Jack & Alex

“Jack is the definition of ‘loose cannon’” Those are the words from my hubby’s lips as we watched Jack kill someone and say, "That's the problem with people like you, George. You want results, but you never want to get your hands dirty." CTU’s finest hard at work!

We are officially addicted. We finished the first season of 24. . . and took a break for a week before diving into the second season. We are now neck deep in the latest predicament. This show is pretty intense. My buddy told me season 2 was better then season 1. . and so far I agree with her. We are not fans of the “Kim” plotline. We think it is just filler. I am almost tempted to fast-forward the scenes she is in.

Small Rant Ahead: Another plotline I am under-whelmed with . . . Syler on “Heroes.” This guy is so one-note, I can’t take it! I call him the mustache twirler. That is all he does. . . sit there and say, “Look how evil I am,” twirling his villain’s mustache, while our heroine is tied to the railroad tracks. . . . Kill me now. This guy is a one-trick pony. The writers or someone needs to step it up.

We are loving 24, but probably the show we are most faithful to is Jeopardy. There is just something about the crazy combination of quiz show, competition, every-man, and Alex’s pompous demeanor. . . it’s just magical!

I am sure when Spencer comes home we will be exposed to Baby Einstein, Sesame Street. . . and heaven forbid “The Doodlebops.” But, for the moment we are enjoying the simple pleasures of CTU's finest, Jack Bauer and Alex’s over-pronunciation of any and all exotic words.

Counting the days

We are counting the days, minutes and seconds until Spencer is home with us. It looks like the time frames are fluctuating. The U.S. government (Citizen and Immigration Services) has changed some of their procedural protocols. This will effect our travel date. We just don’t know now if it will bump up our travel date, or extend our wait time.

Our agency is wonderful and really helping us during this transition period. In the long run, this is a good thing for the adoption process, but it just stinks that we are caught in the transition period. USCIS is mandating a 60 day waiting period for families (starting Nov. 17th). We might get our travel date before this comes into effect (which is what we are praying for) but we might get stuck with an extended waiting period. We have already been waiting. . . 76 days, thank you very much! So to add an addition 60 days to that time would be pretty disappointing.

We’re not losing a brother. . .

We are gaining a sister! That’s right, Jay and Sarah are getting married. (We all kind of knew it was coming.) We love Sarah so much, we are so excited to have her as part of the family. She is amazing, and Jay and Sarah are just perfect together and for each other! Updates will be forth coming. . .I have been promised an exclusive : )

Veterans Day

In two weeks we will be celebrating and honoring our Veterans. This is such a great time to think about all the blessing we enjoy in our lovely country. I did a little research on Veterans Day as we talked about in with our girls during Activity Days this week.

Veterans Day is a holiday honoring our military veterans. It falls on November 11, the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I. Peace was reached for World War I at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 with the signing of the peace agreement.

Yesterday when we were with the girls (ages 8-11) we read a letter from President Bush about our Veterans. We also read a letter from my sister, a soldier in the Marine Corps. Here is an excerpt from that letter:

I have been in the Marine Corps for fourteen years have spent two combat tours in Iraq. The highlight of my day was mail call. I would just hope and pray to get something...anything from "The States" There were several groups who would write us letters and send us care packages and they were ALWAYS welcomed with open arms! Any news from home was good news!

It is very hard to be in a foreign country fighting and sometimes dying for the rights and freedoms of the local people. It makes me realize just how wonderful America is and how important the freedoms we have here are. Most Americans just take them for granted. The local people of Iraq are so grateful for the time, effort, blood, sweat and tears we have invested into their liberation. I see the hard ships they have suffered and the oppression they have been forced to endure and am so very grateful for my forefathers who fought for me to have the rights and freedoms I enjoy today. I consider it an honor and a privilege to fight for the rights and freedoms for the future generations of the entire world!

Thank you for your prayers and letters! They are more precious to us than you will ever know!

This year, make an opportunity to thank a veteran. You can send a card or a letter to someone you know or you can go to: www.anysoldier.com and find a soldier serving in Iraq to send a note to. I also have an address of a soldier serving in Iraq right now, I would be happy to send it to you. Just send me an email, (libraryofadventure@gmail.com.) It won’t take very long and it will make someone’s day.

Here is a picture of the letters and cards our girls made to support our troops and honor our veterans.

Vince & Roy. . .

I know, it sounds like a cowboy duo, but they are my new dentist (Roy) and my new hygienist (Vince.) As I walked into the office I was a little anxious. (With good reason, for those who remember the one and only time I got a crown, also known as “‘It’s a little tiara for your tooth’- fiasco.”)

We pulled into the quaint wooded area with a ranch style building nestled in the trees. As we walked into the front door, the new paint and Pergo-hardwood floors were smooth and modern. The soothing green tones, modern furniture and plasma TV set the mood for the new office. Since this was the first visit to a new dentist it took a while to get all our paper-work processed. The office opened in June of 2007 and things looked new and shiny.

Dave went first, he came back with a beaming smile, “No cavities.” When Vince called me back, we walked down a long hallway past some futuristic machines and into “The Chair.” The room was another lighter shade of the smoothing green tone from the waiting room and the leather chair was comfortable. Vince put me at ease, and he was training a new assistant on some the x-ray techniques. The whole thing was pretty painless. . . I saw a light at the end of the tunnel. . .

Enter Roy, a very pleasant doctor and it turns out his wife also has her Masters degree in Communication. We were chatting and then it happened. . . I felt the hook thing stick on one of my teeth. . . I flinched. The doctor asked if that was sensitive. I said, “No, I just know what that means. . . . I have a cavity.” (Ah Phooey!!)

The Dr. said it was very small, but still needed to be taken care of. So on my way out I scheduled an appointment to get it fixed. The next opening was Halloween. So, next week on the day of candy and sugary indulgence I will be with Roy, Vince and . . . a drill.

It's all video, video, video

If you have stopped by my blog more then once, you have probably noticed that I change colors and headers on a regular basis. I am always looking for the best color combination and aesthetics. (The picture in my current header was taken by Dave when he was in Germany a couple of summers ago.)

When we go to Vietnam I am sure Dave will get some great shots. We will be in Southern, Central and Northern Vietnam during the 2-3 weeks we are there. I know we will be seeing a lot of beautiful things. We are also planning to get a video camera to capture the magic moments. Any advice for what brand, type, size works best?

Fabrics. . .

Since we put Spencer’s furniture in his room I can’t walk by his room without sitting in the rocker and practicing for when he comes home. Right now we also have a twin bed in his room (as it was a guess room before.) The bed has a floral print on it and it doesn’t suit our new boy’s room. So I need to change out the comforter for the denim-blue one we have. This week I am starting to sew the crib bedding and am posting the fabric below. (Blues and yellows with stars and moons.)


We also have started gathering books for our little guy. Aunt Janelle got him the first book in the Library, “Happy Adoption Day.” There are some other books that we loved growing up and will make sure Spencer gets a chance to love them too.


A wonderful new friend I made since moving here has asked to have a baby shower for me and Spencer next month. I am really touched by that. Since we have not been here very long and it is such a sweet gesture. It will be great to meet with some ladies and get some advice and celebrate Spencer’s arrival.

Spencer's phat pad

It seems that putting baby furniture together is just as much part of the baby experience as picking out names. Tonight we got all the pieces of furniture put together and Spencer’s room is looking good. I still need to sew the bedding and get things put together, but now with the furniture it feels so exciting. We could travel as soon as Thanksgiving or as late as the last week of December. The sooner the better as far as we are concerned.


Dave did such a great job! There were some tricky instructions for the crib, so I am glad I am married to such a smart (and devastatingly handsome) husband!

The joys of moving. . .

Even though we have been in Texas for 6 months we are still getting settled in. When we moved here I started the search for a dentist. I am really picky about who can touch my teeth and I guess I have been in denial about starting the process again. I loved our last dentist. He was nice and the office staff was super friendly. It is just hard to find someone honest and kind.

A few months ago the search was on. I asked friends about their dentists and who they liked. I received several positive reviews and made some phone calls. Dr. #1. . . He did not take insurance at all, it was 100% up to you to submit the paper work. (They may have the dentists chair with the vibrating back massage, but there is no way I am filling my own claims.) So. . .on the #2, they did file claims, but did not take our insurance. Finally dentist # 3, also did not take our insurance. This was kind of depressing.

I finally had no choice and turned to the dreaded “In-Network” dentist list from our provider. There I am looking at 170 dentists within 10 miles of my home. Where do you start? There was a little blurb that said “nominate a dentist.” I thought, “Yes, I can get someone who was recommended.” So I filled it out and was told to wait 4-6 weeks. That was a relief I could put it off a little longer. . .

Finally yesterday it was the last straw. I knew I needed to just do it. . . so I spent hours reading the online reviews of the approved dental offices. It was a very bleak morning. It seems there are very few people who have nice things to say. I read comments about unethical treatment and dishonest payment practices. The complaints went on and on. What’s a girl to do? There were lots of other dentists that had no reviews. . . but that doesn’t bolster confidence either.

Finally, a ray a light in a dark world. . . I found a dentist 7.2 miles from our home, (about 30-40 min. from Dave’s office.) Not really too close to us, but I got a good feeling. So we are going in next Tuesday for our cleanings. If it is awful, I guess we will start the search again. But, I am feeling good about “Dr. Roy.”

Treadmill. . .My Arch Nemesis

My sister and two brothers are running the Marine Corp Marathon in Washington D.C. in two weeks and I was thinking. . . man I wish I could do that. So I was inspired. This week I decided to make a goal to work out 5 days, for an hour each time.

Someone is out of shape. . . I not going to name names. . . (but it is not someone who is running 26.2 miles in two weeks.) Today I did 30 minutes on the treadmill. I also did the elliptical for 20 min. and some weights for 10 minutes to round out the 1 hour goal. It’s going to be a long week :)

Tweens = Atomic Energy

Recently I have been asked to help with “Activity Days.” For those unfamiliar with what that is. . . think cub scouts for girls. We meet twice a month and the girls have activities that help them develop their talents and skills. The girls are 8-11 years old.

I walked in the room and there were 27 girls whizzing around the room laughing and giggling. I felt like I was inside an atom with things just zooming around. . . with the occasional collision.

We had a great time and I loved it! For the activity all the girls were divided into groups and each group sang (or lip synced) a song with fun costumes and some chorography. The group of girls I was with had the song, “R-E-S-P-E-C-T”. After some practice all the girls preformed on a stage, they were video taped and later this year at a “Daddy-Daughter” night and they will show the video.

At the end someone got the idea that it would be fun to have all the leaders go up on stage and do a number too. The girls were cheering and clapping their hands. Before I knew it I was swarming with girls who where tying scarves around my waist, dressing me with hats, a plastic flower lei and giving me props. Then, there I was, on the stage goofing off and pretending to sing to a song I didn’t know. A good time was had by all.

Slight delay

There is a slight delay in the baby furniture. We will hopefully have all of it in a week or so. The crib was available now, but we had to order our changing table. We also decided on getting a glider. We were kind of on the fence about it. We thought we would like one, but would get it later. I am so glad we didn’t wait, it matches the crib and table. (Thanks Carolyn for your comment, I think that is what sealed the deal!)

Feathering our nest

It looks like we are getting a crib and changing table. It is a cherry wood, with a sleigh design. We are picking it up today. (We double checked and it is not one of the Simplicity/Graco cribs that got recalled recently.) Now that we have the crib I can start sewing the bedding. I got the pattern back in June and I found the perfect fabric in July and have been waiting until we got the crib to start putting it together. The theme is stars & moons, the fabric is blue and yellow and I can’t wait to get going. I will be sure to post pictures when it is done. I am not making the canopy (as seen in the picture.) But it looks darling in either case.

We hope to be with Spencer by Christmas and things are getting put in place to bring him home. Still no news on the travel date to Vietnam. On Monday it will be 2 months since we got the call and the wait was estimated to be 4 months, so we are half way through our wait. . . we hope.

Pizza. . . yum

We are having the missionaries over for dinner tonight. It is a great excuse to make homemade Pizza. I got the crust recipe for Heather, my sister-in-law and it has been one of our favorites. Dave loves to have two layers of pepperoni. When we got married we were given a pizza pan and use it quite frequently. The key to a good pizza is 1) Lots of toppings and 2) Everyone gets to help make it. It takes a village. . . to create the perfect pizza. We are also having salad with dinner too. That way we can say it is a "balanced" meal : )

Here is the recipe if you enjoy making pizza: Pizza Crust

Vietnam's typhoon

As you may have seen on the news this week, a typhoon has hit Vietnam and it is now moving into China (where they have evacuated over 1 million people.) Spencer is safe. The storm hit north of his orphanage and he is fine. There was some hand wringing. . . . but he is safe. We feel so blessed that he has been watched over and protected until we can be there.

We loved conference yesterday. It was so good. We did not get good sounds quality on the public access channel so we ended up watching it on the internet. It was fabulous, my favorite talk yesterday was Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin. His talk on charity really stuck with me. It really made me think about how important our relationships are with those around us, whether we know them well or not.

We also had the chance to continue our conference tradition and make scones during the priesthood session. I went to a friend's house and the sister missionaries came over too. Dave came back and told us about the speakers and gave us the scoop. I can’t wait to read Pres. Hinckley’s talk about avoiding anger. It sounded really good.

Jack finally made it!

Last night we had another “24” marathon. Jack Bauer is in a pickle now! It looks like he has been framed for an assassination attempt! I know all y’all saw this 6 years ago, but this is new to me. It is only “7 AM”! How am I going to make it to “Midnight”?

I am also a sucker for BBC period pieces . Recently I have seen two excellent mini-series. “The Way We Live Now” (2001) is an adaptation from Anthony Trollope's novel, set in the 1870s. I have only seen the first episode (of 4.) It seems really promising.

The second mini-series I recently saw (and loved) is “North and South” (2004). Not be to be confused with the U.S. civil war TV mini-series saga from the 1980s, (filled with lip gloss and feathered hair. . .) This is set in England in the late 1800s, the story follows a cotton mill owner. My great-grandfather worked in a cotton mill/production in the 1880s (about the same time this drama is set.) My sister told me about the BBC adaptation and I am so glad she did. . . loved it!

If you are a sucker for the A&E presentation of “Pride and Prejudice” you should consider checking out these DVDs.

Our new Sunday routine

Last week Dave was called to be the ward clerk. He is outstanding at record keeping and can turn out an excel spread sheet that is a thing of beauty and could bring you to tears. There is a lot of training and he will be putting in serious hours. We get out of church at 2:00 PM and are home shortly after that. Yesterday was the start of our new routine; Dave had a meeting at 9:00 AM, (then came back to pick me up) after church he stayed until 5:30 PM. Ahh, the leisurely days of hanging out on a Sunday afternoon playing Yahtzee and Scrabble are in the past.

We did manage to play some Yahtzee last night after dinner and I am the new house-hold champion with a score of 527. It was a crazy game, I got 3 Yahtzees. . . and people say it is hard to give up a life of glamour and jet-setting when they have kids. As you can tell our life of glamour includes playing games, NetFlix and TiVo-ing Jeopardy.

Life is good. . . we are only missing one thing, Spencer.