10 years!

I cannot believe that Jason and I are celebrating our 10 year anniversary today! It's strange how at times it feels like we just met yesterday, then at other times it's like we have known each other forever. 10 years ago today we walked out to Yokosuka City Hall in Japan, signed a couple papers, then were told to have a seat and wait. They called us back up to the counter 20 minutes later, handed us a certificate written in Kanji, and said "Congratulations". That was it, no ceremony, no frills, just sitting on a bench in city hall:) I can't believe we didn't take a camera with us, but I guess those memories will just live in our minds.
We had our church ceremony 3 days later at the Chapel of Hope on Yokosuka Navy Base. It's nice to have two days to celebrate our anniversay, the second day falls on Thanksgiving! This year I think I will be thankful that we are still together and happier than ever. I know people had their doubts, since we were so young, and there was only 5 months between our first date and our wedding date, but we proved them wrong!

Prepare to laugh at some retro pics. We look so YOUNG! I guess we were just 19 and 22, but geez, we look like kids!

Shortly after we met... Me with a seriously bad dye job, and Jason rockin' an awesome shirt!



Back when we were young and skinny;)



Jason wearing the T-shirt he wore to propose to me on our camping trip.



My reaction after the proposal.



See! We were even taking self portraits way back then!



My favorite posed pic of us from our wedding.



And my favorite candid.



This was taken at the reception my Dad threw for us in Canada, 2 weeks after the wedding.


Can you find the beer in the last two pictures? It's an ongoing joke that beer has been the "3rd party" in our marriage from the very begining;)

Yay! It's here!!

I was so excited to open my mailbox today and see an envelope from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services! Our approval is here! This is a huge step in the right direction for us, and I am relieved to no longer have to stalk the mailman everyday.
Next step is Authentication, which means all of our paperwork will get sent BACK to Hawaii so the notaries can be authenticated by the Secretary of State office. Let's hope that doesn't take too long!
Here are the beautiful papers I have been waiting on...





I surprised Jason with them when he came home for lunch... Thumbs up from him! ;)

Panda Express does it again!

What has my life become?!? I have started relying on fortune cookies to brighten my day! Oh well, whatever works:)


Here is a bonus of another thing that brightens my day... Jake says "Hey"!

Not much new to report...

Well, that's not true. There is TONS going on in the adoption world. If you are a part of it you already know; and if you aren't, I will spare you all the gory details. The gist of it all is there are some major changes happening with paper filing procedures, and investigations into certain provinces to assure things are happening on the up and up. I am of course concerned about these things, but don't feel the need to contribute to the already abundant amount of discussion going on out there about it in Adoption Blogland.
We are just sitting here, twiddling our thumbs, waiting on our approval to come from USCIS. Not much we can do until then. Cross your fingers for us that it comes this week!
Here are a few recent pics from the Meeks household. Enjoy!

Me and Jason at the Khaki Ball- Can you tell I love self portraits?!?


Ewww... Pumpkin guts!


I think Owen and The Baby had a conspiracy going on...


"Let's both smell the same spot on the pumpkin so she can't get a good pic!"


And just a bit of Hawaii scenery for those of you who are starting to get a bit chilly :)

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;)