I love the sound of silence!

It's a lovely quiet rainy day! Reminds me of Seattle a little bit! My house is silent, and it is wonderful! Kyle can't stand the quiet, so he always has something on when he's home!
I keep compulsively checking the bank account to see if our agency has cashed our check! Because when they do, that means that our packet should be here soon, thereafter!

I got an email from my new boss a couple of days ago, and she is so sweet! She gave me brief updates of how the girls are doing. I love that she's already making me feel like a part of their lives, even before I have started! I start June 1st, but will go for a day in May to shadow her, and see what their routine is like. I haven't told her yet that we are adopting. I was too nervous to, and I didn't want it to ruin my chance at getting the job. But I have decided that when I do see her in person, I'm going to tell her. But I just don't know how. I don't know how she is going to feel, because she wanted to hire a nanny who didn't have kids that she would bring with her. I don't know if it's because the twins were preemies, so they are extremely susceptible to illness. Or if it's because she wants someone to focus solely on them...I feel dishonest by not telling her yet. But Kyle made a good point. Since we aren't "paper pregnant" yet, there's really nothing to tell. If I was going to be pregnant, I wouldn't know until I actually was. And we aren't even eligible to adopt until we are paper pregnant, and home study complete. Any advice on how I should tell her, without her feeling the need to hire someone else? Or without her thinking that I was being dishonest by not disclosing that information up front? I want to remain with them, and I would like to continue working, even after we adopt. But I'm so nervous to tell her! Help!

Australia.

I found something that I wanted to share! It is such a great analogy to adoption, and I know most of you will really appreciate this, and understand it all too well! I found it as I was reading through Kelli's blog. And she had found it through this blog. Even though the article was written in 1995, and Wendi used it in 2007, it still applies! I hope you appreciate it as much as I did!

On Adoption: Deciding to have a baby is like planning a trip to Australia. You've heard it's a wonderful place, you've read many guidebooks and feel certain you're ready to go. Everyone you know has traveled there by plane. They say it can be a turbulent flight with occasional rough landings, but you can look forward to being pampered on the trip. So you go to the airport and ask the ticket agent for a ticket to Australia. All around you, excited people are boarding planes for Australia. It seems there is no seat for you; you'll have to wait for the next flight. Impatient, but anticipating a wonderful trip, you wait--and wait--and wait. Flights to Australia continue to come and go. People say silly things like, "Relax. You'll get on a flight soon." Other people actually get on a plane and then cancel their trip, to which you cry, "It's not fair!" After a long time the ticket agent tells you, "I'm sorry, we're not going to be able to get you on a plane to Australia. Perhaps you should think about going by boat." "By BOAT!" you say. "Going by boat will take a very long time and it costs a great deal of money. I really had my heart set on going by plane." So you go home and think about not going to Australia at all. You wonder if Australia will be as beautiful if you approach it by sea rather than air. But you have long dreamed of this wonderful place, and finally you decide to travel by boat. It is a long trip, many months over many rough seas. No one pampers you. (Isn't that the truth!) You wonder if you will ever see Australia. Meanwhile, your friends have flown back and forth to Australia two or three more times, marveling about each trip. Then one glorious day, the boat docks in Australia. It is more exquisite than you ever imagined, and the beauty is magnified by your long days at sea. You have made many wonderful friends during your voyage, and you find yourself comparing stories with others who also traveled by sea rather then by air. People continue to fly to Australia as often as they like, but you are about to travel only once, perhaps twice. Some say things like, "Oh, be glad you didn't fly. My flight was horrible; traveling by sea is so easy." You will always wonder what it would have been like to fly to Australia. Still, you know God blessed you with a special appreciation of Australia, and the beauty of Australia is not in the way you get there, but in the place itself.
By Diane Armitage printed in the April 21, 1995 "Dear Abby" column.

My packet is on it's way!

The agency called a couple of days ago! Finally! She gave us the option of coming in, or having them mail us our packet. Unfortunately since Kyle just got here, he can't take any time off yet, so we can't go there. But I put a check in the mail on Friday, and as soon as they receive it, they will be sending us our homestudy packet! YAY! I'm sure I won't be quite as excited once I see that mountain of paper work, and list of all of the stuff to do, but for now I am! Haha!

It's been really fun having Brina and Jessa around this week! They are here house hunting. Jessa is just a doll, and such a happy girl! She's been toted around all week, but she took it like a champ! And Brina is my PLP, so of course I love having her back! I can't wait for them to move here in June! Then I will get to see the whole family! Her kids are the closest thing we've got to having kids of our own! And I just love those babies!

I think we are going to be buying our crib bedding next week! I'm so excited! I was planning on waiting a little longer, but it's currently out of stock on Target.com! But luckily, I found it on e.bay! I told Kyle that we had to jump on it, just in case it gets discontinued! I know that probably won't happen, but I would be so sad if it did! And I know it's "the one" because I found it months ago, but it's still my favorite!

I've been kind of crappy and PMSing this last week. And I have decided that my body is a complete bitch. It won't work right and get pregnant, but by gosh it makes sure that my period shows up on a fairly regular schedule every single month! What kind of crap is that? If my lady parts aren't working right, I shouldn't have to get a period and cramps every month! Lame, body! Lame!

Alright, I'm out of here. I'm going to get in some last minute baby love on little miss Jessa! They're flying out tomorrow and I won't see her until June! Peace out, players!

No wonder the general public's perception is so skewed!

Have you seen "Did You Hear About the Morgans?" Well we watched it tonight. And overall, it was a good movie. A good romantic comedy! Anyway, so at the beginning of the movie, the couple is seperated. Into the movie you find out that they struggled with infertility. They briefly discuss the pain of it, the meds, the doctors, the scheduled sex, ect. They also talk about adoption. She wanted to, but he was scared. They're discussing this while they're still seperated. Long story short, they reconcile. And at the end, it shows them getting off a plane a carrying a baby girl from China! Yay! They showed how awesome adoption was! BUT! And here's the kicker! Not only is she carrying the Chinese baby girl, she is pregnant. Of course she is! Because hello! Everybody knows that when you adopt you end up pregnant! Ugh. It just put such a bad taste in my mouth. No damn wonder people have such a skewed vision! All the know is what they're told. And they're being told that once you relax, quit thinking about, and/or adopt, pregnancy happens! Ta-da! Amazing right?! ::throws hands in the air:: Whatever!

On a happier note, my best friend, Sabrina, will be here tomorrow! Her husband was supposed to be the one coming out here this week to house hunt, but last minute, they traded places. Now, her and baby Jessa are coming! And I could not be more thrilled! Looks like i'm going to have a busy week house hunting with her! I am, afterall, her stand-in husband! We aren't Platonic Life Partners for nothing!

Still waiting to hear from the agency. Hopefully it will be this week! I'm anxious to start the homestudy process! You know, so that I can get knocked up! ;)

Hope everyone had a fab weekend! And here's to your Monday not sucking! Do what I'm going to do, go get some Starbucks! Mmm! Yes please!

Another day, another deal!

I have another great deal to share with you! E.L.F. Cosmetics! I got 13 items for only $17.45! How great is that? Most of their basic make-up is only $1! They also have a professional line, that is a little better quality, and that stuff is only $3-5! I don't know about you, but I buy cheap make-up. Loreal, Maybelline, and Cover Girl are for me! I know they say that it's just so awful for your skin, but it's always worked just fine for me! The only time I've really splurged on make-up is when I bought Bare Minerals a couple of years ago. And while it was great, I couldn't justify the price to keep on buying it. It wasn't THAT great! Haha! So if you're like me, and you don't mind the cheap stuff, check them out! www.eyeslipsface.com/elf I also found this website! www.retailmenot.com They have a ton of coupons! Both online codes and printable. Seriously, who doesn't love a great deal?! I used a code there for the make-up and got 50% off the first $15, which was practically my whole order! If it hadn't been for the $7 shipping, I would have made out even better. But seriously, I can't complain about it!

Anyway, I can't wait to get my order in and try out all of these fun products! Worse case scenario, I don't like something, I wasted a buck! I'm definitely not a make-up snob, so I can't see that happening!

I hope everyone is having a great day! Kyle is currently smoking a pork shoulder, and it smells delicious! Can't wait for dinner! Love me some BBQ!

Oh and www.egyptianpeddler.com is where I got the great deal on my bedding!

How do you do the hyper links? I tried, but I guess I got the HTML wrong.

Help help help!

Still haven't heard back from the agency. But through delivery confirmation, I know they just received our registration paperwork on Monday. Hopefully we'll hear back before the week is over! They say they contact you immediately! We'll see! Depending on when they call, and how when they can set up an appointment, depends on if we'll go be able to actually to the agency. We chose one that is 5 hours away. We don't have to go in person, but we would like to. Is your agency close by? Have you tried to do it with an agency that you weren't able to go to often? Advice anyone?

And another thing I want some advice on. How did you go about writing your adoption profile? Did you write a seperate "Dear.Birthmother" letter? Or did you kind of add it into your profile? How big was your profile? Was it more like a scrapbook, or just a letter and a few photos? I know our agency will have some guidelines to help narrow it down, but I would still like some "been there, done that" opinions. Please help! Any advice is much appreciated! And that goes for advice on any part of the homestudy process! I am anticipating that we will be starting it very soon!!!

And starting now, I will be responding to your comments in the comment section. So you may want to click the box to notify you of following comments. Don't worry, it won't blow up your inbox. Unfortunately, I don't get that many comments! LoL ::hint hint::

Oh! And I bought a new bedset today! For a 7 piece king size bedset, I only paid $90! No shipping, no tax, and 10% off! Can't beat it! And it's pretty cute! Can't wait to get it!

Randomness.

After a very long labor, my best's baby girl was finally born yesterday morning at 10:23a.m. I am so very happy for her and her new little family! But it was also bittersweet for me. Another friend having another baby. Story of my life. How the hell do you not get used to this by now? Hearing her talk about the labor made me a little sad. Although I know that I will get to be a mommy some day (hopefully soon!), I don't know if I will ever get to experience pregnancy, labor, and delivery. And while we are so excited to adopt, I would be lying if I said that it doesn't make me a little sad that I may never get that. All I really want is that feeling of finally being a Mom. I cannot imagine what an amazing feeling that is to have. One day...

My baby fever has kicked into high gear again. Remember when you first started trying to get pregnant, and you were so optimistic and naive that it wouldn't be much longer? And you were constantly looking at baby stuff, wanting to buy it all? That's where I'm at again! I haven't been like that for a long time. I have never been the girl who bought stuff the entire time we were trying. If I ever did buy something, I would hold onto for a little while, then usually end up giving it to the next pregnant person I knew. But lately, I just have such an urge to buy baby stuff! Luckily though, I either ignore, or purchase baby stuff for someone I know, like my bests' kids, or my nephews.

I love looking around my house and seeing my photography all over! It makes me smile! I know that I am nowhere near a pro, but taking pictures makes me happy. And then seeing my results when I get, what I consider to be, a great shot, I love to frame it and hang it in my house! And I can't wait to incorporate some of my photography into our future nursery!

I have a huge stye on my right top eyelid! And it HURTS! I get them fairly often. But generally, they're smaller and not too obvious. Not this one! Even with eye make-up, you can still kind of see it. Not cute!

Anyway, I guess I've filled you all with enough random for one night! I'm going to try and pry Kyle off of his game and drag im to bed. Good night, Love Muffins!

Yay for new babies!

My best friend, Erin, is in labor right now! And luckily, our other best friend, Sabrina, has been keeping me in the loop! Thank goodness for Blackberry Messenger! After a loooooooong labor and slow progress, she is finally at 10cm! She is getting ready to start pushing, and Little Miss Kendall will be here in no time! I'm so happy for her! But I am so sad that I'm not able to be there for her! This is her first, and she is going to be such a great Mommy! I can't wait to make a trip to go see them!

In other news, I officially got the nanny job for the twins! Their Mom emailed me yesterday letting me know that she would be calling me sometime this week to make a verbal job offer. I'm so excited! Things seem to really be coming together for us! I hope this trend continues!

Oh! Our new place! Here are a few pictures!






Well my dears, it is a beautiful day here in upstate New York! I am off to take advantage of it! Happy Weekend, Friends!

Step one: Done! It's in the mail!

That is our registration packet right before getting mailed off! I know it's not a huge deal, but for us, it kind of is! This was the first step, of the so very many to come, in the adoption process! Hopefully in the next few days, we'll hear from the agency, and then they can send us our home study stuff!
Unfortunately, the agency we chose is 5 hours from where we live! But, it's okay! Because we can do it all through the mail. And we do plan on making at least one trip to the agency. Plus, they are only 25 miles from N.iagra F.alls! Weekend get-away, anyone?
But we are so super excited to finally get to start this process! We made the decision to adopt back in November. But then we had to sit idle while we waited for this whole moving process to be done. And now, it's done! Next step, please!

Today was a great day, all around! We mailed off our packet, I got two free drinks from Starbucks(it's nice having a friend who is a barista there! :D), Kyle and I went and explored Albany, AND I got a call from my old boss! I thought she just wanted to catch up. But even better! She told me that she got a call from one of the ladies that interviewed me this past week. In two days, I had two interviews for nanny jobs! They were both great, but the second one was the one I really wanted. It's for 4-month old twin girls! A total dream come true for me! I have ALWAYS had a fascination with multiples. And I have always desperately wanted twins! Anyway, their mom called my old boss today, inquiring about me. And then she told her that she was pretty sure that she was going to be offering me the position in the next week! YAY! The other woman that interviewed me told me that she really liked me and that I was at the top of her list too! That makes me feel really good about myself! I don't have kids of my own yet, but you can guarantee that I take excellent care of others' children! I'm like Mary Poppins, only more bad ass! ;)

Home Sweet Home.

We finally have one again! And it is such a great feeling!
We have now been in New York for a week and three days. We got into our current place a week ago today. Originally we were going to buy a house. That didn't quite work out, so then we were going to rent one. But after some thinking, we decided that it would be a smart move to do a townhouse again. Even though we said that we wouldn't, after totally not loving the one in WA. BUT, we found some brand new ones. They are built so much nicer than the other ones. We can't hear our neighbors through the walls, we have more room in this one, and it's just all around nicer! AND our rent is over $3,000 less than our Basic Housing Allowance (BAH is what the Navy gives us to pay for housing, for those that aren't familiar)! And a big chunk of that will be going into our adoption fund! And clearly, that is what is most familiar! Speaking of that, I will be mailing in our registration packet either today or tomorrow!!! What comes next? Will they contact me or just start sending me the homestudy stuff? I'm so new to all of this, but so incredibly excited! I've been driving Kyle nuts talking baby stuff! Haha! I finally feel like it's okay! I can't wait to set up a nursery! And we finally have a girl's named picked out too! We've had our boy's name for years, but were never able to pick a girl's name. I know it seems silly to some, but to me, it was kind of a big deal!
Here's hoping to a quick and seamless homestudy!

Other than that, one of my best friends and her family will be moved out here by mid-June! I'm so excited that I will have her out here for me whenever we get placed! I've been there to help her with all of her kids. And she is such a great mother, I can't wait to have her here for me!

Well, I'm out of here for now, but you should be seeing my face around here on a regular basis again! Hooray! I know you're excited!
I've missed you all!