No LOI

I don't know why I get myself all worked up. I feel like it is always something with our dossier. What should take 1 week invariably takes much longer. The other families with timelines similiar to ours have received theirs so ours should be next. Sometimes I think we'll never be able to go get him. Sometimes I think it is NOT really really real.

But really I know that many families out there have had difficult journeys. Some so difficult I can't imagine how they do it each day. I think sometimes they probably don't. It helps me feel better knowing that we all go through the same things.

A note to self: Keep waiting. Breathe. Grade your papers.

Keep your fingers crossed!

Okay everyone. Keep your fingers crossed! Today is my first day back at school. Let's hope my physics babies are considerate and ready to learn. Also - we still haven't received the cable at the Embassy. We need that number to be able to process our visas so we can leave for our baby. I am hoping we have it by mid week. Please, please, please!!

Wish me luck!!

A new camera is fun!

Elizabeth, Melissa and Anna

A ladybug in my hair!! Candice found it!

Ireland is sooooo cute!

Did I mention that we are leaving for Kazakhstan in 13 days!!!!!!

Okay - we might leave in 13 days - maybe it will be 20. We are really waiting to have our visa's in our hand. But I thought about 13 days when I was on my walk this morning. We could really be leaving in less than two weeks. Sorry mom! I mean Nana! Of course I will tell you when we get to buy the tickets.

The Room and Audry Bear

My hubby and I bought a new camera to take with us to Kaz. We wanted to have filming capability. Just for fun, I took some pictures of the babies' room and our lovable dog to show you guys.

Originally, I wasn't going to have a theme - because I thought that our child could help me pick it out. But my adorable husband fell in love with a rug at one of those side of the road stands. So we have a surfing room. I hope that boy likes the ocean. His daddy sure does. His mommy appreciates it - the animals are beautiful! but - it is a little scary!!

Hope you enjoy the pics...

Hooray for SBHS

Today I went into work. I got to go fix my classroom after a strange teacher used it for the last semester. He is a college teacher normally. Wasn't too hip on discipline. I found graffitti, trash, and other items from the students. And piles...piles...of papers that I am not sure were ever graded. My drawers were a disaster with ever little item you can imagine in them. Ewww!!

Interestingly, the teacher was absent for finals and his last day of work (before I return). Do you all think he will return to grade the finals and give the students a grade for their semester of work. I am doubtful. My room was discusting. (weird word) I spent 5 hours cleaning - of course I wrangled my favorite custodians (Thanks Moises and Cecilio!!) to help with some things. They are always game to help.

I met my fourth period class. Only 36 students in this one. It appears that I have 183 students - which is 15 over contract. Anyway - the students were really cute and some even came up to introduce themselves. I met Jose, then Jose right after that. a-oh! Already trying to pull the wool over my eyes. Turns out I really have two Jose's!! It was funny. We all laughed.

Sooooo excited to be back at school! I don't have to worry about the next two weeks going by fast, that's for sure. My classroom is clean and organized and all of my apples are out!

My son is a handsome Russian Kazakhstani (soon) American!

Maksim had his picture taken today by Laura. She is in Ust currently. She will return with her sister in law for the second trip while we are there - if all goes as planned - and we know that sometimes it does not. Hopefully that means we can meet her and her darling daughter.

Here are the pics she took while the children were outside. I am in love.

Our cable is coming this week!

We heard yesterday that our cable will come in the next week or so - which means we can leave ANYTIME after that! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! It is really, really, real. Really, Really, Real.

When our agency called, my sister and I were at the beach watching her husband's band play. We hugged and jumped up and down shouting Yeah!Yeah!Yeah! It was a little silly. But we are soooo excited. We got the official call on Anna's birthday. Very fitting!! We couldn't be more excited. Thanks to AIP, and a LOT of patience, we are finally going to Kaz! Thanks guys!!! :)

Just wanted to let you all know! We are leaving!!!! We can go get our baby - finally. *loud sigh*

Now comes the hard part...
1) planning for a substitute teacher for ~6 weeks
2) planning for 2 weeks at school myself - after a 5 month hiatus - not including summer! Do I remember how to teach??
3) packing
4) cleaning my house
5) sealing Maks' furniture - maybe Nana will do this when she is here babysitting the furry animal??
6) Do we own any clothes that will keep us warm in "Southern Siberia" in February??
7)..... I am sure there is more but ....
8) becoming parents after 17 years without kids. Yikes!!

I couldn't sleep last night!!

Tag

Elizabeth you're it. You have to copy all of the questions that I was asked. That's pretty much it. Lauri's blog will give you the details.

For my family and friends

I am feeling especially grateful right now for all of the support and love we have received in the last year.

Jason: You are my best friend. I cannot believe the amount of stress that the last year has brought to us. I am grateful for your humor (not all of them) and the love that you have for me. I don't know what I would ever do without you. I love you sweet pea - even if you are a pumpkin liver!

Mom: You are my mama. And I love you. I thank you for your undying support, love, and most of all for Gregg, Phil, Elizabeth, David, and Anna. Jon, too!

Dad: I know you won't read this - not exactly a computer type - but I want you to know that I love you! I am very grateful that the experiences we all have shared have brought us closer together.

Elizabeth: You are the most amazing mom. I hope that I can be even half as patient and wonderful as you are. Your babies are so special to me. And I sound like a dork.... and I love you.

Gregg, Phil, and David: You guys are the coolest brothers. I would not be what I am without your insatiable appetite for teasing and the way machines work. I talk about you in my classroom almost everyday. Well - I leave you guys out but the machines are really cool. I love you!

Anna: I think about you so often and miss all the wonderful quirky ways that you have. I will never forget the electricity that we shared. I will always love you, Bean-o. I am still mad you didn't tell me the secrets. :P

Nate, Jonny, and Ireland: You guys are the coolest and I am so glad that I am your Auntie. Being able to watch each of your births was Amazing. I will never forget. I love you with all of my heart.

Susan: Thank you for your friendship, for always listening and for being my friend. Thank you for putting up with all the Physics that I interject. :) Thank you for your efforts that have helped fund my various endeavors. I love that we can share science, students, and roses. It is amazing. Love ya!!

Audry: Your are the coolest dog. Thank you for being my running and/or walking - partner. I know that you will always be ready to go. It is a shame that you are an only child. I think that that must be the reason for your.... behavior.

Everyone: You all have been so supportive, kind, and thoughtful. Jason and I are continually amazed by your excitement for our adoption. We thank you for the outpouring of love and not to mention gifts. We can't wait to share Maks with you.

To my students: You guys are so cool. I really love being able to talk to you everyday. I hope that I have shared some of my love for science (mostly physics of course) and thinking with you. I cannot wait to hear about your amazing accomplishments.

And lastly, for Maks: You have given us hope, a new kind of love, and so much stress and worry I can't believe it. We hope and pray everyday that we will be able to bring you into our family. Your Dad and I have loved you - even though we have never met you - for a long time. We cannot wait to hold you and tell you that we love you. Hang on baby, we are coming.

Lauri tagged me!!!

I've never been tagged before. I, too feel special and kinda giggly. Why would I be giggly? I don't know. But I think that I am supposed to answer/fill in the blanks on the questions she was asked - So without further ado

What were you doing 10 years ago?
I was engaged to be married to my wonderful husband Jason and attending USC in my senior year. I lived with Jason and commuted on the Metrolink train to USC daily. Sounds yucky but actually I got much of my homework done on the train. I studied Physics and Astronomy and was enrolled in Senior Laboratory (Physics course), Observational Astronomy, The History of Modern Art (yuck!! My only B!!), Quantum Mechanics II, Astrophysics II. I worked my butt off and enjoyed ever last calculation. I didn't really enjoy Observational Astronomy only because I am not a night owl. We had to (try to) stay up all night at Table Top Mountain Observatory staring at computer screens. :P You'd think it would be very romantic watching the stars through a telescope on cold dark night (sounds romantic to me - I am a physics nerd. :) Not my cup of tea.


What were you doing 1 year ago?
I had just finished convincing my husband that adoption was the right route to parenthood for us. We thought that IVF was too scary and we (I) couldn't take anymore specula and white lab coats. Plus, I am allergic to a HUGE cardboard box FULL of pills and shots. EEWWWW! Not to take anything away from the people that choose to take this route. Their beautiful children are worth it - I am 100% sure.

I was also teaching high school physics and loving every one of my "babies". Really - my high school students are kind, thoughtful, smart, giggly (Why would they be giggly??), funny, perceptive, and above all PHYSICS NERDS!! You go Joules Krew!! I love my students. *sigh*

Five Snacks I enjoy
1. Trader Joe's Salsa Especial and with Blue Corn Tortilla Chips
2. Chile Lemon Pistachios
3. Wisecrackers with shaved Parmesan Cheese
4. Syrah (the most wonderful of the varietals)
5. Whole English cucumbers sprinkled with COARSE grind black pepper and salt

Five songs to which I know all the lyrics

1. Angel - Sarah McLachlan
2. Holy Melt Down Honey - The Donner Party
3. One Moment More - Mindy Smith
4. Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd
5. Silly Girl - Descendents

PS I know way more than five - to my husbands dismay. I seems he doesn't think I have a wonderful singing voice!

Five things I would do if I were a Millionaire

1. Adopt 6 children
2. Buy a large ranch on which to raise said children
3. Attend college as a career
4. Buy neighboring ranches for my siblings
5. Set up a Humanitarian Fund so that people could write me with requests

I guess I'll need to be a billionaire...

Five bad habits
1. I am compulsive
2. I order things at a restaurant with the sauce/dressing on the side, minus this and add that and ..... high maintenance I guess
3. Proving my point "at all costs" according to my husband.
4. I point out the physics in each situation where someone will listen and complete back of the envelope calcuations just to prove my point.
5. Wine


Five Things I like doing
1. Hanging out with my Sweet Pea
2. Walking/Running with my Dog
3. Physics - especially pointing out the Physics mistakes Chemists like to make!! hahaha lalala
4. Food - grilling/baking/watching the food channel
5. Wine

Five things I would never wear ( buy or get again)
1. Basketball jersey - ok any sports jersey
2. mini skirt
3. thigh high boots
4. fishnet stockings
5. Ugg Boots

Five Favorite toys

1. My truck, Gertrude. Okay - I had to give her to my husband so that I could get a mommy car. The things we do for our prospective children. *sigh*
2. My projectile launcher demo
3. My multimeter
4. Making homemade launch rockets out of paper with my friends (they are usually under 10 years old although my husband will play along)
5. My pulley system at school - It is lagged into the ceiling and so I can lift myself and other objects high above the students. They love it - I love it!! Very cool physics toy! Thanks Leaps!

Im supposed to tag five people.... But ....

Elizabeth your it

9:38 Elizabeth gets tagged!
4:46 I have decided that I don't know enough bloggers. Lauri took all the good ones. :(
4:35 I am new at this blogging thing. I am going to have to try decide whom to tag. Check back later...

Whoa! (how do you spell whoa?) Some News!

We heard that our LOI should be coming and we can expect to travel in mid-February!!

I am excited but a little wary. I will feel really excited when we actually get the LOI (letter of invitation) and have our coveted Adoption Visas in our hand. Then I will know we are going to travel.

I thought that I would be jumping out of my skin - but mostly I feel like I am going to throw up. :) And sort of like I am floating. And... I am unable to concentrate. My mom says it is something like how she felt when she went into labor (she has 6 biokids!!).

I went to a toy store today to try to complete the toolbox (toybox thingy) that I got for Maks. I am putting all sorts of different toys and activities in each of the compartments. I have heard that the visiting rooms can get quite boring. What, not Auntie Belissa?? - she is definately not boring!! Wait... I guess I am Mama now. *sigh* *deep breath* *sniff*

Is it really happening??? This is sooo surreal. Are we finally going to get to hold our Maks? We will finally have our forever family?

My (non-triumphant) return to SBHS

I had a meeting with my new principal today. He was very wonderful and understanding. How lucky is that! He told me not to worry too much about the school. When we get our LOI, we will go to Kazakhstan and the school will miss me but will do ok without me. He made me feel sooooo much better. He had many different suggestions on how it would all work out. :) :) :)

I was so nervous to go and see him today. But - man - am I a happy camper!

Thank you Principal Turnbull (?sp) for your amazing kindness and understanding. Our school is very lucky to have you!!

On another note, I ran into many of my former students today in the hallways and the various classrooms that I visited. They were all so kind and worried about me and wondered where my child was. I was so happy to hear "Mrs. WOOOOODS" again. They are so smart and adorable. I have the best job in the world!

Now I just need to find a substitute for the time that we will travel (2 separate times!! yikes!!) and create lesson plans for that sub. Yucky! Let's see what topic in physics can you learn from a textbook??? I am sure this will help that wait time pass. :)

Maybe we will hear something soon!!

Happy Happy Happy....

For our child

I'm Adopted

I had a dream last night....

I had to choose a Mommy and Daddy...

At first I wondered what to do...There were

so many it seemed untrue...

Short, tall, thin, and stout...

I couldn't decide which ones to pick out.

But I was surprised as I could be...

My Mommy and Daddy

had already picked me!!!

-Patsy Gaut-

Happy New Year!

I feel really happy that 2006 has arrived! This is the year that we will finally become parents. (I hope!!!) Our spirits are high and we have had some good quality time at home resting and celebrating the New Year. We will go back to work tomorrow on an overnight trip to catch some sheepshead.

Still no word on the adoption front. We probably won't hear anything for a month or so.

I have an appointment with the new Principal of SBHS next Wednesday. Hopefully he will understand the predicament that I am in with regards to our trip to Kazakhstan. We will obviously have to be on the plane the second we get our Letter of Invitation. I just don't know how to say it and keep my job. ; (