new blog is up

if you asked and didn't get an email, please re-email me...sorry, but my email sucks and I tried to remember everyone that asked!!

Please send me your email address

Please send your email address to
carolwood34@comcast.net if you want to be included in the new blog....thanks!

New blog coming

Ok against my better judgement....a new blog is in the works...only invited guests will be allowed......I'm working on it...it's not done...........maybe sometime in November you will be getting an email from me.....

I did want to shout out CONGRATULATIONS to Ellen! Go to my favs and send her a note!!!

Blog is closing

Ok folks this blog is closing......for those that commented the new blog will be sent.....if you didn't comment and you want to follow let me know. I will be deleting this blog shortly........

Just keeping the kiddos safe.........

Hugs all..............

Have a great day!!!!!!!

I'm baaaaaack!!!!!!!!!!

HELP!!!!!!!
Hi Friends, could you please go to this site and vote for our Maddie to win new bedroom furniture? It's a photo contest of babies sleeping, and who can't love that!! She is #10 Mamamoose, and also on my blog favs under JANE!!

http://www.5minutesformom.com/
(scroll down to about the middle of the page and you will see the photos)

I'll have more photos soon!!

PS I'LL BE AT THE CHAT TOMORROW IF IT'S OPEN! CLICK ON RMJ's blog and join us!

Hello out there

Still having computer issues...I'm on another computer. Just wanted to shout out to everyone! If you look in my blog favs, you will see Waiting for Lauren Elizabeth....I've been following along for a long time, well guess what??? They are next! Yes I said it!! They are next!! So hop over and wish them well....I'm sure the next 30 days will be the hardest, waiting for that sweet little photo!!

I can't wait for you guys to all have referrals in hand!! No matter what is going on, whether it's bills, or jobs, the economy, whatever, Ms. Emily makes it all better. All I need is my morning snuggle on the couch, and all is well....we are off this weekend to have some fun in Ocean City...of course they are calling for rain, but we don't care!! Can you say "INDOOR POOL?"........take care all and I am waiting to hear your news!!!!!

PS...I may not be commenting on your blogs till I'm back up and running!!!

Computer issues

Hi it may be a while before you hear from me.....hubby has downloading something and now I have a problem with my computer!! This is the 4th time he has done this to me!! He already messed up his computer, so now he decideds to mess up mine. It took me over 15 mins to type this note! Guess I will be at the Library checking to see if referrals came for you guys!!

Take care until I can get this fixed!

Shout out about my Chat Group Friends!

Hi All!! If you would be interested in joining a really fun LIVE chat on Saturday mornings from 8:30 to about noonish EST....come over to The Seventh Diamond blog! I've met some wonderful friends and what a great support group for waiting families!!!

Please stop in and say hello on Saturday!!!!

Here are some pics for you

Hi friends...I've been asked why I'm going private...well I just don't know who is out there looking at my kids and it kinda freaks me out a little bit....we hear more and more scary things everyday. There was a new mom in a neighborhood not far from us that had her baby stolen. Thankfully they caught the lady and the baby was ok, but the police said it was probably the big Stork sign in the yard that made her target this family........scary stuff.........you never know who is living next door.....anyway, I'm going to work on that this weekend, and here are some photos I'm sending to CC@@ for Ms E's 12 post placement report, I know we aren't supposed to show animals, but we are renting this panda from Chin@, so I figure it's ok...hee hee...........Also E has learned to ride a 2 wheeler...and this is what happens when you go too fast and hit the bird bath with your bike.....LOL!!

Hugs!!

PS PLEASE go to the link to my left and check out the CUTE stuff they are auctioning for the baby starfish!!!!! I'm bidding on a cute ladybug outfit....I might send it to Fliss since I hear she "LOVES" ladybugs........hee hee hee.............

New Living Hope Calendar

Well here she is that Calendar Girl Maddie!

Folks I'm thinking of protecting the blog.....I'm probably going to go private....let me know if you want to follow along.

Take care all!!!!!!!!!!

Last, final, final, last, final homestudy update

Yes you finally get to the end of the paperwork road. It ends a year after you receive your child. Our social worker came last night for the LAST time....it was kinda sad. After working with this lady forever....it seems like.....it's all done, finished.....complete.

Unless you decide to re-adopt in your state. Which we will be doing, but several families we know did not, and I should say that they had no trouble registering their children for school. We were told this would be hard to do without a birth certificate from the USA, (from other adoptive parents), but I guess that is not the case. Oh well it's something we want to do as a family, and yes the boys want to be in court that day! Hayden (age 8) thinks Judge Judy does all the cases that go to court.........if he only knew..LOL..maybe we should contact the show and tell them about this......anyone know that number????? LOL

PSS.......Our agency just put out the new calendars for 2009, and our friend Maddie is on the front cover hugging her daddy! So sweet...I'll see if Ms. Jane will allow me to post the photo here for you to see....if anyone wants one, they are $10.00 let me know.........

TGIF everyone and here is some pics of Emily............

Please help this family

Ok, someone has to know somebody that can help this family! They are in China now, and their baby is very sick.........spread the word..............


http://roomforatleastonemore.blogspot.com/

She still remembers you

I know I have friends in certain areas of the world with connections so I just want to say.....It's been almost a year since she left you, but she still remembers you.....I don't understand what she is saying to your photo, but it sounds to me (in English) like "My day, or May-da".......anyway, she is pointing to you.......

Big Girl Bed

Actually she has been sleeping in her big bed for a while, but I haven't told you. She still sneaks in with Mommy until she falls asleep. This makes Daddy crazy, but I think it's funny. We put her in her big girl bed after she is asleep, so I don't see what the big deal is. Last night I wish I had my camera. Daddy put her to bed and then he went downstairs. She didn't see him go. Well she comes around the hall and peeks in my room to see if Daddy is looking at her. She had her favorite baby doll, and her pillow. Now how could I say no?????

Now the other issue.....potty training......not going well.....it's my fault, I haven't pushed the issue, and we ruined her training in China because we put on the diaper. She had been using the potty. Well now she LIKES her diaper. So every change I still make her use the big potty, but it is not sinking in. Now I have trained two boys, and everyone says boys are harder to train, so I must be slipping in my old age, or maybe I've reached that age that small stuff doesn't bug me as much as it did!! LOL!!

Hurricane H@nnah

Well it's here...lots of wind and heavy rain. We got some beach photos in between rains! You can't tell from the photos, but Emily can barely stand up..the wind is about to blow her over!!! LOL!! Some local flooding, but I think everyone here is A-OK!!

Baby needs a haircut

I gotta get this girl's hair cut! But she HATES it!! I dread going! I have a wonderful friend that cuts my hair and has for years, but Emily wants no part of it!! Now it would be fine to let it grow, but she will not wear a bow, or band, or anything, and that hair is getting in her eyes...which makes me CRAZY!!

On to other news we are expecting bad weather this weekend...living so close to the water, our roads alway flood first, so off to the grocery store for bread, milk, and toilet paper.............LOL......enjoy the cloud photos!!

Happy 3rd!!!

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books


I don't know why I video in B/W, but anyway...here it is.....only 2 weeks late posting!!! Camera had issues..............TGIF all!

Checking in

Sorry, we are busy with 1st day of school yesterday, and soccer practice. Hayden has a coach this year that LIKES to practice. Thought we'd never get home! Any way my camera crapped out so I don't know if I have any new photos to post. Of course I had to miss 1st day of school photos! I take them every year! Oh well it will be first week of school photos....LOL. Anthony started middle school. I'm terrified. He goes to school now with some really nasty, bad bullies that he had problems with in the past. So far he seems ok, but I wonder if he is telling me everything. He won't always tell us when kids are picking on him. I don't know why he isn't more like me......pick on me and I'll get in your face....he is a sweet gentle BIG guy. He's always been my lovebug. Now Hayden, he will take care of business...LOL...and I think Ms. Emily is going to be a tough cookie too!

Fliss I hope you are ok, I was having my morning coffee and the news came on from MELBOURNE FL. I about fell off the couch! They seem to be having some serious flooding down there......hope you are ok!!!!

Ok so here goes........

We met Cindi, David, and their son Davis this past weekend. They are a wonderful family. We met at the Outback, but of course there is never enough time and we could have talked forever I think! Just so much fun to finally meet Davis! He is so SWEET! Very quiet and watches every move.....unlike Emily who would have been swinging from the light fixture if I didn't hold on to her.......anyway Davis gave Emily a hug, and that was worth the trip!!!

Now for those of you that have been waiting!! The Asian Store is located in the Pottery Factory...it is in Lightfoot VA. I'm not sure if they have a website, but here are some photos of the store......it has EVERYTHING...except the clothing........I'm going to go back, of course probably to have a playdate with Davis, but also I'm going to pick up a doll or two for Emily!!!!! Enjoy the photos!!

PS......Fliss look at the Terra Cotta Warrior behind Emily...it is fenced off.....you can buy him!!!!!!! LOL!!! The umbrella was $4, the fan was $1.00, the dolls are $9.99....I believe the Lion/Dragon? statue is $5,000!!!!

Busy Week

We had a great time....I'm going to blog later, there is a LOT of things I need to share with you............this is going to be one of those killer busy weeks for me...............here are some Olympic photos we got in China..........back in October 07....

We are going bye-bye

Taking a short trip, to get away, say goodbye to summer bliss, and shop for school clothes.......I swear the boys got 3 inches taller this summer. So we are off to Williamsburg! Regina are you near? Maybe we can see some folks.....we meet so many people now with Emily..it is amazing......

Well as I speak the roofers are ripping our roof apart...I've been told they will be done by 5, so I am hopeful, but I can't leave until they are done, so I hope they get moving!!!!

Emily turns 3 next Saturday so I'm sure we will be doing some celebrating in Williamsburg!! For those that don't know...there is a terrific Asian Store near Williamsburg in the POTTERY FACTORY......this place has everything and I mean EVERYTHING...I'll post some photos when I get back.....I always find SOMETHING there!!

TGIF!!! Photo is of the Bass Pro Shop in VA....have to take Emily there!! She will love it!!!

WARNING: Yucky PHOTO Ahead! Do you know a Vet?

Our cat has the weirdest problems.......always....Smokey gets this spot on his back every summer. Then he won't leave it alone and it ends up getting sore. The vet said it was an allergy to the flea control. Well it's not even WHERE we put the flea control. I swear it's the birds! I have seen birds peck at his back before. I guess he gets near their nests......he is indoor/outdoor....sorry can't help it...I rescued him and he had been an outdoor kitty for some time and he wasn't having any parts of being a fat lazy house cat.

So thoughts folks? I guess I need a 2nd opinion from another vet............

Emily talks!

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Hairbows and Pigtails..........NOT

Ok she is a Tomboy. And not only a tomboy, but a tomboy with an attitude. Yes we are in the almost terrible 3's. Everything lately has been "No!" "MINE!" So you can see by the stroller photo...no smiles!!!

What's up with us lately.....the pool, summer HEATWAVE, Hayden had his 8th birthday, Emily wants PRESENTS! She has to wait a few more weeks!! Ms. Emily has been throwing fits, which we must pretend we don't see or hear.......that is getting harder and harder................we will need to school shop soon....we are overwhelmed with TOMATOES, they all got red at the same time....I've been freezing lots and lots of tomato sauce.......my house is a wreck.....laundry never ends and I'm so behind on paperwork, but I can't make myself do it!!!

One Year Ago today.................

One year ago today, we received a phone call that would change our lives forever...
Qin, Bin Li
DOB 8/16/05
25 pounds
31 inches
likes to look at books, can walk forward and backward, can stack 8 blocks, eats well, favorite person: her nanny..............
Shaanxi, Xianyang Social Welfare Institute

We love you Samantha Emily Wood!!

Hershey Trip was a BLAST!!!!!

Ok it was the most fun ever!!! I FINALLY got to see those babies again!!!!! Maddie is talking away, and it is so CUTE! Grace was a doll, and Meigan is just precious!! We even met a couple of new families, Vonda, and was it Kim?...did I get that right?...really enjoyed talking to everyone, I know I missed some, but we got to see and talk to all of you, it was great...a BIG THANKS goes to Michelle for putting this all together.

I was really hoping to meet Connor but he wanted to be home with dad :( He really reminds me of Hayden, when Hayden was younger....

Speaking of Hayden....he got a really bad toothache so we ended up going home early.....got him to the dentist today and he has two cavities....he cried in the dentist chair, and I wanted to cry too....he has to go back Aug 11th because she only did a temp. ....Oh I dread that...........

Big Thank You to Jane for the gift.....love you girl!!!! You are too sweet!!! I was talking to Jane's mom and she told me that she wanted Jane to have a daughter to share with like she did......almost brought me to tears......remembering my mother was the reason I wanted to adopt a girl, since we could not have anymore children. Mom and I were best friends...

David and Denise....see I remembered your name Denise!!!! Was wonderful to get to talk to you.

So wonderful to see our children FINALLY playing together in the USA!!!!!!!!!

Packing up for the PA reunion

Getting ready folks to go and see our bloggy friends in PA.

Remember driver's ed..........Emily is doing the 10 and 2.

Except we will be in the Big RED VAN........

Tomorrow is the last day of work......WHOOPIE!!

And on to big news.........check out the Gang, and Lucy in my blog favs!! We have some exciting news going on!!!

Hey GANG, are you meeting with us up in PA???????????????????????

Getting ready to go

Getting loose ends tied up so I can go relax in PA on Friday.

2 very big things going on at the moment.....

Number 1) is the 1 year mark is coming quickly on our Referral of Ms. Emily! On July 30th 2007 we received the phone call of a lifetime. And then I called Jane!!! :P
I will post some photos about that next week!

As many of you know, my father passed away the night before I left for China. This picture is of the last work boat he built for himself....the boat is back at Daddy's pier now, where it belongs. My dad's best friend now crabs in it.....which brings me to:

Number 2) Dad is going to be remembered in a BOOK! I met with some people at our local Marine Museum. They are writing a book on the "Wooden Boat Builders." They asked me if I would allow them to write about dad. Of course I was thrilled! My dad has a chapter on his life and work, and all the photos will stay at the museum on display! I think it is so fitting for my dad to be remembered this way. If he were alive, he would have no part of this, but what dad did in his lifetime is now a way of the past.....I think it needs to be remembered. He built these boats by hand, in the backyard. I remember when I was 5 years old, I handed him nails all day while he built a boat for a neighbor.

Picture number two is Emily and her friend playing Barbershop...they thought up this game...surely a sign of high intelligence!! :)

Playing around with my pics

Playing around with the pictures...I like these.

Anthony has picked up a stomach bug....wonderful news! At least he will be over it for the trip!!

PS BE SURE TO FOLLOW THE TRIP TO CHINA FOR LUCY....YOU WILL SEE LUCY!! IN MY FAVORITES!!!!!!