Christmas Morning 08

Of course they got way more than needed. Emily got her beloved "Biscuit." I love that he does not have to be walked and when he starts barking, I can turn him off. Alyssa loves S'mores the Pony, but on her list was a "Fire Truck, Tools, and a flashlight." Santa came through with the fire truck and the flashlight. Nana scored big with the "Bob the Builder Tool Bench." It was so great watching them delight in every gift they opened, stopping to say "thank you." Emily was sure to remind us that getting gifts wasn't the important reason for Christmas. But, she sure liked that she got some new toys. LOL.

Feeding Santa and Rudolph

Don't forget to feed Santa and his Reindeer.....

More of Our Family

Our Family

Christmas Eve with Family

Waiting for Santa......


We spend Christmas Eve with my cousins. The kids get spoiled and we always have lots of laughs and fun. Santa never disappoints and always makes an appearance with goodies for all of the kids. The Santa suit is very special to us as it is the suit that my Dad always wore. He was the designated Santa for years and years and years. The year my Dad passed away (November 2000), my cousin Mike stepped in and assumed the role. He does a fabulous job, but every year as all of the kids sit on his lap, I am reminded (as we are every day) that someone very special is missing. He would LOVE LOVE LOVE my girls. I am comforted that they now sit on the knee of HIS Santa suit, even though they cannot sit upon his knee.....

Gingerbread Houses 08

Every year we make a Gingerbread house. I am not too sure if the amount of candy eaten during the process equals the amount that actually gets on to the Gingerbread House, but it is fun all the same. This year we didn't construct the house until Christmas Eve Day. Once again, I took the lazy way out and purchased our house from BJs. LOL. The girls had fun!!

Blogger Trouble~~My Sweet Emmy

I want to give Emily her fair share. She has had an awesome time preparing for Christmas. She is growing up and becoming more mature..for a 6 year old LOL. She loves to bake and would do so everyday given the chance. She has become a real little helper and enjoys helping to clear the table after dinner each night. She is usually right there helping to clean up the toys and mess these two angels can create in a matter of seconds. She has had a lot of her own special festivities to attend and as soon as blogger will cooperate, I will post a few pictures.

She saw Santa tonight at the Mall and put her request in for "Pet Shop toys and Webkins." Yup, I can check those off of my list. She is such a sweet and sensitive little soul and I cannot imagine my life without her. Pictures to come soon....we hope!!

PS... you think she'll like to help with chores when she's 14????


Nah, I didn't think so hehehehehehe just wanted to ask....

All Aboard.............

Today at school, Alyssa had a "Polar Express Pajama Party." It was sooooo adorable. All of the kids (and many of the staff) dressed in cozy jammies and had hot coccoa and cookies and watched the Polar Express. The lights were dimmed, they had their tickets punched by the conductor, the smoke machine was going as the train started and the kids had a blast. Aside from the initial hands over ears and "it's too loud" whines, Alyssa did fantastic. I LOVE LOVE LOVE her teacher and support staff. They had social stories written up and they read them all of last week to prepare for the event. It made such a huge difference! Have a said how much I love her team!!!

A visit from Santa was a bonus!! All around great day.

What a difference a year makes......

We have had many sightings of the Jolly Ole' Fella. I have always told Alyssa that she doesn't have to do anything that makes her uncomfortable. At the same time I have tried to give her strategies to feel a part of things while not being overwhelmed. Secretly, I just wanted ONE picture with Santa. At the beginning of the season she was a bit stand offish. Last week at our FCC Holiday party, she stood beside Santa. Today at school, she actually sat on his lap (well kind of) and told him what she wanted. WOW WOW WOW!!!

For those who want to know.....the wish list includes a "fire truck, a flash light, and tools." Yup, that's my girl. She beats to her own drum. You can bet that she will find all of thee above under the tree and many other treats...way too much!!!

Nativity

Not exactly what I was looking for, but it's super cheap price makes it a fun and interactive Nativity scene that the girls can play with. Thanks for finding it for us, Nana!!

Easy Peanut Butter Cookies for Santa

Today, we stayed inside and I tried to get some last minute baking and gift wrapping done. Always much easier and neater done on my own, but not as much giggling. The girls helped make some very easy and tasty peanut butter cookies. The recipe is so easy that Emily remembers the ingredients and quantity by heart. The girls had to take a "computer break" while the cookies baked!

Easy Peanut Butter Cookies
1 cup of creamy peanut butter
1 cup of sugar
1 egg
(we added some chocolate chips in one batch)
YUMMY...we hope Santa likes them on Wednesday night!!!

We still have to construct our Annual Gingerbread House. Now, that is a mess. I may wait until Christmas Eve day to do that....I am running out of time!!!!!!!!!

Gingerbread House Making, Alyssa Style

SO.MUCH.FUN!!! We were a sticky mess, but she had a blast. Her OT came to check on how we were doing and was SHOCKED that she was even considering doing it, never mind licking the frosting off of her hands instead of freaking out. HEHEHE...that's my girl. I had as much fun watching her as she had creating the perfect Gingerbread House!!!

My Sweet Ali

As I ponder about our last 3 years together, there is much to be thankful for since this sweet girl entered our hearts and our family. I often feel like I share too much about our struggles with Alyssa. I really try to positive and I hope that I balance those posts with the ones that convey our struggles. She is the sweetest baby one could ask for. I have a co-worker who always describes Alyssa as having a "zest for life." That she sure has. Here are just a few things that I love about my sweet girl...

Some of the things I LOVE about my sweet Ali….

I love how she squeals with joy and runs to me when I come home from work yelling, “MOMMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!”

I love how she snuggles up to me and lays on the couch with me

I love how she sucks on her thumb and holds her blankie up against her nose for comfort

I love how she gets excited to have a “Family Movie Night” even though she never watches the movie

I love her big beautiful brown eyes

I love her belly laugh

I love her puffy little lips that are so kissable

I love how she always asks about her “sista” when Emily is not around

I love watching her play dress up and twirl around in her Princess dresses

I love watching her bloom

I love how she melts into my arms when she gives me a tight hug around my neck

I love how she comes to me for comfort when she needs it

I love how she exclaims, “this is just the best” when something as simple as playing a game with Mommy occurs

I love how she turns her face away from you and closes her eyes when you want to discuss something that she prefers not to talk about LOL

I love how she makes me smile

I love how proud she makes me feel of her

I love LOVING her

I love you sweet girl!!! Happy 3rd Family Day!!
December 5, 2008

Nativity

Who would think it would be so difficult to find a Nativity during the Christmas season. I wanted to get a Nativity that the girls could interact with. One that I wouldn't cringe if they touched it and handled it to act out the story of Jesus' birth. Well, I cannot for the life of me find one. They are either very cheap looking or they are super expensive. I was hoping to find one to fit the bill at the Christmas Shoppe that opened in my area recently...no luck. I though that Cotsco or BJs might have one....no luck. Target....nada. And so the search continues. The house is all decorated. The tree is up. Santa can be found at every turn. But no manger awaiting the birth of baby Jesus can be found in this house. There is a Fisher Price one online that I might buy, but I wasn't really looking for a *toy*. Boy, I sound picky don't I????

Oh well.....just trying to keep reminding the girls about the TRUE meaning of Christmas. HO HO HO

;-)

Repost from 3 years ago today. Alyssa's Family Day

I am going to try this again....I just posted a long and detailed description about our day and I lost it just as I hit send............................ Today was just perfect. We met the group in the lobby in the hotel in Beijing to start our way to the airport. Our destination was CHONGQING, the birth city of my newest angel. We were seated in the very last row of the plane and it was SMALL!! It was a bumpy ride, but we made it there safely! We had paperwork to do at the hotel in preparation for the adoption. Holt has been so incredibly organized!! They are so attentive and I have been quite happy. Phoebe and Helena work for Holt and we have a local guide as well, Mary from Chongqing. They will stay with us the entire time we are here in Chongqing and help us with the paperwork and take us on tours as scheduled and/or requested. Tomorrow we are going to a department store to buy some baby supplies, etc. The other 11 families and I met Phoebe, Helena, and Mary in the lobby at 3:30. We made the 20 minute bus ride to the Civil Affairs Office where we met the babies and finalized the adoption. When we arrived on the 4th floor, the babies were already there!! I scanned the room and couldn't seem to find Alyssa. I suddenly realized that my Mom and Lauren must have as they were taking video and pictures of a little baby being held by one of the caretakers. It was Xui Ge!!! They called the babies Chinese Name out and then the Family name one by one. Alyssa was one of the last babies called. She was so calm, just looking at us intently. Emily held my hand as we received Alyssa for the very first time. We went over to a quieter area of the room and sat on the floor to acquaint our new family. Alyssa just stared at us so intently, never taking hr eyes off of Emily or I. She just looked back and forth at us. Emily offered her a toy that she had picked out when we were home and spoke to her softly. Seeing my two girls together, in my lap, sent me over and I lost it. I tried to quickly regain my composure as I didn't want to upset either Alyssa or Emily!! By the time we left the Civil Affairs office, Alyssa was smiling her and there. Her care taker would come over from time to time and speak to her in Chinese. Alyssa really responded to her nicely and smiled a lot. By the time we got back to the hotel (within about 2 hours) she was smiling, laughing, imitating Emily banging the bed, and rolling all over the bed!! She seems to be very active, but happy and smiley. Emily has been awesome!!! I was so worried about how she would react. She just couldn't give Alyssa enough kisses. Alyssa drank a bottle and I layed her in the crib. She rolled on to her side, began to suck her thumb and was asleep in less than 5 minutes. Emily took a little bit to settle down, but she is also sleeping. Let's all pray that they sleep through the night. Emily's sleep is all screwed up and she is napping a couple of times during the day and up late and awake early.......that equals one tired Mama!! My Mom and Lauren are just the best. Between the two of them we have about 75 photos of when we got Alyssa. They are great about helping in any way I need them to and so supportive. Just the type of people you need on this trip. I am thinking about so many of you and wish you could all be here with us. I can't wait for you to meet my new little sunshine!!! With love, Michele

The excitement grows....1 day until we meet Alyssa 12-4-05

Hello Everyone!! Please know that I am reading everyone's email, although I may not be able respond to each one. But, keep them coming, I will respond when time allows. Today we were all set to go for a walk up the block to an indoor mall...until we bundled Emily up so that she could barely move and then we walked outside. We didn't even stand outside long enough to take pictures and went back in. IT IS SOOOOO COLD!! We didn't want to risk Emily getting sick. We had a nice day. Today was the Holt Orientation. I got UPDATED pictures of Alyssa and she has a TON OF DARK HAIR. I can hardly believe that that baldy bean can have grown her hair that quickly!! She is gorgeous if I do say so myself. She looks alot like Emily did at that age. I took a picture of the picture and will try to post it. I will also try to post a few more pictures in the Beijing folder. The Peace Hotel is very nice. The staff are all accomadating and speak English well. Holt has taken care of every single little detail and I hardly have to think at all!! They are amazingly organized!!There are 11other families going to Chongqing tomorrow and all of our girls are just beautiful!! I can't wait to see Alyssa and learn about her personality, her likes, dislikes. I just hope she likes ME!! hehehehe. We leave the hotel tomorrow morning at 6am, eat on the road so that we can catch an 8:15 flight to Chongqing. We have a paper work meeting at the Civil Affairs Office at around 2 (I think) and they will bring the babies around 4pm!!! Wow, in less than 24 hours, I will be a Mom of 2!!! Will post as soon as possible after we get Alyssa. Everything has been great and we pray that it continues. Emily has been great.
Love, Michele
(sorry the photo is so small, blogger not cooperating AGAIN)

December 1, 2005...I wrote

We are on our way!!!!!!!!!!
Hi Everyone,

First of all, I want to thank each of you for your heartfelt bestwishes to my family and I. It means so very much to have such a wonderful and supportive family and group of friends. My girls and I are surrounded by love and prayers and it is so very much appreciated...especially while we travel. We are all so excited to meet Alyssa. I pray that she is in good health and that she handles the transition to her new family well. For us, this is a wonderful and happy time. For her, her world is about to be turned upside down. I pray that she feels the love that we have for her.

I hope to post often!!

Love to all,
Michele, Emily, Nana, and Aunt Lauren