Sit still Too Long and I'll Paint You

No, there has not been any movement with Baby I or you can call her Isa, Isla, Ivy, Isley or Imani. :-) Robbin told me I'm not stable right now; actually she told Celeste, but then she told me. What a friend, however she is right. You know that FBI list the APs made? I never, ever, ever checked it until recently, now I'm a mad woman about it! I must check that list 6 times a day. Oh, wait... I haven't checked it in a few hours I'll be back. Nothing new, just the same family who went on the waitlist the same day as I and they were referred twin girls (awesome). Hey, I want to know if anyone has gotten a referral before me! And if so, who? Then why! LOL LUNATIC! ME! I admit it!

In my off lunatic moments, I am doing useful projects like repainting my house. Yes, my entire house. I was just bored with it. I decorated my house about 5 or more years ago and it just didn't reflect who I am today, so it was time to start over. I have plenty of energy now, what the heck. Word to the wise, don't come and visit me or if you do, don't stand still too long because if you do, I just may paint you. Guess I'll go back to painting the living room and sunroom. I'm a little ADD so I have to do like 2-3 projects at once. I'll let you know when everything is finished and send you to whatever blog is showing my home which will more than likely be Desire to Inspire. It won't be until the spring/summer, I'll let you know.

How Old?

Gotta get this one out there...How old do you think Baby I will be at referral?

So far I have 3 guessing games going:

• Name
• Age
• Date

Who will win? Maybe I can come up with some sort of prize but I tell you...you might not get it until next year! LOL Maybe the AW will mail it for me.

Baby I in Wonderland

I'm working on the nursery! If you didn't remember (how could you since it was years ago) I am a part time interior decorator, so I am somewhat particular when it comes to my design. Translation very slow! I have been thinking about this nursery for a year! LOL It is going to be a combination of the following three rooms -- if you have any imagination but there won't be any big pictures of panties I promise! I started to block that out but it made me laugh so I left it alone, I figured you would scratch your head a little and say what the heck is that Tami up to now? In my house we are calling it Baby I in Wonderland. ;-)

So, How Should I Be Acting?

I had a friend question if I was preparing properly for my daughter to come home (forgive me friend if this is not what you meant). I stopped being stressed long ago about this adoption process. When my referral of my precious Baby I comes it comes, until then I am enjoying my summer, making adjustments and "getting my life/house together." I think I've done pretty much everything I need to thus far:

• childcare identified
• support systems in place
• doctor (I need to work on that)
• bedroom room set-up (I'll do that at referral)
• cultural relationships/friends established for Mommy and Baby I

Now, I'm just chillin', working on a few projects, getting to know some new people (some of which I won't know after this summer, but a free meal and a few laughs can't be bad) and just being. Possibly my nonstressed out attitude from the days of yore (really this is who I "used" to be, that crazy questioning, stressed chic is ALMOST gone!) have my friends concerned or have them thinking I'm not preparing properly but...I actually think I'm good. And as my mother told me, no matter how hard I try I'm going to miss something so I need to just relax.

So, my question to you all...what were you doing the last few months while waiting for your child(ren) to come home?

Awww Yeaaa!

And this little thing belongs. Awww yea!

How Ya Like Me Now!?

I. WILL. NOT. BE. MOCKED! At 10:20am, I finally got someone in the Secretary of State's Office and they were only open until noon today. So, I got in my SUV Crossover, put on a little ole skool, got on the phone, and drove to Annapolis. I couldn't find a parking spot so I made one and hoped for no ticket. I then trudged up the slushy, snowy, icy hills of Annapolis to...

GET MY FINAL DOCUMENTS AUTHENTICATED.

In the words of, the famous poet, Kool Moe Dee: "How ya like me now?"

Ummm...let's keep our fingers crossed that when my agency gets the package I don't have to redo anything or I don't have anything missing! Is 1:53pm too early to have a celebratory drink? LOL

More Fabulousness for Baby I

Remember when I said I was going to use this fabric for the nursery and build the design around it?

Well, I'm a Gemini. I changed my mind and fell in love with something else.

I am registered on this fabulous site (www.wishpot.com) which I keep track of the items I love and when it is marked down I get an email. How cool is that? So, I was on one of my favorite store's website (Anthropologie) and found a wallpaper I loved but I didn't love the price of $198 a roll. Since it is Anthropologie and they have awesome sales I just politely saved it in Wishpot and went about my indecisive business. A month or two later I get a notice from Wishpot that said the wallpaper was marked down to $29.99 a roll. WHAT? Sold! I bought two rolls for Baby I's room and just like that the fabric has moved to be a part of the playroom decor. Yes, I know I am just a mess, but you just wait! Fabulousness is coming soon! In about 6-9 months that is! LOL

CIS Get it Together

Last week I got a letter from CIS that said they lost a weeks worth of fingerprints and of course mine were a part of them. If it weren't for bad luck I wouldn't have any luck at all! So, on Friday I hustled myself down to USCIS before the blizzard of 2009 and took new ones. Let's hope they hold on to these! Still waiting for one authentication from Oklahoma then I need to go to Maryland to get other certifications and then to get my authentications then I'm done until the one from CIS comes! Then off to DC I go for that one then...package complete! What a journey.

2010 will be great!

OMG...I missed my 2 year anniversary!

Can you believe it?  I've been blogging for 2 years!  I certainly thought Baby I would be home by now.  So many of you have said you saw my blog before you even began your process and now your baby is home.  Some people who used to like me don't even show me any love anymore (insert sad face here) probably because they hate my ramblings or because there is no cute little face to look at.  How do you think I feel!  LOL  

Man plans and God does.  So many things have happened in the last two years that have been of my doing and some not but the end result was the same, it wasn't time.  As much as I wanted it to be my time, it wasn't but now my time is coming.  I no longer stress anything.  I just know that it is.  I just know that God's timing and his hand in my life is perfect.  It always is perfect...and as much as I hate to admit it, the last two years of my life have been perfect as well.  Full of pain, hurt, tears, trauma and drama but perfect because without that I would not be here in the glory of today's peace being able to say..."I made it through."  I am now that much stronger.  Not only will I be a better mother for Baby I, I am now a better person and for that I am so grateful.  

To see how my journey began one year ago click here.

Passport Photos

Can you tell me why my passport photos look like I should be entering drug rehab?  I am NOT sending these pictures in with my dossier!  I must try again (with new pictures) and pray for a better outcome.  I'm pretty sure I'll be stopped entering/leaving any foreign country with this passport picture.  UGHHHHH.  My old one was so cute...dem was da days.  Was it the lack of sleep?  Different hairstyle that didn't photograph well?  Them telling me not to smile (new rule)?  Or just the additional 10 years?  Hmmm...I'm gonna go with the first 3.