OK. Just got off the phone with the visa center (waited on hold for 30 minutes!). The woman simply said, "All I can tell you is that your visa was sent to the embassy on Friday."
WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!! That is THE LAST STEP!
I immediately emailed the embassy (yes again!), and told them it is there and hope they will find it while we sleep tonight. I would love a 2:00 a.m. email Tuesday telling us we can come!! 


If anyone local wants to donate items to the orphanage (no money), here is what they need:

• coloring books and crayons (Dollar stores have tons!)
• mostly but some girl underwear (sz. 2-12)
• track pants, sz. 18 mths to 12 years.

We have 2 suitcases already (thanks in part to my sister!), full to donate but would love to fill one more with things from friends. We'll collect at "big choir" this Wednesday. THANKS!

More good news: I emailed the embassy in Addis asking what the time frame is on getting interviews (after Jason said," What if they are back logged and we can't go until July?"). They said: 


"Dear Montague Family,

 Please be advised that currently there is no wait for visa appointments.

 We will be on the lookout for your updated visa 37."

YAY!! Umm...we'll take the first one we can get!

*******

Spent a great afternoon at the GA Tech baseball game--it was H-O-T! At least 88 degrees with very little breeze. It was a Boy Scout trip, and they let all the kids at the game "run the bases" afterwards--FUN! GA Tech lost to Clemson, but it was a pretty good game, and we are not even  baseball fans. George saw a Frat house and they had a dog, so he has decided THAT is where he'll live when he goes to GT...oh my! I told him to play Basketball for GT--air conditioning inside games!!

I found Vinny's doppelganger! It's Asian Vinny!!!
Check it out:

Also, some good news:
1. We do not need to buy extra insurance for our trip.  Yea!
2. We do not to get our ET Visas PRIOR to travel. We can still stand in line for a couple of hours after traveling for about 24 hours and get our Visas at Bole airport! Yea! And not a sarcastic Yea--this will save almost $700 dollars and it takes away the stress of sending all 6 passports to an embassy notorious for "losing"passports! 
Now, we just need an actual date to travel!

OK.
Natan's passport will arrive today. He is HAPPY! We are all happy!!!
And for the record, I know we are going to bring T home soon, but I think I'm entitled to a little self-pity. It's been five months. That's too long.
The Visa 37 will arrive today in New Hampshire. Then the visa center uploads it to Addis. Then we get our date. Then we go!!!!! This visa is like Bilbo Baggins! My Pretty...
*******
For your enjoyment, here is the article about the twins who were featured in the movie, "What to Expect When You're Expecting" that Natan was also cast in (remember last summer??), but then cast out of for being a year too young! Super excited for this family--they are part of an adoption group that we are part of, so they gave updates during the shoot and it sounded like lots of fun!!
http://www.ajc.com/lifestyle/thriving-twins-go-hollywood-1424765.html
******
American Idol blurb: We would like Philip Phillips to please go home tonight. He looks like he's trying to poop when he sings, and none of us think that is very sexy...we miss Colton!
The kids all loved Jessica, Elise, and Joshua last night. They also booed every time the CFA commercial came on--love my little activists!

Natan's passport is FINALLY on its way! After a mad paper chase and discovering things that we had no idea about...we did it! 
Then the not good news:
Finally heard back from the Visa Center--they have no record of the visa 37 that is needed to clear T's case. I am not surprised...
I reached my breaking point last week, and I am running on emotional fumes now. Thank goodness I have my four rascals to keep my spirits up!
If we still are not cleared by the time all of our commitments are over (concerts, recitals, programs etc.), we are heading to ET to wait it out over there. 
We're coming, Lovie! Hang in there...

1. My sister just commented with this:
To be nobody but yourself
in a world that's doing its best 
to make you somebody else
is to fight the hardest battle 
you are ever going to fight.
Never stop fighting. 
e.e. cummings
OK. I can do that!


2. Guess what came in the mail TODAY! Yes! Our official approval (which we had two years ago...) Now I have begun harassing the National Visa Center about the status of our case. All they have to do now to get us there is 1. Open email. 2. Forward email. Easy, right?? It can take two weeks to do this. I can accomplish more in one hour with four people demanding my time than the government can accomplish in a year. 

3. The kids got a burst of spring cleaning before school this morning and I did NOTHING to stop them! George accustomed and MOPPED the bathroom floor; Mimi made all the beds; Natan vacuumed the school room and Master Bedroom, and Vinny colored pictures and hung them up. Thanks you. Thank you. Thank you. (The best part is they do for free or a minimal payment of five "tokens.")

4. The three older kiddos are newly obsessed with playing cards. They are madly having games of War and I have promised to teach them to play Poker this week. Math? Why not! (Oh, wait--they just asked me how to play "Bullshit"--card games gone bad!)

I've said it before, but here I am saying it again: If you are anti-home schooling, fine. But you don't need to criticize me for it. Leave us alone.
Yesterday (and I will not mention where or by whom this done), Natan was doodling and writing words on the white board in the choir room (oops, that's a "where!"). A woman-who-shall-remain-nameless looked at the picture he drew of her and the first thing she said was, "He's six. He should have drawn a neck. You better teach him to draw." My response was, "He's six, but he tests at a four year developmental level." She then, after ignoring me, started in on him. "Natan, you're six. You should be able to draw a square.  Draw a square." She continued on this way--while I watched with my mouth hanging open--going through all the basic shapes. My mind processed this as I watched her walk away. And the only response I could come up with but didn't say out loud was, "What a bitch." My pet peeve is people who "test" my kids out of the blue, with random questions and then pass judgments based on how they answer. 
My kids are smart. They are funny. They are lovable and snugly. They are Humanists-in-the-making. What more could I ask for? Wait! I know the answer to that: FOR PEOPLE TO LEAVE ME ALONE!
I ended a "friendship" over a year ago with a person because she was simply mean to me. Since then, I have become more cautious with people, always on guard and ready to defend myself. It's exhausting. So now, rather than wasting that energy on idiots, I will simply cut 'em off. As Jason says, "Put them on ignore." Next time something like this happens I will stand up for myself, remove the child in question from the situation without so much as an "Excuse me, please." 
Yes, the friendship pool is shrinking, but the ones left swimming in it are of the utmost quality...

Just a little something about our adoption coordinator:
http://www.runnersworld.com/cda/microsite/article/0,8029,s6-239-506-0-14301-0,00.html

So long,  Dick...
http://www.globalnews.ca/

Jason...how do I love thee? Let me count the ways!
HE called the exact same number with the exact same info as I had, got a different woman. SHE said, "There is no other letter--we have everything we need and his passport is being processed. Do not pay to expedite until you have a firm travel date Wait for the passport."
OK. Now I admit I have little patience with some things. My whole problem now is that we have no control and no way of finding answers. We are at the mercy of anyone we send paperwork to. And it's frustrating. 
That is why I am SO lucky to have Jason. 

This is me. Daily.

This is Jason. Daily.

I think we balance out quite nicely.

Just talked to Jason and he suggested we move to Toronto. 
First GREAT IDEA I've heard in awhile...
Mum, could you buy back the "Green House" in Cobourg??


Good thing my kids are immune to profanity...

My New mantra:

One step in the right direction, an then a few stumbles back...

Just when I thought certain people could not get any more incompetent...the passport people prove me wrong!
The passport office sent us a letter stating that we have to submit a new photo for Natan because they think it looks like he's wearing glasses. 
I called.
The woman said, "Oh, they sent you the wrong letter. They have another letter sent out about something else. But I can't tell you what it is about."
I didn't say what went through my mind. And I certainly won't print it here.
But holy %@!*
Are you freaking kidding me??
Then she saids we should OVERNIGHT it with ANOTHER check for $72.20 to to the Dept. of State.
Maybe I should send a kidney along with it just to cover future costs...

Oh.My.God.
Jason just told me his dream is to have an acid metal band and call it, 
"Death Tickle." Now, say it a few times until you get it.
He is in the kitchen doubled over laughing. What a dork.
Oh!!!! Now he is explaining why it is funny to Mimi!!!!
Comment if you get it. And send help--I am married to a dork!
Death Tickle...really.

The Montagues are approved (again!).
The woman from immigration called Jason yesterday afternoon and said she had approved our file!! Now we are waiting for the national visa center and the "Visa 37 Cable" which is the LAST step! It means T will have her visa and we will get a date to travel, hopefully within the next ten days!!!!!!!!
Hoping that Natan's passport comes this week and then we can apply for our travel visas! 

Even my young kids realize that a space program is worth funding, but not a war...
Sad day for our children.

OK.
So we heard from the officer in charge of our case so far. She told us she would start processing it this afternoon and it would not take longer than 7 days. After that, no idea! 
We are simply going step by step, from one office to the next. 
Everything is up to date and ready. We just have to sit and wait. Again. My stomach and heart hurt... 

Getting ready for a great week of school...making shapes with marshmallows, finishing up our "Land Forms Book" and moving on to national symbols (really a continuation), trying to make bottle rockets (nothing to do with school, but we will do this under the guise of science!). Just want to have some fun blowing stuff up--and I will definitely video! Library on Thursday, and then a big trip to the High Museum of Art for the Picasso to Warhol exhibit. It's home school day, so they will be able to participate in an activity too! They are all super excited!


Natan starts Speech Therapy and OT next week and he EXCITED! He keeps telling people, "I am in therapy..." I am happy that he is finally receiving the services he needs.


Jason is going to light some fires tomorrow under the butts of the people not helping us get Baby T home. I have reached my limit on how much longer I can wait. And I think he is tired of my whining!! See? Whiners DO prosper!


If you want to read about someone inspiring...here is a link to a blog written by the woman responsible for us being able to bring T home. She made me see that this is something we can do. It may not be easy, but it is doable!
She is running the Boston Marathon tomorrow, and I will be tracking her progress throughout the race. Hope to meet her in person someday, and it will likely be in line to get her future bestselling book signed! Read through her older posts where she talks about why she started running...she's amazing!
http://seemomrunfar.blogspot.com/

Sunday Convo with Natan
(the edited version!)
Natan: When I woke up this morning, I went to the bathroom and saw Daddy get out of the shower."
Me: "OK?" (this is not unusual--we're not shy in this house!)
Natan: "I saw his nickels." (nipples to those who don't know!) "Why does Daddy have fur on his nickels?"
Me: (after a moment to stifle my laughter!) "Because most people do as they get older. You'll have fur on you too, someday."
**Help me when that time comes and I have three kids all around the same age going through puberty and not being shy about it!!! 

So...my daughter (the one who actually lives with us!!), has a crush. It is not her first, she informed me. She reminded of her first crush, Bob Crane, who walks with her every year at the Heart Walk!!
Her second is Colton Dixon, one of the Top Seven on American Idol. Yes, judge away, folks! I let my kids watch. They go crazy for the singing, what can I say?? I love to hear their comments with each other as the performers sing. I actually hard one of the kids (can't remember who) say, "Sounds pitchy!" A musician's dream is to hear his/her children fall in love with music, musicians, performances, songs...
They went wild a couple of weeks ago when my fave, Elise, sang Led Zeppelin. Yet another proud moment.
So Mimi likes Colton, but said "the only bad thing about him is that he talks about God too much." That's my girl! I agree--this kind of competition should be religion-free. Let's keep it appropriate, people!
We will watch again tonight to see who makes it through. The other plus is watching Steven Tyler each week--another favorite of my children! They LOVE him!!! I won't break it to them that he is almost the same age as Nana!

Colton has the hot blond mohawk...


Oh yeah...I think this is who George is crushing on:

FINALLY received our pictures and an update from the agency...takes a lot of harassing emails to get it done...
Check out T in her rockin' dress. Any wonder why we are desperate to get there and spring her? The kids were very excited by the pictures and can't wait to meet her! Although, they are still puzzled as to how she can be blind when her eyes look like that!

 Our pretty girl!!!!!

Jason shared this article with me. We both are increasingly tired of the crap that is spouted from these groups of people. 
Enjoy the article...

Just a few random things...


While cooking spaghetti the other night, Mimi looks into the pot of boiling water and bouncing pasta and says, "Sure glad I'm not a noodle...not fun!"


We are still waiting for T's visa to be processed. It is essentially the last step before they issue an interview date--no idea on the timeline. 


Vinny's passport came yesterday!! He is super excited--he sat with me when it came and poured over it, exclaiming, "'I'm just so happy! I love my new passport!"


Checked online this morning and Natan's passport is in the system, being processed--hopefully without any glitches! Once we have all six, we can start applying for our travel visas!


Finished two coats of paint on two walls. Very slow, despite all my helpers. Questioned the decision to paint halfway through and right after Vinny sat on the upturned paint can and covered himself. We are down one pair of Wall-E underwear!!


Saw two movies in the past few weeks that had me talking.
1. The Cat in the Hat with Mike Meyers. Wondered at the "PG with Mild Violence & Adult Content" rating, but what the heck--we watched it with the kids anyway! You have to let go of the "this didn't happen in the book mentality" because it is great! The kids LOVED it--they quote it and would watch it all day, every day! It also kicked off a titillating conversation about the phrase, "Son of a ___________!" and they are now having fun inserting different words at the end. "Son of a singer!... Son of a teacher!.... Son of a Baker!" See? Hollywood is doing its part to educate our children! I stand by our decision to teach our kids how to navigate through the world of profanity. There'll be no "Dadgummit" around here! How else will they know when I am truly mad, or just merely losing my mind??
2. For Colored Girls. Possibly one of the best movies I have EVER seen. It made my stomach clench, my heart hurt, and I highly recommend it. Can't even describe it. Movie based on twenty poems with interwoven characters. Beautiful! A Must See!


Now off to school to build mountains, valleys, islands, volcanoes, a desert and an ocean...land-forms, baby! Then we will continue our unit about the artist, Andy Warhol, before finishing up with our bi-weekly library trip. And yes, we will stick some reading, writing, and math in there!! M and G are writing "good copy" reports on the computer about U.S. national symbols. They are shaping up nicely, I must say!

Waiting on one piece of paper...T's visa. 
So, what to do in the mean time? Paint something!!!!!
Starting with the basement where the playroom and TV room are. 
All this after school is over. Because I have to have a project. 
On the school front...many of you know how anti-testing  I am. However, I downloaded some criterion reference tests for first grade to do some assessment. G and M aced them, with no help from the teacher! Yay! 
So to all the anti-home schoolers out there, learning at home CAN/DOES happen and SURPRISE--you don't need traditional curricula or a traditional setting to do it! Just give them the tools to learn and they will absorb everything in their path!!