I have now been on Weight Watchers since the first week of Jan. I am proud to announce that I have lost a total of 13lbs. Yeah me.:) I have found it really easy. I now am just really aware of what I eat. I have cut out fast food. I would grab it for lunch at least once a week, and I now just eat a lean cuisine. I really have not stopped eating anything - I just am more aware of portion size. The hardest part is that I never really feel full. I guess my stomach will shrink or I will get used to the feeling. Don't get me wrong, I am not having hunger pangs; I'm just not full. I am prepared to gain some back this weekend. Mitch is going to try and cram in all of our favorite restaurants in 2 days.
Parade Ticker ... 3 days and counting. Can't wait.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
4 days and counting
I could not stay doom and gloom for too long.
That's right ----- 4 days and counting until Spanish Town Parade. Mardi Gras is absouletly my favorite holiday. I have taken a two year sabbatical from riding but am now back and ready to go!
We are driving to LA on friday and catching a parade that night with some friends. Then bright and early Saturday morning we will head over to the float. The parade rolls at noon and the weather is supposed to be perfect. Clear with high of 65 degrees. I wish I could convey to blogland how much fun it is to ride in a mardi gras parade. I plan on taking pictures and will post them when we get back into town.
That's right ----- 4 days and counting until Spanish Town Parade. Mardi Gras is absouletly my favorite holiday. I have taken a two year sabbatical from riding but am now back and ready to go!
We are driving to LA on friday and catching a parade that night with some friends. Then bright and early Saturday morning we will head over to the float. The parade rolls at noon and the weather is supposed to be perfect. Clear with high of 65 degrees. I wish I could convey to blogland how much fun it is to ride in a mardi gras parade. I plan on taking pictures and will post them when we get back into town.
Adoption news
There was a statement issued by the government advising families against starting the process for VN. The MOU (adoption agreement bet VN and US) may not be renewed in September. We are not sure when it will be renewed if not in Sept. We are logged in w/ the VN government and are hoping to be able to continue even if the agreement is not renewed. Really nobody knows.
A good number of agencies (including ours) has stopped accepting new applicants for VN. So I do not think the statement will have a huge impact over newbies.
We have been hearing rumblings about this statement for a bit. It was not really new news to us but it is news none the less.
Now for the disgruntled PAP statement----- Where are our referrals? Referrals for our agency stalled out in the fall. We were promised the list would start moving again last month. Did it? NO. We were told Jan was the month. Well it is the last week of the month and no movement. I plan on hanging in there b/c I do like the agency, but as the months drag on I ask myself at what point do you cut your losses and move on? Not planning on moving on anytime soon. I am too tenacious for that.
A good number of agencies (including ours) has stopped accepting new applicants for VN. So I do not think the statement will have a huge impact over newbies.
We have been hearing rumblings about this statement for a bit. It was not really new news to us but it is news none the less.
Now for the disgruntled PAP statement----- Where are our referrals? Referrals for our agency stalled out in the fall. We were promised the list would start moving again last month. Did it? NO. We were told Jan was the month. Well it is the last week of the month and no movement. I plan on hanging in there b/c I do like the agency, but as the months drag on I ask myself at what point do you cut your losses and move on? Not planning on moving on anytime soon. I am too tenacious for that.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Congrats to my friend Jodie
I want to give a shout out to a friend who is adopting from Guatemala. She just completed one of the last stages in her adoption of Corynn. She should be home in just a few short weeks. Check out her blog and see just how cute Corynn is.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Wallpaper the Devil's spawn
Do I have everyone's attention now???
I spent 8 hours yesterday taking down wallpaper in Josh's bathroom.
We moved in 2 years ago and after taking down the wallpaper in the Kitchen. I am just getting the motivation to take it down in the two bathrooms. Since yesterday, I have decided to just paint over the paper in the master bath. Could not do it in the small bath b/c it was starting to peel. Josh's bath is two rooms. Tub and toilet close off from the vanity area. I actually spent 8 hours taking down the wallpaper in the little area by the tub that I can barely turn around b/c it is so small.
Ok let me start by saying that my house was built in 1994, and the previous owners had put 2 different wallpapers up. This paper is so awful that I have to share a link to this hideous wallpaper. Now keep in mind, they chose this wallpaper was after 1994 not in the height of the Miami Vice era. I can't believe I lived with it for 2 years. I now get to texture the walls b/c it is straight sheet rock. Hope I don't make it worse or I may just use flat paint and not texture it. Who knows?
Hope everyone had a great weekend.
I spent 8 hours yesterday taking down wallpaper in Josh's bathroom.
We moved in 2 years ago and after taking down the wallpaper in the Kitchen. I am just getting the motivation to take it down in the two bathrooms. Since yesterday, I have decided to just paint over the paper in the master bath. Could not do it in the small bath b/c it was starting to peel. Josh's bath is two rooms. Tub and toilet close off from the vanity area. I actually spent 8 hours taking down the wallpaper in the little area by the tub that I can barely turn around b/c it is so small.
Ok let me start by saying that my house was built in 1994, and the previous owners had put 2 different wallpapers up. This paper is so awful that I have to share a link to this hideous wallpaper. Now keep in mind, they chose this wallpaper was after 1994 not in the height of the Miami Vice era. I can't believe I lived with it for 2 years. I now get to texture the walls b/c it is straight sheet rock. Hope I don't make it worse or I may just use flat paint and not texture it. Who knows?
Hope everyone had a great weekend.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Tagging - blog equivent to "How well do you know me?" emails
Chandra at Table Pho Three tagged me. I had to learn how to post links to do this. I am sooooo not technically savoy. I tag Jodie, Heather (because she needs one more thing to do) :), Lauren (probably been tagged before but not since I have been reading), Jamie (no posts as of yet this year here's a jump start).
Here we go.....
1. What is your occupation? Social Services Case Manager for a Medicaid program
2. What color are your socks right now? White
3. What are you listening to right now? silence - Josh just fell asleep.
4. What was the last thing you ate? Chicken and broccoli (weight watchers remember)
5. Can you drive a stick shift? Yes, I love to drive them.
6. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Blue
7. Last person you spoke to on the phone? Jennifer Jean
8. How old are you today? 35
9. Favorite drink? I pretty much just drink water.
10. What is your favorite sport to watch? Gymnastics (longing for yesteryear) and starting to like football.
11. Have you ever dyed your hair? Red high lites if that counts
12. Favorite reality TV show? Amazing Race no question - hope to try out one day, Aaron and I would so win! :)
13. What was the last movie you watched? I am so embarrassed to admit this - Georgia Rule
14. Favorite day of the year? Mardi Gras
15. What do you do to vent anger? Call Jennifer
16. What was your favorite toy as a child? Sadly, don't really have one.
17. What is your favorite, fall or spring? Fall
18. Hugs or kisses? Hugs
19. Cherries or blueberries? To just eat-Cherries, in baked goods - blueberries
21. Favorite dessert? Mocha Cheesecake
22. Who is least likely to respond? ???
23. Living arrangement? I live with Mitch, Josh and Lucy (the cat)
24. When was the last time you cried? Don't cry much, don't remember
25. What is on the floor of your closet? Shoes
26. Who is the friend you have had the longest that you are sending this to? Jodie (I did not know what a blog was before she told me.)
27. What did you do last night? Dealt with a tired/manic child.
29. What inspires you? People who keep there faith in really tough times.
30. What are you afraid of? the unknown
31. Plain, cheese, or spicy burgers? Cheese.
32. Favorite breed of dog? Pepper - lab/german shep mix
33. How many years at your current job? 2
34. Favorite day of the week? no one in particular
35. How many states have you lived in? 4
36. Celebrity crush? Sorry, I don't really have one
37. Ever driven a motorcycle or heavy machinery? No but would love to drive either
38. Who is your favorite NFL team? Saints
39. Do you have a house phone that is not cordless? Yes, in the office
40. 10 inches of snow or 100 degree weather? neither
Here we go.....
1. What is your occupation? Social Services Case Manager for a Medicaid program
2. What color are your socks right now? White
3. What are you listening to right now? silence - Josh just fell asleep.
4. What was the last thing you ate? Chicken and broccoli (weight watchers remember)
5. Can you drive a stick shift? Yes, I love to drive them.
6. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Blue
7. Last person you spoke to on the phone? Jennifer Jean
8. How old are you today? 35
9. Favorite drink? I pretty much just drink water.
10. What is your favorite sport to watch? Gymnastics (longing for yesteryear) and starting to like football.
11. Have you ever dyed your hair? Red high lites if that counts
12. Favorite reality TV show? Amazing Race no question - hope to try out one day, Aaron and I would so win! :)
13. What was the last movie you watched? I am so embarrassed to admit this - Georgia Rule
14. Favorite day of the year? Mardi Gras
15. What do you do to vent anger? Call Jennifer
16. What was your favorite toy as a child? Sadly, don't really have one.
17. What is your favorite, fall or spring? Fall
18. Hugs or kisses? Hugs
19. Cherries or blueberries? To just eat-Cherries, in baked goods - blueberries
21. Favorite dessert? Mocha Cheesecake
22. Who is least likely to respond? ???
23. Living arrangement? I live with Mitch, Josh and Lucy (the cat)
24. When was the last time you cried? Don't cry much, don't remember
25. What is on the floor of your closet? Shoes
26. Who is the friend you have had the longest that you are sending this to? Jodie (I did not know what a blog was before she told me.)
27. What did you do last night? Dealt with a tired/manic child.
29. What inspires you? People who keep there faith in really tough times.
30. What are you afraid of? the unknown
31. Plain, cheese, or spicy burgers? Cheese.
32. Favorite breed of dog? Pepper - lab/german shep mix
33. How many years at your current job? 2
34. Favorite day of the week? no one in particular
35. How many states have you lived in? 4
36. Celebrity crush? Sorry, I don't really have one
37. Ever driven a motorcycle or heavy machinery? No but would love to drive either
38. Who is your favorite NFL team? Saints
39. Do you have a house phone that is not cordless? Yes, in the office
40. 10 inches of snow or 100 degree weather? neither
Friday, January 11, 2008
9 1/2 months since we began
We started this process 9 1/2 months ago. I can't believe it has been that long. It seems to have flown by, but I have felt every single day. I am so thankful that I have Josh which I can focus on our daily lives and not totally obsess over getting Claire.
I remember when we tried to get pregnant with Josh (fert. tx) I was so hyper focused on having a child not much else mattered. I read some of the adoption blogs and my heart breaks b/c many of the people have gone through the whole fertility txs and then get to the place where they begin the adoption process. Then there is the long wait.
The wait is tough, and it really has just begun for me. I like to have things to do. I wish we had things to do throughout the process so I could at least control even a small part of what is going on. One thing that bums me out is that I have two good friends that have 2 month old little girls. When we started the process all three of us were excited to be have all girls the same age. In my head, I had the idea that we would be getting to the end of the road by now.
Sorry for the downer post. Our agency still has not given any referrals and it is almost mid-Jan. Part of my mood may have to do with weight watchers. I used all of my points by dinner and could not have a sweet tonight. :( I saved all of my extra points for the week b/c we are celebrating my cousins bday tomorrow night, and I will be eating Italian. Nuff said
I remember when we tried to get pregnant with Josh (fert. tx) I was so hyper focused on having a child not much else mattered. I read some of the adoption blogs and my heart breaks b/c many of the people have gone through the whole fertility txs and then get to the place where they begin the adoption process. Then there is the long wait.
The wait is tough, and it really has just begun for me. I like to have things to do. I wish we had things to do throughout the process so I could at least control even a small part of what is going on. One thing that bums me out is that I have two good friends that have 2 month old little girls. When we started the process all three of us were excited to be have all girls the same age. In my head, I had the idea that we would be getting to the end of the road by now.
Sorry for the downer post. Our agency still has not given any referrals and it is almost mid-Jan. Part of my mood may have to do with weight watchers. I used all of my points by dinner and could not have a sweet tonight. :( I saved all of my extra points for the week b/c we are celebrating my cousins bday tomorrow night, and I will be eating Italian. Nuff said
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Prayers Seem to Be Working
The little boy, Jake, whom we have been praying for was extubated (taken off of the vent to breathe on his own) yesterday. The parent talk about the anxiety and watching the monitors. Remember that all too well. It sounds like they may have him on CPAP by what they describe. I hope they get good news when he wakes up. They have called in the big guns for prayers: Fr. Seelos and Sr. Dulce.
Fr. Seelos was beatified (put on the road to becoming a saint) by Pope John Paul II years ago. He is known for his intercession for the sick. When Josh was in the hospital, we were in Baton Rouge and my parents were in New Orleans. My mother went weekly to the shrine of Fr. Seelos to pray for intercession. We ended up having Joshua's baptismal ceremony at his church in New Orleans, St. Mary's.
We also have met and spoken with Sister. Mitch had her phone number on speed dial when we were on the NICU. She is a healer. I know there will be nay sayers who read this. I have always believed in such gifts but have now seen it first hand. She gets a lot of criticism with some in the community but not from us. When we were calling her in the early days we were mainly praying for minimum damage to Josh's lungs and not to have large brain bleeds. She told Mitch that she would pray for Josh's heart. Mitch being confused b/c we had thought his heart was ok asked for clarification. She said again that she would pray for his heart. The next day we were told after a heart ultrasound that the hole in his heart had reopened - which "never happens."
Wow what a ramble. Ya'll just got a glimpse as to our decision as to why we are adopting this go round. Do not want another 23 week delivery. Yes, you read it right----- Josh was born 4 months early at a whopping 1lb 8.8ozs! He has come SO far.
Fr. Seelos was beatified (put on the road to becoming a saint) by Pope John Paul II years ago. He is known for his intercession for the sick. When Josh was in the hospital, we were in Baton Rouge and my parents were in New Orleans. My mother went weekly to the shrine of Fr. Seelos to pray for intercession. We ended up having Joshua's baptismal ceremony at his church in New Orleans, St. Mary's.
We also have met and spoken with Sister. Mitch had her phone number on speed dial when we were on the NICU. She is a healer. I know there will be nay sayers who read this. I have always believed in such gifts but have now seen it first hand. She gets a lot of criticism with some in the community but not from us. When we were calling her in the early days we were mainly praying for minimum damage to Josh's lungs and not to have large brain bleeds. She told Mitch that she would pray for Josh's heart. Mitch being confused b/c we had thought his heart was ok asked for clarification. She said again that she would pray for his heart. The next day we were told after a heart ultrasound that the hole in his heart had reopened - which "never happens."
Wow what a ramble. Ya'll just got a glimpse as to our decision as to why we are adopting this go round. Do not want another 23 week delivery. Yes, you read it right----- Josh was born 4 months early at a whopping 1lb 8.8ozs! He has come SO far.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Now for the trivial
I want to start by wishing everyone a Happy New Year. I can't believe it is 2008!
Hope everyone had fun and had a safe night. We as predicted stayed around the house and neighbors popped fireworks, ate gumbo and had a few drinks. It was pretty laid back and exactly right.
My big New Year's resolution is to lose weight. I have never made this one before and am determined not to break it. I will start using the Y membership that to this point has just been used during the summer for the pool. I am also going to try weight watchers. A gal at work has lost about 50 lbs within the last six months with weight watchers. So, they will get my money. Wish me luck.
Hope everyone had fun and had a safe night. We as predicted stayed around the house and neighbors popped fireworks, ate gumbo and had a few drinks. It was pretty laid back and exactly right.
My big New Year's resolution is to lose weight. I have never made this one before and am determined not to break it. I will start using the Y membership that to this point has just been used during the summer for the pool. I am also going to try weight watchers. A gal at work has lost about 50 lbs within the last six months with weight watchers. So, they will get my money. Wish me luck.
Prayers Needed
Prayers are needed.
I am calling out to blogland to join in on this prayer line. I have weighed as to whether to post about this b/c I don't actually know the family. I have decided that the more prayers out there for them would be appreciated. A friend of a friend's toddler, Jake (don't want to give last name b/c wanting to keep some privacy????), fell into a lake on Christmas Day and had to be resuscitated. They don't know how long he was in the water. He has been on a PICU since and has seen some progress each day. Reading their care page has brought back a lot of memories of our stay on the NICU.
Lynn, I know you read this sometimes. Amanda is going to need your support the most when he comes home, and she is having to deal with the day in and day out routine of doctor appointments and therapies, etc. Make sure she is hooked up with Early Steps (Louisiana's early intervention program). I posted a message in their guest book sending prayers from Houston.
I hate that this post is so serious/somber but talking about trivial things such as resolutions and what we did last night seems wrong.
I am calling out to blogland to join in on this prayer line. I have weighed as to whether to post about this b/c I don't actually know the family. I have decided that the more prayers out there for them would be appreciated. A friend of a friend's toddler, Jake (don't want to give last name b/c wanting to keep some privacy????), fell into a lake on Christmas Day and had to be resuscitated. They don't know how long he was in the water. He has been on a PICU since and has seen some progress each day. Reading their care page has brought back a lot of memories of our stay on the NICU.
Lynn, I know you read this sometimes. Amanda is going to need your support the most when he comes home, and she is having to deal with the day in and day out routine of doctor appointments and therapies, etc. Make sure she is hooked up with Early Steps (Louisiana's early intervention program). I posted a message in their guest book sending prayers from Houston.
I hate that this post is so serious/somber but talking about trivial things such as resolutions and what we did last night seems wrong.
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