Allen has been trying to make some phone calls this week to see where our paperwork is at. He called me this afternoon after finally getting through to some LIVE people. We learned that our paperwork was sent to the National Visa Center (which is part of the US State Department). On September 5th, they forwarded it to the US Embassy in Manila. That, of course was almost two weeks ago. We were told that we should receive a letter any day indicating the appropriate travel times. One person told Allen that she was a bit surprised that we hadn't received that notification yet, but told us to watch for it sometime this week. We still don't have any concrete dates (and this information is still a bit vague), but it sounds as if things are indeed moving in the right direction.
Thank you for your supportive and kind words as we wait. Please keep praying for this to be over soon. We are trying to be patient, but not having very much success. We'll keep you posted!
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
SKYPE CALL
Tonight we had a skype call with our kids. They all looked great and had just started the school day. We talked to each of them one at a time tonight. Sometimes it is easier than trying to engage all of them at once. As much as we love doing these calls, it is becoming more difficult all the time to do them. We usually carry the conversation and try to ask questions about their life in Cebu, but it is often challenging to know what to talk about. They talk a little bit, but sometimes the audio is not the greatest. They are also a bit unsure about their English. I really hope all this waiting will come to a close soon.
Romeo's birthday is on November 4. We asked him what he would like for his 12th birthday. He said that he would like a kite. I loved that answer! There is something so pure and simple about asking for a kite. At CSC the kids make their own kites out of the twigs in a broom and plastic bags. I suggested that when he comes home with us that we must bring a broom so he can show us how to make a kite. In the meantime, maybe I'll start looking for a kite.
We sent some pictures and Bluejacket t-shirts to our kids when Joel Reasoner went back to CSC. I had to guess on the shirt sizes and it appears that I was a little bit off. Rodrigo got the smallest t-shirt that I could find. He is swimming in it. Romeo's shirt is a little snug, but I think that Roselyn's shirt is JUST right. It was fun to get this picture to see them in their Cambridge-Isanti shirts. We will surely invest in some CI sweatshirts when they arrive.
Romeo's birthday is on November 4. We asked him what he would like for his 12th birthday. He said that he would like a kite. I loved that answer! There is something so pure and simple about asking for a kite. At CSC the kids make their own kites out of the twigs in a broom and plastic bags. I suggested that when he comes home with us that we must bring a broom so he can show us how to make a kite. In the meantime, maybe I'll start looking for a kite.
We sent some pictures and Bluejacket t-shirts to our kids when Joel Reasoner went back to CSC. I had to guess on the shirt sizes and it appears that I was a little bit off. Rodrigo got the smallest t-shirt that I could find. He is swimming in it. Romeo's shirt is a little snug, but I think that Roselyn's shirt is JUST right. It was fun to get this picture to see them in their Cambridge-Isanti shirts. We will surely invest in some CI sweatshirts when they arrive.
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
"Do not withhold good from those who deserve it
when it is in your power to act." Proverbs 3:27
when it is in your power to act." Proverbs 3:27
Sunday, September 14, 2008
THEY HAVE ARRIVED!
No, not the kids. Sorry! However, Allen's new glasses DID make their debut appearance this week. Thursday afternoon, Allen looked at me and said, "Mary, do you notice anything different about me?" I turned around to get a good look at him. My first thought was his hair. His hair does grow very fast and and it seems that he goes to get it cut about every 3 weeks.
Just as I was about to say something, I caught myself and took a second look. Thankfully, my quick thinking saved me from giving the wrong answer. It wasn't his hair, it was his glasses! I said (with much enthusiasm) "YOU GOT YOUR NEW GLASSES!!! WOW, I REALLY LIKE THEM!" He smiled and walked over so I could get a closer look. Ever so gently, he said, "Yes Mary, I have had my glasses since Monday and have been waiting for you to notice. I decided to give you until today to say something." Well, once again, I failed to notice how great my husband looked...with his new and different specs. I apologized profusely...again. Allen is truly a good person because he didn't seem too offended or rattled about the whole ordeal. I suppose he is used to it! Anyway, if you see my very handsome husband, take a look-see at his new glasses. They are very COOl...just like him!
Just as I was about to say something, I caught myself and took a second look. Thankfully, my quick thinking saved me from giving the wrong answer. It wasn't his hair, it was his glasses! I said (with much enthusiasm) "YOU GOT YOUR NEW GLASSES!!! WOW, I REALLY LIKE THEM!" He smiled and walked over so I could get a closer look. Ever so gently, he said, "Yes Mary, I have had my glasses since Monday and have been waiting for you to notice. I decided to give you until today to say something." Well, once again, I failed to notice how great my husband looked...with his new and different specs. I apologized profusely...again. Allen is truly a good person because he didn't seem too offended or rattled about the whole ordeal. I suppose he is used to it! Anyway, if you see my very handsome husband, take a look-see at his new glasses. They are very COOl...just like him!
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
TWO FILLINGS
My last visit to the dentist was not a good one. He found two cavities. Bummer! I hate it when I get cavities!! I grew up on a farm where their was no fluoride in the water. At that time, there was no fluoride rinse at school either and I probably wasn't that great of a brusher. It wasn't uncommon for me to have 5, 6 or 7 cavities when I went to the dentist. I know that is really sick and a bit embarrassing, but it is simply the truth. Needless to say, I am no stranger to Novocain and needles in my mouth. My dental hygiene has improved over the years and it has been quite a while since I have needed a "drilling". But my time had come. Yesterday was the day and I'd like to tell you about it.
I arrived a bit late because of a really slow car in front of me.
I walked into the front door and was immediately escorted to Room #2 and my special recliner.
They didn't waste any time putting my bib on and swabbing my mouth (which was fine with me).
I usually close my eyes when they ask me to open my mouth. I wonder if that is what everyone else does??? They have that nice seagull mobile hanging from the ceiling, but I prefer the darkness.
"This is going to pinch a little bit." That's my cue. Here come that GIANT needle. I try not to look, but usually peek just to see just how GIANT the needle really is. It's a wonder I don't pass out. And yes, it PINCHES, all right.
Somewhere in there, the cotton ball and a clamp is placed to keep my lip out of the way. It's humiliating and yet, necessary.
Next comes the drill...that high pitched noise that we all have nightmares about.
Drill, drill, drill.
"This will VIBRATE a bit." Thats an understatement! It's a nice way of telling me to prepare for the jackhammer. Whoa! The cavities must have been pretty big because the jackhammer part seemed kind of intense.
Oh- don't forget the water spray and vacuum tubes. The assistant operating these tubes was quite good. My cheek got sucked up in the tube only two times!!
Back to the drill. Drill, drill, drill. Jackhammer a bit more...drill, drill drill.
Finally, they start filling the tooth with that bad smelling stuff. Push, squeak, squeak, push, squeak, push again...harder.
I know that I am almost finished when the clamp and the cotton comes out. Yeah!!
"Gently bite and grind your teeth back and forth." At this point, I feel nothing on the left side of my face. It is totally numb...and I kind of like it! I'm always kind of sad when the feeling comes back.
It's over and time to get out of my recliner.
Last instructions: "Don't chew on the left side of your mouth for 24 hours or we could possibly have to go in and do it all over."
Yikes! You can bet that I followed instructions on that one to a tea. No way was I repeating that.
Not sure why I decided to blog about my trip to the dentist. Make no mistake, this little essay has nothing to do with my dentist. I'm perfectly happy with my dentist and I think he is a very nice guy. For those of you who have never had a filling...maybe this has shed some light on that matter. For the rest of you, I feel your pain.
I arrived a bit late because of a really slow car in front of me.
I walked into the front door and was immediately escorted to Room #2 and my special recliner.
They didn't waste any time putting my bib on and swabbing my mouth (which was fine with me).
I usually close my eyes when they ask me to open my mouth. I wonder if that is what everyone else does??? They have that nice seagull mobile hanging from the ceiling, but I prefer the darkness.
"This is going to pinch a little bit." That's my cue. Here come that GIANT needle. I try not to look, but usually peek just to see just how GIANT the needle really is. It's a wonder I don't pass out. And yes, it PINCHES, all right.
Somewhere in there, the cotton ball and a clamp is placed to keep my lip out of the way. It's humiliating and yet, necessary.
Next comes the drill...that high pitched noise that we all have nightmares about.
Drill, drill, drill.
"This will VIBRATE a bit." Thats an understatement! It's a nice way of telling me to prepare for the jackhammer. Whoa! The cavities must have been pretty big because the jackhammer part seemed kind of intense.
Oh- don't forget the water spray and vacuum tubes. The assistant operating these tubes was quite good. My cheek got sucked up in the tube only two times!!
Back to the drill. Drill, drill, drill. Jackhammer a bit more...drill, drill drill.
Finally, they start filling the tooth with that bad smelling stuff. Push, squeak, squeak, push, squeak, push again...harder.
I know that I am almost finished when the clamp and the cotton comes out. Yeah!!
"Gently bite and grind your teeth back and forth." At this point, I feel nothing on the left side of my face. It is totally numb...and I kind of like it! I'm always kind of sad when the feeling comes back.
It's over and time to get out of my recliner.
Last instructions: "Don't chew on the left side of your mouth for 24 hours or we could possibly have to go in and do it all over."
Yikes! You can bet that I followed instructions on that one to a tea. No way was I repeating that.
Not sure why I decided to blog about my trip to the dentist. Make no mistake, this little essay has nothing to do with my dentist. I'm perfectly happy with my dentist and I think he is a very nice guy. For those of you who have never had a filling...maybe this has shed some light on that matter. For the rest of you, I feel your pain.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
OUR KIDS
Today I sat down to waste some time at the computer. I am amazed at how often I run to my desk during the day to check for messages, or catch up on blogs, or look at the latest news... or blog. I know that I am spending more time in this chair now than I will a few months from now. It does help to give me a good understand of why kids spend endless hours on Facebook. It's addicting! Just for the record, my kids have forbid me to have an account on Facebook. I guess I am too old or something :) All of that is to say that... today I spent several hours just rearranging pictures...looking at blogs...checking the news... and this and that. I spent most of my time looking at the CSC website. I hadn't been there for a while and I started sifting through bunches of pictures...mostly looking for our three darlings. I found some that I hadn't seen before. It's so great to see them in different places doing different things. These were a few of my favorites. I love finding pics where the kids are together. Anyway...enjoy!
A DIP IN THE POOL
The kids at CSC recently had a reading contest. The children had a goal of so many pages to read within a certain amount of time. If they reached their goal, their reward was to throw Uncle Paul into the pool. As we have communicated with our kids these last few weeks, they have given us updates on how many pages they had read. They were very excited about the contest. Well, the kids did their work and the reward came to pass. Here are a few pics of Paul being thrown into the pool. I think it is so funny as the pool is quite small and Paul is quite tall. I'm sure it was a challenge trying to pick Paul up and THROW him into the pool, but I know it was a big hit with the kids!
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