Ya Ask for "Milk" and Ya Get "Duck"

Let me start this post by telling you two things about myself:

1. I love Yvan very much!

2. I love a good movie!

I mean, I really love Yvan and I really love movies. I would prefer to watch movies with Yvan but he doesn't share the same passion for movies that I have. Don't get me wrong..he likes movies...but he does not LOVE movies. I have many movies that I watch over and over - like a good book they never grow old.

He could probably go for a long time without seeing a movie - I, on the other hand, could watch movies everyday and lately all day if he would just let me stay in bed - sheesh!

Before I met Yvan, I went to movies every week. Every single week! Sometimes twice a week and on top of that I rented movies too. I love all kinds of movies - dramas, comedy, foreign, action, independent and my favourite genre is kung-fu movies - I saw many midnight showings of Hong Kong action films with Jet Lit, Chow Yun Fat, and Jackie Chan (before he was famous in North America) etc. at our University movie theatre when it still existed.

When Yvan and I met and started dating, my movie going became almost non-existent. We went to a movie on our first date, but after that it was a bit of work getting him to the theatre..well it probably wasn't - he just isn't as big a buff as I am so ya know it seemed to me like an eternity between flicks.

Anyways, he is much more accommodating now to my movie madness, and this year in particular he has been very good about planning movie nights out! We did a pretty good job at seeing most of the movies nominated for an Oscar with the exception of "MILK". We both really wanted to see this movie, especially since we had seen an excellent documentary on Harvey Milk about a month ago.

Last night Yvan stopped by the movie store to rent a DVD - we rarely do that anymore what with Movie Central on demand etc and my love for seeing movies on the big screen. He proudly drops two DVD's on the ottoman and said "I rented us some movies." "Oh?" I said hesitantly because Yvan doesn't - how shall I say- have the best taste in movies...he tries, he truly does but usually they leave something to be desired! Although he did chose "Death at a Funeral" and it was HI-larius! British humour - you can't go wrong!

So, back to the movies Yvan rented last night. He plops the movies down and this is what he rented:

1. "How to Lose Friends and Alienate People" - might not be too bad - Simon Pegg is in it and "Shaun of the Dead" was also HI-larious!

2. "Duck" - I know I have seen the actor in some other movies but I can't remember his name - basically it is about a guy and his duck and how they get thru a life in L.A. together during hard times. Oh and the duck thinks this guy is its mother ;)

I had a good chuckle over this movie when I looked at the case - "What made you choose this one?" I asked. Yvan said "I wanted to rent "Milk" but it wasn't out yet and thought "Duck" might be good" and he added "It has 4 letters like Milk." he said in jest, "and it won some awards." Which is true - awards I haven't heard of but awards nonetheless! (They even have those leaf things around them that most awards have like the ones from Cannes or The Toronto Film Fest!)

Please don't think I am making fun of Yvan - I am not - he did this because he knows it has been a hard week for me - he knows I love movies - he tries really hard to pick movies he thinks I will like!

So, tonight I get "Duck" instead of "Milk" but heck, if I get to snuggle up on the couch next to the guy I love - well, it really doesn't get better than that!!

Congratulations Jenn and Dave

My friend Jenn and her husband Dave received a referral for 4 1/2 year old TWIN GIRLS this week !!!! (what's with all the twin girls lately :))

I have been waiting to post this since Thursday - Jenn's computer was down so I didn't want to do it until she shared her good news with the world.

It has been a long,bumpy road for you guys and we are so excited for you all.

Go now and give them your CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

My New Mantra

Clearly I haven't had much to say lately! I could whine and complain "poor us" but you don't want to hear that....unless you do...and then I will whine and complain.

Oh No! I won't!

It's Friday! Another week has passed with no news for us.

We have a very age specific request so we know that is why it is taking so long. If I haven't told you, we are requesting a child under 12 months either gender - which is a prominent request - which is why we wait.

My friend Heather suggested a very good mantra and I have decided I should use it:

This is not a joke,

this will happen,

this is real,

I will look back on this time as character building!

-repeat daily, hourly or every 5 minutes as needed. Right now I am leaning to every 5 minutes!

I remember when my blog used to be fun - heck, I remember when I used to be fun! Now, I am sad and mopey - I know this too shall pass! I know I have said I would gladly take this adversity and I do - but I still feel sad. I just want to be a mom! Really bad!

O.K. wait - Mantra time

This is not a joke,

this will happen,

this is real,

I will look back on this time as character building!

It wasn't even 5 minutes before I had to say it again.

Ommmmmmmm, Ommmmmm, Ommmmmmm

Right mantra and then 3 Om's! I can do this!

Congratulations Darrell and Jess

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!! It's TWIN GIRLS!!!!

Darrell and Jess ventured into the unchartered waters of Ghana and just received a referral for twin girls.

We are so excited for you both and we hope you travel quickly to bring them home.

You should go and give them your congrats too!

Tagged Again!

I have been tagged again - this time by Kristen. It is probably good I am getting all these tags 'cause as we get further into this wait the less and less I have to say.

25 Random Couple Things
This is kind of like the 25 things - except there are pre-decided questions and it's about you and your spouse, not just you.

♥ What are your middle names? Marie/Paul

♥ How long have you been together?6 1/2years

♥ How long did you know each other before you started dating?2 months

♥ Who asked who out?he asked me out kinda - He said "we should hang out sometime" and I said "ya, we should" and he said "really, how's tonight?" ha ha ha!

♥ Whose siblings do you see the most?his -his brother lives next door!

♥ Do you have any children together?we're expecting a baby from Ethiopia

♥ What about pets?2 cats -Suki and Sam and 2 dogs - Leroy and Grissom

♥ Which situation is the hardest on you as a couple?infertility

♥ Did you go to the same school?no

♥ Are you from the same home town?no

♥ Who is the smartest?We are both S.M.R.T.

♥ Who is the most sensitive?Hello - miss bawly baby here.

♥ Where do you eat out most as a couple?Lien Thanh and Fuddruckers

♥ Who has the craziest ex? we both take the prize for that one

♥ Who has the worst temper?me

♥ Who does the cooking? me

♥ Who is more social?Me

♥ Who is the neat-freak?me!!!!!!

♥ Who is the more stubborn? Oh GAWD we both are stubborn.

♥ Who hogs the bed? our dogs.

♥ Who wakes up earlier?me

♥ Where was your first date?'the movies - we saw About a Boy

♥ Who has the bigger family? Yvan does

♥ Do you get flowers often?no

♥ How do you spend the holidays? which holidays like Christmas - with family - random holidays we take - just us.

♥ Who is more jealous? I don't think either of us is jealous

♥ How long did it take to get serious?2 weeks

♥ Who eats more? hmmmmmm....I don't know

♥ Who does/did the laundry? I do my own laundry and the household stuff and Yvand does his clothes himself.

♥ Who’s better with the computer?Yvan

♥ Who drives when you are together?We share driving - it depends who is lazier.

I Don't Like Mondays!

Mondays have been hard lately! It is the start of another week - another long week waiting to find out if we are going to be parents.

I have been checking blogs and message boards at a record pace again this morning. I am not sure what I am looking for - oh yes, information, any information I can get!

Information like:

WHERE IS OUR REFERRAL!!!!????

I want to call our agency and ask - GOT ANYTHING FOR US YET????

But we did that a few weeks ago and were told it would happen soon. SOON!!! BLECH!!! If I hear that one more time I will scream.

Seeing Ricki and Bruce arrive home with Yonas was amazing but it revved me up!

Seeing them with their son in their arms confirmed in both our minds that we are ready, truly ready to be parents! If someone up above thought we weren't ready...well we are - BRING. IT.ON.

I had it all set in my mind to post The Boomtown Rats song "I Don't Like Mondays" but I can't find one on YouTube that allows me to embed it - so if you want you can Google it - it's a good song!

I don't like Mondays!

Here's to Tuesdays instead!

Welcome Home Ricki,Bruce and YONAS!!!!!

Last night was a big one! Ricki and Bruce arrived home from Ethiopia with Yonas in their arms.

It was a tear fest let me tell ya :)

Here are some of the highlights:

Clay, Cheryl, Jordyn, Tag, Messa, Shannon, Dan, Rhonda, Kristen, Jess, Shauna, Jeff, Sandi, Rana and Yvan plus a multitude of their family were all in attendance to greet them as they walked thru the doors.

What an experience! To watch your friends finally arrive home with their wee one....aaaaaahhh - fantastic!

Rhonda and Kristin are up next!

Needs

Right, I saw this on Shannon's blog and Bolt's blog and thought - I need stuff - I really do but what the heck does Google think I need.

This is what "Rana needs" top ten style (sorta):

1. to start saving her pennies - hey!

2. a little more polishing - ah ha ha - that explains the place card I accidentally set on fire at a gala an ex-boyfriend took me to - its true I did - Yvan is not said ex-boyfriend.

3. your support - oy do I ever!

4. to do some serious work - on what is the question maybe my polishing!

5. to be put in her own tank and said tank is supposed to be long and at least 20 gallons - oh my

6. bravery - and a heart please while you're at - oooh and some ruby red slippers too - pretty!

7. to keep up the good work - but me thinks this is after I start the serious work above

8. to be near a hospital - hey! Google do you know something I don't!

9. needs further explanation - yes, yes I do!

10. to keep this perfomance on - Nope, this Rana is tired and is going to bed - CIAO!

Want to find out what you need - Go to Google type in "Your First & needs" i.e "Rana needs"

P.S. Can you tell I am bored and don't have much to say lately!? But stay tuned - I have discovered a new ailment and it is blog related - I'll tell you all about it later!

Nighty, Night!

4 x 4 Photo Meme

The lovely Hazel (my sister-in-forever-waiting along with Carolyn) tagged me to do a photo challenge. It is easy and fun so here it is:

Go to your fourth folder of photos and post the fourth photo you find there. No editing allowed.

Yvan must have taken this - he does that when I am sleeping! Good thing I wasn't drooling sinceI wasn't allowed to edit the photo.

Look at Sammi peeking out from the blanket - she likes to snuggle.

I tag:

Rhonda - 'cause she passed court this week - YAHOO!

Kristen - 'cause she hasn't been tagged yet by me :)

Sharla - just because I want to.

Shannon - well, because Dan takes a million photos and she should see what is in their collection

Lost Generation

You NEED to watch this - that's right - you do!




Oh brother - I need more Kleenex and I need to contact Kleenex about sponsorship!

Adversity

The end of this week will mark our 15th month of waiting for our referral. I am trying not to think about it. I am keeping myself busy with yoga, movies, eating, re-runs of Felicity, reading, booking a holiday etc.

Is it working? Ummmmm...hmmmmm...welllllllllll......uuuuhhhhh....

Anyways, I never dreamed in a million years we would see 15 months and maybe a couple more.

It is what is! While I would like to be able to control everything in my life, it has become painfully obvious I can't. So, I yogatize - it helps in doses - so does slipping away for 2 hours to see a movie (Go see Slumdog Millionaire! Do it! Now!)

Last night we watched the Grammy's (overall a little boring except for Paul...excuse me...SIR Paul McCartney -how cool was that!) and there was a performance by T.I. (who?) and Justin Timberlake (hottie J.T.) and something T.I (who? I'm so getting old) said in his rap stuck with me.

"Adversity builds character,
Character takes you places money can't."

I believe adversity takes all shapes and forms - my adversity is piddly to what others face (go see Slumdog Millionaire - Get! Go!) but it is mine!

If I didn't have character before I have it now!

So, 15 months here we come!!! Please don't be sad for us, and don't feel bad for us...this is our adversity and we'll take it. If it is the worst thing we ever have to face...well, then we'll be just fine. All we ask is when you see us - give us big hugs, the kind that take your breath away - we could use that :)

Much love

Got a New Camera

My wonderful, super-duper, can't beat-em, totally understanding, compassionate, not-to-mention handsome bosses gave me a new digital camera for my 5 year anniversary of working for them. A big shout out to Dan as well 'cause he helped Yvan make the big decision on which camera, lenses and bag to get.

*Edit* A few people have asked what kind of camera I got so I thought I would update this post It is a Canon Rebel XSI :)

It has been so cold that I haven't had a chance to get outside yet BUT I have been practicing on my fur babies so here are some photos for your viewing pleasure. The last couple of photos are Yvan's.















Next step is to take some photography classes so I can get my skills back from high school photography which has been....well...let's just say it has been awhile.

P.S. I figured you all needed a break from my melancholy mood as of late - I did too - so hope you enjoyed the cuteness.

Baby Doll

Yvan's parents, Gerard and Yvonne, just got back from 2 weeks in the Dominican.

They brought Yvan a nice bottle of rum and they brought me this:

Isn't he cute!! I love him!!!

"He?" you say - oh yes this baby doll is a he! "How do you know?" you ask!

Well, he has all his bits and pieces! But since this blog is G rated o.k - P.G. - I can't show you but trust me its a boy!