Happy New Year

Wordless Wednesday

On the afternoon of the 23rd Nara and I were finishing some last minute Christmas shopping. I was in a drive through at Chick-Fil-A, just to get some ice tea when steam started coming out of the hood of the car. We quickly got out of the drive through and parked the car. One of the managers came running over to help us. He was so kind he even brought me my ice tea. He waited with us until Rick and the tow driver arrived. I guess my radiator cracked and then melted a fan. The car repair shop was not going to get to it until after the New Year. So my brilliant, handy husband replaced the radiator

Nara's Favorite Christmas Giftt!

Thanks Aunt Colleen and Uncle Josh!

Images of Christmas 2008

Merry Christmas 2008

The Zoo and the Park

Nara and I took Donatella to the zoo and the park a few days before Christmas. It was very crowed but the girls had fun.

Zoo and the Park

At the Zoo

Christmas 2008

As Christmas approaches, I have mixed emotions. I have both sad and happy emotions. I have always enjoyed the preparation for Christmas. I enjoy trying to find the perfect gift for Rick. I love the Christmas celebrations in my community and in my church. My parents and my sister and her family are out of town. I miss them but what I miss the most is what I do not have yet. When Rick and I started the adoption process I expected to have Caroline within a year. I wrote in her journal that she would be home by Christmas 08. I guess I was wrong about that. Nara and I watched the video below and we both began to cry. Nara cried because Caroline is not home. I cried because I realized that Caroline is probably not born yet, and she probably will not be home next Christmas either. How many more will we plan for without her?
I am happy and thankful for my health, husband and home. I am thankful for my parents, sister and the rest of my family. I am thankful that I get to celebrate Christmas through the eyes of my step-daughter.

I hope one day when Caroline reads her scrapbook blog that she realizes how much she was wanted. On Christmas 2008 we will say a special prayer for her and wish she was with us.

This is for Caroline!

http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=dy8RW6aHXWQ& feature=related

Trying to get the Perfect Picture of the Cousins

One day Caroline will get to be in the picture with the cousins

Trying to get Ready for Christmas

Trying to get the tree inside the house.

Stay tuned for a decorated tree

Our out of town getaway has caused us not to be as prepared for Christmas. On Saturday morning Rick and I got up and did some shopping. After we got most of our shopping done we had to go find a Christmas tree to put the presents under. I have always been a Fraser Fir kind of Christmas tree girl however, we were in the mood for a change and so after two different Christmas tree lots we decided on a Cedar Christmas tree. I finished my last bit of shopping today and the kids finished decorating the tree. I think Rick still has some shopping left.

Christmas Caroling

Zack having fun

Devon Drivingsingers around

Donnatella singing

N and D Playing

N and D playing with the dogs

Playing on the Wii

We came home on Friday to a little bit of excitement. Nara’s mom was in the hospital having another baby. (# 5). The delivery became very complicated and she stopped breathing. She is still in the hospital but is doing much better. On Friday night Nara came home and brought her little sister with her. Donna has spent the night at our house before so it was a way to help in a bad situation. We started the sleepover by decorating more cookies. On Saturday we went to the mall, decorated the Christmas tree and went to a Christmas party at Colleen’s house.

We Miss You Mammy!

My parents kept Lily and Violet while Rick and I were out of town. Lily has stayed with my parents many times. My mom actually taught Lily some of her cutest habits. They always have a great time staying with my parents. She feeds them very well and gives them a lot of attention. They were not very happy last night when I fed them dog food. In fact they were quick to let me know that Mammy fed them much better. I am sure they are looking forward to our next trip out of town.

Our Last Night at Universal

Hard Rock and City Walk

Playing with my phone camera as we try to decide what we are going to do next.

Rick’s conference ended on Thursday around 2. We left the first hotel and checked in at the Royal Pacific Hotel. We have stayed at all three hotels at Universal but the Royal Pacific is our favorite. It has a very tropical jungle theme. We hung out at the hotel pool for a couple of hours and then we walked over to City Walk for dinner. We ate dinner at the Hark Rock and just walked around enjoying the Christmas Decorations. We have been to Universal many times but I have never seen the place so empty. It was a real sign of the economy.

Part Two of our Getaway :Royal Pacific Resort at Universal