Getting Ready to go Shopping

Nara and I spent Saturday looking for good deals

Thanksgiving 2008

We have had a week of family fun. We started out last Sunday with my family at the beach. It is nice to remind yourself that we do truly live in paradise. Nara enjoyed playing with her cousins and I enjoyed seeing my family. Later in the week we had the opportunity to go to dinner with Rick’s two uncles. His sister and her family joined us. It was great to see his family. I am already looking forward to seeing them again. On Thanksgiving we drove down to the beach again to have lunch with my family. I went to bed early so I could join the rest of the crazy shoppers on Friday morning. I hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving!

Remembering Thanksgiving 2007

Before I begin blogging about Thanksgiving 2008 I thought I would remember 2007. We spent Thanksgiving in the Mountains of North Carolina with my parents, sister and other family members. We had a great time playing outside and exploring the area. It was the first time Nara and Devon had really experienced snow. The cold reminded me of my time in college in Tennessee and why I prefer the warmer climate. I returned to NC last summer for a few days but Rick and the kids have not gone back since last Thanksgiving. We hope to return this summer.

Happy Anniversary K and J

Having a Party

Rick and Devon spent the day watching football while Nara and I spent the afternoon with my family. My sister and brother-in-law celebrated 17 years of marriage today with a family/friend surprise party. We are all looking forward to a relaxing Thanksgiving

Family fun

N and J playing on the beach

Waiting for Caroline.

Some one e-mailed my blog last week and wanted to know how long we have been waiting for Caroline. So I thought I would answer the question on my blog

Rick and I decided to adopt in March of 2006. We started collecting all of our paperwork for the adoption process that summer and fall. We sent everything to our agency in December of 2006. We were officially put on the waiting list (our LID date) March 26, 2007. At the time of our LID we were told that we would wait 12 months. Here it is almost 2009 and we still wait…..

Thankful Thursday

This has been a difficult week with our China adoption. Nothing horrible, but the slow pace bothers me more as the holidays approach. So I am going to keep up with the Thankful Thursday post. The post helps to remind me to enjoy our daily life. We hope and pray that the process speeds up soon.
I am thankful that a vacation is almost here
I am thankful for my secretary who does a great job of keeping me organized
I am thankful that my mom and dad come home tomorrow.
I am thankful that Rick and I have a vacation planned in about a month.
I am thankful that my husband always remembers to schedule small getaways every couple of months

Wordless Wednesday

Violet and her Spot

Nara got a hold of my camera and took a picture of Violet sitting beside her Webkinz. Even when Nara is not home Violet still can be found hanging with the Webkinz

Violet Hanging out with the Webkinz

Violet

We started a tradition with Lily to always celebrate her Birthday. All of us have always enjoyed celebrating Lily’s Birthday. On Saturday we celebrated Violet’s first Birthday. She was a little shy when we first put her on the table but she was quick to pick up (by watching Lily) that this was a special day. Happy Birthday Violet!

Violet's Birthday

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful that my mom taught me to always find something to celebrate and to get a Publix cake to do it right.
I am thankful that Nara has joined in and enjoys finding things to celebrate
I am thankful that Rick and Devon tolerate and sometimes embrace our desire to have a party.
I am thankful that my nephew has found a sport that he enjoys and does well in
I am proud and thankful that my niece is Brilliant Beautiful and Glamorous
I am thankful that they still like to see their nerdy aunt and hope that they always will

Happy Birthday Violet

Wordless Wednesday

A Lazy Sunday

Fall is here! We watched football for a big part of the day! The Dolphins won so it was a great day! However, after the game Rick, Nara and I went outside and had a great time. Nara played in the woods.

Outside Sunday

Sailing

My nephew has become a competitor in the sailing world. This weekend he competed in a sailing race with over 200 participants. He finished in the top twenty. Needless to say I am very proud of my nephew. We had a great time on Saturday cheering him on. Kelly and I sat on the beach while Joel and Nara played.

At the end of the race

Playing on the beach

Harvest Fair

Nara and I started Saturday by our annual trip to the Harvest Fair. The Harvest Fair is a fundraiser for her school. Nara did the rock climb and several other activities. My favorite is the cakewalk. We are yet to win the cakewalk. As you can tell her favorite was the rock climb. She made it to the top with no problems

Nara at the Harvest Fair

Nara and the Rock Climb

Thankful Thursday

My secretary referred to today as Thankful Thursday. She went on to explain that the world is so busy that we need to dedicate every Thursday to take note what we are thankful for. So I decided that I would attempt to write down some of my thoughts. The process made me happy and it reminded me of the special things in my life

I am thankful that the band season is almost over
I am thankful for my husband who always knows how to make me laugh
I am thankful that the China adoption process is moving. It is moving slow but it is moving.
I am thankful that I have a sister that I can call anytime and she will always give me her opinion and support
I am thankful that my parents are coming home soon.
I am thankful that Nara is a great shopping buddy
I am thankful for Violet’s enthusiasm and Lily’s loyalty

Rick's New Car

Rick has always wanted a 300 ZX. He started seriously looking for one a few months ago. On Tuesday he finally found one. See pictures below

Violet and Nara ready for a ride

Rick's Project car

Nara checking out the car

Awesome Author

Nara has become such a great writer. She loves to write and always shares her work at dinner. On Friday Nara’s teacher announced that she was Awesome Author of the week.

We are always quick to throw a party. Nara and I decided that we were going to celebrate her latest award. Rick, Nara and I celebrated with a cookie on Saturday.

Awesome Author

Having fun on Saturday

Remember to Vote

Halloween 2008

We had a very busy Halloween night. Rick and I started the night very relaxed. We went out to dinner and then went to a Halloween party at Colleen’s house. It was so much fun to see so many kids running around. We ended the night by making our normal midnight run to the school to pick Devon up at the football game.

Nara, Zack and Julia

Nara and the Girls

Nara on Halloween

Julia as Mother Earth

Trick or Trunk

Nara and I went to Trick or Trunk at Devon’s school the night before Halloween. She really wanted to be something scary. She loved the scary costume that I found. The eyes turned red. She enjoyed all of the candy but she also loved handing out candy to the high school kids. We are already planning next year!

Trick or Trunk