The Return of Hong Kong Phooey.....

TGIF!!  Friday, June 29th, 2012 - It's China Visa day!  We picked up our visas today after work and then had a great dinner to celebrate at a new place for us - The Brew Garden in Middleburgh Heights.  It was excellent, well within budget and we had a blast being goofy.  Earlier I was very excited to receive the email alerting me to the fact that our visas were on their way and actually waiting at Fedex for us to pick up.  Inching us closer and closer to TA ie Travel Authorization  and Emma Grace's arms.   But for some reason the first thing that came to mind was not tears of joy which would be typical me, but rather the rythmatic stylings  of one Hong King Phooey............you know.....the number one super guy!  From the very back filing cabinets of my mind came a theme song about a super super hero I hadn't heard or thought about in years and thats a shame.   Remember.....???

Hong Kong Phooey, number one super guy.
Hong Kong Phooey, quicker than the human eye.

Hong Kong Phooey!! I loved that cartoon as a child.  Back in the day when everybody was kung fu fighting, "Hong Kong Phooey" and also "Magilla Gorilla" were the finest cartoons of the time, and well, the writers of my more modern favorite cartoon  "Home Movies" probably weren't born yet, so we don't judge or compare.  Back in the day though, Hong Kong Phooey truly ruled Saturday morning TV in between multiplication and or grammer rock.  But this action.  This very strange action of mine is not the usual me.  The queen of sensitivity dancing a jig to a Hanna-Barbera mid-70s classic animated super hero  theme song during a monumentus moment........where am I and want did I do with me??? 

I suppose maybe it could be that I'm feeling sort of spyish, you know,  with passports and visas and traveling to far away lands with great walls, forbidden cities and curious squares.  Constantly wondering when Matt Damon is going to show up and all the trouble that will surely ensue now that I have this visa.  Certainly people will need to chase me and my passport and visa about.  It's what us international types do........right?.......or.......maybe I'm realizing that I must myself become a super hero, much like my beloved Hong Kong Phooey of the past.  YES - ITS TRUE AND POSSIBLE!   Soon I will have my Emma Grace and I will need to put her and her continous forever happiness above everything else. Certainly I must become Emma Grace's personal super hero.  I must become The Super Ma ma!  That super ma ma on the spot thats got it going on.  Has a hug and knows what to do with it!  Super Ma ma!  .....It would be a reason to wear a cape!  Ohhhh a glitter cape!!.....and a cool whimsical hat with a long spiral tail!....Nice.........or......... maybe its a mixture of both.......you know, but minus the Matt Damon thing....my Dude would not like him involved and to be honest, he is rather troublesome.........or......maybe.....just maybe.....and simply..... I'm trying to tell myself that its time to let go of the usual usual.   The "Tuna...NO...I think I'll have chicken salad today thank you" kind of thing. Time to let go of a lot of the past that hasn't done me any good.  Maybe its time to move forward and try something new.    I'm learning its never to late!  Maybe it's time to let go of the needless worries of the past, present and future.  To put more of those in God's hands like my Dude tells me to.   Maybe it's time to let go of the insecurities that never did me any good to begin with, and I have no idea why I let them hang around me so long.  Maybe it's time to say good bye to the hurt that need not continue its existance anymore and needs to go away NOW.  Maybe it's time to know and believe that I am in fact good enough for anything and everything I want to be good enough for....... and for anyone who thinks I'm not..........GET OUT OF MY FLIPPING WAY OR I'LL BEAT YOU WITH MY GLITTER CAPE AND POKE YOU IN THE EYE WITH MY SPIRAL HAT TAIL FOOL!!..............ok....so maybe.....I might want to explore the thought of letting go of some of that anger........it'd be good for the heart and soul....and doing so would probably be helpful with many things.... like employment.....human companionship...........life in general.........hhhmmm.........thats a toughy.......maybe.......maybe.......the possibilies are ENDLESS afterall!!........did I mention I have a visa..............yep...I DO!!  SO DOES DUDE!!  .....its a stamp by the way........

karate chop

The True Countdown begins NOW!!

Tuesday, June 26th - now forever known as Artical 5 pick up day!  Can you believe it??  That's it.  No more pencils!  No more books!  Yahh!  The paperwork is done.  There is nothing left to do but wait now for THE CALL.  The TA call.  Chris told me the time frame right now has been running 2-4 weeks for date info.  I am hoping for closer to 2 weeks and then maybe travel in 2-3 weeks after that.....A week is only 7 days......I can do a few....very few....but I can do this!  The wait is almost over!  This time next month I could be holding my daughter in my arms or just about to.  Until then - the major packing begins. Oh I have been packing this whole time - but now its serious time!  Two 44 lbs suitcases is all we are allowed.............Approx. 13 days.  Right now I probably got 100 lbs of goodies for Emma Grace.  Must start cutting back and start getting all the loose ends tightened and tied. 

 Just about a week from our 25th.  We haven't decided if we should do a family gift........other than Emma Grace of course.  Something silver maybe.  A collection of our silver hairs maybe..... maybe a silver frame for a gotcha day picture.....YAH YAH!!  I like that idea! 

Still taking part in my massive search for the lost Emma Grace pictures somewhere out there on the internets waiting for me to find.  I could use one for sure!  Never give up!!  Never surrender!! 

The Baba Day - A Race Against Time

Today is the day after Father's Day.  The last Father's Day that The Dude will have without a little girl named Emma Grace Goodson under toe and/or in his thoughts somewhere in America.  With it being mid-June, Father's Day inches us closer to Emma's Gotcha Day, but still too far out of reach. Even so, that Emma is such a thoughtful child

LOOK

Emma had time to design a special card for her baba!! 

this is the inside!

Emma Grace is just such a great artist.  This Father's Day card came from China!!  It said so on the envelope!!  Envelopes don't lie!!..........although it was routed through Florida...........I am not sure why...........must be some kind of crazy zip code thing and its explination will remain a  mystery - we're just happy it made it to America!  Just like Emma will!!  Still hoping for an early August trip to kiss our daughter's cheeks in person.  Currently we are waiting for our Artical 5 pick up - the last step before the offical TA waiting begins. 

Back to Father's Day - Traditionally here at the Goodson home, Father's Day has been celebrated in a different way then the norm.  Dude and a large group of friends for many years have taken a "man" weekend and celebrated the Michigan 400 Nascar race together.  He has been doing this for as long as I can rememeber.  And I do not expect that to change and thats ok for sure.  Dude is such a good Baba daddy husband dude guy - he needs to do things that makes him happy.  It's the only time we are apart.  But while he is having some "man time" fun, I will teach Emma Grace about my special time with my baba, Emma's Yeye.  For the last several years, i packed up the family pup and spent that weekend with my Dad and Mom at their place while Dude does his thing.  We have tons of fun and this year was no exception.  We also eat whatever we want!  No rules!  We do whatever we want.  Emma will join in the fun next year...........possibly taking the place of Mandy....?  I think Emma Grace will enjoy the mushrooms!  And her Nai Nai will have to show her how good girls eat their mushrooms just like her Ma ma and her good boy Ye ye does too!!!  I am sure we will have lots of fun and look forward to it already.....its less than 365 away!!  And when we come home, Emma will see how wonderful it is to see her Baba back home.  And usually that Baba guy brings presents for the girls!!  In fact, that Emma Grace got some girl presents this year even though she is still waiting in China for us.  Her Baba must surely think of her so much.  Emma Grace made a big score for sure!  She got some stickers of her favorite Nascar driver #42 Juan Pablo Montoya!  She does not know she likes Juan - mama picked him for her because he drives a red car, an impala like mama and its the Target car - mama likes Target! She also got a stuffed Digger the Beaver and a super cute purple (baba's favorite) Race Princess ruffled  t-shirt dress in size 2T............hay that Baba has been paying attention!  He got Emma these items the first night of his trip.  That's why he is a great Baba - his sweethearts are never too far from his heart and mind! 

Another nice thing for me is..........I took a PTO day today too!  So FREEEEEEEEBBBBBBBBBIIIIIEEEEEEEEE!!   Woot woot!!  And that Baba Dude guys promises when he wakes up..........he's gonna take me where the food is!!  I am glad to be home with my Dude even if he is sleeping.  On a Shanghai note - a very special lady has landed in Shanghai and has said she is going to try to get some pics of the children in the orphanage for the waiting families of our Facebook group.  So far Emma Grace has dodge all other visitors - hoping maybe this time she be good girl and smile pretty...........need a new picture bad.  But then I ask myself............will that hold me till August with ease...........or break my heart I have to continue this feat of strength....................

One day soon - it will be September!!

Pictured below - the many cards of our Baba Dude

and I also came home to my first Rose of Sharon and Lily of the season!

NOW TO FIND THAT LADYBUG TO HELP ME MOVE FORWARD!! 

HER LITTLE LADY BUG HERE HERE!!

Will sew for a bologna sandwich - the story of a pillowcase without a name

After more than a month of working myself up to it, I attempted to make a pillowcase dress for my Emma Grace today.  I use the word attempted in conjunction with the word dress; because I did make something from a pillowcase, but it didn’t quite work out as a dress.  I guess it looks like it could be the distant cousin of a pillowcase dress.  But not close enough that one would want to wear it in public.  Unfortunately….not even a 2 year old from the other side of my world.  I would surely get a “but mama please no no Emma no no ” -  if I attempted to dress her in it...... It was such  a nice looking pillowcase too.  It had  a fancy smancy bottom that would have made a great dress….well it still has a fancy smancy bottom, its not like I killed it - it just can't call itself a pillowcase anymore.....I am not sure what it can call itself at this point....poor thing will have to figure that out on its own, I have my own problems...............but it can no longer call itself a pillow case....and alas, not dress either. 

I really thought that if I had a chance at being able to make a dress - the pillowcase option was the way to go.  For someone who basically hasn’t sewn anything since high school, I suppose it was a decent first attempt at one.   I am not a sewer.  It would be nice to learn. I love to create.  I do love to paint.  I love mixed media projects especially.  Sewing is something I would like to learn.   But honestly, the experience was a lot of fun to try as I had the help of my mom and dad in its creation attempt.  It was a joint effort.  A family project. The distant cousin of a pillowcase dress took the three of us to create it. Even still with such a great team effort, we missed the mark in the world of pillowcase dresses......so............ we made fried bologna sandwiches instead.!! They turned out excellent!  You should have been there!  There really isn't enough opportunities for fried bologna in the world! 

 I might try a pillowcase dress again sometime…………(files the idea on the back burner)………….

Truthfully, the lack of one pillowcase dress will not be a huge problem for this child.  It was more of a mama wants to make for baby thingy.  Emma Grace is currently not short on clothing.  Thanks to the kindness of a gentleman at my work, strategic mama Ebay shopping, an occasional stop at Wal-Mart and an admitted Zulily problem -  Emma Grace has enough clothing for 2 Emmas.  My boss has brought in so many of his daughters clothing to me that I actually have 4 storage tubs of 3T and 2 tubs of 4T for Emma’s clothes of the fuuuuturrrre packed away.   I'm excited about seeing her in some of them.  We'll have fun tub shopping and seeing what fits her now as she grows.   Ohhhh  wow.....that just made me realize -  one day these  clothes of the fuuuuturrrre packed away will be toooo small for Emma..............too small way too soon.  In the blink of an eye I'll be asking where the time went.  Emma will have her own tastes and will think her old mama wants to keep dressing her like a baby......I can hear it now..."No Mom!  All the other cool kids are wearing the silver moon boots and the v neck uni-tard bodysuit with matching belt - geeesh!"   

Note to self:  take it one day at a time and enjoy every minute!  And remember the bright side - you won't have to buy her much clothing for about 3 years!!  By then maybe you will have the sewing thing down.   

Note to Emma Grace - take it one day at a time and don't grow up too fast!  You're a gift from God to your parents so enjoy every minute of being their baby!  And don't believe what you hear - YOUR PARENTS ARE AWESOME AND VERY COOL - that will never change!!

We received Emma's referal pic of a 15 months old baby girl when she was 18 months old in real life time. Her next set of pics came in March and she had changed so much. It has been 3 months and I can't imagin how much she has probably changed by now - and I have approx. an additional 2 months longer before we see her. She's growing up behind my eyes. This has got to change!  Come home soon Emma Grace! 

You know, I might try a pillowcase dress again sometime…………(files the idea on the back burner for now)………….

fried  bologna rules - just sayin'.

When I see that Emma Grace - she is so totally grounded!!

YES

that's right

Plans are in motion

Details are being worked out right now

When I see that baby girl of mine.............

MAMA'S FOOT IS COMING DOWN

 AND

AND

AND

 I'M GONNA GIVE HER A PIECE OF MY MIND!!

  Heed my warning girl!  

    

 Concerned as to what that Emma Grace could have done..........??

well check this out

that little

stinker

is making her poor mama

wait and

wait and

wait and

wait and

wait

to love her! 

 CAN YOU BELIEVE IT??!!???!!

     Hiding from mama's view at all costs.  

Ducking photographers left and right

oh NO

she's had photo ops

I know

 she was there 

she ducked

 she chuckled

she raspberried

This kind of activity can not and will not go unpunished! 

As soon as I see her  I am going to pick her up in my arms

        and snuggle and hug her sooo tight

       she'll think I'll never let go

 and I won't

for a real long time

 and it gonna be a real real tight one !!

And then I'm gonna hug her some more again and again and again!! 

That'll show her! 

 And just when she thinks her mama's had enough loving on her

I'm gonna pucker up

and start the smooching

 Smooch after smooch after smooch! 

Hop aboard the kiss train baby

because the kissing will seem to never end

and it won't

for at least 

10,000 kisses

 or more

 I'll start on her  cheeks - then get her nose - then her chin - then her forehead - than her hands

I'm even gonna kiss her little piggies!! 

That's how angry I am about this little game of hide-n-seek little Miss Em is trying to pull!

And before I let her off the hook 

she's gonna get an ear full! 

 That's right! 

 I'm gonna tell her all about love and how much her mama and baba has for her

and how we waited a lifetime for her

and how we will never ever stop loving her ever ever ever

The little one is going to know she is the cause of a lot of lovin'!!

 So   Little Miss

Emma Grace Goodson

 get your jollies now

because

 in just about 2 months 

 your lesson on being loved forever begins! 

AND THIS MAMA

(AND BABA TOO)

 MEANS BUSINESS!

I feel all like whhoooaaa is me.  This horrible emotional rollercoaster of wait, referred to as the final stages of an adoption, is becoming so hard on the heart.  It went from spending most of my time thinking about our Emma Grace - to spending all of my time thinking about her.  Problem is regular LIFE GOES ON - must keep on keeping on.  I would truly prefer to sleep until China time.  Life revolves around Emma.  All my thoughts, actions and money belong to her.  And that's fine.  I just want her home with us.  I want to know she is safe.  I don't want her to be sad.  She is too good to be sad.  Our little precious blessing needs to be treated like one. 

I keep hoping for a surprise picture to show up in the mailbox from China.  Like they know my address.............do they...........maybe I should text them..... NO - I'm not allowed.  The agency said no calling, email or for goodness sakes -NO SHOWING UP AT THE ORPHANAGE ON MY OWN UNINVITED! 

                                                                                       Knock Knock!!
 They seem to know me already all too well.  I so desperately want to know if she is doing well and see just one more pic of her.  Just one more will keep me till her Gotcha Day.  But I have a feeling she's gonna stay hid until I show up in person.  Counting the seconds or more honestly the tears. 

MAJOR DEPRESSION.  This needs to be a Friday!  If I say its a Friday and you say its a Friday - if we all say its Friday - then it should be Friday right!  It should really work that way!  WHO'S IN CHARGE AROUND HERE??!! 

FINAL DAYS FOR OUR LADY BUG NECKLACE FUNDRAISER

 Be sure to get yours while they are available!!

http://jubileesjewels.com/Ladybug-adoption-fundraiser

                                                         

Where is my baby???!!!???

I WANT MY BABY!!!!  .................Just sayin'

It's a beautiful night for a walk......

It has been a beautiful day today.  Got a lot accomplished and enjoyed the rest.  We ended the evening with a long walk/hike and talked  about....Emma  Grace....."its what we do".  We were able to capture some pretty cool pics of a very cool evening hike. 

and

To whom it make concern......"wish you were here!"

.......................................................................................................................................................................................

Video Edit.............

As Emma  Grace's gotcha day is nearing on the horizon, her ba ba daddy has been practising using our camera and video making software.  Below is a collection of his work......

THE GOOD........THE BAD.........and.........THE UGLY...............

ENJOY!!!!!!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odJnMo9dEgg&feature=relmfu



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLFTT4-6RtI&feature=g-all-u



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIhzRwRVxEA&feature=relmfu



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aR-dfEVVoPU&feature=relmfu



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUPF3J0VJk8&feature=plcp

Zero to Cabled in 30 seconds......

It has been a crazy couple of day.  After long last receiving I800 approval, the infamous emailing began.  And it was sucessful all the way around.  Boom! Boom!  Boom!  Here we are CABLED!!!!!!!  Officially running out of steps in the process to bring our beautiful daughter Emma Grace home from China! Basically within a 48 hour period!  Total different end of the spectrum from our I800 approval wait which was a month+.  Its hard to think of anything else other than Emma these days.  We can't wait to start devoting our lives to making this very special little girl the happiest one around town and beyond!  Before you know it, we will be looking back on these days as special learning, growth and strengthening  memories during our journey of love to Emma Grace.  Shortly after, we won't remember what it was like without Emma Grace.  This time next year she will be going on 3 and will have learned so much.  She will have done more smiling that what would seemingly be legal and be a part of one of the most blessed families known. This time next year Emma Grace will have known love and shared it.  The wait is shorter now................now .the wait is  the hardest.  Just a few more moments in time baby girl and you will be in our arms and we will never ever let you go!

Our grant applications are coming due this month...........fingers crossed.  The Emma Grace necklace is still available, but now for only a short time.  Stop by and take a look and help bring our waiting daughter home while receiving a gorgeous statement piece.  This necklace would make a perfect gift for anyone in the China adoption/international adoption world, ladybug lovers, spiritual people, first communions etc.  Original design and all hand crafted!!  Truly a beautfiul piece.


http://jubileesjewels.com/Ladybug-adoption-fundraiser

So much work to  do and what sometimes seems like a lifetime of waiting left and  not enought time to get everything done in the same breath.  Pondering constantly about what life is going to be like.....lots of smiles and tears now.  Just about 2 months and then - Parenthood 25 years later............go figure - who would have thought?!?!?! 

We love you Emma Grace Goodson!  We loved you before we saw you.  We will love you forever.  Open arms are waiting.  Come home SOON!!

THE EMMA GRACE - HAND CRAFTED BY THE FINE PEOPLE AT JUBILEES JEWLES.

http://jubileesjewels.com/Ladybug-adoption-fundraiser

This post is just for ME

I have a home facebook account, but I also have a work one.  I no longer  use the work one for it was for a brief project, but of course, when I was using it, the work me  befriended the home me. So many times at work I will get emails from facebook notifying the work me  of the home me’s facebook posts……… As I had mentioned in my early post – I could not take another second.  I had to know what the status was  for our I800 as we did encounter a glitch along the way extending the approval waiting time. So I called my officer and he gave me the great news. As I sat back down at my desk  I looked at my computer and  the work me got an email excerpt from  a facebook post from the home me ………. SOME THINGS ARE JUST FOR ME!!   Now this may only tickle me, buy I'm easily pleased. Somebody up there is really playing with me!!

A Surprise Belated birthday present just for me and my dude

After having a ladybug land on me over the weekend, I couldn't take it any more. I had to call USCIS for an updated and find out about our I800 approval.....never doubt the ladybug!   The ladybug always knows!  It may have taken 3 weeks longer than the norm, but my officer told me that as of last Friday our I800 was approved and in the mail on its way to us! I had to step away from my desk and take a walk to catch my breath in peace.  Hay wait - Friday was my birthday!!  I did get a special birthday present after all! 

AND

Then  when I got home from work today - the letter was waiting for me in our mailbox. 

Just sent the email to the NVC.......here we go!

 love you Emma Grace Goodson!

The Dude has a Dude update on his Dude blog...

Be sure to stop by..........just don't tell him I sent you.

http://scott-andlisasredthread.blogspot.com/

These Posts Are Just for YOU - part 1

In the beginning of our journey, someone very special took a look at our records, personal info and family history; then talked to both of us alone -  seperately and in-depth.  At the end of this "adoption study" we were told that they considered us to be "Guides".  They were certain that we were chosen for this very special journey, not only for the privilege  and honor of being Emma Grace's parents, but for someone else, someone who would be watching us, who is suppose to follow in our foot steps  and adopt themselves and needed us to follow.

First off, I am not sure who you are, but I'd like to "thank you" for needing a guide.  I appreciate the opportunity to be your personal guinea pig, as Emma Grace is our dream come true and we have waited a long time to meet her and hold her in our arms.  Secondly, don't be afraid.  There are a lot of people to talk to, including us, and a lot of organizations here for you to answer your questions and concerns. 

I want you to know that you don't have to be financially privileged to adopt.  YOU can do this.  It's happening every day.   From fundraisers and grants to loans and equity lines  - you can do this.  Debt-free.........hhmmm probably not.  And, on a personal note, if you figure out how to do this debt-free "call me"..........quickly .   But anyways - you CAN do this, and you are going to do this, so listen up - I'm in the mood.  The adoption fairy doesn't just show up at your front door, you have to make that first phone call.  My first phone call cost me $200.  You got $200 - make it!  And don't cry over it - there'll be more payments...oh yah...., so start thinking now.  An equity line of credit can be your friend.  Use it pay it use it pay it use it pay it.  etc.  There's going to be soooo much paperwork.  The paperwork becomes like a part time job - and that's not an exageration - it's crazy.  Do it TOGETHER.  Share the experience.  It is too much for just one person to handle properly.  If there are 2 adopting adults involved, sit down and split the leg work.  And these papers are REEEAALLL important.  So get your OCD under control.  Our dossier specialist was was serious about not having any highlighter or extra marks or anything other than......it's hard to explain....but its very important....it becomes your life...they are the papers of your life.....but you'll understand soon enough.   And get ready to let your guard down and let it all hang out because many people are going to get up in your grill and business and you're going to smile the whole time....if you know whats good for you!  After that first phone call and inital payments - hit the ground running.  The faster the process the cheaper it is.  Documents "time-out"  - RUN!!!!!!!  That's one of the differences in cost and wait time.    The other is simple -  take a look at yourself.  HMMMMmmmm.....you're human..cool...you have flaws.....be proud of them.....what makes us different makes us special and often becomes our blessings.  Big ups to Mr. G!!  And realize that you can cut your wait time down by 5 years understanding that simple fact.  Special needs means a lot more than what you are use to knowing as someone in the USA.  It's a harsh label in the adoption world and it makes one un-adoptable.  Guess what - your butt would still be  sitting there in an orphanage.... and you rule... right???  Often times, these things that label a child "special needs" are correctable or even already corrected or just simple things.  Study it.  That's a part of your process - a hard one - but study and be honest. 

As far as age.....for China you have to be over 30 and under 55...........so you got time.... either way. 

That's all I got for you right now, other than I would like to share this attached video with you.  And also let you know that our agency is EAC - European Adoption Consulants.  They offer nationwide service and are headquartered in Strongsville, Ohio.  They have been great to us and held our hand every step of the way.  Karla, Chris and Zhou in the China department rule our world.    http://www.eaci.com/

         157 million 

              157 million 

                      157 million  waiting children!

So what are YOU waiting for??

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwY8CVryB9w&feature=share

Be sure to stop by Julilees Jewels and pick up your Emma Grace's charm necklace.  For $30 YOU can help bring our baby girl home and make that total of 157 million

- 1

.  Thanks!!

http://jubileesjewels.com/Ladybug-adoption-fundraiser

Secret Pal Day part deux

Forgot to post the other day.  But May 29th was Secret Pal Day part deux!  Emma Grace received this gorgeous dress with matching panties and headband.  I think we will get her picture taken in this early on, once she is home with us.  I can picture her in my mind twirling in it......because this one's got good swing for sure.  I'll show her about twlirling, if it doesn't come natural.  It's a Ma ma's job!  We have the perfect lace socks to complete the look......and pearls from Gymboree...... Ma ma's been waiting a long time!

THANKS SECRET PAL!! 

Twirl baby twirl!!

Very quiet...I think I'll take a nap

Day after my birthday.  Very quiet time right now.  Part of me hoped to hear something yesterday.  The other part hoped I would come home to a few new pictures.  Nope and neither.  Trying to keep spirits up.  Tired of this wait.  And really want this particular part over.  Emma Graces birthday is less than 3 months away now.  She should be home by then or......maybe we will be buying a Chinese Blessing cake in China for her.  No on knows at this point.  Well.......someone knows. 

 Biblically waiting is not just something we have to do until we get what we want.

Waiting is part of the process of becoming what God wants us to be.

Ok sucking it up now. Emma is worth this and more.....

'

This card arrived on my birthday.  Signed by Emma I suspect she may have had some help........

After my free Red Robin brithday club burger, we walked over to Kohls to spend my free gift cash and I got Emma Grace this baby doll and a plush mirror rattle. 

Karla sent me an email that said we should have what we are looking for by next weekend.......come on KURT!!