Holiday Happenings and a Very Special Gift

We had a wonderful holiday with family and friends this year. Our big boys were great. At 18 and 19 years old one would think they might shrug off much of the holiday traditions.

The 14 year old was kind of "too cool" for it all but our big boys got right in it. They visited Santa (twice!), cut down our Christmas tree, joined us at the town Winter Festival and helped clean and decorate! This alone was a tremendous gift!

 

 

Throughout the holiday season, as Pete and I shopped and wrapped and cleaned and planned we often let our minds wander to our plans for this year. There was plenty of "maybe next year we will have a little one here to.....".

The truth is, we don't know how long the process will take. I understand that with the Waiting Child Program it really depends on how open you are to the various special needs and the availability of kiddos with the needs you are comfortable with. Some stories that I read are very quick. One year or less. Many are 18 months to two years. So, it is probably unlikely that we will have our baby girl home by next Christmas. Though, one can dream...

With all of the talking and daydreaming and wondering out loud that we did we didn't really expect much thought or conversation from our family members about the adoption. We know it isn't real or tangible to many people yet. Not in the way that it is to us. 

Pete and I were very surprised and very moved (to tears) to receive the most thoughtful gifts you can imagine from a very special family member. 

First, I opened a small package containing the Pand*ra Globe clip for my bracelet. (ADORABLE!)

With the special explanation that right now I can look at this globe and find the spot where I am and then spin it and see that out daughter is just "right there" waiting for us. 

Don't you just love it?

I love it!!!!

Then Pete opened the most adorable book. It's a children's book, written in Mandarin and English. It has the sweetest illustrations. The back of the book has a glossary. It includes pinyin characters and western spelling. We love it. We are so excited to start our bedtime story collection with this beautiful board book. Check it out here:

I actually love it so much that I just ordered the other board book by the same author!

 

I can't wait to get it!

Thank you Betty!!!

Happy New Year to all!