Sunday, December 30, 2007

Long awaited pictures of Christmas goodies...

Sorry it's taken a while to post these, but the day after Christmas I caught the yuckies, and they are hanging on a while...I am starting to feel somewhat better but still kinda blah (maybe it's a combination of the long wait and this awful cold/flu thingy), but anyway, I decided today's the day to share what a wonderful day we all had...

We had the festivities at my Mom and Dad's house...Ray went over there early to help Mom cook (during the night Mom had cooked the turkey and Ray the honey glazed spiral cut ham), we had plenty of great food (Ray's famous cabbage, potatoes, veggies, stuffing, cheese and crackers tray and lots of yummy desserts)...

After doing some cleaning up (I helped with the dishes...) it was time to see what Santa brought and then the gift exchange began....it was a frenzy, but everyone seemed to get what they wanted:

Here's Adam (a huge Gator fan) with a pack of Fla. Gator playing cards from Santa:


My cousin Scott opening his gift certificate:

My sister Katy with her gift certificate (she tells us it was the right size and all, how did we know?? hehe):

My brother Jimmy excited by his Christmas Story card with Ralphie in the bunny costume on it (when you open it, it says "She always gives you the nicest things Ralphie"), too funny!!

and Mom with her tiki totem pole:

My cousin Troy and family sent this Time Out Frog for Chynna (too funny with the egg timer on his belly and embroidered on his feet are "Time Out Frog"), don't think Chynna will like this gift as much as I do, hehe:

and they also got me this slingshot frog (you sling him across the room, he can fly up to 50 feet, and he croaks while flying):

and they got Chynna this sweet froggie shirt:

and my Aunt Lynn gave me this horn playing frog:

my nephew Adam got me this crystal frog and Ray this turtle (with his own money too):

and he got Chynna this lamb (it's a rattle and squeaky toy):

and my sister Katy and brother in law David got us this Chinese coin for the wall:

The story behind the Chinese coin is:
Known as "Ying-bi", Chinese coins have been around for centuries. Collected all over the world, they are stepping stones to the past representing each dynasty and kingdom throughout Chinese history. This carved wood wall accent is handcrafted in Bali Indonesia, where it is customary to place Chinese coins in Hindu offering baskets during religious ceremonies. The symbols on this coin represents: Prosperity: wishing you good fortune always; Happiness: which comes not from material things but one's inner life; and Longevity: physical, emotional and spiritual well-being.

We also got some great gift certificates....we really had a great day....now we will just keeping hoping and praying that next year Chynna will be home to celebrate it with us....

Friday, December 28, 2007

Another year closing....


Well 2007 is winding down and the beginnings of 2008 is peeking its head around the corner....I'll take a wild guess here and say, guess we're not gonna be matched with Chynna in 2007....maybe 2008 will be our year...also going out on that crazy limb and say...guess Chynna isn't born during the year of the Golden Pig...okay so maybe she has, but the statistics show....nope not this year....

Just know our sweet baby, we are waiting for you, so whenever you are ready for us...our arms and hearts are open widely for you!!

Thursday, December 27, 2007

Post Christmas ickies...and belated Wacky Wed...

Yesterday woke up feeling really icky, it went away in the morning allowing me to tag along with my Mom and "Aunt Sue" during their normal Wednesday routine...had every intention when I got home in the early afternoon to post some pictures of the great gifts Ray, Chynna and I got, but as you saw, nothing....my throat felt like a giant frog was stuck in it which affected my ears, my chest, and felt like I had been locked in a refrigerator/freezer...so I slept off and on..this morning feeling a little better (not much) but since I had so many days off from work, gotta go in this morning, so getting dressed to go...so you'll have to wait to see the Time Out frog Chynna got (yup you read that right a Time Out frog....so very cool), and all the other great gifts too (including this adorable lamb rattle/squeaky my nephew bought Chynna)....

But then as I woke up this morning I realized today is Thursday, I missed the Wacky Wednesday post....so without during ado....it's belated Wacky Wednesday ....
You Had a Fantastic Year!

Compared to most years, last year was definitely great.
Overall, you're living a much better life than you were twelve months ago.
And nothing is a better mark of a good year.
Here's to hoping next year is even better!

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Monday, December 24, 2007

Merry Christmas...



May you get such wonderful presents from your Aunt Clara, and the rest of your family.....

Saturday, December 22, 2007

Friday, December 21, 2007

Secret Santa Swap...

As part of the Secret Santa swap, Ray and I came home yesterday to these wonderful gifts waiting for us....how exciting to receive the Classic Pooh teddy bear and blanket, squishy Nerf type snowmen balls, Starbucks gift card and China Hallmark ornament....




You guys are too kind!! and we love it!! Thanks!!

Thursday, December 20, 2007

Our Secret Pal Strikes again (thank you!!)

We have such a great secret pal, every month she/he sends these really amazing gifts, spoiling us more and more, and this month was no exception...

Of course the theme was Christmas, and they went all out...

they got us this good luck ladybug "doorbell" (which is kinda two fold...ladybug luck, and gives an angel its wings every time the bells ring):

some great Christmas story books (can't wait to read them to Chynna, but until then I'll practice reading them to Freckles):

and these yummy chocolates (the "little" ones are Thompson chocolates...how funny and ironic huh??):

and they got us this wonderful ornament for the tree:

these Christmas-y socks for Chynna (with the no-slip bottoms too, how cool):

this beautiful tea towel and Martha Stewart napkins:

this amazing frog "click-clack" rattle (which I kept playing with, til Ray took it away from me...he's so mean, hehe):

and they even thought about Chynna's safety and gave us these cabinet locks (which we definitely needed):


Secret Pal, you are so very amazing!! Can't wait to find our your identity so I can thank you over and over and know exactly who I am thanking!! So in case I didn't say it, THANK YOU!!!

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Wacky Wed...your Christmas spirit level

Your Christmas Spirit Level: 50%

You have a lot of Christmas spirit, and it's evident to most people who know you.
You love most things Christmas, and you do your best to make sure everyone has a great holiday.

While you like the more commercial aspects of Christmas, you truly know what the spirit of Christmas is about.
You're all about giving, being kind, and sharing the spirit of Christmas with everyone you know.

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

First visit to Santa...


This weekend, Freckles had his first visit with Santa...and boy was he not impressed...we took him to PetSmart, and he is such a perfect fit with our family...he was so nosy as what was going on around him, this was the best photo...and I love it....he is such a handsome puppy!! He just got groomed right before that!!

Ray tells me that Freckles told Santa he wants chewies, treats, and Chynna to come home!! Well, we will just have to see about making his dreams come true!!

Saturday, December 15, 2007

Christmas tree challenge...

Okay I have been challenged to show you all our Christmas tree this year and some of our favorite ornaments on our tree...

As part of our "tradition", we purchase a Frazier Fir tree each year, which makes the house smell divine and holiday-like, we decorate it with glass ornaments, various other ornaments, lights, and bubblers.

We really love our tree...

Some of our favorite ornaments are:

the Florida Gators:


some froggy ornaments:



our adoption ladybug ornament:


and of course our Waiting for Chynna ornament:


Now that I've shown you mine...how about you showing me yours???

Friday, December 14, 2007

17 months LID...and Drunken Santa Report...

Upon getting ready to post pictures of last night's Santa Bus event, I noticed, we have been waiting 17 months since LID...wow, 17 months!! And no end of the wait in sight...all I ask from Santa is a speed up at the CCAA ...and Santa I've been a good girl all year...well kinda (hehe)

Now onto the fun pictures from last night's Santa Bus event....with thanks to many generous folks we did quite well raising money for the Dianjiang orphanage, and in the process had loads of fun..

Ray and I started out at my office, where my boss was asking "Santa" for the CCAA speed up (it doesn't hurt to have lots of people ask right?)..


then we met the other "Santas" at our starting point, Sun on the Beach, where we sold raffle tickets, held the raffle, and started albeit a little behind schedule for our adventure to begin:


our bus driver Damion was a gem who put up with lots of craziness, as was our "drunken Santa chaperone" Robert...here we are starting out the night to our first nightclub, Cheers (where everyone knows your name, or if they don't they could read our name tags, hehe)


we posed for lots of pictures...

some of our group got a little "toasted" and had to dance on stage:


we danced some (or in my case, probably made a fool of myself as I have two left feet that are quite uncoordinated, but I thought who cares), it was loads of fun:



We ended up going to 5 nightclubs: Sun on the Beach, Cheers, Howl at the Moon, Bliss, Glo, and ended up back at Sun on the Beach.

All in all, we had a great time...and the whole night, Ray and I were sober, so we had fun watching some of the craziness!! Definitely a night we will treasure, friends, fun, and fundraising in one night, who could ask for more?

Thursday, December 13, 2007

We are still qualified...phew!!


Came home Wednesday night from work and there it was waiting in the mail...our updated I-171H!! Woo-hoo!! We are still qualified...so glad our fingerprints haven't changed....the USCIS officer here in Central Fla. is amazing...so quick and helpful..

now, we just hope we can be to China and home before the I-171H has to be renewed yet again....

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Wacky Wed (and 500th post)

Here's this week's Wacky Wednesday (and while I was posting it I noticed this is my 500th posting to the blog...wonder how many more before we finally see Chynna's face??? any guesses??)

You Should Have a Blue Christmas Tree

For you, the holidays represent a time of calm, understanding, and peace.
You avoid family fights, and you don't get too stressed out - even when things are crazy!

You like to make Christmas about making everyone's life a little bit better.
You don't get caught up in greed or commercialism. You're too sincere for that.

Your blue tree would look great with: Lots of silver tinsel

You should spend Christmas Eve watching: It's a Wonderful Life

What you should bake for Santa: Chocolate chip cookies

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Cookies Cookies everywhere...



Tonite is another big night, continuing our holiday "bustle"...one of our adoption waiting family friends Angie is throwing a cookie swap...mmmm cookies...we bring 6 dozen cookies (I made chocolate chip, Christmas ginger snaps, and sugar) to swap and some to eat there...can you say sugar rush??? hehe

Angie is also collecting socks/blankets for the Dianjiang orphanage (for the package Ginnie is mailing out Friday) and toys for Toys for Tots....This is going to be so much fun...

So once we come off our sugar high....I'll catch you on the flip side..hehe

Monday, December 10, 2007

A busy but fun filled weekend...and happy birthday Adam

Wow, what a busy weekend...but boy did we have fun... first on Saturday we were up early and headed over to the east coast of Fla. for my nephew Adam's 8th birthday party (altho his birthday wasn't until today...HAPPY BIRTHDAY ADAM!! WE LOVE YOU SWEET PEA!!)...it was sports themed...and we all had loads of fun, from Frisbee to basketball to croquet to hopscotch to football to soccer, it really had a little bit of something for everyone, and great food and a really cute cake...plus we got to see our friends from Miami, Jen(my "sister") her husband Ed, and their son Evan, they looked amazing as always, and Evan is growing up way too fast (and I fall in love with him every time I see him) ... after the party, some Christmas shopping was in order (since time is slipping away from me to complete my shopping)...but really didn't get too much done, so a trip to my brother's house to see him, his girlfriend Tia and their dog Sober was definitely on the list of things to do..so off my mom and I went...and we got to see his house decorated for Christmas, really helped get me more in the holiday mood... this morning after some grocery shopping the oven was pre-heated and holiday cookies began to be baked (of course most of which will be going to the Cookie Swap Tuesday night one of our adoption waiting family friends (Angie) will be throwing...you bring 6 dozen cookies to exchange with others at the party...they are also collecting toys for tots and blankets/socks for the Dianjiang orphanage... then if I wasn't all the way in the holiday spirits...tonite, we went to see Don and Be in their Christmas musical ...and boy were they amazing...could definitely feel the holiday spirit...definitely a moving musical...and the night ended with us finally getting to meet the famous Diva (Don and Be's dog), she was a character all on her own, she could sing and speak and even bow, had us laughing hysterically!! A great weekend for sure... Now I just want to end this post with a song for my nephew Adam: HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU..HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU..HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAREST ADAM...HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU....AND MANY MORE!!!!! SMOOCHES MY SWEETS..how about some air kisses??? I think I remember how they are done....hehe...love you!!!