Fall 09

I know. I know. I'm a little behind on posting. And I'm doing so reluctantly today. I really thought my next post would be "WE GOT OUR REFERRAL!!!!!!" But that doesn't seem to be the case obviously so life goes on. It's been a real nail biter this time around though. Maybe that has something to do with the TWENTY SIX month wait. Sigh...

October and November flip flopped this year. Snow in October? What gives? This is the Midwest however so anything is possible. Lucy is potty trained! She was finally willing to cooperate which is kinda helpful. Up until this point she screamed anytime we suggested it or tried to put her on the toilet. Nevermind that she's consistently woken up from overnight and naps dry, could tell me when she was wet and change her own pullup. Girlfriend's got her own time table I guess. I just didn't want to go back to Colombia and get a bunch of flack for not having her trained yet. Whew!

Lucy had a great Halloween this year. We had a lot of fun going to the apple orchard/pumpkin patch. I have 4 pies in my freezer to prove it:)

We also took a trip to see my side of the family recently. Solomon was baptized and I have the honor of being his Godmother. We went to the Milwaukee zoo. Awesome! It's always so heart warming to see the cousins together.

Kurt's grandma turned 90 so we went to Chicago as well. We had a fantastic time. Gotta love Lou Malnotti's pizza:)

Smooch
PK

Moving on up

We received a call in September from our agency stating that los Pisingos requested we update some of our documents. We're just waiting on 2 more forms and then we can send them off. In the meantime, the home study needs to be updated as well so our social worker came over this morning. During our meeting the international adoption coordinator called to let us know that they received our acceptance letter from LP. Last time around we waited about 4-5 months before we got our referral for Lucy. But I heard from another family that they got their letter and then their referral ONE WEEK LATER!!!!! Can you believe it? After this TWO YEAR wait we could possibly be toward the end of this crazy ride? I can hardly get my brain wrapped around it. Imagine that our little son or daughter is already on this planet and waiting for us... That is a very nice thought:)

Smooch
PK

Family Reunion

We have our family reunion on my mom's side every 2 years. Each family member's children take a turn planning and it was our year to host. It is always so fun to see everyone. I wish it was a week instead of just a weekend. There's never enough time to pack it all in. There are only my two Auntie's left. So our reunions seem to take on an extra special feel these days. We all get nostalgic, looking at pictures, chatting about old times and my Mom's gifted abilities in the kitchen. Boy could she cook!

Since the picnic was at a state park, Kurt and I decided to camp there as well. Can I just say that LC is a master camper? I'm just so proud of her! Now if we can just get her potty trained, we could go to BWCA! Ha! Her cousins Max, Ben and their Dad also camped with us.

It was an action packed very fun weekend!

Smooch
PK

The Great Get Together

Wow! We had a great time at the fair this year. I've decided this is the one day that LC can eat whatever she wants (within reason of course. We don't want any projectile vomiting!) We arrived around 930AM and warmed up the taste buds with cheese curds and vanilla milk shakes. Yum!

Lucy really enjoyed the animal barns again this year, especially the Miracle of Birth bldg and the horses. Can you say I really want a pony momma?

We also went to the kiddie ride area which turned out to be a big mistake as LC was only 33 inches and kids had to be 36 to get on most of them. She was only able to do about 3 rides. She also refused to get off the rides when they were done! She totally melted down of course and I had to drag her across the street and just let her buck. This is one spicy little girl! At one point she was rolling around on the patio brick screaming when a guy came out of the landscape display building to try to give her candy! Luckily I intervened, thanked him for the treat and assured him (and LC) that I would be happy to give it to her when she calmed down. It was totally my fault, a full day at the fair with no nap. Not to mention the horrible predujice of the vertically challanged in kiddie playland!

Smooch
PK

Busy! Busy! Busy!

Here are some recent pics of us at the lake for Kurt's birthday and our first family camping trip. We went with another couple and their son. A reat time had by all. Lucy was a camping champion. Personally I think she could have a future as a "Camp Host". She loved roaming the campground looking for new friends;)

We've been busy this summer, going up north, pool, playdates, camping and car trips. Where does the time go? Every year I vow to slow it down and savor the moments. Sound familiar? Kinda like Christmas as well...

No new news to report. I have a feeling we'll be waiting for a referral until the end of 09 or early 10. In the meantime I've been preparing; buying new suitcases, small thank you gifts etc.

Smooch
PK

WE ARE NEXT!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just got word that other family that has been waiting since Feb got their referral last Thursday and are traveling as soon as THIS WEEKEND. I'm so excited I can hardly stand it!

WE ARE SOOOOO CLOSE NOW!!!! FINALLY!!!!

Smooch
PK

Back home...

Hey there!

We recently had some of my family in town for a visit so we headed back to the Ole homestead. My Grandpa owned it originally. My Mom moved in with my Dad and Grandpa after they were married and now my brother and sister in law are taking over the family tradition. The emotional impact of this visit really surprised me. I've been back home many times since my parents died but having LC there with all of her cousins really brought me back to some very fond memories. I remember doing very much the same things with my cousins growing up. All the playing, feeding the lambs, seeing all of them together was like watching a home movie of my childhood. I even have a picture of myself somewhere standing in the same spot as LC by the barn holding a kitty. Makes me nostalgic... Good times...

I also finally have an adoption update!

We're one of two families with documents in front of the adoption committee at los Pisingos!!!!! We're officially waiting! YES! The other family has been waiting for a referral since Feb 09. But since LP does try to match families, they don't necessarily go in order. We could go before or after them.

So this great news! Our dossier was submitted in May 09. We filled out our application for LP back in Oct 08. Got the go ahead to start compiling our documents for our dossier in Dec 08 I believe. It's been a long road but not as long as some families. And we have LC of course which makes the waiting go by faster.

Just think...our next little one could already be "in the making" or on this planet already...Gives me goosebumps and tears all at the same time! Please remember our next birth family in your prayers. They have a very difficult and heart wrenching decision before them.

Smooch
PK