Happy Holidays

From All of Us

To All of You

May Your Days Be Merry and Bright!

Holiday House Tour

We're participating in a Holiday House Tour hosted by blogger Jen at http://jenontheedge.com/

Click on her link and you'll be able to see other homes on the tour!

Here are our Holiday House Tour photos.

Now open the door and come on in!

Oh hello there! I just finished getting ready. Welcome to my holiday extravaganza!!! Please take a look around and help yourself to a cupcake. But remember, DON'T TOUCH MY PRESENTS!!!!!!!

Grab a delicious cupcake (my beautiful, wonderful mommy made them) and follow me!

Thank you all for stopping by. Hope you enjoyed your visit. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!!! (you didn't touch my presents, did you)

Missy Style

Emily has style. Apparently I do not. Emily likes to play "fashion girls" with daddy. These "fashion girls" are tiny Barbie's dressed like little tramps. We got them in her Happy Meals. (We only feed her all natural organic foods.) Because we care about our diets here. Daddy seems to know all the right things to say and do while interacting with Emily and the "girls". She has already told me that I can't play the "fashion girls" yet. She said daddy needs to teach me. Okay daddy, I'm ready to learn your "fashion girl" tips.

Don't feel bad for me. She thinks I sing and dance lovely. Thankfully this talent has come in very handy. We listen to the same twelve Christmas Carols. All. Day. Long. We can't just sing along, dancing is a requirement. She knows almost all the words to every one of the songs. She also has the beat down too. Quite talented this little fashionista. She did tell me that I have to teach daddy how to dance though. He's not quite up to par with me when it comes to singing and dancing to "Jungle Boogie". C'mon daddy, we can teach you.

Halloweenie

Happy Belated Halloweenie! Just for waiting, I have given you extra photos! Emily had a great time. She really got the whole concept of knocking, greeting "Trick or treat candy please" and voila...Candy...in my bag...from neighbors...just for me...just for being cute! "I love Halloween, I love candy...you love candy too mommy? you too daddy? I loooove it sooo much" She was too much. Very talkative and nosey. I do not know where she gets that from. She tried to get into so many houses to take a look see, but was not very successful. I'll work on that a little more.

Emily also enjoyed giving out the candy almost as much. She did not hesitate one instant before dropping beloved choclates into the little bags. What a trooper. She got to eat a few things before bed. It was the least we could do for all her efforts. First thing in the morning she went right for her bag and wanted to look at her loot. Then she wanted it for breakfast. We still have lots left. She gets a little too BUSY for my liking after all the chocolate.

She really had a terrific time being a butterfly and we enjoyed every minute of her metamorphosis! For my next surprise I'll show you a few caterpillars and a chrysallis that I have captured, I mean that I am raising. I started with one chrysallis and 4 caterpillars. Now I have one caterpillar and 4 chrysallisisisisisisis! They're coming along nicely in their custom habitat that was made by moi! I'll give you instructions. It involves tupperware and a food net/cover thingy. Really lovely. I'll have to remember not to reuse it for the holidays.

Family Day

Two years ago today, Bill and I were in China waiting to meet our precious baby girl for the first time. We awoke that morning anxious and excited about what was about to happen. We could not wait to finally hold our baby daughter. Our daughter. We waited so long to say those words. We held her close in our hearts and stared at her picture just waiting for this day to finally meet her.

We imagined Emily awoke expecting her usual day in the orphanage. Dress, wash, eat and spend the day with her group home friends and nannies. Little did she know that she would be taking a VERY long train ride to meet us. To meet the two strange Americans that she would come to live with and call mommy and daddy. To change her life forever.

The day we became a family was very emotional for all of us. When I think back on it I still get that same feeling deep in my soul. We all cried and Bill and I prayed we could comfort and heal her breaking heart.

Fast forward to two years later. Emily is everything we had ever hoped and prayed for. She is happy and healthy and has the best sense of humor ever. She loves for all of us to be together. She loves saying that we are a family. She loves to laugh, kiss and hug. She loves music and instuments and dancing. She has the most expressive little face and is a terrific tiny actress. She is a joy to watch.

Emily is curious and sensitive. She is caring and mischievious. She is smart and thoughtful. She is kind and gentle. This little wonder chats up a storm with strangers in the market. "Hi, whatareyoudoinhereallbyyourself". Emily proudly introduces us to everyone as "these are my friends mommy and daddy". We love her strawberry milk breath. We love that she loves chocolate and bacon and french fries. We love that she loves animals and insects and nature. We love that she loves us.

Emily fills our hearts and souls with a love that is deep and pure. She is our daughter. The light of our lives and the beat of our hearts. Emily was a butterfly for Halloween. A fitting choice for our amazing little caterpillar from two years ago. She has blossomed into our very beautiful butterfly. Happy Family Day Emily. We love you Emily Rose. Forever and ever.

Change

Merci beaucoup!

VOTE

BECAUSE I SAID SO!

October is a New Day

I am happy that it is October. Cooler nights, darker earlier and dark mornings. Emily will sleep later. This girl loves life. She wakes singing. When I go in to get her she says "good norming, it's a new perfect day". I could learn a lot from this child. What a great outlook to have. She always follow with "daddy not go work today-daddy stay home with mimi and mommy". I hate breaking her heart-sorry honey daddy will be home after. Her response "pretty soon daddy come home". She always puts a positive spin on things.

Two things are weighing heavy on my mind. I get all worked up watching CNN. I need Obama to win. I think he will. I just get scared seeing all the crazies saying crap. McCain is McCrazy in my book. And Sarah Palin. Well I'll just leave it at that. I cannot wait for elections to be over. I heart Obama. I've already taught Emily. Emily? Who are you gonna vote for? She shouts "OBAMA" with a little fist in the air. VOTE.

Now the second thing. The Tree Man. Coming on TV on Sunday on TLC at 7 central. I cannot wait to see this. Even if it was up against Obama singing "You're The One That I Want" to me from the Convention Center. I would have to blow him off. I am fascinated by the Tree Man. I can't wait to watch it. I can't get those pictures of his hands out of my mind. American doctors are helping him. I can't imagine what they will do. He has like wooden, rooty looking hands and woody growths on him. Not small woody hands. More like tree stumps. It's unbelievable. I keep going over it again and again in my mind. Suppose the fix is quite simple. Suppose it's like a little weed killer or something? I can't wait. I need help.

Well, thanks for listening. Enjoy the pictures and each other. Happy Fall. I miss you mom.

Our not so friendly Ike

Okay, September sucked too! We are thankful that we were all okay and the house was okay too. The only damage was outside. I thought I would be prepared mentally for the hurricane. You know, coming from New England and all. NEVER have I heard wind like that in my entire life. I was scared. When Ike finally left, and we stepped outside, I gasped and started crying. Until sensible Bill hugged me and said it was just stuff outside and all of it could be replaced. Most importantly he said, is that we are all okay and we are all together. Riley had left ahead of the storm. He was planning on going to New Orleans. He had to nix those plans pronto. He headed to Oklahoma(small detour) before continuing on his trip. Things are back to normal here. FEMA trucks came and carted off all the debris in our area. We still are waiting for our fence to be repaired. They're kinda busy. I feel very sad about Galveston. We were just there and now it's gone. Hard to believe. Well time to move to October and better days. I miss you mom.

Beautiful Girl

Sorry it has been so long since I posted. August SUCKED big time. I miss you mom. I guess I should be thankful that Riley was here with us. I am glad we were all together. I know you all want to see Emily (especially you Nawn) updated. So here are some recent pictures with Riley thrown in too. Enjoy. Ike will follow.