Adoption Update

The paperchase has begun....we will be getting bi-weekly e-mails from our dossier consultant with a list of items we should be ordering (birth certificates, marriage certificates, etc....) They say if we stay up to date with the e-mails, we will stay on track with the dossier submission! Our goal is to have our dossier to China by the Fall!

Weekend

We had a great weekend with friends. Deb, Scott and Julia travelled over to the Shore from Annapolis to go out on the boat, eat crabs, and enjoy ice cream in Oxford on Saturday....

And Sunday, Todd and I babysat for Maci and Chloe while their family packed up to move to Tunis Mills!! We thought it would helpful to have little hands and feet out of the way while Mom and Dad focused on the big stuff right now.

Maci in the pool bag
Maci and Chloe at the pool

Julia tubing

Capt. Julia driving the boat!!

Julia in the tube for the first time, ever!!

Catching up...

The bloodwork results turned out to be Connective Tissue Disorder. Some off kidney results too, but something we are just going to keep an eye on....I go back in 3 months to get this done all over again!

We sent off our agency agreement today for the adoption!! YIPPEE!! Now, we need to apply for our homestudy, get fingerprinted, apply for the I-800A and get LOGGED in with China!! We are SOOOO excited!

We will keep you posted on this process, thank you to all our loved ones for your support! : ) We can't wait to bring our baby girl HOME.

Results

I go to the doctor on Wednesday to discuss my blood work results...I'm nervous....I'm scared....they think I have a minor case of Lupus (if that is possible), just affecting my skin. If I get burned or too much sun, I develop this incredibly itchy red rash. I had to be so careful in PR last week, and I think I did great! I miss the days of tanning myself and really soaking up the rays...reapplying was my friend! HA

I did receive my results last week in the mail, but I have NO idea what they mean....some numbers are high, but us that good or bad....Wednesday, I will know more....and I can't wait!

Meals for the week

Monday: Grilled tenderloin, mash and green beans and asparagus with herb, butter, cheese sauce

Tuesday: Stuffed chicken breast (tomatoes and feta cheese), pasta salad, and watermelon

Wednesday: Grilled Chicken wings, potato salad, cukes and onions, devilled eggs (picnic in the park)

Thursday: beef, asparagus, green bean and carrot rolls with rice or noodles

Friday: Grilled tenderloin, mashed potatoes, sliced tomatoes with feta cheese

Puerto Rico

We spent the past 5 days in Puerto Rico with our friends, Nick and Cory and Nick's sister, Jodie and her boyfriend, Marcell. We stayed in Palmas Del Mar in Humacao.

View from my beach chair at the beach

Old San Juan (view from El Morro)

Todd in Old San Juan

The Fort in Old San Juan

Snorkelling trip


We had a great trip! It was nice to get home on the 4th of July and overlook the fireworks as we drove home across the Bay Bridge. Today, we relaxed, unpacked, did laundry and are trying to prepare ourselves to go back to work tomorrow.

I definately know how empty nesters feel....our dogs are still at the kennel, and Marie is home in Norway. The house is very quiet...We were so excited to hear from Marie via Facebook this week to know she was home safely!! But....WE MISS YOU!!!

Our last night with Marie

The night before we dropped Marie off on Newark, we met the Dixon's for some ice-cream at our favorite spot in Oxford...

'Mom', Marie & 'Dad'

Marie and Vanessa

Chloe, Marie and Maci