A Big Decision Made This Week

Two posts today. Last post was about a fun trip to Las Vegas with my company. This post is to tell you of a big decision I made (with John's help) this week. I've decided to take a new job and leave this wonderful company that I've been working for, for almost the past 2 years.
Why would I leave a job that I love?? Well if you notice I'm always talking about trips to other states, and freqent trips at that. When John and I decided to start this adoption process, many people asked me how I was going to be able to travel once we brought Renee home. Well, we both hadn't thought that far.
I came to realize that I would need to work close to home. Renee would have enough issues with bonding after leaving China, my frequent trips away would not help the process, but could cause more harm as well.
So, I was told of a position in my nurse speciality (I'm a clinical nurse specialist) at a hospital in the area. I decided to take it, especially when I researched that they had on site day care available. So I'll start my new job at the end of July.
On a happy note...the June referrals went out the beginning of this week.
Visit www.salsainchina.blogspot.com to see the blogs of families who received the gift of a life time this week.

The Red Rock Inn In Las Vegas

This is where I went for my "mid-year" meeting with my company. I know I'm a bit late, I was there over 2 weeks ago, but wanted to show the pictures of my room because I didn't think I could describe how wonderful it was. The only problem was that John wasn't there to enjoy it with me :-(. Don't know if you can make it out, but the Vegas strip is in the distance.


Now that's what I call a bed!!


How about that bathroom!!


How about the tub??


By the way, note the flat screen TV above the tub, I was in TV heaven!! John knows, I'd put a TV in every room if I could!!
I was there for 4 days, working hard, but had a great time!!!

I'm Still Here!

Gosh, I didn't realize how long it's been since my last post. It's been almost 3 weeks. If any of my blog partners did that, I'd be so frustrated. I love reading the other blogs. Thank you to everyone for allowing me to share in your experiences as we travel a similar journey, with the same goal at the end: our child.
Well I'm still here, haven't posted in almost 3 weeks, so sorry for that. Multiple reasons, one major one is that I've been doing a lot of traveling.
2 weeks ago I was in the Las Vegas for my company's mid-year meeting. We stayed at the Red Rock Hotel, Spa and Casino. It's about 25 minutes from the strip. I took pictures of my room because I needed photographic evidence of how awesome it was. I'll post those pictures when I get home. Hint, Hint...I'm not in New York at the moment... Getting back to Las Vegas. The meeting took up all day, but did get a little pool time on the first day there, but after about 45 minutes felt like I was charbroiling even with an SPF of 30, probably needed 100 :-)!
We did get to the strip one evening and a bunch of my work colleagues and I ate at a really nice sushi restaurant in Ceasar's Forum Shops Mall. Then we walked around till we couldn't walk anymore and taxied back to our hotel.
After I got back to New York, I'm ashamed to admit that it took me at least 3 days to get over my jet lag. That was just a 3 hour difference. Traveling to China will be at least a 12 hour difference. Sue, you gotta get with the program!!!!
Well, last week I traveled to Norfolk, Virginia. It was hot and humid. Then from there flew to Boston. Flew home on Thursday, Friday was a quickie, then on Saturday I flew to Minneapolis, Minnesota where I sit right now!
I am attending a big nursing conference, for the speciality I am a part of. I'm a CWOCN (I'll explain another time)
My full title is Susan Guschel RN, MS, NP, CWOCN.
I'm attending the conference, though, as an exhibitor. I worked the exhibit booth last night till 8P. After standing for about 3 straight hours in one place, my back was so sore and I was ready for a glass of Zinfandel :-)!
I'll be here till tomorrow, then I think I have to drive to Philadelphia on Thursday. I'll know for sure later today.
Well, just wanted to catch up. I'm not sure why I waited so long to post, I think that sometimes it's just that the journey just seeems so long and that get's me down. But then I'll visit someones blog that just received their referral, or is in China getting their child, and I feel so much better.
We are 3 months in to the wait now, that looks to be at least 12 months or more. When people ask I say I just finished my first trimester :-), their mouths gape open till I tell them it's my "paper pregnancy"!!!!
Well, time to get ready, gotta go back to the exhibit booth shortly.

God Bless America

So sorry, haven't posted in a while. Have a lot of catching up to do.
Found this sign at Joanne's Crafts and put it on the front door for Memorial Day. I'm leaving it up because I think it's appropriate everyday, and also it will be perfect for July 4th too! Please remember to keep our country in your prayers every day and please pray for our soldiers who have given their lives to keep our country safe.
Memorial Day weekend was beautiful here in Long Island. Every day was sunny and warm (I can remember a few where you needed long sleeves, long pants, jackets and an umbrella, ugh). On Sunday Amanda visited, and our neighbors Jim and Ellen had there annual Memorial Day BBQ and party. Now that's how you know summer has really begun!
We set up our Volley ball/ Badminton net on our front lawn and before you knew it all the kids from the party (and the block) came over to play ball. I still think I have some toys left behind by the neighborhood kids!

Here's John playing Badminton with Amanda


Here's Amanda returning a serve.

Amanda is Renee's big sister, she's a black belt in Karate since she's 13 (she's 14 now). I have great shots of her competing at a Karate tournament that I need to post.

On Monday John and I went fishing with my sister Karen, brother in law Anthony,and my niece and nephew, Dana and Anthony Jr., on their boat. It's a beautiful Proline, and as I joke with John all the time, has the necessities that I want in a boat should we ever buy one, namely a cabin to get out of the elements if necessary and most important, a bathroom!!!! John would be happy with a row boat :-) !!
Got to take pictures next time we're on board.
We caught fluke but none were keepers, they were all too small. I caught a skate, yuck. It was breezy on the water, but a gorgeous day. Looking forward to more boat trips this summer. Thanks Anthony and Karen!!!!!!!!