hole in one!

I'm so tickled to tell you that my grandpa, at the spry age of 91,
got a hole in one playing golf a couple weeks ago!

Isn't that so cool?

Here's the newspaper article.

I'm so proud of you, Papa!




Well, shoot.
I think the article is available to subscribers only.
Rats.

big girls' night out

While Nick was in Florida yesterday,
playing a practice round preparing for his tournament
that begins today...

*He tees off at 9:30 this morning for his first round!*

Macy and I had big plans of our own.
We were generously given (by my parents) dinner-theater
tickets, which gave Macy and me a very, very, very, very
much needed big girls' night out.

Now listen.
I'm not a big person.
Some would even say I'm on the small side.
But I swear to you I feel like Serena Williams next to Macy.

We had an absolutely amazing dinner.
And dessert.
Neither of us will eat again until next Tuesday.

And here's a pic of us at the theater...

I just love this pic of me.
I used a complicated photography technique
and expensive camera lens,
that totally eliminates all unflattering features.
Email me if you want details on how it's done.



We had a really fun night.

sweeping it under the rug {good luck, nick!}

Right at this moment K-man and Nick are waiting
to catch a flight to Florida.
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

Nick is playing in the
Optimist International Junior Golf Championship

at the

PGA National Resort and Spa.
**Please take a moment to click on the link so that I can have your full sympathy**

I will be holding the fort down at home.
Yes, that is what I will be doing.
I am doing that.

All feelings of resentment and bitterness will be
continuously swept under the proverbial rug, while simultaneously
sweeping the crumbs of real life from my living room rug, continuously.


But don't you worry about me.

It just so happens that I got me some new rubber boots
that make caring for my chickens
a breeze.
Not a Floridian breeze, but a breeze, no less.


Although I really should be wearing flip-flops on the beach.

Never mind.

Please excuse me, I have some sweeping to do.






Good Luck, Nicky!!!

don ho

Things are drumming along here at the ranch.
We go from being bored-out-of-our-gourds
to rediscovering the joys of
sidewalk chalk.

Oh, the simple things.

Yet the simple things seem to suddenly turn boring too.

Drats.

In more exciting news...

We found out that Nick qualified for the Optimist Junior Golf Championship
in Palm Beach, Florida.

The kid is seriously stoked.

It will be held at the PGA National Resort and Spa.

Did you catch that last part?

Resort.

And

spa.

And guess who is taking him?

Hahahaha,
it's so cute how you think it's me.

**Insert bitter feelings being set aside**

Probably K-man and Nick will go alone.
Sigh.

After all, why would I need a break from reality
at a tropical location?

What with my sidewalk chalk and all.

**Insert repentance of my bitter feelings**

But I'm hoping that I can *perhaps maybe possibly* hop on
a flight and be there for at least a couple nights.

Anyway,
it's all good because I've got my own personal Don Ho
right here at home....

Notice the drooping daisy behind his ear?
Lucy's doing, of course.


Taking care of his cabana boy chores...

And here is Don modeling K's disgusting
run-outside-to-do-few-chores shoes.

So that's about it for now.

I hope you all have a glorious weekend.

And don't forget to enjoy your sidewalk chalk.

a big day yesterday

Sorry about another golf post.
To those who don't play,
it is extremely boring, I'm sure.

But it's the big news around our parts and since
grandparents and great-grandparents
read my blog,
I gotta milk it, folks!

This was a two day tournament and the first day
was COLD and RAINY.
But they played anyway.
The team stayed all night together w/ their coach
so the next day, the boys had to either play in their soggy golf shoes or....

Play barefoot.
Yes, Brenden played barefoot.
And loved every second of it.

And as for Nick...
the only dry shoes he had with him
were his basketball shoes.
And to add to the look,
he also wore his basketball socks.
Nice.
I have a feeling this will be his new look
being that he won and all.
*This was the winning putt on the 18th. Woo!

And here is the big winner and me
right after that great round.

*~*~*~*~*~*

But also yesterday,
we started a new women's bible study at our church.
I just love my little group of gals!!
They are the best!
We laugh a ton and thoroughly enjoy digging into
the Word together.

So ladies,
here is what I promised:
Do your homework...EVERYDAY!
And JUDY, I'm talkin' to you, girl!
Heehee.
Next time I'm posting a pic.
;)

state champion

I'm just so stinkin' proud of my boys and their
golf team!!

Today was the state championship and Nick
got

FIRST PLACE!!

An impressive 72 on a really difficult course.

Woo hoo!!!

Brenden had a great day too!
When I asked him what his score was he said with
good attitude and humor,
"NOT a 72."

They are friendly competitors!

It was so great because the girls and I showed up at the
course just in time for the coach to be driving
by in a golf cart and told us to hop on because Nick
was on the 18th hole (he was 1 under at that point).

We got to the hole and quietly watched from a distance.
The very minute Nick putted his ball in, he looked
over at me and mouthed,
"I won."
then he held up his fingers telling me his score.
He was just beaming with joy.

Right after we left to come home the newspaper
called to interview him.

Really cool.

Oh and their team took 2nd place!!

It was a great day and a fabulous way to end the season.

Well, now we begin summer golf!

micro-manager, first place, and lively dinner conversation

I am crazily trying to get things done around
here before Macy and I leave for WA
on Thursday!

Why is it so much work preparing to leave three fellas and
a four-year old girl at home for a few days?

Oh wait.

Never mind.

So, Lucy will be assuming the role of micro-manager while I'm gone.
Which won't be much of a shift in positions, trust me.
All would agree that she's basically my mini-me.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

So I'll give you a quick update as to what's happen'
here then I really gotta run...

My big boys took FIRST place in their tournament yesterday!!!!
The best part is,
it was a two-man scramble tourney and they chose
each other to play with.

And it paid off.

Golly, I'm crazy about these guys!!
Congratulations fellas!

And lastly,
here's a little Lucyism.

We were eating dinner together the other night
and Lucy piped up
(because she can't stand a lull in conversation...
or not being the CENTER of conversation),

"Nick, are you from China?"

And before Nick could even respond, Lucy said,

"OH WAIT! No, no...you aren't from China!
Only GIRLS are from China."

And then an argument broke out between the
family and Lucy trying to convince her that there are in fact
BOYS in China.

We lost the argument.

There's no convincing this girl of anything she's got
her mind set on.

Watch out world.
And future Lucy-husband.
Watch out.

golf tourney

On Tuesday, Brenden and Nick had their first golf
tournament of the 2010 season.

And as you can see, they were tickled for me to be
taking their pics at early o'clock in the morning.

But Nick knew that if he didn't pause for a photo....

I'd follow him all the way out to the car....



Like I did to Brenden.

Aren't they precious?



Nick got 3rd place (individually) out of about 30 guys!
And their team took first place!!

Way to go guys!

crazy golf pants

Now that golf season is here,

Nick has been busy planning his game.
He goes out to the barn
and hits into his net for hours.
He putts on his homemade putting green
for even longer.
He even has his private lessons all planned out with
his instructor.

But what really tops it all off,
he has been planning his 2010 golf season wardrobe.

You won't believe it.

But take a look at some of the pants that he REALLY wants to buy...






Ummm, do you think I'm kidding?

No, I am not.

This is just a sample of the pants this avid golfer wants.

But,
much to his chagrin, they are $90.
$90.
*Can you believe that there are grown men out there
who would actually pay almost $100 for
these pants??

So, always thinking on his fairway feet,
he turned to me last night
and asked me to MAKE him some.

Now let's just stop right here.
How many of you have ever actually had your teenage
son ask you to sew clothing for him?

And make no mistake,
this kid is ALL MAN.

So you can imagine the excitement when I told him
we would go fabric shopping today.
And I wish I could have captured for you what
Brenden's reaction was to that.

Let's just say that today will be VERY bloggable.
I'll be sure to take my camera.
Don't you worry.

And for those of you who are serious seamstresses,
I may need your help on making
men's pants!
He said absolutely no to the draw-string
and elastic band patterns I found.
Darn!
He wants the real deal.

Aaaahhhh!
These kids!!!

Oh and we have our 6 month post-placement appointment
with our social worker tonight!

Big day, folks.

fore!

As of last night....
basketball is officially OVER.

Lord, thank you, thank you, thank you!

We took 3rd place in the state tournament.
Not bad.

But boy oh boy are my kids ready for golf.
*ESPECIALLY Nick*

I absolutely love this sport.
No, I don't play...I never have, actually.
But,
I just love how it's packed with life-lessons AND is a
life-long sport.

I love the dress-code, I love that there is so much etiquette involved,
I love that being honest is an absolute MUST,
and I love, like crazy, to drive a golf cart.

Ok wait...this isn't about me.

Anyway,
Nick has been itching to get out...if this pesky snow would go away!

Here he is in our barn with his new net.

His drive is SO explosive and loud when it hits the net...

that it scared the socks off of Lucy-bug!

And looky here...
Macy is also VERY intrigued!
Papa has started her lessons already...
right there in the family room.
And it turns out that she's got some talent!

Sorry, this was taken from my phone so it's not such a great pic.

It seems like you are either an avid golfer,
or you think it's a ridiculous game.

I gotta tell ya...
I love this ladies' and gentlemen's sport.

Let your kids give it a try!
I can almost guarantee you will like the results.

Oh, but it will drain your bank account.
Just so you know.

little {big} thrills in my life

Yesterday was fun.

Brenden down DOWNHILL skiing.
Yep, that's right.

And Nick went golfing.

How funny is that?!

All within well under 100 miles of each other.

Well it seems funny to me.

Oh, and the girls and I went to the library
and checked out a ton of books.
We're such nerds.
But hey, at least we were warm.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~More exciting news~

Let me set this up so you fully understand why
I'm so tickled about such a simple thing...


I've been cutting my own hair for YEARS.
Years, I say.

I've been a hair stylist for almost 20 years and
it's just something I've always done.
*With the exception of when I worked in a salon & let
friends cut it*

But---
I'm SICK of it!

I hate giving myself a full hair cut
so what ends up happening is,
I just snip here and there, as needed.


But it needs a good old fashioned
(ok, change that to modern),
hair cut.


I told Kel that for Valentine's Day...or Mother's Day
I wanted him to get me a gift certificate
to a nice salon.

He said,
"Good grief, Lori, you don't have to wait for it to
be a gift...just make an appointment and GO!!"
He's so cool.

Soooo,
this Saturday at noon,
I'm going to a nice place to have Amanda (I think that's her name...
I really can't remember. I didn't know who to ask for),
give me a super cute new do!!!

It's the the littlest things that give me the biggest thrill, folks.

busy-busy fun day

You guys crack me up.
My busyness yesterday wasn't exactly a
mysterious thing.
Karen, your comment made me laugh because
yes, I was on the phone last night (fuming mad) with D*ll.
My advice to you all...don't buy a D*ll.

But my day was exciting!
First and EARLY was Nick's big day at
the Kansas City Crusaders Junior Masters!
We left so early that I picked Lucy
up out of bed and put her in her car seat (PJ's & all) and
as we were driving down the drive-way she said,
"But it's not day time yet!"
Boy, I'll say.

Nick arriving at the fancy shmancy country club.

Waiting for his ride to take him to the driving range to warm up. Notice the socks? In keeping with tradition at this course, they strictly require crew socks. Nick thinks they are sexy.

And because Nick would rather die than have me on the course taking pics at such an event, the next pic is the end of the tournament where he is signing & turning in his score card.

Nick and his caddy/golf instructor. We are so grateful that he gave up most of his day to help Nick!

But unfortunately, this was a really difficult course
and it just wasn't Nick's best day.
It was an amazing experience for him though!

On the way home we stopped at Krispy Kreme to
bring home a dozen donuts.
Isn't that the way everyone celebrates a great
tournament?


***************

From there the day got even better!
The US Consulate sent
our 2nd LOA to the CCAA!!!
Which simply means...
everything is now done for our TA to be issued.
But that probably won't be for another
3-4 weeks.
The time will fly...cause I've got tons to do.
Oh, and our passports/visas are due to arrive
back today!!

mystery name and a golf invite

I'm not feeling very wordy today but here's
all the latest...

I'm so sorry, but I can't post the new pics of Shu Li.
:(
We signed an agreement with our agency
saying we wouldn't.
They are super conservative that way.
I probably shouldn't have posted the pics that I
have but since I got them from sources other than our
agency I felt it was OK.

Also,
when we requested updates on our sweet girl we also
requested that they ask her about whether she wanted to
keep her English name that she has there (Katie) or
if she would like us to choose a name for her.

We love the name Katie but we have two Katies in our
family already!

Anyway, supposedly she said she loves the name Katie
and wants to keep it.
Well, honestly I'm totally fine with that...I have
said all along that the choice would be hers.
Problem is,
we are doubting very much that they actually asked
her about it. As many of you know, info received
can sometimes be less than true.
All of our immigration papers say Macy. We may
have a window of opportunity while in Ch*na that
we can change it but maybe not (or so we are told).
So, I guess I'm telling you all this that
from here on out I'm going back to calling her
Shu Li. Golly, this name thing is driving me crazy!!

And lastly,
I thank you all who you have been praying about
our TA situation. It is humbling to know that
so many of you care so much.

And though I know that God allowing this delay
could prove to be a very good thing....
I also know that the enemy does not want us to
adopt and will thwart our plans however
he can.

I ask that you continue to pray that our TA
would come miraculously soon.

********************

Last night we got an email with a letter attached for Nick.

"You have been invited to play in the
2009 Kansas City Crusaders Junior Masters
at the Kansas City Country Club based
on your accomplishment in high school and summer junior
tournaments over the past 12 months..."

Such an honor!! He is so stoked!!

And that means another early, early, early, early
morning for me. Yay.

****************

Ok, that turned out to be more wordy than
I had planned.

right finger in left nostril

First of all, let me just say that your comments
yesterday truly meant a lot to me.
I always love hearing from you but yesterday's
words of kindness were especially touching
to me because the whole name thing
was heavy on my heart.

God used you all to give me confirmation.

Thank you.

*****************************

In case you were wondering,
I got Nick to his BIG tournament yesterday
not only on the correct day,
and the correct time....
but early!
Woot!

It was an off & on rainy day so I wasn't
sure the tournament would go
as planned but, it did.

Nick was just thankful to be there at all.
After a very successful golf season
on his school team,
the summer tour he was on was proving
to be quite difficult for him.
Yet after each disappointment I would tell him,
"Nick if you really love golf, then you must
persevere and keep at it."

And that's exactly what he did each
and every time.

The fact that he qualified for this championship
tournament was an honor...
even though he went into it in LAST place.

***************
In the meantime,
Brenden, Lucy and I went to get my
picture taken for my visa.
They told me not to smile...
great.
I did my best to "smile" with my eyes
cause I didn't want it to look like
a mug shot.

It turned out OK, only I was drawn
to the fact that my lips are
just way too thin.
*Note to self, try lip-liner one.more.time.

Brenden said it wasn't a rule that you
can't smile your pic for passport or visa,
the people working there simply
want to use you as their source of entertainment
for the day.
He said to be happy that I wasn't the poor soul
who they told to...
stick your right finger into your left nostril...
open your mouth wide...
and click.
There you go.
And the rest of the day, the employees
at the photo place make fun of you.

That kid has a vivid imagination.
I hope he isn't right.
******************
Later,
Nick called me with exciting news...
he was currently tied for 3rd place!
We were elated!!

When I arrived they were putting up the
final scores....
then, they wrote something next to Nick's
name....
he was wrong.

He wasn't tied for 3rd....



he got 2nd place!!!!

And only 1 stroke over the first place
winner!!

This determined young man is
quite happy!

**********************

Still no news on our TA.

:(

But I did get our visa applications sent!!

where there's a will...

My golfer,

Nick.

This kid has been trying to come up with
his own personal putting green
for well over a year now.

He even found a spot hidden in our woods
that he cleared,
(I think may have even cut
down a tree or two....)
and did his darndest to make it
golf-course like.

Poor kid.

As you might have guessed....
it didn't work.

But his Ninny (my mom), told him
she would buy a piece of
indoor/outdoor
carpet to help his cause.

Well, a trip to H*me Depot & a couple
hours spent in the barn with his dad later,

Voila!
His very own, long yearned for, 4x8 putting green...
in his bedroom!

As you can see, Nick has bounced back nicely
from his painful loss the other day.
And with his new practice green....
and a brand new putter that his bought
with his yard-mowing money,
he's back on target!

REALLY steamed.

Just a little while after my previous post,
we got a phone call from the
PGA officials saying that due to heavy rain
last night, the 2nd round of the tournament
has been canceled...

and won't be rescheduled.

If my young man wasn't disappointed enough as it was...
he is truly crushed now.

No chance to improve on his score from yesterday,
giving him a CHANCE to win.

I'm pretty upset.

We paid a lot of money for this tournament,
which was a huge sacrifice for us
right now.

I emailed the officials explaining
*nicely*
my feelings.

They at least owe the kids a free round of golf.

I'll let ya know what I hear from them.

UPDATE:
I heard back from the officials.
They have graciously decided to send Nick a
certificate for a free round of golf
and a box of golf balls.
I'm happy with that.
I hope Nick is also.

my golf course {mini}-adventure....

Thursday afternoon Nick had a golf scramble with his team to end the season.
(Brenden had other plans and couldn't make it.)

Anyway, they asked the parents to show up to be their "gallery" and take
pictures....sounds like fun to me!!

I tried to time my arrival so that I could see the last two holes.....I just
knew that I would just have to walk out just a short ways
and there they would be.

No.

Stupid me, I should have got a cart cause I was in jeans & the longer
I walked the more I melted (it was about 83).

I'm not a golfer but I can't help but love being out on the course because of its beauty. I have no doubt that Nick's yard will look like this someday!

Walking a bit farther.....I encountered a swarm of bees!!

Got past the bees without incident......

then,

Yes, that's right....I met a snake along my path.

Walking, walking, walking......

sweating semi-profusely.....

Hoping that other golfers seeing me walk around with nothing
but a camera, think I'm an important member of the media and
not some crazy mom trying to track down her
soon-to-be embarrassed 14 year old son.

I was certain a giraffe was going to emerge from trees...

Wait. That's Nick. Stop! Wait for me honey!

He didn't voice his true feelings but I suspect that seeing
his mother walking fast as she could across
the fairway wasn't exactly the
most comfortable situation.

Oh well, it's good for him....builds character to handle stressful
situations.

My super talented Tiger, I mean Nick.

(In case you are wondering...he loves me taking pics of him so don't you worry)

One of my very favorite things in the world to do is to drive Nick around
in a cart while I watch him play. Just the two of us. He is an
amazing golfer and an incredible young man.

He will be playing in a Junior golf tour this summer and
he couldn't be more excited!!

Happy TSD!

Happy Tomb Sweeping Day!! I meant to run by H*llmark to get you all a card but dang, I forgot! As of this writing, it's 7:20 PM in Ch*na so their holiday is about over. For those of you unfamiliar, it's yet another holiday that pretty much shuts down the whole country. Well, at least the CC*A and that's all I care about. The rest of the country can party-on, but those working on our dossier (those who SHOULD be working on our dossier) need to get back to work!!

We are waiting on our LID (Log In Date). Grrr. It's taking so long!!!!!!! As soon as we get logged-in, our agency will call them to remind them of their commitment to expedite our dossier. Please, please pray that we get our LID ASAP and then get approval QUICKLY thereafter!! I know of another older child adoption that they reviewed & approved the family IN ONE DAY! So, anything is possible....PLEASE PRAY!!!

Today Brenden & Nick have their first golf tournament of the season. But here's the kicker....the high for today is 40 degrees!!!! They're going to freeze their mulligans off!! My poor babies. I brought out the long johns...scarves....etc, etc. Not exactly comfortable golf attire. Oh and they're playing on one of the hardest courses in our entire state. Maybe I better go along and help them. Maybe not...I've never played golf in my life. Well, the mini variety....but I have a feeling it's slightly different.

So that leaves Lucy and me home alone!! I wish I could say we have some fun plans but I simply must take advantage of the free time and get some cleaning done. But, we may squeeze in some shopping this morning after we drop N off.

Oh the joy of a box!!

If there was ever any doubt that Lucy rules the roost....the fact that she could get her big brother in her new-found play place is all the proof we need.

I'm thinking that our next adoption needs to be a sibling close to Lu's age....however she is having great fun playing with this lasagna noodle.

Uh oh...poor Charlie has become Lucy's target of the moment.