Giving Thanks...

What can I say...we have so very much to be Thankful for that it is actually a bit overwhelming. While last year's Thanksgiving meal in Guatemala with the foster family was memorable and special, I got teary this year seated at my parents' table, surrounded by my parents, sister, aunts, uncles, cousins and my daughter. We are so very blessed!

Lilly, of course, was the star of the show. She even outshone the dog and the turkey...both of which are significant feats.

Then today we got to spend the afternoon with my dear friend Jen (who I have known since the 4th grade!!!) and her family. I cannot tell you how cool it was to watch our little girls playing together. At the wise old age of 3, Rachael awed Lilly as you can see in this last picture. It was just another great part of the weekend.

Now - just because its been wonderful, don't think we live in a fake sitcom world...Lilly has strep throat, I got over bronchitis and now have a wicked cough/cold which I seem to have passed onto my daughter so she can have that AND strep. But, unlike last year...I don't have to give her back in a few days...so I can take any of this small stuff!!!

Lilly's Baptism Weekend!

We had the most amazing weekend! Lilly was baptized at my church on Sunday, and so many dear friends and family members helped mark the special day. Enjoy the pictures!!! Jackson quickly became known as "Mr. Green Jeans." The two of them had that church wrapped around their fingers in about 5 seconds. Special thanks to the dear souls who are now Lilly's Godparents: Farzana, Maren, Christine & Andrew.

It was a perfect day...even better than I had dreamed of...and I had been dreaming of it for a long time! You can tell...Lilly REALLY wanted to get baptized...here she is practically climbing in the baptismal font!

OK - so this last picture isn't on the same angelic theme...this is the night before her baptism, and a large group of us went out to a nice dinner. Lilly INSISTED on wearing her hot pink cowgirl boots...and heck, it was her party, so this is the result. Naturally, she charmed everyone at the restaurant.

Finally, on a different note....CONGRATULATIONS to my friend Jenny! After almost 2 years of waiting, she FINALLY received her referral from China on Monday! Another single mom adopting like me, Jenny (who works at the same hospital Kendra and I do) started this journey before me and has been supportive of me through my ups and downs. I couldn't be happier for her...Abby is a lucky little girl to get such a good mommy!http://www.waiting4abby.blogspot.com/ I am trying to link to her blog, but my tech skills are limited, so you will undertand if I do it wrong and you end up in some random blog!