Happy Love Day...

A special breakfast for the little Valentines...

A huge batch of Rice Krispie treats we made together...

and lots of yummy Valentine treats for their school friends...

15 word Wednesday...

Just What I Needed to Hear Today...

...even if it came from someone I've never met. If you are a Mommy person (especially one of the stay-at-home variety) I would encourage you to read this. You'll be glad you did.

Wordless Wednesday

If anyone still cares...

what we did two months ago, November is up to date including our trip to Walt Disney World, Thanksgiving feasts and J's birthday...

November 2008

Remember this blog is our family scrapbook. There are lots of memories and details recorded in these posts. Things I want to remember. Do not feel obligated to read every line. Of course you can if you wish but consider this your warning...they are WORDY!

More to come...eventually...

Cutie Patootie!

Our favorite outfit from the winter clothing lineup... It's not the greatest photo, obviously, but it's the only one I have of her in it. She would have worn it every day if I would have let her. Thanks Gymboree!

a New Day...

Today is a monumental day in the history of our country. In just a few minutes Senator Barack Obama will become President Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States of America. In all honestly, my vote was not cast for Senator Obama but today is not the day to debate views or votes. The decision is behind us and the future of our country is before us. I pray that God would bless and protect President Obama and his family as he faces some of the most difficult decisions in our nations history. I pray this milestone will bring honor to our country, our families and our love for humanity.

On this historical day, I am most proud that my children will never remember a time when the office of President was limited by the color of ones skin. Their generation will know and believe that all things are possible for everyone. Not rich or poor. Not white or black. Not male or female. I am proud that the prejudice that sadly remains within this great nation has taken one GIGANTIC step forward. My family, my children, my children's children will be better for it.

To our new President (because even Barack checks in at the Womble Times)...

I pray that you will seek guidance from the only omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent God. It is the future of these beautiful children that depend on it.
Sincerely,
Mommy

A-one...ONE...1-2-3...HIT IT!

The big Five-Oh!

Grammy's favorite cheesecake complete with sprinkles, pink napkins and batman plates. What more could a Grammy ask for? Happy five-Oh! We love you!

My name is Mommy...

and I'm a bloggy procrastinator. Is there a 12 step program for this? I am so far behind on real photo posts of the kids that I don't even know where to begin. I took so many photos in Walt Disney World in November that I am overwhelmed with cuteness. I can't post photo posts out of order (it's a real sickness people) so I just keep getting further and further behind with every shutter of my camera. So what does a good bloggy procastinator do in times like this? She uploads her winter redesign in order to dazzle you with her extraordinary design talents (as she secretly distracts her audience from the fact that they haven't seen pictures of her children in six weeks). In the meantime, enjoy the two new photos in the new bloggy banner. I'll try to throw you a bone later this week. I'm on it............really.............I am.............maybe..............I hope so............OK, it's on the list...........

DTC Baby!

This morning I received confirmation that today is the day we've been waiting for. We are DTC (dossier-to-China)!!!!! At this moment, our package is on the big yellow bird winging it's way to the birthplace of our baby girl. Fly safely Mr. DHL! Oh, and please don't bend the pretty pink bow. Thanks!

Email from our agency:
Hi M,

Today is the day!!! It will take about three business days to be delivered to Nanjing, where it will be translated and taken to CCAA. CCAA will provide us with the actual log in date, which we will share with you.

Congratulations!
P--

Ready For Lift Off...

From: (OUR AGENCY)
Sent: Tuesday, December 30, 2008 10:02 PM
To: (US)
Subject: Dossier

Dear M,

Your dossier was about the best prepared I have EVER seen!!!!! Tell me, do you ever COOK in that kitchen? LOL! The dossier will leave New York on 1/2/09...

...it's in the DHL box, ready for lift off!!!!

Happy New Year!
P--

LOL! For the record, I use my kitchen all the time BUT I had to stage the photo. I couldn't send a picture of a dirty kitchen to China, now could I?If you saw a picture of that kitchen wouldn't you think it would be lovely place to bake cookies with your family? I know I would. See...Mission Accomplished...

A Leap of Faith...

Seven months ago we began the official paperchase to Womble baby #3. These beautiful BEAUTIFUL photographs represent the fruits of my our labor. Within this huge stack of paper is everything you ever wanted to know about the Wombles (and then some). Birth records, childhood memories, recommendations from friends and family, criminal records (or lack thereof), education, health status, extended family social history (LOL--that was a very long section) etc. etc. etc. You name it...it's in there. The copies in blue are the original documents that will go to China. The rest are copies for both our agency and for us to keep. I wonder how many trees we killed in order to make all of those copies?

{DRUM ROLL PLEASE}

May I present to you the original, notarized, certified, triple authenticated dossier for the Womble family. Each document was scrutinized (too many times to count), labeled, organized in dossier checklist order and tied with two coordinating pink ribbons. If that bow doesn't speak "baby girl" in Mandarin I don't know what will.
There are so many emotions wrapped up within the pages of this dossier. Much like a new pregnancy, this simple stack of paper represents the excitement, anxiety and anticipation that 2009 is sure to bring. International adoption is long and daunting. Waiting for a referral is hard. Waiting after we receive a referral will be even more difficult. From this point forward, the only thing left to do is take each day one day at a time. On so many levels this entire process is a HUGE leap of faith. Today we jumped in head first. Not knowing exactly where we will land, but knowing Who will hold us up until we do. Goodbye Paperchase...thanks to you we are one GIANT step closer to our daughter. At this moment, that feels amazing!

Now faith is being sure of what
we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
-Hebrews 11:1

Hey Womble...where the heck are ya???

That would be the title of an email I received this morning. Hehehe. Made me laugh! I KNOW I'm behind again on the blog. Life is busy around here in November and December. I'm working my way from mid November so it may take me a bit. Walt Disney World, J's birthday, Holiday programs, Christmas festivities, etc etc coming up...hopefully soon...hopefully.

Hope...

This morning, as you opened your tiny eyes, you awoke to an ordinary day...

without stories of a baby in a manger...
without Christmas cookies or gingerbread houses...
without packages to unwrap or new toys to play...
without the screech of a brother who couldn't wait to tear into his presents...
without the sight of your sister coming down the stairs on Daddy's arm...
without a bedtime kiss and Mommy's "I love you" whispered in your ear...

Through each of these moments I thought of you. Though I know you are not aware of the significance of this day, I find it hard to erase the thoughts of you from my mind. You are there. We are here. I am praying with all of my heart that today is the one and only Christmas you will ever spend without the love of a family within your reach.

Please, God, let her be home by Christmas...

Happy Birthday Jesus...

Our day has ended. Everyone is fast asleep dreaming of Batman towers, Wii games, princess shoes and Keurig coffee makers. I, on the other hand, am wide awake and overwhelmingly thankful for the gifts we've been given. Not gifts of the material kind. The gift of Jesus. The gift of love. The gift of family. Nothing else can ever compare.

...Our gifts are Yours, God
All our dreams are Yours, God
All our plans are Yours, God
The whole earth is Yours, God
Everything is Yours...

O Holy Night...

In the midst of the hustle and bustle of the next few days, let us not forget the very reason we celebrate--the birth of a baby boy who changed the world in every way possible. One who was born knowing His time would be short but His message of hope would remain. Merry Christmas my friends! May you be surrounded by the love of family, friends and most importantly the presence of our Savior within your heart. It is, indeed, a Holy Night.

Love,
the Womble 4

Making Gingerbread Memories...

I love family traditions! This year we added a new one to the holiday lineup...Gingerbread Houses. In our case, a train (for the boy) and a house (for the girl). They "helped" me put them together this afternoon so they could dry.
We decorated them tonight...girls vs. boys. Apparently the object of the game was to see who could eat the most candy without Mom or Dad knowing. They were sugared up by the time we were finished but it was great fun!
MG insisted on wearing her ladybug costume for the festivities. So sweet...
The finished product minus several pieces that disappeared from their original location...
Neither child claimed to know anything about the disappearing candy. Hmmm...

The Missing Link arrives...

The FINAL dossier document. Signed, sealed and delivered at 11:55 am today. China here we come!

Dear Comcast...

Unfortunately, I have talked to you more than once a day for the past five days. This is ridiculous. I hate the thought of one of those tacky satellites bolted to my house but you are about to drive me to it. Either fix my email (for more than a few hours at a time) or there will be one less customer to send you a fat check every month. I know you have a bazillion customers, I'm just a number and you could probably care less about my distress. But really? Seriously? Could you hold up your end of the deal? FOR THE LOVE OF PETE...FIX MY EMAIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

your disgruntled customer,
Mommy

PS: if you have sent email to me over the past five days I may (or may not) have received it. If it is important you'll need to call me.