Puppy Love

I figured out that I havent posted a picture of our puppy. Max is a terrier/lab mix. He really doesnt like my new camera. In this picture he was hiding from it. See his nose and paw under the table? (Ignore my cluttered table lol)


He actually stopped long enough for me to snap this one.
This is him in action. He's a pretty fast puppy.

Very Funny

I made this for the munchkin. I think its hilarious. I was going to add 'legally' to it but decided against it. I'm thinking about making one that says 'Made in Mexico'.

Enjoy!

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More Shopping

This is my new toy:
At this moment the battery is charging. I cant wait to play with it. Oh yes by the way this is a digital picture of my new digital camera. Yay!!!!1

Shopping

We did some shopping today and this is what we ended up with. I dont buy much clothes for the munchkin manly because we dont know the gender. Once in a while I see something I really like so I go ahead and buy it. I went and saw it like three times before I actually bought it:




*going with my signs theme, something funny happened while we were shopping. We were asked at two different locations if what we were buying was for a girl or a boy. Did we want a boy disney bag or a girl disney bag? How weird is that? I was like 'ummm...do you have a unknown gender bag?'. what kind of sign is this? very weird.

Onto other shopping adventures, I love books. Among the things I want to teach munchkin is a love for books, so with that in mind everytime I see a good bargain I buy some. This were $1 a piece:


And this is the books we have accumulated for munchkin. Some are in English, some in Spanish and some in both languages. If anyone knows of any good books for munchkin please pass on the title so I can look for it. Thanks

Have a great one everyone!

Midnight Ramblings

Yes its midnight and I am still awake. This is my midnight ramblings. I was watching Law & Order (my favorite show ever) and the episode was about a child that was abducted at birth then adopted by a good family. So 12 years later the birthfather finds out about him and wants custody. He wins. The adoptive parents as well as the boy are crushed.

That is the main reason that we decided to adopt internationally. My biggest fear was to have my baby yanked away from us. Here in the US the laws are made to protect the biological parents, but who is protecting the child and the adoptive parents. The laws in this country, I think, are what turns many adoptive parents to other countries. Can this happen abroad? It rather unlikely. One children adopted internationally are usually abandoned in orphanages or government offices. In China, an ad runs in the local paper; in Guatemala they do DNA tests. In Mexico, they also do biological family searches or the biological mother has to sign off on the adoption before giving labor.

While I want my munchkin badly, I dont want him/her to come to me because of a crime. I want munchkin to come to me because a biological mother wanted to give this baby a better life.

Enough of my midnight ramblings...I must sleep

Ranting

So everyday I do my journey to the mailbox hoping that brown envelope is in there. Instead I always find at least one of these:



Yup, credit card pre approvals. Why do we get so many of these and when all I want is our pre approval to be parents.

So then I get angry. Why do I have to get pre approval to be a parent? You dont see doctors when you go for your first appointment say 'well you have to complete all this and submit it and wait for your pre approval before you get to take your baby home from the hospital'. Everyday I see people who arent fit to be parents with a child. Why didnt anybody do a homestudy on them before they brought the baby home. That is what makes me mad.

I know that I am very lucky. I am very blessed to have a marriage that is strong and can stand the scrutiny of a social worker. I am blessed to that our bank account, while not robust, can be managed to support a child. I am blessed that I have a home that I can proudly show off to the social worker. That I can show her the completed nursery for that much wanted baby. Yes I know that I am extremely lucky and after a few minutes I stop being mad.

So God yes I know I am blessed, I realize this and I am thankful but could you please bring my baby home. I long to hold him or her and rock them to sleep and love them. I long to share the joy of watching our child grow with Larry. I long to share this very blessed life I have with our munchkin. Thanks for listening

On another note, I know Larry sometimes reads the blog so I wanted to leave him a message: You are by far the biggest blessing in my life. Thanks for being the best friend and the best husband a girl can have. I love you and I miss you :)

Now that I got off my rant. Please visit our quilt blog to see the cool pieces of fabric we have received for munchkins quilt.

All In A Days Work

Weekends are usually really lazy or really busy for the Flad household. This one is pretty hectic as Larry is going out of town on sunday and we had lots to do. This is how is started friday night with Larry having a snack. Look closely at the picture to see what he is eating.

Did you catch it? If you said chocolate pudding and orange juice you are correct. Yuck! Larry will drink orange juice with just about anything, cookies, cinnamon rolls, etc. I just think the whole sweet and sour shouldnt be mixed but to each his own. I still tease him though.

Next we went to one of our favorites stores, Academy. We got this for the munchkin because all babies have to have a camo outfit. (For those of you that are wondering why everything I buy isnt feminine, thats because I am not much of a girly girl and if munchkin is a she, she will be a little bit of a tomboy; sorta like mommy lol). Anyway this onesie comes with a camo hat and camo bib. We thought it was cool.
Finally, we got this bear to take to Mexico with us when we get munchkin. I'll probably start carrying around the house when it get closer that way it kinda smells like me and munchkin might feel comfortable with that. Now I am thinking I might have to get another one and have the tshirt in spanish. We'll see.


Finally, I made this blankie for munchkin. My sewing is abismal at best but I am learning and I actually really like the way this one came out. We will be taking this to Mexico with us too.

So that was our busy day today. We were going to mow the lawn but it started raining so that will have to be done tomorrow. As well as my homework which I have been putting off all weekend and blogging is a great reason to postpone it lol

Signs

My sister and I were talking about God showing us signs the other day. Had we missed our signs that God was sending us for which way our lives would lead. I came across this and thought I would share it with you

"The man whispered, "God, speak to me" and a Chickadee sang.
But, the man did not hear.
So the man yelled "God, speak to me!" And, the thunder rolled across the sky.
But, the man did not listen.
The man looked around and said, "God let me see you." And a star shined brightly.
But the man did not notice.
And, the man shouted, "God show me a miracle!" And, a life was born.
But, the man did not know.
So, the man cried out in despair, "Touch me God, and let me know you are here!"
Whereupon, God reached down and touched the man.
But, the man brushed the butterfly away and walked on.
Don't miss out on a blessing because it isn't packaged the way that you expect."

Why does this come up today? I went shopping at the mall today and while I was looking at some baby clothes I see this little boy following me (maybe 5-6 years old). He's talking in spanish so I know he is hispanic. Anyway he follows me for a couple minutes then asks a question. When I turn around he realizes that I am not his mommy. He thought I was his mommy. He then starts looking for his mom and I see her looking for him. After she stresses to him the importance of not leaving her side, in spanish. I start thinking. If munchkin is a boy will he look like this little cutie. Is this a sign that munchkin is near? Is this a sign that munchkin is a boy? Is it a sign that someone will soon be calling me mommy? Larry's mom says its a sign, Larry just laughs at us. lol Anyway this is my life, always asking questions, always looking for signs.

In the mail today...

Look at what came in the mail today. No it wasnt the I171 but its still a cool little something. I am always buying little things here and there for munchkin. This one goes well with the shoes.

Go Aggies!!! Whoop!!!

Is It August Yet?

First of all, gracias Tia Elvira por tratar de llevar los documentos al DIF. Nimodo tendremos que esperarnos hasta Agosto.

Ok well obviously the second half of July is not going well for me. Work is a pain, I like what I do but I am not really liking all the problems right about now. Also I have finals in the next two weeks (for those of you that dont know, I am currently trying to complete my MBA in the evenings) which makes everything hectic. Lets see what else, oh yeah..Larry will be on a business trip starting monday for two weeks. That really bites I hate when he is gone. I get lonely :(

So how does this get worse? The lady in charge at social services in Mexico is on vacation until Aug 1. Doesnt that suck for me. Now our documents wont get turned in until at least Aug 1. So can we please skip on over to Aug. Arghhh.

Well I am going to go hide now in hopes that no more problems will come this way at least for today.

Way too much thought into the mail.

So I am having a tough Monday morning with work and family issues. I have been at work since 7am (I know late for some, but early for me). Nothing but trouble. Had the cellphone at the ear since then. Then more problems with the family. So nothing but trouble. So then I get home and check the mail. [A little background info: So you international adoptive parents know what its like to check the mail. For those that dont, its almost like peeing on a stick. You are just waiting for that darn 171H (it comes in a brown envelope from what I have heard). Then when you finally get it in the mail its like getting a positive on the test lol] Everyday I check the mail hoping to get that brown envelope. Mail is an exciting time in this household. So after my tough morning I am hoping that we have good mail, but instead we get this:



Ironic? Insulting? An omen? So is this Gods way of telling me heres something you might never experience or is this God saying munchkin is conceived? Is this, suprise you better take a test? Can it be munchkin is a girl? Or can it be you better get busy with Larry because this might be it? lol
Another possibility is that I am reading way to much into this and it was just a coincidence.

What do you think?

Libros

These are munchkins new books. Its Curious George in spanish. I think they are super cool.

Not much happening otherwise. Like the title says, we're waiting. I did change the look of my blog. I like this look much better.

I Thought This Was Funny

Birthday Pictures

Here are some pictures of my birthday this weekend.

We had a cookout with some friends and family. We had a good time. We had a little mishap with my ice cream cake but we got that fixed :) These are some of my new treasures (I love presents). My niece Laura (courtesy of her mommy) got my the cool aunt mug. Love you booger butt. Courtney and Lila got me this really cool monkey onsie for munchkin plus the Curious George doll. We love it. Thanks. This is munchkins first monkey present. :) My crazy parents got me these two flying crying monkeys. They are super cool and I was terrorizing the office with them yesterday lol Laura and Toni also got munchkin and I this cool diaper bag . Know we can travel in style lol Thanks everyone for such a wonderful birthday!!!

Also my wonderful husband and I got to spend some much needed quality time which was awesome. We went to dinner, walked by the river and went to my favorite place, the ice cream shop lol Thanks baby, I love you!

Picture of the Day

I'm Legal!

Yup thats right. I am finally legally able to adopt in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico. I have looked forward to this birthday more than my 21st lol. This week our application and documents begins its travels. Pray for a speedy and safe journey.


Happy, Happy Birthday to MEEEEE!!!!

Another Random Thought

I dont know how I know this but I know, in my heart, that munchkin hasnt been born yet. I do believe that he/she has been conceived but not born. Dont ask how I came to this belief its just how I feel. So sometimes I sit and think about munchkin and the girl/woman who is carrying him/her. I wonder if she is taking good care of herself therefore taking good care of him/her, and I pray that she is. I pray that she sings and reads to that baby that is growing inside of her, that baby that is meant to be my baby. Everyday I ask God to watch over my baby, to make sure my baby grows strong and healthy, but I also ask God to watch over this girl/woman who is growing my munchkin. I pray that He gives her the wisdom and desire to take care of herself and munchkin. Most of all I pray that God brings us closer and closer so that I can bring my baby home.

So God if you are reading this please watch over my munchkin and the girl/woman who is giving us this great gift of a family. Please give her peace in the choices she has made or will soon make. Give her the strength to get through what must be an agonizing decision. And above all please let her know that you have not forgotten her. Thanks. ~Sandra and Larry

Special Message

Our Aunt Linda is going thru a tough time right now and I know she sometimes reads this so we just wanted to send her a little message:

We love you and hope you get well soon. We're rooting for you so hang in there. If you need anything we are only a phone call away.
We look forward to munchkin being spoiled by you and the rest of the family. :)

Love,
Larry, Sandra, and Munchkin

Happy 4th

Happy Independence Day!!!!

Shoes

Okay so if you know me, you probably know that I love shoes and I love Texas A&M, so I bought these for munchkin to serve two purposes. Cant get them started to early. Whooop!!!! Go Aggies!!!

1st Present

Here is munchkins first present. It was giving to us a while back and I am now just posting a picture of it. Its a very cutie pj onsie, short sleeved onsie, and bib; and its green so munchkin can wear whatever gender it is. Thanks Pat! We are so lucky to have so many family and friends that love munchkin.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Ponch!

Its my brothers birthday today. He's 22 years old today.

We know you'll be a great godfather to munchkin. :)

Somewhat Non Baby Topic

Okay for those of you that are married, are in the process of getting married, or plan to get married someday, heres something to think about. What thinking goes into the decision of where to live? So a little background. Larry was born and raised here in New Orleans. His whole family and all his friends are here. I, on the other hand, was raised in Texas. My family and friends all live in Texas. So this past month I have lived here 3 years, 2 of them married to Larry. After about year 1, we moved to Oklahoma. I hated it, no friends, no family...so we decided to move back. Then we get hit with Hurricane Katrina and New Orleans goes to shit (past what it already was). So the other day Larry starts talking about the idea of moving to Dallas/Ft Worth. So I of course jump at the idea (only after we get munchkin). But its still a very hard decision to make so here are my list of pros and cons to moving:

Pros
close to my family (brothers) and friends
way way better schools
probably make better money
half way to both sets of parents (9 hrs to mine and 9 hrs to Larrys)
no hurricanes
not much traveling for Larry

Cons
leave Larrys family behind including cousin Laura
Larry would have to leave soundwave behind

Dont get me wrong, I love Larrys family and I'm lucky to have such good inlaws. I just think that its time for us to be closer to my family. I do love the state of Texas. Oh well, we wont do anything until we have munchkin anyway so we have time to consider it all.

I'm sure that made no sense to you but it did to me. Thanks for reading.