Roller Coaster

Here's the quick summary of this post: blech!

That's not actually the first word that would come to mind, but my semi-rational side tells me that a string of expletives wouldn't be appropriate for an adoption blog. We received an update from our agency after I posted earlier. Looks like the MOU will, indeed, expire on September 1. I had been fairly confident that the countries would sign a new one - it just makes so much sense that they would - but neither government has actually stated that they are working on a new agreement.

Why, oh why, are the governments making this so difficult? Seriously. Perhaps I should mail my copy of "Getting to Yes Without Giving In" to the DIA, Vietnam government, or whoever else could negotiate us out of this mess. :( It's heartbreaking to think of the gazillion kiddos living in orphanages, while there are so many parents here who would give about anything for the chance to welcome one into their homes.

When we first started researching adoption, everything I read said it was a roller coaster. That's the most accurate metaphor I've ever heard. Let's all cross our fingers - and pray, pray, pray! - for some positive movement in Vietnam.

MOU update

Happy Monday everyone. I know my fellow Okies had a rough start to the week; our tornado sirens went off at 1:45 this morning. That's enough to get your heart racing. The tornado threat was on the other side of town. I stayed awake and watched the coverage for quite a while, but Hubby managed to doze off again even before the siren quit wailing. I only wish I could fall asleep like that boy!

Today is the last day the MOU could potentially be resigned. It's after 9 pm in VN now, so unless they're burning some midnight oil it looks like there will be a pause in adoptions after September 1 (we don't have official word from our agency yet, but I think it's a gimme). We aren't surprised - we've been expecting this - but hopefully it will be a very temporary suspension while everyone gets their ducks in a row. It appears that VN will continue processing adoptions for those families whose dossiers are in country by the cut-off date. We won't be far enough along to submit our dossier by then, but this is good news for many families. The good news for us is that we will continue to move up the list while those families receive their referrals, even if the country is technically closed during that time; therefore WHEN (positive thinking - note I said "when," not "if") Vietnam reopens we'll be further along.

Please pray for all of the children waiting in orphanages, and for their forever families who are so eager to bring them home.

Happy Easter!

I have been conspicuosly absent from blogging. I'll blame it on the Easter Bunny. He arrived early and captured my unsuspecting sisters and me while we were helping my niece and nephew hunt eggs. Here we are moments before the kidnapping:

You can see the menacing look in the his eyes as his seemingly innocent paws creep around us. Note the looks of blissful ignorance on our faces. Little did we know that moments later we'd be whisked away and submitted to various forms of fluffy torture to keep us from our keyboards. We managed to slip away while he was distractedly filling Easter baskets with marshmallow Peeps.

Hubby and I took advantage of beautiful weather and visited the OKC Zoo today. It was quite busy - not only was it spring break, but there are four new lion cubs on exhibit. We had to park across the street at the racetrack and casino. On the walk over, I heard a man excitedly explaining the intricacies of gambling to his eight-year old son, only he forgot to explain the part where you don't always win when you bet on the ponies.

At any rate, I still have warm fuzzies from watching the lion cubs. I'm having problems with my flickr slideshow so I'll post some pictures individually. Bear with me for some "awww!" moments.

Tearing up an old fire hose.

Faux Turner Falls and some bears in the snazzy new Oklahoma Trails exhibit.

Squishing a gator.

Making a new friend.

Spring is here!

On the way home we stopped at our favorite Asian restaurant. We've always avoided the Vietnamese buffet in the corner, primarily due to its confusing labels and ambiguous meats, but we were up for the challenge today. Or at least, I was up for the challenge until I wandered off to my familiar Mongolian BBQ and sweet and sour chicken. Hubby, on the other hand, gave this concoction a try:

His face says it all - we couldn't quite figure out what that congealed green substance was. He said it tasted like potato chunks in pina colada pudding - I didn't think that could be accurate, but after tasting it, I'd say he hit the nail on the head. Any ideas what we may have consumed?

Lastly, check out our fortunes. A sign of good things to come.

Beware the Easter Bunny... but have a very Happy Easter!

Bloglift

Kathryn, another CHI PAP, gave her blog a facelift (bloglift?). My blog was a wee bit envious, so I followed in her footsteps and jaunted on over to Cutest Blog on the Block. Kudos to Ashley, who runs that site - she has some very creative (free!) designs and easy instructions.

Clearance Bargains

I know, I know... I wasn't going to buy anything for the nursery yet. But how could I pass up this oh-so-fun chandelier from Target? I've had my eye on it since they put out their Global Bazaar collection a couple months ago, and I couldn't pass it by when it went on clearance. I think it would work for a boy or girl room. I also snagged a couple more books from the Dollar Spot. I love all things Disney - especially the old-fashioned cartoons.


Now, I'm not going to buy another thing for that room until we have a referral.

Did I just hear a collective, "Yeah, right!"?

Fur Baby

Our dog just came home from the groomer. I woke her up to take her picture; she wasn't particularly compliant.

Posting this reminded me that I put the below picture on Puppy War a couple years ago. Looks like she's won 49% of her matches. I won't explain to her what that means for the other 51%. I personally think it means she's perfect. :) It may also mean that I've turned into a crazy dog lady.

Vote for Abigail on PuppyWar!

Flu-Induced Ramblings

How sad - I've only blogged for a couple months and I'm already guilty of blog neglect.

CHI didn't have any referrals this week, but hopefully there will be several in March. Several families will be traveling this month. I still haven't come up with a cute waiting list countdown calendar idea yet. Maybe I'll hit Hobby Lobby this week.

No news related to the pending resigning of the MOU.

I've been home with the flu and a sinus infection since Tuesday. Today's the first day I feel normal-ish, other than a cough that feels like it originates in my toes.

I added a new skill to my repertoire while I was home. I spent a couple hours mastering the cup trick shown in the Happy Slip video below. That's an advanced stage of cabin fever, I believe.


I showed off my mad crazy rhythym skills when Hubby came home from work. I think he was more confused than impressed.

I also came across the blog of a single mom who has adopted... drumroll please... 39 children. Wha....? Yes, 39 children. Fascinating.

I'm sitting on the back porch typing this, and a storm's getting ready to roll in. The wind just picked up substantially. I wish it would blow my neighbor's windchimes straight to Oz. Yesterday it was mid-70s and beautiful. Now, a line of severe weather including hail and a tornado watch is headed this way. Tomorrow it's supposed to snow. Crazy Oklahoma weather!

Have I mentioned how ready I am for winter to pass and take all of its cooties with it?