Come on turn it up

Ok so we put the decorations away today and quite frankly I am sick of waller'n (I know this isn't a word but I still say it) around about kids that are not home. I pray they will come home and I am just having faith that they will be here sometime in 2009.


So I want all of you to do me a favor. I dug deep into the oldies but goodies for some tunes to party to this New Years and they sound the best when the volume is turned way way up. So do it, turn your volume way up and if you want to get up and dance. I know you want to. Try it! It will bring a smile to your face. Come on, go ahead the first three songs will help you get your groove on and have a good time.


Remember volume way way up and smile, clap your hands, irritate your kid's or spouse that's what I've been doing with all my singing. They love me anyway and sad (or maybe not I love these cheesy songs) but true I know every word to these songs and I bet you do to. Don't lie! Sing it and sing it loud!

Christmas Hangover

Does anyone else have the Christmas hangover or big downer that comes the next day? You know the one that doesn't even include alcohol. I always get it every year ugh why?

Love

As all the hustle and bustle comes to a screeching halt. I am grateful for so many things. I am humbled by the blessings in my life. My prayer is simple on this Christmas night http://www.joytoeveryone.com/

The pictures and music are beautifully done. I hope everyone will feel and experience love in their life.

Father Christmas

This is by far one of our favorite family traditions. When we visit Father Christmas every year. This was our 15th year and the kids always look forward to it. He knows my kids names and is so excited to see them each year. Our time with him is our own as it is by appt and so when the kids are with him they have all the time to ask him anything, or say anything, and he always has something special to say to them, which makes it very special.

When the kids walked in this year Gage was kindof in front and the first thing he said was "oh wow you have grown at least 6 inches this year". He was oh so right and it just doesn't get any better than that when he just knows so well.

I can't wait till the kids are home so they can experience the love of a Family tradition with us.

"2008"

"2007"

"2006"

"2004"

"2003" I'm still not quite sure
how I got him in pj's this year
it still makes me laugh and it
was even longjohn's from Hannah
Andersson. Ha!

"2002"

"2001"

"2000"

"1999" Bless him a little more
knee surgery with a table
over his knee

"1998"

"1997" Father Christmas had a little knee
surgery so needed a helper this year.

"1996"

"1995"

"1994"

*I have misplaced 2005 as soon as I find it I will add it. We were living with my parents while we built our house I think it might be there somewhere. You can click on the pics to see them larger.


"MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM OUR HOME TO YOURS"

Still Waiting

*pause my playlist at the bottom


"Merry Christmas" Third Day

A special song for all of you still waiting for your little ones (sons and daughters) from China. The wait is so very long and I know the Holidays seem to make the wait even harder and sometimes unbearable. That is how I felt when we were waiting so long ago. I pray for all of you that the time will go by quickly. The last six months of our wait are a complete blur even now. My poor kids at home I don't even remember doing anything with them. I became so obsessed with my computer and referrals that I shut almost everything else out. I do regret that time I lost with my awesome, forgiving kids at home.

This time around I am much better. I am living more in the moment and just dealing with the fact that they are not home for Christmas. I hope you to can stay in the moment (I know easier said than done).

Our family wishes you and your families and your babies in China a Merry Christmas

Date night

So last week I pretty much just shut down all together. That is my way of getting through something. I know not the best option but when you feel like curling up in a ball it just is all I can do to get through each day. I am doing better however I don't have any good news to share.

Thank you to Russ and Sarah for taking us out on Sat. We went to dinner and then saw this and I laughed start to finish.



Something I totally needed and the company was great. Thank you

One of my favorites

Please take a minute and pause my playlist at the bottom and listen to this song. I hope you love it like I do. This song is truly for the little ones all over the world. "Prayer of the Children"

I am in need of your prayers

I have been brought to my knees and feel like I have been punched in the gut. For my kids and my husband I need to keep it together please pray that I can be held up.

The stockings are hung

A little glimpse of our weekend. It is always fun getting out the decorations and watching the kids faces light up. My face was a little sad as my son was not around for much of the weekend to help us put up the tree. It is hard to have a teenager and watch them become little men and want to be social and with their friends. He is such a great kid and truth be told I think he missed being with us to when he saw the tree up and the stockings hung.









Oh and some reindeer stopped for a visit.







This is what I looked like by the end of the long weekend. Hookem Horns is all I could give. I wish I had my kids energy still. I'm still not done decorating.