Merry Christmas

May the joy of His Word

And the light of His way

Abide in your heart

Throughout the year

As well as Christmas Day

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a propserous New Year!

The Perfect Christmas Song...

There's a little girl trembling on a cold December morn
Crying for momma's arms
At an orphanage just outside a little China town
There the forgotten are

But half a world away
I hang the stockings by the fire
And dream about the day when I can finally call you mine

It's Christmas time again but you're not home
Your family is here and yet you're somewhere else alone
And so tonight I pray that God will come and hold you in his arms
And tell you from my heart I wish you Merry Christmas

As I hang the tinsel on the tree and watch the twinkling lights
I'm warmed by the fire's glow
Outside the children tumble in a wonderland of white,
Make angels in the snow

But half a world away you try your best to fight the tears
And hope that heaven's angels come to carry you here

It's Christmas time again but you're not home
Your family is here and yet you're somewhere else alone
And so tonight I pray that God will come and hold you in his arms
And tell you from my heart I wish you Merry Christmas

Christmas is a time to celebrate the holy child

and we celebrate his perfect gift of love

He came to earth to give his life

and prepare a place for us

so we could have a home with him above

It's Christmas time again and now you're home

Your family is here so you will never be alone

So tonight before you go to sleep, I'll hold you in my arms

And I'll tell you from my heart, and I'll you from my heart

I wish you Merry Christmas

~by Brad Avery, Third Day

This song is close to my heart, as I'm sure it is to so many others on this adoption journey. Brad Avery and his wife are also in the process of adopting a child from China. He has eloquently put into words what I and so many others are feeling this Christmas season. Thanks Brad!

Secret Santa...

My Secret Santa gifts arrived today. I received a really cute adoption story book called Little Miss Ladybug & Her Magical Red Thread. It is a sweet story about a child finding her forever family through adoption. I also received a beautiful green and silver cloisonne necklace. I think my Santa is Kelly Wilson.

Pictures will be posted after Christmas when I get my digital camera. I will also let everyone know if my guess was correct (I think so).

Thanks Kelly ;o)

I've Been Tagged...

1.Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot Chocolate
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Sits them under the tree
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? Colored - Matt insists although I think solid white is really pretty; reminds of stars twinkling :o)
4. Do you hang mistletoe? Nope
5. When do you put your decorations up? As soon as I find time after Thanksgiving
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Whipped Sweet Potatoes w/ marshmallows on top
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child: Having all of my family around
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? Don’t remember
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Yes, we have Christmas with Matt’s moms on Christmas Eve
10 How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? All kinds... we buy at least one new one a year.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? Snow, what’s snow!?!?! I live in FL but loved it the one time I saw it!
12. Can you ice skate? Just enough not to embarrass myself. Matt plays ice hockey (yes, they do play that in FL ;o)
13. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Family
14. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? That’s a tough one since I’m really not a sweet person… Peppermint Ice cream, reminds me of my paternal Grandparents
15. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Seafood for Christmas Eve dinner (it's an Italian thing)
16. Which do you prefer giving or receiving? Giving, I love the look on someone’s face when they get something they really like
17. What's your favorite Christmas Song? Little Drummer Boy
18. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum? Not bad, especially in ice cream…

Did you know...

I got this in an e-mail from a friend today and thought I would post it here. Yes, it is a another tag type post and you are all it, so have fun...

Did you know…

Four jobs I have had in my life:
1. Operations Analyst, Chase
2. Ruleset Analyst, Chase
3. Loan Officer, Chase
4. Loan Closer, Chase (this is just too sad, I've been @ Chase way to long)

Four Movies I have watched over and over:
1. Braveheart
2. Sleepless in Seattle (watching it again right now, lol)
3. Italian Job
4. Divine Secrets of the YaYa Sisterhood (and many, many more....)

Four places I have lived:
1. Tampa, FL
2. Clearwater, FL
3. St. Pete, FL
4. Palm Harbor, FL (think I need to move out of state?!?!)

Four TV shows I love to watch:
1. Without a Trace
2. Everybody Loves Raymond
3. Sopranos
4. Deadwood

Four places I have been on vacation:
1. Lake Prior, MN
2. Cancun, Mexico
3. Montego Bay, Jamaica
4. Las Vegas, NV

Favorite foods:
1. Filet Mignon
2. Snow Crab
3. Bread
4. Pasta

Four places I would rather be right now:
1. China
2. On the way back from China
3. Aruba
4. Scotland

Four people who will respond:
1. Jessica
2. Terri
3. Christina
4. Lynn

Now, here's what you're supposed to do... And please do not spoil the fun. Copy and paste this to an e-mail or your blog. Delete my answers and type in your answers. Then send this to a whole bunch of people you know INCLUDING the person who sent it to you or post it to your blog.

The theory is that you will learn a lot of little known facts about those who know you. Let me know if you do it and where to look for your answers.

Names in Chinese...

I was catching up on some blog reading tonight when I ran across this really cool website on Rebecca's blog - www.chinese-tools.com. On this site you type in your name and the site will give your name in Chinese and draw a picture with different backgrounds. There are several different backgrounds including a river, birds, a woman, etc... For Matt's name I chose the dragon background and for mine the bamboo background. Check it out, it's really cool?!?! Thanks Rebebca!

My Nephew the Fire Fighter...

Josh and his pumpkin

This Halloween after much deliberation my three year old nephew, Josh, decided to be a "fire fighter" not a fireman, a fire fighter, lol. For those of you with kids I'm sure you have experienced this decision making process. At first he wanted to be Sponge Bob and I can't tell you how grateful I am he changed his mind on that one! To me there is just something way wrong about Sponge Bob!?!? Anyway, after getting his candy he would tell people that "if your in a fire your supposed to call 911 and stop, drop, and roll." This is one cute fire fighter even if I do say so myself!


Josh and his favorite Aunt

Happy Halloween...

Happy Halloween!! Have fun trick or treating with your little goblins tonight!

See You Later...

Tonight we had dinner with some friends to say "see you later" to Christina and Kaylee (her 5 year old daughter) who are moving to Minnesota tomorrow. We are so excited for them and look forward to hearing that they have gotten settled in. Hang in there, I know it's a time of mixed emotions but you will get through it. There is so much to look forward to and I know you'll be fine. You know where we are if you need us and have a safe trip!

We will see you in December!

Can someone shoot the puck on net please!

Okay, it is only the beginning of an 81 game season but I have to admit the Bolts just are not playing well. We are now 1-3 and at the bottom of the Southeast Divison :o( Tonights game was just more of what we've seen so far - bad passes, poor puck handling, no one fighting for the puck and the one of the worst power plays in the league! Come on guys get it together!!!!

Let's hope tomorrow's game is better or this can turn into a long season...

It's Hockey Time...

I have to say that I am excited that the hockey season has officially begun. Our Tampa Bay Lightning won their first game, played against the Atlanta Thrashers, during 3-2 shootout on Thursday night. Our season home opener is tomorrow against the Bruins. Matt and I will be there cheering them on...

GO BOLTS!!!!

Weekend Happenings...

This past weekend the Tampa, Florida Chapter of FCC celebrated the Moon Festival at Al Lopez Park. Briefly, the August Moon Festival or Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the most celebrated Chinese holidays. It is held on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month. Chinese legends say that the moon is at its brightest and roundest on this day.

At our Moon Festival we had a picnic and crafts for the kids. The best part was getting to see all the kids and knowing that one day we will be bringing our kid to share in the celebration of their heritage. Seeing these little girls makes the long wait seem sooo worth it. They were adorable!

Under this bright autumn moon, it is said friendships are made and renewed.
I went to the festival with my new friends Drew and Nicole. Thanks for inviting me guys! I look forward to seeing you again soon.

We also so went to a cookout with some good friends we don't get to see too often. It was great to spend the afternoon hanging out, laughing and relaxing together. We had a great time Mike and Teri!

It was definitely a good weekend!!

Favorite Movie/Video

While looking for a replacement for my codeandlyrcis Nickleback video I found this one on youtube.com. It's a great combination of my favorite movies and my current favorit song. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

9/11 Commercial

Get this video and more at MySpace.com

I missed this commericial on 9/11/06. It was sent to me by a family member. I thought it was a classy, understated way for Budweiser to pay respects to one of the most horrific events of our time. It touched me and I hope it touches all of you, whether you've seen it before or this is the first time.

I also think it is classy of Budweiser to air this once and not use it as an advertising campaign. In that way they truly allowed it to be reflective of their intent to offer respect for that event and those we lost.

Love is a gift...

I didn't give you the gift of life,
But in my heart I know.
The love I feel is as deep and real,
As if it had been so.

For us to have each other
Is like a dream come true!
No, I didn't give you
The gift of life,
Life gave me the gift of you.

-Unknown

First FCC Meeting...

I went to my first FCC meeting on Saturday.There were so many more people there than I thought there would be. This month's topic was shopping in China. Of all the items they brought to show I loved the shoes the most. They were all so cute! Of course I will take the squeakers out :o)


The couple who spoke have adopted 2 really cute girls and were the ones giving shopping pointers. They are currently paperchasing for their third! I guess it's like our social worker Nancy told us, people just can't stop at one, lol.
The real highlight for me was meeting Nicole and Drew who also live in Tampa and seeing all the adorable little girls! Seeing them all makes me so anxious to get our daughter.

Busy Weekend...

This has been a busy weekend. I went shopping with my friends Lynn and Jeni for my bridesmaid dress and Lynn's wedding dress. It was fun and Lynn's wedding dress is beautiful. Despite Jeni's predictions, she didn't cry when she found "the dress" but did get a big, goofy grin that was priceless to see. Two down and a million other things to do for her upcoming wedding.

Here is my dress... the shade of green is much prettier and richer in person than online.



ps. Wish I was going to look that good it in it, lol!!!

Congratulations!!!!

Congrats to all who have made progress this week! Especially to my group buddies Heather, Pam, and Rebecca this one is for all of you!

A Beautiful Sunset Over China...

Sunset over Yangshou, China

I saw this picture while surfing the net... I thought it was beautiful and unique. I can't wait to get to China and see how pretty it is for myself. I hope we get to see something like that on our trip!

An honor...

a close friend of mine honored me this weekend by asking me to be in her wedding. I am so excited to share in the excitement of planning with her and sharing the joy of her big day.

It will also give me something else besides referral day to focus on during the next several months. We've got all kinds of shopping to do - dresses, flowers, centerpieces, etc... Look out Lynn, Jeni and I are going to make sure you never forget your bachelorette party, lol!