My 4th of July boys!

Ok, I'll be the first to admit that we Briola's aren't the most patriotic bunch (or should I say, "nationalistic"), but the boys got all dolled up for the neighborhood 4th of July tricycle parade.  I couldn't tell if they looked patriotic or like we were on our way to a Willie Nelson look-alike contest, but either way, very cute.

Tick tock.....

Ok, I decided to make myself a little bit crazier and actually look at the calendar to see how long we've been languishing at #1 on our waiting list.  6 WEEKS AND 2 DAYS!!  C'mon, already people!  I keep hearing that everyone wants an infant girl, and that our category (toddler boy) is the least requested -- but all I keep seeing are the infant girl referrals flying by.  Now, don't get me wrong -- I am VERY happy that there are babies finding forever families, and am anxiously waiting for our new IAN friends (and neighbors -- Sachse shout out!), Matt & Heather Prestenberg to receive the best news of their lives.  They are #1 on BOTH the infant girl and infant twins lists!  

But the images I've seen of Ethiopian orphanages literally full of little boys keeps haunting me.  I know our son is there.  I know he is waiting for us.  And I know it will happen when all the timing is just perfect.  But I am still human, still impatient, and still OCD.  So yes, I compulsively check email, blogs, the answering machine, and my voicemail.  And yes, I count days on a calendar.  But very soon, I'll be counting the days until we get to go bring our African prince home.  I'm sure of it.  Ok, I feel better now.  :-)

A new family member!

Ok, maybe it was because we had to find our Phoebe a new home, or maybe it's the incessant screaming for attention from Vincent, but we have decided to get another cat.  And once you go bald, you never go back!  Ok, maybe that's not true for everyone, but for us, it is, so we've found another hairless kitten to add to our home.  After not having to deal with cat hair, I just don't think I can have any other kind of cat!  

So, our new baby is pictured above.  He is half Peterbald, and half Don Sphynx (or Donskoy).  Our Vincent is a Peterbald.  They are very similar, but it's likely that this boy will be more bald than Vincent is (he has some fuzz).  I'm taking suggestions for names, so please comment with yours below.  Now, many many other names for Vincent have surfaced, but since we have kids, they were nixed (use your imagination) -- so keep 'em G-rated!  He will arrive in our home at the end of July when he's 12 weeks old.  Gotta luv those wrinkles -- I was thinking "Botox".....

I rarely post stuff like this....

I know that the issue of gay marriage and gay parenting rights is a divisive one, but no matter your views on the subject, you can't help but be touched by this video.  Most of my readers are involved in the world of adoption in some way.  Sometimes the only way for gay couples to create a family is through adoption!  For those of you against equal rights for gays, just remember this -- gay people getting married make you and your heterosexual spouse no less married!  And for those who wield The Bible as a weapon against gay marriage or homosexuality, don't you think Jesus would support two people who are in a loving, committed, monogamous, responsible relationship?  After all, he never seemed to care about the issue; he only asked that we love one another in a God-like way.  

This is NOT a religious issue.  This is NOT a moral issue.  This is a human rights issue.  It is no different than giving black people equal rights, or allowing interracial marriage in the USA.  No gay person wants to marry their dog, or a chicken, or a child.  It is NOT a slippery slope that will bring us ultimately to the destruction of the marriage institution.  Marriage for homosexuals is about the same things that marriage between heterosexuals is -- love and commitment between two consenting adults, and they are entitled to all the same rights and benefits we straight people enjoy in our marriage.  And if you think that this issue doesn't affect anyone in your life, let me tell you -- you are wrong.  Even if you aren't aware of it, you know someone or love someone (maybe even a family member -- gasp!) who is gay and whose civil rights are being denied them.  Let's be straight, but not narrow, shall we?  I post this video in honor of my son's proud, gay godfather and his HUSBAND!  Love WILL prevail.

"Fidelity": Don't Divorce... from Courage Campaign on Vimeo.

Happy Father's Day!

Daddy & new baby Kai
Twins!
Proud Daddy & Baby Ian

So Michael is technically not with us yet, but he should be home by dinner to spend Father's Day with his family.  He is in NYC on business, but got an early flight home.  Can't wait to see you Daddy!!  You're the best.

A bit of sad news...

After some deep soul searching and practical considerations, we have decided to find our Phoebe a new home.  We are very sad about this, since it was definitely NOT what we had in mind when we got our puppy, but we think it is probably in the best interest of our expanding family.  For those of you who can't tell from her picture as a puppy, Phoebe is a Great Dane.  She is now 1 year old and over 100 pounds!  That's a whole lot of puppy.

Kai is fine with her, but after many times of Phoebe "taking him out" and him falling on the concrete driveway, Ian is understandably terrified of her.  In thinking about our new son, the chances of him ever touching a dog, much less of him ever seeing one quite this big, is pretty slim, and I certainly don't want him to feel uncomfortable or scared at all in his new family and home.

As I write, Phoebe is having a weekend "sleepover" with her prospective new owners.  Brad and Alison Allen live close by in Addison and have wanted a Great Dane for 10 years.  They have no kids and a fenced yard, so assuming she doesn't go completely off the deep end, I'm thinking it just might work out.  They have 2 other little dogs who can fend for themselves and will probably end up riding around on Phoebe!

One has only to look at the money we've poured into this beast to know that our intention was for her to always be with us, but we have to think of what's best for her, our family, and our new son.  We told the Allen's that, should this arrangement not work out, Phoebe comes with an unconditional return policy!  All we want for her is to live a happy life with a family who can devote the attention to her that she deserves.  Well that, and visitation rights....  

Good news and bad news

OK, so last night we decided to order pizza.  Zorka and I woke up at around 2am, puking our guts out!  Not fun.  So the bad news is, we have food poisoning.  The good news is that it's that and not a stomach flu that the boys would get as well!  

But wait, there's more good news!  On a day when I feel so awful, something made my day wonderful.  We received our I-171H approval from U.S. Immigration!  This makes us officially able to accept a referral when one comes our way.  Sure takes my mind off the nausea!