Saturday, April 25, 2009

Welcome to Nancy and Arianna's Baby Shower!


The shower begins at 10am central/11am eastern time. Please join us!
Nancy is registered at Toys R Us and Target. She is asking for clothing in sizes 24 months and above. She has Spring and Summer clothing already, so would prefer items for the Fall and Winter.
She has already purchased her carseat, grooming set and pack 'n play.
If you are unable to attend but would like her address information, please leave a comment or send me an e-mail at timnkim@gmail.com

119 comments:

Nancy said...

Good Morning Kimberley. Thanks for doing this.

redmaryjanes said...

Holy smokes! I lost my internet and Tim had to set up wifi for me on my neighbors connection.

redmaryjanes said...

How are you girl? Now, I want to make sure I have the right address to give out. I have Newburgh IN.

Nancy said...

That's crazy

Nancy said...

I am doing OK. I think I may be getting a headcold.
Yes, you do have the right address if you have one for Newburgh.

redmaryjanes said...

Yeah, it's really windy here, but we were fine until 10 minutes before the shower. Verna wants your address to send a gift. Is it the one in Newburgh?

redmaryjanes said...

Ok good, I got Verna the address.

Nancy said...

It's windy here today too, but suppose to be in the mid 80's.

redmaryjanes said...

I have a bunch of stuff to send to you. I bought a lot of smaller clothes for Sophia that won't fit her since she's almost 4. Some is new and some isn't. Is the not new stuff ok? It's in great shape.

Nancy said...

Anything is fine. Everything I have in smaller sizes is from a friend.

redmaryjanes said...

I am hoping for TA next week. I think we're going to be in China together.

Nancy said...

Our SW checked with CCAA and she was told they have not sent out a package to AAI yet.

redmaryjanes said...

What does that mean? No TA next week?

Nancy said...

I just found it funny that I do not know what many of the text messages say, but give me an adoption acronym and I know what it is.

Nancy said...

I'm not sure. She is going to check again early next week. Hopefully latest of Friday.

redmaryjanes said...

I need to ask Steffie how much time there was between TA and her actual travel date.

Nancy said...

Are you still being told you have to send off for your Visas to Washington?

Nancy said...

Our visa is good for a year from the time we got it, if I understand correctly. We just can't be there more that 3 months.

redmaryjanes said...

I'm going to call on Monday and see if we should just put it in. It doesn't take long to get it back though, so I'm not too worried about it.
I'm thinking we will travel at the end of May.

Nancy said...

We have been looking at the earliest travel date of May 9th. I have been scheduling IEP meeting for before then at work, just in case.

Nancy said...

Before our referral we had bought our oldest son Jeff Dunham tickets for his birthday in May. I think we may end up eating the cost of those tickets and having to find something else for him.

redmaryjanes said...

We'll have to just see when the TA's come in.

redmaryjanes said...

My older sons love Jeff Dunham too. Eli runs around saying Jalapeno on a Stick!

Nancy said...

That's IF we receive ours now since I gave them a piece of my mind about their April fee arriving so late.

redmaryjanes said...

What are these crazy fees? What are they charging for?

Nancy said...

This is part of what they initiated in January, where we had to pay $1000 by Feb 1, $250 by April 1, $500 each in July and October.
We never received a bill for the April 1st, and I never saw anything on the AAI Yahoo group about it, so I thought noone received it.

Nancy said...

Turns out they just sent it to the WRONG address, AGAIN!!!
Good thing is wasn't something important.

redmaryjanes said...

So you are just receiving random bills for money and these fees are not associated with your normal adoption costs?
I have heard that they are in financial trouble. But it seems like a lot of MI families are using them and have been matched quickly. I haven't heard about these additional fees.

Nancy said...

Basically, they are in financial trouble. Alot of families are trying to get matched because once you get home, they can no longer charge these fees.

redmaryjanes said...

I am glad that you are matched then and will be done with all of this soon.

Nancy said...

They have told families who did not pay (we paid under protest) that they would have their dossier pulled from China or anywhere else they may be.

redmaryjanes said...

That is a complete scam and I'll bet violates the initial agreement that you signed with them.

redmaryjanes said...

I really like the colors you painted
Arianna's room. It is just darling.

Nancy said...

They owe us money back since we switched to SN, but they sure haven't been quick on getting it to us.
I really don't think we will see that, or the $1000 that is owed us as a deposit to be sure we do our follow-ups.

Nancy said...

I like to go into her room and just look at it.

Nancy said...

I started pulling out things we needed to take with us when we painted and put them on the dining room table. It's funny how fast it can accumulate.
I though I had everything, and then remembered I needed her swimsuit. When I went to get her swimsuit, I got distracted because I saw pajamas, and had not grabbed any of them either.
About 2 hours later I remembered the swimsuit again.

redmaryjanes said...

I know how you feel. I like to look at Sophia's things too. I tell you, I just love looking at all of her clothes and hair stuff. Her room is all ready for her. I need to buy some new pillows, but that's it. We're all set. If she was home today, she would be just fine.
I hope that she is handling her surgery ok. I just want her home.

Nancy said...

If they told me I had to be on a plane in an hour, I would be on it...

redmaryjanes said...

I am glad we are traveling in the summer, we won't need to pack as much since the weather is warm. I haven't started to pack yet. I won't need the diapers and such since Sophia is 4, so I am hoping to pack pretty light.

redmaryjanes said...

Yes, we would too.
We're getting close, very close.

Nancy said...

My assistant is going to start taking over the class this week to get them use to her doing what I usually do. Then when I have to leave it shouldn't be such a transition for them.

redmaryjanes said...

I think that's a good idea. Are you going to go back or stay home?

Nancy said...

I'll be going back. May take some family leave when the next school year starts, but that is undecided right now.
Dave wants her in a home care instead of a center - so I have no idea where she will be when I go back to work yet.
There's a daycare in the school, but they won't take them until they are 3. Dave doesn't want her there because it is so far from home - 22 miles.
I would prefer she be there because then I could check on her frequently during the day.

redmaryjanes said...

Zachary and Tyler were in a public daycare. Eli is in a private home. There are pluses and minuses either way you go. Zach and Tyler were much better prepared for Kindergarten and knew how to share and stand in line and wait their turn. But they were sick A LOT MORE and didn't get as much one on one attention.

Eli has been showered with love and hasn't been sick nearly as much. But we have had to put him in a seperate preschool because he was behind in learning his numbers and letters and such and has had a hard time learning the social skills necessary when you are in a larger group.

Nancy said...

My boys have done both too, just harder since we are in a new area again, and not knowing which to trust.

redmaryjanes said...

Yes, it is really hard to find a place where you are comfortable.

Nancy said...

I joined a Yahoo group for parents with children from Arianna's orphanage. Parents have been sending me updates on their children to give to the director there. I guess they do this about twice a year when someone is traveling.

redmaryjanes said...

They are doing what? People want you to take updates on their kids with you to China?

Nancy said...

Yes, they are just sending pictures and a little note.

redmaryjanes said...

I think that is neat, so that the nannies can see how well the children who they had cared for are doing.

redmaryjanes said...

I know that Amanda loves it when she gets updated info on her children who have gone home with their families.

Nancy said...

That's basically it...they send a copy of the referral picture and an updated on as well as the child's name at the orphanage and home.

redmaryjanes said...

How old is Arianna? I have forgotten.

Nancy said...

When will Tim's wedding band be updated?

redmaryjanes said...

Are you going to keep a part of her Chinese name?

Nancy said...

She will be 2 1/2 on May 10th

Nancy said...

Yes, we are keeping Xin Che, and combining it as Xinche as her middle name. The first set of referral papers had it written Xinche, everything since then has it separated.

Nancy said...

I have been told it is pronounced 'sheen chwa'. I'm not sure if the last a is a long sound, or a short O sound. We've been pronouncing it with the short O.

redmaryjanes said...

Sophia's name was like that too. Our paperwork said Weihong, but when Ann found her through Red Thread China, she spelled her name Wei Hong.

Truly Blessed said...

Hey ladies!

Sorry I'm late, the boys had a regatta this morning.

Nancy said...

Good Morning Kelly, how did the boys do?

redmaryjanes said...

Hi there Kelly! Is it windy there too?

Truly Blessed said...

The boys did fantastic. They're both novices, but are in the same boat. They raced as a 4 man team and as an 8 man team and crushed the competition both races (like 3+ boatlengths in front).

It was windy and rainy on the river. Not fun! But as soon as the last race was over it got sunny -- just in time for us to leave!

redmaryjanes said...

It is windy and rainy here. NOT was has been forecasted for this weekend.

Truly Blessed said...

I was totally unprepared for the rain (thinking it wasn't supposed to happen until after 3:00). Wrong! We got wet!

Nancy said...

We are windy, but warm. We have soccer and baseball today. Dave is doing the running, I am making sure they are being fed.

redmaryjanes said...

Yeah, the kids are eating some hotdogs.

redmaryjanes said...

I am hoping we can get the boat in this weekend.

Truly Blessed said...

So, I've caught up on all of your posts now. My guess is you'll get TA (both of you) on May 1 or 4 and that you'll be on an airplane around May 23/24.

I'm so excited for both of you -- I love that you'll probably be in China at the same time!

Nancy said...

Yeah, Seth went gourmet too. He just had a Banquet Chicken Nugget meal and chocolate chip cookie. He has batting practice at noon.

Nancy said...

Maybe we need to start a pool for when people think things will arrive...

redmaryjanes said...

That's what I'm thinking too Kelly.

Truly Blessed said...

Nancy, my hubby told me you called (which you shouldn't have had to do if I'd answered your email -- sorry!).

Truth is, we're not really sure if you NEED a converter anymore, though we're both sure you may need an adaptor (the adaptor is just a little plug thing that allows you to plug American plugs into other countries outlets. The converter is a big box that actually converts their current to not fry our electronics.

However, most newer cameras/computers/GameBoys state that they can run on either 220 or 110, so if that's the case, you won't need the converter.

We took one just in case and used the power strip also because we had so many GameBoys, iPods, cameras, computer, etc.

Nancy said...

My laptop is 4 years old. I'll have to figure out where it says what it can run on.

redmaryjanes said...

I know that Steffie brought adaptors, but I don't know if she had to use them or not.

redmaryjanes said...

Holy smokes, it's a little gail storm out here. I just had to send Tyler out to grab stuff blowing across the yard.
Zach's bringing his 'just a friend' girl here to lay out on our dock. I don't think she's going to be wanting to do that.

Nancy said...

We aren't that windy, thank goodness!

redmaryjanes said...

Our internet and phone came back on for a minute, but now it's down again.

Truly Blessed said...

Good idea. Do you know where you will be staying in Guangzhou? Will you be at the White Swan or the Victory or someplace else?

Truly Blessed said...

EB just checked the weather and we're under a T-storm warning this afternoon. Fun.

Nancy said...

I think Dave is leaning toward the Victory

Truly Blessed said...

So, Nancy, are there any items on your registry that you are especially hoping you'll get (give me a clue here!)

Truly Blessed said...

I have heard good things about the Victory. You should check RQ's forum thread on that hotel, people have had good things to say about EITHER the old part OR the new part, but not both. If you're going to be there for 13 days or so, you'll want to have the best room/s for your family!

Nancy said...

the booster for the table and the bookshelf at Target are probably top of the list, as is the stroller.

redmaryjanes said...

Steffie said that their hotel had no air conditioning. I know they stayed at the White Swan, I'm not sure where they stayed in Beijing. But I'm going to request not to stay anywhere without AC.

Truly Blessed said...

I found that the AC either worked or didn't in China - a meat freezer or barely breathable air, very little in between!

You can always ask the front desk for a fan (we did and it helped some).

The stale (and fresh!) cigarette smell was much worse for me than the AC or lack thereof!

Nancy said...

Does that mean the cigarette smoke smell is bad in the hotels there...that may be an issue

redmaryjanes said...

I am allergic to cigarette smoke, so I'll have to let the travel agent know that.

Truly Blessed said...

In my opinion it was bad. Some of the rooms were just awful. In fact, we rejected two rooms due to the smell. There are some non-smoking floors, which are better, but even some of those rooms smelled awful (I'm guessing that "no smoking" is a suggestion and is something that isn't policed). The hallways were bad also, at the WS. But then I'm very intolerant when it comes to cigarette smoke. You just have to get used to it when you're in China -- smoke and the lingering smell is EVERYWHERE.

Nancy said...

Kelly I loved the pictures of the girls on the horses. I rode my entire childhood...and miss it dearly.

Truly Blessed said...

Thanks, Nancy, we had such a good time. The girls (especially Ella) just loved it!

I also had horses when I was in High School and College and loved it (but not the work!)

Truly Blessed said...

Katie's having a melt down. Must deal with it. Back in a few!

Nancy said...

Dave use to tell me he would get me horses at some point. I'm not sure I want the work now.

redmaryjanes said...

Our cat and dog are about all I can handle.

Truly Blessed said...

E would also love to have horses, but I don't want the work. I would, however, love to live somewhere where I could see other people's horses grazing outside my window!

Maybe we'll have horses in our future with the girls. Who knows? But I won't be the one taking care of them!

Nancy said...

There is a horse stable very near us, and sometimes I can see them out my back door.

redmaryjanes said...

Are you going to be in church tomorrow Kelly?

Truly Blessed said...

The lady who let us come over had to put one of her horses down yesterday. He was awfully old and a bag of bones, but he was still interested in what we were doing and eating while we were there. But then the vet came yesterday and suggested they put him down. Poor Mac, I know the other horses gave him grief too.

redmaryjanes said...

There is a horse stable near us too and the horses are beautiful.

Truly Blessed said...

Yes, Kimberley, we'll be there.

redmaryjanes said...

Well,
Tim is nesting away. The kids' room is done and he has re-done the downstairs bathroom too. I am very proud of him!

Truly Blessed said...

So cool, good job Tim! What did you do to the downstairs bathroom?

Truly Blessed said...

Have I missed pictures of the finished room?

redmaryjanes said...

I have always disliked the downstairs bathroom. I didn't like they hooks they had on the walls for towel holders and the shower needed to be made usable. It is the original shower to the house and we had just been using to store paper towels and toilet paper. Now the bathroom is bright and yellow and Tyler will be able to have a downstairs shower to himself.

Truly Blessed said...

Very cool! But where are you going to store the paper towels and toilet paper now? : )

redmaryjanes said...

Now I just have to get him to let me replace the dining room chairs and get a new china hutch.
Tim's father gave us the dining room set from when Tim was a boy. The table is amish made and gorgeous, the chairs are awful (you feel like you are at cracker barrel). He still has the china cupboard at his house, so I am hoping to get that here soon too or buy one. Tim wants the one from the set, but I've waited two years for his Dad to bring it down. I still have the cupboard from my first set which doesn't match at all.

Truly Blessed said...

Here's something interesting. Last night we went to a fundraiser for Juvenile Diabetes Research Found. and I was getting ready. When I put on my dressy shirt, Katie looked at it and said "Just like Josie's Mama!" (which I found confusing at first). Then, it dawned on me that Kim had worn the exact same blouse (in a different color) when we went to the CCGGGR Christmas Party in early December!! This girl has an amazing memory!

Nancy said...

At least you got your yellow somewhere in the house.

Truly Blessed said...

Yes, hooray for Yellow!!

redmaryjanes said...

That will be for another day though. Right now I have to get Sophia home.

redmaryjanes said...

Yes, I had to have some yellow in this house!

Truly Blessed said...

Ladies, I have to get going. Gotta get these girls in bed and run E to pick up a car. It's been fun chatting with you, and I just cannot wait to hear news of your TA and travel dates. Come on, CCAA, get a move on!

Nancy said...

Bye Kelly!

redmaryjanes said...

Have a great day Kelly! See you tomorrow.

redmaryjanes said...

Well girl, how are you doing?

Nancy said...

OK...
Maybe we should just close down. I can get to baseball then.

redmaryjanes said...

It's up to you honey, I like to sit and chat with you.

Nancy said...

It's OK...
You have things to do too.

Thanks for everything:)

redmaryjanes said...

We're just hanging out. We aren't going anywhere today.