Happy Late Thanksgiving

I did not get a chance to post on Thanksgiving. We were very busy. We actually celebrated with both sides of the family. We ended up going to a supper club upnorth to celebrate with my mom and stepfather and all of his kids and their spouses and children.....wow what a large group of people. I can understand why my mom would be overwhelmed with a grp this large for Thanksgiving. We then end up going to my inlaws house for evening Thanksgiving dinner. Two Thanksgiving celebrations and a lot of YMCA the following days!!! My mother in law wanted me to bring an appetizer and I decided on a veggie tray....needed some low calorie options. We all had a terrific time! Julia loved the dessert from Baskin Robbins which was ice cream decorated as a turkey. Tradition has been to wake up at 2 AM the next day and go shopping. I have gone to Best Buy every year and really have gotten good deals but the past few years have been discouraging since I find that people start camping out in tents at 5 PM the evening before. This year I set my alarm for 230 and IT DID NOT GO OFF!!!...must be a sign from above. I actually woke up at 530AM and I am grateful it was not later since I had to be at work at 730. I did end up at Kohl's and then went to Fleet Farm. I had a couple of good deals and a lot of long lines! Hope you all had a terrific Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Wishes

Julia's Thanksgiving card/with turkey hand cover

I find myself thinking about all of the things that I am thankful for. Evan and I were talking about how we are thankful for the men and women in the service who are protecting our country and for their families who are making a large sacrifice for our freedom . I am thankful for all of my friends, old and new that have touched my life in so many ways. I am thankful for a loving husband and two wonderful children. I am thankful for my mom and step father as well as my sister/brother who have been extremely loving and supportive. I am also thankful for my father who made me a better person and pushed me to become the best person I could be! I am thankful that God had a plan for Julia and brought her into our home. I could go on and on and on but I especially wanted to say Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! Thank you for touching my life in so many big and small ways!!!

10 Month Anniversary

I can not believe that it has been 10 months since our Julia came home. She has brought such Joy and laughter to our home. I will never forget our first meeting when she walked out in her pink corduroy pants and jacket with her Chinese name in tape across her jacket and the cutest pink patton leather shoes with charms! She looked around and held her arms out to me when the orphange workers said "Go, there is your Mama" She had big tears welling up in her eyes and she looked so afraid. I had so many mixed emotions at that moment....those of love at first sight and also of sadness that she was leaving the only world she ever knew. When we drove up to our house after the long flight home I could hardly wait to introduce her to her big brother who missed his mom and dad for two whole weeks! I whisked her out of the car and out of a deep sleep to walk into a place which was so unfamiliar. Evan cried so hard when he saw her and kept telling me how cute she was!! She just looked around and was very quiet!

Since then she has evolved into a very happy,high energy little girl! She loves to blow me kisses and giggles after each one! She is inquisative asking me, "What's that"??? and she always wants to see what is going on scooting a chair up or a stool and saying "I see" We truly have been blessed with two wonderful children! We have also been blessed with many wonderful friends who we have met along this journey in China! Wish we all lived a little closer but nice to visit everyones blogs! Happy 10th Anniversary Travelmates!!!!!