Hoping for Average...

Average. An interesting word that has my hopes peaked for the next 24 hours. Why? Because based on the "averages", we should receive the very important "LOA" or Letter of Acceptance today!

This is the "third to last official document" needed before we fly to China.

It is actually a bit surreal as it is a letter from the Chinese Government that we have to sign to say that after all the time and paperwork that we still "desire" to formally adopt Lilli!

YES... YES... YES... I promise ~ I could shout it loud enough for the Chinese Government to hear all the way from here!

We are all so smitten with our little Lilli... it is time for her to come home!

All Decorated...

Thanksgiving was a wonderful day... except for the fact that I broke 3 teeth while eating stuffing. This led to the dentist removing my wisdom tooth and insisting on a few more dental appointments to follow this week to finish the necessary "repair work".
Yesterday and today I have been feeling pretty darn lousy... but Joe and the kids cheered me up by pulling out all the Christmas decorations. Joe topped it all off by getting a Christmas tree this afternoon!
The house looks amazingly warm, cozy, and festive! Take a look....

I feel better already.... NOT!!!

... But the house does look great!

A Few Christmas Memories....

Thanksgiving

There are so many things that I absolutely love about living overseas. Unfortunately, over the holidays... I forget all of them!

Thanksgiving... I am meant to be sitting on my grandmother's front porch swing ~ a big glass of sweat tea in one hand (that I just scooped out of the 25 gallon galvanized steal tub) and a turkey leg in the other.

I am meant to be wearing a t-shirt and shorts as my grandmother's house is in Louisiana and it is usually still warm at this time of year.

I am meant to be climbing in a tree or chasing my cousins or catching baby chickens in the pen in the back of the house.

I am meant to be surrounded by family and friends!

Thanksgiving... I am thankful for so many amazing memories!

... and even though I am in Australia ~ far away from those childhood memories ~ and surrounded by people that have not heard of Thanksgiving, or Pilgrims and Indians, or turkey dinner, or the Macy's parade, or afternoon football games... (or shopping at 5am on the following morning) I have my wonderful husband and amazing children ~ and I am so thankful for the wonderful memories that we are creating each and every day!

Life's Little Pleasures....

The mail came on Friday. Included among the odds and ends of magazines, mail order catalogs, and junk mail was an Amazon.com box. The contents of the box was what dreams are made of... or, what we have been dreaming about for a couple months!

Abby was thrilled that Fire Fighter Woody was finally here (after spending a few months on the back order list) to join her favorite friend Buz! She has uttered the words "Ride like the wind Bullseye"... about 100 times in a 24 hour period! Woody was definitely worth the wait!

As for Holly and I, we received a little pink box that we have been waiting for ever so impatiently for... NO... not jewelery!!! The 7th and final season of Gilmore Girls!!!

We have been waiting almost a year to see Rory graduate from Yale. For twelve months, we have been wondering if Lorelai and Luke are together or apart. Forget about reality for a while Holly and I are moving to Stars Hollow for the weekend to catch up with our long lost friends!

She keeps on growing....

I received a few new pictures of Lilli ~ thanks to a friend!

She just keeps on growing and changing...

But not without me for much longer... YEAH!

Proud as a Peacock...

In Australia, the school year is drawing to a close. The thermometer is rising and the kids will be out for summer break in just a few weeks.
Today, we received Daniel's year 6 final report card. He will be at the "Senior School" next year. We know he is ready. Accompanying his report card was a letter from his teacher. It made me cry. I will share it as I am as proud as a mother can be!



Dear COL and Mrs. Judge,

Daniel has completed a very successful semester. He is a wonderful boy with a complex nature; on one hand he is quiet and gentle and on the other, determined and spirited. He is very compassionate towards his classmates and has a strong sense of fair play. He will often "go to bat" for those he feels have been treated unfairly by others. He does this with a maturity and tact that belie his youth.

Daniel has excellent work habits. He is always prepared for class and he has an outstanding track record with his homework. In fact, more often than not, he turns his homework in early and seeks feedback for assignments he is working on. He is willing to take advice and listen to constructive criticism. This desire to improve and challenge himself is a real asset and will stand him in good stead for the future.

Daniel has excellent behaviour in all situations. He knows how to "read" people and will often take the role of peacemaker on the playground. He also has an uncanny ability to recognize when other boys are finding it difficult to manage themselves and tries to help by distracting them from the negative situation.

During the winter season, Daniel participated in Basketball as his co-curricular activity.

While I am looking forward to working with Daniel for the remainder of the year, I would like to take this opportunity to wish him good luck for the coming years in the Senior School and his future after that.

MS Robinson

Abby and her new DRESS!!!

I recently ordered beautiful matching dresses for Abby and Lilli An for Christmas in China... if we are so blessed to be there over the holidays.

They arrived and Abby agreed to try hers on... in exchange for some homemade biscuits! I can't wait to see the girls wearing them together... even if I have to make biscuits everyday... or to be honest... have Holly or Joey make biscuits everyday!!!

Any suggestions while I wait... to make it easier... leave a comment....

I am trying really hard, but the wait to travel to Lilli An is just really hard right now! I know in my mind that we are about 8 to 10 weeks from traveling to China and meeting our daughter/little sister... not long for the mind... but really long for the heart!

If you have any good ideas to help pass the time... leave a comment! It would be much appreciated!