Random stuff

1) Cindy, when you get back and over your jet lag, we need the Best of Will Ferrell DVD at work. There are some new clinic folk who are not familiar with the legend of the cowbell. We owe it to Doug the keep the memories alive.

2) I am sorry. I have a bone to pick. I am the only one posting. I don't mind, but I am not all that interesting. In case you hadn't noticed. And probably everyone is tired of hearing about Lucy, George Michael, and James Bond. Jenn and Cindy, help me out here. I am gonna try to get Heidi on the blog now that she is going over to the dark side (Doug, her last day is Saturday. Her going away party is tomorrow). I am thinking of getting Priscilla, Allyson, and Lizzie on here with me so someone else besides me is talking! And yes, I know Cindy has been in Italy for a week, yeah, yeah, yeah. What about the FOUR MONTHS before that??!?!??!??!?! OK, I am done.

3) Only ONE MORE WEEK until the Casino Royale premeire! My in-laws were here last weekend and I think my father-in-law thought something was wrong with me because any time the commerical would come on, I would start dancing and kind of squealing (well not really, but I am not sure what else to call it) and then sing this 007 song I made up. As soon as I can get my hot little hands on the new theme song, I will once again make and give (absolutely FREE) my special homemade compilation CDs of all the James Bond theme songs in order. Or, maybe because this is CASINO ROYALE they are just going with the old classic theme? I haven't had the time or energy to figure it out yet. Most of the ones I already have were semi-legally downloaded (hee hee hee), so now that WinMX is gone I'll probably have to go and buy it or something.

4) Cindy, you missed an exciting clinic this week.... it was a delightful mix of hematology and oncology - too bad I don't like the hematology! We finally figured out what was wrong with our girl with low sats and anemia for the last few months...... methemoglobinema. I'll tell you more later but suffice to say we got George all excited and we even ordered a sulfhemoglobin level. Geirge even saved her smear for quizzing the fellows. Now you know if you get asked about hemolytic anemia, basophilic stippling and big ole red cells.

5) The best thing about today (yes, even better than Bond!) is that today is the one year anniversary of when Lucy became part of our family. How time flies! I still remember everything about that time so clearly. I remember the days before I left and how Doug and Cindy were about the only things that kept me sane (and were so understanding about me getting NOTHING done at work that week!) I remember how we felt while in Beijing knowing we would meet our daughter in days or hours. We have watched her change from an anxious baby into the extroverted, boisterous, and hilarious girl we know today. We know that while she has lost something in not being able to stay with her birth famil and in her birth country, she has fit into our family in just the way we would have hoped for. It is hard to remember what life was like before her! I look at pictures from when we first came home and can't believe how much she has grown and changed. Last night, when we was tucking her in, she gave me a hug (I lay on her bed with her and sing to her, and she will put her arms around my neck and hold me there next to her - one of her many stalling tactics, like "more kisses, mommy!". Of course, I am more than happy to oblige!). I kissed her face, and she held her arms out to me and Mike and asked for a "family hug" (which is what we do every every night when Mike and/or I get home from work) - but it is the first time she has asked for it herself. It was a few days after her birthday when she said "I love you" for the first time - before that, she would say it but she was repeating it after one of us would say it. I remember the day she said it after I was getting her dressed in the morning and I kissed the bottoms of her feet, and she said " I lub you!" I cannot imagine my heart being more full than it is right now. To all my wonderful friends who have been with our family through this amazing journey - we are so lucky to have you in our lives. Thank you for indulging my reminiscing. I love all of you!

In Lanzhou

In Guangzhou

Tamra, Thresa, Lizzie, Jenn, and Cindy ready to welcome us at 5 AM at the Dallas airport (Jenny was taking the picture)

Lucy in September 2006

Doug, hope all is well in NC. We love and miss you!