"BEST BUDS"

Lately my 2 boys have became Best buds. Jacob just can not get close enough to Simon. Poor dog gets laid on, sat on and poke. But he loves it! There are times were he is sleeping were he may be a little touchy. But who isn't when you have a kid pulling on your collar or leg. I would be grumpy to. But Simon loves him to in his own little way. He follows him and wants him to play but some times forgets Jacob is still a baby. And Simon really like him when it comes to dinner time. Lets just say we have repeatedly discussed with Jacob he can not let the dog lick his spoon then continue to use it. But we are losing that battle. So We have to lock Simon in the other room. But anyway I am glad they have form a bond and and hopefully it will only grow from here.

I Can See!!!

So Thursday I got custom lasik done. It was wild! I was in surgery for like 5-10 mins if that. And my parents and Jacob got to watch. And 2 minutes after I could see. I was so nervous the night before. What if I go blind or my vision is worse...etc and now I am OK!

My left eye feels like nothing has changed (but I can see) but my right feels like I have a lash in it.... Which per the doc that's the norm. I am so so glad I did it. It was nice to wake up in the middle of the night and see the clock. Now Jacob did stay at Grandmas because I was afraid of him bumping me or I may not hear him in my drug induced comma... Perocet and Valium they gave me. Plus I have to wear these Silly looking goggles everywhere I go for a few days so I do not get anything in my eye or bumped in my eye. So my husband has named me Goggles! Funny!! Ha ha. He is lucky I love him so much.

Lets just say today went I went for my post surgery check up and had to stop at the store after for stuff I got a lot of stares. Oh well Maybe I will start a new fashion Trend. HA!!

Easter Pic's

Ok we dyed some eggs from home last night. Jacob seemed to enjoy himself but in the end freaked out that he had dye on his hands. Which just a heads up Baby oil any skin with dye the wash with soap & water... and it should come off! Found that on the Internet. Every egg has some kind of Jacob made crack in it. He kept calling them ball. All that matter is he had FUN!

Also We went to my mother in laws house with all of Michael's family.... It was great to see everyone. I love his family. They have always been nothing but kind towards me and treat as if I was always part of the family. Jacob had fun. But was all over the place. It was very difficult being a non baby proof house. She has alot of glass stuff. Glass end tables, Buffet table, etc. Its beautiful but a parents worse nightmare. But hey she raise her kids so it time for her to decorate the way she wants. Plus how often are the grandchildren there.

Jacob got to see his god mother. He really seems to like her. Warms up to her real quick. She will be going off to school this summer. She will be far away but that what phones & email is for right. She is very smart so she has a bright future ahead of her.

Oh before I forget Jacob ROCKS at egg hunting!!! He was running all over at my brothers.....

Thats my boy!

Anyway I better go to bed still got to brush my teeth and put away a small basket laundry.

This & That

I meant to post this on the 20th but it seems as if time has escaped this family this week. Last March 20th in Ho Chi Mihn City Vietnam all of our dreams came true. We had our Giving & Receiving Cermony which legally made Jacob our son. With in the past year Michael, Jacob, & I have grown so much. We went from Husband & wife to Mom & dad. Working together to create what we hope is the best family & life for Jacob. And I think we are doing it pretty well. I have never seen a little one so happy!

Now I have to admit we can not take all the credit. My parents (and sister when she is home) have played a BIG role in this. My father babysits our son while we work and mom pitches ( she has been dealing with some health issues) in when my father takes Jacob home instead of watching him at our house. They take him out & about. Shopping, swimming, to the park, for ice cream, & to my brother house to play with his cousins. Jacob loves them deeply. Pappy gets left behind if grandma's around. She has Jacob wrapped around her finger.

As I mentioned above time has escaped us this week. Jacob started out sunday night waking up at 2am and tossing n turning violently. Then the next night 2:30am crying, screaming & toss n turning. So Jacob had a doctor appt the other day just to make sure what was going on. Nothing as far as they could see. At that visit he got his 15 month shots. Since then we have not had any sleep. He will sleep an hour here and there. Mommy is beat!

Its not even the lack of sleep that bothers me. Its not know what is wrong. So called the doctor again. She said he had a TINY bit of fluid in his one ear. Nothing even worth mentioning. Now this is how he last ear infection started. So she called in Augmentin for him. Poor little guy also was constipated so we gave him pear juice since it does the trick. So today at my brothers easter dinner his poop ran right out of his diaper and on their carpet. So lets just say its been very over whelming the last few days.

Talking to my mother about it is a little hard... she says I cries when you kids cried, I know its hard, etc..... then the kicker...what did you think being a mother was going to be like!!!

May I just say that saying from any one is annoying. Anyone who enters into motherhood or has half a brain knows that its not all sugar plums and fairies if you get my drift. There are going to be good moments & bad ones. Hopefully for any parents sake good ones.

But my mom means well. She was a great mother. When we were little she spoiled us. She did not have much of a childhood & she was determined to make sure we had a great one. We did not go on lavish vacations or spend lots of money on us. (believe me she always bought us a bunch of stuff) but our birthday parties we awesome. Cake, friends, cook out, and presents.... I remember running around in the summer playing in the sand box, riding bikes, playing kick the can, catching lady bugs, after a rain catching nightcrawlers (worms) to go fishing the next day and swimming in the lake in our back yard. The sounds of Alabama pumping out of the stereo. (my mothers FAVORITE group) This is the life I want Jacob to have.

Now people who know me are saying Her mom had some moments that drove her crazy. Yes this is true she was VERY over protective of me as a teenager. But all in all she meant well. It was hard to see that then but this world is a crazy place.

So anyway at my brother the kids dyed easter eggs. Lets say all their hands were also dyed. So I went on the internet and found this tidbit I will share. Take baby oil wipe their hands or where ever. Then wash them with soap and it will come off. But here are some pictures from today. Him in his Easter outfit, His crocks I bought him, and dying eggs.. Owe and his CHICK MAGNET shirt Aunt Mary bought him. So true!

Got to go... I am beat... sleepy time for me!

FOUR!!!

Again making his dad proud......

The Day Our Life Began

Can you believe it has been one year since we walked off that plane and to the orphanage where we finally met our son. I remember it like it was yesterday. He was sound a sleep. The caretakers woke him and he cried for a moment ( and still has that same cry) I pick him up and he stopped. He actually cracked a few smiles while I talked to him, sobbed and held him close. There is nothing more special than that moment. The mom I yearned to be... I had become!

I know some people may not believe this but he was completely comfortable with us from that moment. There was no grieving period or crying..... it was like he knew his mommy and daddy were coming. W could not have asked for more... He is so wonderful! I can not wait to wake up in the morning and to see that smiling face.to her him yell MOM..... He has been growing and learning so much lately and is truly a SON to be Proud of. I love to show him off and to talk about him... Every where I take him people (even Men) I do not know stop me and ask about him. Not about being adopted. ( people are shocked when I say he is adopted) They are just amazed by him. I hear how cute he is and how well mannered. And how CUTE he is... I know I already said that... but he is just loved and adore by all! Its hard to go shopping...

My mom's local grocery store all the employees stop what their doing to see him. And you actually hear them say Jacob's here..... He has everyone wrapped around his little fingers.

I have so many hopes and dreams for him. I thank god for him every chance I get!

I'll write more later

You know your an adoptive parent if.....

found this on another blog and love it.

And it's true!

YOU KNOW YOUR AN ADOPTIVE PARENT IF ...

1. The fact that there are 143 million children without a parent to kiss them goodnight has made you lose sleep.

2. You realize DNA has nothing to do with love & family.

3. You can't watch Adoption Stories on TLC without sobbing.

4. The fact that, if 7% of Christians adopted 1 child there would be no orphans in the world, is convicting to you.

5. You spend free time surfing blogs about families who've experienced the blessing of adoption.

6. It drives you crazy when people ask you about adopted child's "real" parents.

7. You've been "pregnant" with your adoptive child longer than it takes an elephant to give birth.(2 years!)

8. You'd no idea how you'd afford to adopt, but stepped out in faith anyway, knowing He'd provide. (& He does!)

9. You've taken an airplane half-way around the world with a child you just met.10. You believe God's heart's for adoption.

11. You realize that welcoming a child into your heart & family is one of the most important legacies you could ever leave on this earth.

12. You know what the word "Dossier" means & you can actually pronounce it correctly!

13. You've welcomed a social worker into the most private parts of your life.

14. You shudder when people say your child's so lucky that you adopted them, knowing full well you're the blessed one to have him or her in your life.

(this was our 1st picture of our son... I love it! Its my favorite! I just knew he would be special)

Adoption in US/ PA

In the state of PA... there are not many options for adoption. If you adopt in US you risk the chance of the mother changing her mind ( at last minute or even after you have the baby), theres the SWAN program which are children who are consider handicapped in some way, or Children & youth which unless the parents rights are taking a way or giving up they to can come back. We have talked To SWAN & children youth but both services said the chance of getting a baby under age 3 is low...But the like to keep the natural order in the family. So since Jacob is only 1 1/2 years old/. It limits us... I understand their reasoning. Children youth is all about keeping families together.. which I agree with. SWAN is a great program if you are not a working family. My husband & I both work. And it would be unfair for us to do this to a child who has special needs. They need your attention 24/ 7. Some day I may have that time...but I do not right now.
To adopt in PA or US the cost is pretty much the same as going internationally only thing is you fear if the birth mother /father will come back. But god will let us know what to do and the right way to go about it.

piCTURES

Here are some pictures from today. My family went up to visit my neices & nephew. Also we took time out to draw a bunny for on the basement door. Who knew I could draw...yes I was voleentered. I always loved art. Was better at it when I was younger... No time for that now!

Anyway I promised my neices I would post the pic's so they could see them.

One is all of them together..it was the best I could do with 4 kids under the age of 5 ..I could not get them to hold still.

Fundraising Ideas

OK, so a few weeks back I asked everyone for some fundraising ideas... We are still looking for some. We really would love to adopt again. But just can not afford to pay all that again. Some assistance is definitely needed. We appreciate any ideas......
I will post more later....

Clarification of Bilateral agreement

The bilateral agreement expires 9/1/08. The agreement has a clause in it that it must be renewed 6 months in advance in order to continue beyond that date. 6 months in advance would be 3/1/08. Since the current agreement wasn't renewed, DOS and the Vietnamese officials now have to negotiate a new agreement, which is what they're working on now.


From all the talk I have had with our agenecy through email...it sounds like they are trying to work it out. Well hopefully by that time we may be in the posiion to start our next adoption...

Have a nice weekend everyone. We are to get hammered with snow again... So tired of snow

Vietnam and the Bilateral agreement

Bilateral agreement
The current agreement was NOT re-signed before March 1st. Although negotiations between the Department of State and the Department of Intercountry Adoption in Hanoi have continued, they were not able to come to an agreement. This means that the current bilateral agreement will expire as of September 1st.
What does this mean for adoptions and for families?
First, it means that the DOS and DIA are going to have to negotiate a new bilateral agreement. To be honest, we don’t know how long this will take. It’s possible that a new agreement could be negotiated before the current one expires. However, it’s also possible that negotiations will extend far beyond September 1st.

Second, because the agreement was not re-signed there WILL be an interruption in adoptions from Vietnam beginning on September 1st, although we don’t know yet what that will look like. The only possible exception to this would be if the two sides sign a new agreement between now and September 1st that goes into effect on September 1st. We have confirmed that the Department of State has already urged DIA to make a determination as quickly as possible regarding the status of families whose dossiers are in Vietnam or who have accepted a referral and are awaiting a Giving & Receiving date (the official adoption ceremony). In addition, they are advocating that families currently in process be allowed to continue their adoptions after September 1st. We will continue to monitor the process and to advocate with DIA to issue their decision as quickly as possible. We anticipate that it may be several months before we have their final decision but we hope that it will happen sooner. Because we have been hearing conflicting information about what their decision will be, we are not comfortable making a prediction.

Finally, this means that many of you are in the very difficult decision of deciding if/how you want to move forward with the adoption of a child from Vietnam. As you are discussing your decision, please don’t hesitate to contact your Adoption Coordinator with any questions you have. If she doesn’t have the answer for you right away she’ll check with me and then back to you as quickly as possible.

I know that, especially in light of the bilateral agreement, this is a very, very difficult time to be in the process of adoption from Vietnam. I encourage you to reach out to your social worker, trusted people in your life, and each other for support. Building a family through adoption is an emotional process already. When the stress of these uncertainties is added to it, it only becomes more difficult and stressful, as you all are well aware.


is it my understanding as of Sept 1st the Vietnam borders will be closed for US citizens to adopt?

There is not an easy answer to that question. At this point, the current bilateral agreement between the two countries will expire on September 1st. This means that the governments must negotiate a new one. They could (a) get a new one in place by September 1st so adoptions continue uninterrupted or (b) take longer to negotiate the agreement. If B happened then there would be an interruption in adoptions from Vietnam until they could get a new agreement in place. The other unknown in the process is whether or not DIA will allow families whose dossiers are in VN or who are matched with a child to continue the adoption process. So I guess the answer to your question is that, yes, Vietnam may stop accepting new dossiers as of September 1st but that is not certain yet.

Warning Concerning Adoptions in Vietnam per US Dept of State web site

Per the US Dept of state site http://travel.state.gov/family/adoption/intercountry/intercountry_3939.html

(I will still post about my agency email sent out tomorrow)

January 2008
The Department of State warns potential adoptive parents and adoption service providers of the risk of initiating new adoptions from Vietnam at this time. The 2005 Memorandum of Agreement, required by Vietnamese law to authorize adoptions between the United States and Vietnam, expires on September 1, 2008. The United States is strongly committed to continuing intercountry adoptions from Vietnam if possible. Our primary concern is to ensure that the children and families involved in the adoption process are protected from exploitation. The Government of Vietnam shares this concern. Both countries acknowledge that more needs to be done. Discussions about revision and renewal of the Agreement are a priority for both governments, but there is no certainty a new Agreement will be in place on September 1. In view of the processing time required in Vietnam from placement to the Giving and Receiving Ceremony, an adoption process begun now cannot be completed before the current Agreement expires. We do not know whether the Government of Vietnam will continue to process pending cases if the current Agreement expires before a new Agreement takes effect. Moreover, given concerns about the existing level of protection for children in Vietnam, it is unlikely that the Agreement can be renewed in its current form.
The United States Government stands ready to support Vietnam’s efforts to strengthen and improve accountability in its adoption system and to develop its capacity to regulate adoptions. In some cases, our background investigations have revealed evidence of irregularities, ranging from forged or altered documentation to cases where children have been offered for adoption without the apparent knowledge or consent of their birth parents. In response to these problems, in November 2007, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service and the Department of State instituted new procedures to verify that children identified for placement meet the requirements of Vietnamese and U.S. law, before the child has been adopted under Vietnamese law. The Embassy strongly advises prospective adoptive parents not to travel to Vietnam until they have received notification from the Embassy that their case is ready for final processing and travel is appropriate. Parents should contact the Embassy immediately if anyone, including their adoption service provider, encourages them to travel to Vietnam prior to receiving this notification. The Embassy can work together with adoption service providers, Vietnam’s Department of International Adoptions, and local authorities to resolve issues such as the scheduling of a Giving and Receiving Ceremony. We continue to urge Vietnam to comply with the terms of the 2005 Agreement and to establish a process that protects the interests of all parties involved in adoptions.

A quick Note...

I have got a few questions from some of my readers on where I had heard this news. We are still part of our email group with the agency. They state as of now Sept 1 is the date set for the agreement to be over with all US Vietnam adoptions. They warned adoptees who were in the process but had not received referrals to look into options. (other countries). Or continue in hopes it could be renewed.
By Sept things could change there could be a new agreement. I will email my rep at the agency and get more info and do a blog asap. I do not want to worry any one..... I was stressing my feelings about how horrible this would be if Sept comes and it is not renewed.

Tomorrow I will blog my agencies email...thanks!!

The Next Tiger Woods but Better

Ok so I already blogged once today but daddy is making me post this video of his boy golfing. He makes his dad so proud. I just hope if he becomes a famous golfer he remembers his mommy... you know a nice house in Hilton Head Island or so....

Of course I can not get it to change directions so I will video him again upright and post...but heres this one for now

Will it ever END?

So we got buried in snow again towards the end of last week. I am so tired of seeing snow. On Sunday it got up around 50 so we took Jacob out all bundled up. We went sled riding down a VERY small hill in our yard. Then pulled him around the yard on his sled. But other than that we hung out in the house.

So Jacob is very close with his pappy as he should be since pappy baby sits him. The other night pap spent the night it was like daddy & I did not exist. See picture above.

Well a sad note. Vietnam current bilateral agreement will expire as of September 1st. It’s possible that a new agreement could be negotiated before the current one expires. Some agency's did some unethical stuff to get referrals for adoptees ( not our agency) and ruined it for others now. There are families who have be giving referrals and will be allowed to still adopt their child but people on the waiting list may have to look into other countries. So I beg everyone to pray that Vietnam changes their mind. All children need a family, love and a place to be a kid. Also as a mommy we need love and someone to give our love to. It makes me sad to think that kids are just sitting in orphanages. It actually breaks my heart.

So please pray for the Vietnamese children....

thanks