Scrambled Eggs for Brains

I am so far behind in posting an update because of fire school and then working like crazy trying to get our autobiography questions done. My brain is so fried and I swear Microsoft Word is trying to take me down! Right now I feel like Bill Gates is the devil. But all is well and I was able to complete my questions tonight. In the morning I will look at them again and proof what I have written. Crossing my fingers, I am hoping we will be able to turn in most of the paperwork and the biographies tomorrow. I really want to get our interviews with the social worker set up.

We did some more paper chasing on Friday. We had to take the dogs and the cat to the vet to get a letter of approval that they were okay around children. That was a fiasco. Then we had to get a background check so we went downtown to the County Clerk's Office because we live in a county and not a city. Well, when we got back we read that the background check had to be done on police letterhead so we aren't sure if these county background checks are any good. That was $12.00 that might be going down the drain. Hopefully tomorrow we will be able to find out what we really need as far as the background checks are concerned.

I am trying not to get too stressed out!

A&M Fire School Week

I am up at Texas A&M for Annual Fire School. I am teaching in Fire Officer Development 6 and Fire Prevention 7 section 2. Usually I come up for a day or two but this year I have been asked to teach all week. It's so much fun to see the people I know from all over the state of Texas. I only get to see some of these friends once or twice a year. I also get to see firefighter from the departments I have worked with over the years. That is really awesome to see them recovering from their grief of losing a fellow firefighter. It can get a little wild and crazy up here, but all and all we have a good time.


I don't have too much to report on in regards to our adoption. John and I are going to go up to the county courthouse on Friday to get our background check. Friendswood Police Dept. wouldn't do it for us because we technically don't live in the city. We live in the county. We are also going to apply for our passports too.

John received our China packet from the agency. I am so excited about it. It has all of the information we need to know about adopting from China. John said that there were newsletters in the packet too and they featured babies that have just gotten back. It's hard to imagine that we will be one of those couples one day...flying off to China to pick up our daughter. I guess we get to play the stork, only this time, instead of dropping off a baby we are picking one up.

On Your Mark...Get Set...Go!!!

And we are off on our paper-chase. We are working on our 200 questions for our autobiography. Wow is all I can say. On top of sharing our life story and then some, we have two pages worth of items we need to get. To name a few:

• medical checkup
• vet checkup for our animals
• passport...more on that later
• proof of medical insurance
• signed reports
• police clearance

Well, okay that is pretty much it for right now but that's enough! As far as the passport is concerned, oh my gosh, what a fiasco. So today we get our first official piece of mail from our agency (see above picture. You know how some women take a picture of their pregnancy test stick with the plus sign...this is ours) Anyway, it is a letter with our list of to do items. As I was reading it, it basically stated we couldn't start our home-study, the reviews with the social worker, without all of the above. I was thinking most of that we can do in a week or two, but the passports we wouldn't get back until 8 weeks later! We were so freaked out because we don't want to be two months behind! I can't wait that long! We HAD to get them out today. So at 3:30 we were going crazy trying to figure out the birth years of my parents. Of course Mom & Dad are camping, so I can't ask them. Liz is in Africa, so I can't ask her. Who else would know? We were trying to do internet searches....no luck. We tried doing a people search...no luck (you should feel safe Mom). Finally we looked up my Uncle Rusty on the internet and called him at work. "Uncle Rusty," I said "I am soooooooooooo desperate! I need Dad's birth year! And do you happen to know Mom's?" He didn't know that one. So then we decided to figure out the year by my birth certificate and bolted out to Walgreens to take our photos and then off to the post office. In the mean time, I didn't trust the date I came up with for Mom, so John called Kevin to see if he knew by any odd chance. Nope...but he was calling Liz in Africa and call us right back. By then it was 4:30 and the post office closed in 30 minutes. Kevin called back and said he couldn't reach Liz. I sweating like a bullet. I made the decision that we would send it off like it was and chance it. Well, we got to the Post Office with 10 minutes to spare and when we finally made it up to desk the man said, "Sorry, we don't do those here." ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!

So here is why this was so critical that we did it today. I am going to be up teaching at A&M all next week. So that means I can't do any paper-chasing. We would be losing another week. In total desperation, I got home and wrote an email to our adoption specialist....help me! She said that we can start our home study before we get our passports in. All that stressing out for nothing. I can see why this is called the paper-chase phase. Blah!!!

So for the next week, John will be making appointments
and working on his autobiography and I will be working on my autobiography in my hotel at fire school. What a summer this has been!

Fire Calls at 1am

So tonight, well technically this morning, we were toned out for a structure fire on a bridge. I look at the clock and see that it's 1am. It seems like this situation was becoming quite familiar over the last few weeks. There have been a lot of these am fire runs, most turning out to be nothing at all. Of course I head on over to the fire station, knowing there wouldn't be much I could do, but I least I would be counted as a crew member now that I am voted in. But as usual, there were only two of us that showed up for Ladder 126. We had no driver and so therefore we weren't going to be going to any structure fire anytime soon. So we just sat there forlornly and pretended like there might be a driver that would eventually show up. No such luck. The call got tapped out before we could even dream up a driver. So I mosey on back home, now awake and that is why I am sitting here writing/venting on my blog. No drivers are no fun! Thank goodness John will be voted into the department pretty soon. We are one step closer to having another person who is qualified to drive.

We're Expecting!

Today we have officially started the process of bringing a daughter from China into our lives. We turned in our application and our contract to the agency and in return they handed us a stack of paperwork and a to-do list. The paperwork actually isn't as overwhelming as I thought it would be. But right now we are officially in what is known as the 'paper-chase phase'.

The next few weeks we are going to have to answer about 200 questions about our lives and our beliefs...now that is a little overwhelming. We are going to have to go through background checks, medical check-ups (even our four-legged, furry children will have to go through a medical check-up), and be interviewed by a social worker. There is a lot to do and I want to do it fast. This is where my patience will be tested. I hate to wait and now this process will be a hurry up and wait game.

We have invested in some good books that will hopefully help with answers to our list of questions we have to turn in. We are also doing a lot of research and building our network of support. We should be able to fill our time with all that needs to be done (on top of the business of our daily lives) but still the anticipation of what happens next is a little unnerving.

Thinking of Her

It's hard not to think about the person you love, even if you have yet to meet them. I can't help but think about this precious little girl that will one day be my daughter. Has she been born yet? Is she still being carried in her mother's womb? Or is she already in an orphanage? Is she sleeping right now? All I know is that I love her already and I don't even know who she is. It's a strong but very strange feeling. I wonder if this is the feeling pregnant women feel for their unborn children?

I am reading this book called The Lost Daughters of China. It is so poignant. The author talks about her journey into adopting a little one from China. Her story frightens me a little bit. Maybe worried is a better word. Her adoption took nearly 22 months from the time they turned in their application to the time she held her baby. I don't know if I can wait for 22 months. That is such a long time. My prayer is that this is a quick process, a year at the most. I know I might be asking for the moon but I believe in a God who hears and answers BIG prayer requests. I know He could provide us with a child in that amount of time. It's all in God's timing though.

The stories in this book are so heartbreaking. The girls in China are equivalent to trash. Stories of babies being strangled or drowned because they were born with female chromosome. Stories of abandoned babies left in between bundles of bok choy at the local market. Babies left on park benches, under trees, or on the stoops of storefronts. Where was or will my daughter be abandoned? It already hurts my heart to know that the child I love so much will have to endure such a tragic situation. I definitely suggest this book if you are interested in China adoptions.

On a more frightening note, today I read on the Drudge Report that China is ready to Nuke us if we step out of place. What if this situation escalates out of control and we can no longer adopt from China? What if we do get to China but something happens while we are there. Wow! So many what if's and I really shouldn't be worrying. Worrying isn't going to solve the problem. Now that I know I want to adopt my child from China, I am paying closer attention to the news issues regarding that country.

I did read tonight about a bracelet that is given to adopting mothers. It's a red twine bracelet's that symbolizes the strength and love for a person not yet met. The twine holds Jade beads which symbolize luck. A ladybug charm is added to the bracelet's for good luck as well. Apparently if the adoptive parent sees a ladybug, a referral for a child is not far behind. The bracelet is also a reminder to pray for your child each day. I think I am going to go make one tomorrow for myself. It's such a neat tradition.

Next Week!!!

Last night I got a phone call from our social worker from the adoption agency. I am so psyched now! She said that there are five other families in the Houston area, including us, who are contracting to adopt from China. That means all five us will travel to China together and will all probably get children from the same orphanage. It's so great because that means we will have a support group that can meet on a regular basis. Next week we will be turning in our application and our contract and then we will officially be in the process. Woo Hoo!

A Mid-Summer's Night Dream

At least I think it was...I am not quite sure. Last night at about 1am, about an hour after I finally dozed off, I was rudely awakened by a the high pitched scream of my fire pager. We were toned out to assist Friendswood FD on a structure fire at an apartment. I couldn't miss that one. I might get the chance to call Red Cross in the middle of the night, that's another story though. So I got up and fumbled around in the dark trying to get dressed and somehow I ended up in my car driving to the fire station. When I got there, the captain said it wasn't Friendswood that needed us, but League City. The dispatcher had gotten it wrong and he wasn't sure if LC really needed us anyway...so we stood around and waited and waited and waited. Finally Engine 125 rolled up and we hopped on board (just the two of us...captain and I) and headed to LC. We were told to standby at their Station 2. As we drove over there, I felt bleary eyed and a little out of it but it felt like I was in a dream. Once we got to the station, we all camped out on the driveway. We were all sprawled out, using the curb as a not so comfy pillow. Some were propped up against the front bumber of the fire truck. Nobody talked too much. I think everyone was too tired for conversation. However we were entertained by the cows mooing out in the pasture behind the fire station. They were so loud! It sounded like they were being harrassed by a not so friendly dog. Every once in a while we heard some chickens. And of course everything was being harmonized by crickets, cicedas, and frogs. Love those Texas bugs and critters! It wasn't very quiet out in the country at 2am. With the hollerin of the cows and bugs and the pavement as our 'couch/bed' nobody was able to catnap.

When we were finally released to go back home, the drive back seemed a little long. I was so groggy and a little nauseated from the bumpy ride. I couldn't help but laugh a little to myself about how wierd this whole situation was and how sometimes being a firefighter meant that we don't always do heroic things. Most of the time it's hurry up and wait, sometimes it's hurry up and 'never mind' and other times it's hurry up and then wait it out in the driveway of another fire department. It's all part of the job...a job I absolutely love.

Time Keeps On Ticking...Ticking

So as each day goes by and I climb into bed I think...'wow, another day is gone.' Seriously, where has the time gone? This year is speeding by at a break-neck speed. I thought last year went by fast. Shoot, this year is a blur!

I was also thinking about the time when I was reading through a message board on adoptions. Families that are now having their dossier (stack o' paperwork) arrive in China won't expect to get a referral until January/February of next year. Good grief!! That is so far away!! Our dossier probably won't be ready to go until October of this year, meaning we won't expect a referral until May of next year. That seems like forever away! I hope the process will go quicker than that and that God will bless us with a quick referral. I am already ready to go to China! So will the time finally start going by a little more slowly or will it still continue to throttle forward in warp speed?

Saturdaaaaaaaays without John

I hate Saturdays when John is working. For some reason the day just feels extra lonely. Don't get me wrong, I had a pretty busy day. I spent about 5 hours up at Station 2 painting walls and dusting the five inches of dust, dirt and cobwebs off of the rafters (We have a big PR event next weekend that we have to get ready for). I forgot how heavy antique wooden fire ladders weigh. I know I am going to be feeling it tomorrow. After that I watched some TV, did some weeding, rode my bike and I was still bored! I am boring myself right now talking about it. Luckily, Rebecca saved me by letting me come over and hang out in her yard watching cars go by and talking about not much at all. Driveway people watching has gotten to be my new favorite hobby. I wonder though, will I feel lonely like this once we have a child?

My sister left for Africa today. Even though she lives thousands of miles away from me, I miss her now that she is out of the country. She is going to spending several weeks there taking a class. I hope she has a ton of fun. I will miss our daily email conversations. Take lots of pictures Liz!

The 4th, Politicians & The Lost Girls of China

The past few days have been blurred by the humidity in my house. Our air conditioning went out over a week ago and we have been fighting with our insurance company and the repairman to fix it. Just when we thought relief from the horrible heat was right around the corner, the new unit went out just hours after it was installed. Needless to say, we sweated our way through the 4th of July holiday weekend.

So how did we spend those days basking in this oven called Texas? Saturday, John and I hung out with our volunteer fire department at an old fashioned picnic in the park. Forest Bend FD sponsored this public relations event with one of the homeowners associations in our community. We managed to convince Rebecca to stop cleaning her house and to come partake of our suffering in the heat. She showed up with her kiddo and husband. We stuffed ourselves silly with hotdogs, cotton candy, and icees. Despite the heat, we had a blast. I almost can't wait until next year.



Monday was the BIG parade in Friendswood. Our department had several fire trucks in the parade. I somehow managed to score a coveted seat inside of the air-conditioned Ladder 126. I am so glad that I did! My biggest fans (John, Rebecca and the fam, Scott & Elisa) came out to cheer me on and make me feel like a local celebrity. There were many people who kept pointing at me and telling their kids to look at the 'girl firefighter.' It was such a cool thing and a small...okay BIG ego boost! I promise I won't let it get to my head.


In the past couple of weeks, I got to spend some time with some politicians. I am trying to learn as much as I can about the Republican Party and why I share beliefs with this particular party. My freedom is very special to me and the Republican Party is whom I share my values with the most. I had lunch with the First Lady of Texas, Anita Perry, two weekends ago. I am an Advisor on a committee for Governor Rick Perry in regards to firefighters. Hearing his wife speak was such a neat thing. Tonight I was invited to a meeting with Congressman Tom Delay. It was so great to see him and hear him speak in person instead of on the news. He has had such controversial issues that have been blown out of proportion in the last few years. To actually hear his story from his own mouth was enlightening to say the least. He is a strong Christian man and I admire his stance on many issues.

Tonight, John and I watched the National Geographic special on The Lost Girls of China. It's about how Americans are adopting the unwanted girls in China and how the problem of population control is wreaking havoc on the country. I was so sad to see this problem occurring but I was so excited to see the couple receiving their precious daughters. I can't wait until I am in their position! I can't wait to go to China with John and pick up our daughter. Right now it seems so unreal, so far away. I just pray that this process goes quickly. I am such an impatient person!

Chopsticks, Sushi and the American Flag

I am so blessed to be living in the United States of America. We have so many freedoms and blessings here that most other countries around the world do not have. We are free to travel this great nation and travel overseas. We are free to dine at small sushi restaurants with out friends and discuss politics, our likes and dislikes, and our future plans. We can dream and live with our eyes wide open while so many people live in fear and repression.

Speaking of small sushi restaurants, a couple of friends of mine went out to eat on Friday night to celebrate a birthday. We talked a lot about the adoption and our upcoming plans. One of my friends asked me what I was going to bring brack from China for her. I said chopsticks because the kind we eat with at this restaurant are the cheap wooden ones that break off at the top. I was thinking how cool it is that those of us who can't have children on our own are free to go to another country and adopt a child and bring them back to the US. You don't see people from China or Russia or really any country come to America to adopt one of our children. It's sad in some ways because there are so many unwanted children but then it's incredible that John and I can give that child a chance to live in freedom and to have a good life.

On a very sad note though, late last night I found out that one of my Chinese cousins committed suicide. While I didn't know him very well, it makes me sad that our future daughter has one less relative to know and to relate to. David was a nice and giving person who cared greatly for his family. I am sure he would have loved our daughter from China.