Open Cup, Open Cup!!!!!!!!!

A milestone moment in our house and it was all Jack's idea!!

Our Home Study Visit!

Our home study visit went really, really well yesterday!  Our social worker, J.A. is so nice and down to earth.  This was our 5th in person meeting with her (about 12 hours total) -- so we are pretty comfortable around her and she knows us really well by now.  Still, it made us anxious to be at this step where our home and family life was truly on display for the purpose of evaluation!!

We started with a basic tour.  We started in Jack's room first.  She loved the art work on the walls (all hand crafted by Jack Riley himself) and said it was fun and neat :)

Then on to Morgan's room.  She liked the built in dresser/changing table/desk and how pretty everything is.

We showed her our bedroom and bathroom next -- she didn't even walk in!  She just peeked in and then we moved on to the living room and kitchen.  She said we have a cute house :)

Next we went downstairs and showed her the storage area and laundry room.  Then on to the play room and family room as she expressed surprise at how big our little house is!  That's everyone's first impression...our house looks tiny on the outside until you come in and walk through both floors.  Our downstairs is the same square footage as our upstairs.  Then we went into "daddy's den" although we didn't call it that -- we just said this is an area just for us and I think I mentioned it was our only "kid free zone" in the house!

I think overall the cleaning and organizing paid off.  Typically I keep a fairly clean house -- so basically I weeded through some old toys and I washed our floors, cleaned the bathroom, etc. -- took me about a day and a half.  It felt like the same work I did when we sold our old house.  Kind of putting accents on the positives...ya know?

We talked about our neighborhood and neighbors and we explained how Jason's family grew up in this house and how Jason grew up just down the street.  We're close to shopping centers, grocery stores, parks, playgrounds and schools.

We went over our dossier paperwork and she complimented me on my organization and said we're really doing well with everything!!

We discussed culturally based activities and what we do for fun!  She played with Morgan -- who was a doll!! and when Jack came home she talked with him a little bit too.  Jack was so cute, although very, very quiet.  He was smiling and in a great mood (YAY!!) and showed her his box of musical instruments.  He did request a drink and asked me for help -- so she did hear his little voice once or twice.

Our home study report (a 7-10 page document of our lives from birth until now, our motivation to adopt, financial information, health information, etc.) should be completed within two weeks from now.

We mailed our I-600A application to immigration (this is a BIG step) and once we recieve the few pieces of paperwork we're waiting on (our physicals from our doctor's office) we can wait for our immigration approval (taking about 1-4 months) and finally our dossier will be complete!!  From then it needs to be state sealed and copied several times over and finally, finally on it's way to Ethiopia!!!!!!!  Our dossier should be in Ethiopia by August (rough guess on my end) and from then we'll wait 12-18 months for our referral.  So I'll stick to describing it best as HURRY UP TO WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!

Our Family in 10 Pictures :)

For one section of our Dossier they require 10 family photos of our house, each member of the family and the room our new child will have.  Here are the photos I chose to share.  These photos will go directly to the Ethiopian government.  This was harder than I thought it would be!

I should take a picture of all of my paperwork -- it's quite a sight!  Our home study visit is on Wednesday and I am getting anxious!  

We are waiting on our medical letters from our doctors -- we had our physicals last week and our lab work on Saturday.  I hope to have those letter by the end of the week and then all we have to do is apply to immigration (which is a MAJOR step!!).  Once we're approved by immigration (which I think takes a few months) we can get our Dossier state sealed, approved and on its way to Ethiopia.  From then -- we wait 12-18 months for a child to be referred to us.  See why I just want to get this finished!!  Our goal right now is to get to the "officially waiting" part of the process!

Child's Room (Nursery)

Children's Play Room

Child's Room (nursery, 2nd photo)

Siblings Jack and Morgan

Jason in the Living Room

Jason and Morgan

Angela

Jack

Our Home and Yard

Angela in the Living Room

Update on Jack Post-Botox

Jack had botox about two months ago.  I just wanted to give you a quick update on Jack post-botox. He's doing GREAT stuff with his walker! His motor planning is really shining through now that some of the spasticity is relieved. He takes his walker up and down 6 inch curbs, up and down ramps and can turn in any direction he pleases.We have him long sitting as much as possible. The school has really, really stepped up and they have him in a stander every day, they have him long sitting in a floor chair with his legs straight out gently strapped for an extra stretch. His PT is pleased and Jack loves walking outside with his walker. 

He is so motivated to walk.  I can't wait to get some video to share with everyone!  I love that it's the perfect time of year to have the maximum affect of the botox in his system.  I only hate that it's temporary :(  But for now, Jack is able to rip up the sidewalks and run around till he's out of breath.  That makes it all worth it.

Video to come soon!

Dossier

Lately the adoption paperwork has been overwhelming.  Not so much the forms or letters or instructions themselves -- just the pressure of depending on others to follow the agency's instructions!!  

We have to obtain 20 some documents/statements/letters all of which have to be notarized.  There can be no mistakes!  Just feeling the pressure right now, that's all!

So, today one of the bigger dossier items is being tackled -- our notarized letter from our bank.  Thankfully we live in a small town with a hometown/family bank of which I've been a customer since I can remember (12 years old?)  I spoke with the bank manager this morning and she is willing to do our letter and have it notarized.  She seemed to "get" it where I've read a lot of big banks in larger cities give families a hard time with notarizing a bank statement.

Next week Jason and I both have our physicals.  Once our lab results come in we need to have the dr. write a letter for each of us and it has to be notarized.  They also seemed to "get" it -- where my old family practice did not.  The receptionist acted like she just didn't have the time to answer my questions.  Although I have a longer history at the first practice, I have been to the new practice once (for a cold) and already have a better feeling about getting my physical and medical letter done there.  

We are waiting on our police clearance to come back so I can take a trip to our local police station and have a letter written on our behalf (and, you guessed it! notarized).

The "problem" with the notary thing is the dates on the forms have to match the date of the notary.  The notary's commission cannot expire within a year from now and mostly we have no way of knowing until we get there whether we'll have to start from scratch.  I asked our bank's rep when hers expires and she said 4/2012 -- so that's great news.  I didn't get a chance to ask the dr's office when their notary's commission expires -- but if it's not in the right time frame I will have to get a traveling notary.  Kind of like a side show.  If you're a notary, wanna join me?  We'll have fun...lol

So paper, paper, paper and more paper!!

I get a lot of satisfaction crossing these things off the list though.  So when I get home after my visit to the bank this afternoon I'll be happy to cross that one off the list!!

Neurology Appointment

Earlier this week we took Jack to his neurologist for a 4 month follow up.  Over the past few months Jack's been weaned from 3 seizure meds to just ONE.  Greatly improved his overall mood, behavior, eating, growing, learning, and no seizures to speak of!!  He's now taking Keppra twice a day with no nasty side effects and no seizures.  Let's hope it stays this way for a long, long time!

Jack was such a big kid at the appointment.  He cooperated and interacted with the nurses and dr.  He did great during the wait (not his strongest point).  Morgan on the other hand was quite miserable and I made a mental note, come Hell or high water she's not going along to future appointments if I can help it.  She was very concerned there were going to be needles involved.  Not for Jack, but for her!  She kept trying to espcape and kicked my shins so hard -- and my arms ached the next day from trying to hold her on my lap all the while trying to listen and talk to the neurologist.  

Between Morgan's yelps and cries I was able to explain Jack's up and down behaviors to the neuro.  Most often it's related to his bowel habits and being backed up.  There are other times though when his behaviors and obsessions seem to come out of left field and we're left scratching our heads.  What the neuro suggested is weaning Jack off of Risperdal (the medication he's on for behavior issues).  We really haven't seen a difference relating to the medication.  It's a pretty "serious" med and I can't say one way or the other if his good days/weeks are because of the med.  So, we will see in a few weeks what he's like off of the medication.  Weaning can cause withdrawal and worsening behaviors so we are going very slowly.  

The neurologist only wants to see us back in 6 months!  That's a milestone in itself!  Keep us in your thoughts and prayers for a seizure free, smooth behavior-filled summer.

PS - see the BIG KIDDOS in the picture?  Jack's in a big people chair and Morgan's in Jack's chair.  They thought it was great to have lunch and be such big kids :)  Morgan also likes to play peek a boo as you take her picture.  So if you see her covering her eyes in recent pictures that's what she's doing!

Pandora Radio

I swear this is not a paid endorsment!  LOL! I have been listening to Pandora Radio non-stop!  It's eerily spot on with the songs they play.  All you do is enter an artist you'd like to base your play list off of.  It'll go on and play song after song from various artists that all some how mesh together perfectly.  If you'd rather not hear a song again it gives you the option.  Totally free, uninterrupted, great music!

My favorite station is based on "The Postal Service" -- cannot get enough!  Jack and Morgan like it too. 

What's your favorite?

Wilhelm Chili (Recipe)

A combo of several different recipes we've tried over the years.  This one is "IT" :)  I actually submitted it to allrecipes.com -- under the title Home-Style Turkey Chili....maybe it'll be published?

Wilhelm Chili Recipe

• 1 lb ground turkey (or beef)
• 1 (14 oz) can tomato sauce
• 1 (14 oz) can Diced tomatoes with green chilies
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 (14 oz) can Navy Beans
• 1 (14 oz) can Red Kidney Beans
• 1 (8 oz) can Home-style Baked Beans
• 3 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon white sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper

1. Place ground beef in a large non stick pot. Cook over medium-high until evenly brown. Drain add onions and cook until tender.

2. Mix chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, pepper, oregano, sugar and cayenne pepper in a small bowl. Set aside.

3. Add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes and baked beans to ground beef mixture, stir.

4. Add spices from bowl stirring well.

5. Cook on low for about an hour.

6. Add drained and rinsed navy and kidney beans. Continue to cook on low ½ to 1 hour longer.

Serves 6

Eyes :)

We had our 6 month follow up and have great news!  Jack is finally using both eyes together and they are as straight as they've ever been.   It means his brain has made the connections in order to use both eyes together.  He's never been able to do this 100% of the time.  Yay, surgery, glasses and patching success story :)

No glasses this time around and he only wants to see us back in September.  It was so strange to hear him say "have a nice Summer" it's hardly Spring yet!!

So great news and one thing to check off the list for half a year :)

World CP Awareness day...

I actually, um, wasn't aware :0

http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/dd/ddcp.htm

March 20, 2009 is World Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day :)

CRINGE!

Let me start by saying I am not an overly sensative person.  I do believe in using positive language regarding differences and abilities -- not so much politically correct, just not painting disabilites in a negative way. I cannot beieve the president of the United States made a crack about the Special Olympics last night :(

This article says pretty much how I feel -- just made me cringe!

Obama's Special Olympics Joke

What are your thoughts?

Two-for-one!

Well, because I couldn't pick which one to post first -- here are two videos!!

Morgan and her letters...cracks me up!  I am so proud of her :)

I ask Jack to take a step -- instead he's being a little silly!

Because I never want to forget...

"Hi guys" -- no matter who enters a room, even if it's just one person

"Oh goodness!" -- When something doesn't go quite right

"Uh Oh, broken" -- this refers to ANYTHING that falls or comes apart.  It includes her scraped knee (which is NOT broken) 

"Happen?" -- As in what happened?  I think she pretends to not know the answer to this one, lol

"Dow-ya" -- her new favorite:  Dora, the Explorer :)

"Oh man!" -- expressing dissapointment

"two, nine, TEN!!" -- This is how EVERYTHING is counted according to Morgan

"Dee You" -- the letter W

Our First Ethiopian Meal (Recipe)

I am waiting on the arrival of the teff flour I ordered online but I wanted to share my plans for our first Ethiopian meal :)

Ethiopian Injera Bread

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup teff flour
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup water
• a pinch of salt
• peanut or vegetable oil
• a mixing bowl
• a nonstick pan or cast-iron skillet

Directions:

1. Put the teff flour in the bottom of a mixing bowl, and sift in the all-purpose flour.

2. Slowly add the water, stirring to avoid lumps.

3. Stir in the salt.

4. Heat a nonstick pan or lightly oiled cast-iron skillet until a water
drop dances on the surface. Make sure the surface of the pan is smooth: Otherwise, your injera might fall apart when you try to remove it.

5. Coat the pan with a thin layer of batter. Injera should be thicker than a crêpe, but not as thick as a traditional pancake. It will rise slightly when it heats.

6. Cook until holes appear on the surface of the bread. Once the surface is dry, remove the bread from the pan and let it cool.

Ethiopian Beef Stew -- Tsebhi Sga or Key Wet

Ingredients

3 medium red onions
1/2 cup spiced butter (also know as tesmi or kbe)
1/4 cup chili paste (also know as d'lk, a hot chili mixed with water, oil and spices)
1 cup canned crushed tomatoes
2 lbs beef (preferably a beef brisket or any cut of your favorite beef)
water

Directions:

1. Chop onions into small fine pieces.
   
2. Heat a shallow deep pan, about 3 to 4 inches deep.
   
3. Add half of the spiced butter.
   
4. Once butter is melted add the chopped onions and cook it until the onion is caramelized.
   
5. Be sure not to burn the onions, keep stirring!
   
6. Add the chili paste to the cooked onions.
   
7. Mix it well by adding a drop of water at a time as needed.
   
8. Cook for about 15 minutes by adding a drop of water as you stir to stop it from drying.
   
9. Add tomatoes and cook for about 30 minutes more stirring it often and adding a drop of water as needed to prevent it from drying out.
   
10. Cut beef into small bite sizes, about ½ inch cubes.
    
11. Add beef to the cooking paste and cook covered for about 20 minutes or until it is cooked fully.
    
12. Add the remainder of the spiced butter and mix well.
    
13. Let cook of about 5 more minutes.
    
14. Depending on your personal desire, you may add more water to bring it to the consistency you like.
    

I will be sure to post opinions/pictures of our first attempt!  At least I have nearly two years to perfect some Ethiopian dishes before our new child comes home!!

Spicy Shrimp and Avocado Salad Recipe

Ingredients:

1 1/2 pounds large frozen shrimp, thawed, shelled and deveined
1 head romaine lettuce, washed and drained
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh chives
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon chopped jalapenos or a pinch cayenne, optional
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1/2 cup olive oil
1 small shallot, minced
1 small ripe Haas avocado, peeled, pitted and cubed just before cooking
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper

Instructions:

Dice the romaine into bite sized pieces, place in large salad bowl and set aside.

In a medium non-stick pan heat the olive oil.
Add the avocado and saute for 5 minutes.
Remove the avocado with a slotted spoon and set aside in a bowl.

Pour out all but 2 tablespoons of avocado oil into a small bowl, and reserve.
Add the minced shallot to the skillet and return to medium heat.
Cook, stirring until shallots begin to soften (about 30 seconds).
Add the shrimp, salt and pepper and jalapenos or cayenne, if using, and saute until shrimp are cooked through (3-4 minutes).

Remove from heat and spoon the shrimp into the bowl with the Avocado pieces.
Add the chives and cilantro and fold together gently, just to combine the ingredients.
With a rubber spatula, scrape any remaining oil in the skillet into the bowl with the reserved avocado oil.

Whisk in the lime juice and salt and pepper to taste to make a dressing.
Toss some of the dressing with the romaine until the lettuce is nicely coated, divide among serving plates.

Top the lettuce with hot shrimp mixture, drizzle with additional dressing, garnish with cilantro and serve.

February 2009 Pictures!

Added February Album!

Guest Post up at Dwell

I encourage you to read Ann's blog -- Dwell in Possibility.

I was invited to write a guest post and so happy to do so!  I am sorry it took me so long Ann!

VOTE! Vote for Jack and Morgan

We love Doni's blog and are so excited!  We entered a contest to have Doni digitally paint a portrait of Jack and Morgan...VOTE FOR US :)  We are entry #2

http://x.jimanddoni.com/?p=903

Happy 6th Birthday Jack Riley!!

To my little boy:

I am so proud of you.  My heart swells when I think you're already 6 years old.  I remember the day you were born and how scared we were.  I remember meeting you and knowing you were a fighter the moment I laid eyes on you!  We are so proud of you and love you very much.  Happy Birthday Jack Riley!!

2003

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2009

Recipe -- Hummus Pizza

INGREDIENTS
1 (10 ounce) can refrigerated pizza crust dough
1 cup hummus spread
1 1/2 cups sliced bell peppers, any color
1 cup broccoli florets
2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese


DIRECTIONS
Preheat the oven to 475 degrees C (220 degrees C).
Roll out pizza crust and place on a pizza pan or baking sheet. Spread a thin layer of hummus over the crust. Arrange sliced peppers and broccoli over the hummus, and top with shredded cheese.
Bake for 10 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven, until the crust is golden brown and cheese is melted in the center. Slice and serve.