Reagan Photos

This weekend our family has been on a retreat with a group of nearly 90 Asbury students. When we go out of town, our dog Reagan gets his own vacation: time with his friend Siobhan who spends much of her free time working at the Asbury horse farm. We knew Reagan had a lot of fun, and these pictures (which I *shamelessly* copied off of Siobhan's Facebook page) prove it. They brought a smile to my face, and I thought they might bring a smile to yours too... ;-)

I love this one. Just hanging out with his horse farm buddies.

Waggoners in the Snow!

Okay, okay. I promise I will go back to work now! This is the last of the posting for a while... at least for today. We gotta get the house put back together and maybe some office work finished. After lunch we decided to clear the sidewalks and part of our parking lot so our guest could get his car out (thankfully, he's from Wisconsin and didn't seem too freaked out by the weather here). We also thought it would be good to get some more use out of Ellie's snowpants since days like today don't come around too often. Her sledding hill doesn't have any over hanging trees so we figured she was safe from falling ice and limbs. She had a blast, but wanted her parents to slide down with her. Ah hem. Gonna need a bigger sled and a steeper hill. Anyway, the time outdoors has found her in a much more pleasant mood. Ugh. Another big tree just lost its top. It's going to take a while to clean all of this up!

More ice/snow damage pics

(Above) Our volleyball court is now an ice rink. Hockey or curling, anyone?

Internet access has been sporadic, so I'll keep this short and sweet to share some more pics...

We still have power, but as the snow has accumulated (more than what you see in these photos that were taken 2 hours ago), more limbs continue to fall. Our neighbors to the south in Danville have been without power for going on 30 hours. We are thankful that's not us!

To answer your questions, by light of day, the insurance inspector agreed with us that our van appears undamaged! And she didn't see the photos that you can see below! God knew we had better uses for the $500 deductible we would have had to pay and spared our van any damage! We must have it pretty bad because traffic slows when they drive by our yard. I'll post more later... it's supposed to fall to 15 tonight.

Oh, and you can pray for creative ideas for activities with Ellie. She's getting cabin fever. Feel free to post comments with your ideas below! I can still get the comments on my cell phone e-mail box if the internet goes out again!

Miracle #2

(Above) What we saw from our porch...

At 8:15 we heard a crash and opened our door to find the scenes you see above. Thankfully we live in a great community and within minutes (and after getting permission from our insurance company) a team of 5 college guys, along with our neighbors, Fred and Peg Keeley who brought their chain saw, removed the limb. Once it was on the ground, the same team of folks couldn't lift the limb but had to drag it out of the driveway (and that was after some of the lesser limbs were removed) -- that goes to show how much weight was on our van.

Amazingly enough, we can't find a dent. By morning's light, we'll see if we can find a scratch. All the windows, mirrors, lights, and even antenna are intact. Chad, you can see we were employing your towel technique!

Thanks, Lord, for protecting our vehicle and everyone who helped remove the tree!

Thank you, Lucas, Joel, Brian, Zach, Caleb, and Keri (who watched Ellie so I could take pictures).

The ice is getting thicker by the hour! I hope we don't lose our power! It sounds like gun fire popping as ice falls and limbs crack. Just within the last hour, our limbs and shrubs have noticeably sagged, nearly laying on the ground.

Going to the PO

Last night I wrote about my adventures to get the last of our paperwork authenticated for Albania. Below are some photos of our adventures to get out of our driveway to get to the post office to mail those papers to Michigan! In anticipation of the ice, we parked at the top of our driveway. It was really to no avail as we had made numerous unsuccessful attempts to drive the remaining 15 feet to the street. The car had been running for close to half an hour by the time I dug the camera out to get these images. Chad, we're taking your advice and have put a towel on the windshield as we're supposed to get more ice and snow this evening (not that we really have to go anywhere tomorrow -- that's the nice thing about living at your job! And Ellie's school has already called off Wednesday's classes. )

One humorous bit I forgot to add to yesterday's story... Upon getting home, I was exhausted from the adrenalin rush, so, not thinking about the fact that it was Chinese New Year, I appropriately suggested we order carry out from Great Wall. Here is Nathan's fortune cookie message: "Let's finish this up now, someone is waiting for you on that."

Paper Chasin'

Dear Waiting Little One,

Our journey to you is one step closer after today. Not every day was like today, but I wanted to share just a few of the lengths we have gone to to bring you home (and our journey is really just beginning)!

The process of adoption can sometimes be a tedious exercise. Many call the phase we have nearly completed the ‘paper chase.’ That’s a pretty apt term, as I reflect upon this afternoon.

It started one August morning in a Panera where your dad and I holed up with our laptops, determined to finish the agency application and get the process of your adoption off the ground. It continued through the next several months with more hours at computer screens typing our personal biographies and parenting plans for you, not to mention writing back and forth with our adoption coordinator seemingly hundreds of questions about how to do this or that. It included meetings with our social worker, Anne, whom you’ll hopefully meet some day and visits to the doctor’s office to verify that we (Dad, Mom and Els) were drug and disease free. Over the last few weeks we knew we were getting close to ‘the end’ and became more and more anxious for the day when we could send everything off to go to Albania for translation and await American immigration approval.

Last week we were SOOO close we could just taste it, but we ran into a few challenges (one I won’t bother explaining because it got resolved) but the latter involved getting three people together at the same time to sign off on our home study. It wouldn’t be ready until at least today, provided one of the three individuals returned to work after some time off for bereavement. At 1PM this afternoon we drove up to Lexington to pick up the much anticipated notarized Home Study before driving to the Fayette County Clerk’s office for the necessary certification of the notary. Then we could then make a quick trip to the Capitol in Frankfort for the shiny gold “apostille” sticker and send it off to Michigan before the big snow & ice storm was to hit the Bluegrass tonight and possibly delay our precious papers any longer.

We arrived at the clerk’s office and got our first red flag. We had brought another document with us for certification in addition to the home study. It was a letter from our accountant which we were informed was notarized in Fayette County by a notary not *registered* in Fayette county. The nice lady made phone call after phone call and was unable to track down in which county the CPA’s notary was registered! Eventually we reached the CPA on our cell phone to relay our dilemma. She called us back a few minutes later to tell us the notary was registered in Lincoln County, 40 miles south of where we sat in the public library parking garage. She had to look up the county seat in Lincoln County on the internet and gave us an address to put into the GPS. (Note: we had discussed the option of drawing up a replacement letter but she couldn’t have it for us until Wednesday at the earliest. )

We decided we could not wait another day and I would drop off your Dad and Ellie in Wilmore (not too far out of the way, and there was no need for them to travel hither and yonder when I could do it by myself) and race down to the Lincoln County Courthouse and turn around to drive north again to Frankfort for the apostille. I would be cutting it very close as it was already approaching 2 o’clock and the office in Frankfort closed at 4:30! On the way to Wilmore I called the Courthouse in Stanford to verify that the notary was indeed registered (I didn’t want to make an 80 mile trip for nothing). Yes! She was registered! I called your grandparents in Illinois to fill them in on the situation and to pray, pray, pray that we could get this DONE TODAY!

The trip to Lincoln County was pretty uneventful. Their courthouse was charming, as were the two ladies in the clerk’s office who appeared to be the only ones working on the entire floor. They pointed out a property deed dating back to the 1700s, hanging and framed on the wall, handwritten on sheepskin. It felt like a visit to a museum, it was very quiet, clean, everything appearing quite old except for the one computer in the room. I was a little nervous when they seemed a bit confused about the document I was requesting. Apparently not too many people in Lincoln County pursue international adoption. Rather than pulling the certification document up on the computer and filling in the necessary fields, they started culling a stack of file folders for a form to photocopy, then hand write in the blanks. They didn’t seem too concerned about rushing anything, and nearly forgot to give me my papers back after handwriting my receipt.

I finally got back to the van at 3:08 and my heart sank when I plugged in the address for the Capitol in Frankfort. Arrival time: 4:28. WHAT??? I didn’t expect the drive to be quite that long. At this point I really started praying. Did I risk the trip to Frankfort only to arrive a few minutes late, with another 45 minutes of driving to get home? I didn’t consider this too long in light of the severe weather that the radio station kept repeating was heading our way. After making the trek to Lincoln County, I had to give it a try to get to Frankfort yet today, or I may as well have waited til Wednesday for a new CPA letter because it didn’t sound like I would make it to the Capitol tomorrow.

I raced to Frankfort as fast as I dared. Every stoplight was painstakingly long, and there were a lot of them! At one stretch in the trip, I was able to carve 5 minutes off of the arrival time. I called the Records Office on my cell phone to tell them I was coming. They said, “If you’re here by 4:30, we will help you, but not any later.”

I got within 3 miles of the court house and I think I hit every light but one. It was agony as the traffic increased and the minutes crept back up on my projected arrival time. I finally turned onto the avenue leading up to the Capitol. It’s a beautiful little street with a grassy, tree-lined median and the Capitol building sitting up on a hill at the end of the road. I’ve seen it in the spring time with blooming dogwoods and tulips (when we completed our dossier for Ellie), I’ve seen it in the autumn with brilliant orange foliage (when we apostilled our acceptance documents for her referral), and today I saw it covered in snow as I brought these precious papers which completed our Dossier for you. I know each time I’ve wished I had a camera (and we had plans for a blog picture of Ellie standing in front of it today holding up papers with the shiny gold stickers), but it wasn’t going to happen this time either!

I had already stripped off my coat so I wouldn’t have anything delay me at security and I could run straight back to the office. It was 4:28. The closest available parking spot was empty. Yay! I did my fastest parallel parking job ever, grabbed my purse, locked the van and started jogging up the hill and the hundred-some steps leading up to the Capitol. My legs started to feel like jello.

I wobbled to the doors and my heart sank. They were locked. I tried every one and shook them VERY hard just in case someone inside heard me and wanted to help. NOTHING. I called your dad. I was discouraged. I couldn’t believe I had come this far and just missed completing the mission by one lousy minute. I looked at the phone. It said 4:30. I saw a trail of salt on the sidewalk and decided to see where it led. I followed it around a corner into an alcove and an unmarked door that was OPEN! There was a metal detector and a desk for a security officer but no one was there… so I went in and bypassed the metal detector (I guess no one was watching the security cameras because I wasn’t stopped)! Having been to the Records Office before, I knew right where to go. There was a light on in the office and my hope rose some more! I walked past the janitor’s cart parked outside the door and one lady was at her desk back in the corner. I asked, “Would you be willing to apostille some documents?” She said yes! THANK YOU JOHNNA! You get a gold star in my book today! Thank you for working late! (And, thank you to all of the wonderful government employees I encountered today – they were ALL very kind and helpful!)

When I left the building a few minutes later, a motion sensor let me out the same way I entered. My guess is that this particular door was on an auto timer and I entered it not a moment too late! Jesus got me there just in time and not a second too late! I got in before the clock advanced to 4:31 and the doors could lock me out.

And that, dear one, is just one of the afternoons we spent chasing papers to bring you home. Thanks for bringing a little excitement to our dreary wintry day. ;-)

Everyone Loves a Slinky

Elisona has long loved playing with slinkies. In fact, we try to avoid the check out lanes with the mini slinkies in Wal-Mart because she invariably wants us to add a "baby shiny slinky" to our shopping cart every time she sees one. Recently, she has begged to watch slinky comercials on YouTube anytime I am sitting at the computer. Why I ever showed her one, I don't know! This afternoon was no exception, but as we were watching commercials from the 60's, 70's, and 80's, I thought she might enjoy seeing herself in a slinky commercial. Maybe you will enjoy it too!
(Nathan is excited because you can also watch this in HD if you view it on YouTube's site!)

Imagination and Encouragement

In the last week or so (I can't say I really know when it started, but I began noticing it about that long ago) we've gotten peeks inside of Ellie's head as she's started verbalizing her thoughts. It's ranged from the cute and adorable to some not so positive things like her saying all of the things we and her teachers have told her NOT to do: "Elisona, No! Ellie, sit down! Ellie, don't screech! Ellie, use your words!" We hear this in the car, or while she's entertaining herself, like looking at a book.

Some of the cute things have been the little games she has created, like her two imaginary frogs. We know they are loose when they start to "ribbit", and then we know they are lost when she raises her hands and eyebrows and says with a very serious face and concerned voice, "Where'd they go?" We then have to catch them, let her 'pet' them, and put them back in her pocket.

She has other imaginary games that she plays with her imaginary slinky (handy when the real slinky can't be tracked down) as well as blowing and 'catching' kisses. They're cute, but we need to come up with some new ones as they are getting kinda old already. (wink)

Tonight she pulled out a new one of her own creation. She held her hands up in front of her face as Nathan carried her to bed and said, "Knock, Knock!"
"Who's there?" she asked herself.
"It's Daddy!", she replied as she separated her hands.
"Hello Daddy!"

This repeated itself over and over several times, as she spent the last couple of minutes talking through her 'closed door', opening it up to give us kisses goodnight, for example.

It's been a long wait to learn what's been going on 'up there' in that little head of hers, so we're excited to hear in her own words.

Finally, on an unrelated note, Nathan could tell you that if you were around me any in the last three days, you'd get to hear all about the latest adoption blog I've found and been reading (thanks, Katie!). I know my fellow adoption bloggy friends will enjoy it, but I think it will be inspiring to anyone. The link is http://aplacecalledsimplicity.blogspot.com/
Enjoy the rest of your week!

Adoption Blog Link

Hello dear adoption friends (you know who you are). I've got a new adoption blog link to share: http://chinababyblog.blogspot.com/ . This is a new (anonymous) blog started by a friend of mine from back in my DC days (who I recently reconnected with thanks to Facebook!). She is living overseas embarking on a Chinese adoption. I know a few others who are also expats considering adoption and may find this a helpful resource. In the murky seas of new Hague requirements, you may want to follow this blog as these folks attempt to be pioneers in new territory! I know they would welcome your prayers on their behalf!

Snow Day in KY

Today we got one of the few snows we'll probably get for the winter. That's why we haven't invested in a 'real' sled for Ellie yet. The trash can lid still works. ;-) We did get her some snow pants and boots in anticipation of the ski retreat we'll be leading in a few short weeks. It was fun to pull them out today and give them a test run. I think she stayed pretty warm!

The next three photos are a series. 1.) she's looking at the snow ball in her hand, then 2.) before you can blink, she's cocked her arm back and thrown it at her mom, no, her mom's camera! 3.) she thinks it's hilarious!

Reagan was not immune from receiving a few snowballs himself. Poor dog.

I like the movement of this photo. Reagan looks ferocious, but he's having fun 'encouraging' Ellie down the hill.

By the way, as is typical of Kentucky, the snow is mostly gone already!

Cousins, Part 2

I can hear y'all saying, "Ahhhh..." Yeah, my Dad dug out this cutie in his winter quest to convert his favorite slide images to the digital era. He gave me this one over Christmas and I thought I would share with you. I'm guessing I was about 18 months older than Ellie is now. Growing up without a brother, my cousin Dallas filled that role. Bug and I looked forward to visits from our cousins in Chicago, Dallas and Chad, in a way I can't describe. They brought a fun and energy that two little girls in the country just didn't experience every day. Today, Dallas and Chad are all grown up and living in LA and Kansas City, respectively, and visits are fewer and farther between -- but thank goodness for the internet and blogging for staying in touch!

Chad, I love how you're clutching that TV cart like an elderly person clinging to a walker!
And oh yeah, who's idea was it that we model seed corn caps?

Stickin' Together

On the Waggoner side, they are the only girls out of six grandchildren! Here they are modeling their matching PJs!

Picture Tag

We were tagged by Chad and Christa (sorry it's taken me so long to do this!)

Here are the rules:

1. Go to the 4th folder in your computer where you store your pictures.

2. Pick the 4th picture in that folder.

3. Explain the picture.

4. Tag 4 people to do the same.

I'm sorry this isn't a family photo -- I followed the rules strictly! The photo above was taken at a wedding I photographed in early October. It was a BEAUTIFUL day for Betsy and Travis' outdoor, backyard wedding at the home of Betsy's aunt and uncle. What was neat was that Betsy's parents were also married at this home 32 years earlier! Unfortunately, this photo doesn't do justice to the incredible features of their yard. The homeowners also happen to own one of Lexington's pre-eminent nurseries, so imagine what they can do with that kind of expertise! I had to include the photo below, which is the one that made it into their album (is that cheating?).

Here's a link to see more photos from their day: http://cydilphoto.blogspot.com/2008/10/travis-betsys-wedding-slideshow.html

I tag:
1.) Seth and Bug (by the way, the Claradys said to tell you 'hi!')

2.) Jan

3.) Kelly

4.) the Wunderlis

Saturday night pics

This blog has been uncharacteristically 'text heavy', so I pulled out the camera tonight to see what photos I might get. Not a lot of interesting stuff going on around here. The office is mostly put back together so since taking these pics we're working at our desks trying to catch up. To keep her occupied, we let Ellie play with the contents of the paper shredder and that (life uncontrived) is actually more picture worthy. Whatever keeps her happy, you know? Scroll down to the bottom for that image.

P.S. I just had to share that when we dressed Ellie in this shirt today (it's new and she'd never seen it before) she thought it looked like a giraffe! I thought that was pretty funny. She's always looking for connections in what she sees to objects she knows.

Nathan designed a race course that incorporated the various levels of the wood stove.

Demonstrating how she can jump on one leg

Doing 'popcorn'

Making 'snow' out of shredded paper