What a Great Christmas

Most Sundays we go to Mass with our friends and neighbors, the Michaels. Mary Pat and Dave are Frannie's Godparents and they are very good to her and to us. What a wonderful day to have them over for Christmas breakfast to watch Frannie open her gifts. Traditionally, they invite friends over for Christmas dinner and have fun games and lots of good food. Although Frannie didn't burn or maul herself this year at their house, she DID wet her pants so the Griswald tradition lives on....

Neener Neener Neeeeeener

I got to meet Faith the other day at McDonald's. I know, I know -- how did I get so fortunate? Donna called me on my way to Dunwoody, saying she wanted to meet for lunch and we were both equi-distant from the spot so I got to hear all about the lurid details of the trip. Yeah! She is just adorable and soooo good.

From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. Because while the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. John 1:16-17.

Late Pics from the Holidays

Give Thanks

Today I am thankful for the friendships that have come from adoption. I love it when people see Frannie, stop me on the street and share their adoption stories. There is such a wonderful bond among all the families.

I read an acquaintance's blog today and she inspried me so much about how our next adoption is such a good thing. It may be difficult at times, I may want to cry in frustration with CC*I changing it's rules, with USCIS changing it's rules, agencies changing their rules ("NO, TODAY YOU HAVE TO WEAR purple PANTS AND SPIN AROUND twice *THEN* YODEL AND BARK LIKE A DOG! COME ON!! GET IT RIGHT ELLEN!!!"). Those who have done this know I'm not exaggerating too much.

Some angel put a Gymboree coupon on my office door this morning and I got the BEST deal on a Christmas gift for my niece in Seattle. Check out their sales!

So much going on

Hi -- Photos are about Locks of Love. New photos to come from our fun SEC fanfare event this weekend. Frannie was on tv twice -- she knows people. We got our fingerprints complete this morning -- check. We are planning Christmas, our trip to NY the day after and all the families we love and who need prayers this year. Just when you think you have stress and issues -- you hear about a family that is in dire straights and still manages to smile. Please pray for my friend Lisa who is this angel. No details required, but she needs a LOT of prayers. If you only knew.....

We would like to make some donations this year and forego all gifts for adults. I plan to make my usual little treats for those around us, but the rest of you will receive a card and our prayers. God bless!

Friend in China

My buddy Donna ("Digit" friend #1 returning to China for Chinese child #2, child #4 in the family) is in Hong Kong as we speak. I'm so excited for her. It makes me weepy thinking about it. God bless her and her family!

We are moving forward!

It's nice to at least check one more thing off the list -- moving forward to Gracie.

Changes have been made recently with the procedure for getting approval for Gracie to come here and be a citizen. The US government has to "check us out" and we were told the process has been streamlined and if our fingerprinting appointment is any indication, it's true! We are going to be fingerprinted next week and hopefully approved and ready to send our dossier to China in the next month.

All this means that we MAY be going to China as early as May!!