Back on track!

We had a big bump in the road last month with a problem obtaining our Immigration approval. I had to scramble to get some documents from Virginia, and Jason had to do another interview with our home study agency. I am so happy to say that the home study social worker called this morning to tell us our addendum is complete! I am going to pick it up in a couple of hours and drive it straight over to USCIS to submit it. Hopefully they will stick to their 10 day turnover for approvals, if so we will be totally back on track in no time! Yay! What a relief:) One step closer to bringing our baby girl home.
I also want to let everyone who is immediatley affected by the new I600 procedures know that you are all in my thoughts. I can't imagine how hard it must be to have your travel dates at your fingertips, only to be told the wait will be longer. I know you have probably heard it a million times, but I am sure once you are finally united with your babies, the wait be totally forgotten and totally worth it. Keep your chin up!

I'm in love with a Monster!

No, not Jason;) I found Jasey's first "teddy bear" at the Tacoma Mall last week while visiting with my Mom and sisters. Those who know me well know that I usually do things slightly unconventionally, so why should my daughters stuffed animals be any different? The line is called Eanie Meanies and the monsters are named Mye, Ni and Moe. The store only had Moe, but I found them at www.manhattantoy.com so I could get the other two. All the plush toys on there are so cute, I think I will definitely become a regular customer there!

Please tell me Jasey will turn out okay with these monsters as her first "teddies"!

Mye


Ni


Moe

The other "Baby" we are waiting on

In addition to anxiously awaiting the arrival of Jasey, we are counting down the days until we can bring home Jake. He is our 6 month old Chocolate Lab that is currently living in Washington with my Mom. Her dog Gordie fathered a litter that was born in April, and Jake is the pick of that litter. Because of Hawaii's animal import rules, he won't be able to come home until February or March of next year:( We are hoping that Jasey and Jake will be the best of friends! Sorry so many pics... I couldn't narrow it down!

Newborn- She had a litter of 11!


3 1/2 weeks old-


7 Weeks old, Homecoming day!


His first duck-


9 weeks-


Same pose 6 weeks later-


Being silly with Gordie-


Latest pic, Our handsome boy at 5 months old-


I am heading to my WA in a couple days for our inaugural "Girls Weekend" with my Mom and my two sisters. I can't wait to get some Jakey cuddles;)

Jumping the gun a bit...

So, I know that we aren't even done with the paper chase part of this adoption, but I have to admit work on the nursery has started. My Mom and my Auntie Val were here visiting for the week, so I had to put their creativity and craftiness to work. I wanted to change an armoire that was being used as Jason's video game station into a changing table for Jasey. I am so excited to say that my Mom and my Aunt made it happen, and it is even better than I could have imagined. Check it out!

Before-


Getting started-


Finishing touches-


All done!-


Finished inside-


Close up of quote by Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese monk-


They also painted the letters that will hang on the wall over Jasey's crib-


Thank you so much Mom and Auntie Val, I couldn't have done it without you! I can't wait for Jasey to see all the hard work you put in to her nursery, I know she will love it. Now you just have to come back to Hawaii to help me put the nursery together:)

Wasting away again in Margaritaville...

So, this has absolutly nothing to do with the adoption, but I had to share what a great time we had last night at the Jimmy Buffett concert. It was sooooo fun! The show was at the Waikiki Shell, an outdoor venue, and the weather couldn't have been better. It rained a bit right before the show, but cleared up right in time. It was our first Jimmy Buffett show, but Jason has been a life long fan and he converted me to an official Parrot Head over the years:)

Here is our attempt at a self portrait during the show-


Jason, with Jimmy over his shoulder-


And Jimmy himself-


And just so this post isn't totally unrelated to Jasey, these are the headphones I am going to order for her so she can enjoy concerts with us! She will be the youngest Parrot Head at the show!

Yay for Panda Express!!

Not only did my orange chicken and steamed veggies brighten my day a bit, but the fortune from my cookie was definitely a keeper!

In case the pic isn't working, it says "Your ability to love will help a child in need." :)

Speed Bumps

Why is it that just when you are cruising down the road, quickly and smoothly, you hit a bunch of speed bumps? Okay, okay, logically I know it is to slow you down and make you aware of what's around you. I guess I should actually learn from that little analogy and quit pouting about our current situation.
Up to this point our adoption process has been painless. Every single form, application, procedure, etc. has been quick and easy. I guess I needed a bit of a wake up call, because we have run into some complications with our immigration approval. I'm sure it will all work out fine, but I am so frustrated that something has to go wrong, especially right at the end when I thought I was finished with everything.
I know in the long run I will be thankful for this setback. When I hold our baby in my arms I will be telling myself "If you hadn't hit a snag you would have been finished faster and THIS wouldn't be your baby!" But for now I am feeling a little blue that our wait is going to be even longer.
Okay, enough with my pity party. Gotta dust myself off and work on getting us back on track!
Who ever said adoption was the EASY way to have a baby?