It's Official: I'm a DQ

OY!!! So this afternoon, after a nice bike ride over to my friends house, while swimming in the pool- I got stung by a bee. HOLY COW those SUCKERS HURT!!!!! Anyway, I was stung in my neck. I tried to remain calm and straight away took 25mg of Benadryl and put ice on it. I was really trying not to make a big deal of it- as Gabi was right there.

Well, anyone who knows Howie probably knows that he is SEVERELY allergic to bee stings. In fact, in September after being stung in the neck he spent 5 hours in the trauma unit at Strong. They couldn't "get him out of it", as the Dr. so eloquently put it.

Anyone who knows me probably knows that I am a FREAK when it comes to even the slightest possibility that there may be something physically wrong with me. I have more somatic symptoms than real ones! So, after about 10 mins I realize that it is difficult to swallow. Not impossible, not painful, just difficult- actually just "different". So, I wait a few mins and imagine myself face down on the deck breathing my last breath. It was at this point that I decided to call my Dr. I was still not totally convinced that I wasn't conjuring up this feeling of "swollen tongue" myself. I was advised to take 75 mg MORE of Benadryl and to get myself to the ER.

I arrived safely at the ER, courtesy of Jody. I then spent the next 2.5 hours waiting to bee seen by a Dr. who tells me in not so many words that Howie is allergic to bees. Teri is not.

:O Told you, I am a DRAMA QUEEN!!!!!!!!!!!

"Steak"- Gabi Style

Time for another Gabism- this kid keeps me on my toes!!!

Tonight my darling was ticked at me for making her leave her friends house. So, as we are driving home I hear the sound of water pouring- I look in the mirror to see that Gabi has purposefully turned a water bottle upside down and is dumping it's contents onto the floor of my van. Then, she has the audacity to SMILE at me! So, I ask her what on earth would posess her to do such a thing and she tells me in her soothing, calm voice-- "Mommy, listen, just listen, sometimes people they make "steaks", you know they just can't help it they make "steaks". Mommy, "steaks" just happen, so don't worry about it".

Ahhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Four More Minutes.....

Tonight, while we were playing in the backyard, I gave Gabi the "5 minute warning" for going inside. Shortly, it was time for the 3 min warning (she's a girl with transition issues) anyway, as Gabi was swinging she says to me (after the 3 min warning) "Mom, if you were my child I would give you 4 more minutes." Can you believe her??? Sooo of course I said "Well I better give you 4 then!" (Can you see my forehead? It has sucker written all over it!) Oh- and then we played on the hammock~

Sleeping Beauty

Just look at how Gabi fell asleep last night! She's wearing her "ipod", and yes, that is Shel Silversteins classic "Where the Sidewalk Ends" that she was "reading". She's got taste!

Sleepover at Grandma's

On Saturday, Gabi and I slept over at Grandma's. Gabi's cousins, Haylie and Isiah were also there with us. We had a great time. My favorite part was getting up with Isiah at 3:00am and having snuggle time! Oh, how I miss that!

Keeping Busy.....A Look Back

I will admit that I am obsessed with my new habit of digital scrapbooking. What a better way to practice than on scrapping pictures of the most amazing day in my entire life?

Perserverance Pays Off!

Ahh, the small things in life! I finally figured this whole digital scrapbooking thing out (well not the whole thing, but enough to get by. {HUGE SMILE HERE}

These pics are from yesterday. We had lunch at my Mom's house with my Grandma and Grandpa, and my Aunt Holly and Uncle Roy. Sadly, the latter leave for their return journey home to Australia on Wed morning.

Gabi and her cousin Haylie love to play together. They fight like sisters- best friends/worst enemies kind of thing. I love that they have each other to grow up with. :) Haylie is almost 18 months older to the day than Gabi. So, needless to say Gabi looks up to her "big cousin."

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

I am trying so hard to create and publish a digital scrapbooking page. I am so FRUSTRATED!!! I don't know how to do this! I will NOT be broken!!! So here's my pitiful first attempt. Hopefully, it can only improve from here, no?

Happy Birthday, Sue! XOXO

Click to play | Make your own Smilebox

Lessons from Suess

The Waiting Place...

...for people just waiting.
Waiting for a train to go
or a bus to come, or a plane to go
or the mail to come, or the rain to go
or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow
or waiting around for a Yes or a No
or waiting for their hair to grow.
Everyone is just waiting.

Waiting for the fish to bite
or waiting for wind to fly a kite
or waiting around for Friday night
or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake
or a pot to boil, or a Better Break
or a sting of pearls, or a pair of pants
or a wig with curls, or Another Chance.
Everyone is just waiting.

NO!
That's not for you!

Somehow you'll escape
all that waiting and staying.
You'll find the bright places
where Boom Bands are playing.

With banner flip-flapping,
once more you'll ride high!
Ready for anything under the sky.
Ready because you're that kind of a guy!

Summertime...and the living is good!

Do you remember the feeling of summer days stretching out before you for miles? Knowing that the only job you had was to play and have fun? Nothing was more fun than a sleepover! Especially, an un-planned one. One that starts with "Please, Mom, pleeeeease!" Which brings me to tonight, and this smile that won't leave me! I am so happy for the freedom our girls have. Tonight, as a result of the "Pleases" and a bit of nostalgia, Gabi has her friend Ya Ya (Allie) sleeping over. As I write this I am listening to them in bed giggling and "whispering". Ahhh, these are the days. Helps me forget that we still haven't heard from STAR.....for a bit any way!

No News is.........

Howie told me today that "No News is Good News." My response: "Except in Adoption"

Didn't hear from STAR today.

These are my thoughts:

A.) STAR hasn't heard anything yet, as they just sent profiles out Friday.

B.) Another family has been chosen and we just haven't heard yet.

C.) STAR is waiting patiently to tell us that we have been chosen as in the way a man proposes to a woman- they are trying to find just the right time and setting to tell us the words that will forever change our lives. (Yes, I did really allow myself to think that for a few indulgent seconds)

I'm going to go with A on this one. In my past experiences of being profiled for Indiana cases, it usually takes up to 7 days. Isn't it impressive that I haven't lost sight of my optimisim?

Fingers Crossed that Howie is right (for a change) :)

To Post, or Not to Post?

I ask myself "is it bad luck to talk about being profiled?", "will I jinks us by posting?"
I DON'T KNOW!
I do know that this is a blog about my life, our lives, which are largely focused on our impending adoption. So, I have decided "To Post".

Tanika called today about a case in Indiana. Birthmom is due in early September. Birthdad fully supports her adoption plan. Only four STAR families will be profiled; only four have criteria that matches birthparents/adoptive parents "grids". So, we have a ONE IN FOUR CHANCE of becoming parents again. But, of course I AM NOT GETTING MY HOPES UP! Well, trying NOT to. Easier said, than done. Sigh.

So, if you are of the praying type, could you please say an extra prayer tonight? Pray that this baby finds the forever family it has been meant for all along. Pray that this couple is able to find peace. Pray that the families not chosen will find their baby SOON. Pray for the chosen family. Okay, I guess that's more than "an" extra prayer, isn't it?

We're home....and our family IS bigger.......

but, sadly not in the way that we would have hoped! Our trip to NYC this week brought us to the famous "American Girl" store! This place is AH-MAZING! There is a hair salon for dolls, three floors of shopping, a tea room, and so much more! Well, after much discussion and plenty of time to decide, Gabi chose to bring home TWINS!! She named them Emily and David, after her bio twin siblings who are 2.

PS- Yes, David DOES have a pink bow in his hair.....