Sock Gnomes

Yes, they are a real problem. How do I know they exist you ask? Well, let me share with you my nightmares with socks. And I don't mean that literally....no, I really don't go to sleep and have crazy dreams about killer socks. Although, between you and me, that's probably the ONLY topic I've never dreamt about...

ANYWAY....socks. We have lived in this house for 8 years. Over this span of time, I have literally had hundreds of socks. We live in northern Minnesota, so, in the winter, socks are generally manditory. So, let's see...I have purchased approximately 12 pair of socks a year (which is a low number), multiply by 8 years, that's.....HOLY COW! That's 96 pair of socks!!!

Would you like to take a guess as to how many pair of socks I currently own??? Five. FIVE. I MIGHT be able to gather up to 10 pair, if I'm not too fussy on if they match. And yes, I HAVE worn mismatched socks because I have no others. No, we're not just talking kind of the same socks...we're talking I have actually worn one ankle sock and one knee sock. Yes. I have. I just tried to kind of limp when I walked so it wasn't so noticeable.

But...where do they go??? SOCK GNOMES. How else can you explain 90 PAIR of socks that have just vanished?? Granted, I am not the world's best housekeeper, but I would think I would stumble across a small ski hill of socks somewhere inside, or outside, of my house!!!!

My thought is this: After I wear the socks, they become imbued with a special, magical force. NO...not STINK. A lovely scented magical force. The Keebler Elves sneak in under the cloak of darkness and gather up my socks! You can see where this is going, right? They use MY socks for fuel in their tree bakeries. OMG, it all makes perfect sense! If this is, indeed, the case, I can rest soundly knowing that I am doing my part to make sure you all can enjoy chocolate chip cookies and those fudge striped ones...you know, the ones you can wear on your finger and eat around in a circle. Oh, come on....you've done it before....

If, on the other hand, it's NOT the Keebler Elves, and is instead a diabolical brand of sock gnome, don't be surprised to read THIS in the newspaper one morning over your bowl of cornflakes:

WOMAN FOUND DEAD UNDER PILE OF SOCKS. Rough estimate ranges anywhere from 200 to 2 million individual socks. Crime was NOT committed by Keebler Elves. Police urge locals to be on the look-out of a thieving band of sock gnomes who will probably be replenishing their stock. Film at 11:00.

My moral of the story? Eat a cookie off your finger, keep an eye on your socks, and if you can spare a pair, I'll give you my address!

More of the Fabulous Miss M

Here are some snippets of the newest photos we received. They were taken, according to the time stamp on the photos, on January 11. With every new photo and bits of information we get, the whole process feels more and more real. I just want to have that baby in my arms and lavish love and attention onto her!

Well, not surprisingly, they gave her a haircut. BUT, they kept those darling bangs!!!!!!!!!

Check it out....an ear!!!!!!

This little piggy went to market...

Stats

We just got updated measurements for the Fabulous Miss M. She weighs 5.8 kgs, or approximately 13 lbs, and is 55 cm long, or about 22 inches. In her photos, she looks like a bruiser, but she's still a little peanut!!!!!

What's New?

So, what's new, you ask? Well, not a lot. We are waiting for our paperwork. Basically, what happens when you accept the child you are offered, the parent's paperwork must match up with the baby's paperwork. Then, when our paperwork is one, big, happy family, it is forwarded along the process and is sent to the USCIS (Immigration Office) where they will review everything. They have up to 60 days to review our case and determine that our baby is indeed an orphan and meets the qualifications for adoption and immigration. After we receive that favorable determination, a Giving and Receiving Ceremony is scheduled in the province where our baby is right now. Then, I'll travel to Vietnam to bring our baby home. HOME. Isn't that a lovely word???

Right now, we are still in that matching up the paperwork phase. However, I DID just get new photos of the Fabulous Miss M!!!!!! She has a haircut :( but otherwise looks healthy. I will post more snippets soon!!! It was absolutely WONDERFUL to see photos of her from just a week or so ago!! I just cannot wait to have her in my arms and kiss a little smile on her chubby wittle cheeks. In the photos, though.....10 fingers and 10 toes. Couldn't ask for anything better!!!!!!!!

The Fabulous Miss M

As promised, here are some snippets of the Fabulous Miss M waiting for us in Vietnam. When she is legally ours, I will be able to post an actual photo of her, but until then, we'll have to make do with a mini preview.

You gotta love all that hair. She's already stylish with her bangs...

Check out that intense stare!

My fave...the milk mustache...

Isn't she gorgeous?!?!?! :)

An Update

Missed me??? I've missed you all!!!

I've been living at my Mom's since December 12. She had an infected foot that suddenly turned from bad to worse, and ended up having a vascular bipass in her leg to fix a 100% blockage, plus an aeortal bipass in her abdomen. She came, literally, within hours of losing her foot. December was a rough month for my family. But, all is well now. She is healing nicely and her foot is now a lovely shade of pink, instead of angry, blistery red and purple!!

She came home from the hospital on Dec 12th, and on the 13th, at my mom's, I got a phone call. Yep! THE phone call!!!! We have our CFC. Turns out that my LID was off!!! It was completely out of the blue, and couldn't have come at a better time. She's a cutie from the Thai Nguyen Province, which is in the north, and she was born on September 18th. We are absolutely thrilled, and it was a great Christmas celebrating our baby and my mom's good health. And, weird as it sounds, she looks just like my husband. Everyone who sees her photo says so. I keep asking Mike when he travelled to Vietnam without me!!!! HA!!!!

My mom doesn't have internet access....I' ve been having the shakes from lack of internet!!!! Thank you so much for everyone who has sent their good wishes and thoughts for my mom and my family. I'll be posting little photo snippets of our sweetie soon!!!!