Good things come in threes...

or so I have always thought. Today my February Secret Pal gift arrived, Shawn took me out to dinner and referral's are arriving!!! I will post pictures tomorrow of my lovely gifts and I LOVE the butterfly. Even though my pal doesn't know me, she always seems to find special little things that mean so much. I love the "Bottoms" book as well. That is so my sense of humour!!!!!!!! Shawn said "Oh those crazy Easterners" (I think that he has peeked at your address). Living in Victoria, that is the rest of Canada so I really don't have a clue where on earth my pal is from but I do know that she is Canadian!!
As for referrals, they have only referred up to Sept. 8, 2005 - 14 days worth of LID's which is the status quo right now. I now sound like the "broken record" saying "if things stay this way, we won't have our referral until after the Olympics in 2008". Seems like forever away and although I am so happy to see all the little faces and ecstatic parents, I can't help but feel a little let down. Ah well, what can we really do but wait and wait and wait and...

Did I mention...

that we were given a crib? Yes, it is here and in pieces still. Thank you to Colleen for spreading the word with all of the Mom's that she knows. She also found us a baby carrier that Shawn really likes. So, I had to go and find a crib set (yea right!!) and since we are having such bad weather, I went on EBay. This is what I found, bid on and "won".
LOVE it. It is applique, 100% cotton and Made in Canada.
It is funny how I have these little surges of getting organized for Isabel's arrival. Shawn worked all weekend so I moved bookshelves and made room in the front hall for the stroller, put Isabel's new books on her bookshelf in her room and tried to organize all of her Daddy's books!!! Yikes.
Anyway, the snow has stopped falling but it is cold and icy out. I had to go to work today because my carpool was going but maybe not tomorrow if it is too icy...Shawn has been given two days of holiday this week because they were shut down today and then again tomorrow. Oh well, the snow will be gone by the weekend and we will be back to having our lovely mild weather. Off to help Shawn with the garland for the mantelpiece...

Photos...

Ok, here is the photo of the gifts that I spoke about in the last post - the Kecci diaper bag, Isabel's bag, "I Love You Like Crazycakes" book and the hair accessories from the exchange that I am part of. Aren't they gorgeous!!

And... it is REALLY snowing here in Victoria.
We rarely have snow and it is really heavy and wet with a nice layer of ice underneath (not fun for driving!!). Shawn just took a photo out of our kitchen window (notice the catnip on the windowsill, Camie gets MEAN when she has it so we have to have it up high) and the poor cherry tree looks as though it is going to lose some branches!! Ah well, maybe I won't have to go back to work tomorrow, yippee!!! I was saying that I needed another week off and the Christmas decorations are out of storage...

Thank you to our March DTC Secret Pal!!!

Wow, is all I can say. I still don't have access to the pictures but I am now home (was away last week at friends) and have experienced the beautiful "Isabel" backpack and incredible diaper bag. IT IS PERFECT!!!!! The pink bullet thermos has made its way into the side pocket and I can't wait to use it!!!! The book was lovely and I read it to Shawn last night - had a little tear at the end!!! Again, thank you so much. You are so very generous and we so appreciate all of your gifts. By the way, the butterfly clock that you sent in the summer is actually on the tv stand and we use it everyday... it is a wonderful reminder that time is going quickly and we are almost at our 9 month LID Anniversary!!!

I have seen this everywhere...

and now I have it on my blog. Have fun!!

Yes, it's Christmas Music!!

I can't believe it but yes, I am playing Christmas music in the background as I write this. It may have something to do with the fact that the parade of lights was last night or that we held our annual bazaar yesterday (so thankful that is over!!!!!!!) but Christmas music is playing on the stereo.
I guess I find it comforting. It has been so grey here and this is the time of year when everyone starts to put out their lights and living rooms sparkle with colour. Next weekend, our tree goes up. I know it is a little early but I like to decorate my house before I have to do it at work. So, yes Christmas music is playing and I am enjoying a relaxing day, trying to catch up on emails. Yikes, you leave it for a few days and the emails sure add up!!!

In my "Housecoat"...

and my pj's with my much desired "serta sleeper" sheep slippers on(that came with my bed - really they did!!), I will try to answer "37 little UBI's" about me as Heather calls them. Thanks for the challenge :( AND, I should know better than to get involved with Heather and Rhonda's Housecoat wars!! But really, in Canada we do wear Housecoats and call them that!!

1) What side of the heart do you draw first?
the right, always!!
2) Can you dive without plugging your nose?
Sure can. How can you dive while plugging it? Must ponder this.
3) What color is your razor?
Razor, what razor??? I use wax baby, wax.
4) What is your blood-type?
A
5) Who would you want to be tied to for 24 hours?
Hmmnnn, let me see... it would have to be SHAWN!!!
6) What is a rumor someone has spread about you?
That I should have had our baby by now and that we really aren't adopting!!! Can you believe it!!
7) How do you feel about carrots?
Love them but raw ones get caught in my throat so only eat them cooked.
8) How many chairs at the dining room table?
We have 6.
9) Which is the best spice girl?
What is a spice girl?? Just kidding, um, Scary.
10) Do you know what time it is?
It is time to watch Eastenders on BBC Canada.
11) Do you know all the words to the Fresh Prince song?
Nope.
12) What would you do if you were stuck in an elevator?
Yoga!!!
13) What's your favorite kind of gum?
Any kind that I can blow bubbles with and crack between my teeth, driving everyone around me crazy!!
14)T or F: All's fair in love and war.
False
15) Do you have a crush on anyone?
Yep, I love Antonio Bandaras and the gorgeous Shawn.
16) Do you know how to use some words correctly, but not know the meaning?
Nope. I always look them up. I do have trouble finding words sometimes though!!!
17) Do you like to sleep?
YEEESSSSSS. I LOVE it but I only sleep at night, not a napper. I am VERY worried about the sleep deprivation that comes along with children!!!!!!
18) Do you know which US states don't use Daylight Savings?
Nope but in Canada, it is Saskachewan.
19) Do you know the song Total Eclipse of the Heart?
Yep, used to roller skate to it!! That and "Bette Davis Eyes" were our favorites!!
20) Do you want a bright yellow '06 mustang?
No, I always wanted a bright yellow VW bug though.
21) What's something you've always wanted?
To be a Mom. I know it sounds trite but it is true!! I played with dolls long past the other girls and was always "playing house".
22) Do you have hairy legs?
I have very little hair on my body at all. Lots of hair on my head though.
24) Would you rather swim in the ocean or a lake?
Well, it depends on the temperature. I love the Caribbean Ocean but the Pacific is a little cold. I grew up swimming in the Great Lakes so it is a really hard call... lakes I guess.25) Do you wear a lot of black?
Yep. Blonds look GREAT in black!!
26) Describe your hair.
Long, dark blond, curly.
27) Do you have Entomophobia?
Nope, never was and never will be!!
28) Are you an adult?
Yep, so they say although my friend's kids do have trouble telling the difference.29) Where is/are your best friends?
Saltspring Island, London Ontario, Toronto Ontario.
30) Do you have a tan?
Nope, I burn burn burn.
31) Are you a television addict?
Umn, love my soaps, movies and a select few tv shows.
32) Do you enjoy spending time with your mother?
Yep, love to go shopping with her, drink martinis and stay up all night long talking about life, the universe and everything.33) Are you a sugar freak?
Not really but I do like dark chocolate quite a bit.
34) Do you like orange juice?
Not really.
35) What sign are you?
Aquarius
36) What color is your Cell Phone?
Umn, I think it is grey but haven't used it in a year.
37) Where do you wish you were right now?
Where I am or having a Thai massage, my back is killing me.
So there you have it. More than you ever wanted to know about me!!! Anyone who wants to do this little exercise - go for it!!! You will learn what the word Entomophobia means -if you don't already know that is!!!

Happy Remembrance Day?

I am never sure if I should actually say this because it isn't really a happy day. It is a day to honour those who gave their lives for our freedom (and that was a real threat in both WWI and WWII). We also remember so that we don't forget the horrors of war. With our troops in Afghanistan coming home in body bags, it is hard not to remember. What we don't have right now is the rationing, the blackouts and the majority don't have the constant fear for our own loved ones or the boy next door going overseas and being on "the Lists" of KIA or MIA. Some people do have this fear but it is not as widespread as it was all those years ago.
I work with seniors and veterans and I can tell you that a normally happy go lucky person, turns into an introspective individual on this day. People are caught up in memories of family and friends who fell as well as remember their own experiences. I was actually reading a story to a group of ladies and broke into tears myself when I looked up to see three of them crying their hearts out. I couldn't finish the story, another lady took over and did it for us. The service is always a sad and difficult one to be a part of. I have been able to shirk my duties as a "reader" because of my teary self!! That comes from my GrandmaS who would "Crytalk" through emotional stories. These could be stories of neighbors doing a kindness for one another, a newspaper story of a gallant act or talking about the love of her family. When I was little I would cry a little with her but as I got older, I learned to talk to her normally while she told the story. So, I guess what I am saying is that yes it is a very sad day and it ALWAYS rains (and not just here in Victoria!!).
So, do you say "Happy Remembrance Day"? I still don't know but what I do know is that the Canadian Forces have some of the best people in the world and that I am proud to know many of them. Whether or not I agree with what is going on in the world right now, is another story...

February DTC Secret Pal

It is a rainy, cold and foggy day here in Victoria and I came home after a long day at work to light the fire and a few candles when what did I see in the mailbox but a postal notice!! I put on my rubber shoes, got out the umbrella and hiked down to the post office with my knapsack on my back. Let me tell you, I think that there was a cloudburst just as I stepped onto the sidewalk!!!
So, I pick up this wonderful package and inside are the travel essentials that we will need. As you can see from the picture, my secret pal has thought of everything, including a little case with kleenex, purell, moisturizer and wipes!!! I am so that kind of girl and from what I read/hear these items will be used often in China!!! She also sent me chocolate that I will really enjoy tonight (and maybe share with Shawn!!) as we look at the photos of all the beautiful babies that have been referred this month. I also love the photo holder (so pretty!!), bib (one of Shawn's pet names for me is "bunny rabbit" or BR!!), the luggage tag and the gerber travel goodie holder. What really made me laugh though, were the ziploc bags. I have been reading EVERYWHERE that these are the REAL travel essentials!!! Thank you so much for your thoughtfullness and your words of encouragement in the little kitty card.
I think that one of the things that gets us through these long days of waiting is knowing that there are others out there feeling the same way. I cannot tell you how fun it is to buy for my secret pals and how great it is to recieve their thoughts and gifts. It really means so much. I was talking to my Dad last night and telling him all about the DTC/LID groups that we belong to, the blogs that I read and the yahoo groups out there for Canadians and those for adoption in general. He said that it is so incredible that we have such a support system of people who are in our same situation or have BTDT and who are willing to answer our questions. Big hugs to all, especially my secret pal!!!

The referrals are coming...

CCAA has posted that referrals are in up to August 25th!! How exciting. People are saying that this is a slight speed up. It still means that it is taking three months to get through one month of LID's but who knows what the future holds. Can't wait to see all the referral pictures. One day, we will post our daughter's photos too!! Hopefully sooner than later.

Month Eight!!

Well, today is our 8 month LID anniversary. I haven't been writing because all that I would write about would be my frustrations with my job and nobody wants to hear about that!! I hope that everyone had a safe and Happy Halloween. We had a fun night of fireworks, hot chocolate and scary movies!! I was a Vampy Vampire at work with purple hair and eyelashes. Too fun. So happy eight month milestone to us and all of the other March 1st 2006 LID's out there!!!