ADOPTION QUEST: Back to class

Aaron and I are back in class to complete 3 sessions we missed while we were in Hawaii in the summer.  Today was an early day for me but we managed to complete 2 of the 3 sessions.  Yea!  One more to go!

Today's topics were very informative about birth parents and children services.  Some of our questions we had in the home study process was finally answered.

Another frustrating issue came up today.  The trainers reneged on their offer to switch the classes in order for us to take our last class on our day-off Saturday.  Damn.  I hope I'll be able to get a last minute time off approval!

Regular schedule... you're back!

I'm finally feeling calmer at work.  I'm still busy all night but at least I can take breaks now.  My boss was wonderful to offer to train new hires with me this semester.  I got to sit down at my desk and finish a project one night and go to the gym on another.  Now if I can just go to sleep earlier each morning ...

ADOPTION QUEST: Interview and frustration

Aaron and I breezed through our interview process!  But it was a long task to complete.  I wondered why it took me so long to finish answering the questions. They weren't hard. I finally realized that "writing" out my answers made my hand cramp so I would stop and forget to work on it again. 

I admit, the child's characteristics form was hard to complete.  So much options to consider and lots of characteristics we had no idea what they were.  Some were hard to consider for an infant versus an older child.  I am so happy this form was finally completed.

So I had my first frustrating experience of this process.  There seems to be a lack of organization with scheduling and instructions with our assessor.  I thought maybe it was because I'm demanding and over-organized, but I found out all my friends who are helping us with the process had the same problem. I realize the assessor is a very busy worker but she needs to know that we are too.  How is one suppose to get a hold of her if she's never in her office?  She implied that maybe my friends weren't trustworthy because they didn't call her back.  A director of a day care?  A teacher? Another case worker?  People who volunteered to be our substitute care providers?  I don't think so.  She also implied  Aaron and I may be too busy to care for children if we work odd hours.  Excuse me?  It took all my strength to bite my tongue.  OK I need to calm down.

GIRLIE UPDATE: Chasing Mavericks trailer #2

I'm excited for this flick to come out in theaters!

Regular work schedule... where are you?

It's the beginning of week 3 of the semester yet I'm still working overtime!  Two people just quit so I'm scrambling to fix/fill the desk schedule and trying to keep up with new hire training with every free time I have.  I'm feeling a little overwhelmed.  Best I talk to my boss to help relieve some of the pressure.  I need to start directing some of my energy to the fostering-to-adopt process now.

ADOPTION QUEST: New doctor, new lifestyle

One of the many things we need to do for our fostering-to-adopt process is to get the green-light from our doctors that we are healthy and fit to be parents.  I ended up getting a new doctor and I like her a lot!  She is not-too-old but not-too-young and is very pleasant.  She seems caring and that's something I felt I didn't get with my last doctor.

Well the time has come... my body has announced it is officially old!  My blood work said I'm deficient in Vitamin D and after 25 years of staying under, my cholesterol levels have finally jumped over the borderline.  I'm surprised she didn't tell me my bones are brittle too, ha!  But the thing that's going to be hard is changing my diet.  I already have plans to fit exercising into my busy work schedule so I'm not worried about that.  What I'm so not prepared for is the drastic change in diet, like giving up meat!!  I gave up sausages and a lot of processed canned foods, and cut back on my spam and bacon already.  Oh lord. What we have to do to stay young and fit.

Overtime, Baby!

Every semester I go into crazy busy mode for the first week or two and oddly enough, I actually love this time of the school year!  My college student workers come back from summer, all eager to get back into the swing of things, and new hires come in for all eager for training. I even like making the last minute changes to the schedule when my workers need them, and this semester is no different. 

Let's see how long this "happiness and cheer" lasts...

ADOPTION QUEST: Random...

I had my first random drug test today.  Aaron did his later.  It made me late for work and apparently I wasn't a good provider.  I never could produce "on demand".  What we have to do for babies!

COUNT 2012: Fall workout plan

I hope I can start my new workout next week.  Work is too busy right now.  I found a couple of friends who want to go to the gym with me.  Aaron also has me on a supplement to help me lose some water weight and suppress my hunger.  My goals are:

• Go to the gym once a week; maybe up it to two times a week if my work schedule allows it
• Lose weight -- any weight!  Eventually a total of 15 pounds to get me to my college size
• Stick to an eating routine -- breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner -- maybe cut out the last snack in the early mornings; changing my work hours for the summer messed my body up
• Go back to eating better foods -- lots of veggies!
• Drink a lot of liquids

Wish me luck!

ADOPTION QUEST: Stroller for one

More baby stuff!  I am hoping we don't have to have the stroller put together before the placement.  If we are lucky and have two children placed, I'd prefer to get a double stroller instead of two separate ones.  We can return this one for an upgrade.

Always excited to get stuff for our future family members!

So long summer!

Aaron and I had a rare but relaxing long weekend at home together!  We hardly have our days off together, let alone a couple of days in a row.  We did a mix of stuff -- movies and dinner with our friends, food shopping, DVD movie watching, a dinner date, book reading on the couch, long served naps, dog walking, home projects and housecleaning.  I actually felt like a family.  Time to expand our little Ohana unit.

Today I'm back to work -- welcome fall semester!  That means I'm working my evening shifts again.  This week will be crazy.  I'm scheduled to work overtime until 2 a.m. every night as well as Friday and Saturday.  New hire, student supervisor and closing training -- let the kala roll in!

GIRLIE UDPATE: The Expendables 2

Double date night!  After Aaron and Mikey went to a bike fest today, they took Tina and I out for dinner at Carrabba's then to see the movie.  Holy shoot-em-up-blow-the-joint-down, Stallone!  Love it!  The night was still young so we hopped over to Ace's Bar and Grill for a couple of drinks.  We had a chance to catch up on their cruise, our Hawaii trip and baby-baby talk!