Zoe & "Miss Claus"!!!!

I had to post a few pictures that I took this afternoon of Zoe & our puppy Maggie (Believe it or not, Maggie is only 6 months old!). One day while shopping Zoe insisted on getting Maggie a Miss Claus outfit, at least that's what Zoe called it. So, without further a do, here's Miss Magnolia Mayflower (otherwise known as Maggie) as Miss Claus & her very best friend Zoe!

It's Beginning to Feel Like Christmas!

I finally finished our shopping last night. I'm usually not one to wait until the last minute, but I just couldn't get into it this year. (not sure why) I'm spending today wrapping presents & filling stockings. Now, I do have to admit, that I love stockings. In fact, getting my stocking is probably my favorite event Christmas morning. There's just something about emptying out all of the contents to which I have no clue as to what they'll be. Paul always fills my stocking & I do his & Zoe's.

While I was shopping last night Paul & Zoe made their annual No Bake Cookies for Santa. Of course, they each had to sample them & lick the bowl clean. I was hoping they would wait until I got home so I could take some pictures of their extravaganza, but I was too late. The cookies turned out good. So good that Zoe had two for her "snack" this morning! She did inform me that she & dad discussed how many cookies they should leave out for Santa Christmas Eve night & dad convinced her that Santa would need about 5! Zoe thought that was quite a few but dad was probably right since Santa needed a lot of energy to get from house to house. (Huh - I have a feeling dad is going to be wired from all of the chocolate when he goes to bed Christmas Eve!!!!)

Tomorrow our Christmas adventure begins. (You can guarantee I will have camera in tow!!!!) Zoe & I are headed to my hometown to have lunch with our cousins - Haley, EJ, & Ian. They are such nice kids & we really enjoy their company. In the afternoon Paul, Zoe, & I will travel to Paul's sisters for Christmas with Paul's dad side of the family. Zoe is so looking forward to seeing her cousins Austen & Kylee from Louisiana. We only see them about twice a year so it's always a treat being with them (& Aunt Jan & Uncle Jeff)! Christmas morning we will open our presents & see what Santa left Zoe. Then we will have lunch & family time with Paul's mom's side of the family at his cousins Christy's. After leaving there we will make our last stop at my parents house. We always have a good time there. (especially Paul as he aggravates our nieces & nephews!) And finally, back to our house late Christmas night.

Not sure if I will be posting again before Christmas. Just in case I don't, have a Merry Christmas! May you create magical memories that will last a lifetime!

Special Prayers for a Special Girl

Last week we were lead to an on-line article about a 5 year old adoptee from China who was recently diagnosed with leukemia. Lydia is currently undergoing treatment at Children's Hospital in Ohio. Her story is one of remarkable courage & strength.

Please take the time to read Lydia's story and then go here & leave a message of encouragement for her & her family. As parents we cannot imagine the emotions associated with finding out your child has leukemia. However, as parents of an adopted child, these emotions must be even more devastating knowing the best chance of a cure for your child is finding a bone marrow donor since neither adopted parent nor siblings are a match.

In this most magical time of the year, all of us can think of at least one person/family that could use an extra prayer in their time(s) of struggles. Would you please say an extra prayer for Lydia & her family? Miracles happen every day. What a blessing it would be if a bone marrow match is found for sweet little Lydia!

Long Overdue

Things have been so crazy around here. Every time I sit down to update this blog, I get sidetracked & end up throwing the whole idea out the door. Perhaps, I can get 'er done now!

Saturday night Paul & I had a date night. It had been about 6 months since just the two of us did something by ourselves. We ended up Christmas shopping, going out to eat, & seeing a movie. It was a lot of fun.

Today Zoe & I are enjoying our first snow day off of school for the year! Not that we got any amount of snow worth bragging about. However, we do have ICE. It started raining last night about 10 PM & the temperature dropped very quickly. Several hours later we were met with freezing rain & a little bit of snow. When I took Maggie out this morning, it was still sleeting & very cold. So, Zoe & I are staying inside. She's loving being in her pj's & watching her shows while laying in the recliner!!!! (my kind of girl!!!!)

I've finally completed our Christmas cards - all 320 of them! (Yes, you read that right - 320.) I love Christmas & making my own cards is one of my most favorite things to do. I love receiving Christmas cards too. Sometimes it's the only time of the year we hear from certain friends. I treasure those friendships just as I do the friends I see each & every day. So, catching up is fun to do.

By the way, only 4 more days until my Christmas break begins! Yahoo! With a snow day today, I can just imagine how out of control my students are going to be tomorrow - let alone the rest of the week!!!!

PS - Check back later this evening. I plan on posting about something very dear to our hearts!

Monday Madness

With every Monday comes the "I don't want to get out of bed" at 5:30 AM when my alarm goes off. Huh! The things we have to do to pay our bills. So, with one foot in front of the other, I made my way into the bathroom to get ready for another week of work. I know, I know, I really shouldn't be complaining. I did just have 4 days off in a row for Thanksgiving break. And, I get a two full weeks off for Christmas break. Unfortunately, I have three more weeks until that break gets here. When the first bell rang at school this morning my students greeted me with "only 15 more days"! So, began the count down!!!! (I know, I'm pathetic!)