Scrapbooking classes

So I took Ali Edward's Scrapbook On The Road class and loved it! See link below:
http://aliedwards.com/shop/project-classes/scrapbook-on-the-road

So I thought I would try some more classes. I came across the post below and I thought it gave some good info. to think about when thinking about which classes to take:
http://www.scrappyjedi.com/2011/03/upcoming-online-classes-im-taking-how.html#

So I am going to take these two:

http://kellypurkey.typepad.com/its_me_kp/2011/03/sketchbook-3.html


http://amytangerine.blogspot.com/2011/03/class-is-now-in-session.html

I will letyou know how they go!

Back to the Future

This is cool:

http://irinawerning.com/back-to-the-fut/back-to-the-future/

Travel scrapbooking

After reading about this yesterday:

http://amytangerine.blogspot.com/2011/02/many-pictures-of-mini.html

I recieved an email about this today:

http://aliedwards.com/shop/project-classes/scrapbook-on-the-road

Obviously, google is reading my mind!

Adoptive couple friends

Sam's friend he games with is adopting from the Methodist Mission Home. They decided and signed up. Sam's friend and his wife saved up half and the parents paid the other half. So they have a home study in March. Is it wrong I want to be these people and am a little jealous? At the very least they can give us the scoop on everything!(:

I did find out some dirt, though. When I asked about the price increase, I was told economy. However, Sam's friend noticed that there was a big dip down in adoptions last year (stat. nerd) Anyway, they finally got MMH to tell them why. They had a mother who found out you can get money for having babies from the government, so she rode it out got free health care from MMH and then changed her mind, so she could get the $$. She came back to the campus and convinced 7 other mothers to do the same. That means there were seven tearful hopeful adoptive parents crushed. It's one thing to change your mind because you just can't go through with it after all. It's another thing to change your mind for cash. Tear. Anyway, Sam's friend thinks that's why prices went up. Kinda of a weird circumstance. They still seem one of the better agencies. Just wish prices had not gone up.

Oh, the lady I was working with at the Lutheran place is going on maternity leave! (yea another thing. Sigh!) So I get to work with her supervisor. She will be the one we interview in March. This could be good, cause she probably knows a lot of stuff.

This guy made me laugh....

His enthusiasm for weather is awesome!

http://www.weather.com/outlook/videos/cantore-surprised-by-thunder-snow-19541#19541

response

So the agency called me back. They said we could come into the program at any time. They said they had 3 birth moms right now that would be ready to look at folks with one mom due in Feb. Us and one more family would be the only ones shown because no one else was ok with african american moms. Yea, but I did lose a little faith in humanity. Really people? Its none of my business, but I am surprised that more people are not more open, but then again I am not surprised.

Then the bomb hit. The prices have gone up. Really up. I always just assumed I would be a stay at home mom. I still want to, but I also would like a kid before I am 80. They have a payment plan, but we can't make the payments if I quit. We make good money, but evidently not really enough to get a baby.

The price is high enough that we are going to look at other agencies. Back to the drawing board, I guess. I will re-call the Lutherans. They don't do sit down info. meetings, but will talk to you on the phone. I am going to request a sit down and see what they have to say. I just don't trust conversations over the phone. I can't see your body language and what you really mean. Some of Sam's friends were doing foster care through an agency in Austin I may check with them, too.

There have got to be cheaper places out there. Really, I am just kinda of sad. I just feel like once we get close to something a hurdle is thrown in our way. It happened with China, Ethiopia and now this. I just don't think it's fair, we are not rich folks and we just want a baby. That is all. Just one soft little baby. I know there must be a master plan and everything happens for a reason, but mostly I am just disillusioned and frustrated. I think I need to go take a bath and just go to bed early.

decsions/waiting

I was going to do Project 365, but I have decided to wait. I was coming off of Dec. Daily and I think the combo of both were too much. I may save my Project Life kit and document the first year of my baby's life. The kit basically sets itself up. I just need to remember to take pictures. Somehow with a new baby I think I will be inspired regularly.

Speaking of babies....
So I got a call from the adoption agency on the 10th saying they want to talk with me about the prelimanary application we sent in and said that they were looking for people to be brought into the program in Jan./Feb. I called and emailed back..several times. I am at the point that I feel like a stalker and I am wondering if something else is up. There is only one person that coordinates domestic adoptions. Maybe the coordinator is at a conference or sick. She has been prompt with replies in the past. I think next time I may just ask the front desk what is up and see if they tell me anything. I am excited, but now conused on what is happening. I had some questions I wanted to ask on timing, but so far no respose. I guess this is the stressful waiting people talk about. Boo.

Dad Labs

These guys are cool:

http://www.dadlabs.com/about-dadlabs.html

World Heritage Sites

This person is awesome! My new goal (the other being visit all radio telescpoes in the world)is visting World Heritage sites!

http://www.worldheritagesite.org/checklist.php

Only 877 more to go!

Yea

So we got an email from the agency asking if we want to come into the agency this month. (meaning Jan. I guess.) It is exciting. We are not exactly sure what this means. Does this means we are on an active list or waiting list? Are we moving through the steps on the Powerpoint or zooming through at top speed. She told me that they placed 7 families in one month. Meaning they matched them, not necessarily handed them babies. Our agency contact was out with bronchitis for a month and then went on vacation for the holidays, so we have not yet spoken to her to see what this all means and what we should be doing on our end. So far Sam and I are just cleaning out the garage and generally trying to look less like an episode of Hoarders. I have been reading Baby Bargains which was given to me as a gift. It has been super helpful. I was going to get creative and design the nursery myself, but then I decided that was insane. So I like this bedding/design: http://www.kidslineinc.com/products/infant/bunny_meadows.php
I also like the is furniture: http://www.babysdream.com/ProductBrochures/Serenity%2009.pdf
I am still deciding whether I will do cloth diapers or not. It does not look as hard as I thought it would be, but you never know until the baby is in front of you. If I did, I think I would go for the all in ones. It seems there are less steps too worry about. There will be constant washing, but isn't there anyway? Hmm. I am still thinking on that and not sure which brand I would use.

cute ad

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=M6cFmY79w9g

Dec 1 Page complete

Here is my completed page for Dec. 1:

Dec. Daily

I am going to try Ali Edward's Dec.Daily project
For my album I am using: Making Memories Mistole albulm.
The papers I added were from Stampin Up! Designer Series Paper: Deck the Halls collection and DSP: Christmas Cocoa collection. I also used My Mind's Eye: Snowed In collection and Basic Grey's Fruitcake collection. I may add bits and scraps later on, but I wanted a base to start with.
The other concept I wanted to do with this albulm is to have all my photos be iphone photos. I wanted the pictures to have a on-the-go graniy feel to represent the on-the-go crazy of Dec. I am going for a snapshot travel albulm feel. That is why I am keeping the albulm small at 8X8 (that is my fave scrap size anyway.)
So here are are few pictures of the albulm before I put anything in it:

Rad!

http://www.novica.com/

Found this link from the Do They Have Salsa in China blog. (see link under blogs I read to the right)

Friday Fave

http://www.pier1.com/Catalog/Furniture/Furniture/tabid/519/CategoryID/155/List/0/Level/a/ProductID/28398/ProductName/Dana-Embroidered-Slipcover/Default.aspx

Holiday Card Time

My favorites:

http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/cards-stationery/top-ten-moments-christmas-card-5x7-flat


http://www.kwernerdesign.com/blog/?p=4376

Two Things

1.) We sent the preliminary application for our adoption to the agency. They have 60 days to review it and then will call us about whether they will let us go with thier agency or not.

2.) Love this!
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/nookcolor/kids/index.asp?cds2Pid=35583

Disney

Walt Disney World is full of magic! They are serious about it and I bought right into it gleefully.

We have picked an agency

Sam and I have decided that we are going to use The Methodist Mission Home as our adoption agency. Really it came down to we liked what we saw in person. They seemed pretty straight forward, which was refreshing. Also, the gal in charge of domestic adoptions answers my questions right away on email, even if they make no sense.

We have to fill out an initial application to see if we can move forward to the actual contractual stuff. The initial application takes about 60 days to assess. We are planning to fill this out once we get back from out Fl trip (extend stay at World Disney World after Sharis' conference ends)One of the things we have to do is give them a family picture. We wanted to do one with the dogs, but mostly it went awry. Evidently dogs don't sit still for pictures, hate flashes are generally looked too big or kujo-like in the finished picture. If you know our heelers they are very cute and friendly. Any kid would *heart* them. Anyway, we have decided to send a separate picture of just Sam and I and a separate picture of the dogs looking at treats. Hopefully, this will work out well.

raining crazily

It's raining horizontal. My dogs are living it up inside. I am drenched because I went home to let them outside to go to the bathroom. The dogs immediately got drenched, so I am sure the house smells like wet dog. Sweet!. The wind is gusting, so even though I had a raincoat, umbrella and rain boots I am soaked. Luckily my hair is naturally curly and actually looks good.