Fashionista Friday

Another adorable outfit made by my Mother-in-law, Patsy...

Thankful Thursday

Happy Thanksgiving Day!

Today, I'd like to put into words 35 of the most important things that I am thankful for this year.

1. My devoted and wonderfully adoring husband.

2. My beautiful ,oldest son, Brendan, who warms my heart daily with his kindness.

3. My energetic and devishly handsome Jackson who keeps me laughing.

4. My little Russian princess who has finally come home to us.

5. Being able to go home at night and having a comfortable and beautiful place to live.

6. Having an endless supply of clean, drinking water.

7. Electricity

8. An abundant supply of food...Emma has shown us just how lucky we are. When she first came home, she ate EVERYTHING that she could get her hands on. We now know that she did this out of fear there would be no more. She is now very picky with what she eats; she has her favorite foods, and she now leaves food on her plate.

9. My mother who gives to us so selflessly - ALWAYS!

10. My mother and father-in-law who have helped us watch the children so much since September. We couldn't have gotten by without them since traveling and coming home from Russia.

11. My sister. I don't always let her know how much she means to me...isn't that always the way with family?

12. The good health of all of our family. I do not take that for granted...not one day of the year.

13. My girlfriends. They keep me sane.

14. Having cars that are dependable and paid for.

15. Living close enough to the beach that we can go almost any time we want to...this is my sanctuary.

16. Color. I love to be surrounded by color.

17. My job. Although I don't like to go to work most days, it is so nice to be able to work three half days a week.

18. Being able to take the boys to school and pick them up in the afternoons.

19. Awesome neighbors who are always there for whatever we need...even if it is diaper rash cream at 9 o'clock at night.

20. The freedom to go to church even if we don't go every Sunday.

21. Music. We always listen to music. The iPod is one of the first things I turn on when we get home.

22. Chocolate. Enough said.

23. My education.

24. Our military personnel who continue to stand guard over our great nation.

25. Warm weather.

26. Sunny days.

27. The months of April to October.

28. The great state of North Carolina...we have mild climates, the mountains and the beach.

29. Great books.

30. ICE in drinks. We did not realize just how nice this little luxury is until traveling in Russia.

31. The world wide web! Instant knowledge at my fingertips.

32. The YMCA - I cannot wait to get back.

33. Sleep - oh how we are missing a full night's sleep.

34. Being an American!

35. Having EVERYTHING that I need EVERY SINGLE DAY OF THE YEAR!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU ALL!

Emma's Knot Dress

photo from Hancock Fabrics

Thank you so much for all of the kind comments about how cute Emma looked at Book Club. A big THANK YOU goes to my Mother-in-Law for making that adorable dress for Emma.

The fabric is by an artist and book illustrator, Julie Paschkis. She has a new line of fabric prints with In the Beginnings Fabrics called Folklorica. She purchased this fabric at her favorite little sewing shop, Knit One Smock Too!

The dress is by Sandi Henderson's Portobellopixie Boutique Patterns.

Book Club

Our neighborhood book club meets once a month. It started off as a small group of ladies who actually chose a book and read! Now it has become more of a social gathering and a way to catch up on the neighborhood gossip.

For the month of November, book club was hosted by a very dear friend and neighbor. She prepared a delicious meal for everyone and invited Emma to come as a Special Guest. The night was so special, and I really appreciated everyone coming to meet Emma.

Our neighbor made Rachel Ray's Pasta with Pumpkin and Sausage and Spinach Salad with Apple and Red Onion. It was delicious!

Orphan's Wish Fundraiser

Starting tomorrow at 12 Noon, My Adoption Website will be hosting a clothing sale with 100% PERCENT of the money collected going to An Orphan's Wish. Please stop by tomorrow and shop! From the website:

We're just a day away from the myadoptionwebsite fundraiser, benefiting An Orphan's Wish!
If I may, a few words of thanks to our Shoppers, and a few thoughts about shopping a fundraiser . . .
We've had an overwhelming response to our plea for donations . . . you are going to be amazed at the variety of beautiful, lovely and fun items available for you to purchase and bid on! But all the donations in the world don't help needy children without YOU, the generous person willing to buy them! In the days ahead we have the potential here to raise a significant amount of money - - every bit of which will turn around and provide children supported by An Orphan's Wish with the warm clothes and clean, cloth diapers they need. So I feel confident in saying Thank You! to you, knowing that many of you plan to step up and make a difference through the purchase of an outfit (outfits!) or other item.
A few thoughts about shopping . . .
- First, if you have a little girl, you are going to find a wealth of outfits - - a lot of dresses! - - in a variety of sizes. If you are in the market for a beautiful holiday dress, you'll have come to the right place!! There are many, many dresses and outfits ideal for Christmas, New Year's, Valentine's Day, a wedding, or just a special photo. There are also plenty of more casual items too!
- There are many coats, a few hats, lots of bows, darling backpacks, some shoes, cozy blankets, and more . . . . in other words, it's not just outfits!
- There are some selections for boys!
- As I mentioned earlier, we've had some very generous donations of items such custom bedding, gorgeous jewelry, and a set of amazing, custom photos cards . . . either 50 Christmas cards or 50 adoption announcements. You're going to love them!
- Please think "outside the box" . . . I encourage you to come to the fundraiser with the spirit of giving. Besides shopping for your children at home, or the child you may be waiting for, consider doing a bit of Christmas shopping! Several items would be appropriate to give as gifts. And more importantly, I think all of us personally know families who are struggling financially right now. How lovely it would be to surprise a friend, c0-worker, or even someone you don't know personally, with a beautiful outfit or other item for their child. Are you participating in an Angel Tree or other similar holiday benefit for children? There are many items that still have tags . . . make a purchase from this fundraiser for a needy child in your community . . . now you've helped twice!! Consider your budget ahead of time and what you might be able to give - - then shop away, knowing the lives that will be blessed by your giving heart.
And last, as a waiting parent (we are LID June 2006 for our second daughter) I'll be the first to admit that it is hard to enjoy shopping for your future child . . . the wait is endless and discouraging, and sometimes it is difficult to feel joyful about making even the simplest of preparations. I want you to know that I really, really understand that. I thank you just for visiting, for shopping for others, or for spreading the word about this event. And if some lovely little item tugs at your heart and finds a place in your future child's closet, may it bring you a measure of comfort and hope to see it there.
So the countdown is on! Thank you to our GENEROUS donors, and thank you to all the shoppers!! See you here on Wednesday at noon!!!

Fashionista Friday

Isn't this a cute little outfit??? This is one of Emma's presents from her Sip-N-See!

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice

I have loved that little saying since I was a little girl and for a long time really believed that boys were made up of puppy dog tails. Ha!

Seriously, though, I have been given this blog award by Brown Eyed Belle who is such a cute and energetic blogger. You should go check her out if you haven't!

Anyway, the point of this little award is to post ten random facts about myself and then tag ten blogs. Ok so here goes...

1. I don't really like vegetables of any kind!

2. My favorite restaurant dessert is a chocolate brownie topped with homemade vanilla ice cream, hot fudge sauce and whipped cream! Yum!

3. My favorite sport to watch is baseball.

4. I am 5'2" tall and tried to play volleyball in the ninth grade...not such a good idea!!!

5. I really only drink red wine when it starts to get cold outside.

6. My shoe size went up a half size after I had Jackson.

7. I like to be surrounded by color.

8. I adore North Carolina but would move to tropical climates in a heartbeat.

9. The only meat I am serving for Thanksgiving is ham - not turkey!!!

10. I love espresso-stained wood floors!

And here are the ten ladies that I am sending this Sugar and Spice to...

1. Barefeet and Giggles

2. I Love You More than Peanut Butter

3. Love Being a Nonny

4. 40 Pink Piggies

5. He Wanted 2, I Wanted 4

6. More Than A Mommy Blog

7. Bees and Fleur de lis

8. Keeping Up with Landree

9. The Kelly Korner

10. Confessions of an Over-Caffeinated Housewife

Enjoy making some new friends!!!

Happy Veteran's Day to My Favorite Veteran

As you may know, JC was in the Navy Dental Corps for three years. We were stationed at Camp LeJeune Marine Corp Base in Jacksonville, NC. What an honor to have been a part of our great nation's military! Thank you to all of our military men and women who served in the past and who are serving now!!!

These are two cards that Brendan's Spanish class sent home to JC...

And here we are back in 2000 at our first Navy Dental Birthday Ball...

And upon arriving home in March 2002...

We are so proud to be Americans and hope to instill this love of country in our boys and Emma one day too!

Turkey Chili Tuesday

It is pouring down rain here on the East Coast, and the leaves are all falling off the trees. SIGH!!! I am not a fan of winter or late fall for that matter, but I do LOVE the comfort foods of colder weather! Who doesn't???

Anyway, I tried the recipe for Turkey Chili in the October issue of Southern Living. It was very tasty!!! I served mine with shredded cheddar, sour cream and chopped cilantro! Yum!!!

The Staff Appreciation Committee at the boys' school is hosting a chili lunch on Thursday, and I'll be taking in a large crockpot full! The recipe is below! Enjoy!

Slow-cooker Turkey Chili

1 & 1/4 lb lean ground turkey

1 large onion, chopped

1 garlic clove, minced

1 (1.25 oz) envelope chili seasoning mix

1 (12 oz) can beer

1 & 1/2 cups frozen corn

1 red bell pepper, chopped

1 green bell pepper, chopped

1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes

1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained & rinsed

1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce

1/4 tsp salt

1. Cook first 4 ingredients in large skillet stirring often until turkey crumbles and is done. Stir in beer, and cook, stirring occasionally, 2 minutes. Spoon mixture into a 5 1/2 quart slow cooker; stir in corn and next 6 ingredients until well blended. Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours. Serve with desired toppings!

Magnificent Monday

Today we got the news that Emma's echocardiogram was completely normal! There are absolutely no signs that she had heart surgery in St. Petersburg!!!!

You know when you just "go on faith"??? Well, when we received Emma as our referral back in February, I was just so completely calm about her cardiac diagnosis. I didn't really ever question whether or not we should accept her as our baby. God is good! I just knew with all my heart and soul that she would be a healthy little girl! We are so very lucky and fortunate that she is ours. Because of her diagnosis and history of heart problems, she was passed up by other Russian families in the Baby Home. I wouldn't take her any other way, scar and all!!!

Prayer Request

Our neighbor and very good friend's brother was in a horrible accident last night and is on a ventilator and unconscious. Please please please lift him up in your prayers tonight and in the days to follow - that he may make a quick and complete recovery.

Snapshot Sunday

I have been wanting to get the following photos of the boys blown up for quite some time. I decided that I would need an equally cute one of Emma as well! JC helped me wrap Emma in my favorite V*ra Bradley beach towel today, and we snapped this shot of her. Emma was not so cooperative, but I think all three of these blown up to a 16" x 20" size will make quite an impact on a white wall!!!

The Office ROCKS

Nooooo, I am not talking about the one in Scranton, PA!!!

I am talking about JC's dental office! The ladies there hosted a "welcome home Emma" shower last night, and it was so wonderful!

Everything was in pink and green, and the dinner was so yummy! After working a full day, everyone was sweet enough to stay and shower us with gifts and dinner! JC's first assistant and her family all came as well to help us celebrate!

Of course, just yesterday morning I f*d exed my NEW camera (that won't turn on) back to Connecticut, and my old camera decided it was time for the flash to stop working AGAIN! I desperately wanted to capture the details of the night, but I only got about 6 decent photos. I borrowed a camera from one of the ladies, and I am waiting to get those downloaded as well.

Emma looked soooooo adorable! I dressed her in one of the G*p St. Petersburg Collection dresses and leggings and a HUGE red bow in her hair (which she kept on amazingly enough)! I tried so hard to take a photo of her before we left, and I even got my mom to take one of me holding her. Of course the flash wasn't working too well so here it is in black and white...

And once we arrived, I just started snapping away in hopes that a few would come through clearly...

My favorite detail of the shower was the pink and green cake...it was sooo cute, and it tasted pretty darn good too! Emma had her first piece of cake. She sat so still while one of the ladies fed her...she kept opening her mouth like a little baby bird and licking her lips in between bites. I wish I had that on video - it was so cute!!!!

After dinner, JC opened many many many wonderful gifts! Emma got so many new clothes and toys! It was better than Christmas! She really had a good time pulling the tissue out of the gift bags and then looking down in them!

Everyone was so generous, and we appreciate them so much! It was a great night!

Wordless Wednesday - THAT SMILE

One Month Home and Halloween

Emma Day was one month ago today!

In some ways this has been the longest month, but a lot of the time it seems that Emma has always been a part of our family. She really tries her hardest to mesh with whatever we might be doing, and apart from the sleeping, she is the easiest of all three of our children! Emma is such a loving child. She seeks out hugs and kisses, and we do feel that these are genuine and not like the transparent smiles she once gave us. Emma is such a sweetheart, and she is a beautiful little girl. We have been so blessed to have been chosen as her forever family!

In the first three weeks that Emma has been home, she was able to celebrate her first Halloween! As mentioned before, we were in Wilmington with friends. It was such a nice night there - temperatures in the 70s with no clouds in the skies...perfect for trick-or-treating. It was dark by the time we got everyone in costume and somewhat chaotic. I did not get one good photo of all three kids in costume. On top of that, my NEW camera stopped working Thursday night while taking the jack-o-lantern photos. Apparently it is part of a Nikon lot that needs to have a part replaced...that means I have to mail the camera in to have it fixed! At least it happened in time for JC to bring our old camera to the beach with him. The problem with that camera though is that the flash doesn't work half the time. It was VERY difficult to get good Halloween photos in the dark! Emma especially was hard because she would not keep her witch's hat on! But I did the best I could and just kept snapping photos.

Scary Skeleton Biker Boy, Witch and Cowboy