Mortgage Document Drama

Just a boring adoption paperwork update today.

We received our "proof of mortgage" document in the mail today.
The one that I emailed a SPECIFIC form for... to be signed and notarized. The super simple one.


That they didn't send me.
They sent us a cruddy photocopy of some random mortgage document that had nothing even remotely to do with what we requested.


Not surprised... but still upset.

I kinda understand if they wrongly believed they couldn't complete it, but why not just TELL me that or ask me for further details, instead of doing something so OBVIOUSLY different from what I requested? Our mortgage company is making tens of thousands of dollars off of us... but they can't sign a form, or at least have the guts to tell us they can't and/or won't?

Did they think I wouldn't know the difference between the signed form I requested and the random pieces of paper they carelessly mailed me? lol.

Sorry. A little irritable over here today. :-(

Impending Parenthood and Gifts

Yesterday evening I told Donald how much I loved my new sports bra (random tmi, but it's essential to blog-plot development).

Said bra was expensive.

We began debating on what event or milestone would justify me purchasing a 2nd.

"Maybe if you're good, for your birthday..."
BULL. CRAP.
My birthday isn't until December.

*Sudden realization*
I'm going to be a mommy soon!! I totally qualify for Mother's Day demands!!

Donald agreed, but suggested my choice in gifts was old. A sport's bra? Yeah, that's old.

He then complained that it was similar in style to the anniversary gift I got for him (Powertools - picked out by him. Lest you think I was unthoughtful, consider how little I know about powertools! I knew he wanted and needed them, and I didn't want to screw that up!!).

Out of rebellion, I then assured him that I plan on spending an insane amount of money (a relative term around here) on him for Father's Day, without input on his part!

*2nd sudden realization*
...we'll be meeting the boys around Father's Day.

"Happy $25,000 Father's Day, Donald! Welcome to parenthood!"

Beat that for gift giving.

Never a dull moment. <3

Lil Update

Here's a bit of what we've been up to:

Monday 3/21 - Attended our friend Grover's wedding, at which Donald was the best man. He and Renee were looking gorgeous! So was Donald, I might add.
(Crummy phone pictures ftl. Sorry)





Tuesday 3/22 - mailed our request to Pierce county for certified marriage certificates for the dossier.

Tuesday 3/22 - Called Pierce County about our proof of home ownership form for the dossier. Got transferred from office to office until they just stopped answering my questions or picking up the phone entirely.

Tuesday 3/22 - Emailed our mortgage company for Mortgage Verification (or whatever it's called) for the dossier.

Wednesday 3/23 - Received an email from our mortgage company verifying that the document had been mailed! (Kinda nervous about this one being done correctly... I'll update later)

Thursday 3/24 - Went down to the Pierce County offices. Got sent from one office to another. Long story short, they told me they absolutely could NOT fill out or sign ANYTHING verifying we were the owners of our property. Final compromise? Kinda makes me laugh. They signed a document stating that all the characteristics of the home (sq footage etc.) and that we were "the taxpayers" of said property. Never underestimate the ability of government to complicate things.

Friday 3/25 - Received marriage certs in the mail! FAST! woot woot!

Friday 2/25 - Filled out our WA state criminal clearance paperwork for the dossier. Will be mailing them out tomorrow!

Saturday 3/26 - Had our FINAL (and LONG overdue) home study visit (which was about 20 minutes from start to finish... grumble grumble smile) After much frustration, all we're waiting on for homestudy completion is Donald's CPS clearance from California. Having previously been asked only for Washington state (where we live) ones, that was a frustrating addition to paperwork. Good news though??? Within TWO days of the clearance coming back, we should have the completed study in our hands! (well, in our inboxes... same-same)

PROGRESS!!!
YESSS!!!!

Five Years

Donald and I celebrated 5 years of marriage today.
Well, technically we celebrated last night.
Melting Pot and a trip to REI.
Nothing thrilling, but that's what happens as you get older I guess. You just get comfortable, and we're fine with that.
The only thing worth noting is that as we left Blockbuster (where we found nothing worth renting) Donald got "sassy", locked me out of the truck (with a fat smile on his face), and tried to drive away.
No problem... he drives a truck.
I hopped in back and decided to be content with the short, albeit cold, drive home. He caved (score one:Katrina), and managed to stop laughing long enough to let me back in.
Dork.


I could spend hours writing mushy details about how wonderful he is and how great our life has been.

But I'm sure he's grateful that I won't. Instead, we'll let a few pictures do the talking.

I LOVE YOU, BABY LOVE!

I hope the next five years are equally phenominal!

9 Inches

Gone.

Spur of the moment. Can't believe I did it.
It was down to my waist. Now it grazes my shoulders.

Before pictures from the last 3 months:
(not the best quality, but they show my hair well)

As of 5 hours ago:

I traded my princess hair for a mom bob. Haven't decided how I feel about it yet.
Hopefully it looks cute curled.

Dossier Documents

Not an interesting update, but we're starting to gather documents for our dossier.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is exciting.


A bit frustrating at times though, because we've already gathered most of these same documents for our home study... but everything for the dossier needs to be issued and notarized within 6 months from the day it's submitted. So the mountains of paperwork begin again.

I don't think I've ever been happier to do something so boring and tedious though.

And happiness is paramount. :-)

Oh, Those Eyes!

Last week was terrible.

Garage door broke, and cost a lot to fix. Dog hurt his paw, requiring surgery, which also cost a lot. Burnt my hand (a SMALL burn), which then got one heck of a nasty staph infection in it. Thankfully, our health insurance covered all those costs.
I could go on, but I wont.

Why? Because I'm adopting two of the most adorable children that ever lived. I have NO reason to be blue!
Just look at these eyes!!!




...and their goofy little faces in these pictures just add to the charm.
I JUST WANT TO PINCH THEIR CHUNKY LITTLE CHEEKS!