The Fanning Four

About 20 years ago I became an official "band nerd". I remember being in elementary school and walking from our house to the high school on Friday nights to go see the football games. In reality though, I was there to see and hear the band. I couldn't wait until I could be a part of it. I would dream of being one of those uniformed teenagers out there marching around. Call them nerds if you wish, I thought they were the coolest people ever. I couldn't wait to march in the band. Ironically, when I started band in the sixth grade I chose one of the only instruments that isn't used in marching band. The oboe. My family didn't have a whole lot of money at the time and my Mom had a clarinet and an oboe left over from her days as a "band nerd". So, those were my two choices. I chose the oboe. It was one of the best decisions I've ever made. Twenty years later, I still love the oboe. I love the sound. I love the melodies we get to play. I love a good r...

Just a few Bethy quotes to brighten up your Wednesday. I also threw in a picture from our recent Disney trip. When discussing what to do yesterday afternoon Bethy says: "Momma, there's two options, pet store or pool." Couting in the car- "1, 2, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 18, twoteen. Haha, that's a funny color." In a public restroom, she exclaims loudly, "Momma, there's too many people peepeeing in here." "I looooove broccoli. I not like it though."

Bethany never drank formula so we never learned how to mix up bottles. Tom and I were discussing this yesterday and he said, "Maybe we should practice. Kind of like, 'Ok, here's your son, now feed him.' " Anyone got a can of Chinese baby formula sitting around I can practice with? I sure hope someone in China tells us what to buy or else our little guy may end up drinking seafood flavored gatorade from the local Chinese Wal-Mart. On a related note, we had some watermelon flavored coca cola from China at Epcot Saturday and it was delicious. We took a picture so we can try and find it in China. Perhaps Caleb would like some of that? ; )

Got a call from our agency that our Article 5 was issued today. I had hoped it was issued earlier in the week but it's done and that's all that's important. Article 5 is just a letter saying we've completed all the necessary steps. So the Chinese adoption officials now have all the necessary paperwork. Now we're in line to be issued travel approval. It's basically a letter that says that we can come and adopt Caleb. We're still on track to leave last week of June/first week of July. I could be ready sooner if we are given that option. I've seen people get travel approvals in 9 days. I have seen some people wait close to two months. Average wait is three weeks. The next few weeks will be nerveracking for sure! Like waiting to go into labor!

There's this guy that has a noodle restaurant. The restaurant sells all kinds of noodles with various toppings. Sounds interesting and probably very yummy. The noodle guy is Todd. I don't even know where he lives. I can't pronounce his last name. I've seen his picture online. He called me last night. My heart started beating fast when I heard him say "Hello, this is Todd". We had friends over but I excused myself to the other room. That's how excited I was to talk to him. Why would a happily married woman be so happy to talk to a random guy she found out about online? Noodle guy moonlights as a China adoption travel guru. They say he finds tickets for way cheaper than other travel agents. The force is strong with the noodle guy. So, Noodle Guy and I had a heart to heart about the reality of summer China travel. Let's just say, they better give me an extra pack of peanuts and the WHOLE dang can of soda not just half! Reality of airline prices...

I went shopping at Target the other day and the lady checking us out said, "Looks like someone is going camping!" Or to China to bring home our son..... And then she asked for my license- because of all the meds I was buying. That would have been some camping trip!

I got the flu the first week of April and pretty much kept going- housework, laundry, adoption paperwork. I just kept pushing through. So, God gave me a redo and struck me with the plague this week. Well, it was a virus but it might as well have been. Bethy had it earlier in the week only she had a rash from head to toe with her fever. I had a sore throat that felt like thousands of tiny men were stabbing me in the throat every time I swallowed. I could hardly talk my throat was so swollen. I had a fever that Tylenol barely touched. I missed my orchestra concert- that's a post for another day.... I could do almost nothing but stay in bed. But that was then, and today is a new day. Bethy and I went on a beautiful walk this morning and I'm feeling great! We should get notice of our article 5 letter this week (hopefully tomorrow). What's the article 5?- it just says "Ok, everything's in order for the adoption. China- you can tell them to come get Caleb." So...