To India, With Love, .....

Ok, it seems there are alot of people who want to know how they can contribute towards our orphanage donation. Would it be completely tacky to put a link to a paypal account on this blog?

I don't even know from a tax standpoint and all what I'd need to do to set something like that up ... I would have to find out. If anyone out there knows, then I'd love any information.

I need thoughts and ideas please .... It seems this blog is touching a lot of people, and if this can be a tool to help make these kids lives better, then that can only be a good thing. I'm touched by the offers we've had, and the support that so many people have shown for these children.

What to do, what to do??

Ok , a couple of weeks ago, Dad emailed the city finance guy just to see what the policy was on cashing out comp time and all that happy stuff. He emailed back, letting us know that they really dont have a policy, but that he wouldn't be able to grant the request because potentially it could open the floodgates for other people to request the same thing, and the fund just isn't set up for multiple requests. Not a problem there ..it was pretty much what we were expecting. What we didn't see coming though, was an offer from him to start a collection from city employees. Dad and I wanted to be sure that it would be made clear to everyone that if they were to do this, it would be for an orphanage donation, NOT adoption expenses, as those are already taken care of. Its pretty amazing how many people think this would be an awesome idea, and are keen to support it.

A lot of people upon finding out about you, have asked the question "How can you only take one child?" .... well, first its not like going shoe shopping ... they don't line these kids up for us to choose one... theres so much more to it than that, and be assured, if we could adopt a bunch of these kids, we would! What we've decided we can do though, is continue to support the children that are there. I think its important for you too, to see that we're not forgetting those kids. Its amazing how far money will go over there ... Sue was giving me some figures she got from the orphanage they got Peter from ... An average school principals salary is $46USD a year! $10USD will buy two school uniforms. Toothbrush and toothpaste $0.20USD. While the orphanage has a list of "needs" at any given time, donations of money are preferred, as then they can spend the money where its most needed at the time. Dad and I want to make this an ongoing thing, where we continue to donate to the orphanage ... after all, its thanks to them taking care of you for the last 2 years, that you're able to join our family.

We offically have a new car!! Not exactly the one I put in the photos ... Ours is black, with black leather interior, and its just gorgeous!!

Dad and I left for Seattle this morning, and thought we'd be back by around 4pm this afternoon. Well, we forgot that its Memorial Day weekend, so traffic was insane!! It took us forever to get there, and then we found the dealership that was advertising the silver one. The carpet in it was thrashed, and it stunk!! The sales guy then tried to turn us onto a blue one that he had that was more expensive, and had 30 000 more miles on it ...Ummmm, no thanks.

Having done tonnes of looking online prior to going up there, we phoned another dealer that had this black one that we'd seen. They still had it, so Dad and set off in search of the dealership. It would seem that Dad and I do really good when it comes to driving in circles ... we drove and drove and couldn't find it. Pulled up at a light, and I asked this really nice man in the van next to us, (who just happened to have his window rolled down) and he drove nice and slowly while giving us directions on how to get there ...he didn't even bat an eye when the people behind us started honking for us to speed up ..(yeah, Welcome to Seattle ..haha). Usually I wouldnt start up conversations with strange men in minivans, but he had some very cool enviromentally friendly tattoos on the arm that was hanging out the window, so I figured he couldn't be too bad!

Initially the man at this dealership didn't want to budge on the price, so I just smiled at Dad, and told him that it was ok, I really did like the other one and we could just go get that. George, the salesman was pretty quick ..."What other one?!". So we told him how nice the silver one was ...haha. He looked it up online, and saw it was a great price (and you can't see from the photos online how gross it was inside), and believing we were leaving to go buy that one instead, he gave us a smoking deal! Now I'm not advocating lying here ....but we are talking about car salesmen, and a good deal is a good deal!

10.10pm tonight, after more horrendous traffic, we made it home with our new toy! There we were just a few miles from the Aussie pie shop in Seattle, and we didn't get to make it there before closing. Next time, for sure!

I got email back from Lisa today, and according to Vijay we should have your NOC any day now. The judge that has been driving everyone nuts is still not signing anything, so as of June 7th shes out of office. Unfortunately everything then shuts down until the end of June. There will be a newly appointed judge the first part of July, and Lisa believes that while this judge will be overwhelmed with cases at first, that things at that point should move pretty quickly. If June will just go as fast as May has, we'll be there in no time!

I love you bunches....

So yesterday after Uncle Jeffs birthday party, we stopped at a gas station to buy the girls bottles of water ... All of that playing at the park had them pretty thirsty. There I am, minding my own business, and this woman asks me out of the blue ..."Are you expecting?". Everyone in the line, as well as the check out girl all waits for the answer ... "Ummm, yeah, actually I am. A little 5yr old boy, within the next couple of months ... from India". Not the answer she was looking for. Ohhhh, I get it ... she was meaning, am I pregnant. I gave her my best f-off scowl, and told her "No, apparently I'm just FAT!". She went into damage control mode right away ...Oh, I didnt mean that ..and no your not ..and oh I'm so sorry. Yeah, whatever, shut up, and leave me alone while I contemplate my diet .....B***H!!

This is NOT the first time this has happend. First time was right after I'd given birth to Georgia ...and I do mean right after. I was downstairs at Gore hospital with Trisha, and this other pregnant lady asked when I was due to have my baby ....Yeah...ummm.... just did that actually. Admittedly I was still pretty poochy, so she can be forgiven. Next time, I was also with Trish, only it was over here at the garden center. The breeze must have been blowing up my shirt just right, cause this lady started gushing about how cute I was and when was I due?? WTF?? Ummmm....not due.

Do I just have that maternal look, or what? For someone who's farted out four kids, I don't think I'm all that big.

I'm giving that stupid wench the benefit of the doubt, and assuming that thanks to adopting you I must just have that gorgeous expectant mother glow about me..

Yeah ...thats it. My story, and I'm sticking to it.

Here it is ...our new family-mobile. Now I just need to pick a date and go with Sue to get my Washington drivers licence!! Such a nice car...it'd be lovely to drive her legally..haha.

On the other hand, my New Zealand one is good till 2008!!

Maddie is getting a new name ...I think we're gonna call her "Crash". Now i can't say a whole lot here, as this is a name that has been passed thru our family ... (thank Auntie Treacy for that one) ..but Maddie is really taking it to a whole new level. I mean, this kid has tan lines...from her band-aids!!!!!! I didn't even know that was possible!! The only thing that will make one of her crashes even a little bit ok, is a cold cloth, with bandaids to follow. Its hitting the point that your sister has no hairs left on her legs ... Its waxing for 3yr olds!!

We had a busy weekend. Yesterday we went to little Liams 2nd birthday. It was a lot of fun, and the girls all had a blast. All of us girls there got to sit around and talk about you, and whats happening with the adoption (which happens to be one of my favourite subjects), so it was nice.

Today was a surprise party for Uncle Jeff. We all headed down to the park, and again, it was a nice day. We got to see Uncle Bob and Auntie Petie, and they were full of questions on when you're going to get here. Sharrin was there with her girls, and it was cool to catch up again. Tiffany, her youngest couldnt remember Daddys name. Sharrin kept telling her that this was her cousin. I guess she worked it out when we were on the swings, because little Tiffany is yelling out to your Daddy...Hey, COUSIN ...PUSH meeeeeee! lol. It was very cute!

Speaking of cute, I got some more photo's of your cousin Emma this week. Shes a doll! Shes all big eyes and fuzzy hair. I'd kill to get my hands on her! haha....One of these days we'll be able to get all of you kids together for a huge party. ...You're still brutally outnumbered though ... still the ONLY boy! Even today at the party, it was all girls... Georgia, Cassie, Molly and Maddie ..and then Paige and Meggie ...and then Sharrins girls, Allison, Courtney and Tiffany. .. as well as little Madison and Sydney. I knew something was up when it was time to leave the playground and I shouted out Hey girls!!! Time to go .... and ended up with 11 girls all following behind me! Like I already said, you'd best be hoping Uncle Adam put a stem on at least one of the apples in Auntie Kelly! haha.

I'm thinking Daddy is going to go up to Seattle this week to look at a new car for me. I need something that will fit all of you kids in it. The one we like is a 5-seater, but has the option for another 2 seats in the very back. Its supercute, and I think we'll have alot of fun in it. With what they'll give us for my Jag, it wont be much of a difference at all ...I'll see if I can add some photo's after this. One thing though, just so you know ..by the time you get to driving age, this will be long gone, and we'll have you a car that won't do over 40 miles per hour...haha. The only V8 engine you're going to be around for the next 15yrs is one with me or Dad behind the wheel!

Ok, i'm off to find those pics of our new car!

And here are all of your friends eating Masala Chana.... complete with recipe!

Heres that gorgeous "from the back" shot I was talking about ..... Even from this angle, you're just TOO cute!

Again, its been a week since I got to write. I was going to write late last week, but I was in a mood. I heard from Lisa, and there's a judge in India who is driving everyone nuts, and delaying everyones plans. As much as this bothers me, I feel alot more sorry for the couple of families who actually thought that they would have travelled by now. They were reassured that they'd be first on the docket for the next court date, which would have worked brilliantly had this judge even showed up!!! The attorneys are furious, and are pushing a new judge. What doesn't help us at all, is the courts are shut the entire month of June, so the best we can now hope for is a July court date, and an August travel date. I keep telling myself this WILL happen ..... Patience has never been something I was all that good at.

On the up side of things, I had a lovely Mothers Day!! Dad and the girls were all super sweet, and my day was made perfect with great behaviour from your sisters, as well as a gorgeous bunch of pink roses, and choccies!!! I also got the coolest new cell phone...its a Razr phone, and its very pink! As you'll see around here, girly is good!

I also got to meet a really nice lady at work. I was outside, on one of my breaks, and this lady walks out with two beautiful little Chinese babies in her cart. I didn't hesitate ..I'm over there gushing about how cute they are. She gives me this look like she's sick of the questions and I should just get lost, and then I tell her that we're getting you from India!! Well, then it was a whole different story. Not only did she tell me all about how they got their twins, we also found out that we both used CHI. Becky did her homestudy too!!! We swapped phone numbers, and I'm sure we'll be seeing alot more of her! Her name is Sarah, and she's lovely.

Laura had Shaina look thru all of their photos from India, and there was only ONE of you. And ....its of your back. Thats ok though ...we appreciate her looking ...and we all decided that you have a great back, terrific ears, cute hair cut and just precious toes. See, we can make do with what little we get to see of you!!! She also put one in of your friends eating their dinner, and enclosed the recipe as its one of Shainas favourites. I'll add them to your diary tonight.

Well baby, Dad is making salad for dinner, and my evening plans got blown apart thanks to one of your sisters cancelling tonights Tivo recording for American Idol. I'm not one to point fingers too fast ... (isn't that right, MOLLY??), but instinct tells me Maddie is too young to work the remote, and both Georgia and Cassie will be really bummed when they see we don't have it!! Oh well, tomorrow night is a one hour episode for the results show, so hopefully they'll show lots of tonights performances.

Well sweet boy, I'm off to eat dinner ...but first I'll add those photo's to here!

On Saturday, Dad and I were up at the butt-crack of dawn to head to an adoption seminar in Portland. The keynote speaker was a lady by the name of Deborah Gray who is the author of a book called Attachment in Adoption. She was VERY interesting!! She talked about all sorts of ways to jumpstart the attachment process, and also gave us some great perspective on how things will be from your point of view. Another really great speaker was a lady by the name of Astrid Dabbeni, and she was from a group called Adoption Mosaic. Her workshop was all about transracial parenting. She was adopted from Colombia into an all white family. This lady was just fabulous, and I could have listened to her talk all day long. My only complaint about the workshop was that it just wasn't long enough ... (ok, and another complaint... it seemed like a bunch of the China mothers were turning it into a bit of a self-help group). They have another 5hr workshop in Portland in June, and I'd really like it if we could make it to that one.

We got to catch up with Lisa and Becky, who were also there on Saturday. They introduced us to another lady, Laura, who has adopted two girls from India. One of her girls is from the same orphanage as you, and came home in November of last year. She's going to go back thru all of their photo's with her daughter, and see if she can find you in any. Hopefully you were on camera-hog mode that day, as I'm dying to see more photo's of you. I still haven't heard anything from Debby's friends yet, with Chotu and Shivani. I'm sure they've all been really busy though. Laura has also met them, and is keen this summer to get everyone together for a play-date at the Portland Zoo. I'm hoping you'll be here in time for that!! I just think its so amazing that not only are there so many kids in this area from the exact place as you, but also that you're all so close in age! I think all of us parents are on the same page as far as making sure that you all get to keep in close contact and continue your friendships as you all get older.

After all, these kids were your brothers and sisters at SOS in India.

And again we're moving faster than the speed of light!! We received our approval from immigration for the advance processing of your orphan petition. This piece of paper is really important ...its called the I-171H, and its the copy of this that they cabled over to New Delhi, that is going to let immigration there know that you're ok to fly home with us. To get this approval usually takes a few months, but yours took only 22 days!!!!!! Here's hoping India is moving this fast!! What we need now is that NOC, so we can get a court date and then guardianship. I have everything crossed that the NOC will be taken care of by the end of this month!!

All of the books that I ordered for you a couple of months ago have finally arrived! They are gorgeous!! Your sisters have all had the chance to take a peek thru them, and now they're sitting higher up the book shelf waiting for you. We're all missing you heaps, but weeks like this last one are all good!! Your immigration is taken care of until we finalise everything in India, and you now have your own space on the bookshelf!! We just can't wait to have YOU!!