Our Lifes Fulfillment

New tricycle!

2012-01-03T20:58:00.003-05:00

Just wanted to share a new picture of our Brooklynn with her new tricycle from Nana and Papa for Christmas! She loves it! Love her smile!

Happy New Year!

Dawn

Someone got caught!!!

2011-10-06T18:56:00.004-04:00

Guess who got caught playing in the dog's water bowl and putting the water all over her head??!!!!!
She was SO excited and very proud of herself!!

Miss Brooklynn is now 18 months old and has been home 7 1/2 months! We finalized her adoption last Monday, the 26th! We are forever each others!!
We are having her baptized this weekend. My MIL and SIL are making/sewing her baptism dress. They actually are making it out of my wedding dress! I am so excited to see it!(I am not aloud to see it until it is finished!) I promise that I will post an update with pictures after Sunday!

Hugs,

Dawn

I.LOVE.THIS.SWEET.BABY!!!!

2011-05-02T13:04:00.003-04:00

Just some precious Easter cuteness that I had to share!

I hope each of you had a blessed Easter!

Dawn

A dream come true!!!!

2011-02-27T16:24:00.002-05:00

Cheesy Smile~~

Another smile!

With Daddy for the first time at the airport!

The first time I held her!

Our precious daughter is FINALLY home! We have become a family of 5!! Brooklynn is doing absolutely wonderful. We have had a couple of rough afternoons with grieving, but really, nothing like we were prepared for. She LOVES the camera and starts to smile as soon as we pull it out! The airport was just a dream! Brooklynn looked right into my eyes and put her arms out for me to take her from the escort. Time just stood still...honestly! She then looked at Tim, gave him a huge smile and reached for him! You can tell that her Foster Mother worked alot with her showing her our pictures and such. She definitely recognized us, without a doubt. She can stand from a sitting position without assistance, but has not taken steps just yet. (secretly I was hoping that she had not, so that her first steps would be a first with us!) I got my wish! Her first birthday is in two weeks....sigh! Although, so thankful that she is home for her birthday!
Thanks for all of your well wishes and congratulations! We truly appreciate them! I will post another update in a few...gotta get a few things done while she is taking a nap!

Love,

Dawn

In flight!!

2011-02-21T21:52:00.002-05:00

The flight has taken off! They left Korea at 9:40 pm (EST) Our precious daughter is on her way here! Tomorrow is the day! (and of course we are getting hit with a huge snow storm that was not supposed to come!!) Please say a prayer that it does not delay any connecting flights!

Dawn

TRAVEL CALL!!!

2011-02-06T18:40:00.004-05:00

We have received our travel call!! Our Social Worker called this past Saturday, February 5 at 10:18am!!!!! Our precious daughter will be arriving from South Korea on February 22nd at 3:25pm!!!! Almost six months since receiving our referral and 4 months short (almost to the day) of being 3 years since beginning our journey, she will be placed in our arms and with her forever family!!

Dawn

It is February!!! You know what that means!!!

2011-02-01T17:47:00.003-05:00

It is finally February!! You know what that means!!! Our precious daughter will be coming home!!! It seems almost surreal to me that the time is here! Her nursery/bedroom is just about complete. I will post pictures of her room as soon as it is completely finished. I LOVE her bedding. I have also washed most of her clothes. They are all put away in her dresser just waiting for her. I cannot remember washing socks so little!

The other families that received their referrals the same day that we did have already received their TC! I am so excited for them! If Brooklynn's Visa was complete and ready, she would of also been coming home on the 8th with them. For whatever reason, her final paperwork is taking longer. UUURRGGGHH! But, she will be home this month! I will definitely post when we do receive THE CALL!!!

Hugs,

Dawn
ps. Stay warm! We are now in the middle of another ice/snow/sleet storm....hurry up Spring!!!

In about 4 weeks (give or take a day or so!)

2011-01-11T19:47:00.002-05:00

Well, it is the second week in January! In about 4 weeks or so...give or take...we will be meeting this sweet face for the first time and becoming a family of 5!!

Blessings,

Dawn

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

2010-12-24T22:41:00.004-05:00

Merry Christmas and A Blessed New Year to you and your family!

Dawn

An update and new pictures!!! A wonderful Christmas present!!

2010-12-17T22:24:00.006-05:00

I know it has been awhile! So sorry! We have been so busy, it has been so crazy! But, it has made the time go faster as we awaiting for our Brooklynn Min Ji to join our family!! We just rec'd an update with about 20 new pictures of our sweetie! Our agency is expecting she will be home by mid-February. WOW!
I just had to share some new pictures!

Have a wonderful weekend~

Dawn

Thankful Thursday----Our precious grandson!!

2010-09-30T18:45:00.002-04:00

ps. I promise I will be back to tell the rest of the story about our referral and the days leading up to it. I have been so busy training for my new job and still doing transcription and with the usual day-to-day stuff, and I have not had time to do a post about it!!

It's a GIRL!!!!!

2010-09-04T22:58:00.004-04:00

We are sooo in love!!! I don't have much time. I will be back later to post about the story....but just had to announce....its a girl!!! Our beautiful Min Ji (given name) was born on March 14, 2010. These pictures were taken when she was four months old. She was born in South Korea. Her name will be Brooklynn Min Ji. We are hoping she will be home very early next year (January). Our agency only does escorting, so she will be escorted to us. Lots to do....more paperwork and a care package to be sent out! (and getting ready for vacation...we leave next Sunday and I start a new job this Tuesday!!) She is only about 7 weeks older than our grandson! Yes, our oldest child to youngest is almost 20 years apart!!! Wow, that makes me sound old!

I will be back soon to post about the story!!!!

Love,

Dawn

Wordless Wednesday!

2010-08-04T09:36:00.004-04:00

Our precious grandson~~two and half months old(taken on 07/17/2010)! (and can you tell that he LOVES his bottles! lol!)

Introducing.......

2010-05-12T18:10:00.011-04:00

Our beautiful grandson!!!!!

Me holding baby Bryan

Me holding baby Bryan

Ryan, Sabrina, and Bryan

Tim, myself, Sabrina, and Bryan

Dominic and Bryan

Well, I am a GiGi (grandma)! It is official.....our precious Bryan was born last Friday the 7th at 5:51 pm weighing 7.14 pounds and 21 inches long. Ryan and Sabrina decided to name him Bryan, which is a combination of their two names. This came after 9 months of NOT agreeing on any names!LOL!!

To be honest, this came as a complete shock/surprise (to Ryan and Sabrina as well because precautions were being taken!!) and that was the fastest 9 months ever! I have experienced every emotion possible for the past nine months. It is not that I was disappointed in Ryan, I was just disappointed for him. As a mother, I was just so worried. He just graduated from high school a year ago. He will be 20 in just a few months. Thankfully, he is working fulltime in his trade as a state certified welder and doing well. Also thankful that she is a long term girlfriend of about two years and they are serious. I am sure that they will end up getting married at one point. It was not an uneventful pregnancy, she went into preterm labor numerous times, was placed on medication, and strict bedrest for the last three months. We are so thankful that she went full term and we have a healthy baby boy! They are completely in love with their son and both are very hands on and doing wonderfully. They are making us very proud grandparents! Wow, still cannot believe I am saying that! Although, I am being called Gigi! and a very proud one at that~! I fell completely in love with our precious Bryan immediately upon seeing him and holding him for the first time. I am so in love. I can honestly say it is as strong as when I held my boys for the first time. Bryan looks exactly like Dominic when Dominic was born, except Bryan has a head of dark hair.

I just wanted to share our news! As for our adoption, we are soooo very hopeful that we will be able to take our file off of hold within the next month or so. I will definitely keep you posted on that.

Have a wonderful weekend and a Happy Belated Mother's Day!

Dawn

Hi-lighted words???

2010-04-14T18:01:00.002-04:00

Okay, this is really annoying me....

Suddenly, different words on my past posts are now hi-lighted and if you put your cursor/mouse over them, you are able to click on them and then you are linked to a website???!!!!!

Does anyone know how this happened and how do I get rid of the words being hi-lighted???

Thanks~

Dawn

HAPPY EASTER!

2010-04-03T21:15:00.004-04:00

Wishing you a wonderful and blessed Easter!!

Dawn

Happy Valentines Day!!

2010-02-14T13:15:00.003-05:00

Wishing you a special day with your loved ones!!

Boy, I sure have some catching up to do! Alot has been happening....more to come! I promise that I will be back in a few to update this blog!!!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year~~~

2009-12-24T12:51:00.003-05:00

Wishing you and your family a very special and blessed Christmas and New Year!!!

Love,

Dawn

Happy Thanksgiving~~

2009-11-25T17:03:00.002-05:00

Wishing you and your family a blessed Thanksgiving!

Dawn

Heartbroken

2009-11-02T15:39:00.008-05:00

It has taken me since last Thursday to be able to write this post. I am just heartbroken. I don't even have the words to describe how I am feeling. If you will remember my post from a while ago. Well, long story short, the fund that we had specifically set for our adoption did gain back almost all of the money....enough to pay the remaining expenses needed once we received our referral! I was so relieved and anxious to receive our referral. I knew that we in the downhill part of our wait since we were closing in on one year. What happened next is twofold.....I had called our social worker last Monday to check in with her and to let her know that we were worried about our baby girl coming home in May. Because, Ryan and his girlfriend of a year, will be having our first grandchild in May (another post to come about that!) I was worried that we would have a new baby to be bonding and attaching with and with the unknowns, I just wanted to make sure that I would also be there for Ryan and his new baby, to help (financially, physically and emotionally), love and support him in any way that I was needed. I just wanted to make sure that I could give my all to both of my children! Well, after speaking with her, Tim and I made the decision to continue and not place our adoption on hold, knowing in our hearts that all would work out and that we would do whatever was necessary for Ryan and our new daughter. I called our social worker back this past Tuesday and let her know that we had decided to go ahead and not place anything on hold! I was feeling better after talking everything out with her with the realization that everything happens for a reason and happens just like it is supposed to!! Okay, then comes Thursday.....last Thursday at 4:24p, the phone rings and it is our social worker. I said hello and asked her if she was calling to check on me.....she says, "No, actually I am calling to say that you have been matched with a beautiful baby girl!!" Boy, was I in shock! You would think I would have been prepared for that phone call after all this time....but I was so shocked to finally be receiving THE PHONE CALL!!! She gave me alot of the information and we made arrangements to meet this past Saturday, so that she could give us all the information and the pictures of our baby girl!!! And, the timeframe for her to be home from Korea would probably be in February, which was so thrilling, because I was thinking that that she would be home for a couple of months before Ryan's baby was due!!! I hung up with her and was shaking so bad that I had to call Tim's work number 3 times before I got it right!!! When he answered, he couldn't even understand what I was saying!!!!! He immediately left work and came home.....I could tell by the look in his tear filled eyes when he came in the door that something was really wrong, but I was so excited that I started telling him about our daughter! He sat down and said that we needed to talk.....he had learned of some things at work that day and the company that he works for is not doing well at all....it does not look good at all. There is a possibility of closing the doors. I just sat there in disbelief and then reality set in.....if that were to happen, we would need the money that we had set aside for our adoption. We talked for many hours, cried for many hours, but knew that we needed to turn down our referral, until we knew what was to be with Tim's job. I put off calling our social worker most of the next day, I just couldn't bring myself to make that call to her....I finally called and had to leave a message asking her to return my phone call. She finally called back, and with my heart breaking and sobs of tears, I did one of the hardest things I have ever had to do in my life....I explained the situation to her and told her that we needed to turn down our referral and be placed on hold. I am so broken....I already was in love with her! It just doesn't seem fair. So difficult when your mind is telling you one thing, but your heart is saying another! I asked our social worker to give that little baby girl a hug from me when she comes home. I feel like I am letting her down...I know she will be matched with the next family and will be loved, but she was supposed to be with our family!! I am sad, heartbroken, and grieving for this baby girl....I feel like I have had another miscarriage....but, this baby is healthy....so WHY???? Why did God place adoption in our hearts to begin with, IF this wasn't supposed to work out????? I know that everything happens for a reason...but, WHY???!! Tim is heartbroken....he told me that it is his responsibility to make sure that I am happy and to give me everything in life that I want, and it is breaking his heart to not be able to do that right now. So, in addition to him grieving for our baby that we were matched with, he is also heartbroken about how I am feeling. I told him to please not feel that this is his fault....he had absolutely no control over this. I don't want him too feel that way and to carry that burden. I don't even have the words to type........

Currently, I am waiting to hear back from our social worker as to if/when we need to be placed active again in order to ensure that we would receive another referral and she would be placed by the time Tim would turn 45. (The child needs to be placed in the home by the time the oldest is 45...Korea's requirement)

Please pray for us...that we are able to find peace, that we have the energy to put one foot in front of the other and to continue on, because I am finding it very difficult to do so right now. We should be sharing the picture of our new daughter right now....I should have been able to wear my pink shirt this past Saturday when we received her picture....Dominic should be taking her picture to school to share with everyone...Tim should be putting her picture on his desk at work....Ryan should be sharing the news with his friends and coworkers......

I know this little baby girl is going to be loved very much by her new family....she already holds a very special place in my heart.......she is loved.

Dawn

Is this called LOVE or exhaustion???!!!

2009-10-25T20:24:00.005-04:00

I walked into the office tonight to check on Dominic because he was being very quiet!! I knew he was reading a book for his Accelerated Reader goal at school, but he was even being too quiet for that!! LOL!!

As I came into the room, this is what I saw.....Dominic laying on the couch with Miss Lily right beside him. She was sound asleep and it looked like she had her "arm" around him. She did peek her eye open when I went to take a picture of the two of them. Too cute! She is really, really tired because they had her out running in the yard this afternoon because it was a gorgeous fall day here today. Probably not too many of those left this year! :(

Have a great week~~

Dawn

Wordless Wednesday~~~Our Miss Lily

2009-09-09T21:30:00.002-04:00

Wordless Wednesday~~well almost, it is not like I can do anything without saying something!!!

2009-07-29T16:25:00.004-04:00

One of the "loves" of my heart!!

Dawn

Happy Birthday, Ryan!!!

2009-07-22T15:48:00.003-04:00

Is he not one of the cutest graduates you have ever seen?

Just a quick note to say, "Happy Birthday" to my first baby! I cannot believe that I am saying it is his 19th birthday!

Ryan,

We love you so very much and are very proud of your accomplishments!! Have a wonderful birthday, even if you are working 12 hours today! We are thinking of you!

Love you,

Mom and Dad (Dominic, too!)

Slowly slowing down around here!!!

2009-07-20T23:38:00.003-04:00

Okay, I just cannot believe that it has been over two months since I wrote that I was taking a break!! Never did I imagine that it would be for this long!! I promise that in the next day or so, I will bring our daily happenings up to date!! Unbelieveably, we had Ryan's Open House, his graduation, 12 other Open Houses, 2 weddings, a few birthday parties to attend, a going away party, my birthday, Tim's birthday and now this weekend we will be celebrating Ryan's and Dominic's birthdays!! Oh yeah, next weekend, we have a baby shower, Dominic's baseball picnic and my BIL's retirement party!! Did I say slowing down??? This has been the busiest summer that we have had in a very long time. I almost hate to see it slow down because then school will be starting back up! I am so not ready for that to happen. Not because I have not started school shopping (which I haven't!!), but because I love to have Dominic at home. (Ryan is now traveling for work now and is only home about three days a week.) We are also looking into a different school for Dominic, so that has been weighing on my mind.

Time is going by so fast, it will be Fall before we know it and almost time for our referral!! So exciting and scary all at the same time!!

See you in a few....I will be sure to post pictures of the happenings!
BTW---does anyone know how to change pictures out on blogs? Is it easy? I would love to update our pictures, but I am embarrased to say that I do not know how. I actually had a "blog professional" do our blog to begin with!

Dawn

Taking a Break~~

2009-05-08T21:59:00.002-04:00

First of all, I want to wish everyone a Happy Mothers Day!!! Enjoy your time on Sunday!

We are back from vacation, actually we have been, so I have alot of catching up to do. We had a great time and enjoyed the sunshine and fun!! Lots of pictures to share. The sad thing is, I have not even uploaded them into the computer as of yet....that is how busy I have been! That being said, I need to take a short break from our blog world. I have been super, super, extremely busy planning and getting everything ready for Ryan's graduation and Open House, the end of the school year functions and just keeping up with our daily "stuff"! I cannot believe how much planning the Open House is! We are expecting about 200 people, so lots to do!!!

I will be back after a short break and will share our vacation, graduation and Open House happenings when I return.

Happy Mother's Day~~

Dawn

Off to the Magical World of Disney!!

2009-04-17T07:46:00.002-04:00

Today is the day! They day that we are leaving for vacation. I have a million and one things left to do on my to do list, but wanted to say that I hope everyone has a great weekend and I will "see" you when we get back!! I will be sure to take lots of pictures to share, (and I really will post them this time~lol!)

Dawn

Happy Easter!!

2009-04-10T12:17:00.006-04:00

I just wanted to take the time to wish each of you and your families a wonderfully blessed Easter weekend! I hope that each of you get a visit from the Easter Bunny!

Happy Easter!

Dawn

Anyone there???

2009-04-07T20:56:00.002-04:00

I know it seems that I have been MIA. Not really, I have been checking in on my favorite blogs but I just have not had anything to really post about on my own blog!

I have been helping out in the office at Dominic's school as our secretary has been off and is at Walter Reed as her son was injured in Afghanistan, where he was stationed. Thankfully, he is doing better, but will have a slow, long healing period. My mom also had surgery, so it has been a very busy few weeks. Dominic also ended up with strep throat a couple of weeks ago, so he was down for a little while.

Nothing new to report on our adoption....we are still looking at the Fall for our referral. And thankfully, the stock market has begun to climb up instead of declining! I am very thankful about that...so slowly, our adoption fund is gaining ground!

Nothing new on the job front. There has not really been anything for me to apply for in my field (healthcare). It is pretty bleak. We do have a couple of things in the works, so there may be some major changes for us in the coming months. I am so very hopeful! Please, oh please!

I have started planning Ryan's graduation Open House. I just cannot believe that my first baby will be graduating in a few short weeks! What a huge accomplishment for him! I love to plan parties and this is no exception....with the amount of people, it is like planning a wedding reception!! I will be all prepared when that time comes! (not for a long time, I hope!! lol!)

Every year we take our vacation at Disney World in Florida. After we got home last March from our vacation, I booked and paid for this years vacation. We really debated about going but decided to go ahead since Disney was offering some great specials. We even got some of our money refunded that I had previously paid since their special was cheaper than what we had paid!! (adoption fund!) and we also had a voucher for our plane tickets because last year when I had purchased the tickets, the price dropped drastically and I had called Southwest about it. So, Southwest gave us a voucher to use with the remaining funds. So, this year, we didn't even have to pay for our plane tickets. Anyways, we will be traveling to one of my favorite places....Disney World and the Magic Kingdom! After the past 9 months or so, we cannot wait to just relax and have some fun! It is so surreal to think that this will be our last vacation without our little Princess! Next year, we will be traveling with stroller, car seat and all! Dominic was 6 months old on his first trip to Disney and I cannot wait to take our little girl as well!

I forgot to post pictures of Lily's trip to the groomer. It went very well with sedation! She did really well and looks so darn cute! She looks like a miniature black lab puppy. And guess what??? I am so excited...she is not shedding anymore! I believe that that sealed the deal, and she will be groomed and kept with short hair! My allergies have improved so much!!

I hope everyone has a great week! Sorry for the delay in posting, I just didn't want to bore everyone with a boring post!!

Dawn

Another busy week~~

2009-03-24T20:32:00.002-04:00

Another week has just flown by....where does time go???? And actually, looking at my calendar for the rest of the week, it will also fly by! Today, I had to take Miss Lily to the vets for an update in her shots. Oh yeah, NOT too mention, that I took her to be groomed last week, and I was not 15 minutes down the road after dropping her off and my cell phone rings.....yep, you guessed it, it was the groomer saying that Miss Lily would not let him blow dry her...she was practically doing backflips on the table to get away from him...he was afraid she would hurt herself, so could I come back and get her?????!!!! I felt like I was being called to the Principals office to pick up one of my kids that had misbehaved! Anyways, the groomer suggested that I get something from the vet to "slightly calm her down" before he tries to groom her again. So, guess what else I got at the vets today???? A slight sedative to be given to her 1 hour before she presents to the groomers!! I am not totally convinced it will work. When we had her "fixed" in December, the sedatives that they gave me to use, did not even phase our high energy Lily! Well, tomorrow she goes back to the groomers for another try...! She desperately needs groomed because she is shedding so much. Depending on the outcome tomorrow, I may just be adding "pet groomer" to my resume!! lol!! I can just see it now....I will be the one grooming the dog!! Pictures to be posted tomorrow...before and after....that is, only if there is an "after" picture to be taken!!!

Dawn

Its a new week~~

2009-03-15T15:37:00.002-04:00

OK, I am feeling a tad bit better than I did at my last posting. I want to thank each of you for your support and kind words, they really did help and inspire me. Yes, I am still very concerned, BUT I do realize that we are doing fine. We really are. There are alot of families that have been hit alot harder than we have. We have been very blessed that we have always been financially secure. We have worked very hard over the years to have that security. To have such uncertainity now is really upsetting. One thing that keeps bothering me is that....when we started the process for our adoption, we had talked about taking the money out of stock/fund and paying for it in full upfront. But, after talking it out, we decided to let the money stay in the fund/stock and continue making money (or so we thought!) and just pay our agency in the timeframe that they recommended and as each step was completed in the process. Looking back, I just wish we would of paid for it in full and I really wouldn't be so worried now. But looking ahead, it could be 6 more months before we even receive our referral....which is PLENTY of time for the stock market to pick back up....(the last week was the best week since November!) So, hopefully, the next few months will start to pick back up. I am so hopeful! And truly blessed that we have our home, our health and our families!! I just know that everything happens for a reason and everything always works out....and it will this time...I just know it in my heart....(and with much reassurance from my calming husband!!)

Have a great week~enjoy the sunshine!

Dawn

Not looking too promising~

2009-03-10T18:43:00.002-04:00

I have been with a very heavy heart with alot on my mind of late. As you know, I lost my job this past June. I have been unable to find another and I have been diligently looking, faithfully everyday. To add to this, as I am sure most of you have also been affected, our stocks/funds have really suffered. Specifically, we had a fund that had the money in it for our pending adoption. Well, that money is gone...lost in the failing market. I am thankful that we should not receive our referral until Fall....in hopes that the Market picks back up and the money that is lost will be replenished. As I am not working, we just have not been able to put aside money. Unemployment compensation is a little less than 1/2 of what I was bringing home. A huge decrease. As the weeks go by, so does my unemployment weeks. They are dwindling down. Unfortunately, I live in Ohio, which is one of the top 3 states with the highest unemployment rates right now. To make matters worse, I live in the county that is rated #1 in Ohio in terms of the unemploment rate being the highest. The county in Ohio with the highest umemployment rate....there just are no jobs. I really fear that my unemployment will run out and I will not have found a job. If that occurs, it will be very tight....too tight to even consider an adoption. My heart just breaks, and I have had tears brimming for days now, that just spill over when I let them. What compounds this, is that we cannot even put the adoption on hold for a year or until things pick up...Tim is at the age limit, with me very close behind....it is now or never. Sure, we could put the remaining cost of the adoption on a credit card....but if my unemployment has run out, it would be too hard to make another payment each month. Thankfully, we have never lived "beyond our means" and have always been well within our budget, so we do not have alot of bills outside of the normal living expenses. I have done research for adoption grants, etc. Well, even with just Tim's income, we make too much money to be considered for an adoption grant. URRGGHHH! I know in my heart and mind that everything happens for a reason.....so, I am so hopeful that everything will work out. I have such love in my heart for a child that I have not even seen a picture of, I don't even know if she has been born yet....I have dreams and hopes for her, I have a closet of girlie clothes, my little Dominic cannot wait to be a big brother, I want to take her with us on our yearly Disney World vacations and see her face light up with smiles, I can't wait to hold her and snuggle with her, to tell her that I just knew my daughter was in Korea and the love that I had for her, even before I knew about her...and I could go on and on! I will pray and be so hopeful that everything will work out as it is supposed to....I just know that God would not of planted the "adoption seed" in my heart and mind to begin with, if it were not meant to be. I will hold on to that hope....

Dawn

Mail delivery~~

2009-03-01T21:13:00.002-05:00

Just wanted to post to say that we received our I-171 approval letter from US Citizenship and Immigration Services yesterday in the mail. So, our I-600A paperwork and fingerprinting with Homeland Security was approved, one more step complete! So, now we continue waiting for the phone call!! We still have a bit of a wait, but we will busy until then! We have Ryan's graduation (YIPEE!!) that I need to plan for May and we are always busy with baseball through most of the summer, so I am sure that time will go by fast for the next few months to come. I can't believe that it has already been 8 months since we sent in our prelim. application to get the process started!!

Have a great week~~

Dawn

Miss Lily, found where she is NOT allowed to be!

2009-02-26T22:00:00.004-05:00

Lily knows that she is NOT allowed on the couch in the living room. I do allow her on the couch that is in the office. She loves to lay on it while I am on the computer or Dominic is on his. She has been really good about staying off of the one in the living room. Well, I was certainly surprised when I walked around the corner.......

She was quite put out that I interrupted her sleep....then I am sure I confused her because I told her to stay (while I went to get my camera!)

Dawn

Quick pics~

2009-02-26T21:55:00.005-05:00

I did want to post just a couple of pictures from our Globetrotter night~~~Ryan would NOT let me take a picture of him and his girlfriend.....imagine that!

Dominic proudly displaying his autographs!

Final score!

Be back tomorrow!

Dawn

MIA????

2009-02-22T11:55:00.003-05:00

Yes, I have been missing in action.....not intentionally, but very busy. I will try to do a recap of the past couple of weeks! I really cannot believe how busy I have been, something going on everyday~~

We had a really good time at the Globetrotters! The boys loved it and of course, the Globetrotters won! We stayed after so that Dominic could get some autographs. I will post some of those pictures.

I was sick this past week, had what is going around, upper respiratory, cough, chills, muscle aches...I finally went to the doctors this past Wednesday and finally am feeling alot better! Thank gosh for antiboitics! The week before, I had went for my yearly cardiology check and yearly stress test, chest x-ray, labwork, echo....you know, the works. All was fine, except, I need to step up the exercising since my cholesterol is borderline! I really haven't been exercising or doing the treadmill in about a year....time to get back to it! Not too mention, I would love to lose about 10-15 pounds!

I did take Ryan for his fingerprinting at Immigration/Homeland Security on the 13th. He didn't have school nor work, so off we went! He was originally supposed to go with us when we went on Jan. 27th, but he ended up having to work (no school that day) so, I had to reschedule his appointment for Feb. 13th. All is done!

No other real news on the adoption front, other than our agency has had to increase their fees as Korean Social Services needed to increase theirs. The increases were in different areas but to the total amount of $5000! It will affect us, as it is most probable that we will receive our referral after May of this year. Not really good news, that is for sure!

Please keep my very, very close friend, Kim in your prayers. She is going through an extremely difficult time right now and my heart just aches for her. I know that she would appreciate your thoughts and prayers. I wished we lived closer to one another so that I could physically be there for her. We are hoping to get together for a visit once the weather gets nicer. I dearly love you, Kim!!! I am so very blessed to have you in my life and you are a very special person.

I hope everyone had a special Valentines Day! Tim and I actually celebrated the weekend before the 14th, as Dominic had a sleepover at his buddy's, so we went out to dinner and had some QT with just the two of us.

This coming week will be another busy one; Ash Wednesday, and a couple of appointments, my car needs to go to the dealer for the heater to be fixed (not good to not have your heater working in the winter when you live in Ohio!)

Have a great week~

Dawn

Look what I got!!! My First Blog Award!!

2009-02-15T16:29:00.005-05:00

Gail from "My Answered Prayers" (gebea.blogspot.com) tagged me with this award! Thanks, Gail!!! I appreciate your thoughtfulness! I need to list 5 of my favorite things!!

1. My family, of course!
2. I love Mountain Dew soda out of the fountain, and preferably in a styrofoam cup!! Just quinches my thirst!! Although, I do like Coke out of the can.
3. I LOVE purses!! Always changing them, just love them! And they have to be big enough to carry all of my "stuff!!"
4. I love Disney World and the Magic Kingdom....there is just something about that place! (Tim jokingly says that is one of the reasons that I want to adopt a little girl, so we will still have a little one to take to Disney for years to come!!)
5. I love, love to read a good book!!

Now it is my turn to pass this award on to 5 people.....
And I pass it on to...

1. Kelly at chrisandkelly.blogspot.com (Life with Briar)
2. Lucy at lucybabysteps.blogspot.com (Baby Steps)
3. Lisa at thelongroadtochina.blogspot.com (The Long Road to China)
4. Steffie at beckeringtribe.blogspot.com (How Happy are We)
5. Chris at tell-her-this.blogspot.com (Tell her This)

I will be back later tonight to give an update of the past two weeks! I can't believe another two weeks has gone by!!!!

Dawn

End of a busy week~

2009-01-30T21:31:00.003-05:00

First of all, I need to say that we have had more than enough snow.....we got another 6-8 inches this past Tuesday. Needless to say, my boys were thrilled because that meant No School on Wednesday! Dominic really enjoyed this, he didn't wake up until almost 11am on Wednesday!! He loves to come into my bed and snuggle and then go back to sleep...which is exactly what he did!!! Ryan was glad he didn't have school so that he could work a full day. He was already counting how much more his paycheck was going to be!!

We went for our fingerprints this past Tuesday. Due to my uncanny sense of direction or should I say Mapquest's....I misguided my husband so we got there late, but it wasn't a problem at all with them. The funny part (ok, just to me, not Tim!) is that the Federal Building that we needed to go to is literally right down the street from the Cleveland Indians stadium.....ummm, do you realize how many times we go there in the summer???? If I would of called for directions instead of printing them off of Mapquest, we probably would of saved at least 45 minutes in drive time going there. I now know where the Anthony Celebreeze Federal Building is in downtown Cleveland!

Dominic also got his stitches out this week. But, when the Dr. took the stitches out, some of the cut still was open, so he had to put the "skin glue" on it. Hopefully, once that wears off, his thumb will be good to go. It looks good so far. He is really anxious to get back to baseball practice.

Tomorrow night is the Globetrotters night! There are about 10 of us going, the four of us plus Ryan's current girlfriend and then Dominic's best buddy, Jess and his family are going. I will be sure to take alot of pictures and post some. The boys are pretty excited about going.

I wish I had some news on the adoption....just waiting for the "phone call"! But, our agency is saying in the fall. Although, another couple with our agency that had completed their homestudy 5 months prior to us received their referral on New Years Eve. So, I am wondering if that may mean it is possible that we will get ours in about 4 months, since they were 5 months ahead of us and they received theirs a month ago???!!!!

Have a great weekend~

Dawn
ps. Still no sign of that dryer sheet.....but, Miss Lily is acting quite herself, so I quit giving her the mineral oil and taking her temperature. I am really beginning to wonder if she passed the dryer sheet before we went to the vets and we missed seeing it! That would just be my luck!!!

No, I didn't drop off the face of the earth!!

2009-01-25T20:17:00.003-05:00

I cannot believe that it has been two weeks since I last posted. I have been really busy (but, not to busy to browse my favorite blogs, though!!!!)

Latest happenings in our life~

Our sweet (well, not all the time!) Miss Lily chews and eats everything...and when I say everything, I mean everything!! Last weekend, I noticed she was coming out of the laundry room with a dryer sheet in her mouth. Well, I tried to get it from her and she swallowed it whole (nope, mommy wasn't going to get that treat from her???!!) Needless to say, this past Friday was spent at the vets because she was having a hard time going potty and was constipated and they wanted to see her after I explained what she ate. A few hours later, and after an enema, she was feeling better. Although, we never did "see" the dryer sheet! Has anyone else ever spent $60.50 for an enema??? Please do not tell me that I am the only member of this elite club???? Not only am I member but I get to be continually initiated with giving Miss Lily mineral oil to make the pooper shooter lubricated BUT I also get to take her temperature a couple times a day to make sure that there is not an infection starting!! And yes, Miss Lilster loves the mineral oil, no hesitation there!! Did I mention that she eats and chews absolutely everything???!!!

Dominic had to have his first stitches! Tim and Dominic were going ice fishing last weekend (you would never catch me out there....actually, I don't see the joy of freezing to catch a few fish???!!!)ok, back to the story.....Dominic went to open the box of the ice auger (spelling??, its the thing that cuts the ice) but he opened the box at the wrong end. He opened the end where the blades were and went to pull the auger out. Needless to say, screams and hysteria then occurred. A trip to Urgent Care was necessary. What upsets me about this is that....the ice auger was brand new. The box had never been opened, so there was no packaging, plastic coverings or anything over the blades!!! It could of easily happened to an adult. Yes, I will be calling the company to complain or at least give my two cents worth!

A prayer request~~~the mother of one of my very closest friends(Kim Z.) is having some serious medical problems. The hope is that an infection that she has does not require amputation of her foot or leg. I know that they would deeply appreciate any prayers. Thank you so much!

This coming week will be another busy one. It is Catholic Schools Week this week, so there will be extra activities at Dominic's school. We also have our Homeland Security/Immigration appointment this Tuesday. Throw in a couple more appointments and that's the week!

Next weekend we will be going to see the Harlem Globetrotters. The boys are pretty excited. I can remember going to see them when I was probably a little older than Dominic. It should be a fun evening!

Have a great week~

Dawn

Another snow filled day!

2009-01-11T21:00:00.008-05:00

Miss Lily

Dominic and Miss Lily~~(I just love how Dominic's cheeks are so pink in this picture!)

Yes, today was pretty much the same as yesterday....snow and more snow! I think the last total I saw was 12 inches! We literally stayed in all weekend (except for Tim using the the toy, oops I mean the snowblower to clear our driveway!) It was so nice to stay in all weekend, stay in sweats and not have any plans to go anywhere! The boys are so hoping that they don't have school tomorrow, but the snow has eased up and the roads are staying clear. So, unless it starts back up, they will probably have school tomorrow.

Dominic had Lily outside at different times throughout the past two days playing in the snow. The snow was so deep in areas that Lily had to "jump" to get anywhere. Tim actually had to clear some areas for her so that she could walk/run around without having to jump!

OK~~~~I have had and seen enough snow for this year!!! Time for some warm weather and some baseball.....ahhhh wishful thinking! (Although, Dominic has started baseball practice. Our baseball league has an indoor practice facility, so Dominic has had practice for about a month now!)

Have a great week~

Dawn

A wintery, snowy day!!

2009-01-10T12:08:00.005-05:00

Is there such a thing as too much snow???? Oh yes, there is!! and we have reached that amount! We have gotten about 7-8 inches of snow since last night and it is still coming down really thick and fast. Have I mentioned before that I really do not like snow??!! I really live in the wrong state to not like snow!! I like snow on Christmas Eve ONLY. I prefer the warm, sunny days. Since we are snowed in, I think I am going to make a pot of homemade potato soup to have with sandwiches. I may even stay in my comfy sweats all day (its all about comfort!!)

Have a wonderful weekend~

Dawn

Got the blahs~

2009-01-07T07:59:00.004-05:00

I have such a case of the blahs/blues. I hate feeling this way. I'm sure it has something to do with my job search.....i'm still looking! It is so discouraging. There is just nothing out there and what is out there is for barely over minimum wage. I just can't go from $20+ an hour down to $8.50 an hour. I have over 20 years of experience and knowledge in my field (healthcare), have always had glowing evaluations from my staff and from my managers. It just really stinks, to put it mildly. I am so hoping that 2009 will bring me some good changes!

Our Immigration/Homeland Security fingerprint appointment was changed to the 27th, so that I would not have to take Ryan out of school to go. He does not have school on the 27th, so that worked out really well.

I wish everyone a Happy New Year!!

Dawn

A couple of pictures~

2009-01-01T20:08:00.007-05:00

Tim and I ~

A picture of all of us at the end of our Christmas Eve night at Grammy and Grampy's!

(Dominic had already changed out of his sweater and had to put on a baseball tee! As he said it, "I need something comfortable on!") And what you can't see in the picture....he also had a pair of cargo shorts on.....yes, it was close to zero that night! We had to have him put a pair of sweats on before we left!

You would never know it by the picture.... but Ryan's hair had grown since his X-girlfriend cut it! Pretty short! But he did go to his Aunt this week for her to "touch it up" and clean it up, so it is starting to look like a real cut! :) He told my SIL that noone is ever touching his hair again except for her! (She is a beautician.) With his hair this short, he looks so much younger than 18!

Dawn

Lily keeps getting bigger and bigger!!

2008-12-31T22:19:00.002-05:00

Miss Lily now weighs 35 lbs and has an attitude to fit it! When we got her she only weighed 6 pounds. Needless to say, she has grown some! It is so ironic because remember, we got her because she was "supposed" to be hypoallergenic, no shedding. Well, this dog sheds enough that I could stuff pillows! I am not exaggerating. Yes, I am really, really allergic to her and am back on Zyrtec. I did ask the vet about it and she said that since she isn't a full bred Labradoodle that she will shed. Lily's mom was a golden Labradoodle and her dad was a black lab. I was thinking since her mom was part Lab already, the part of her from her Dad that was a full Lab would just go with the Labradoodle part! (ok, did that make sense what I just wrote??) Anyways, the vet said that she is 75% black lab with 25% being the poodle. Yes, Labs shed!!!! She got the shedding from the Lab part and the attitude from the poodle part! She is hilarous, if you are talking to her and she doesn't want to hear it, she turns her head, puts her nose up in the air and completely ignores you!!! She is a "lady-in-training" to put it mildly!

Dawn

Is Christmas over already???

2008-12-29T22:17:00.003-05:00

After a fun filled, relaxing Christmas week, I can't believe that it is over. We had a really nice Christmas. The boys loved their presents and as Dominic put it "it was the best Christmas ever!!" I'm beginning to wonder if this will be Dominic's last Christmas for "Santa"?? He began to question me a few days before....and if you know Dominic, he had and was asking me, very well thought-out and logical questions about Santa! To which most of his questions I answered with....Its Santa, he can do it because its magical!! I know he was processing all of his questions and my answers and still not quite sure.....well, guess what???? Internet to the rescue!! He happened to hop on my computer which has my homepage as Yahoo and it was showing the Norad tracking of Santa's trip around the world....it even showed approximately what time Santa would be arriving at our house!! Well, that convinced my sweet, little son that Santa really does exist!!!! YEAH!!!!

We go on Monday to Homeland Security/Immigration to have our fingerprints done. I received notices for Tim and I but Ryan's never came, so I called our agency to let them know. They are going to contact Immigration to make sure Ryan can just go up with us to have his done also. She said that it is possible that they Immigration had someone new processing and just didn't realize that Ryan is 18 and needs to have his done. Probably, though I wonder what Immigration thought the extra money was for??? I am really hoping that Ryan can just go with us because I don't want to make two trips if I don't have to. And I would never send Ryan to downtown Cleveland by himself. He is what you would call " direction challenged!!"

Oh yeah, I finally think I found a wonderful little camera....so far, I just love it! Very easy settings to use and so far, I am impressed with the pictures. It is a Canon SX110 IS. The zoom is awesome. I literally have probably tried about 5 cameras over the course of the past 6 months. I eventually want to "graduate" to the Nikon D80 or the Rebel but I am no where ready for that level just yet. I wanted something a little more than just the beginner camera and I think I found it! Tomorrow, I will post some Christmas pictures and of Lily (Dominic changed the spelling of her name...again...from Lily to Lilly and now back to Lily!!).

One of my absolute favorite Christmas gifts this year was one of the gifts from hubby....I absolutely love the "Willow Tree" figurines/keepsake boxes. I have collected them for a little while now. I truly love the meanings behind each one and I just love them. Every year, I get the teachers the one that is the figurine that is named, "For Learning." Anyways, back to the story.....Tim and the boys usually get me a different one each year for Christmas.....well, this year Tim got the Willow Tree Keepsake box that is for "Wishes" and inside the box is the inscription, "always hold on to your dreams"....and he had bought and put the "mother and child" charm inside. The charm and keepsake box is to represent our dream for our little princess. I had tears in my eyes when I opened that gift!

Wishing you and your family a Happy New Year!!

Dawn

Whew~~

2008-12-23T08:19:00.002-05:00

Sorry for such the delay for a new posting! It has really been busy. We finally got all of our Christmas shopping done. Lots of wrapping still to do!!! We had Christmas for my side of the family this past Saturday because my brother was home from Maine. He had to leave yesterday to get back to work and was not going to be here for Christmas Day so we decided to have our dinner and get together over the weekend. The kids all had fun, especially unwrapping their gifts!

The one thing that I did not get done (after many failed attempts)was our Christmas picture and cards!! So, I have decided that I will be sending out "Happy New Year" blessings and cards! After 20+ years of sending out cards, I still just cannot believe that I did not get it accomplished. Since my Dad was in the hospital for a few weeks in November, I just got behind. Speaking of my Dad, he is really doing alot better. Still on oxygen and probably always will be, but he looks and feels so much better.

I want to wish each of you and your families a very special Christmas holiday. I hope that you have a wonderful, blessed holiday~~

Dawn

Very busy, to say the least!!

2008-12-14T16:09:00.002-05:00

Let's see, the tree is decorated, the house is decorated (well, as much as it is going to be!!), about 80% of the shopping is done...guess what still needs to be done??? Yep, the pictures. Yes, we did have an appt. scheduled for today...well, my sweet 18 year old son let his girlfriend (1st year of cosmetology, actually first 4 months of cosmetology school) cut his hair. YIKES!!! Needless to say....it needs to grow a little!! That appointment got cancelled!!! Then I decided I was going to try one more time with some shoots taken outside with just the two boys and Lilly in the snow, not too close so Ryan's short hair is not too noticeable....well, I wake up this morning to rain...rain that melted the snow that we did still have on the ground!! Maybe I am not destined to have pictures this year!!! I'll keep you posted on that one!!

Miss Lilly puppy had her surgery this past Thursday...she is doing really well. Thursday night, I slept on the floor with her because she was more comfortable and relaxed if someone was right beside her. Have I mentioned that I am too old to be sleeping on a floor in a sleeping bag? I am still sore!!!! I'm really not exaggerating....I am still sore!!

On the adoption front....we received our 1600 paperwork back from Immigration, as I made an error when filling out the form and had indicated on the form a desire to adopt more than one child. (????? where did that come from???) We have really never discussed adopting more than one. Other than if we would get a sibling call later on down the line, that we would definitely consider it. Well, our homestudy has us approved for our initial desire of one child and does not mention any additional children. Anyways, the homestudy needs to match the 1600 form, so I have to fill out the 1600 again, indicating our desire to adopt one child (not more than one!!) and send it back in. They also requested a copy of our marriage certificate but they sent back to me the copy that I did send them originally! So, I am a little confused on with that one. I will call our agency tomorrow to see what I need to do about it.

Tim took tomorrow off work so that we can finish our shopping. Each year, we usually spend a day with just the two of us shopping and finishing things up. So, we will probably be done with shopping tomorrow. I did really well the couple of days that I did go out this past week, so there isn't much left to pick up. Now, for the wrapping, that is another story!!!!

Have a great week~~

Dawn

Not quite there!

2008-12-09T08:05:00.003-05:00

I did not quite get all on my "list" accomplished. Still have more Christmas shopping to do and the tree still needs decorated! Also, we were to have our pictures done this past Sunday and the studio called and needed to reschedule the time, well the new time was not going to work for us because we had my nieces birthday party to go to, so we had to reschedule for this coming Sunday! I really am beginning to wonder if I will get Christmas cards sent out this year!!! I am also debating as to whether to include Lilly (puppy) in the pictures. I would love to but she is so energetic and not quite what you would call well-behaved just yet!!

Lilly is also going to the vets this Thursday to be fixed. I have to drop her off in the morning and we will pick her up in the evening. Poor thing! Although, just in the past few weeks, Miss Lilly has decided that what was her baby puppy bed is her "mate". She really likes her puppy bed! If you know what I mean! Yeah, it was quite a sight to explain to a 9-year-old what his puppy was doing!!

I'm off to do some more shopping~ have a great day!

Dawn

A little of this and that!

2008-12-06T14:35:00.002-05:00

I am on a mission the next couple of days....made my lists (I am such a "list" person)....my plan is to have the most of my Christmas shopping done by Monday night. Let's see, we also have just finished cleaning the house, still have clothes to wash, we have to finish decorating the Christmas tree and setting up the Christmas village. Oh yeah, there is grocery shopping and Walmart to do also!! Lot's to do! Hopefully, I will be able to get it all accomplished.

We had Tim's Christmas party last night. We really had a good time. The employees usually do a couple of skits and this year it was a mock "American Idol". It was hilarous!! I would NEVER get up and sing in front of 100+ people. Probably because I cannot, let me repeat, cannot carry a tune and I will be the first to admit it! It would take many, and I do mean many, fruity drinks with a little bit of rum in them for me to get up and sing in front of people. Anyways, it was a fun night!

I hope everyone has a good weekend! Stay warm...we are getting alot of snow right now!

Dawn

Already December

2008-12-03T12:56:00.004-05:00

I just cannot believe that we are in to December already. I have lots to do before Christmas! With my MIL having her operation and being in the hospital for over a week, then a few days after she was discharged, my Dad went in the hospital for a couple of weeks, I am really behind in getting ready for Christmas. I am usually done fairly early and only have wrapping left to do. Well, I only have a couple of things bought! Yes, I have alot to do to get ready! I am on a mission....I have a list and will start shopping this weekend. Tomorrow, I do have to go shopping, but it is to find something to wear to Tim's Christmas party, which is this Friday night. Then on Friday, it is nails, hair and brows to be done at the salon. Have to get beautified for the party, you know??!!

Sunday, we have our picture appointment (insert smile here!!) and a birthday party for my niece. So, it is going to be a busy weekend. But I just love this time of year (except for the cold and the snow!!)

Dawn

Another try~

2008-11-30T20:42:00.003-05:00

OMGosh!!! Another try at pictures and NOTHING!!!! I don't even want to post them here... I think I am going to see if I can talk my sweet husband into spending some time in a portrait studio next weekend. I can only imagine next year (hopefully!) adding a baby/toddler to the scenerio.....

Maybe I will/should let my "obsessive Type A" personality take a break and I will NOT worry about pictures with our Christmas cards......ummmm, I'm not quite there, just yet :)

Have a great week!

Dawn

Pictures~~what was I thinking???!!!!

2008-11-27T23:02:00.002-05:00

I tried to take some pictures to use for a Christmas card....let's just say, that there will be another try at picture taking! I now remember why we have just gone to a studio for the last 10 years or so! We included Lilly (our puppy) in the pictures and her eyes all look like they are glowing, a bright yellow. I tried all different things with the camera and nothing worked. Does anyone have any ideas? I'm going to try one more time and hopefully atleast one will turn out!

My Dad is doing really well. He is still on oxygen 24 hours a day, on the average 5 liters. He does have his sleep study this Sunday evening and a couple more appointments this coming week. But overall, he is coming along.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving with lots of delicious food and time spent with family.

Dawn

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-25T07:45:00.002-05:00

Since I will be so busy the next couple of days, I wanted to take the time now to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. I love the fall season (although, it is snow covered this year, which I don't like :), I love the traditional Thanksgving food and I love spending time with our families. Also, I think the anticipation of Christmas (my other favorite holiday) being right around the corner adds to Thanksgiving.

I got Dad all settled in at home yesterday. He is doing pretty good. He has alot of appointments set up with drs to follow with. So, we are going to be busy with Dr. appointments! He is on oxygen now, 24 hours a day. The Dr. isn't sure if it will be permanent or not. One day at a time~~

I wish everyone a special Thanksgiving!!! Enjoy the time with your families!

Dawn
ps I did not get a chance last night to take the pictures for our Christmas card. Hopefully, over the next couple of days, I will be able to get some good ones.

Great Improvment!

2008-11-24T07:54:00.003-05:00

Dad has made huge improvements in the last couple of days. So much, in fact, that he will probably be released from the hospital later on today!!! His pulse ox is in lower 90's/high 80's, so he will be going home on oxygen. He will also be following with quite a few drs. Actually, last night is the best that I have seen him look in years. I am so thankful that he was able to overcome all that happened in the hospital!

Today is going to be a very busy one for me. Lots of errands, pick Dad up and get him settled, make spinach dip for Tim to take to work tomorrow, and the list goes on :)!

At one point tonight, I would like to get some pictures of the boys and Lilly. I want to take some casual pictures to use on a Holiday Postcard/Christmas card. Every year, we usually go and get our pictures done. I just don't think that we will have time to get it done this year, and if I don't hurry up with the Holiday postcards, they won't be printed and back to me before Christmas!!!

Have a great week~

Dawn

Another setback

2008-11-21T22:16:00.002-05:00

Dad has been doing a little bit better each day until this morning. He was even supposed to be moved to a regular room this morning. That changed throughout the night, last night when he started experiencing v fib. His regular heart dr. will be in to see him tomorrow morning. He did see the associate dr. of his regular heart dr. but he really didn't say too much. Dad did not experience any v fib through the afternoon or so far this evening. I hope that means something positive. Overall though, I think he is doing a bit better. His spirits are good and he says that he is feeling so much better. His lungs are still full but he doesn't look as swollen. He is still on a fluid restriction of 6 cups per day of intake. I will post more tomorrow after the heart dr. is in to see him. His pulse ox has been in the higher 80's to low 90's with 5 liters of oxygen. So much better than before. I know still a ways to go, but better.

Stay warm~~we are really getting hit with alot of snow and it is really cold!!! YUCK!!! I only like snow on Christmas Eve, other than that, I really could do without it!! I prefer the warm, sunny days!

Dawn

Reality

2008-11-19T18:46:00.003-05:00

As I posted this morning, Dominic's class went to the Salvation Army/Soup Kitchen to help serve lunch. The class chose this to do for their November service project. I'm almost ashamed to say, that prior to today, I had never physically been to a Soup Kitchen. We have given donations of food and monetary donations in the past. Our school and church usually do special collections throughout the year for such causes and we have always participated but this is the first time that I was physically there. I think what I was expecting was older people, mostly homeless. Well, it was such a profound experience. For the most part, the people that we served we were not of the older generation. They were for the most part, our age (early 40's to 50ish) and they were not homeless. Very clean, very well kept. Some said that they were stopping in for a bite to eat before heading to work, etc. Some were a little bit older and had their grandchildren with them. Some people are paying bills and not having enough leftover to buy food. Our economy is so bad right now. Something has to give. Everyone I know (including my family) has been affected somehow by our economy. I just truly hope and pray that things start to turn around and soon. I have always been very thankful and blessed for what we have been able to provide to our children and to ourselves, but today really made me stop and give extra thanks. As I mentioned, my family has not been without being touched/hurt in some ways with our current economy, but there are so many that have it much harder. The realization of reality.......

Dominic and I did go visit with my Dad after school. He seems to be still improving, albeit very small signs of improvement, but he is improving!!!! The Doctor seems to think that it will still be 2-3 weeks before he is able to come home. I am hoping that as each day passes, that my Dad will continue to improve and get stronger.

Have a special night, give your loved ones an extra special hug~~

Dawn

An improvement

2008-11-19T07:55:00.002-05:00

I don't have much time but wanted to post that my Dad is finally showing some signs of improvement. This past Sunday, he was horrible. Then on Monday, he started showing some signs of improving. Yesterday was the same. I am so thankful. Hopefully with each passing day, he will continue to improve. I want to thank each of you for your thoughts, prayers, comments and calls. I really appreciate them.

Today, I will be going with Dominic's class to the Salvation Army/soup kitchen to serve lunch. The children will be serving drinks and desserts. Dominic's class does a service project each month and this month they chose the Soup Kitchen to help out at.

After school, Dominic and I will head up to the hospital to see "papa" and visit for awhile. I will post more tonight.

I hope everyone has a very special Wednesday~~

Dawn

My Dad

2008-11-16T23:03:00.002-05:00

My Dad is still not doing very well. He is now receiving 75% oxygen. His Dr. has called in a pulmonary dr and my Dad's heart doctor. He is still filled with alot of fluid. His pulse ox has been in the lower 80's. His heart rate is really high and his blood pressure is also high. He is alert but has periods where he is disoriented and doesn't know his name nor my name. I am praying and so hopeful that in the next few days, he will show some improvement. Please keep him in your prayers. I will post more tomorrow night.

Dawn

Another step back

2008-11-13T21:38:00.002-05:00

My Dad is really not doing very well, I feel so helpless. I was at the hospital today until about 1:30p then left to be able to pick Dominic up from school. I picked him up and we came home to get a couple of things done before heading back to the hospital when Tim got off of work at 5p. Well, a little before 5, I received a call from the hospital to tell me that my Dad was critical and that I needed to get back to the hospital. I was very upset and concerned because when I had left him at 1:30, he was sitting up, talking and doing pretty good. Anyways, we got back to the hospital to find out that Dad's oxgen level had dropped to a critical level. When the nurse went to his room, she found him slumped over in his bed and his face was purple. He was totally disoriented, did not know his name, where he was, etc. He was also combative. After upping his oxgen, he came around and then realized where he was and his name. They were going to vent him but decided not to. At the present, he is stable and sitting back up in bed and was talking with us. He even ate his dinner. I plan on being at the hospital in the morning early to be there when the Dr. is in to see Dad. I do have so many more questions since this happened this evening. Hopefully, we will know more tomorrow. My Dad is young, only 63. So young it seems. I will post more tomorrow. I really appreciate everyone's thoughts and prayers. Thank you so much!

Dawn

One step forward, two steps back

2008-11-12T21:42:00.002-05:00

Update on my Dad. Poor guy, he just can't seem to shake the pneumonia. A few other issues are now ocurring so he was moved to the Cardiac floor for his heart to also be monitored. His pneumonia is not letting up, his heart rate is all over the place and he is filling up with fluid. He says that he is feeling better but I am not so sure. The Dr. has limited his fluid intake to try to help with the overload of fluid and they changed some of his meds to see if that makes a difference with his heart rate. The heart rate really concerns me because he has had serious heart problems in the past but he has been fine for the last 9 years or so. Please keep him in your prayers. I will post more after I go to the hospital tomorrow morning.

Dawn

Progressing along~~

2008-11-11T19:37:00.004-05:00

I just wanted to post that my Dad is still in the hospital but doing so much better. The Dr. said that it will still be a couple of days before he releases Dad because of the fluid buildup around his heart and lungs. Surprisingly, Dad is handling this ok, although, he does have a hard time realizing that he is NOT the only patient in the hospital! He is what you would consider impatient, unless it comes to his grandchildren, then he has all the patience in the world. Hopefully, he will be home in a couple more days.

I am going to try to take some new pictures in the next couple of days and post them. It has been awhile since I posted any of the kids and not-so-little anymore Lilly puppy! Lilly still has quite the attitude, in fact, I do believe that if a person had her little attitude out in the world, she would probably be called quite the B****! If you are saying something to her or correcting her about something and she doesn't want to hear it, she turns her little head, puts her little nose up in the air and totally ignores you. It is almost funny and you have to keep from laughing at her, the look on her face is priceless. Yep, I did say she has the attitude going on!!

Have a great Wednesday!

Dawn

A disappointment~

2008-11-10T08:05:00.002-05:00

So disappointed------we received an email from our social worker last night that when she had attended her staff meeting this past Friday, they were given new timeframes for referrals. Well, our timeframe changed 7-9 months for our referral to approximately 12 months. So, instead of getting our referral in the spring, it will most likely be in the later fall. She also mentioned a 4-6 month from referral to placement. I don't understand that one because from what I have been seeing on the Korean adoption boards, it still seems to be at a 2 month mark from referral to placement. So, potentially, we could be waiting for another 1 1/2 years for our daughter. I am so disappointed. I know that once we receive our referral that I will know the reason for the wait was so that we are placed with just the perfect little girl for our family....but, still disappointing! Of course, times can always change, speed up or unfortunately, slow down. I am trying to think positively, and think that this will give us more time to get ready, save more money, get her room ready, etc.

Please keep my Dad in your prayers, he was admitted into the hospital yesterday morning with pneumonia. We were at the hospital yesterday, and he seems to be doing good, as long as, he has oxygen. I will be leaving shortly to go to the hospital and be with him.

Have a great week~

Dawn

See My Sidebar

2008-11-07T16:35:00.004-05:00

I have been following Kris's adoption journey for a little while now. She is truly an inspiration and such a loving, sweet person. Recently, a Wii was donated to her for her to raffle off to help in her adoption journey. She is accepting donations (I think, in $10 increments) for a chance to win the Wii. Please click on the picture of the Wii in my sidebar to be taken to her blog, where you can read all the details and follow her journey. Hopefully, she will be receiving her referral pretty soon!

Our adoption community is really pretty spectacular and very special. I am so thankful and blessed for the people who have touched my life through the adoption blogworld!

Also~~~~HAPPY 21st ANNIVERSARY, SWEETHEART! I can honestly say that I love you more today than the day that we got married!!!!

Have a great weekend~

Dawn

So exciting!!!

2008-11-05T21:11:00.004-05:00

Just had to post and say that OUR HOMESTUDY IS COMPLETE!!! Our social worker was over tonight and said that we are approved and we are officially waiting for our referral. We are so excited (and nervous at the same time!) I cannot wait to see the picture of our little girl. Can you believe that there will be a 9 year age difference between each of our children? Ryan is 18, Dominic is 9 and our daughter will probably be 9 years younger than Dominic!! 18 years from the oldest to the youngest!! (yes, I do get my hair colored every 3 weeks to cover the gray!!!! haha!)(what I will mention is that I got my first gray hair at the age of 21----what a thing to inherit~~~early gray hair!!!) Thank goodness for beauty salons!!! Anyway, have a great Thursday!!

Dawn

Another giant step~~

2008-11-04T19:39:00.004-05:00

Ok, remember that last Tuesday, we were to have our last visit with our social worker to wrap everything up and for her to give us a copy of our completed homestudy. Well, we had to cancel the appointment and reschedule for this week. We had so much going on last week, with my MIL having surgery last Tuesday, her transfer to ICU and such, it was just pretty hectic. Anyways, our social worker is coming tomorrow night for the wrap up. So excited and relieved to be done with the homestudy part and on to the "wait" part.

We also have school conferences for Dominic tomorrow after school. I can't believe that the first quarter of school is done already. Report card time!! I also have a hair appointment in the afternoon. Yes, tomorrow is going to be a busy one.

I will post more after our visit with our social worker tomorrow night.

Dawn

So thankful!!!!!!

2008-11-01T18:22:00.005-04:00

Not much time, but wanted to post that my mother in law is doing wonderfully!!! She is out of ICU and in a regular room. Breathing on her own (with a little oxgen), has a normal temperature, pulse ox is almost in the normal range and her blood pressure is back to normal. We just got back from the hospital and she looks so good compared to two days ago. It is unbelievable, thankfully! She really does not remember too much except for Ryan (my oldest son) being by her side and talking to her. They have such a bond that is truly from the heart. He was the the second grandchild and the first grandchild was 9 years older than him. Then, there weren't anymore granchildren for 9 more years after Ryan. So, the two of them are really close and have a special bond. Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers, they are truly appreciated. I realize that we are getting older and unfortunately, so are our parents but it is so hard to comprehend and realize.

I hope everyone had a Happy Halloween, enjoy the rest of the weekend~

Love,

Dawn

Prayers please

2008-10-30T21:25:00.003-04:00

I know that I haven't posted in over a week. I have been busy and since not much is happening with the adoption, I just haven't felt like posting. But, my sweet, sweet mother in law had surgery yesterday (total knee replacement). She had a high fever last night so they started her on antiboitics and her fever came down. I talked with her this afternoon and she sounded good, just really tired. Then this evening, my father in law called us and said that the hospital called him and that they were transferring my mother in law to ICU, she was having a hard time breathing and her pulse ox and blood pressure were too low. My husband met him at the hospital and they got to see her for about 3 minutes before all the visitors (in icu) were asked to leave for the evening. Please keep her in your prayers. I just pray and hope that all will be okay. I have been tremendously blessed with my in laws. I love them both so very much. She is such a special person. And without a doubt, she believes that her place in this world is as a Grammy (as the granchildren call her). Her love is tremendous and her whole world is her children and grandchildren. Please keep her in your prayers. We really appreciate your thoughts and prayers. I will post more soon.

Dawn

Fire Inspection

2008-10-22T21:46:00.003-04:00

Just wanted to note that our Fire Inspection of our house was done yesterday and passed all areas. One more item off of the "to do" list....the list is shrinking!!!

Dawn~

A post~~FINALLY!

2008-10-21T10:08:00.004-04:00

Yes, I know that it has been way too long for a post. I have been really busy (not too busy to check in on my favorite blogs, though!!)

Let's see~~~on the adoption news....we completed our weekend of training this past weekend at our agency. All I can say is that it was WONDERFUL!!!! A ton of very good information and alot of excellent topics. We thoroughly enjoyed the training and learned some new things. Our social worker is coming next Tuesday, to go over our Homestudy and for a final wrap up of things. So, as of Wednesday, October 29th, we will "officially" be in line waiting for our referral. The timelines have increased some. It is estimated that our referral will come sometime in the summer or early spring...about 7-9 months from October 29th. Then approximately 2 months after, she will be escorted to us. So exciting. So, remember my last post, about wondering if my daughter has been born yet, well....probably not BUT she probably is conceived and waiting to be born. Her birth mother is probably already pregnant. My heart just goes out to her birth mother. I cannot imagine the feelings that she may be having and experiencing right now. She may or may not has already made the decision to place her baby for adoption. How courageous and brave. If she has made the decision for adoption, I am sure that she is feeling much sadness but love for her unborn child. Love so much,that she is willing to place her child for adoption, so that her child will have much different circumstances and a life that is unknown to the birth mother. I cannot even describe my sorrow for her, but at the same time, I am very thankful to her. Because without her, I would not have her daughter as my own.

I will try not to take so long between posts!! Have a wonderful week~

Dawn

Wondering??

2008-10-08T19:16:00.003-04:00

I'm wondering if our baby girl has been born yet??? This has been on my mind so much lately.....I really can't wait to see when her birthday is and how it correlates to what we were doing/completing in our process of adopting her on the day she was born.

My meandering thoughts......

Dawn~

On our way~~

2008-10-08T19:02:00.003-04:00

We have completed all of our homestudy visits with the exception of a followup one. That will be in about 2 1/2 weeks. Our social worker will have our written homestudy done by that visit. At that time, we will officially be on the waiting list for our referral. Finally!!! The fire marshall will be coming next week to complete the fire inspection on our house. Tim and I also have a few videos that we need to watch and we will also be attending our training sessions next weekend. Moving right along!!

Not too much going on right now. Dominic has a social studies test tomorrow that he wants help studying for tonight. He got his first ever "B" on his progress report and was pretty upset about it. He has always gotten A's on everything. So, he is determined that it is not going to happen again, and that by Report card time, that "B" will be an "A"! I told him that as long as he tries his best and studies, that is what really matters, not the actual letter grade. In the past, Dominic is one that doesn't really have to study too much. It just comes very easily to him and he absorbs information like a sponge. Truly. There have been times that I am just in awe of his level of spelling and reading. Anyways, he mentioned today that3rd grade is alot harder than 2nd grade. He has such determination for his grades, I hope it continues through the rest of the grades!!

Enjoy your night~

Dawn

I know, I know!!!

2008-10-03T17:44:00.003-04:00

I know it has been too long for a posting! I just really haven't felt like posting, not that I haven't been checking my favorite blogs but I really have been in a funk lately. This job thing is really getting to me. And then, Tim had a huge opportunity present itself and the recruiter was very positive. However, the prospective Employer wanted someone that had previously worked in a bank. Tim has never physically worked in a bank BUT had all the qualifications and experience that were required for the job. He has worked in the finance industry for over 12 years. He actually surpassed what they were asking for. He has even had two banks approach him with opportunities within the last couple of years but the salary that they were offering at the time was less than what he is currently making, so he declined their offers. I am one that truly does believe that everything happens for a reason. But we were pretty excited about this possible opportunity. Not too mention that it was for quite a bit more money. Maybe with all the banking troubles right now, it is a good thing that it didn't come to pass???? Who knows!! So, that is a bit of what has been happening!

On the adoption front.....we have had our family session, both of the boys have talked with the social worker and I have had my individual session. Tim will be having his individual session this coming Monday morning. After Tim is done, we will just have one more family session. I do have to call our local fire department to have them do our fire inspection. There are also a few more paperwork things that we need to do. Nothing major. We really like our social worker. She was so friendly and very easy to talk to. The hours together have really gone fast. The visit is over before we know it. Even after our little girl comes home, she will visit us once a month until finalization of the adoption, which usually is between 6-8 months after she comes home. I'm sure that her visits will be helpful, especially if there are bonding and attachment issues. Our social worker has even been an escort to bring babies from Korea to their waiting families in the United States. I thought that that was pretty interesting, that she had first hand knowledge of the actual process, the babies reactions, etc. When she did the walk through of our house and we showed her what will be the baby's room.....she laughed when she saw the "pink" closet!!! Since I was a little nervous, a nerve wrecking thing happened.....you know that we have a fairly new puppy, Lilly. Well, she really gets excited when company comes over (to the point that she pees everywhere!!) anyways, I didn't want her to "pee" all over the social worker, so we put her outside in her pen....well....it started to rain. (Tim hasn't had the chance to finish her pen, so it is still awaiting a roof). Okay, its raining, not a little bit but pretty hard, Lilly is getting soaked, she wouldn't go into her dog house, she wanted back in to the house. Well, there was no way that we could leave her out in the rain. So, like 3 minutes before the social worker is to show up, Tim is giving Miss Lilly a bath because she was muddy. We got her done just in time! (And yes, Lilly was so excited to see her that yes, she did pee everywhere!!) Just a bit embarrasing! Not too mention, I was wiping up muddy dog prints off of the ceramic tile, etc!!!Thankfully, Lydia loves dogs and didn't mind a bit.

Not too much is going on this weekend. We really don't have plans for a change. I'll probably do some fall cleaning and cook some big dinners. I love to cook large dinners in the fall and winter. We are also having our hot water heater replaced tomorrow morning. They were supposed to come today but called and said that it would have to be tomorrow. Don't you just love spending money on that type of stuff~~~urrrrgh!!!

I hope everyone enjoys their weekend~~

Dawn

Timeline

2008-10-03T17:04:00.000-04:00

Our second homestudy visit was done today!

Timeline

2008-10-01T17:04:00.000-04:00

Our first homestudy visit was today!

A change of plans~

2008-09-24T21:18:00.002-04:00

Well, we were scheduled to meet with our social worker tonight. She called around 4pm and had to cancel. Her son had had an accident and she needed to take him to get stitches. I was disappointed but understood. I felt really bad for her son, I could hear him crying in the background. So, she is going to call me back to reschedule.

I am finally feeling better. I did end up going to the drs, but it wasn't until last Friday. So, once I took the antiboitics for a couple of days, I started to feel better. That is what I get for waiting to go! But, really I thought it just a cold or allergies.

Hopefully, our social worker will call me back tomorrow to reschedule for sometime soon~~~

Have a good night!

Dawn

It's a new week!

2008-09-22T19:23:00.003-04:00

I can't believe that I am once again saying that it has almost been a week since I last posted! I get on the computer a couple times a day to check my favorite blogs that I visit but I haven't posted on my own blog!!

We did receive a call from our social worker last night, she will be coming to our house this Wednesday evening. It is for a joint session with both Tim and I. The boys will be there as well. I can't decide if I am just excited or nervous or both!! I am glad that I cleaned the house really well yesterday. I'll just have to do a few "touchups" before she gets here.

We had Ryan's fingerprints done last week so that is now completed and off of the list. Our social worker also mentioned that when the dr. filled out Tim's medical statement that he put the date where his name was to go and his name where the date was to go. So, we need to have the Dr. fill out another one correctly. I remember looking at that when I picked it up but I really didn't think it would matter since both were there....boy was I wrong! I also neeed to get a statement from the peditricians office that both of the boys are up to date with their immunizations.
I also just realized today that the Saturday that we have our adoption training is the Saturday that Tim has to work. I know that I checked this before and thought it wasn't his Saturday...either I'm losing it or I looked at the calendar wrong. So, he is going to see if he can switch his Saturdays.

Isn't it so awesome that sweet Susannah (roomforatleastonemore.blogspot.com) is making it home to the United States!! Miracles really do happen!!!

I hope everyone has a great week~

Dawn

On to the next step!!

2008-09-17T14:36:00.005-04:00

I am so excited~~~we just received a formal letter from our agency that informs us that our formal was approved and we will be proceeding to the next step in the process. Our social worker will be contacting us to set up meetings for completion of our homestudy!! I am also taking Ryan today to get his fingerprinting done. He is not going to work this afternoon so that I can take him to get them done. Since he is being so responsible about work, paying for his own gas, etc., and school, I told him that I would pay him what his wages would be for the few hours that he has to take off of work. He was excited to hear that!! It is the least that I can do. We are so proud of the responsible and mature way that he has been conducting himself. He really is doing well. My baby is truly growing up......

Please see the posting/picture in my sidebar about little Susannah. My heart just breaks for this family. Their blogspot is roomforatleastonemore.blogspot.com. They are currently in China and need all the prayers that we can give them.

Have a great night~

Dawn

Still here!!

2008-09-16T07:51:00.006-04:00

I can't believe its almost been a week since I last posted. The days are just flying by. Let me get caught up....last Thursday, I had to take Miss Lily to the vet for her appointment. Our sweet Lily gained 10 pounds in one month! Yes, she is the growing girl, such the princess! Although, I'm wondering if its the biscuit treats that she just loves! I take her back in a month for her last round of puppy shots.

Sunday--our little niece, Karsen was baptized. It was a beautiful ceremony and she just looked so precious. When Father was looking at her and speaking, Karsen would look at him and just smile a huge smile. It was very sweet. She actually wore the same dress that my sister-in-law did when she got baptized.

On the adoption front~~our formal was delivered to our agency at 10:26am last Friday. It is being processed and we should be receiving a call from our social worker in the next week or so. I'm excited to get the next part started.

I think I'm going to call the Dr. today to see if I can get in. I really haven't been feeling well since last Thursday. Sore throat, voice comes and goes, cough and now my chest is hurting. I was hoping it was just a cold but I'm thinking its more...yuck!!

Dominic's best buddy will be coming over after school today. They have been wanting to get together, so I will pick both of them up after school so that they can play for a few hours before his Dad picks him up. Dominic was so excited when I told him this morning. I can't believe that I hadn't told him before this morning!! I actually forgot until I looked at my calendar (my bible!!). Jeez, I didn't even get to use it as a bribe with Dominic!! :) what was I thinking!!! haha!

Have a great day!

Dawn

Timeline

2008-09-10T17:02:00.001-04:00

After completion of much paperwork, running around, drs appointments, etc......

Our Formal Application was submitted to FAC today!

Mr. Postman~~

2008-09-10T16:09:00.007-04:00

I have FINALLY mailed our formal application to our agency! I just made all of the copies last night at Tim's work. We have had the money set aside for this adoption for awhile but then life threw a wrench in to our carefully planned plans.....my losing my job. We have been fine with me on unemployment but we couldn't decide if we should take the money out of our adoption fund for the next step in the adoption process or hold off, just in case that we may need that money since I am not working. This has weighed on our minds. Do we use the money that was intended for the adoption, do we put it on a credit card (ugh!), do we take out a low interest adoption loan.....anyways, we made a decision and off the package went to our adoption agency!! I need to back up a little bit....last Friday morning, I logged on to my Korean Adoption Boards only to find out that someone had posted that FAC (our agency) had posted on their website that they were not completing anymore homestudies UNTIL mid to late of 2009~!!!!! WHAT!!!! I immediately start crying and think if they do that then we will be too old for the Korean program. I called Tim at work and explained what has happened. He immediately says, call them and tell them that our formal is finished and we can overnight it with the money. (in the back of mind, I kept thinking, we have had our formal done for a couple of weeks...why didn't we just send it in...no, we have lost our baby....,my heart was breaking.) I call our agency, they immediately reassure me that we are already in the process and we are fine....they WILL be doing our homestudy shortly!! RELIEF just washed over me. I called Tim to update him. He says, "get that formal in the mail!!" Apparently, the reason FAC has put a hold on the future homestudies is because there has been such an increased in the Korean adoption because of the long wait times for China. They don't want to give unrealistic wait times to new families that are just starting the process. The original wait times that we were quoted are still realistic. YEAH!!

Dominic has "Open House" this evening at his school. We will be going there and then over to my in-laws to celebrate my father-in-law's birthday. Another busy night!!

We have a HUGE thing going on right now....I don't want to say too much because I don't want to jinx anything but I would really appreciate any special, extra prayers for us. I really, really would appreciate them!! Hopefully, all will work out and I will post more information as soon as I can.

Have a great rest of the week~

Dawn

What's in a name?

2008-09-06T21:22:00.003-04:00

As most of you know, we are huge baseball fans. Our oldest son is named Ryan. His name came about because while we were still dating, Tim mentioned that if he ever had a son he wanted to name him Ryan after Nolan Ryan, the baseball player. Tim is a HUGE Nolan Ryan fan. I had always liked the name and it wasn't really a common name, which I liked. So, a few years into our marriage along came our Ryan. Ryan Timothy (Timothy after his dad). When I was pregnant with Dominic and we found out he was going to be a boy, Tim immediately said,"lets name him Nolan after Nolan Ryan. Then we will have both a Nolan and a Ryan. At first, I said okay. Well, as time went on, I just couldn't get used to saying Nolan. It just didn't "feel right" to me. I liked the name (and still do), but it didn't feel like that should be my sons name. Now its time for the actual delivery....I delivered our little Dominic, still with the intentions that his name would be Nolan. I filled out the paperwork at the hospital for his birth certificate as Nolan Dominic. I kept thinking that it didn't feel right. Still in the hospital, and getting ready for discharge and I said something to Tim about the name just didn't feel right to me nor did our new son look like a "Nolan". I suggested that we name him Dominic Nolan. Dominic is actually Tims grandfathers name (and a name that I have always loved!). So, needless to say, we redid the paperwork and changed his name to Dominic Nolan. Tim still called him Nolan for about a day then it went to Dominic. Dominic looked like a "Dominic" to me and I just felt that that was supposed to be his name!! Anyways, Dominic and I came home from the hospital to a house that was decorated by Tim and Ryan. Guess what all the signs had on them??? Yep, Welcome Home Mommy and Nolan!! Tim had no idea that when he was decorating the house that I wanted to change our baby's name!

Now on to our daughters name. When we made the final decision to start the paperwork for our daughter, Tim asked me if I had a name in mind. Well, of course, I did. I already had a list made out of potential names that I liked. From Chloe, Addisyn, Bailey, Gianna, MaKenna, Madison, Olivia and Sophia. I asked him which one he liked. (I was actually thinking I was making it easy for him, since all he had to do was pick just one name off of the list!! How silly of me to think it was going to be that easy!! haha!!) Well, from the look on his face, I knew that he also had a name that he liked and that name was not on my list. I then asked him what name he liked....ok, are you ready for this???? He liked the name Lynn. Why you ask??? Because Nolan Ryan's given birthname is.....Lynn Nolan Ryan. I really like the name Lynn, in fact one of my very dear and closest friend's name is Lynn. But, I just wanted a name that was a little different and unique. Well, Tim then got on the computer and looked up baby girl names that end in -lynn. We went down the list and at the same time we both said "Brooklynn". We both really love the name, so our daughters name will be "Brooklynn". I had heard the name before, a while ago, and at the time, I really liked it. I couldn't believe that I had not put it on my list of names!! :)

Wouldn't Nolan Ryan be so surprised to know that we have or should I say, will have, 3 children, all that have his birth name, Lynn Nolan Ryan, incorporated in each of their names somehow!! It is kind of a neat naming history if you are a huge baseball fan!!

More on the Nolan Ryan obsession: For Tim's 40th birthday, I got him a signed framed photograph of Nolan Ryan. For our 20th anniversary I wanted to get him something really special, that he would treasure. Well, it ended up being an authentic Texas Rangers baseball jersey signed by Nolan Ryan. I had it framed at an Art store in a huge oak frame. I succeeded in making it something that he would treasure....I believe he had tears in his eyes when he opened that gift! He also has a signed bat along with a Texas Rangers hat that the boys got him for Christmas last year. Now, for my obsession....you can't go wrong with diamonds or pearls!! I absolutely love them both!! Can't go wrong there!! :)

Enjoy the rest of the weekend~

Dawn

Thursday

2008-09-04T16:09:00.005-04:00

Today I worked with my friend who has the medical transcription business. Still "trying" it out. It really is seeming to fall in to place.

A friend of mine(she used to be my manager a few years ago) received horrible, devastasting news over the weekend. Her new grand-daughter, who was born on August 13, passed away from pulmonary hypertension. Her calling hours are this evening, so I will be attending. Baby Alexandra is her first grandchild. I feel so bad, she was so excited about being a grandma.

The potential job at the hospital that I had interviewed with last week, did call this past Tuesday. We discussed the job further, he asked for my professional references and wanted me to meet with the rest of the team this morning. After much tossing and turning last night and just not knowing what to do, I decided to not pursue this particular job any further. Based on the job duties, I just knew without a doubt that the position was going to involve many, ongoing hours over 40 hours each week. I'm really okay with working more than 40 if its a special project or deadline. But not week after week. I love my time with my family. And I am so passed that point in my life where work dictates our life. Please don't get me wrong, I work hard and I will give 110% to the job but as I have gotten more "mature", I realize that work is not to be our whole life. I hope that makes sense~~

Have a great Friday!

Dawn

Weekend Update

2008-09-01T19:37:00.013-04:00

New pictures of Lilly

Me and my Mom Tim and his Mom
Dominic and his best buddy, Jess Dominic and Daddy Tim and I

Although the Indians didn't win, we still had a fun afternoon! There was a change of plans on who actually went. Ryan decided not to go and spend the day at Mary's. My father in law decided to stay home and work in his yard. So, Tim and I, my mom, his mom, Dominic and his buddy, Jess all went. After the game we headed over to my friends house for a picnic and some more fun. I learned how to play Cornhole! I actually was pretty good....wondering if the margaritas had anything to do with it?? haha! Afterwards, Jess came back to our house to spend the night with Dominic. So, late night but we had fun. We got up fairly early this morning, I had to go to the grocery store and Wal-mart before a picnic at my moms house this afternoon. Ate too much and I am so tired!! It will be an early night tonight!

Also, a few new pictures of our sweet Lily....also known as "Miss Lillian" when she is being naughty!

Have a great week!

Dawn

Busy Saturday

2008-08-30T18:23:00.003-04:00

Its Saturday so I have been doing the usual Saturday chores, cleaning house and washing clothes!!~~ I love to have a clean house. My mom also stopped over because my new sister in law had given her the wedding album (from the photographer) to show me. She had just gotten it yesterday. The pictures turned out beautiful. The photographer did a wonderful job! I really liked the outdoor pictures that she took. It was such a beautiful summer day, perfect for a wedding. There are a few pictures that are dear to me, so I am sure that I will be ordering them!

Tomorrow we will be heading to the Cleveland Indians game. We are huge Indians fans, although...they are NOT having a good year! We usually go to 4-5 games each year, and believe it or not, this is the first one this year. We have been so busy that the summer has just gotten away from us. I'll post some pictures tomorrow night or Monday. We also have a Labor Day picnic at one of my best friends house to go to after the game. Her youngest son is Dominic's best little buddy, so he is going to the game with us and then we will head to his house after for some more fun. Dominic is so excited to have his buddy going with him. Ryan is also going and his best friend is also coming with us. It is supposed to be a beautiful day so hopefully, no rain!!

Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

Dawn

Friday is here!!

2008-08-29T08:35:00.002-04:00

I just cannot believe that we are headed into September....just a few short months and we will be into the holiday season. Seems unbelieveable! Although, I do love the holidays...not the Ohio weather that we get during the holiday season! As I have gotten older, I just do not like the winters at all. Don't care to be out in it, don't care to drive in it, etc.

Today, I will be making copies of all of our paperwork for our formal application. The last few days have been so busy that I have not had the time to make these copies. So, today is the day!

My interview yesterday went really well. It was at a local hospital. The position sounds very interesting and challenging. Just not sure of the hours. I think it will be very time consuming. I'll see what they have to say for sure if they call me with an offer. Another thing that I will have to check in to is that the school district that we live in does not bus into Dominic's school (different district). Either Tim or I take him and I pick him up. In the past when I worked outside of the home, Dominic would take the school bus after school over to his daycare which was in the same district. We could do this because our school district signed off/allowed Dominic to transfer to another school district for the bussing. Well, I just found out that the school district where his school is located and the one that would be providing transportation is not transporting any children that do not live in their district at the present time. They are evaluating the situation and if they have openings then will allow other students to be bussed to their after school daycares. This school district has had to cut back on their bussing drastically because of their budget. So, this is also something that we will have to consider. I just don't know what to do. Ryan picked him up after school last year because he was getting into town just the time Dominic was getting off of school. But this year, Ryan goes straight to work from school so he couldn't pick him up. I hate to ask my in-laws to do it everyday. That is such a responsibility and I don't want to take advantage of them. They are retired and do not have a set schedule. I'm sure that they would do it but I would just not feel right about it. They also have other grandchildren and it wouldn't be fair....does that make sense?? My mom works afternoon turn so I couldn't ask her as she will be at work. I guess we will just wait and see what happens. Everything will work out in time.

Enjoy the long holiday weekend!

Dawn

Mid-week!

2008-08-27T11:00:00.003-04:00

First of all, I have to tell you~~~Tim is also finished with this autobiography!! Although, his is shorter than mine! I'm sure thats the case with most, the husbands being shorter!! Now, I need to make copies of absolutely everything, write a check and send all off to our agency!! (you can't see me, but I am doing a happy dance right now!!) I hope to make copies at one point today. I am babysitting my niece today while my sister in law is at work. She (Karsen) is 2 months old and the sweetest little thing, loves to cuddle. Then later tonight, we are also all getting together tonight for mother in laws birthday and their 48th wedding anniversary. So, today/tonight is going to be a little busy. If not today, then tomorrow will be the day!

Our dear Lilly puppy is quite concerned with the baby...all morning she (Lilly) has been making little noises if the baby makes a noise. If she sees me carrying the baby then she starts to cry!! OK, I have 2 babies today!!

I will write more later~

Dawn

It's Monday with both boys in school!

2008-08-25T20:03:00.003-04:00

Yes, both of my boys are back in school. I think school should start after Labor Day like it used to. The summers are just too short. Ryan had his first official day as a SENIOR!! I just cannot believe it! The portrait studio called today and his final senior pictures are ready to be picked up. I have to call and make an appt. to go in and pick them up. Senior pictures....a story within itself! I had taken Ryan in June to get his pictures done at a studio that I had seen numerous pictures of that they have done in the past. Ryan's cousin, a son of a close friend of ours and another friend of Ryan's. The pictures that I saw were beautiful, catch your breath beautiful. Anyways, Ryan got his done at this particular studio in June. I was soooo disappointed when I saw his proofs. There was about 30 different poses (usual for a boy) BUT the poses were basically the same except with different backgrounds. No originality, no creativity. Don't get me wrong, the pictures were wonderful but for the cost I really expected something really special. So, I complained to the studio, the lady that I spoke with agreed with me after she viewed Ryan's pictures and said that I could have Ryan's pictures redone with a different photographer. Ok, now by this time, Ryan was working full time and they had limited appointments available. Understandably, Ryan did not want to take off of work to have retakes done since he had just started his job. Long story short, we just picked 3 poses from the original pictures that he had done. I am sure that we will love the finished products. Other "senior" news....we have booked the hall for his Open House. It will be in May. I know, quite in advance. But, if I didn't do it now, it wouldn't of been available.

On the job front....I did receive an offer from the company that I interviewed with last week. They called today. I decided against it as the offer was for 1/2 of the salary of what I was making.....UURRGGHHH! I also received another call today and have an interview for this Thursday at a local hospital. I also really enjoyed the medical transcription that I also "tried" this past Friday. Decisions, decisions!! I really, really thought I would be at my last job until I retired. I enjoyed it so much.

As I am typing this, Tim is finishing up his autobiography!!! I can't believe that we are almost there! Also, Ryan does not have school this Friday so if he doesn't have to work, I will be taking him to get his fingerprinting done. I promised him that I would not make it an early appointment and that he could sleep in some! I do have this feeling that our daughter has already been born, she is just waiting for us. It will be interesting/exciting to receive our referral and actually see when her birthday is.

Have a a great week!

Dawn

My autobiography!

2008-08-24T20:07:00.002-04:00

I just had to log on and tell you that I finally finished my autobiography this evening! I'm so relieved to have it finished. It's almost 6 typed written pages....yes, I'm a little detailed oriented and talkative!! haha! Tim will finishing his up this week...exciting!

I still can't believe that I'm done with mine!!

Have a great week!

Dawn

Saturday

2008-08-23T17:45:00.003-04:00

Tim, Dominic and my father in law went up to Lake Erie today on a fishing trip. Ryan already had plans with his girlfriend to go to the outlet mall to do school shopping. So, I slept in! Then spent the day cleaning and doing clothes. I even got all the rugs, throws and odds and ends washed. I do want to spend some time in Ryans closet, putting aside the clothes that he doesn't wear anymore. Hopefully, I will get that done yet today.

I did receive a voice mail in regards to a potential job at a local hospital yesterday. When I returned the call, I had to leave a voice mail. So, now to wait until Monday! Yesterday, I also worked with my friend who has the transcription company. I think I would really like it. It seemed to fall into place. We'll see. I also received a voice mail from the company that I interviewed with this past week. I did leave a return voice mail. The only concern I have with that is like I mentioned, the pay is literally 1/2 of what I was making. Not good. We'll see what happens this week.

I'm so used to having Dominic home with me all day that I really missed him Thursday and Friday while he was at school. I looked forward to picking him up each day. He even mentioned that he missed me and thought about me while he was at school. What a sweetie! It made me smile. I truly did enjoy being off of work this summer. Although, with my previous job, I worked from home, I still kept business hours so we couldn't just up and go all the time like we did this summer!!

I'll write more later! Have a great weekend!

Dawn

First day of school for Dominic and Lilly pictures

2008-08-21T15:54:00.009-04:00

Today was Dominic's first day of school. I can't believe that my baby started 3rd grade. Doesn't he look so serious?! I picked him up after school and he was all excited about the day. I wonder how long that will last?? haha! He really does take school and his grades seriously. I am so thankful for that.

Dominic took more pictures of Lily last night so he wanted me to post those as well. She is starting to calm down and be more of the "cuddly lap puppy" that I wanted. She has such the personality. Isn't it funny how just by the look on your pets face you can tell exactly what they are thinking? She definitely keeps us laughing with her antics and expressions on her face.

I did receive our last teacher reference this morning. All that is left to do is complete the autobiographies. I really thought I would breeze through mine. Not! I am way too detailed and "talkative" for that. Anyways, that is all that is left then we submit the formal application and our homestudy starts. Our agency says that it usually takes a month or so for completion of that. Then we will be HSTK (Home Study to Korea). Which means, we wait for our referral. We will have some paperwork and classes to do while we wait. I can't wait to get to that point!

I did receive a voice mail from my friend Kim, her mom's surgery this morning went well. I hope her recovery goes well. (Kim, I'm thinking of you!)

I almost forgot too mention how the interview went yesterday! It went really well. In fact, they were looking for a release for me to sign to have my drug testing done. But, they couldn't locate one, so they mentioned they will be calling me. The pay, however, is literally about 1/2 of what I was making previously. It is so upsetting. I really have to take into account the cost of daycare and afterschool care. So, I continue looking. I did talk with one of my friends from the hospital where I worked at. There may be a part-time opening coming up there....keep your fingers crossed for me. I also have another friend who has a medical transcription company that I am going to "try out". That would be wonderful because I would still be able to stay home. She says that I will be fine because of my medical background and experience. I hope so!

Have a great night!

Dawn

The "PINK" closet!!

2008-08-19T21:09:00.002-04:00

Did someone say "pink"???? I do love "retail shopping"! Not too mention, a girl cannot have to many clothes!!!! (and I've only just begun!!)

Pictures of our sweet Lily

2008-08-19T20:55:00.010-04:00

Doesn't she just look like she has the attitude??!

Countdown to school!

2008-08-19T17:32:00.005-04:00

Only 1 more day off until Dominic starts school....the summer went sooo fast! Way too fast, its kind of sad. I think he is excited about seeing everyone and secretly excited about school...(he just wouldn't let on that he really is excited about school starting!!) (Although, he just read this and said, "mom, I'm really not excited!")

I did receive a call today for a potential job...I have an interview tomorrow morning. I am so torn. I thoroughly enjoyed my previous job and being able to work from home. I loved it! I still kept business hours per say but just being able to be home when the boys got off of school, etc. was absolutely wonderful. Dominic has always attended daycare/afterschool care (previous to me having the work from home position). I have no doubts about using his daycare again, they are wonderful. He really enjoyed his time there. I do believe that their part in his early years actually helped him become the successful student that he is. They were very disciplined, structured and loving. What does bother me is that now that he is older is that he would be bored attending daycare in the summer. After school care wouldn't be bad because they just do their homework after a snack. And it would only be for an hour or so until he would be picked up. So, I guess we shall see how tomorrow plays out before I make any huge decisions. I would love to find another position like I had, I actually had to sign a no-compete agreement with my employment contract which forbids me to pursue employment (with their competitors) for 6 months after leaving my former employer. I am about 2 1/2 months in to it, so that it could be another option. I truly believe that everything happens for a reason, so I really would like some sign as to why this happened!!! :)

Lily is doing really well. She is such the sweetheart! She is sleeping from about 10pm at night until about 5:30-6:30a. She then goes outside for a break, then eats and goes back to sleep for another few hours. Not too bad! (Remind me of that when I hear her at 5:30a in the morning whining!!!)

The mother of a very dear and very close friend (Kim) of mine is having surgery on Thursday. She fell and broke her ankle in a couple of places so she is in the hospital. She does have other complicated medical issues so please keep her in your prayers.

Will let you know how tomorrow goes!

Dawn

It's Monday!!

2008-08-18T15:07:00.003-04:00

First thing this morning, Tim and I went to get our State and Federal fingerprinting done. One more thing to check off the to-do list!! Since Ryan is now 18, he will also have to have his fingerprinting done. Somehow we will have to fit it in, between school and work.

Dominic starts school this Thursday. We still need to label all of his school supplies. We will probably work on that tonight. We did receive encouraging news about our school. If you will remember, our beloved principal had left our precious school (after 20 some years) due to the new priest at our church. (Very long story!) Anyways, he is not the man that he presents himself to be or should I say, the man that he wants to be percieved as by his parishioners and the school family. Another teacher that has been at the school for almost, if not, 20 years, accepted the principal position. She actually retired at the end of last year. It is so encouraging to hear that our new principal will be someone that has been at the school, knows the environment, the parents and the students. I can only think that she came back because she was so concerned for our school. Bless her heart. I know that I have been so worried and concerned about this upcoming school year. I just couldn't believe that our beloved, sweet principal was not going to be watching over Dominic and the school. I always had the feeling that my children were safe, loved and well cared for while she was there. I can not say enough about her and what she has done for our school and for each family. She truly cares and loves each student, just touching everyones heart. Ryan graduated from there (only goes through 8th grade) and I just couldn't imagine Dominic not having the same experience. I am so thankful that the new principal really won't be "new" at all!!

Have a great night!

Dawn

It's been a week!

2008-08-14T15:36:00.007-04:00

I can't believe its been a week since I last posted. What I really can't believe is that Dominic starts back to school next Thursday, and Ryan the following Monday. Dominic and I went school/uniform shopping this past Tuesday. The only items left to pick up for him are his school supplies and a lunch box. The school sends home the supply list with the end of the year report cards from last school year. I will do that in the next few days. Ryan and I haven't went shopping yet. We will probably go the weekend before he starts school....he has to fit "mom time" and shopping in to his teenaged filled schedule!! He definately is our socializer!!

The place where Ryan has been working all summer asked him if he would be interested in continuing to work after school as well as, be in the schools work program. That is a program where seniors are allowed to leave 3 days a week early to go to work. Their work time actually counts towards their required lab time, as long as, their job is related to their course of study. He is really excited to be able to do this. Although, I have reservations. I told him that he will have to work the rest of his life, to just enjoy his senior year and work a few hours after school a few days a week. But, he really wants to do this. He wants his own money and wants the experience. I am so proud of him that he is being so responsible. I still cannot believe that I have an 18 year old!!! I just can't be that old!!

Dominic went for his physical at the peditricians today. Went well except for the fact that he had to get two shots! His chicken pox booster and his hepatitis A shot. Boy was he upset with me for not telling him beforehand. It took me awhile to convince him that I honestly did not know that he would have to get them!!

On the adoption news....Tim and I will go this coming Monday for our fingerprints for our background clearances, both state and federal. Still waiting on the one teacher reference to get back. I did talk with her at the beginning of the week and she said that she would be completing it. I have been picking up girlie summer outfits, as they are on clearance now. I cannot believe that what I am getting for the prices!! So marked down....outfits for 2 and 3 dollars. I just pray and hope that I am guesstimating the size accurately! Or that she will be smaller and will be able to wear them her second summer with us! Both Ryan and Dominic were in 12 month clothes when they were 3-4 months old, then 24 months at the age of 12 months. So, I have been picking up 18-24 months. Her closet is definately all girlie pink!! I am so excited about the markdowns! Most of the outfits were originally in the $25 dollar range and gorgeous....couldn't help myself!! Once I get our new camera, I will have to take a picture of her closet and post a picture!!

Update on our sweet Lily puppy (same thing, once get new camera...will post pictures of her). Until last night, she was sleeping all night (from 10p until about 6am) would go outside for a potty break, then eat, back outside for another break, then come in and sleep for a few more hours. Last night, she was up for most of the night and not quite herself. I thought back to the one night a few weeks ago that she was up all night and realized that on both of these days, I had given her her worming pill(s). I am sure that it is more than a coincidence, has to be. Thankfully, she is done with those pills!!! (Dominic asked me today if there are sleeping pills for puppies!!haha!) She does seem more like herself today.....whew!!! She does have quite the little attitude, she is such a girl! She is also very smart....after Tim showing her how to sit for a treat 3 times, she now knows how to sit on command. She also will "stay" on command. If you remember, I originally went to this place to get her because she is part golden labra-doodle....hypoallergenic, right???? OK, the vet said that because she is mostly lab (her dad is a black lab) that she is not hypoallergenic. My dog allergies are absolutely horrible....sneezing, itchy eyes, runny nose, wheezing...I am back on Claritin and surviving for the most part. I just pray that my asthma doesn't start to act up. I have not had problems in about 6-7 years. (its been that long since we have had an indoor pet). We may end up making her an outside/indoor dog. We have a second garage in our side yard that Tim may somehow make her a pen that is attached but under the overhang, with an opening into the garage where her dog house will be. That way she will be protected from the rain, snow, etc. She will have her own condo!! The garage is really not far from our back deck and sliding glass door so we will be able to see her. We'll see how I do in the next few weeks. We can't give her away....we are pretty attached to her already. She's our "Lil-ster"!!!

I really do need to post about how Ryan and Dominic's names came to be and how we came up with our daughter-to-be's name! I will do that soon!

Have a nice night!

Dawn

Today's Happenings

2008-08-07T17:11:00.003-04:00

Dominic and I took Lily to the vet this morning for her first shots and check up. The vet said she looked very healthy and should only get to be about 50 pounds or so. We take her back in 3 weeks for the next round of shots. She has been sleeping most of the day (the vet said that she might be sleepy from the shots). She did sleep all of last night so I hope that continues tonight!! :)

More tomorrow!

Dawn

Out of sorts kinda day

2008-08-06T16:51:00.004-04:00

Well, this morning, I had to attend a 4 hour mandatory session at the unemployment office. Just 2 months ago, the company I was working for moved their work-from-home positions to their on site facility. Unfortunately, due to the distance and time involved in the drive to and from, I was unable to accept their offer to work on-site. I was and still am so upset about this. Back in March of 2007, I left a local hospital where I was a Supervisor of Health Information Management (medical records) to pursue this opportunity with this company to be able to work from home. I was still in my field of medical records. However, I was able to work from home; abstracting, analyzing and preparing records for counsel to be able to take to legal proceedings. I was so excited with this opportunity. No gas money, no daycare nor afterschool care, etc. It was wonderful. Then to receive an email stating that the work from home positions were being moved on site was very upsetting. It still is. Never was it said that the work from home positions were temporary. I would of never left my position at the hospital had it been. NEVER. I would of never referred two of my friends to this company. NEVER!!! So, needless to say, I am collecting unemployment and trying to find another job. So, last week, I received a notice that I was to attend a 4 hour assessment meeting at our local unemployment/job services office. Basically, good information but common sense information. I have already updated my professional resume, so I didn't need help with that. I also know what to say and what not to say in an interview, how to dress, etc.,...but, anyways, it really was kind of depressing. It was mentioned that applicants over 40 have a harder time getting hired due to employers have the misconception that older employees cost them more for insurance, etc. OK, I'm over 40....barely, but, you know, it bothers you to hear something like that. I am a professional individual that has been in management for many years and I enjoy the field I am in. Always glowing evaluations, etc. Just discouraging!!! I know things always happen for a reason.....so, hopefully, another opportunity will present itself to me.

Birthday update: Dominic does not want to go out to eat tonight for his birthday celebration....he wants "Daddy" to make steak. (Tim makes awesome steaks!!) and I will make the fixings to go with it. So, that is what we will be having tonight!!

Lily....let's see...she did not do as well last night as the night before. She went to bed about 10:30p and got up at 4a, then back down a little after 5a. I'm hopeful that as each night passes, she will get into the routine of sleeping longer. We take her to the vets tomorrow for her first shots and checkup. I'm anxious to see how big the vet thinks she will get. I'm hoping not too big!!

Have a good night!

Dawn

My Baby's Birthday

2008-08-05T14:10:00.004-04:00

Today is my baby's 9th birthday.....where does time go? Dominic turned 9 today! It seems like yesterday that he was born. Tim has to work late tonight, so we will not be going out for Dominic's birthday celebration until tomorrow night.

Lily puppy did WONDERFUL last night!! YEAH!!! She went to bed at 10:30p and didn't get up until about 6:30a!! Went outside for her potty break, had some breakfast and went right back to sleep until about 9am! I hope this continues :) She is such a sweetheart. I know, I have to post some pictures of her.

Not much news on the adoption for right now. Still waiting on the teacher reference and still working on our autobiographies. I can't believe that we aren't finished with them yet. But with baseball camp, Tim working, new puppy and my brothers wedding, we just haven't had the time to even work on them. I keep thinking that we should of started our homestudy by now. But, then I remember something someone told me before we started the whole process...."there will be times that go slower than others, that is because God has the perfect child picked out for you, so when she is ready, all will fall into place." So, I keep thinking that is why.....

Happy Birthday, our sweet Dominic, we love you so very much!!

Have a great day!

Dawn

End of a very busy week!

2008-08-03T21:41:00.004-04:00

We have had a very busy week! Dominic had baseball camp all week, my brother's wedding was yesterday, and of course, our new puppy. Dominic really enjoyed and learned alot of technique at baseball camp. My youngest brother got married yesterday. It was such a beautiful ceremony. I am so happy for him. We were all in the wedding, so it was very hectic!! But everything fell into place and the day turned out wonderful with very special memories. Lily is doing much better at night, sleeping longer each night. Her third night with us, she only slept about 1 1/2 hours total....which made for a verrrry, looonnnggg night! I was so tired the next day. But, she is doing much better now. She usually gets up at 3:30a, goes outside for a potty break, then goes back to sleep until about 5:30a. She then wants to eat and goes back outside for another break. She will then sleep until about 8:30a. We have decided that she is training us for our new baby!!

We received very upsetting news this week. Our principal at our beloved school will not be returning this year. She is such a very special person and will be so dearly missed. Apparently, some of the teachers will not be returning due to this. We have a very small, personal Catholic school. There is one class per grade so it is very personal, and so very special. I cannot say enough about our school, the teachers and our principal. Our principal is someone who truly loves and believes in our children. Her entire being embodies the school. Unfortunately, due to a newer priest at our church, his beliefs and actions have caused quite an upset. He truly does not know how this will effect each of the families. It is so upsetting that one person can cause such turmoil and upset. It is felt that he really doesn't want to be bothered with the school and would like to see it closed. I'm just hopeful that something will be done and he will be removed from our church and school. Our principal has been with the school for over 20 years and is truly loved by everyone. It just doesn't seem possible that this could even happen. Please keep our school family in your prayers that everything will work out. Ryan graduated from this school (it only goes through 8th grade) and I only hope that Dominic will be able to experience the same in the years to come.

Have a great week and I will post more in the next few days~

Dawn

First Night with Lily Puppy!

2008-07-29T19:49:00.002-04:00

Our sweet Lily did so-so last night. We went to bed about 10 pm. We had put her in her crate with a comfy blanket, her chew toys, a little bowl of water and one of Dominic's t-shirts (that she now lugs around with her!). Well, about 1:30a, we heard her downstairs starting to cry. We went down to see her and take her outside for a potty break. Tim and Dominic went back upstairs to go back to sleep after I volunteered to stay with her for a little while. She wanted to play a little while but then went right back into her crate to go back to sleep. I then laid on the couch because I thought she wouldn't go back to sleep for too long. She ended up sleeping until about 5:30a. Then was back up, crying. I took her back outside for another potty break. However, when we came back in, she really wanted to play and not go back in her crate. So, I held her for awhile, let her play, and then put her back in. At about 6:30a, Dominic got up to get ready for baseball camp and play with her. So, for Miss Lily's first night at home, she got up twice. Not too bad, but I sure am tired! Hopefully, tonight will be better. But, I am sure that she is way too young to be able to not go potty for more than a few hours at a time. We'll see how tonight goes!

Have a good night!
Dawn