know how they say everyone that enters your life enters it at the right time... I so believe this!
I know that I am blessed and we cannot wait to get little Nathan even though we have a LONG road... I pray all the paperwork falls into place and that we get our PA very soon!

He's Home from school

  

  

  

  




  

  

  



Cameron's bus was late today... By an hour.. so we had extra time before he came home and their was a boy name Braydon who will be 3 in October there...and Alyssa liked him and he -her...lol He picked flowers and gave them to her... It was so cute! They played so good together tooooo!
Cameron said he played at school and had fun.. And he asked me if I cried...lol Me? Nah! I told him I loved him and missed him so very much!

School Days

  

  

  

  




  

  


Today was Cameron's first day... And I was not a blubbering mess either! It's sad to see my boy grow up... ALyssa is enjoying her time as she gets to sneak Cameron's toys..lol Opps!

Hope you enjoy the pics!

More Pics!

  

  

  

  




  

Oh Boy!!!

Well, Today was Meet the Teacher night. Cameron's teacher is a very quiet teacher.. So I am not sure if she'll be okay...lol Their are 19 children in his class. He sits up in the very front of the room Next to a lovely girl named Lauren and Nathan (not ours as we dont have him yet) sits next to her. The teacher had the instructions written on the board... And then we had to go on a treasure hunt and find where everything went to. Everything was marked. We explained that we were most likely to be going to China in the early part of Jan/Feb and that he'd be in the care of his grandparents. Of course we will send a letter later. She did not really ask ok she DID NOT ask any questions about Cameron. Cameron will have to get off of the bus and walk to the clear other side of the school. His classroom is off from the other kinder-kids... His classroom is near the 6-8th graders.. Not sure that I like that too much... I am sure they wont be in the hall together much.
Tomorrow we get to take Cameron to the hospital and have 3 ickies removed and then Bam! It'll be Thursday and he will be back at school. Am I gonna cry and weep like a blibbering mommy.. Probably.. WHY? Dont know... Yes I do it means my 5 year old is in school..and what will I do with him IN school.. Okay clean... go out to eat with friends (you know who you are!) I know from years past I always have a harder time taking him to school and watching him go with his class... So this way at least he will get on the bus and I wont have to worry to much... Yes I will... I will worry that he may get on the wrong bus... But he has an "apple" on his backpack to match his bus.. No his bus is not an apple...
So tomorrow hospital and then Thursday school... Right now Cam & Lyss are playing cat & dog.. lol... Maybe they will be nicer now... ya think? less fighting...okay a mom can dream..

You may also have notice we have Nathan's name as it will be (99.99999999999999%) sure.. Nathan Xiao (shheeoowwww) Liang (Lee-ong) We want to keep his heritage and his chinese name since he goes by Liang.. I imagine we will occassionaly call him Liang as a pet name.. Like Cam, SaSa..

Right now I am anxious for the 2 people in my "orphanage group" Xinhui to come back to the states. Today was there adoption days. I am so happy for them! They are right where we want to be.. In China 'Guangdong" Holding their babies...AT the WHITE SWAN...Of course I am secretly praying that one of them was able to take pics of the children in the orphanage for those of us waiting paiently... I think our orphanage is a "slower" one.. It doesnt seem many adopt from there.. Perhaps I am wrong... I know some families have to go to inner/outter mongolia. and some very poor villages where they families bring home about $200 a year! Poverty I think is part of the reason that many children are abandoned. I have read that sometimes its extended family that abandon the children due to the one child law. Its very sad.. I have read heart wrenching stories on-line. I often wonder & expect for Nathan to ask one day about WHY he was abandoned...and we will never know the real reason as to WHY.. I am reading many adoption books right now and learning so much... We bought a book called "seeds of love" its about mom & dad flying to another country to get a sister. I think the book is very good for ages 2-5 years or lil older..

Our family

  

  

  

  




  

  

Getting Some stuff ready!

Today was Sunday... and we did not go to Church as we were exhausted! The kids were up all night.
We did get some things accomplished.. We gathered more Garage Sale Items and hope to maybe have the garage sale in this first week of September since our Golf tourney was knocked down by the county. I think the in-laws are going to buy the crib off of us for some reason. My BIL's wife is having a baby in September but they have a crib so I am not sure what my MIL is pondering...lol As we will not have any more "babies" in our home. I am figuring by the time we get Nathan home he'll be almost 2 years old. (He is 17 months today). I just hope of G-sale is a HUGE success! As the funds will be going to his orphange fee first and that is a few thousand dollars. I am trying to save for the "end" of our trip in CHina FIRST so we can hop on that plane as soon as we can and go get our son! I wish he was here right now.. SO I could hear how he breathes at night... Is he going to be a snorer/talker like his big brother Cameron...or will he be like Alyssa with an occassional snort/laugh, or will be be just like himself and have his own sleep patterns. I wonder if he'll like Mickey Mouse, if he'll like his baths, what colors look best on him, what his fav american food will be (thinking mac n cheese), I wonder will he sleep with a fav toy, blankie, or if daddy or I will be his security? Cameron sleeps with a stuffed golden ret. that we named Pugs and it barks... Alyssa needs to hold my hand on most night to fall asleep. I wonder how early Nathan will wake will it be 6am like cam or 9am like Alyssa... Will he come in my room to tell me its a sunny day, what will he think of Nikita, Bunkee, and Wendi? So many questions that go on unanswered... When we go to bring him home how much of his history will I know? What will his first holidays be like here Birthdays, Christmas, Easter, 4th of July? This are all thoughts that are running through my mind. For Christmas I am asking our family to donate funds for our plane ride... and I am very serious about that. What could be a better present that given the gift of flight to see our son... For me its like a hallway pass to see the nursery. The nursery that our son has known as his home, where many of his firsts have happened. I am hoping that we get that "PA" (Pre-approval from China)soon... as that is a piece of paper that says. We approve your family for your son. After the PA he is ours... We just need to speed up some paperwork... which we are doing. I am just amazed that how much love we have for him already. I know he is going to fit perfectly in our family.
Nathan I know that its 1pm there and its almost your nap time. I send you sweet naptime kisses and love. Once we get our PA then I will send you a special blanket that I have made for you and for your roommates to snuggle with. May the warmth of the blankie keep you warm and safe. Love you Nathan Xiaoliang!

Our paperwork is in beijing!!

Our records indicate that the following shipment has been delivered:

Tracking number: 790521868913
Ship (P/U) date: Aug 10, 2006
Delivery date: Aug 14, 2006 16:06 PM
Sign for by: C.HOP
Delivered to: Receptionist/Front Desk
Service type: FedEx International Priority
Packaging type: FedEx Envelope
Number of pieces: 1
Weight: 1.0 LB

Shipper Information Recipient Information
SPRING BEIJING
TX CN
US

How exciting... Now I wonder when we will here something.

I am home again. I had visited my folks and had a great time. Now- its time to get our oldest ready for school =o( He has been acting the part of a school boy =oo
I am so excited and cannot wait for PA!

Our LOI

Our LOI is NOW in China! It is pending Intl Release! SO Monday CCAA will have it!
I am thinking September 30th we should PA.. Lets see if I am even close! I am so excited..
I am Still waiting for updates on our Nathan. I hope we get them soon!
I didnt know but my uncles grandson's name is Nathan (he is a year old) and then on my moms nephew is Nathan about 13 months old.. SO I am thinking if I want to keep him as a Nathan... I really feel the name is fitting to him and I have never seen one of the Nathans and have seenthe other once... Should I keep him as Nathan? I LOVE the name but dislike using names other family have, kwim? Also My kids names both have 2 middle names.. DH wants to keep Nathan's middle names as Chinese... what do you think? You can have a say so in our sons middle name... I do like Liang but what else would we put? For reference here are our kids names...

Cameron Reynold Keith M______________________ (named after grandpa's)
Alyssa-Ravae Lavaun Jeanette M_______________ (after grandma/aunts)
Gavin Ryan M_____________ (lost in pregnancy did not name him after anyone)
Nathan Liang _____ M_________ (any ideas?)

I've been tagged

I have been tagged...

Thank you Lisa...lol

I am...a great friend, loyal, trustworthy, laid back, free-spirited, fun, mom/friend.
I want...my son home.. I want our PA, I want a new home!!!!
I wish...that we have Nate by x-mas, my loved ones peace and happiness.
I hate...terriorists!!!
I miss...granpa, grandma, Uncle Elmer/Aunt Marie.
I hear...cartoons, an a lil girl talking about powwy as she is training herself.
I wonder...when I'll get an update about Nathan, how my 3 kids will be toegther.
I regret...not starting adopt sooner.
I am not...being patient.
I dance...at least 2x a week with the kids, and once every 11 yrs with Mitch.
I sing...when I am in a car w/ no radio.
I cry...when I think of gavin, at happy/sad times.
I am not always...talkative.
I make....great cookies, try to quilts, home.
I confuse...my husband...lol.
I need...MY family, MY friends.
I should...go for a walk.
I start...new projects and fizzle out... One of these days I will finish a project.
I finish...the most recent things first.

I will now tag tracie, Amber, Connie, and Nami.

My LOI went OUT today!!!

I cannot believe it! A piece of FED EX made me happy!!!!

Tracking number
790521868913

Ship date
Aug 10, 2006

Estimated delivery
Aug 14, 2006 6:00 PM


Destination
BEIJING CN

I pray I get a PA in September!! Woohoo!!!! Its almost in Beijing... My LOI is going to the same COUNTRY as our son! I am so excited... Come on FAST PA! I am feeling 9/30 I will have PA

My husband is amazing!!!

We stayed up last night until 2:30am talking about Nathan. And hoping he is here very soon...and that he will be in my sisters wedding in March. (DH, the kids and I are all in the wedding-- we were TOLD not asked) Mitch wants to go get him now.. Our LOI is not out yet as the agency is having puter problems. Last night I really saw how amazing my husband was.. I mean is! I always knew it but how he was talking last night just broke tears to my eyes.. He is really excited about Nathan and says our family will not be complete until he is home in our arms.

Mitch says he will be home in January... I hope and pray that he is...

Our Church never called back after so many phone calls.. It is hurtful. Another adoptive momma has offered her Church and we are going there this Sunday... They helped her out so much with her adoption and she says they will do the same.

We are unable to do the golf tourney due to county ordinances... =o(
Or any fundraising for that matter... Just mean we will that much harder.. to bring our son home...

Whatta Day!! But some decisions were made

We are going with the Glenview office... I really like that they have an official adoption class... Which is a definate trip to my parents house =o) That is always nice! PLus we can do some real shopping too! So we decided on an agency thats half the battle right? We also went to Walgreens today and got the passport application. So I did that also...we hope to turn it in soon.

Another one of my friends offered her garage for us to use (Thank you Kathy!) and was also so generous to offer to donate some items to us as well. I am really so blessed to have the friends that I have!

We are going to have a Culver Family Night too. I need to set up fliers and set the date. All funds that we raise will go to the China expenses. Such as our Flight, Hotel, orphange fee (this the funds will go to first as its 3K), visas, medical, Chinea's legal fees, Nathans passport fees. We are also signing up for KKadoption.com (I belive thats the website) for those that want to donate funds and get a tax deductible letter. This is NOT set up yet as I have to fax some paperwork to them but I do plan on letting family/friends know when it is set up through letters (anyone is free to use this when it is set up..., as these funds are to help bring Nathan home to america!
My MIL asked DH today if we were really adopting and Mitch said Yes we are! SO he thinks we may get a nice present for the holidays. We have decided to help keep funds lower to do family portraits of the whole family on both sides-- This is less expensive than buying actual presents for everyone.. SO that we can put more away for Nathan. Next year I will update the pics in the summer for them as we will have Nathan then. My IL's will then have 5 grandbabies and mine will have 3. I just LOVE family pics and cherish them so much.

We are actually going to check out a (I swore I would never drive one min-van)... I saw this one its a pontiac and totally caught my eye.... The front is more like a SUV it has the rear DVD player and is BRAND NEW.. I have never had a new vehicle... But I have not had many cars either... I had a sunbird that ended up having 145K miles on it (it was my teenage years car until I married) and then we had used SUV's.

Oh.. I also called my momma today and asked her THE QUESTION... If she would watch the kids for ummm about.... 3 weeks when we go to get Nathan. And of course she would! Even if they have to come and live in the boonies so Cameron can go to school. My baby sister is worried that we will not be here in March for her wedding but I think she is just stressing.. with the apartment, immigration, work, wedding and she is a HIGH stressed person to begin with. She told my mom she wont know what to do if her matron of honor was not there... So Krystin I will be there as will 2 or hopefully 3 of my kids and 1 hubby! We would not miss your wedding for anything at all.. Your my baby sister and no matter how many times you marry the same wonderful man.. I will be there... Anyone have ideas on how to write a bridal speech? Or anyone know German so I don't butcher it up...? I need to learn German and Mandarin or Cambodian...

I am obviously thinking to much now...lol

Is Summer half gone... ?

Our future son.. I talked to the agency and they are calling teh Big Man in CHina for a status of our update... So I hope in 2 week we can have it here. Also My LOI has not been sent out but will be later this week and I will follow it there =o)

I called my sister today (former travel agent) and she said I best get my passport NOW...as I guess the wait for a pass port will increase next year? Also I have found out about frequent flier miles (I have been on a plane 2x in my life...Once for our aweful honeymoon in Florida and then 2 years later to Aruba)My baby sister travels alot to see her Hubby in germany who may be getting his visa to come to teh states in October! (Yeah!!! They have been married since March and will remarry in march again with a religous ceremony and she TOLD me I was the matron of honor-- she wants to make sure I'll be here) and my other sister travels to see all the wonders of the world and some places in between... While myself and my oldest sister are not so much big fliers...Not out of fear....

Well it is 11:15 om China now... And this should be Nathan's naptime. I so cannot wait for the update!!! I keep watching to see if anyone is going to our orphanage as I want to see if they can take a pic...