Just one more thing to the pile

So, we're leaving on Wednesday--and as everyone knows I'm freaking out. Why?? Who knows??? Sometimes my thoughts just aren't logical. Anyyways, I'm with a patient and all of the sudden a nurse collegue pops her head in the door and says I'm needed on the phone, it's an emergency. Ted is there and all I can hear is kids screaming and crying in the background. Our dog died. When Ted and I got married, we decided we wanted a dog--since we are definitely animal people. Before the wedding we picked out this cute little Norwegian Elkhound pup. At the time we didn't know it, but she had something called renal glucosuria--basically sugar leaked in her urine--a breeding ground for infection. So, we've dealt with chonic bladder infection after bladder infection. But she was still our baby. With the last infection, we were told we probably wouldn't be able to treat her any further--the bacteria was becoming super bacteria. Today, Ted went outside to get her--she loved to be outside in the cold--after all she was an elkhound--and found her dead, with her tongue hanging out and it was black. I think she fell asleep and her electrolytes were wacked and she had a seizure or heart attack. Just one thing after another. So now I have to deal with the idea of leaving my children for so long and now I'm leaving them right after our dog dies. Why???? Well, 2007 was a sucky year--might as well finish this way. Of course, there are no vets open on New Years' Eve or New Years Day, so Callie is wrapped in a sheet in the garage right now. Lovely. I honestly am starting to wonder if travelling now is such a good idea.

I'm killing trees

I'm in copying hell. There is simply no other way to describe it. And inbetween copies, I'm emailing my manager back and forth regarding schedules--because, let's face it--I really am a type A obsessive personality. Yes, Ted has mellowed me somewhat, but stress brings out certain characteristics. I have all the dossier paperwork in order, the reference paperwork from Kids to Adopt, numbers and information to choke a horse and schedules for everyone. Who ever knew once there were two children at home that this much extra paperwork would be involved. I can't imagine what the schedules will be like when they are older!
I've also been in shopping hell--and anyone who has gone to the mall and/or Wal-Mart on a weekend knows exactly what I am talking about. And of course after I've been home--I remember one more thing I need. To the Dollar Store tomorrow for bubbles.
I'm also in the midst of laundry hell (who knew 2 kids could go through so many clothes in a few days) and house cleaning hell. Refer to up above--I really don't like the idea of leaving a dirty house or the kid's without lots and lots of clean laundry.
After this--I KNOW I will sleep on the plane. Not necessarily a bad thing.
Now, about that drink that mommy needs.........

What happens when????

So, what happens when an orange and yellow crayon get together? What happens when they get mixed in with the laundry??? What happens when mom is trying to get everything done and doesn't see the orange and yellow crayon? What happens when the orange and yellow crayon get thrown into the dryer along with the laundry??? yeah--not pretty. Mom needs a drink now.

Are we ready yet????

After a wonderful Christmas, I went back to work--with the frequent question being--"are you packed? are you getting excited?" The answer to both is--heck no!!! I haven't even started thinking about packing--although yesterday I did buy some clip type hangers so I can wash undies in the sink and dry them at the hotel--thus saving some luggage space, I hope! I finally got the last of the paperwork gathered yesterday. In the midst of all of this, while relieving stress chewing hard candy---yep, you guessed right--I cracked a tooth. So, today, a trip to the dentist. Ted and I both have the weekend off, so we're going to be hard-hitting and get everything done. Ted's "adoption shoes" finally wore out, so he is going to get more. Me--boots. I know no one really wears shoes indoors so, I'm not out to make any kind of fashion statement---boots it is for me!

Julia and Rauan loved their new bikes. I can't believe Julia really is tall enough for a 20" bike! What happened to that teeny tiny baby I brought home--who was in 6 month clothes at 14 months of age???? Then Bubba. Folks--believe it or not, the boulder on toothpicks has grown legs. And not just any legs mind you--muscular strong legs--with an adorable little butt! The hockey sure has helped him. He looks nothing like that fat little chunk we brought home.

My SIL got to listen to me freak out on Christmas. How the heck am I going to manage being away from my babies for 2 weeks. I cried constantly when I left Julia to go get Rauan. And she was with her daddy!!! I'm going to buy some calling cards. I've looked into the Skype phone and other options--but we're not taking our computer (hence needing a place with computer access), and not wanting to run up costs, I thought that would work best. I did see that Bishkek is exactly 12 hours ahead of Madison. That will make it easier--maybe.

Off to get some pants hemmed (thanks Mom!!!) and a tooth fixed (yippee).

I've been tagged!

Well, as most people know, I like to be busy almost all of the time and Marnie tagged me! What this means is as I sit here copying paperwork(and trying not to scream waiting for the doctor to call with the CORRECT paperwork!), I'll do my duty. Being tagged means I have to write 8 interesting facts about myself. I'm not sure how interesting I am, but here it goes.
1. I have 2 college degrees. The first one is in psychology and marketing (and I proudly drank myself through that one). The second--which I worked my ass off for--is in nursing. I also worked 2 jobs (equal to full-time) plus went to school full-time, in order to do it.

2. I never thought I would marry. In fact, when I met Ted, I was getting nursing experience so I could move down south and live. I just wanted a date for my sister's wedding. Then one cold December night (Dec. 20 to be exact), I met Ted and 11 years later (9 married), here we are!

3. I never visualized myself pregnant--always saw myself as a mother but never pregnant. Hummm, here I am with 2, soon to be three children later--never pregnant, but a mom nontheless.

4. I am scared to death of flying. However, I am more scared of being 70 years old and regretting not having a family(or living in fear)--hence I pray alot before during and as we land when I'm in a plane.

Humm, this is hard. I'm really not that interesting, but I'm halfway through the copying. Ok, let me see what else I can think up.

5. I LOVE being a nurse, particularly peds/craniofacial nursing. Now those of you that know me are probably saying well no kidding. But I went into nursing because my dad talked me into it. Obviously he was a wise man. But I went into nursing so I could live independently (see #2). And I avoided anything with kids like the plague! Then I met Julia--who changed my life around and got me interested in children and clefts. Then along came Rauan. Then a patient in dialysis who I really liked, died suddenly. Enough was enough and a job opened in little peds. I grabbed it with both hands and never let go. And I have an awesome manager who encouraged me to talk to the craniofacial surgeon and get more experience. The rest is history!

6. I hate to clean house. I really hate cleaning the bathroom. I do it because I have to.

7. I wish my sisters and I were closer. I see sisters who are each others best friends and I wish we had that--but our personalities are so very different. I'm lucky in that I do get along with my sisters and that I have some wonderful awesome friends--but I sometimes wish for more.

8. Everyone knows this--I miss my dad terribly. He really was the support behind me and even if everything else was falling apart, I knew he would be there. I do believe he is up in heaven guiding me now, but I sure wish I could talk to him.

Well, made it through. Both cheerful and sad. Must be the "paper pregnancy hormones". Oh--and one more--I'm so glad to know that my sister is giving me a niece to spoil! Everyone should have both a boy and girl to experience that! I can't wait for baby girl Sheridan to arrive!

Ok--who's next????

Asia Mountain Web site

For those who want to know what it might be like for us:

http://asiamountains.net/en/hotel_asia

next up

Reservations for Asia Mountain confirmed. Looks like a nice place(Ted's happy!)

And more!

The I171H came today! Date of application filed :11/11/07, date of completion of advance processing:12/12/07!

Reservations made

Well, I bit the bullet and made the airline reservations. The price always makes me cry--but oh well. Couldnt' get a flight back on the 19th--so we're flying back on the 20th--home late but at least we'll be able to go to Julia's skating show. So, we're flying American Airlines to Chicago, Turkish Air to Istanbul, then Turkish Air to Bishkek--reverse on the way home. I've had email contact with Asia Mountain hotel/guest house and it sounds like there is an available room which I've requested. I've heard good things about them--and apparently the internet access there is good--which was important to Ted. Talk about an exciting couple of days!

Trip profile

It will be a two trip process. On our first trip, we meet the child, get to know him and say, yes we want to adopt him. Then we come home. Our coordinator actually goes to court for us( Ted had a big smile on his face when he heard this!), the court says "ok" and the waiting period starts--which is 30 days. After 30 days, Ted goes back and picks him up and they travel to Almaty to the US Embassy. Note, I said Ted. Only one parent has to go--and I did with Rauan. So, it's Ted's turn! So, they will do all the embassy stuff and come home. That is a 10 day trip. I think travel time is included in that one.
Just talked with my mother-in-law this am and we have a tenative plan lined up for childcare, etc. This timing is going to work out well for the kids and not messing up their schedules.

Leaving on a jet plane

Just found out--we're leaving January 2, flying back January 19!!! Holy Moly!!!

Anyone who would like to donate a bottle of baby/children's tylenol, ibuprofen or children/baby mulit-vitamin, feel free! I'd like to take a bunch over.

Let the craziness commence!