Happy Halloween 2008!

Happy Halloween! Georgia is going to be Abby Cadabby from Sesame Street today. Here is a photo of her out in our backyard this morning. Wally will be a pirate. If I get a good shot of him I'll add it to the blog as well!

Okay here is Wally's best shot. He doesn't look too happy because he wasn't. However, once he realized that wearing that costume got him a ticket out of the house and on a walk through the neighborhood he perked up quite a bit. Later that evening Rodolfo and I went to a party where we dressed up as Ceasar (Rodolfo) and a flapper (me). My mom has some of those pictures, I'll see if I can snag a few.

Clean, Friendly Grocery Shopping

Today I took the path less traveled. I ventured to one of the few surviving local, non-chain grocery stores here in OKC, the Crescent Market. I had just finished my workout and was tired. I didn't feel like making the long trek out to Super Target, my weekly haunt. So, in the spirit of a pioneer, I forged new territory (although this place has been around for over 100 years). I have to say, although this place can't hold a candle to Central Market, it was an experience well, well worth the over-priced produce. The atmosphere was calm, the butchers wore clean, crisp white jackets and talked to me politely and intelligently about their meats. There were no blazing marketing ads / schemes hovering above my head and around the corner. It was comfortable, calm shopping. After checking out someone was waiting with my groceries already packed up, ready to walk me to the car. I felt spoiled! When was the last time I went to a grocery store where someone sacked and carried my food? Hmmm... maybe the early 80s when I would go to Homeland with my mom. As I was walked to the car we politely conversed about the weather. He loaded my groceries, and I climbed in the car happy as a lark. When I looked at the clock I was surprised to see that I had finished my shopping in record time--30 minutes!! I wish every shopping trip could be so comfortable and efficient. I doubt I will be able to shop there every week, but I may make more trips that direction. I wonder how long a place like that will continue to survive? Oklahoma City desperately needs better grocery store options. The food here is stuck in the 70s or possibly earlier. I've heard rumors that a Whole Foods is coming this way, but I don't want to get my hopes up. I'm also looking into becoming connected with a local farming co-op. Becoming a "locavore" seems very appealing. I've also got plans underway to begin a gigantic garden of my own. I may even buy a goat for fresh milk. Apparently you can purchase a miniture one for as little as $100, but I don't know if they produce milk...

What a month!

Me and Georgia at the pumpkin patch! It was such a beautiful day. Really, sometimes the Oklahoma countryside reminds me of Provence. On this day I completely felt as if I was on a farm in France.

Here are (from left) some of our church buddies-- Abby, Lily, Carter & Gigi.

Gigi was fascinated with the pony, but she was scared riding on his back.

I just liked this photo of the lamb. Isn't he giving me a cute expression? It is like he is saying "hi , glad to see you."

Oink, oink, oink, oink. This is Georgia's first encounter with a pig.

Me and Rodolfo at the 12 x 12 auction here in OKC. We had a night on the town and had a lot of fun!

Georgia has taken to putting on my shoes and Rodolfo's too. Here she is in my rain boots. They are a little big for her shorty legs.

Here we are visiting Mindy down in Dallas this weekend. Mindy is at 32 weeks in this photo. Only 8 weeks more and we get to see Elle!!!!!

Here my rebel 2 year old decided to do a little bathroom artwork. I wondered why she was so quiet, and discovered that she had been painting with toothpaste. Aye!

Last but not least, here are me, Allison, Amy & Jenny all dressed up in our 80s garb ready to boogie at the NKOTB reunion concert (please disregard my sandals, I didn't pack any comfortable shoes and had to make due with what I brought)!!! We had so much fun. I can't believe its been almost 20 years since we last went to see those boys in concert. My oh my how time flies!

Puppy Love

I snapped these today on our afternoon walk. They were just too cute to keep from posting.

Adoption process

Isn't that a pretty rose? It is from my garden. I'm not ready for summer to be over and I imagine that I might have one last flush of roses before the winter really sets in. We have been having some windy weather lately and I guess it is pushing out the heat and moving in the cool. Last year at this time Rodolfo's mom and grandmother were here. I remember our evenings in the "green room", chatting quietly so not as to wake Georgia and drinking tea. We reminisced about days gone by, laughed about all sorts of funny things and fretted over Rodolfo's job. It was nice having them here.

Lately we have been busy applying for our adoption. We are going to go through Deaconess Hospital. Lengthy is the perfect word for the process. First you apply to the agency. Once approved you begin a 6 week home study. In February we will attend a 11.5 hour training class that teaches us about adoption and prepares us for the event. We must then submit a "life book", like a scrapbook, that gives a glimpse of our family. People put in wedding pictures, travel pictures, graduation pictures and family photos. I'm going to create mine on blurb.com. Once all this happens, then our profile is posted online and in the agency office for interested birth mothers to peruse. Once selected by a birthmother, depending how open she wants the adoption to be, we will meet with her so that she can make sure we are the type of people she feels comfortable adopting her child to. If she approves of us, then we wait for the baby to arrive. Many times the adoptive family gets to be present at the hospital when the baby is born. After the necessary stay, we can then take the baby home from the hospital. There is a trial period where the birthmother still has a chance to change her mind. I think it is about 2 weeks. If no changes happen, then the baby will legally be ours. At least that is how I understand it. We prayed with our pastor yesterday about this entire process and I left feeling very good and a little humbled. It is really remarkable to watch God work and to be a part of His greater plan. A year ago I was planning when I would have my next child. Now I realize how little control I have. I also realize more profoundly than ever how each child is a blessing. We pray for this little one, this blessing, that God will lead us to him/her and that he/she will have a safe and healthy journey to our home.

Mindy's Momma Mambo

This past weekend mom and I made a trip down to Dallas for Mindy's first baby shower. It was so much fun seeing Minds and Rebecca Suey. Mindy made us a delicious dinner Friday night. While cleaning up afterwards she decided to do a little Momma Mambo that was well worth documenting. I'm trying to upload it to youtube. Here is a link to the youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFNf5GmKE9s. Elle-- this one's for you!!!!