Thanks Janet!

After my public declaration of being a Fanilow, Janet had a little giggle at my expense. I really didn't mind - her comment was hilarious! But, she was so sweet and wrote a post for me on her blog making some embarrassing declarations of her own. What a brave woman!

Thanks Janet! :)

Neat Thing We Have Done Since LID #9

Ok - I am REALLY nervous posting this one. I am positive that I will get teased by my fellow bloggers and will probably keep getting teased for a very, very long time, but I can't deny that I am...a Fanilow.

Neat Thing #9
Barry Manilow Concert!

In my defense, a little back story...

I was born in 1973. I believe Barry Manilow made it big in 1975. My parents were big Barry Manilow fans when I was growing up. They saw the Barry Manilow Live concert in the late 70's and brought home the double album. I played that album over and over, and my favorite part was when Barry Manilow sang the jingles he had written. I was fascinated that Barry Manilow was actually the Band-Aid and Dr. Pepper jingle guy. Almost every time my parents got in the car when I was a kid, Barry's greatest hits cassette was pushed into the player. I knew the words to "American Bandstand" by heart. How many 7 year old kids can say that? Very few I am sure.

Now I admit, I am a bigger fan of Barry Manilow's earlier music than with the albums he puts out now. My sister is also a fan (remember now, we grew up with the same parents), and she and I dragged our poor husbands to see a concert when Manilow came to Atlanta years ago. What troopers... That was Barry's last tour. The last one. Never to tour again. When I heard that Barry Manilow had a show in Vegas, I mentioned in passing to Doug that it would be neat to see one day. I honestly never thought that Doug would incorporate the show into our Vegas itinerary. See - my husband is so great, he endured not only one Manilow concert, but TWO. He is truly a keeper.

When we entered the Hilton that evening for the concert, most of the people waiting in line had probably eaten their dinner around 4PM that afternoon. There were maybe a handful of younger people there, but they were pretty few and far between. We entered the auditorium, and Doug had reserved really great seats. The concert was fun and very entertaining - not just Barry sitting at a piano. Doug enjoyed the show, but after the concert, he lovingly stated to me that this would be the last Manilow concert he would be attending with me. I am fine with that - he did good. So on this trip he got Star Trek, and I got Manilow. I think that's fair (even if Doug doesn't - LOL).

So that's my story. Please be kind. I am fragile!

That One Special Toy

Lookie, lookie! This is the swap gift a received from Michaela last month. The theme was "That One Special Toy". It is the Learning Puppy, and I absolutely love it! I know Briana will too - thanks so much Michaela!

Waiting Families Pizza Party

Saturday night, the Waiting Families group got together for a pizza party and dessert potluck hosted by Stephanie and Jason. It was held at their Rainbow Factory Direct Showroom that houses all kinds of swings sets and play systems. Let me tell you, the kids were not the only ones having a ball on these playsets! It was so great seeing everyone again, and of course getting to know new people too! A big thanks to Stephanie and Jason for being wonderful hosts and again thanks to Kathy for organizing the event! (And I borrowed one or two pictures from a couple of other blogs to add to my slideshow, so thank you - hee, hee!)

So What Does This Mean For Me?

I am so bummed. The word out in internet land is that the CCAA has told the agencies that the cutoff this month is October 24. If this is true, then this is so not what I wanted to hear. I figured if the CCAA got through the 26th, there was a really good chance I would be in the next batch. It sounds to me like October 26, 27, 28 and 31 are pretty big log in days, so it is very possible that the next cut off could happen right in front of me and I won't get a referral until May. Ugh - this is so not how I wanted to start my day.

16 Months

We have been logged in 16 months today. I can't even believe I am saying that. I really, really hope we don't have to wait too much longer. My patience is wearing very thin!

Neat Thing We Have Done Since LID #8

Neat Thing #8 - Star Trek Museum!

Ok, you all know that I am married to a wonderful man who is a computer geek - a computer geek that loves Star Wars and Star Trek. This was our third trip to Vegas, and Doug and I were looking for something different to do. We decided to check out the Star Trek Museum at the Hilton. I have to admit, it was a lot of fun! We waited in long lines to get on the two movie rides, but the rides were so fun - it was totally worth it. It was neat eating in the restaurant that looked like a spaceship. I guess deep down, I am a bit of a geek too, and I don't mind at all!

Tagged - 5 Reasons Why I Blog

I have been tagged! I was tagged by Terri to write on the five reasons why I blog. Hmmm, why do I blog? I think I can rustle up five reasons.

1. Well, the reason I started a blog was because Mick and Kathy made me. LOL! Just kidding girls! Seriously, I never considered starting a blog until they told me that they had blogs and that it would be cool if I started one too. I was really hesitant at first because I honestly didn't think anyone in the blog world would really want to read about lil' ole me. I knew that Mick and Kathy would be interested in reading it, so I said what the heck.

2. I blog to record my adoption journey. I was 17 years old when I scrapbooked for the first time, and I recorded all the important and fun events of my senior year in high school. I enjoyed it so much that I have chronicled my life ever since. I can look back at my scrapbooks and remember all the events that shaped my life and who I am. Blogging is an online form of scrapbooking in a way. When Briana comes home, I can look back at my blog and remember all the things I did and the feelings I felt before she arrived.

3. This blog updates my family and friends on my adoption journey. I often get the questions, "Do you have the baby yet?" and "Why is it taking so long?". Now everyone can check out my blog and follow along with the process without having to ask me what is happening with the adoption.

4. When I started the blog, I didn't realized that I would meet all the amazing people I have. I had no idea that I would actually make online friends and that I would become so involved in reading about their lives and adoption journeys. It opened a world to the China adoption community that I didn't even know was there. I love sharing in their excitement, their yearning and sometimes their heartache. I truly care about all the people that are sharing this experience with me and that is why I continue to blog. And I have learned so much from the people who have already traveled to China that have brought home their children. I hope that I will be able to offer that same knowledge to those who will travel after me.

5. And the last reason I blog is because it is cheaper than therapy. No seriously, way cheaper. The roller coaster ride I have been on the last six years between my four year battle with infertility and this almost two year long adoption wait has been really, really tough for me and Doug. I found a support system out in blogland that has been unbelievably kind to me. It is really nice to know that I am not alone and that there are many (many) people out there that are anxiously waiting to start their families too.

Ok - I am tagging Kathy, Mick, Michaela and Georgia!

Consignment Shopping Day

Hello, my name is Lisa, and I have a consignment shopping problem...it is not that I go all that often, but when I do, I go a little bit crazy as you see...

This is the laundry basket of clothes that I came home with after visiting two consignment sales with Kathy, Mick and Amy yesterday. What you don't see here are the few toys that I bought at these sales as well. I just can't help myself when I see rows and rows of little girl clothing that say $2 and $3, and on Saturday they are half off too! I admit, I do have a problem. But look at all the great stuff I got!!!

We all met around 9AM in the morning and shopped at the first sale until about 10:30. What was really neat was that Amy has her referral for Emily Grace (who is such a cutie) and she knows exactly who she is shopping for now! After the major damage I did at the first sale, we all headed over to the second sale and shopped there until about 11:30. Amy had to get going after shopping but Kathy, Mick and I went out to lunch and split a delicious pizza (which took us about 45 minutes to get because the guy that took our order punched in the order incorrectly) at Mellow Mushroom. After pizza and several hours of girl talk, we all headed home. It was such a fun day!

Amy, Kathy and Me

Amy, Kathy and Mick

Just look at the rows and rows

of girlie things!

Neat Thing We Have Done Since LID #7

Neat Thing #7
Atop the Stratosphere on July 4th!

My number 7 out of 10 neat things Doug and I have done since LID was at the Stratosphere Hotel! On the first night, Doug took me to eat at the Top of the World Restaurant. As we ate, we watched fireworks go off all over Vegas. It was so romantic and really amazing. And the food was delish!