HAPPY FATHERS DAY

HAPPY FATHERS DAY!

I would like to get a shout out to all of you Dads out there. I have a lot of love and respect for all of you and I hope to join your ranks soon. I have had a lot of great examples of Dads out there. From my Dad, Step-Dad, Father-in-Law, Granddads etc. I have watched in awe as new Dads take on the role of fatherhood and I am touched by the example of older guys who deal with teenagers, older kids and grand kids! Lastly I have had a lot of great men be "father figures" to me in my life. I do believe that we do not know how much of an influence and example we can be to each other and these men have been a huge influence to me at one time or another in my life. I could use countless examples but to save time and protect the innocent I would just like to share two stories of fatherhood.

The first is about an old friend of mine who did something awesome. His daughter wanted tickets to see Hanna Montana but they were sold out. He and his wife heard on the radio that they were having a "Hanna Montana" look a like contest and the winner would win tickets to see Hanna Montana. So off they went... They had a entry for the girl that looked the most like Hanna Montana, The Mom and... the Dad. At the last minute my friend entered the contest as the one and only Dad who looked the most look Hanna and won! He had to wear a wig and play a guitar just like Hanna would on stage and the crowd went wild! He won and took his little girl to see Hanna Montana in concert!

The second story deals with my Dad. Years ago when I was a teenager I bought a model kit of the USS Enterprise from Star Trek. I did not follow the directions when putting it together and as a result the part that holds up the engines would not stay up. I was very sad about this since I had spent all of my money on this model. I came out to the garage one day to find my Dad (who hated Star Trek) trying to use wood to make the model stay up right. It did not even look right but I appreciated the effort more then anything! I have a lot more stories of my Dad but this one stands out today.

I hope that all of you will say "thank you" to your Dads on Father's day. Remember the good, forget about the bad. They have all done the best that they could do! Happy Father's Day!

Memory Lane

All this waiting for our kids has prompted the trip down memory lane. We are trying to dejunk and consolidate. We've come across pictures and Dave has learned how to scan them into the computer. It's been fun and a little sad. Last week marked the 10th anniversary of the passing of Dave's Dad. It also reminded us it has been over 10 years since we "let nature take it's course". How fun to finally know where that course took us. We are so excited for the future. To give these kids a happy home where they can learn and grow and be happy and healthy and have fun growing up. I am amazed at the level of understanding that my niece and nephews here in Texas have of adoption. This has been a positive experience for them. They are all so excited to have some more cousins. We had fun trying to explain to one of my great nephews that our kids will be their mom's cousins just like David is and that he is in a different generation but that they are all still cousins. I think I'll do a family tree with my parents going forward so all the kids can see where they fit into the family.
For those of you keeping up with the process, we have read over 4 inches of paperwork and are still waiting for some more. We have to have all of the info from the CPS file and read it so we have a good understanding of the kids and what they've been through. Once we have read all of the file and asked any questions we get to meet our kids. CPS wants to make sure we are aware of everything before we meet the kids. It is all about the kids and looking out for their feelings. We want to make this as smooth a transition as we can.
Continuing with our practice runs, we had my great nephew, JR, over this weekend. He'd been waiting a year and a half (since his sister had stayed the weekend). So we finally thought we'd better do it now or we wouldn't be able to. Unfortunately for the rest of the kids I don't think anyone else will get a turn since our rooms will soon be full. I hope that getting cousins to play with will make up for it!!! Maybe we'll have a big slumber party next year once the kids get to know their cousins. Who knows what the future holds!!! How exciting to finally be to this point in our lives. To be able to share our wonderful family and awesome friends with these kids. To be able to give them the love and attention and encouragement they deserve.
Well we've looked at the past, we're patiently living the present and we're excited about the future!! Thanks for taking this ride with us and hang onto your hats and glasses cuz this ride is about to get wild!!!!!!!!!!

EVE & ORIO'S WEDDING 1994

Is this the Three Musketeers?

A outtake from one of those "Pirates" movies?

Another Robin Hood movie?

How about something from a bad music video?

Nope, Just Eve & Orio's wedding with Steve Call and Dave Anderson as the 2 merry men! The day was filled with monks chanting, people dressed in Renaissance costumes, a huge rainstrom and lots of fun in the mountains!

ANOTHER BLAST

Dave & Larry with Ice-T. Who would have thought that this guy would end up playing a cop on "Law & Order"!

Shoes, Shoes and more Shoes

What is the purpose of so many shoes?
I think Jenafer and I counted over 50 this day! I wonder what happened to all these shoes. Does she still own any of them??

Photo circa 2002

RANDOM THOUGHTS with Dave Anderson....

"Dave, did you do that?" "No Steve, I thought that you did it" "Man, that smells bad...."

Steve gets donutted while asleep. If only breakfast could be this easy!

Doug, wake up! It's 2008! Somebody kiss that man...

Terrilyn wins "Worst Costume" and is forced to wear the clown suit.

Dave & Orio sing "Day-O" to a crowd of thousands but this is never to be repeated again...

LARRY ANDERSON

June 3rd, 2008 marks the 10th anniversary of the death of my father, Larry Anderson. Dad died at the early age of 55 of a brain tumor and he is still greatly missed. I know that he is proud of his kids and with what they are doing with their life. I have been reflecting back a lot lately on my Dad as Liz and I prepare to adopt kids. I hope that I will remember all of the good things that my dad taught me and that I can be an even better Father to the kids that will be coming into our life soon. Dad, I hope that they have Pepsi in heaven!

BLAST FROM THE PAST

Jed the Fish a DJ from the world famous KROQ along with DJ Dave and Roadie Chris

Kids Update!!

We got the file yesterday and read all evening. It was a lot of information. Lots of duplicate papers and info. Lots of DFPS forms. And lots of reasons to love these kids and make them our own.

We have notified our case worker that we want to move forward. There are a few forms missing that have been requested and need to be received before we can meet the children. We are learining patience as we follow the steps that CPS requires knowing it is all for the good of the children. It is all about them and we want to make this transition as smooth as possible.

We did find out their birthdates. Our little boy is already 5, and our little girl is 6 (turning 7 this year). And we saw a picture - it was small & from last Sept, but they are adorable. And we love them already!!



Legal Disclaimer - For legal reasons, we will not be posting pictures or identifying information on this blog at this time. As soon as we are legally able, we will post pictures so you can see our family grow. However we will never post identifying information. Specifics (birthdays, sizes, likes/dislikes, etc.) will be communicated to family & friends when we are legally free to do so. Thank you for your understanding.

Feeling unappreciated at work lately?....

THE POLICE

Yesterday I went to The Police concert in Dallas. Sting and Crew were reunited (cause it feels so good) and touring the world. I had bought a ticket for a friend of mine but he couldn't go so I finally found another friend to go but he bowed out hours before the show... Lucky for me I was able to talk Neil van der Upwich into saddling up one more time and go to the show. Once again we went to "Freebirds" for some awesome burritos and then off to the concert. Elvis Costello was the opening act followed by the mighty Police! We were sitting in the grass section (cheap seats) and waiting for the police to set up when we notice that people working for the concert venue were passing out tickets. I worked my way over and asked about the tickets which they then gave me 2. Yeah! We ended up in the 2 end seats in row H of the middle section. We had a perfect view of the stage and I have never been so close to the stage (unless you count when i worked security for the B-52's show in California). This was a great experience not only to see and hear great music but to be up close and not have to rely upon binoculars or the video screens. This caps off a fun 6 months of concerts starting with the Oak Ridge Boys, Van Halen, Roger Waters and The Police. Now it is time to bring kids into our family and make them the most important thing in our life! Maybe I will end up at a Hanna Montana concert next. It worked for a friend of mine.... But more on that later!

Selected!

We've been selected!!

Next step - we will get the childrens' file next week and read through it. If we still want to move forward we will have a meeting with the childrens' case worker and anyone else involved.

Then we will get to meet our kids!!

Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers. Keep praying for these kids, their lives will be changing drastically and that's tough when you're only 4 & 6.

Mom-to-be & Dad-to-be

Jury Duty

After 39 1/2 years on earth I finally got a Jury Summons. Last Monday I got up early (they said parking was free but limited), brought a good book and headed north to the new Collin County courthouse in McKinnney. Got a great parking space - getting there an hour early paid off. I sat in the truck and started a good book that Dave had bought about adopting an other child. I finally got out and waiting with all the other "jurers" until the doors were open. After I got in and went through security I entered a very large room with uncomfortable seats. It took about an hour to overfill the room. And then the true waiting began. After a while the girl came in and asked us not to shot the messenger. She then read the list of names that could leave but had to come back on Wednesday. I wasn't on it! Then she said she was waiting for the other judges to let her know how many of us they needed for the day. She came back a while later and had another list. This list would go directly to a court room. She read that list and I was not on it. As soon as she walked out she was handed another list and she came back to read it. I was not on it. A while later she came with another list. I was not on it. After what seemed like forever she came in to tell us that she was still waiting for the last judge to get back to her. Finally she came back in and said she had heard from the judge and he didn't need any of us and we were free to go. She reminded us that this counted for our jury duty and we would not be called for another 24 months. So then I went shopping, got some lunch and went home and did the dishes. I was actually excited to go back to work the next day!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEVE!

Today is Steve Marshall's birthday and I thought that I would share a few things that I remember about Steve.

I remember Steve and I kidnapping Michelle Sims so that Brad could propose to her. Being the good friends that we were we kidnapped her before dawn and had her ready only to find Brad asleep! Lucky for us Brad woke up with a little help and broke a few speed records to propose to Michelle as the sun came up.

Who looks more like “Bob’s Big Boy” then Steve!

Who’s a bigger fan of Barry Manilow then Steve “Fanilow” Marshall!

While the girls were on a planned scavenger hunt Steve also helped me out with my big proposal to Liz by taking me to get the roses etc. on the way down to Laguna Beach. You would never see me more stressed out then that day! That Yukon sure did get a lot of miles!

Truck! (Did you ever get one? I did and I am still paying for it!)

Steve’s excellent voice singing music from “Phantom of the Opera”.

Telling Liz that Steve was my brother, it is not hard to believe since he does look more like my brother then my brother! Liz soon figured out that my “real” brother was coming home from his mission!

The night we Dee Jayed on the Queen Mary for a company Christmas party where the owner gave a speech about firing all of the “loser” employees…. One by one!

That cool leather jacket!

Talking Rachel into marrying him. That was impressive!

Happy Birthday Steve!

ROGER WATERS

On Friday, May 2, 2008 Neil van der Upwich and I went to the Roger Waters concert in Dallas. Roger Waters played bass for the band Pink Floyd before going solo in the 80's and wrote a lot of their best song from such albums like "Wish You Were Here", "Dark Side of the Moon" and "The Wall". Since Pink Floyd is not turning anymore then this show was the closest I was going to get and it was great! The first half of the show was Roger Waters solo hits and Pink Floyd hits. The second half of the show was the entire album of "Dark Side of the Moon" from start to finish! As part of the encore he played "Another Brick in the Wall". What a great concert!

http://www.guidelive.com/sharedcontent/dws/ent/columnists/tmaurstad/stories/DN-waters_0503gl.ART.State.Edition2.46b23e6.html

TREE TRIMMING

Last Saturday our friend Kit Allowitz came over and trimmed our front trees. It seems that in a past life Kit did a bit of tree trimming here and there. He did an awesome job and now we have more sunlight without losing our shade! His kids came over to play with the dogs and to make sure that he did a good job! We will miss the Allowitz family when they move to Austin next month!

PS: Kit, if the HR/Training thing doesn't work out you can always fall back on tree trimming....

The First Lady & Daughter

Tonight Dave & I meet Laura & Jenna Bush. They were at the Borders Bookstore in Dallas to sign their new book "Read All About It!" We also bought Jenna's book "Ana's Story" and had her sign it. It was the most controlled book signing either of us have ever been to.
Dave went in the morning to buy the books and get our wrist bands - Blue, the 5th group to go in. We meet after work and got their at about 6:45pm. It officially started at 7pm but when we were walking up there were already people leaving. We heard latter they started early. After waiting for a long time (we don't know how long because neither of us had our cell phones. They told us not to bring in bags and we knew security would be tight so we brought in the bare minimum.) When we entered the store we had what little we had searched and then had to walk through a metal detector. Then we headed to one side of the store, back a few aisles, then to almost the other side of the store. We were stopped and allowed to walk one at a time to the back of the store (I think that was the exit route and Secret Service didn't want it blocked) As we walked past you could see where Laura & Jenna were sitting - about 3 Secret Service were facing them and about 3 were facing us. We then walked in a circle around this section of the store before arriving at the end of the line where we were reminded to not put our hands in our pockets or make any sudden moves. We spent about 30 seconds in front of them - no small talk or hand shaking. Then we could stand behind a rope and take pictures. Here are some - not very good but, hey, it is the first lady & daughter. I also took some pictures of the books and autographs. It was an experience and since they will soon be neighbors we thought we should welcome them!!!

Our rent-a-kids came and spent a weekend with us while their grandma (Liz's Sister) rested after surgery & their mom & dad(Liz's niece & nephew-in-law) went to work. We put them to work in the yard. The three sitting on the dog kennel clipped twigs inbetween sitting on the dog kennel!! JR willingly mowed our entire backyard and most of the front yard. And if you've seen our backyard that is quite a feat for a 10 year old. After the work was done, we all headed for the city pool. Then back home for a BBQ. JR & Dave are quite a team!!

On Thursday, April 24th 2008 I went to the to the book signing for Valerie Bertinelli's book "Losing It". When at the front of the line I heard Valerie tell her boyfriend, Tom, "There's a 7-11 across the street, I am sure that they have Ibuprofen for you". Since I am not known for being shy I said "You need Ibuprofen?" Turns out that Tom had a bad sinus headaches so I told Tom and Valerie that I sold Ibuprofen and that after she signed the book I would "stock them up". Valerie was super nice and down to earth and I had a good time talking to her and her boyfriend Tom. Now if they had just given me some VIP concert tickets for the Van Halen show that night in Dallas.....

Denver

On my trip to Denver I got to hang out with our old neighbors, Doug & Kit, and their two adorable kids. I stopped by Sunday night after I got into town and was feed some great ribs! After having some fun with the kids I headed back to my hotel. I was glad to be safe in my room when our hotel was robbed that night. One of my co-workers witnessed the robery. And another came back to the hotel when the police were running around the courtyard looking for the man. The one thing we couldn't figure out was why would you rob a hotel - do they even have any cash? To make the week even more exciting some crazy maniac hit our mirror while we were waiting in the center lane to make a left turn. After seeing parts fly we stopped and checked it out and luckily our mirror bounced right back. After two days of training, I headed back to Texas after our plane flew around a storm. To top off my wonderful week, I woke up Thursday with a horrible stomache virus.

Chipotle Heaven!

The Original Chipotle!!
Denver Colorado

I went to Denver on business to train the new payroll & HR people.

While their I got to eat lunch at the very first Chipotle!

Hail Sale

On Tuesday April 8th we were awakened at about 11:30pm by the sound of our roof caving in or so we thought. Hail was pounding against our bedroom window. It wasn't as big as a baseball or a golf ball, but it could be compared to a marble. We were spared the next week when another hail storm came.

Texas weather is never boring!!

How the system works

We have had a lot of questions about what comes next in our process. So I just wanted to let everyone know that our file has been submitted a few times. When our case worker hears of kids that she thinks we would be a good match for she sends our file to the kids case worker. We know very little about the kids she submitted our file for. Usually ages, gender & race. So far I think we've kept it under 6 years old, but who knows what the next one will bring. We were notified today that one of the case workers that has our file has narrowed it down to "a few" files. Ours is one of them. The kids case workers and all those involve on their side will get together in the next couple of weeks and discuss the "few" files they have. They will talk with the case workers of those families, including ours. Our case worker will continue to look for kids while this is happening because we may not be the ones picked. While this is exciting, it is not a done deal. It is my hope that the childrens case worker will find the best family for them. And while I think we're a pretty great family we may not be the best family for these kids. After all, it's all about the kids!! So we continue to wait and pray. If you do want to pray with us, don't pray that we get picked, pray that all involved in this decision will be insipired to find the best family for these kids. And if it's us, we will definately need your prayers. :)

Adoption Scrapbook Page

We were asked to do a scrapbook page representing us for our adoption. I mainly used pictures of us with nieces & nephews here in Texas. I know there's a lot more of you, but I wanted to show all the local cousins our kids would have. I also couldn't resist using the pictures of "Santa Dave". He made such a great Santa. The pictures of the boys on the brick wall & them hanging on Dave were taken just a couple of weeks ago. My one niece in Texas was sick and I had a nephew out of town. These boys are my "great" nephews, my nieces Heather & Amie's kids. I told them what I was taking the pictures for and they got taking about what they wanted in a cousin. Of course they want us to only adopt boys!! And each wants a cousin their own age. I told them we were only approved for up to age 10 and Austin (who will be 12 in April) very logically stated that we could get a boy who was almost 11. He figured that was as close as we could get to his age. They are all excited and are always asking when we are getting our kids. I always tell them well get them when Heavenly Father says it's time and we'll get who He wants us to get, so I can't promise all boys!! Of course Tori (the one girl cousin in Texas) wants a girl. I don't think she cares what age, but she desprately wants a local girl cousin. My parents will just be glad to finally have all their grandkids. I'm the only one without kids. Everyone else is done (or so they say). So when we get our kids that generation will be complete. Of course on Dave's side ours won't be the last. His sister & her husband haven't even started their family and his brother has two girls, so maybe they'll have more. And of course his step brothers & sisters could go on for a long time, so I pretty sure our family will truely be never ending. Well that's it for now. We are just patiently waiting for Heavenly Father to lead us to the children that are meant to be in our home. And with the help of a wonderful case worker we will find them!!! And then we'll live "happily ever after". (Don't panic, someday I'll explain my philosophy on fairy tales)

WE'RE APPROVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dave just called to tell me that he spoke with our Case Worker!!!! We are approved to adopt!!! She is going to stop by Monday morning to meet with us and start to get to know us and find out what kind of kids we want!!!

Finally, We get to go find our kids!!!!!!!!

Valentines Day

My wonderful thoughtful husband made my Valentines Day perfect. I came home from work just before him. He said he had plans for dinner so I started on getting the kitchen cleaned up thinking he would grill me a steak - one of my favorites!! After Dave came home he went to the bathroom and then the doorbell rang. I couldn't believe someone would come over on Valentines Day - hopefully our last without kids. I ran to the door because the dogs were tormenting the poor man who rang the bell. And much to my surprise it was the Papa Johns pizza guy!! Dave had a heart shaped pizza delivered. It was one of the best Valentines day ever. I know most women want dinner at a fancy restaurant, but I'm different and Dave knows me very well. I love him - he is the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Texas Snow

I know it doesn't look like much to most of you, but this is snow in north Texas! We were in the 80s on Saturday and wearing shorts. The weather started to drop after church yesterday and then a little after 9pm it started snowing. Unfortunately, it will only drop to about 31 and then start heading back up around 8am, so no luck for an ice/snow day. We haven't had any ice days this winter. Last winter we had a few. We should be back up to 60 on Saturday and 70 on Sunday. Gotta love Texas weather. Never a dull moment!

It's On His Desk

I have just received offical confirmation that our file is now with the supervisor of our county CPS office! After he reads though it, he will assign it to a case worker who will call us and help us find our kids!!!

Keep praying for us and our kids wherever they might me!!!

Liz

Still Waiting...

We have received word that our file has been turned into the CPS supervisor of our county. He will now approve it (he better!!) and assign it to a case worker. Then that case worker will call us, come visit, and find us kids!!! We are praying for a nice case worker. And we are always praying for our kids.

Other then waiting we are organizing our office, spring cleaning the Christmas stuff before putting it in the attic, and enjoying going 0ut without hiring a babysitter (we know those days are numbered).

Christmas was good, but boring with only the two of us. The holidays just didn't have the excitment we were hoping they would have this year. 2008 will definately be different!! Work is still the same for both of us. Dave has a new boss - that's a good thing. We are expecting a freeze this week with snow flurries on Thursday. We are both hoping for an ice day so we can stay home and get things done! Could happen Thursday or Friday but probably not.

For any Brown family reading this, I'm starting the 2007 DVD. Send pictures!! It might be all about Anna & Aubrey Waite if I don't get any more!

We saw The Ark at a little community theater in Hurst with my parents. It was fun. It was written by Michael McLean.

Okay enough rambling - Back to work!

We Are Done!!!

Merry Christmas, we are done!
We had our final home study visit last week. Today I talked with our home study provider and she asked that we fax our drivers license, since we don't have our birth certificates.(no one told us we needed them and neither of us know where they would be. We have requested copies in case they decide they really need them.) What a roller coster. We should have our final approval and a case worker by mid January. Santa may not stop at our house this year, but we are hoping the Easter Bunny makes it!! Thanks for all your prayers and happy thoughts. Keep them coming, we need them to find OUR kids! I know they are out there, we just have to find them!

Santa

We Are Done!!

Last night, Melanie, our homestudy provider came by to interview me (Liz). She had interview both of us and Dave last Friday. She now has to write a report about us. She said she should be done with that by the end of next week. She said if we don't hear anything by the middle of January we should start calling them!! Once we have our offical approval we will be assigned a case worker who will help us find our kids! We have no idea how long that will take. For the sake of the kids I hope Heavenly Father will help us find them fast so we can all begin our new lives together!

Thank you for all your thoughts & prayers. They really do work. Keep praying for our kids.

FINALLY - Adoption Update

After months of waiting, emails that weren't answered and a phone call that was kinda rude Dave finally got a message to a supervisor and suddenly the wheels were in motion. Our paperwork was found hiding behind someone elses. And today...

The phone call came.

I got to work and my message light was on (normally not a happy sight). It was a message from Melanie - she sounded so nice. She is a Homestudy Provider. She is contracted by CPS to do homestudies. She is not a CPS employee. I called her back and she explained what she needed to do. She will come to the house twice. Her first appointment is on Friday the 7th. She will meet with me at 3:30pm and then Dave can come home and she will do the couple interview at 4:30pm. She will then need to make an appointment to interview Dave. She doesn't even have our file yet. She was given my number and told to make the appointment. She picks up our file tomorrow. She said that she has 30 days to complete the homestudy from the day she was assigned. She also said that she was going on vacation after Christmas and was hoping to get it done before then!!

Once she is done, she will send her recommendation to the CPS supervisor in our county who will give his "stamp of approval" and then we go find our kids!!!

Dave meets Elvis???

I was out late one night in the little town of Quinlan, TX. It had been a long day and I was feeling hungry. Being that it was Quinlan, TX and because I was broke I had my choice of Arby's or McDonalds. There were no Chipotle's in Quinlan.... I decided to go with Arby's because the beef n' chedder sandwich was bring out a hunger, a hunger that I hadn't felt in years..... Anyway, I drove up to the local Arby's and found it to be a walk - in only! Agghhhh! OK, I am still feeling that hunger that you only get for those potato cakes so I went on in to hang with the locals..... As I walk in I smelled the grease and oil of the fryer that hadn't been changed since "41" was President. I thought twice before I ordered.... Would it be good? Would it be as wonderful as the last time? Would it be reheated for the fifth time in a week? OK.... I can do this! So I walked up and said "hi" to the girl at the counter who was missing a few teeth but she did have that metal thing in her tongue.... Good thing that Arby's meat is soft! She talked to me and her voice made a slight "clicking" sound that reminded me of the train station telegraph office at Disneyland...... Oh, back to the story! So I ordered "give me a beef n' chedder, potato cakes and a diet coke, I need to watch my studly figure". She smiled and said "you're not from around here are ya".... I smiled and said "no I'm not young lady" partly because I wanted my food to be right and because I knew that she didn't have a car..... She came back with my food and I grabbed a big hand full of Arby Sauce and went out the door into the night. As I got to the car a big old Cadillac from the 1970's drove up out of nowhere. This is the kind of caddy that is longer then most houses with rims and head light covers! The car comes to a slow stop and the door opens. Amongst the coke bottles and cheeseburger wrappers falling out a tough looking man with red hair emerged from the car. Then the passenger door opens and with a large belch a man empties into the shadows.... A voice I knew from somewhere says "Red, y'all go in there and get me some food, I feel something coming on". The red haired man says "no problem boss" and the voice says "thank you, thank you very much.... Then the voice steps out of the shadows and I saw that it was The King, The King of Rock n' Roll Elvis Presley! Wow, I've seen Santa Clause but this..... in Quinlan! He looked at me a with a curled lip and ketchup dripping down his chin said "what you looking at son, McDonalds is closed and I need something for the road and I don't like the pansy sandwiches that Jared makes at Subway". With that he did a karate chop in the air to overstate his dislikes for Subway. For once in my life I was speechless and just stared. Finally I was able to ask for a quick autograph and picture and then Elvis and Red hoped back into the car and drove off into the night. Before he left he reminded me to treat my "Mommababy" right unlike the way that he had treated Cilla. I asked him where he lived now that Graceland is a museum? He said that he traveled the good ol' USA fighting crime where ever it may be.... Finally I asked him how he could be alive and he said that he believed in only there things... God, Country and Elvis......

You go Elvis....

2007

2007 Year in Review

Here's a quick run down of the slide show photos and what we did this year.

1. We got some snow last winter. Not much, but enough to make a little tiny snowman and close the office a couple of days (mostly due to ice).

2. Dave's work van was covered with snow a couple of days. Didn't make for an enjoyable work day!

3. This is all but one of my nieces. The Joneses to the left & The Graybills to the right. Love 'em lots!!

4. Dave on the far right & his teaching partner Jeff on the left. These are the kids that were in his primary class at church. He is still teaching but they had kids move in and had to split the class.

5. Liz's brother Steve brought his family out for a visit and we met up with them at the Fort Worth Stock Yards. The Nelsons came too. These boys are cute - especially the big one!!

6. Natalie Brown! She turned 16 this year, I remember when she was born.

7. Tyler Brown showing off his big coin from the place where money is made!

8. Dave's sister Jenafer & her husband David came to visit after we met up with them in Oklahoma. It was just a short 24 hour vistit but we took them to Texas Land & Cattle for lunch.

9. Dave enjoyed showing Jen & David around Dallas for the day before meeting up with Liz for lunch.

10. We finally get a house and great neighbors and then they get transfered and move to Denver. We miss them, but we had an excuss to go to Texas Land & Cattle the night before they left!

11. Liz was director of the church girls camp this summer - 5 hot days, a very windy night, one pool, a day at the lake, food, skeet shooting & 30 teenage girls! What a week! Creshel is the president of the organization.

12. We visited my parents community pool a few times in the summer. The kids loved playing with Uncle Dave.

13. We visited Louisiana and yes we really saw alligators.

14. We toured the Tabasco Factory and spent lots in the country store! We even bought a gallon jug of Tabasco sauce. It is our inspiration piece for redesigning our kitchen someday.

15. Dave's best friend Brad and his family. We used to live across the street from them. Now we live 6hrs away.

16. The Howard boys helped Dave remove a fence post. JR loved the sledgehammer!!

17. Dave taught JR how to make a really tasty steak!!

18. We celebrated 11 years in Oklahoma this past September. We found a place called Pops! Hundreds of different soda pop flavors.

19. Dave met "Elvis" at the Plano Balloon Festival about a mile from our house.

20. Liz is getting old - 39. We celebrated at BJs Pizza.

21. Joel helped Aunt Liz celebrate her birthday and eat her potatoe wedges!!

22. Dave and his little friend Abby at the LDS Dallas Temple. Our friends, the Maloufs, were sealed as a family.

What a year! It was a good one, but did not turn out the way we had hoped and dreamed. Our dreams are now in the hands of CPS and we just wait. We hope & pray that 2008 is our year and our family will be complete!

Merry Christmas
The Andersons!!

Waiting & Waiting....

That seems to be the theme of our life. Just Waiting. No phone call yet. Dave has emailed and received no response. He called and was told they will get to us when they get to us. Don't you just love the government. We are trying to be positive and determined. At times I just want to give up. Oh how I'd take the 20 hours of labor. It would have been so much easier.

November is National Adoption Month. The govenor of Texas, Rick Perry, has his little political letter - http://www.governor.state.tx.us/divisions/press/editorials/editorial-20071030/view - it sounded good, so I emailed him and told him how much Dave & I would love to open our home this holiday season. I tried to stay postitive and just told him like it was. If the process wasn't so long and the people so rude maybe there would be more homes open to the kids.

We painted our living room, hall and entry! We're putting up crown molding on Saturday. It looks great. We painted a tan/beige color. It seems so cozy and warm compared to the stark white walls. I sure wish someone would come and visit us! We'd love to show off our little home and the Dallas area! We still love it here. We are still doing the same ol' thing. And just waiting...

Just trying out the Slide Show option!

39 and counting...

Well, I'm 39 now. And still waiting for a phone call to set up our home study. I am now in charge of activities at church. Dave is on my committee and he is still teaching the 5/6 year olds.

We are starting to listen to Christmas music for our annual CD! And with my new PhotoShop hobby, we should have a creative cover!

We are dejunking our house - a never ending battle - and Dave has $80 towards his play station 2. We took in old books & videos to a used book store. Dave is going through his CDs to get the other $50 dollars.

We have a new dishwasher. Didn't want one, but the one that came with the house (we think it's the original from 20 years ago) decided it was time to die! Even though we stayed on the cheap side of the prices we got a good one and I am learning that I don't have to wash my dishes before I wash my dishes. Thanks to our friend Doug it is installed and working well!

Now if we could just get kids to dirty some more dishes. We are looking way too much on the website. There are so many that need Moms & Dads. I know we can't take them all but I hope we can find the ones that God has prepared to come into our home!

Until next time...
Parents-in-waiting
Dave & Liz

Waiting...

Our case file was sent for homestudy assignment last week. We should hear from someone in the next couple of weeks to schedule the homestudy.

Who knows how far out they schedule the homestudy appointment. We have some things to get done. We have about 1/2 of the boxes out of one of the bedrooms! Dave turned in some old books & videos and got some money towards his PS2. It's not a PS3, but it is better then nothing.

ALL the dogs are now sleeping in crates. We bought a little one for Gracie. We tried to keep her off the new couches but it wasn't happening. So now she sleeps in her crate at night and all day. It makes for a better night sleep for us, not having a dog in the middle!

We are now entering the busy, I mean Holiday season! We wonder how busy it will get. Will have have a lonely Christmas or a wild & crazy kid filled Christmas. A lot is still unknown and we'll just trust our Heavenly Father that he knows best!

Parents-in-waiting
Dave & Liz

11 years and counting

We went to Oklahoma City for the weekend to celebrate our 11th anniversary (9/7). We had a blast. Got a good deal on a room - thanks to a friends & family discount because of bro-in-law David. We went to the Bombing Memorial & Museum - highly recommend it!! A must see! Bring the tissues. Very moving! We shopped and ate and walked and rode the watertaxi! We had Marie Callenders (brought home some pies!) and drove through a little town called Blanchard. My Great Grandma lived here before getting married in OK City and moving to Long Beach California! I visited the grave site of my Great Great Grandparents and saw lots of others I'm related to.

We hope this is our last anniversary alone. Next year we either take the kids or get a babysitter. And speaking of kids, we got an email back from our CPS person. We are missing just 3 papers that need signing. She also didn't get our fingerprints - which we did a long time ago. She is looking in the system for that - it's all done electronically. Still no idea how long before our homestudy. So we just hurry up and wait. We are trying to dejunk until then. Making more room for the kids stuff!

Until next time...

ADOPTION UPDATE

Paperwork is complete!

Now we wait - to see if there is anything we forgot & for a call to set up our home study visit. We have no idea how long that will take. After that we get the official approval and go look for kids! We see cute kids on the web site all the time so I don't think we'll have a problem finding great kids, it will just be finding OUR great kids!! Officially we are looking for 2-4 kids ages 5ish to 8ish - realistically we think 2 would be great!

Thanks for all your support and prayers. Keep 'em coming!

August Update

Yea, it's been a while. Still working on the adoption thing. We've been in our house for over a year now! We still love it. We learned a bit about plumbing - what a Saturday night! Haven't quiet figured out what to do with the big backyard.

Dave is still teaching the 5-6 years olds at church. Camp is over and I'm now doing nothing - I sure miss those girls!

After months of record rain, we are finally experiancing a Texas summer. We have had a week of near record heat.

We went to Louisiana last month to visit Brad & Michelle Sims. It was great to see them and their kids. We got to go to Avery Island and visit the Tabasco factory & country store! We got to see aligators up close - too close!

Our next trip will be for our 11th anniversary in September. Just a quick weekend getaway. Don't know where yet.

Wow It's been a while

Here it is January 2007!

We are on our way to creating a family!

We started our PRIDE training with the state of Texas CPS department. 2 Saturdays down - 3 to go! We have to have a physical, home fire inspection, home health inspection, Infant Child Adult CPR & First Aid certification, water safety course, and fill out tons of paper work. All before our home study. After the home study we will be approved for adoption! Then we go find our kids.

We both continue to work (no sign of that stopping!) at the same companies we started with here in Texas. We love our house (moved in June 06). We love church - Dave is teaching the 5 year olds (what is Heavenly Father preparing him for??) and I have been called to be the Young Women Camp Director - plan a week long girls camp for 35 12-18 year old girls!!!

We'll try to keep you updated!