Our Christmas Cards

 
 

We included this little bookmark in our Christmas Cards as a reminder for our families and friends to pray for us and for Ally in the coming year -- hopefully that will be when we meet each other! 

My New Christmas Favorites

Each year it seems that there are a few Christmas things and traditions that strike me as a "favorite" - so here are my favs for this year...

1. Garland and lights above the front door. We (well, I) put up garland with red and white lights around the arch and front door on the inside and outside of our house. It really lights up the foyer and turned out so pretty. The little wreath on the door is one that Lauren made in SS a few weeks ago!

2. A Picture Christmas Tree. I "borrowed" (that sounds more polite than saying I stole it!) this cute idea from my friend Sharon. All of the pics we received in Christmas cards were tied with a little ribbon and put on this little tree in our kitchen -- also with red and white lights. I keep the pics each year and the girls enjoy looking back at our collection. I have only done this the past few years -- wish I had kept them for a longer time, but oh well!

3. An Oil Burner -- that I got a Bath and Body Works -- I LOVE how it quickly fills the room with fragrance - especially the cinnamon and spice and tree scents. We also got Pecan Passion which smells like a pecan pie baking in the oven! It is so much better than a candle because the fragrance is strong and it lingers!

Lake Lanier LIGHTS!

We ventured out last night to Lake Lanier to see the light display. Little did we know that everyone else in ATL had the same plan! It took us 2 hours to drive about 6 miles just to get to the entrance! We had fun, though. The first pic is of Audrey, Sara, Lauren and Caroline in the gift shop, which (to my dismay) we didn't have much time to look through. BUT there were TONS of really cute ornaments that I would have loved to have purchased at the 40% discount! Oh well -- probably don't need them anyway....


The next pic is of Sara and Lauren being the "loving sisters" that they are. At least most of the time! We had fun -- Doug's mom went with us and had a good time enjoying the lights and watching the girls with their friends. 

Our Fortune

We had dinner at our favorite Chinese place, Lin's Bistro, last night with our friends, the Hills. We love to visit with them for lots of reasons -- they are fun, first and fore most; they know what we are going thru, because they have had their own adoption journey; they have 2 girls, so everyone has someone to talk to/play with! Anyway, here are some of the fortunes from the cookies that were passed my way:

"A pleasant surprise is in store for you soon."
"This is a good time for you to take a risk. You will succeed."
"There are big changes ahead for you."
"Follow your heart for success in the coming week."
"Your judgement is a little off at this time. Rely on friends."

I can see truth in each of these. Not that I believe in a random, somewhat vague message in a fortune cookie, but it is fun to see how we can "read into them." We had a good time.

I'm thinking about Ally a lot these days. I wonder if she is born, or if she is a baby, or if she is a 2 year old, or possibly almost 3 years old. I wonder -- so often. Probably, a little more than usual since it's so close to Christmas. Our girls are getting excited, now that school is finally out!

Looking for a Sign

I was to a point yesterday afternoon that I was desperate. Desperate to just KNOW something. Desperate for direction from God. I had even said the words "I just want a sign" to know what to do... So, that being said, I pulled into Walmart, which seems to be my tri-weekly destination, parked the car and paid no attention to my spot. I was so distracted that I didn't pay one bit of attention to where I had parked. So, after completing my tri-weekly visit to Walmart, I returned with my buggy to the parking lot, only to realize that I had no idea where my car was! I then start to look, up and down the aisles of the parking lot. And about 3 rows over from where my car was waiting for me, there it was -- Plastered on the back window of a conversion van, exactly what I asked for -- a sign, that read "God is in Control". I did chuckle out loud and said, "OK." I'll accept that sign. I guess I'm a literal person. Funny sometimes. Be patient, Lucy.... this really will happen, someday when the time is right.

Mei Lan is her name!

Atlanta's little panda (born in September 2006) has a new name - it means "Atlanta Beauty". She is really cute! Looks a little like our cat Snoopie! What do you think?

We enjoyed our Saturday lunch with Debbie, Ian and LiLi at the Cheesecake Factory - what's not to love? I so value Debbie's BTDT perspective and her advice. Yummy lunch and dessert!

Our Sunday School class party was last night - we had such a blast! We have so much fun with these special friends. I'm so glad to have such a strong support group as we go through this entire process.

WOW

Christmas is really sneaking up on me this year. There is a lot going on this month so maybe that is part of it. Even the girls say that it doesn't seem like it is right around the corner. They only have 4 more days of school until break and they say that they aren't even that excited. I think we are all somewhat distracted. Anyway, once the class parties start, I'm sure their feelings will change quickly! I know that I will be eager for a break, but it also looks like I'll be working a good bit too! Oh well, it keeps my mind off our "wait"! That is really all for tonight.

We are looking forward to a "girls' lunch" with Debbie and LiLi on Saturday. When I told Lauren, she said "Now that is a great idea!" I agree!

A New Colander

Yep - I bought one. I don't think it warrants a picture, so I'll let you imagine -- it came from Target and cost $7 - isn't that crazy? One day Ally will read this and say, "I thought you were writing this for me!" This way she will see how this long wait affected her (hopefully still sane) mommy!

Today marks the 11th month since our DTC (Dossier was sent To China). I don't know if we will see an update from the CCAA before Christmas or before New Year or in early January. There are a few early rumors out there, but I'm not living for those at all. Hard to believe we are approaching one year of our official wait. The days do go quickly - lots to do with Christmas only 12 days away. Logically, if the days go quickly, the weeks and months should follow suite; however, this isn't always the case. Sometimes it is, but not always.

I'm almost finished shopping.

"Steal It!"

We heard this phrase, "Steal it!" at our annual Ornament Swap on Sunday night! We had so much fun (and hope everyone who attended did too!). I got a few pics from where I was standing. We had lots of food. The girls and I worked most of the day (well, actually, weekend) to get the house ready. In the midst of this we painted the hall bathroom. Crazy, I know! Even Ally got an ornament!

Last night Doug and I went to see Mannheim Steamroller at the Gwinnett Arena and it was amazing! They sounded SO good LIVE! That was (part of) my Christmas present.

I had been warned that the Christmas season might be a little difficult this year. I do, at times, really feel like something (well, actually, someone) is missing. I remember last year at Christmas, we kept saying things like, "We'll have Ally here for next Christmas" and we never thought that we would be saying that again this year. But, we are. At times, it is so hard; but mostly, I'm keeping busy and I'm doing fine. Work tends to do that for me at this time of the year!

Almost done with shopping!

Congrats

My friend, Angie and her hubby Victor actually got their referral last Thursday! Today is thier new daughter's first b'day! How exciting it was to actually talk to her on the phone (they live in MO) when they were waiting for their package. Her name is Becca and she is just TOO cute! I'm so happy for them and their family. I would imagine they will be travelling in mid-Jan -- COLD, but who cares?