Giving Thanks

This week was the absolute longest and hardest week of this entire adoption process. Allow me to give you a play by play.

Monday:On Monday, our 2nd DNA had officially been at the lab for 13 days. We were given a timeline of 7-10 days from arrival to return to Guatemala City. The stress level was starting to reach above my functioning threshold.

Our agency called the lab and this is what they were told. "The more you call the longer it takes for us to complete our tests." Of course, this threw me into aggression overload. I told our agency this is completely unacceptable and I want answers!! I told them need to be a little more pro-active and aggressive. They said if they didn't hear something by Wednesday, they would have the Latin American Program Manager from our agency call.

Tuesday All I could think about was Why is this taking so long? Why can't anyone give us any answers? It was a hard day...

Wednesday Our agency spoke to the lab again and this is the information we received. Apparently, when Analise went for her swab she had either been eating or drinking something prior to the test. This caused the culture to read UNCLEAR. Which meant they were going to have to run another culture on the same swab. There was a chance that the culture would read UNCLEAR again. But the lab didn't think there would be a problem...so they started the culture but it wouldn't be ready until Friday. Ugh, the agony...

Thursday I tried to stay busy all day and not think of all the repercussions of not having a CLEAR DNA test on Friday. The one thing I mostly dwelled on - no Christmas with Analise. Because they would have to start the whole 2nd DNA process AGAIN.

The only thing I could do - pray and keep the faith that God would not leave us hangin'. He has been with us throughout this journey every step of the way. He has provided a circle of family and friends to lift us up during the hard times.

Last night, I couldn't sleep. I would doze off and dream VIVID dreams of our pick up trip (seeing the foster mom, taking Analise from her, hugging Analise, waiting in the airport). Then I would wake up in between the dreams. It was all so real. I thought I would be tired this morning but I jumped right up and felt rested.

Friday Long story short - I was in SAMS CLUB and my phone rang. It was the agency. They told us the test came back CLEAR and PERFECT. They also sent the lab to us via email with the FED EX number for tracking. I just started to cry. It was such a relief to know that it is on it's way to the US EMBASSY in Guatemala.


I am continually reminded of God's love and grace. In the times when I think I just CAN'T go forward He is there.

Reason Why Dear Hubby Probably Won't Change Dirty Diapers

***Return of the SHOTGUN Post***

Yes, the Shotgun post has returned due to lots of things to post and not enough time to blog them individually. Oh, and because of a little thing named Analise who we are planning to have home in a couple of weeks. OH YEAH BABY!!! So, hang on to your skirts friends cause here we go!!

BANG - Sneak Peak!!This is a sneak peak of part of the Coming to America outfit.

BANG - The LootThis is to prove to my sister that Analise does have "girly" clothes and toys!!!


BANG - Thanksgiving Day - Gobble, GobbleWe had an awesome day just chillin' and eatin', of course! I must say that I was a little more sublime than usual. I was definitely missin' my little Analise...
The Centerpiece
My first attempt at Nannies Dumplins!! I think they turned out quite nice!!
Grandma's Pecan Pie!! YUMMO! Made with pecans from our place...


The 3 Amigo's. The after dinner slump! My Pops is almost 90! I adore him...
Hubby and I after the big meal!


BANG - Fun with Video This would be us having a little fun with the new video monitor!! We LOVE IT!! Color and night time vision!!

BANG - Adventures in Post Hole Digging We decided to add a couple more paddocks for our horses. The first step is digging all the holes for the corner posts and gates. Usually, we did this with a post hole digger or two man auger. But not today folks, we used our tractor and my rear end!! Literally!!!

The tractor and the post hole digger contraption. Look intimidating??


Not to me!! I just jumped right on. We needed a little more weight on the back to help push the bit through the Oklahoma red clay! It worked!!

Well, that's all I've got for ya folks!! We should be hearing about our PINK date this week!! We are SO EXCITED!!

Ending with a special Happy 9mth. Birthday to my little tumbleweed, Analise. See Ya Soon!!!

Officially Nesting

The days seem to be zooming by right now. I feel like I have TONS to do and not enough time to do it all. I will do what I can before Analise comes home but if I don't get to it, oh well.

The past few days, I have been cleaning, cleaning and cleaning. I have organized closets, painted, put up some Christmas decorations, started prepacking the suitcase for Guatemala, etc. The one task I have enjoyed the most - detagging all of the clothes to take for our pick-up trip. It is such a wonderful feeling to be able to take them out of the closet, wash them and pack them for our girl.

OK, now I have a few questions for all the Mom's who traveled before me. Here they are in bullet form:

*Did you take food for your baby? What did you do? Analise will be 9mths. old.
*What is the Westin like? Food good? Shops?

*How many toys did you take? What do they enjoy besides a comb and butt paste tubes?!?!

*Is there anything else I should be aware of for pick up??

We are SO LOOKING FORWARD to getting our girl and bringing her home!! FOREVER!!!

***EDITED TO ADD: OK. I get that I need to get suppositories!! Someone tell me what aisle I am supposed to look on for these!! The first place I would look-next to the diapers!! Seriously!! Where are they in Target?!?!***

No New News

No new news to report. Our 2nd DNA should be heading back to Guatemala tomorrow. I think we may have PINK by middle of next week due to the holidays. Then have our appointment the week of Dec. 3rd.

Everyone cross your fingers and say a prayer for SPEEDY PINK!!!

Thanks Farrah and JuJu for checkin' on us! You both are super sweet!!! LOVE YOU BUNCHES!!

Another post this evening...

A Star is Born

One of my favorite things to do is learn new things. I have really been trying to learn to sew. Well, it turned out that my Aunt Marilyn and Uncle Doug were in town helping a church with its building program. Aunt Marilyn just happens to be a GREAT seamstress. She took time away and helped me with my sewing skills. Thanks Aunt Marilyn!! I LOVED spending time with you and Uncle Doug.

We decided to make retro ornaments. I wanted stuffed ornaments that Analise would be able to play with when she comes home. They turned out exactly the way I wanted.

Aunt Marilyn showing me how to use my sewing machine!!

Me, attempting to sew! I think I did OK!!

The end result. Just what I had anticipated! PERFECTION!

My true hair color! No joke!!

Aunt Marilyn pickin' up pecans at our house. True Oklahoman!!

Uncle Doug scoopin' up pecans!

We had such a GREAT TIME hangin' out and spendin'time together!!! More pics of the rest of family later!!

DOG RACE

Have you ever seen the ebay commercial that involves people and an item on ebay? Yes? No? Not sure? Well, here it is:



This is how I have felt over the last week. Except that I am NOT winning the item!!! UGH!!! I have been outbid in the last 2 auctions for the exact same item. When I say outbid, I mean in the last 15 seconds!!! I get SO ANNOYED when I don't win and it is something I REALLY need.

Here is what I really need.

I know it may seem trivial but I need it for Analise's coming home to see Daddy outfit. I guess I may just have to break down and buy it at a department store!!

****2nd DNA is at the Lab****

Our 2nd DNA is at the lab. It should be back in Guatemala before Thanksgiving!! One more step closer to seeing our sweet girls chubby face!! SO EXCITED!!!

Cowmooflage and More

The day before we received the news of our BC, passport and 2nd DNA trifecta we had gone shopping for the Analise necessities. There are SO MANY necessities!!! I am pretty sure I am almost TIRED of shopping. UGH!!!

To start off, we did get the Britax Cowmooflage carseat for our little lady. It wasn't even a choice because you all know her nursery is done in cow pattern. We love it! My FIL loved it so much he added this photo of Analise to the chair so we could imagine her in it! Doesn't she look sweet? Only a few more weeks until she is ACTUALLY in it!!



Funny story, when I went to purchase the carseat they said they only had one left. Because some lady came in and purchased two earlier in the week! That was some CRAZY lady! As it turns out-it was the mother of this child....


Kya says,"That's right! Me, Analise and Jaggy Poo will all have matching carseats and highchairs!!"


Once we got home, this is what part of the living room looked like.




We purchased the baby Einstein exerciser. It was pretty easy to put together. Here is a picture of me working on it and the finished product. Does anyone else have this exerciser?





We have bought LOTS of clothing but I haven't taken any pics yet. That's another post for another day!

Check, Check ChaBoom!!

Got the news today!


New Birth Certificate-CHECK
Passport-CHECK
ORANGE!!!-ChaBoom!

Come On, PINK!!

Analise 8mth. Update

Baby girl is growing, growing and growing.

Hi Momma and Daddy. I'm ready for you to come get me.

Hey, are you guys ready for this?!?!

We are so excited that she we will soon be home with us!! We should have our BC this week! YAY!!

Stay Tuned

Happy UN-Birthday to my Hubby

Today is my husbands birthday but he has decided NOT to celebrate. He has decided that he does not want to celebrate until Analise is home to celebrate with us all together. How sweet is that??

So, it's a very merry UN-Birthday until December.
Cute as a button!!

All Growed Up

Happy UN-Birthday Adam! I LOVE YOU!