The Road to China is a long one!

Carmen, Kyle and Sydney Schildknecht are in China...getting ready to pick up Lydia Rose! This has been such an emotional process for the family! I remember when I met Carmen two or three years ago...she asked me to help out in a fundraising project for the adoption. It's hard to believe that the time is here!! And at the same time, it seems like AGES ago! Paper pregnancies, go figure~!

Follow the family on their journey by clicking here!

**UPDATE ON BOY AND STOLEN BIKE**

I spoke with Cody's mother today, and apparently a man (who wished to remain anonymous) bought the boy a bike and left it for him at a Springfield Wal-mart. The anonymous donor bought the exact bike that was stolen!

After several dozen phone calls and many emails, I personally want to thank everyone who offered help. It's no secret that the Ozarks is a friendly place, but all of the generosity made yesterday a nice day to be in the news business.

Thanks!

One-legged boy wants his stolen bike back

40 Under 40

My friend Greg Holman made the Springfield Business Journal's 40 Under 40 List! And this is a good time to say that so did I. I must add that I really didn't think I'd get it, but I am extremely honored. And since this is my blog, I feel like I can talk about myself without feeling too guilty.

If you don't know the process, someone nominates you. Then the SBJ contacts you and asks you a bunch of questions, like "why should you be on the 40 Under 40 list"? I said that I didn't know if I should be on the list, but I'd definitely try.

Anyway, I think I made the list because I talked a lot about international adoption. It really is so important to me. I love meeting families, I love talking about adoption issues, and I love being apart of a growing community in Springfield. I hope that if anything comes out of being on the list, it's awareness. I may work in the media, but I am a 'media floozy' when it comes to talking about adoption, especially international adoption!

LAST-MINUTE ARRIVAL!!!

Sorry for the late notice, but there is an arrival in Springfield Tuesday (tomorrow, people!)

Brian and Heather Nothnagel (Korea)
Arrive in Springfield on March 27th at 4:48pm
United Airlines #6981

Hopefully we can cover it! I'm not sure if I can make it because I'll probably be live somewhere at 5pm. Anyway, please consider supporting our families!

Thanks!

My alma mater is out of the NCAA tourney

Courtesy LJ World

Courtesy LJ World

The University of Kansas (33-5) fell to UCLA, 68-55, Saturday night in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Sophomore Brandon Rush led KU with 18 points and five rebounds in the defeat. The game was a tough, physical affair that featured two of the best defensive squads in the nation. Despite making 17 steals, the Jayhawks committed 21 turnovers. Conversely, the Bruins had 15 steals but made 24 turnovers.

Jerry Jacob graduates boot camp

Many of you have asked how Jerry Jacob's doing. He just graduated boot camp in Fort Benning, Georgia. He's lost about 22 pounds, and he graduated at the top of his class, literally. You knew he had it in him. Here's the report we ran on KY3 News at 6 on March 22--

ABCs of International Adoption

Dillon International will host an introduction meeting for potential parents. People will learn about the process of international adoption, country laws, costs, and even hear a couple of words from me as an adult adoptee.

If you or someone you know is interested in adopting internationally, please come to this event.

Library Center
March 29
6:30 pm

Well, if it ain't one thing, it's the next...

Yesterday I came home from a long day of work and found that my dishwasher had been replaced! I was so happy!! If you recall, my dishwasher has been on the fritz since our ice storm. It had something to do with how the electricity was coming back into the house.

Anyway, I went to bed happy because I could finally catch up on all my dishes.

That was yesterday.

Today, I went in the backyard to see how it looked, since I still have an uprooted tree, broken patio set, and limbs spread all over the yard. And then I saw it.

It, you ask?

A big circle of white paper. Hmm. What could it be? I walked up to it. I stared. I got up really close. And then it hit me. It smelled like poop.

AHHHH!!!!

My sewer line is backed up!!

Nasty.

t-shirt quilt

I am learning how to quilt!

It's a t-shirt quilt, and it's supposed to be the easiest one you can make. I'm not sure about that, but I wanted to share with you another great resource of the Ozarks. I discovered Merrily We Quilt Along last week. It is such a neat store, and the women there are so helpful. Merrily is the owner, and she taught my t-shirt quilting class. I can't tell you how many years I've wanted to make one.

I found a picture on-line to show you what one looks like--I get a kick out of this picture because this girl looks so enthused to be in the picture! Aw, MOM!

I'll keep you posted on my progress. It could end up in the trash.

My New Buddies

Bailey, Mikaela, Michelle, Sarah, Lydia

Last night, I hung out with four wonderful girls, all of whom were adopted from China. I hope that this small meeting will flourish into a buddy or mentor program between international adoptees.

The girls were great. They really didn't want to talk about adoption--they just wanted to hang out. I watched them do cartwheels, play speed stacks (which is fascinating by the way), and talk about what's cool in middle school. I had a blast!

Thanks to Jessica Gerard for hosting. She is an amazing resource for adoptive families in the Ozarks...and she's originally from New Zealand!

If you know anyone who needs a buddy, or who would like to be one, please leave me a message with your contact info!