Avery is transitioning!!

As many of you are aware, after I left the public school system, I went to Owen's child development center to work. I love it!!! It is the perfect job with children. I don't have to do lesson plans or grade papers at night. All I have to do is be with my kiddos. Anyway, going back to work after my adoption leave with Avery wasn't as bad as I anticipated. Why should it have been? She was going to be with me...in my classroom!!! Well, the time is approaching that she will be moving to the next class. While I am sad to see her leave my side I think that it will be good for her. Today I sent her over to her new room just for morning snack and outside time. She had a little bit of difficulty at first. She wanted to be held a LOT but she did eventually get down and play. So, we will continue transitioning her until her official move on May 19th!!!! Keep your fingers crossed that she will transition smoothly!!!!

Owen's 3rd Gotcha Day Pictures

Happy Gotcha Day Owen!!!!

Owen was added to our family 3 years ago TODAY!!!! What a blessing he has been! We will never forget the sacrafice his birthparents made. Nor will we forget the time that he spent with Mrs. Hwang. Our time in Korea was like no other! Today we think of Owen's birthparents, foster parents and Korea.

To celebrate Owen wants to have Korean for lunch, go bowling and then have meemaw and papa over for dinner and a special cake. Should be fun!!! Happy Gotcha Day baby boy!!!

sadness.

So, last week it was all over the news websites about the corruption in Vietnam adoptions. To those of us who follow this all of the time, it was not new news. But then today the awful news that most of us have been waiting to hear from the US Embassy was posted on their website. The warning that was issued and the confirmation that anyone who does not have a referral by September 1st will not be adopting a child from Vietnam for a while makes me ill. For those who don't know, the agreement between the US and VN expires 09/01/08 and there is clearly going to be a lapse between the old one expiring and a new one being signed. But then, to make things so much worse, the summary of irregularities was also on the Embassy site documenting all of the corruption that the US govt. has uncovered in VN adoptions. It is sickening and the most horrifying information. Again, most of this is not new, but seeing it all laid out on the US Embassy website is a lot to take in.

Avery Update

Avery is approaching her 16 month mini-birthday so I thought that I should update you on her progress. She has finally reached 20 pounds! She is still so itty, bitty (for being 16 months). We are having such trouble finding clothes to fit her. The shorts that fit her for this season are still shorts from last year. Size 3 months seems to fit her best (Yes, I said 3 months - hehehe). I do find that my favorite store, Gymboree works well too. At least there, we can get clothing that is somewhat closer to her age (6-12 months). I think that she is just going to remain tiny.

She now says mama, daddy, papa, thank you. She is crawling, walking and RUNNING! She signs please and thank you with an occassional more. She loves dogs, babies and music! Scott says that she is super high maintenance but...what little girl isn't, right?

Our lives have been blessed to have added Miss Avery to our family! I pray that all of the other families in process with Vietnam are able to be equally blessed. We also pray that Vietnam and the United States are able to work out an agreement to continue helping place children with their forever families.

Earthquake Quiz

With our recent earthquake and after shocks a friend sent me this quake quiz to see how much I knew. Click the bold face link to check your knowledge.

Vegas Baby!!!

Scott and I are going to Vegas baby!!!! His company is sending him for a conference and I am tagging along. I figure I can lay by the pool with or without him, right? I am trying to persuade him to see Phantom of the Opera and have dinner at The Eiffel Tower Restaurant. In addition, I have found tons of fun things to do (besides the pool of course):
M & M World,
Bellagio Fountains,
The Lion Habitat,
Rainforest Cafe,
Hard Rock Cafe,
Bass Pro Shops,
and many others. Should be fun! The kids are going to stay with my parents. So, they will be in good hands!! Stay tuned!!!

Shake, Rattle and Roll (literally)!!!

This morning Scott got up to go to work around 4am and at approximately 4:30 everything began shaking! I was never so scared! I had no idea what was going on. I turned on the news and nothing. Low and behold this morning...an EARTHQUAKE!!!!

Discharged!!!

Well, as I mentioned in my last post, I had to be admitted to the hospital after my lithotripsy and still wasn't feeling well Sunday. After an entire day of illness my mom called my physician to see what he wanted to do. He informed her that I needed to return to the emergency room. After a CT scan, chest x-ray, urine analysis and bloodwork they found that my white blood count was up. Once again, I was admitted. In conclusion, the antibiotic was making me ill. I came home yesterday afternoon, didn't sleep hardly a wink last night, am coughing and still not feeling well. Keep your fingers crossed that the discomfort soon subsides.

On another note, the kids appeared to do well without me:)).

Post Lithotripsy!

Well, we are now 3 days post lithotripsy and I am still not feeling well. The doctor performed lithotripsy to my right kidney on Thursday morning. The pain was so intense that I woke up crying for help. After several different types of narcotics and morphine the hospital staff decided that I should be admitted. So, I stayed over night and came home Friday afternoon. I am still not feeling the best and I am not sure really why but I hope that it goes away soon (and it isn't the left side acting up already).

Lithotripsy on Right Kidney

I saw my urologist on Friday to determine what was going to be done with my kidney stones. He recommended that we do lithotripsy on the right kidney. My right kidney is currently housing two stones. He said that we needed to wait on the left kidney (which holds one stone) because of the trauma that will take place on the right side. So, in a nutshell, I am having surgery on Thursday to help remedy my current stone situation.

Play Center

Last week Wednesday, my sister and I took our kids to a new party center to play. They had games and a play area for both small children and older kids. We are possibly considering having our next playgroup at this location.

Filling a Fish Bowl

I feel like I will soon have my fish bowl filled with stones! I once again have KIDNEY STONES! I have been experiencing pain in my lower back (no other symptoms as usual). So, I called my urologist. He ordered a CT scan, which determined that I have multiple stones on the right side and 1 on the left. YIKES! I have an appt. scheduled to see him Friday morning. Should be interesting since I cannot pass them on my own and always have to have them removed. Wish me luck!