stuck in traffic

This is where we were for over an hour yesterday as I watched the clock while our 11:00 fingerprint appointment time passed. We left in plenty of time to allow for normal New Olreans traffic and to arrive a little early on top of that.. We were zipping along just fine until we got on the twin span bridge. It was so frustrating-not moving but a few inches every few minutes-and try to call a government agency to talk to someone to tell them you will be late-forget it! I had pictures of our last visit to that office in my mind-200 people packed in a small room-all waiting and happy when someone did not show up so they could jump in that space.

Well, all of the angst was for nothing to our pleasant surprise. When we finally got off the bridge and rushed to the office and up to the third floor for immigration-we were the ONLY people there. The fingerprint people had not left for lunch like I had feared. They got us right in and right out and couldn't have been nicer. So 10 minutes and it was done. Fingerprints done-check!

scenes from Christmas

Sweet Alyssa

little Bruiser

our big girls

li
littlest angel

nativity scene stars

We hope every had a merry,blessed Christmas. We started our celebration Christmas with Christmas service at church and a Christmas pageant in which the girls were angels. Then we had some family and friends over for gumbo and visiting. Olivia and Ave Kate settled in that night with great anticipation of Santa's visit. Ave Kate was the first one up Christmas morning and announced to us that Santa had indeed come and brought the Barbie diamond castle that she had been dreaming of for months. Olivia, too, was happy with all of her gifts. They were busy all day playing with everything. I cooked and got everything ready for Christmas dinner at 6. The big kids and their children and Grandma were all here. All the food turned out great if I do say so my self. A good time was had by all and everyone left with a carload of gifts. Erin stayed for the night so we had our nice late Christmas visit enjoying the Christmas tree and the quiet of the night.

Today is a lazy day but this evening we will go to my neice's house and enjoy the holidays with

my sister and her children and grandchildren.

fun and sun

Olivia is 6 now Ave Kate is 5

relaxing girls, Olivia scared that Ave Kate will get to close to the end of the pier, beautiful sunset

Olivia with an attitude and sweet pea

We came down to Panama City Beach for a few days. Olivia's birthday was Thursday so we went out for sushi which she loves. Both girls ate their share of California rolls. Then we had sun on Friday which was a treat. The last several days at home were humid with thick fog. It was nice to enjoy the sun poolside in late December. We ended the day with a nice sunset. I did some last minute shopping this morning and found something that I did not think Santa had available.. I am now making my seafood gumbo to take home for Christmas Eve. We will be going home in the morning. I can't believe Christmas is Thursday. Still so much to do!

Olivia's Christmas Play

Olivia's school had their Kindergarten Christmas Play this morning. It was very cute. I was surprised and delighted to discover that Olivia had a big part playing Carter the Cat. She did a great job and I was very proud of her. All of the kids were so cute in their costumes and makeup. I forgot how special these school plays were. It just warms your heart to see all those little ones and hear them sing in those sweet voices.

It was a Pinkalicious Day

The girls celebrated their birthdays together Sunday with a pinkalicious party. It was the first official birthday party that they have had since in past years we have been out of town for their birthdays. It was the first birthday party that I have thrown since I can't remember when but it has been many years... Anyway it was a good party with many pinkalicious little girls. We had fingernail and toenail painting, boas and crowns, cookie decorating, and of course a pinkalicious reading by Ms Angelina. I had some good help from Caroline and friends. Ave Kate's actual birthday was Sunday. Olivia's birthday is Thursday. So for four days they are both 5 years old.

Fingerprint Appointment!

We received our appointment for fingerprinting today. It is for Dec 29 in New Orleans. Moving right along-as slow as the pace seems-it IS progress!

Other news of the day-It snowed! It was beautiful to watch-for all f the 30 min or so that it lasted. I didn't even get to get a picture. It has been icy cold all day. I just love it. It feels so Christmasy.

Thanksgiving in NYC

Erin and Ryan

Parade scenes

Big City Girls

We just returned home yesterday after spending a week in New York . We had a wonderful trip. This was my first time to see NYC and I loved it. Glen had planned the trip to take us to the Macy's Day Parade which is something I have wanted to do since I was a kid. It was such a treat to be there for it. Crowded but worth every minute. Other highlights of our trip were Little Mermaid Broadway play, Central Park, attending local Christmas events, lots of NY pizza-and plenty of other great food, shopping, and just being part of the excitement of the city. Ave Kate and Olivia loved every minute of it. Erin joined us ther for several days which was a treat.

NY will definitely be on my list of places that I want to go back to visit-but as the old saying goes ther is no place like home and we were happy to return home.

Update and I-800

Two good newsworthy events today. I finally received our state approved home study yesterday so today I got to send in our I-800! Now the next waiting process has started... Then this evening I checked my email and had an update on our girl! She is just sooo cute.

Here is what they had to say about her

Medical/Development:
Her current health is good.
She can understand what is said to her and can say 2-3 word simple sentences.
She can climb up and down her crib, put on or off her shoes and socks.
She is potty trained, but still need diaper when sleeping
She does not learn color yet.
Personality:
They call her Ming Ming
Her personality is outgoing and can get along well with other children.
General:
Her sleeping and diet schedule:
6:30 am get up
7:00 am breakfast-milk, bread, congee
9:00 am snack-water and biscuits
10:30 am lunch—noodle, soft rice, mashed meat and mashed vegetable
11:00 am -1:30 pm nap
2:30 pm snack—rice cereal, steamed eggs and water
4:30 pm dinner-congee, mashed vegetable
7:00 pm go to sleep
8:00 pm drink water
10:00 pm drink milk
She is not picky and eats noodle, congee, cake, eggs and fruits and drinks boiled water.
She is in the orphanage.
She received package from the family

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New pics of Miss Lily

I was so happy and thankful to see new pictures of Lily (her real official name we agree on!) when I got online yesterday morning. Nanci, a sweet mom who was visiting the SWI yesterday with her beautiful new son, Elijiah, took pictures of our children for us waiting moms. I so appreciate it! I will have to admit that I had to figure out which one was Lily and zoom in for details! She is changing and growing and am so ready to go get her. I am definitely sending a toothbrush in her next care package. I have never seen but one picture of her without a lollipop in her mouth-and usually another in her hand! Lily is in yellow.

We are still waiting for final state approval for home study which I thought would not take but a couple of days but is dragging out like all paperwork...

Well me and the girls are off to run errands.

The last of Halloween celebration

Well, we finally wrapped Halloween up last night. We went to Glen's mother's house for chili and to see the grandkid's in their costumes. I took the kids trick -or -treating in her neighborhood and it was slim pickings. Her neighbors either did not come to their door or did not have candy. A couple of them gave money. So in the end they got very little candy (which was fine with me) and made $1.25 each...When we got back to our house there were still trick-or-treaters going strong at 8:45. We called it a night and put the girls to bed.

Home Study Officially Approved

I am happy to announce that after several tweaks and revisions, we officially received approval from our agency on our home study and can file our 1-800 with USCIS. It feels good to be making progress!

Active October

October has been a busy month for us. The weather has been so nice that we have stayed on the go alot. We have attended 3 Halloween parties so far! We had a get together at our house 1st to start things off. Then some friends had a bigger party at their house with a hayride and costume party. The kids had alot of fun with all of their friends. This past weekend we went to my niece's house in Madison for her annual Halloween party. It was the first time we got to go to it. It was a blast. Fun for the kids and adults. They really go all out. There were games and acitivities with prizes and a haunted house. The girls especially enjoyed having playtime with their cousins.
By the time we trick or treat their costumes will be worn out...