Big Thanks from Analise

Analise has something to say...click picture to enlarge

What an awesome surprise!!! We got this new high chair from my parents. It is exactly what we wanted and it is just like Analise's BFF, Kya Blu.
Thanks Mom and Dad!!! I love it and was TOTALLY surprised!! YOU ROCK!!

Insight

Can some of you Momma's give me a little insight on clothes and shoes please??? I would like to know what brands run big, run small or true to size.

Analise is currently 18.6 lbs. and 27 inches long. I have been buying on sale carters clothes in size 9mths & 12 mths. to suffice when we are in Guat for pickup. Then buy more when we get home.

What shoes are good to buy? That will have a little play in size??

Please, please, please give me some ideas!!

Over the Moon

Today has been the best day. There is such peace. Peace in knowing:

1. We are out of PGN.
2. Our baby girl is coming home soon.
3. That I didn't have to think about,"When are we gonna get the call?"

It was nice to wake up and know that we are out of PGN. We waited 5 1/2 months for yesterday and it was surreal and emotional all in the same moment. The timing of the call wasn't huge or crazy but caught us doing what we love to do. That is what we wanted. To be doing what we are called to do while we wait expectantly for "the call".

We were at a horse show. Watching and enjoying when my phone vibrated in my shirt pocket. I grabbed it and it said unknown call. I knew it was our Coordinator!! She said we were OUT. I was so excited and thrilled!!!

Now, I had called PGN that morning. Their response was, "Congratulations. You are signed and approved." So, I had an inkling but didn't feel secure until I heard from my agency.

We are COMPLETELY overjoyed by everyone's well wishes. I can't believe we have received more than 70 comments on our post! I look forward to sharing them with Analise one day. Thanks again for all the comments, emails and phone calls.

Thanks, particularly, to my parents, Poppa & MawMaw, for the beautiful flowers. They are wonderful!!!! I love you both BUNCHES!!!

150th Post - SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

Have you heard the news?

WE ARE
OUT OF PGN!!

OUT!OUT!OUT!OUT!OUT!OUT!



SHOUT! SHOUT! I am OUT!!


If you are a regular reader, please leave a comment for Analise today. We want to add this special event to her baby book....thank you ALL for your LOVE and SUPPORT!!!

HAPPY 8mths. Analise

Here's a little journey through Analise's first 8mths. We are still waiting on news. Wouldn't tomorrow,the 24th, her actual 8mth birthday, be an awesome day to find out??

Referral-4 Days Old

March-5 Weeks

April-2mths.

May-3mths.

June-4mths.

July-5mths.

August-6mths.

September-7mths.

Brawl at PGN!!!

OK. Has anyone heard this yet?? Apparently, there was some type of brawl at PGN on Thursday afternoon. I was told it was between a family and an attorney. Who knows what really happened but PGN was closed on Friday because of it and closed today due to a Holiday.

Our attorney has 2 approved cases pick up but hasn't been able to due to the closures!!! UGGGHH!!!!

Tomorrow may very well be the BIG DAY!!!

Let the Stalking Begin!!

I just got off the phone with PGN. She told us we have passed the 2nd reviewer and waiting for it to be signed!!!

OK, everyone send up special prayers today for signed approval!!!

Psalm 37:4
Take delight in the Lord,and he will give you your heart’s desires.

We thank God every day for His best gift to us, Analise.

Belated Thanks!!!

I wanted to send out a HUGE thanks to my secret blog pal, Emily.

Emily, you were so kind the whole last session of SBP's. You always left me kind comments when I needed them most. You were truly thoughtful!! Thanks SO MUCH for taking time out of your adoption process to think of mine!

This was my last SURPRISE gift!! Thanks Again for all you did for us! :)

My Muddled Monday

Do you ever feel like you are just muddling through. Today was a haze and I'm tired.

We had another busy weekend working outside. We also celebrated our 12th wedding anniversary on Sunday. Wait until you see our gifts to each other!!! Then today we went and picked up our new horse in Texas.


Our new drag. This breaks up the ground in our riding arena. Gives the horses proper footing.

RECLINERS!! Our Anniversary Gifts!! We Love Them!!!>

Twist, our new horse. We brought him home today.


On the adoption front. This is our 8th week back in PGN. Baby Girl is getting ready for her OUT SHOUT!!

And, I'M BACK...long post!!!

OK, OK, so this is the longest I have gone without blogging in a loooonng time!!! We have been really busy and just plugging along waiting on our OUT call! Tomorrow will make seven weeks back in so I am EXPECTING the CALL anyday now.

Here is what we have been up to for the last week:

Last Saturday and Sunday:
We did more of this. We also rented a wood chipper but I was so excited about using it I left the camera inside! Maybe next time. Then, things started to get interesting. First of all, I was pulling this huge wood chipper back to the rental place. HOLY CRAP!! It came off the hitch on the back of the truck! This is a DISASTER waiting to happen!!! Thanks be to God, it stayed chained to the truck and didn't flip over. PHEW!!! I called my hero and he came and saved the day. Yeah, the one time my camera isn't in my purse!!!

So, I get back and go check on the neighbors dog. She is mainly an outside dog and pretty rowdy. The dog has TWO puncture wounds on her back and I realize she has been bitten by another dog. Long story short, I had to clean the wounds and patch her up. She is fine by the way and healing up nicely.

Monday:
We prepared for our 2nd Homestudy. Can you believe it has been a year since our last one? It has been a wonderful year full of such great and exciting experiences. We look forward to what the next year brings.

Tuesday:
We went to Texas to look at a new horse. I have said before that we want to get involved in Reining. This is a particular type of horse competition. So, we needed a horse with some experience and training in the sport. Here are a few pics from the day.

We go Monday to pick up the horse. His name is Dunnits Own Twist. "Twist" for short.




Here I am snapping a self-portrait while I wait on my husband. He was teaching our trainer how to use a video software program on his computer.


Oh, I thought I would show you my FAVORITE pair of boots!!!


Wednesday:
I headed to Tulsa to get my hair done and then that evening we went over to my Grandparents. My Pops has had some health problems over the last year but he is getting stronger everyday. Anyways, we went over and had Bible study since he hasn't been able to go to church. We sang several songs and listened to a message. Then we had prayer. It was so precious to hear him pray for Analise and her homecoming. It is a memory I will hold in my heart and mind forever.

Me and Pops



Pops and Nanny have these pics of Analise on their fridge. It was so sweet to see her up there..


Today:
I got up and did a little shopping. I found this piece of artwork for our entry. I LOVE IT!!! It also has my favorite scripture in the top, right hand corner. Click on the pic to see what it is!!


This evening we are relaxing and blogging. I hope everyone had a great week. Peace Out!!

Livin' Not Bloggin'

Sorry I haven't blogged but the road of life has been calling....and I haven't had time!!!

Maybe tomorrow night?!?!

JCICS Update on Transition Cases

Looks Like Good News For Us All!!!
For those of you not familiar with the Guatemalan adoption process-there was a severe threat made this week that would shut down adoptions entirely!! Even those in process-that would include our adoption.

Through everyone pulling together and making their voices heard to our political figures and mainly to our God it looks like things are taking a turn for the better. Please continue to pray that divine protection surrounds our children and that all adoption cases will progress smoothly.

This is what I received from my agency this morning.

Guatemala – Transition Cases
Joint Council is pleased to confirm that the Hague Permanent Bureau has now joined with Joint Council, the U.S. Department of State and others in agreeing that transition cases should be allowed to proceed to completion without interruption. It is our understanding that the HPB has now conveyed their revised position to both the Berger administration and Guatemalan Congress.

Guatemala – 3217 Process
Based on a number of postings and questions regarding the passage of 3217, Joint Council again confirms the passage of bill 3217 by the Guatemalan Congress on October 3 2007.

Legislative Process
It is our understanding that the majority of bills passed by Congress require two (2) initial readings into the Congressional record followed by a third reading, review and vote. In the case of 3217, the third and final reading was separated into a third reading and vote on October 3 2007 and a final review and vote on or after November 4 2007.

Amendments
At the time of the final review, each article and amendment separately will be reviewed/voted upon. In the event that more than 35% of the articles are amended, the bill would normally be sent back to the committee for review and approval. However, the committee has already approved over 60 amendments to 3217. Given that all amendments have been “pre-approved” by the committee, the number of amendments added will not impact the status of the bill or the ability of Congress to vote. The only exception to this would be if the amendments that are not pre-approved by the committee, exceed 35% of the total number of articles in 3217.

Fall Frenzy

Can I just say how much I LOVE Fall? Well, this week I started decorating for the season...here is what I have done so far.




Before anyone asks, no, I didn't paint the pumpkins. They were purchased at a local craft place. Aren't they cute??

Analise-September Update

Today we received our MUCH NEEDED September update. Of course, we were completely overjoyed to see her so happy in her pictures.




Measurements at 7mths.:
Weight: 18.6 pounds
Height: 27in.









Eating Habits:
Eats 8 ounces of Similac Advance formula every 2 ½ hours. For breakfast she eats rice cereal papilla or fruits compotes, her favorites are the bananas and apples ones. For lunch she eats vegetables compotes as carrots, squash or mixed vegetables.
For dinner she eats cereal or the same that she had for lunch. Analise has tried “Gerber” baby food and food prepared at home as well and she has accepted both very well.




Motor Skills:
She is pinching things with her thumb and forefinger. Passing things from hand to hand. She can grasp objects in both hands at the same time.



We Love You Analise! See You SOON!!

September Snippett

We just got our September update. I don't have alot of time right now, so here is a quick pic until tonight!!!

Indulge me this.....

In light of all that's going on in Guat..
In light of being in PGN 4 1/2 mths....
In light of not having received our September update yet...



I REALLY need to hear some GOOD NEWS from PGN. Can someone else hold my arms up for awhile?

Big Boy Toys-Gotta Love John Deere

Do little boys ever really grow up?? Today we got our first tractor!! My husband was like a kid in a candy store!! He was so excited!!! Here are a few pics...
So EXCITED!

Here it comes!!

The first time on the tractor.

Warning Label!! I couldn't decide whether this was funny or scary...