We've been booed??????

Who would boo our lovely family you ask? Well one of my ladybug pals of course! Pam and her family sent us a box filled with goodies for our boo bag swap. She sent the boys little bags filled with candy and stickers and also got them flashlights and glow bracelets. Diana got the cutest little pumpkin socks and a soft (not to mention beautiful) butterfly blanket. For me and Dave yummy candy and a subscription to one of my favorite magazines.

On a funny note I sent poor Pam on a wild goose chase. In our favorite things database I filled in that I love dark chocolate and Reese's peanut butter cups. Pam thought I loved dark choc Reese's and went out looking for them. She did some research to find out they were limited edition and they were not on the market right now. Pam again I am sooooo sorry for the confusion!

Our family thanks yours for the great treats and of course your continued friendship. It is one of the many blessings we have gotten on this long crazy roller coaster of the adoption ride!

One Year Down & A New Look

Today is our one year anniversary of our LID. I really thought that I would be so much closer to Diana by now. When we started this process I figured that this would be about the time I would find out about her. I thought at this point I would be about 6-8 weeks away from meeting my baby girl for the first time.

The wait has gotten really long and has depressed many of us in the adoption world. I too am included in that. It is so sad to hear the boys ask about Diana and all I can say is "I don't know." for the millionth time. Those poor boys are really confused and there is nothing I can do to help that except say "Eventually we will meet your sister." or "You're sister isn't ready yet."

I could go on and on about what is so horrible about the wait but instead I will say what I have done so far to prepare for our little girl.

• I am currently refiling some forms to keep us "up to date". We have started a savings account to help pay for the rest of the adoption expenses.
• We have gotten some of the things we will need for her nursery.
• We have (ie I have) shopped for some really cute girl clothes.
• I have met people who's families will/do look like my family will and become friends with them.
• I have "met" people on line who are going through the same thing we are so they can relate.
• I collected quilt squares and wishes to start her 100 good wish quilt. We plan on working on the quilt soon and have completed her scrapbook less the wishes we are still waiting on (hint hint).
• I have gotten/read books about adoption/attachment/China/parenting adopted children.
• I have opened my heart and already love Diana.
• I have prayed every night that there is a speed up and for Diana to be safe until I can get her.

Here is to a speed up for all of us waiting. If nothing else I have learned to give up control and to trust that God's timing is perfect!

Also thank you soooo much Heather for my new look! How cool that it was done in time for this post. I love the girly feel with all my butterflies. You did an awesome job!

A Little Weekend Getaway

What do you do when the boys have a 4 day weekend and hubby has vacation time? Well you take a little drive to Milwaukee Wisconsin of course! Friday morning we dropped off the dogs at the kennel and headed out to the land of cheese.

Our first order of business was the Milwaukee Zoo. Dave nor I had been there in years so it really was a new adventure for all of us. I have to admit that it was an awesome zoo! We saw all sorts of animals including a Diana monkey. I had never heard of this kind of monkey so I guess I will have to look up some info...lol. Dave also had to torture me of course. I am afraid of heights and he gets great pleasure on making ride the "ski lifts" with him and the boys since the boys love going on these as well. Let me just say when he doesn't expect it he will be paid back.

We then left the zoo and headed to our hotel. Our room was not ready and I was about to get upset but they said we could definitely go to the indoor water park while we waited. The boys had a blast! I really think Bailey went down the water slides at least 100 times this weekend. Matthew was not tall enough to go down two of the slides but he made due with the ones he could go down. He also surprised us by finally getting his face wet underwater. By the end of the weekend he was "swimming" underwater. Hopefully he will now be able to get out of level 2 in swim lessons.

We walked around downtown Milwaukee and then went out to dinner. While out walking I had an amazing ladybug sighting. There were three HUGE ladybugs on this one building. It was really cool and I do need to find out why they are there. After dinner it was back for more water park fun.

Saturday we went out for breakfast and then headed out to apple pick. This is a huge tradition for our family but this was a new orchard for us. It was HUGE!! I don't think I have ever seen so many apple trees in all my life. It was a little hot but we picked our apples. We then had a snack and let the boys go on a pony ride and then bounce around in a bounce house. We went back to the hotel and of course guess where went back to????? Dinner that night was awesome at Bippo de Bipio.

Sunday morning we went to the water park again for about an hour before we checked out. Upon checking out we headed down to the lake but quickly left as the marathon runners were beginning to come in. We then went to breakfast and then to this HUGE cheese store. We got all sorts of cheese and some wine and then drove home.

Besides having a relaxing weekend as a family we were able to see some beautiful foliage. As many of you know this is my favorite time of year. I just sat in the car with my mouth dropped most of the time at the beautiful colors. Upon returning home I was surprised to see that the trees are finally changing here as well! I will enjoy my trees while I can because before I know it they will be bare and winter will be here. (Hard to imagine as it was 88 degrees today but ya never know....)