Oh dear, I've been tagged twice!

Andrea, at Holding on for the Ride blog, tagged me several days ago. And I just was notified by Suzanne, at Straight Down the Mountain blog, that she also tagged me. Now it's my turn to share 8 interesting/special things about myself and NO, I cannot come up with 16 just because two of you tagged me. Honestly though, I don't think I've felt 'interesting' for a while...this could take some thought.

Here they are, in no particular order:

1. I love hosting dinner gatherings and get togethers. Mostly, I love to have people over and share a home cooked meal with some nice spirited beverage. (mind you, I haven't done this in quite some time and I don't think it will happen any time soon, friends ;)
2. When I was younger I wanted to be an actress. Not just an ordinary actress, but a famous actress.
3. In my next life I will be a singer.
4. I asked a friend (you know who you are) if he would give me some hints as to what's interesting about me and here's what I got: I have good design skills around house and home (must be from all that HGTV I've watched over the years. Funny thing is, I have yet to complete one room in my house completely (except for Little Squirt's room). This friend also said I like to talk. Hmmm....not sure about that one. I always thought I was a bit quiet. I'm a planner...that one is very true, but is that really interesting or special???? I'm a good shopper! Maybe I was, but will I ever get to a mall again to put those shopping skills back to work?
5. This person also said 'you know what you want and you get it even if it takes a while for it to come to pass'. Actually 2 friends told me this!! Wow!!!
6. I'm single...I think this is more shocking than interesting. And in this area no. 5 above has not worked for me! Sob, poor poor me :(
7. I truly have the most fabulous friends!! You also know who you are ;)
8. The most special thing about me is the newest addition to my family - my sweet, sweet baby girl, Nola. (edited to add that bringing Nola home was a result of no. 5 above)

Time for a picture-

Apparently once I reach my 100th post, I need to list 100 facts about myself. I think I'm going to be in trouble since I really struggled with these 8. If I think of more interesting things to share with you all, I will come back and do a 'do-over'. Will that work?

So, let's see...I tag Jim & Ali and Kate.

Ok, ok, ok...here she is!

I don't know how many times I have said 'I will post to my blog tomorrow' and tomorrow came and went. I don't know where the hours go. Well, I do, actually. My sweet baby is keeping me on my toes!

I'm sure you all want details, but more importantly, you probably just want to see the Squirt. I'll write more in my next post (soon, I promise!). For now, enjoy these shots from the pick-up trip and the first days at home.

take me home!

I love love my exersaucer

yes, that's a thumb going into my mouth

showing mom how strong I got between trips

I love to '1 - 2 - 3 stand-up'

Vanna White, watch out!

see my dimples?

Love to all!

They are home!!!!!!!!!

Jackie, Nola and Helma are now home in south Florida! Nola went to bed at about 8:30p ET and hopefully slept well as Jackie is pretty tired from the travels. There are still some PC problems, but with any luck, some pictures from the trip will be up "soon"...

Welcome Home my friends!!!!

A message from Jackie (3 December)

Here's an email that Jackie managed to get out yesterday evening:


Hi all! Imagine my surprise when I learned that Hotel Kaz has wireless access? And that it worked beautifully...except that I still cannot send email. I'm using someone's computer (another adoptive family I met from MD who is adopting a v. cute baby girl from Kaz). Anyway... We are doing fine. Nola is being a good girl and really entertaining us with her smiles and laughs. We laugh every time she laughs. She is keeping us both very busy with her feeding schedule and play time and diaper changing. She is very strong and wants to stand up so badly. We have a game where she holds my fingers and I count to 3 and she pulls herself up. She is so proud and we clap and say "yayyy Nola....10.0" and she smiles so big and proud. I wish I could send pics, but since I am using another pc I cannot. Trust me...she is cuter than when we left her. Oh, today we went to the SOS clinic for her exam. She did well, but was not happy to have blood taken from her little finger. She screamed bloody murder. She has her first band aid!!! She is 10lbs!! Ok, that's all for now. I must go. I need to charge the pc battery and will be back down later to google talk with whoever is online. It looks like that will work. PLEASE feel free to forward this to the family members I missed. I just didn't have all the email addresses with me when this kind, new friend offered to allow me to use his pc to send an email. Hugs. Jackie, Helma and Nola Diana

On the way home via Almaty

Jackie, Nola and Helma are in Almaty Kaz now where she reports it's very cold. Today, Tuesday, 3 December, Nola will get her physical examimation as part of the requirements for her US IR3 visa. That visa is not only her ticket for entry into the US, but also what makes her a US citizen when she arrives. Even more interesting, Nola just may be starting to teeth...oh, joy! Only a few more days now before these "three muskateers" head home...

For those of you following this story, please keep Jackie's little furry friend, Fendi, in your thoughts. He's apparently not doing all that well right now in her absence. Although he's a somewhat moody dog and understandably sad that she's away, he also has a medical condition that is more difficult to deal with when his mommy is gone.

1 December update...

It snowed in Kyrg this morning, according to the text message I received earlier today from Jackie. But they had a nice day including a lunch excursion with a friend named Katy. Things are moving along and on Monday, Jackie, Nola and Helma will be headed to Almaty in Kazakhstan to process out via the US Embassy and obtain Nola's visa for entry into the US later in the week. I'm sure they are looking forward to coming home, despite the very long plane rides involved.

Hopefully, Jackie will have workable Internet access in Almaty and be able to post some wonderful pictures! I'm looking forward to them, too!!