Winter Wonderland

Dan and I have the next 10 days off together and we are heading off to our favorite winter getaway. Each year we go to this cozy bed and breakfast that is just absolutely perfect. Ken and Jim built this B&B and run it like I've never seen. Each time we walk in the door there is a roaring fire and hot cocoa waiting. These trips are so relaxing. We bought our books to bring on the trip today. Snow has fallen recently, so we are bringing our sleds and going skiing as well. We aren't black diamond skiers, but we have fun on the green slopes. I usually try out the bunny hill first to warm up. :)

Dan and I were laughing because for 3 years now, we have written in the room journal, "well, we probably won't be back next year because we are planning to start our family". and... "well, we wont' be back next year because we are starting our adoption process." and last year, "well, we definitely won't be back next year because we are going to China this year and we will have our daughter at this time next year." ... I'm not writing anything this year! :)

Happy New Year Everyone! 2007 here we come!!! :)

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone!

A Song From My Heart

A co-worker emailed me about a new song from Third Day regarding an adoption from China. I listened to it on Napster today and could not believe my ears. I could have written this song. I'm not sure what inspired Third Day to write this, but it speaks what us waiting parents are feeling this Christmas. The song is titled "Merry Christmas". I dedicate this song to Lauren this Christmas as my heart and mind is very much with her wherever she is today.

Lauren, mommy and daddy love you sweetheart.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZahNQuAs5Cg

Mark Schultz

I thought I would share with you what I have just learned! Mark Schultz, a christian music artist, has put out a new CD called "Broken & Beautiful" and on this CD is a song called "Everything To Me". Mark was adopted at 2 weeks old and this song is to his birth mom. It's an awesome song. I'm not typically a crier and I teared up while hearing it for the first time. Mark has gotten involved in helping orphans lately and he is donating one of these bears shown above for every CD sold before Christmas. The bears will be given to orphans around the world.

Mark is also doing a "bike across the nation" to raise money for ophans. He will have a GPS on his bike and you can track his journey at markschultzmusic.com

Mark has also started the James Fund that you may want to check out.

Have a great weekend everyone! Christmas is just 9 days away! wow!

Handmade Gifts!!

I am amazed again at my Secret Pal! She is unbelievable!!

My neighbor brought over a package tonight that had been wrongly delivered to her house. I was so excited it was from my Secret Pal! I opened it and thought awww what an adorable Teddy! He is sooo soft!!... Then! I read his tag..."Handmade for Lauren by Mommy's Secret Pal." It took a second for it to register..she made this! I looked up and said to Dan, "She is going to be an amazing mom!"

I seriously can't quit holding this Bear! He is so cuddly. It came at just the right night. I have been missing Lauren tonight.

Along with Teddy came a little bear photo tag. My thoughful pal also placed a picture of a cute little chinese girl in braids into the photo slot. I am going to put this next to my computer at work to help remind me of why I am now starting the updates of our paperwork. Our fingerprints are about the expire and we have been told we will have to update our home study which will involve another home visit. Oh my gosh. I was so glad to have all that paperwork behind me and here we go again!

Thank You SOOO much Secret Pal!! Words really cannot say enough. You have way out done yourself. :)

9 Month LID Anniversary!

Well, we have hit our 9 months! However, we adoptive moms are special. We do not have the gestation period of 9 months, instead we are hearing our gestation is anywhere between 12-24 months! That links us between the Blue Whale with a gestation of 12 months and the Elephant which has a gestation of 22 months!

I will say however, by seeing other blogs, that our nesting periods are of greater proportion as well! Houses are being revamped, dresses and quilts are being made, and small business' are being started! I personally, intend to start my nesting by painting the inside of my home the start of 2007.

Mexican Hot Chocolate

I had a few people ask what Mexican Hot Chocolate is, so I thought I would post a recipe! It's a new found love of mine this year. A co-worker of mine who is from Mexico let me in on this wonderful concoction. Abuelita means "grandmother" in spanish. You will find Abuelita in the Latino food section at the grocery store.

Mexican Hot Chocolate
Heat 4 cups milk
Place 2 tablets Abuelita and milk in blender
Blend for 1 minute and pour into mug
Enjoy!!!

It tastes like hot chocolate with a cinnamon flare! :) I like to add peppermint mocha creamer to it as well.

I know some may not have a Latino food section at the grocery store. You may be able to buy it online at nestle.com

Christmas Time

I am finally feeling the "Christmas Spirit" in the air. Time has been speeding by and it just didn't seem like Christmas to me, until last night. We got out of our jeans, dressed up for eachother, and hit the town! We went to the Symphony Hall and heard "An Arizona Christmas". It included the Phoenix Symphony, Choir, and Girls Choir. It was absolutely beautiful. Downtown was lit up for Christmas and the air was crisp and cold. Life is just too good. I feel so, so blessed.

I am putting up the Christmas decorations in the house today. And, for year #3, I will put up Lauren's stocking. She may not be here this year, but she is definetly in our hearts.

I am off to make Mexican Hot Cocoa..mmmmmm. I wish you all could join me!

Zoolights!

We bundled up and went to Zoolights with my family last night. We had so much fun! Dan and I have been doing this every year since we were dating. We get kettle corn and hot cocoa and walk through the light display arm in arm. It is one of my favorite traditions. This year we went with my family and my nephew, Gavin, saw Zoolights for the first time! It was so awesome to see him get excited and point at all the lights. Anytime Gavin is around, life is that much better. I kept thinking last night of how fantastic it is going to be to see Zoolights with our Lauren.

And of course, we had to get a picture with the ladybug for good luck! We added Gavin for a little more luck to rub off on us! :) Anything to see this wait speed up! :)

Well, I'm off to go shopping. I'm just starting today!