Where has the time gone?

I cannot believe that 12/4/08 will be a year already since I began searching for a child, whom I will call Nicholas Angelo through internation adoption. The time just fly by. I went from being a total novice to just about everyone related to international adoption to where I am now....still in a fog. LOL Just kidding.

I also can't believe all the items I have 'accumulated' for Nicholas. Just tonight my Mom said to me "Georgeanne what's in those boxes along side the secretary?" I giggled and she just said.....are ALL those for Nicholas too? lol I might have mentioned in a previous post that my Stepfather brought a bunch of boxes to store in our place in Pennsylvania. Retail therapy does wonders for me. Plus I love a good bargain!!

Anyhoo..I'm off to la la land for I am totally exhausted from three days of Christmas shopping. My poor credit card..oye. When I swiped it for the last items tonight the poor things let out a puff of smoke...he he he

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We all have lots to be thankful for.

Now, on to Christmas!

Bells will be ringing....(blah blah, I'll spare you...)

I love you Nicholas Angelo

xo Mommy

Scrapbooking & Blogging??!

While reading my current Parenting magazine issue, I came across a website that some of you guys might be interested in. I'll be checking it out, as soon as I mop my floors. Mom has a Chihuahua (Taco, puppy) whom when left out of sight for more than a few minutes, will 'mark' his area. He has NO joke, NO source of income, therefore, he has NO area!! Ugh, anyway. I'll be checking out the site, let me know what you guys think of it: Here it is..

www.scrapblog.com Enjoy..

Looking back to the past?

www.facebook.com It seems to be a great site for reconnecting with your old friends and such. Yeah, another sucky post!! Sorry....

On to new technology.

We had Verizon FIOS installed over the weekend and after ironing out a few wrinkles, it's great! I just LOVE my DVR. Any other Days of Our Lives fans out there!!

Ok I know, it's NOT such a fascinating post but...it's all I have at the moment. Oh yeah, I have the best-est friend in the whoooooooole wide world. ANDREA.

Until next time, I hope I have something better to post.

I love you Nicholas!

LOVE, Auntie Andrea!

Look at this amazing outfit that I found in the mail today. Auntie Andrea is the most special Aunt Nicholas has. She is always so thoughtful, if not in gifts, in her thoughts. We love her and so appreciate her in our lives.

xo

Hawai'i

Sun just about to rise.

Nicholas' stretchy on my brother!

(hotel) everything is open/airy.

Beach (obviously)

USS Arizona Memorial @ Pearl Harbor

USS Arizona

Sunset (I didn't take this, I cheated)

Again, easy to figure out.

Another Sun about to rise.

Mom and brother, as we arrived.

My brother Patrick & I~Dallas layover

I don't have all of those breathtaking/picturesque shots....I'll have to go back again, with Nicholas and take more......OK?

ALOHA

Aloha from Waikiki Beach, Hawai'i. The weather is fantastic, the locals very friendly and some y too.....whooooohooooo. Before you know it, I'll be back in the big city, fussing about the chilly weather. Speaking of weather, it's been a steady mid EIGHTIES since day one.

OK, time to read a few more blogs then head to the shuttle...going parasailing! NO Gale, I'm just a spectator..lol

Nicholas, Mommy bought you some cute things......xoxo

Where I'll be for the next 10 days!

www.princess-kaiulani.com

Falling in love with FALL...

I just love this time of year. The leaves are changing, the winds are brisk, the coloring are becoming more and more vibrant...ah. I can imagine Nicholas running through a pile of freshing raked-leaves!! Well, more like swept leaves. I live in the city, we don't have 'property' with much grass etc. So, a broom it is!! My girlfriend Andrea's home must be so wonderful at about now.....get some foliage pictures for me girlie!! And post on your blog, will ya! Geez.

Other than daydreaming, the only other thing going on here is home improvements. My Mom just had new hardwood floors installed, baseboard mouldings, etc etc etc....oh the mess. After seeing her work being done, I am now having work done (more mess). The room that will be Nicholas' (when he gets here but is mine for now) I had beadboard & mouldings installed, it will be painted soft/warm colors. I'll take pictures and post them once it's all done and the mess is cleared away. UGH I HATE THIS MESSSSSSSSSSS. And finally, a new bathroom vanity/faucet and ceramic tile flooring. That should be it for now.

Ok...I'm going to have a bite to eat, I'm starving.....

I love you Nicholas Angelo...

JCICS Postings..

Joint Council Update

Program Advocacy
Date October 14, 2008
Regarding I-600A Process

Dear Families & Friends,
After advocating on behalf of adoptive families for the past 6 months, Joint Council is very pleased to confirm that USCIS has announced a very positive ruling concerning the I-600A process.

In summary, it is our understanding that, effective immediately, families who filed Form I-600A, Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition, prior to April 1, 2008 and whose USCIS approval of that petition (aka the I-171H) has not expired, will be able to proceed with their adoption under the I-600A process if they take certain steps while their approval remain valid. This means that families with valid Form I-600A approvals will not be required to transition to The Hague process via Form I-800A. In order to maintain their status as ‘grandfathered’ cases, families with non-expired Form I-600A approvals must request a one-time free extension. Then, prior to the expiration of the one-time free extension, families must file a new Form I-600A and pay the appropriate fee.

It is also our understanding that families with a Form I-600A approval that has expired and who have not obtained an extension or filed a new Form I-600A, will need to undertake the Hague process. The Hague process will also apply to any petitioner who has not completed their adoption by 2014.

As we noted in our Position Statement, this ruling will save adoptive families thousands of dollars, eliminate countless sleepless nights and ensures that their adoption can proceed to completion.

On behalf of over 10,000 adoptive families, Joint Council extends its appreciation to the following individuals and organizations for their tireless efforts.
· Diane Kunz, Executive Director of the Center for Adoption Policy
· Dianne Pearce, Waiting Parent and Co-Organizer of the Fairness for Families Petition
· Debbie Reynolds, Joint Council China Caucus Co-Chairperson
· Kathleen Strottman, Executive Director of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute
· David Yurkovich, Waiting Parent and Co-Organizer of the Fairness for Families Petition
· Members of the United States Congress
· United States Citizenship and Immigration Services
We offer our collective congratulations to everyone who participated in the Joint Council Call-To-Action and the Adoption for All: Fairness for Families petition. And we also send our congratulations to all who participated in the countless meetings, conference calls and emails over the past 6-months. Joint Council is built on a principle of collaboration and this very successful effort clearly demonstrates this principle in action. Our collective voice is definitely stronger than any singular organization or individual.
Joint Council notes that our interpretation of the ruling is offered as a courtesy only and should not be used in making determinations or decisions. Please refer to the full text of the announcements by USCIS which can be found at USCIS Announcement and USCIS Q&A in making any decisions.
Joint Council will provide more specifics as they become available and asks you to visit our website for the latest news and updates.


Best Wishes & Congratulations,

Tom

Not too much going on here except furniture moving, picking out paint colors. UGH. My apartment is a messssssssssssssssssss. I tossed my bed, haven't picked up a new one yet, sleeping on an air-mattress, which really isn't too bad to be honest. Things are all over the place. My poor dogs don't know which way to walk. But they didn't have a problem finding me on the air-mattress. I swear, if I slept on a bed of nails, they'd be right there beside me.

Oh well, time to get back to trying to figure out all of my cd's/dvd's and other entertainment center items.

Hope all is well with everyone.

FiveInTheHive, if you should ever read this, all the best as you travel to meet/pick up Sam & Eli.....

Nicholas, Mommy's with ya..........in heart.

Update...

The following is an excerpt from CHI's weekly update:

• This week I did receive some information from our representative inVietnam that the US has sent an official letter to the Vietnamesegovernment requesting a meeting for the end of October. I believe thatthey will be sending officials over from the US to meet withVietnamese authorities regarding the new agreement. So this is VERYpositive news that they are actually having a face to face meeting. We don't expect that the agreement will be reached at this time as Iam sure there will be many meetings regarding the details of the newagreement before both sides actually sign. There was still no newinformation regarding the return of dossiers. We will let you know assoon as we hear of a meeting being scheduled or details of such a meeting.
  I'm happy reading that....one step in the right direction. Is it over tomorrow no, but it's further than where we were last night. Nicholas, Mommy's coming.........as soon as she can.

My new phone...worth posting, no but...oh well. LOL

I love this bedding design/color scheme!!

Aunt Andrea...

My Grandma picked up some of those BRECK products for you and the baby.....oh tay?!?! xoxo

Wuv, Ni-kew-wis

Any questions????

The weekend purchase pics

Weekend purchases...

So, over the weekend, while in PA, Mom and I passed a yard sale and the lady had some nice things.......but what jumped out at me was this stroller! Yep, I bought it! It is in fantastic condition too! It's a Graco Coach Rider, in like a greenish tan. I left it at our place in PA. No sense in storing it here...won't need it for a while! The best part is...she was asking 30.00 for the stroller or 50.00 for both the car seat and stroller. I only wanted the stroller since I will buy a car seat new. I got the stroller for 25.00! Not a bad deal. She also had 6 or so, different ouce, brand new plastic bottles.....oh crap, are they BPA-free? hmmm and also two car window visors, all for the asking price of 3.00. Great deals make me smile. At the babiesrus in Scranton, PA, I browsed past the clearance rack and raked it in. I bought about 7-8 pieces totally like 14.00 :o)

Nicholas, your crazy mother is trying to get ready for you little man. Auntie Andrea sends her love too..

Seven years later...

and this is all still fresh in my mind!

JCICS Update, as of 9-8-08

"September 8, 2008Following our update of September 1, 2008, it is Joint Council'sunderstanding that the Government of Vietnam has issued a formaldiplomatic note to the United States Government naming a high rankingVietnamese official as Vietnam's lead negotiator and also requestingthat both governments begin negotiations towards a new Memorandum ofAgreement regarding intercountry adoption. Joint Council applauds the Government of Vietnam for taking this veryimportant step and encourages the U.S. Government to respond in a mostpositive manner. For more information on the ongoing diplomacy, pleasevisit the State Department's website."

Looks good to me! (thank you Lord!!)