Ornament I Just Had to Get!!

I bought ornaments for the kids today at Hallmark and they have this adorable one I got for Faith. It is from a series Around the World and it is the China one. It has the little girl and house with it. Really cute! Just had to share because some of you may just have to go and get one! :)I also had to have this one....proceeds from it go to UNICEF. Cute!
They have some really cute things in the Hallmark store. I bought the boys a Star Wars and a video game ornament. I will give them these tomorrow when they also get their advent calenders. Tradition I started back when the boys were small and they look forward to it every year. Faith brought her advent calender home that she made at school today and she is very excited about December 1st!

Just Lovely!!

Today I had Faith try on her new Christmas dress and I just couldn't resist taking some pictures, of course! She just looked too beautiful! She was not too thrilled about the dress or trying it on. (Faith likes to dress for comfort!) Once I explained it was only for her to wear for her Christmas program and Christmas she was fine. Here are some pictures of all the cuteness!!!..............

A Sunday In San Francisco..............

Last Sunday we spent the day in San Francisco. We were going to go on my birthday week-end, but Faith was not feeling too well then. I'm glad we waited as Sunday was the day of the Christmas tree lighting so everything was festive and decorated. And crowded! (but San Fran always is.) We went early to beat traffic and find parking. Had a great day! Had an early lunch at Hard Rock Cafe and we were actually able to get in since we were early. (always a long wait!) Went to the aquarium and just spent the day walking around Pier 39. A nice day to a holiday start. Santa they had setting out at one of the local restaurants...I thought it looked so Californian!



The kiddos at Hard Rock Cafe

The boys favorite thing to do...turbo 3D rides

Petting the baby sharks at the aquarium

Reed doing some bungee jumping by the bay!

Great flip!

Faith on her white horse

Great day in San Fran!

Thanksgiving Recap!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Ours was quiet and relaxing with just us! Some of the special hi-lights and things I am most thankful for from our Thanksgiving Day:

*The wonderful sunshine and 60 degree temperature we had!

*Our nice walks we took as it was just too pretty out not to!

*How Faith collected leaves on our walks and decorated the table with them when we got home.

*That the boys did no complaining about leaving their video games when we went for our walk.

*What a big helper Faith was in the kitchen all day helping to prepare as in her words, "Our Thanksgiving Day Feast!"

*That we actually ate with a nice table cloth and candles!

*That Reed raked all the leaves in the front yard all by himself without asking (even if afterward he asked when he gets his allowance;)

*That it was such a nice day out Dale cooked the turkey on the grill.

*That we actually got through an entire day with 3 kids being home together and not one argument!

*As much as I loved having all three kids home off of school all week I am thankful it is Monday and they are back in school!:)

I realized I did not take one picture from Thanksgiving day which is so unlike me. Oh well, I'll make up for it with Christmas!

HO HO HO!!

Yesterday I took the kids to the mall theater to see the Bee Movie. Before that I decided to take Faith to see Santa before all the crowds and maddness starts after Thanksgiving. It was nice and quiet and we didn't even have to wait in line! The boys made it clear they would not go up there even for a photo! Faith was very excited to tell Santa what she wants for Christmas. It was so funny because when she got up there I pulled out my camera and Santa tells me "We only allow you to take one picture!" It was so hilarious to hear this coming from Santa.....so bahumbug! I just smiled, acted dumb, and took as many as I could. Here are a few pictures of Faith and Santa! The Bee Movie was really good by the way!No photos Mom, I want to see Santa!
Oh! It's Santa!

Let's see.....I want a BIG girl kitchen with food

How does that sound Santa?

Did I do good?

Thank you Santa! Merry Christmas!

The Bachelor-huh?????

Is anyone else crazy enough to watch "The Bachelor" like me? I watched the final episode last night with much anticipation and then....what?????? I couldn't believe he didn't choose anyone! I watched the entire season for that! I was sooo bummed! I know it's a silly show to begin with, but it humors me. (Dale finds it degrading and can't stand that I watch it) I had a feeling he would choose Deanna, but I never really felt there was a good connection with him for anyone. I found the show this season somewhat boring and he just seemed really wishy washy the whole entire time. At the beginning of the season I thought he would be a great bachelor, but I found myself with each show liking him less and less. I have to watch tonight to see what he has to say for himself, but not sure if I'll watch another episode after this one. (of course I say that now) I really enjoyed last seasons, but this one was just a real bummer!

Check This Out..............

If you are in any way looking for a lap top for your young child you have to check out this site. For each computer donated to a needy child they are giving you one too! What a great idea and a great cause! It is only for a short time so check it out! Go to http://www.laptopgiving.org/

Faith's Video(Long)- In Honor of Adoption Awareness Month

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Well I FINALLY completed Faith's video! Yeah! I have been trying to finish this for the past year as I wanted to have it for her birthday in June, but....well you know how that goes! I have so many projects I have started that I need to finish and just can't seem to get anything done. Is that what the 40's does to you??;)

The video is LONG. About 15 minutes....it is from Faith's referral to the present. So if you would like to watch it please sit back with your favorite drink and ENJOY! I had such a tough time deciding which photos to put in as I have so many to choose from. I did my best to pick those that capture her expressions and personality the best. It was fun picking the music to go with it. I love the first song "Amazing" and the song "Only by Faith" seemed to be the perfect fit for our Faith. Making it brought so many memories and emotions back. In many ways it seems as though it was just yesterday that Faith was placed in our arms and in another many ways I can not even remember a breath without her in our lives.

With this month being Adoption Awareness Month it pushed me to get it done. For me personally the word "awareness" just does not seem right to use with adoption. It is kind of like describing adoption as a disease or a problem. Adoption to me is a gift, a celebration, a joy like nothing else in the world, a way to build a family........don't get me wrong, I understand why they call it Adoption awareness. There are so many thousands of children that need a family right here in our foster care system as well as around the world. It is a problem and a time to try and get the word out to families that might consider adoption. My hope is that one day adoption will be as natural a choice to people in building their families as giving birth is. For me adoption is just as natural. Faith is my natural child in every way shape and form that the boys are. In my heart she was meant to be my daughter. I have no doubt about that. I feel so very lucky to have been able to experience both child birth and adoption as a way of building my family. Lucky because I know first hand that it does not matter which way you choose to build your family....the bond and the love and dreams you have for your children are the same no matter which way they come into your family, period! I guess that is what I would like to make people aware of. It's funny, I have heard some women say that all women should experience child birth. I never really felt that way and have respect for women that decide child birth is not meant for them. I do find myself bias regarding adoption though and almost feel sorry for people that don't experience it.

Anyway, I am rambling as this is something I feel so strongly about and could go on forever! I hope in honor of Adoption Awareness month we can also "celebrate" adoption and make more people aware of what a beautiful blessing it is!

It's THAT Time of Year Again..............

For the attempt to get a Christmas card photo! (the dreaded Christmas card photo as my kids would say!) We decided to stay home this past week-end and get some things done around the house, soooooooooooo I decided it was time to get that Christmas picture taken. My boys despise it and the older they get the harder it gets!! I thought it was tough when they were small! Nope! It just gets harder! I made them dress in matching colors and spent an hour trying to get just ONE descent photo. I have been doing this for the last 12 years and each year I stress over it begging them to please look at the camera, please smile, please don't make that funny face, please, please please!! It is hilarious! They have to watch their Mom make a full out of herself while she desperately tries to get that one photo! Each year I think what a pain it is, but as I look back at the following years photos I am so thankful I have them and they all bring back such special memories. It is always those photos that never quite turned out that end up being my favorites. So here are just a few of the MANY I took this year. I didn't use any of these, but I'm sure I'll look back at them and love them............. Goofing off!
Ruby please don't smile that big!


Reed can you put your feet down and Faith can you please sit in the middle!



WHEW! That was exhausting! Until NEXT Year!

HAPPY VETERANS DAY!

TO ALL THOSE THAT HAVE SERVED, THAT SERVE NOW, AND THEIR FAMILIES WE THANK YOU!!!!!

I was going through some photos and I thought these of Faith when she was a baby were too cute...perfect to post on Veteran's Day. I took these just a couple months after her being home on 4th of July at our home while living in England!

Weekly Update and Friday Ramblings...................

• Faith is feeling much better and is back in school today!
• Reed gets the bum deal being on his fall break right now. With Dean still in school we can't really go anywhere, with Faith being sick this week we were pretty much stuck at home, and to top it off his buddies are on vacation. He seems pretty content staying in his pj's and playing video games, but I have to do some fun things with him next week!
• Well, it is official...."I am a forty something!" Tuesday was my birthday and I turned 41! I found it more depressing than turning 40.
• With turning 41 I am determined to start a fitness program!
• We got our van back from the repair shop...I miss the 2008 Town and Country loaner we had!
• Dale was called to jury duty and yes he was picked. He hates it. Today should be the last day. He hopes!
• Reed saw the orthodontist and he will need braces....eventually.
• Ruby and I did some reading therapy at the library last night. Was our first time totally on our own and I really enjoyed it. Ruby came home worn out.
• I can't believe all the stores are ready for Christmas already! What happen to the day after Thanksgiving? Now it's the day after Halloween! Next it will be the day after Labor Day! I find it some what depressing.
• Speaking of Christmas I plan to try and get a Christmas photo of the kiddos soon. I realized I never did send our "new address" out to anyone and I want to get my cards out early because of that.
• Well, that about sums up our week! Have a great week-end! I'm hoping we can get out and do some things even though the house is a mess, the yards need raking , the cars need washing.................

Calling Dr. Faith..............

With Faith not feeling too well she has been into playing dr. lately. They finally did put her on antibiotic as she started running fever. Her eyes are starting to clear up but still coughing quite a bit. She's doing much better though...amazing what those meds can do! I went ahead and got my flu shot while at Faith's appointment. She was so cute as she held my hand and made sure Mommy did OK. Thanks Dr. Faith

Dr. Faith!

Let me check your heart...

Time for your shot!
Let me write your prescription...

Prisoners......

On Saturday I went with Deans class to San Francisco for a tour of Alcatraz. They are reading the book "Al Capone Does My Shirts" and went as part of their class study. It was a gorgeous day! I never had a desire to see Alcatraz but have to say it was interesting and I am glad I went. So strange to have this very depressing place on such a beautiful piece of island. notice the hole? lovely, huh?

Dean sitting on the toilet in cell....yuk!

Get me out of here!!


Beautiful view of SF from Alcatraz
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MY SLEEPING BEAUTY
I have a sick little girl on my hands.....poor baby! She has a terrible cough and runny, goopy eyes. Took her to the dr. yesterday. She NEVER naps anymore so I know she isn't feeling herself.

Halloween Recap and Happy November!

Here is a little slide show I put together of halloween day. First is our day spent at Faith's preschool..animal parade, party and pumpkin carving. Reed was such a big help at the party and it was nice having him spend the day with his sister. Halloween night was a little hectic as Dale just came back from a business trip and Dean still had his bowling league. He came home and refused to go trick or treating until his homework was completed! Can you believe it! He is so dedicated. I even told him he could take the following day off of school if he wanted because Reed is on his fall break and we would probably be up much later. Of course he said no, I don't want to miss school!! huh?? What child doesn't want to miss school?? Well, I have one!! And I am thankful!

Faith was such a trooper trick or treating with the boys. I think they were ready to call it quits before she was. She could have kept going...of course getting pulled around in her wagon is the way to go! We didn't get too many trick or treaters, we are on a pretty quiet culdesac though. We have WAY too much candy! Neighbors were much too generous! And of course when they saw Faith they had to throw in some extras. I plan to get lots together to bring to the schools for the Iraq candy drop to send the troops.

I can not believe it is November!!!! Jeez!! The weather here has been perfect so I'm hoping we can keep it just a little longer!