Friday, August 21, 2009
Bedroom Re-Do
Doug decided we needed to re-do what was Kate's nursrey into a Seahawks themed room in anticipation of the boy we will be adopting. First, you can see two pictures of what it used to look like. This first wall shows a paint 'treatment' that we abandoned after one wall. Thank you to all who humored me by telling me you liked it. I thought it was near-to-awful, so I was not sad to see it go.
Though the camera doesn't really capture it, the other 3 walls were green. And there was popcorn ceiling, which has been removed.
New room, with Seahawk colors. The only thing not showing in this picture are the Seahawk curtains that I'll be making sometime in the next year (ha ha). Take note of our skilled work with the chair and crown moulding!
The Spiderman poster that we inherited with the room still stays.
The shelves were originally going to be on the wall to the left, just next to the door. But because it is a pocket door, there are no studs to adhear the bracket to. So, a quick redesign moved them over to the right.
Though the camera doesn't really capture it, the other 3 walls were green. And there was popcorn ceiling, which has been removed.
New room, with Seahawk colors. The only thing not showing in this picture are the Seahawk curtains that I'll be making sometime in the next year (ha ha). Take note of our skilled work with the chair and crown moulding!
The Spiderman poster that we inherited with the room still stays.
The shelves were originally going to be on the wall to the left, just next to the door. But because it is a pocket door, there are no studs to adhear the bracket to. So, a quick redesign moved them over to the right.
Kate v. Rose Bush
Kate and I were gardening yesterday when she decided to have a close encounter with a rose bush. It all happened so fast! She was understandibly upset, but pretty reasonable about me taking the thorns out of her skin. You have to look closely at her left cheek, but you can see her warrior wounds. 
Bathroom before and after
Before.
After.
After.
After 3 years, we finally repainted the bathroom. It is no longer poop brown. Never a good color for a bathroom. We also refinished the stain on the cabinets (that's another story for another day), painted the ceiling and put in new towel fixtures. I'm quite happy with the result.
14-month self-portrait (finally)
The picture was taken a couple of days late, but I don't think that will nominate me for "Bad Mommy of the Year". Another thing you should know. Every time I type the word 'month' for these entries, it starts off as 'moth' and I have to fix it. Sigh.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Adoption updates
I know I said I'd be writing more frequently about this whole process, but I feel like I've been so busy this summer, blogging has fell by the way side. Of course, I'll be saying the same thing when school starts up . . .
In mid June we met with Carol, the adoption lady at Catholic Community Services. Heard about the different programs they offer. We could adopt a Korean baby for $25, 000. Or hold our breath with a private state-side adoption for about $20,000.
ORRR, we could go with the program we thought we'd be going with any ways. The Foster-to-Adopt program, for about $1000. It feels weird to be making our decision so much on money, but we certainly don't have the funds for the multi-thousand dollar options.
Carol gave us a big packet of paperwork to fill out. She'll be helping coordinate the adoption side of this process. But in the meantime, she referred us to Jess who will be working with us on the foster care part of the foster-to-adopt process.
We met with Jess about a week later (so make this late June). She was very helpful in explaining the process we would be going through. Another BIG packet of paper work. This time to become a licensed foster care home. In addition to the paper work, we need to be free of TB, up to date on our 1st aid/ CPR, take 27 hours of training, pass a criminal background check, get fingerprinted, make sure the cats' vaccinations are up to date, figure out how to lock up all the medications in the house (not just out of reach - LOCKED UP), and a small check list of other small things.
Jess explained that once we were licensed (which I anticipate being officially licensed some time in October), a child could be place in our care at about any time. We are looking for a kid who is legally free, or near to it. Being legally free means that the birth parents' rights have been terminated and the child is able to be adopted. Jess is sort of our yenta (can you have a yenta in a Catholic organization?), as she will be our conduit to the state and the children in the state system who are eligible for adoption. Her goal (and ours!) is to find the best match for the given child and our family.
I will say that one of the scariest unknowns in the process is that you just don't know that much about the child before they come into your home. And while there is at least a 6 month period between placement and when the adoption could become finalized, no one really wants to do 'take backs'. Hard for everyone involved. But we have great faith in Jess (have a really good feeling about her). And in someways, it is like having a child join your family at birth. You still don't know what you are going to get until the kid comes out of the womb. It's just that this child will likely be a little bit older. (up to 5 years old, in our case.)
Some of the 'highlights' of our paperwork: yes, I will feed the child; yes, I will dress the child appropriately; no, I will not abuse the child.
Highlights of our 27 hour training? The 673 page book of 'useful' information. The woman who had ridiculous questions/ anecdotes. Yep. That's abou it. I'm pretty sure I've blocked out the rest of the worst of it.
Oh, I really should have done a few smaller blogs along the way on this topic. But this highlights the last couple of months. Feel free to ask questions. No secrets to be had here!
In mid June we met with Carol, the adoption lady at Catholic Community Services. Heard about the different programs they offer. We could adopt a Korean baby for $25, 000. Or hold our breath with a private state-side adoption for about $20,000.
ORRR, we could go with the program we thought we'd be going with any ways. The Foster-to-Adopt program, for about $1000. It feels weird to be making our decision so much on money, but we certainly don't have the funds for the multi-thousand dollar options.
Carol gave us a big packet of paperwork to fill out. She'll be helping coordinate the adoption side of this process. But in the meantime, she referred us to Jess who will be working with us on the foster care part of the foster-to-adopt process.
We met with Jess about a week later (so make this late June). She was very helpful in explaining the process we would be going through. Another BIG packet of paper work. This time to become a licensed foster care home. In addition to the paper work, we need to be free of TB, up to date on our 1st aid/ CPR, take 27 hours of training, pass a criminal background check, get fingerprinted, make sure the cats' vaccinations are up to date, figure out how to lock up all the medications in the house (not just out of reach - LOCKED UP), and a small check list of other small things.
Jess explained that once we were licensed (which I anticipate being officially licensed some time in October), a child could be place in our care at about any time. We are looking for a kid who is legally free, or near to it. Being legally free means that the birth parents' rights have been terminated and the child is able to be adopted. Jess is sort of our yenta (can you have a yenta in a Catholic organization?), as she will be our conduit to the state and the children in the state system who are eligible for adoption. Her goal (and ours!) is to find the best match for the given child and our family.
I will say that one of the scariest unknowns in the process is that you just don't know that much about the child before they come into your home. And while there is at least a 6 month period between placement and when the adoption could become finalized, no one really wants to do 'take backs'. Hard for everyone involved. But we have great faith in Jess (have a really good feeling about her). And in someways, it is like having a child join your family at birth. You still don't know what you are going to get until the kid comes out of the womb. It's just that this child will likely be a little bit older. (up to 5 years old, in our case.)
Some of the 'highlights' of our paperwork: yes, I will feed the child; yes, I will dress the child appropriately; no, I will not abuse the child.
Highlights of our 27 hour training? The 673 page book of 'useful' information. The woman who had ridiculous questions/ anecdotes. Yep. That's abou it. I'm pretty sure I've blocked out the rest of the worst of it.
Oh, I really should have done a few smaller blogs along the way on this topic. But this highlights the last couple of months. Feel free to ask questions. No secrets to be had here!
Cars
I hate spending money on car maintenance. And this week all four cars that park in our driveway need oil changes. And two of them need new batteries. Sigh.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Finally, MN
Our purpose for the MN destination was to visit Doug's Aunt Mary. Kate and Mary took to each other very quickly. Here, Kate and Mary are playing cards.
And we all had a great time watching the Twins defeat the White Sox.
And Kate loved the monkeys at the Zoo.
It was a great time. (Can you tell I'm tired, and the narrative is getting brief?)
And we all had a great time watching the Twins defeat the White Sox.
And Kate loved the monkeys at the Zoo.
It was a great time. (Can you tell I'm tired, and the narrative is getting brief?)The last leg before MN
We missed Wall Drug, the famed place where you can get free ice water and 5-cent coffee because Kate was taking a much needed nap in the car.
But we did get to see the Mitchell Corn Palace, which was a great combination of kitchy and coolness. It's covered with murals made of corn cobs, and they've been putting new murals up for over 100 years.
The only sad part about this stop is that we weren't able to pick up New Jersey for our license plate game. To make it more challenging, we had two rules. One, we both had to see it. Two, it couldn't be in parking lot. We were visiting too many touristy locations, and I thought that would make things too easy.
But we did get to see the Mitchell Corn Palace, which was a great combination of kitchy and coolness. It's covered with murals made of corn cobs, and they've been putting new murals up for over 100 years.
The only sad part about this stop is that we weren't able to pick up New Jersey for our license plate game. To make it more challenging, we had two rules. One, we both had to see it. Two, it couldn't be in parking lot. We were visiting too many touristy locations, and I thought that would make things too easy.On the return trip, we ammended the parking lot rule, in an attempt to get all 50. But we didn't see NJ after Mitchell. There were about 8 other states we didn't get, but it was fun to look.
From WY to SD
These pictures uploaded in reverse order of when we visited them. But I can't seem to move them around. Oh well.
We didn't cover as much distance this day, but we did see A LOT of sites. The most disappointing was the city of Deadwood, SD. This is where Wild Buffalo Bill and Calamity Jane hung around. The only good part was the cemetary, were they (along with other city notables) were burried. It was the only real part of the town. The rest was crass commercialism behind somewhat historic looking storefronts.
Calamity Jane.
Buffalo Bill.
We didn't cover as much distance this day, but we did see A LOT of sites. The most disappointing was the city of Deadwood, SD. This is where Wild Buffalo Bill and Calamity Jane hung around. The only good part was the cemetary, were they (along with other city notables) were burried. It was the only real part of the town. The rest was crass commercialism behind somewhat historic looking storefronts.
Calamity Jane.
Buffalo Bill.
After Deadwood, we took what felt like the slowest road ever to see Mt. Rushmore. I wish we had more time to spend there, but we were nearing the end of the day.
And not that much farther, down another slow road, is the Crazy Horse monument. They are still working on it, but you can see the profile of his face.
Much earlier in the day, we visited Devil's Tower. It was definitely the coolest part of the day. Doug's been wanting to see it since he saw "Close Encounters".
There was a 1.3 mile trail around the base, and it made a nice family walk.
And just outside the park, there was a prairie dog colony. It was soooooo cool to see all those little creatures. This is my best picture of one, just to remind me of how fun it was to watch them. I could have watched them for hours.
And not that much farther, down another slow road, is the Crazy Horse monument. They are still working on it, but you can see the profile of his face.
Much earlier in the day, we visited Devil's Tower. It was definitely the coolest part of the day. Doug's been wanting to see it since he saw "Close Encounters".
There was a 1.3 mile trail around the base, and it made a nice family walk.
And just outside the park, there was a prairie dog colony. It was soooooo cool to see all those little creatures. This is my best picture of one, just to remind me of how fun it was to watch them. I could have watched them for hours.
On the road, part 2
After leaving CDA, we drove across Montana via I-90 (actually ending inside of Wyoming). And I don't care what anyone says. I think driving across MT is a beatiful road trip. We returned via I-94, and I found both routes just wonderful. Long, but wonderful. Maybe it's the length that people have an issue with. Because I have to tell you, driving across most of SD and ND is okay, but pretty boring after a while, especially in comparison to MT.
Getting back to the first day post-Idaho, toward the end of the day we stopped and the Little Bighorn National Monument. Doug was out here when he was 15, and he remembers it just telling the "white man's" side of the story. Well, in the early 90's the monument added the Native American part of the story. I found it to be a moving monument.
Kate was willing to be held for the briefest of moment, before running to play in the dirt and rocks. She was glad to be out of the car!
This is where Custer and his men took their last stand. The markers are where the soldiers fell (the dark one is Custer's).
The iron sculpture was part of the Native American monument.
Getting back to the first day post-Idaho, toward the end of the day we stopped and the Little Bighorn National Monument. Doug was out here when he was 15, and he remembers it just telling the "white man's" side of the story. Well, in the early 90's the monument added the Native American part of the story. I found it to be a moving monument.
Kate was willing to be held for the briefest of moment, before running to play in the dirt and rocks. She was glad to be out of the car!
This is where Custer and his men took their last stand. The markers are where the soldiers fell (the dark one is Custer's). 
The iron sculpture was part of the Native American monument.
More from CDA
These are all picutres from Marla and Suzi's cameras.
Suzi, Marla and I, on the boat tour.
Owen, Marla, Kate, and I in the shallows of the lake. (Marla and I are both sitting.) Playing in the water was a lot of fun.
Mom and Dad. In the background is the resort we stayed at.
Kate, me, Seth. Beatrix, and Owen. (In clockwise order.)
Group photo (minus Doug, who was doing laundry.)
Suzi, Marla and I, on the boat tour.
Owen, Marla, Kate, and I in the shallows of the lake. (Marla and I are both sitting.) Playing in the water was a lot of fun. Mom and Dad. In the background is the resort we stayed at.Kate, me, Seth. Beatrix, and Owen. (In clockwise order.)
Group photo (minus Doug, who was doing laundry.)
One the road
Well, here are the first of a few postings covering our 2 week vacation. We had been on the road for less than a hour, when Kate decided it was time for a nap. This is the shot just before the rest of her face disappeared into the blanket for an hour.
The trip started out in Coure d'Alene with a little Oshel Family reunion. Here are Doug and Kate's grandma helping her walk up a hill.
And having fun in a swing.
Marla and Owen, sharing a smile over the yodelling pickle. (No, I'm not kidding.)
It was time to get Kate a bath. And more kids just kept on joining. Even Seth joined in on the action later.
Kate and I on a boat tour of the lake.
Abigail chasing Kate around on the boat. I love the hair-flying look of this action shot.
The trip started out in Coure d'Alene with a little Oshel Family reunion. Here are Doug and Kate's grandma helping her walk up a hill.
And having fun in a swing.
Marla and Owen, sharing a smile over the yodelling pickle. (No, I'm not kidding.)
It was time to get Kate a bath. And more kids just kept on joining. Even Seth joined in on the action later.
Kate and I on a boat tour of the lake.
Abigail chasing Kate around on the boat. I love the hair-flying look of this action shot.
Hangin' with the Fullers
Doug's sister and her family came to visit earlier on the month. Zach and Syd absolutely loved playing with Kate, even arguing (and only a little) over who would get to hold her next. Below you'll see a couple of pictures from our ferry ride to Whidbey Island and from our trip to the aquarium. (I know they are out of order, but I'm too tired to care right now.)
Zach was feeding Kate snacks in the car.
Kate LOVED watching the fish.
She even pretended she was an octopus.
And she touched a starfish, though she wasn't too sure about the whole experience. Once was enough for now.
Zach was feeding Kate snacks in the car.
Kate LOVED watching the fish.
She even pretended she was an octopus.
And she touched a starfish, though she wasn't too sure about the whole experience. Once was enough for now.
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