Party like a SUPERHERO...

J's 6th Birthday Party: Batman, Superman and Spiderman...
Just lean your head to the right. I have no idea why I can't get this to turn CCW...
Make a wish...
Excuse me little miss, it's not YOUR birthday...
The boy loves him some chocolate...
The first year he has actually taken the time to look at his birthday cards instead of ripping paper first...
Playing cards with Nanny, Ebby and EG...
This year J celebrated his birthday with a family pizza party. I knew that would be his choice since it is his favorite "fun food" on the planet. He received lots of Transformers and Wall-E toys, a new scooter and a MegaRig Space Shuttle. Happy Birthday JTW! You'll always be our little super hero!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

You know you are an adoptive parent when...

1. The fact that there are 143 million children without a parent to kiss them goodnight has made you lose sleep.

2. You realize DNA has nothing to do with love and family.

3. You can't watch Adoption Stories on TLC without sobbing.

4. The fact that, if 7% of Christians adopted 1 child there would be no orphans in the world, is convicting to you.

5. You spend free time surfing blogs about families who have experienced the blessing of adoption.

6. It drives you crazy when people ask you about adopted child's 'real' parents.

7. You have ever been 'pregnant' with your adoptive child longer than it takes an elephant to give birth. (2 years!)

8. You had no idea how you would afford to adopt but stepped out in faith anyway, knowing where God calls you He will provide.

9. You have ever taken an airplane ride half-way around the world with a child you just met.

10. You believe God's heart is for adoption.

11. You realize that welcoming a child into your heart and family is one of the most important legacies you could ever leave on this earth.

12. You know what the word 'Dossier' means, and you can actually pronounce it!

13. You have welcomed a social worker into the most private parts of your life.

14. You shudder when people say your child is so lucky that you adopted them, knowing full well you are the blessed one to have him or her in your life.

-Author unknown

Happy Turkey Day!

May your stuffing be tasty
May your turkey plump,
May your potatoes and gravy
have nary a lump.
May your yams be delicious
and your pies take the prize,
and may your Thanksgiving dinner
stay off your thighs!
-Unknown

The Eagle has landed...

12 beautiful documents signed by Condoleezza Rice and the Chinese Embassy arrived safely on my doorstep at 11:48 am. They are a little bent and wrinkled on the edges but I'm trying to overlook it...basically because there isn't one darn thing I can do about it. I can't expect everyone to take care of all things paper as I do. {No comments from the peanut gallery--I know I have a paper issue thank you very much} Anyway...I wanted everyone to sleep well tonight knowing our documents have made their way safely home (because I KNOW you've all lost sleep over it right along with me).

Ship (P/U) date:	Nov 24, 2008
Delivery date:	Nov 26, 2008 11:48 AM
Sign for by:	Signature release on file
Delivered to:	Residence
Service type:	FedEx 2Day
Packaging type:	FedEx Envelope
Number of pieces:	1
Weight:	2.00 lb.

Here are our stats for all of the adoptive Mommies trying to do this solo...

11-6-08 mailed to Department of State
11-7-08 received by Department of State
11-10-08 Authentication file opened by Department of State (notified via email)
11-17-08 Authentication file closed by Department of State (notified via email)
11-18-08 shipped from DOS to Chinese Embassy
11-19-08 received by Chinese Embassy
11-24-08 shipped by Chinese Embassy
11-26-08 documents arrived home at 11:48 am

16 business days + 4 weekend days = 20 days total

Thanksgiving Feast x 2...

J's Kindergarten had a Thanksgiving performance this morning at 10:00 am followed by a feast at 10:30. MG also had a Thanksgiving feast at preschool at 11:00 am. Daddy and I made it to both activities but it was a whirlwind morning. Aunt Donna was also there to see J perform. He was thrilled we all came to see him.
J's part in the finale: "N" is for neighbor...The necklace J is wearing is the "Happy Birthday" necklace since today is his 6th birthday!
Taking their bow...Jack-o-pilgrim...MG's feast...

Happy 6th Birthday little man...

Six years ago, on a cold and snowy November night our world changed in an instant. With a head full of dark hair and a voice that demanded to be heard, you effortlessly took residence within the hearts of many. I will never forget the first moment I held you in my arms. Staring into the eyes of a little boy I had waited a lifetime to meet remains one of the greatest moments of my life. In the twinkle of an eye I became a Mother and the three of us became a family. Much has changed over the past six years but some things have remained the same. You are...

strong willed and determined to do anything you set your mind...
fiercely independent and detail oriented...joyful, handsome and slightly mischievous...funny, curious, silly and a bit dramatic...
sweet, loving, intelligent, talented and inspiring...After today you'll need to use both hands to show the world how old you are. It is my prayer that you will use those hands, along with the characteristics God has woven within you, to make a difference in the world. Happy 6th Birthday little man. I am so proud of the little boy you are becoming. You are strong. You are sweet. You are smart. You are brave. You are loved...today, tomorrow and always.

Love,
Mommy

Step 2...check...

Ship date Nov 24, 2008
Estimated delivery Nov 26, 2008 by 4:30 PM
Service type FedEx 2Day Envelope

Wooohoooooo! It looks like Step 2 is complete...the Chinese Embassy has authenticated our documents! As of 6 pm this evening, our envelope is en route to the home of one slightly anxious Mommy. I wasn't expecting them to ship before turkey day but it looks like I'll have one more thing to be thankful for on Thursday. Don't forget what I said Mr. FedEx. You aren't off the hook until those priceless documents are safely in my hands. Your email said you'll be here by 4:30 pm on Wednesday. I'll be waiting for you...

The First Thanksgiving...

a Dream is a Wish your Heart Makes...

Step 1...check...

Ship date Nov 18, 2008
Delivered to Receptionist/Front Desk
Delivery date Nov 19, 2008 9:47 AM
Signed for by XU
Service type Standard Pak

Tracking results as of Nov 19, 2008 10:35 AM

Our dossier documents have been processed and authenticated by the Department of State in DC. They were shipped via FedEx yesterday and arrived at the Chinese Embassy this morning. It should take 5-7 business days for the Embassy to complete their authentication process. Then they should be on their way HOME!

The Great Hardwood Debacle...

While we were away we had our hardwood floors refinished to repair the big fiasco we had right before moving in. We were home about 10 minutes before realizing they were a disaster. For whatever reason the polyurethane used was defective. There were air bubbles EVERYWHERE! We called Mr. Hardwood as soon as we found the problem and he confirmed what we already knew. Our only solution: sand, stain and poly AGAIN--AKA: get out of your house! The thought of another hotel for three more nights sent me into a whirlwind. If we had still been in WDW, that might have been a different story but a hotel at home is much different.

our "furniture" the night before we left for WDW...awww...aren't they sweet?

Thankfully our wonderful friends, the Lacy's, took pity and allowed us to take over their guest room. Being the week before Thanksgiving (and their first major holiday in their new home) we felt terrible accepting their offer (but not bad enough to say no and live at Embassy Suites for three nights). Ha! I helped Rebekah accomplish a few projects before the holiday feast. She kept me sane while we waited to get back in our house. Daddy went back to work. J went back to school. MG was a trooper. We were so thankful to stay with friends but couldn't help but look forward to sleeping in our own beds and putting our house back together.

The floors started to dry by Tuesday only to discover Mr. Hardwood had applied a semi-gloss polyurethane instead of satin. Ugh! The only solution was to sand and poly AGAIN or leave it as is. The thought of a third sanding and three MORE days out of our house was not worth the trouble it would have caused. Now we have semi-gloss floors, which are not my favorite, but eventually we'll learn to like each other. After making that decision, we were able to get back in on Wednesday, have the movers move our furniture back in from the garage that afternoon and sleep in our own beds again Wednesday night.

Special thanks to the Lacy's for rescuing us from both the Embassy Suites and the stress of the situation. We cherish your friendship!

Day 6--Home Sweet Home (for 12 hours)...

We made it home this afternoon after six glorious days at Disney. Plane ride home was brutal but we survived. Suffice it to say MG was NOT happy and she let everyone know it. One of the flight attendants was a real jerk making fun of "the children's choir" over the intercom the last half of the flight. Right before landing, he asked the passengers to "give a round of applause to our children's choir for making our flight so pleasant". (insert googly eyes here) If I could have hit the guy without being thrown into prison for a federal offense, I would have. Of course, as SOON as our plane hit the ground she fell fast asleep (if only she could have done that an hour before). We looked completely ridiculous trying to get carry-ons, backpacks, toys, souvenirs, a very energetic five year old and 30 pounds of dead weight off that plane! I saw more than one person giving us the "glad I'm not you right now" smile. Home Sweet Home (or so we thought)...

Day 5--One Last Disney Hoorah...

Our one (and only) family picture in front of the castle...

One last Carousel ride...One last view of beautiful flowers in November...One last visit to Minnie Mouse's house (again)...
They LOVED playing in her kitchen...Can you tell J was THRILLED to be standing inside a heart ("Hearts are for girls")...
Waiting to enter "Laugh Floor" in Tomorrowland. MG was on camera as Boo (the cute little girl from Monsters, Inc.). J was interviewed by Mike Wazowski during the show. When asked, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" he answered "Batman". HA!
Oh, come on J! One more picture for the camera? November was the perfect time to visit. Early fall-like weather (high 60's/low 70's/breezy), low crowd level, minimal to nonexistent lines...
How much do we love Disney? TO INFINITY AND BEYOND!
Our Disney vacation grand finale: The lighting of the castle, Spectromagic Parade and Wishes Fireworks Spectacular. We saw a combination of the three every night of our vacation but tonight we saw all three. They were just as magical each and every time.After watching the fireworks from the beach at our hotel, it was time to pack up and get ready to go home. I am always a little sad to leave this place. I know J and MG were disappointed too. I think MG has caught the Disney bug (like the rest of her family). We CANNOT WAIT to go back (hopefully next time as a party of 5)!

Star light, star bright
First star I see tonight
I wish I may I wish I might
have the wish I wish tonight
We'll make a wish, and do as dreamers do
And all our wishes (all our wishes)
all our wishes
will come true

Day 5--a Morning with "Royalty"...

Ahhhh...Cinderella's Castle!What little girl (or any girl) wouldn't LOVE to have breakfast in Cinderella's Castle with all of her favorite Princesses?
What girl wouldn't save Disney reservations on speed dial and call almost daily (for four weeks) in the off chance of a last minute cancellation?
What kind of Mommy would yell at the cast member who found a cancellation on Saturday at 9 am "GET IT--QUICK--BEFORE SOMEONE ELSE DOES" and squeal with delight when he jokingly said "by golly I've got it"...
What girl wouldn't be excited about going INSIDE the castle for the first time...What Mommy wouldn't be thrilled to help her baby girl don her favorite "spark-a-wee dress" and "spark-a-wee shoes" for a special morning here...Even the fairy godmother was waiting outside to greet us before the royal breakfast was served. MG asked her twice "Are you WEAWWY da fai-wee godmudder?"
Then she proceeded to "Bippitti-Boppiti-Boo" both the fairy godmother and everyone in line behind her. She had the entire line laughing at her silliness.
Once they announced the seating of "the Royal Womble Family", we were ushered in to the Gathering Room to meet none other than Cinderella herself. MG held her hand, stroked her face, asked a few questions and shared an "I wuv you" moment with her beloved Cinderella.
Then it was off to the Royal Dining Room for a delicious breakfast and character meal with the rest of Cinderella's Princess pals.

"Belle in the blue dress"..."Aurora Sleeping Beauty"...Jasmine (admiring MG's "gypsy tail")...The birthday button strikes again...can you believe they give birthday desserts after breakfast..."Snow White with the pitty wed hay-bow an wipstick"...
"You have a pitty wed hay-bow jus wike me!""I wuv you wipstick. Can I hav some?"..."Oh, tank you!"...
"Wook Mommy! Snow White's wipstick!"...
Too precious for words...
MG, what did you think about your breakfast with the Princesses?