Spencer has a new favorite song . . . "Follow the Prophet" is one of the songs we are learning this year in primary. He sings this song many many times a day (and night.)
Enjoy
Monday, May 24, 2010
Busy Week Planned
We have a busy week planned here. This morning (the end of May mind you) I planned to dig some dandelions and work a bit in the yard. My plan was foiled!
Yes, I took this picture this morning. . . not in February! Rude weather. . .
Anyway this week is going to be busy. I have my book group this week and we are going to see a production of The Three Musketeers. That was our book this month, and I have not read it yet. I had my copy from the library for 6 weeks and last month was too crazy to read it. So, tomorrow I am going to pick up a Juvenile adaptation that is 230 pages, (I hope it arrives at the library by tomorrow.) Hopefully I can finish it in 3 days :)
This Friday is our Thomas the Tank day. Spencer is so excited, I will be taking lots of pictures. Then on Saturday we head out to Vegas to visit Dave's brother's family. It should be a great weekend all together.
Lots happening!
Yes, I took this picture this morning. . . not in February! Rude weather. . .
Anyway this week is going to be busy. I have my book group this week and we are going to see a production of The Three Musketeers. That was our book this month, and I have not read it yet. I had my copy from the library for 6 weeks and last month was too crazy to read it. So, tomorrow I am going to pick up a Juvenile adaptation that is 230 pages, (I hope it arrives at the library by tomorrow.) Hopefully I can finish it in 3 days :)
This Friday is our Thomas the Tank day. Spencer is so excited, I will be taking lots of pictures. Then on Saturday we head out to Vegas to visit Dave's brother's family. It should be a great weekend all together.
Lots happening!
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Kaz . . . some good news
The State Department just issues this announcement:
Kazakhstan: Adoption Alert
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Office of Children’s Issues
May 19, 20010
On May 17, 2010, the U.S. Consulate General in Almaty received confirmation that the Ministry of Education in Kazakhstan has given instructions to the Kazakhstani Embassy and Consulate in New York not to accept new dossiers for inter-country adoptions. The Ministry said that this moratorium on new adoption cases will remain in effect until Kazakhstan implements a Hague Convention-compliant system, which it intends to have in place by September 2010. Kazakhstani officials have confirmed that this moratorium will not affect adoptions already in process.
So, I am pleased that it looks like since we are in process we will "not be affected." They also say things should be in place by Sept. 2010. However, I have also heard rumors that they will not accept new application at all for the rest of 2010. I have also heard that there could be problems with applying new laws to families who are in process. If we need to be Hague compliant as well, it means another mountain of paperwork.
I guess we will see where this goes from here.
Kazakhstan: Adoption Alert
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Office of Children’s Issues
May 19, 20010
On May 17, 2010, the U.S. Consulate General in Almaty received confirmation that the Ministry of Education in Kazakhstan has given instructions to the Kazakhstani Embassy and Consulate in New York not to accept new dossiers for inter-country adoptions. The Ministry said that this moratorium on new adoption cases will remain in effect until Kazakhstan implements a Hague Convention-compliant system, which it intends to have in place by September 2010. Kazakhstani officials have confirmed that this moratorium will not affect adoptions already in process.
So, I am pleased that it looks like since we are in process we will "not be affected." They also say things should be in place by Sept. 2010. However, I have also heard rumors that they will not accept new application at all for the rest of 2010. I have also heard that there could be problems with applying new laws to families who are in process. If we need to be Hague compliant as well, it means another mountain of paperwork.
I guess we will see where this goes from here.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Weeding
We have been working hard on getting the yard in shape.
Last Friday I spent 3 hours pulling dandelions from the lawn.
Last Saturday Dave and I spent about 5 hours weeding and mulching the back bed. (We got about half of it done.) We also moved our Zelkova tree that was not doing so well from the north side of the house to the back bed. If we left it, it meant certain death. . . now that is has at least a chance. We will have to wait until next spring to see if it leafs out. (Note the dead looking tree in the middle.)
Now that the Zelkova is moved to the back we needed another tree to replace it with. Our HOA has a requirements that each home has 6 trees in the front yard. I have been researching and thinking for a awhile about what tree we should replace it with. I decided on a weeping tree and Dave found an absolutely perfect tree, a Snow Fountain Weeping Cherry. I LOVE IT!
Yesterday I spent 4 hours weeding. . . the lawn and the front beds. It was quite the chore but I love seeing our place looking good.
Now our next major project is to put in a water feature. We have been reading books and watching videos and we are still in the planning phase, but I hope at some point this summer we can get a pond with a small waterfall. Here is the space we plan to put it, we already have all the rocks.
So, life has been busy with yard work, my hope is that all this work now means less work this summer.
Last Friday I spent 3 hours pulling dandelions from the lawn.
Last Saturday Dave and I spent about 5 hours weeding and mulching the back bed. (We got about half of it done.) We also moved our Zelkova tree that was not doing so well from the north side of the house to the back bed. If we left it, it meant certain death. . . now that is has at least a chance. We will have to wait until next spring to see if it leafs out. (Note the dead looking tree in the middle.)
Now that the Zelkova is moved to the back we needed another tree to replace it with. Our HOA has a requirements that each home has 6 trees in the front yard. I have been researching and thinking for a awhile about what tree we should replace it with. I decided on a weeping tree and Dave found an absolutely perfect tree, a Snow Fountain Weeping Cherry. I LOVE IT!
Yesterday I spent 4 hours weeding. . . the lawn and the front beds. It was quite the chore but I love seeing our place looking good.
Now our next major project is to put in a water feature. We have been reading books and watching videos and we are still in the planning phase, but I hope at some point this summer we can get a pond with a small waterfall. Here is the space we plan to put it, we already have all the rocks.
So, life has been busy with yard work, my hope is that all this work now means less work this summer.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Kaz News. . . not good
Kazakhstan is currently suspending new application for intercountry adoption.
On May 14 the Joint Council posted an announcement: http://www.jcics.org/Kazakhstan.htm.
Basically what it says is that Kazakhstan is not accepted new dossiers at the consulate and is putting a hold on international adoptions, until it ratifies The Hague. What is unclear is how this will affect families already in the process.
I have emailed our agency to get some guidance, but I think they will not know more at this point. I think they will need to contact their in-country facilitator and see what the Kaz officials are saying/speculating.
Obviously I am feeling disappointment. Our dossier as been in Kazakhstan almost a year and for months it was, "Any day now you will get the invite to travel." Now look at this mess. They are closing to new applications and that could mean they will not complete those of us in the process.
Again, it is a wait and see game. I guess it is easy to be patient when that is your only choice.
THIS JUST IN. . . from our agency:
Dear Awaiting Adoptive Family,
We just received a phone call from a person from Kazakhstan Consulate informing us that the dossier processing by the Kazakhstan Consulate is suspended effective immediately, pending the finalization of a review of adoption cases by the Kazakhstan government and the implementation of Hague convention.
It is our understanding that dossiers which have been processed and forwarded to Astana and to the region will be permitted to continue through to finalization. The Kazakhstan Consulate will not accept new dossiers pending the completion of the review noted above.
We will continue to monitor the situation and keep you informed of any changes or updates.
Sincerely,
Daniel
*******
On a China note;
We are still in line to adopt from China. We started the process three years ago, our paper work has been in country for 2 years and if they continue processing adoptions at the same rate then we can expect to travel in 2019. Yes, a total of 12 years. Maybe Spencer can drive us to the airport for our trip :)
On May 14 the Joint Council posted an announcement: http://www.jcics.org/Kazakhstan.htm.
Basically what it says is that Kazakhstan is not accepted new dossiers at the consulate and is putting a hold on international adoptions, until it ratifies The Hague. What is unclear is how this will affect families already in the process.
I have emailed our agency to get some guidance, but I think they will not know more at this point. I think they will need to contact their in-country facilitator and see what the Kaz officials are saying/speculating.
Obviously I am feeling disappointment. Our dossier as been in Kazakhstan almost a year and for months it was, "Any day now you will get the invite to travel." Now look at this mess. They are closing to new applications and that could mean they will not complete those of us in the process.
Again, it is a wait and see game. I guess it is easy to be patient when that is your only choice.
THIS JUST IN. . . from our agency:
Dear Awaiting Adoptive Family,
We just received a phone call from a person from Kazakhstan Consulate informing us that the dossier processing by the Kazakhstan Consulate is suspended effective immediately, pending the finalization of a review of adoption cases by the Kazakhstan government and the implementation of Hague convention.
It is our understanding that dossiers which have been processed and forwarded to Astana and to the region will be permitted to continue through to finalization. The Kazakhstan Consulate will not accept new dossiers pending the completion of the review noted above.
We will continue to monitor the situation and keep you informed of any changes or updates.
Sincerely,
Daniel
*******
On a China note;
We are still in line to adopt from China. We started the process three years ago, our paper work has been in country for 2 years and if they continue processing adoptions at the same rate then we can expect to travel in 2019. Yes, a total of 12 years. Maybe Spencer can drive us to the airport for our trip :)
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Happy Mother's Day
It has been a great week that kicked off with Mother's day.
Dave grilled some amazing Carolina Chicken for me with homemade fries and fruit salad! He also surprised me down pillows! I have been looking for some really nice pillows and have been having a hard time finding some that I liked. . . Dave totally surprised me Sunday morning when he gave me my gift and there were king size down pillows. They are the same kind that they have at the Ritz Carlton. It feels like sleeping at a 5-star hotel. . . ahhh. I love them.
This week I also got a little money for Mother's Day to use for my garden. . . So I took the cash and added a little more and got some roses for my rose garden. I have been looking for rose trees (since last year) and finally found some that I adore. I also got a little bark mulch, but still need a little more. Here is my rose garden:
I now have 6 roses, that are a variety of sizes and colors. I can't wait to see them blooms!
This week I also reverted back to some college behavior. I cut my own hair. I have been wanting bangs for awhile and the last time I got a hair cut the stylist talked me into a sweeping bang. . . so this morning I grabbed some scissors and took care of it. Spencer took a picture for me to post. . . he isn't a bad photographer. (Although all I can hear in my head is Edna 'E' Mode from The Incredibles say, "My. . . you've gotten fat.")
So this week CTU ended! Yeah! Westerns ends today, Double Yeah! And I just got an email saying my training was completed successfully for South University and I will be contacted when a class is available to teach. It is good to get my online classes squared away. Now I am a woman of leisure and my next class doesn't start until June 7. Ahh what will I do? (Weeding anyone?)
Dave grilled some amazing Carolina Chicken for me with homemade fries and fruit salad! He also surprised me down pillows! I have been looking for some really nice pillows and have been having a hard time finding some that I liked. . . Dave totally surprised me Sunday morning when he gave me my gift and there were king size down pillows. They are the same kind that they have at the Ritz Carlton. It feels like sleeping at a 5-star hotel. . . ahhh. I love them.
This week I also got a little money for Mother's Day to use for my garden. . . So I took the cash and added a little more and got some roses for my rose garden. I have been looking for rose trees (since last year) and finally found some that I adore. I also got a little bark mulch, but still need a little more. Here is my rose garden:
I now have 6 roses, that are a variety of sizes and colors. I can't wait to see them blooms!
This week I also reverted back to some college behavior. I cut my own hair. I have been wanting bangs for awhile and the last time I got a hair cut the stylist talked me into a sweeping bang. . . so this morning I grabbed some scissors and took care of it. Spencer took a picture for me to post. . . he isn't a bad photographer. (Although all I can hear in my head is Edna 'E' Mode from The Incredibles say, "My. . . you've gotten fat.")
So this week CTU ended! Yeah! Westerns ends today, Double Yeah! And I just got an email saying my training was completed successfully for South University and I will be contacted when a class is available to teach. It is good to get my online classes squared away. Now I am a woman of leisure and my next class doesn't start until June 7. Ahh what will I do? (Weeding anyone?)
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Cinco de Mayo
Happy 5th of May! We have a few things to celebrate around here.
Our homestudy finally has gone through the last drafting and the final hard copy is on its way to Texas as we speak. Yippy. .. one step closer. Once this final paper-chase element is in place our profile can be shown to prospective birthmothers. It feels really good to have this done. . . Now we wait.
In other family news. I think we picked a preschool for Spencer. It starts the last week in Aug. and is two mornings a week, Tuesday and Thursday from 9:15AM- 11:45AM. We were put on the waiting list in March and have until June 1 to decide before his slot will go to someone else. We are checking out the facility this week and I feel really good about the teacher, Miss Kim.
Spencer is so smart and this sounds like a great place to stimulate his mind and let him interact with other 3 year-olds. Here is a sample Lesson plan for a week:
Letter V v
Learning Vowels
Welcoming Spring
Weather
Weather Dial
Making words
Rhyming Words
Lowercase practice in dry erase book.
One on One- Review numbers or Addition
Learning about insects.
Starting Marine Life Unit
The preschool is actually 3 days a week (T-W-TH), but we will start out with 2 and see how it goes. I am excited and nervous at the same time.
This week we also made plans to go to Vegas for Memorial Day weekend to visit Dave's brother's family. It should be fun and I am looking forward to taking lots of pictures.
We also got tickets for "A Day out with Thomas." It is a 25 minute ride with a full size Thomas the Tank Engine. The Event also has a fair type quality with, meeting Thomas characters, storytelling, live music, activities, balloons, food. . . etc. This is part of Spencer's pre-birthday celebration. We got our tickets for Friday May 28th and then will head to Vegas the next morning.
So. . .Happy Cinco de Mayo!
Our homestudy finally has gone through the last drafting and the final hard copy is on its way to Texas as we speak. Yippy. .. one step closer. Once this final paper-chase element is in place our profile can be shown to prospective birthmothers. It feels really good to have this done. . . Now we wait.
In other family news. I think we picked a preschool for Spencer. It starts the last week in Aug. and is two mornings a week, Tuesday and Thursday from 9:15AM- 11:45AM. We were put on the waiting list in March and have until June 1 to decide before his slot will go to someone else. We are checking out the facility this week and I feel really good about the teacher, Miss Kim.
Spencer is so smart and this sounds like a great place to stimulate his mind and let him interact with other 3 year-olds. Here is a sample Lesson plan for a week:
Letter V v
Learning Vowels
Welcoming Spring
Weather
Weather Dial
Making words
Rhyming Words
Lowercase practice in dry erase book.
One on One- Review numbers or Addition
Learning about insects.
Starting Marine Life Unit
The preschool is actually 3 days a week (T-W-TH), but we will start out with 2 and see how it goes. I am excited and nervous at the same time.
This week we also made plans to go to Vegas for Memorial Day weekend to visit Dave's brother's family. It should be fun and I am looking forward to taking lots of pictures.
We also got tickets for "A Day out with Thomas." It is a 25 minute ride with a full size Thomas the Tank Engine. The Event also has a fair type quality with, meeting Thomas characters, storytelling, live music, activities, balloons, food. . . etc. This is part of Spencer's pre-birthday celebration. We got our tickets for Friday May 28th and then will head to Vegas the next morning.
So. . .Happy Cinco de Mayo!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)