Thanksgiving & Black Friday

Well we had a wonderful Thanksgiving. It was just the 5 of us this year. Very low key. Bill & I started the turkey and could not wait for it to be finished. We watched the Macy's parade. My dad marched in it. He was on TV. That was cool to see. We ate around 1:30 and then I wanted to crash. The turkey kicked in.


We put up our tree last night and it looks really good. The girls loved seeing all of their ornaments. Now we have to get the outside decorated. I just love Christmas time.

This morning, Tiff & I woke up way too early (4:30 AM) and headed out to meet my sister at Wal-Mart. We got there at 5:30 to a parking lot full of cars. We even saw an accident in the parking lot. Tiff & I finally made it in the store, only to find no more shopping carts and long lines everywhere. We managed to find Denise (and picked up some things on the way). We did find a shopping cart eventually. One thing I have to say about Wal-Mart, is they were prepared with merchandise. I did not expect to find anything on my list. And I found everything. We were in Wal-Mart about an hour or so and then headed to check out. We found a "short" line and maybe waited 20 min or so. Then we went to Super Target. It was 7:15 and Target had been open for a little over an hour. I get there to a parking lot that looked like a normal shopping day. I was able to park in the 3rd parking space in the lane, plus there were empty spaces next to me. We walked into the store to find tons of shopping carts. It was not like a "Black Friday" day at Target. Very odd. I'm starting to wonder if it's because they did not print out an add. After Target, we went for breakfast then Linen's & Things (not much in there left) and then I headed home. I'm not feeling well at all and needed some meds. Tiff & Denise are still out shopping. I hope they find some good deals. Here are 2 photos of us in line at Wal-Mart. We did have fun. I just wish I was not sick.



This final photo Tiff took as we were leaving Wal-Mart. I thought it was a pretty shot of the sunrise.


As I sit and listen to the chatter of little girls running through the house, I'm reminded of all that I'm thankful for. So much! I'm thankful that God has allowed me to be a mom to 3 beautiful daughters. I'm thankful that he has allowed me to have a loving husband. I'm thankful to have family & friends who love me. I'm thankful for so much.

Bunk Beds, Birthday Party & Preschool Thanksgiving

Wow, a lot to update in this post. Where has November gone? I can't believe tomorrow is Thanksgiving. And then Christmas will be here very soon. I feel so overwhelmed.....
First I have to let you know, we did it, again! We set up bunk beds and moved the girls into the same room. They have been in the room together now for 10 days. And it's going well. They have been sleeping and loving being together. We set up the other room as a playroom, for now. Who knows, it might turn into a bedroom for another child. We're talking about adopting again. :-) So anyway, here is a photo I took of the girls one morning when they were waking up. Don't you love the bed head? Jadyn is on the top, Abby on the bottom.


This past Saturday we had a combined birthday party for Jadyn & her friend Isabella. We went to a little petting farm. They had a hayride & then pet some animals. They got to feed a cow and a donkey. The kids had a blast. One thing we did not expect was the weather. It was COLD! It did not warm up like it usually does. But that's okay, the kids did not mind. Here is a slide show of the party. Jadyn's actual 5th birthday is Dec 15th. I just chose to have a friend party early.


Yesterday the preschool had their Thanksgiving feast. They are off from school now so they had it on the last day. The kids wore their Native American hats. Jadyn even was given a Native American name. It was "Falling Rain". The kids got their lunches and headed outside where there were blankets ready for them to sit at. We were outside about 10 min and then it started to rain, and got cold. Finally Jadyn's teacher said "Lets go" and brought everyone back inside. The kids finished their feast in their classrooms. It was fun. The kids were cute. Here is a slide show.


Tomorrow we will be having Thanksgiving with just the 5 of us. It will be nice and relaxed. We'll get up and have breakfast. We'll make our Thanksgiving meal while the Macy's parade is on. My dad is in the parade this year so be sure to watch. He is in the Second Time Arrounder's Marching Band from St. Pete FL. We're excited to watch. Then after we eat and take naps :-) I hope to get our Christmas tree up.

Friday Tiff & my sister Denise plan on getting up early and doing the Black Friday sales. I'm not sure how much we'll get done. I hope there are some good sales.

I want to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving. I know that I'm Thankful for so much this year.

Until next time......

Gotcha Day Celebration & S'mores

I forgot that I did not upload photos of Abby's Gotcha Day celebration.

Abby had a great day. It started off by Tiffani making her chocolate chip pancakes. Abby loved them.

Then Tiff took the girls for a nature walk and ended up at Nanny's house. They played at Nannys for a few hours.

Then her favorite thing to do, get Chinese take out with Daddy. She loves "paying" for the food and spending the time with dad.

After dinner, the girls took a bath and then it was time for ice cream cake. Abby is not a big fan of cake, so we got her an ice cream cake and she loved it.

We can not believe it's been 4 years since we met Miss Abigail.



Then, the other night, it was cool enough that we started a fire in our little fire pit and let the girls roast marshmallows. They had a blast and loved the S'mores. I just with it would stay cold. We are hot and very humid here this week. It's not fun.

Enjoy the photos. Thanks for checking on us.



Until next time.......

Identity for Children

Identity For Children - Promo Video from Les Lanphere on Vimeo.

Identity for Children works to provide children with a legal identity.

Every child deserves the right to a name, a nationality, a family, to health care, to education, to property ownership, and the protection against child labor, sexual exploitation, and child trafficking.

Happy Gotcha Day Sweet Abigail

Four years ago today, we met a precious little girl named Wu Yu. She became Abigail Grace Yu. That Monday morning was full of emotions. Excited, nervous, anxious, scared etc. We met our precious Abigail in a hotel room, filled with 4 other crying babies & their foster mom's. Abby came to us with no tears. She was perfect.

I'm so amazed with how much this precious little girl has changed in 4 years. I can still see that little baby in some of her expressions. She has blossomed into a very pretty, precious little girl.

We love you Abigail. Happy Gotcha Day!
Love,
Mom

November is National Adoption Month

Did you know that November is National Adoption Month? The video above is from the 2nd week of Bring Me Hope camp that Bill attended. Please remember to pray for all the children in the world who long for a loving family. If you feel adoption is something you are being called to do, please contact me. I will help you with any questions you have.

One thing I can say, is adoption is AWESOME!

God bless,
Debbie

Voting Stories

Today, Bill & I picked up the girls from school and then headed to vote. The girls helped us. It took longer to sign in then it did to vote. We were only there 20 min so not too bad at all. Anyway, after we left the building, I had the girls pose for a photo. Then as we were leaving, there were people holding signs for both candidates on opposite sides of the entrance/exit. So as we were leaving, we rolled down both sides of the van windows and the girls yelled out (to the McCain supporters) "Go McCain" and they all cheered, smiled and said "Oh how cute!" The girls loved it.

Also, the girls had "I voted" stickers on when we picked them up from school. I asked Jadyn who she voted for. She said "I don't remember". When Abby came out, I asked her who she voted for. She said "McCain". I was happy she said that. :-)

Anyway, just thought these were cute stories.

Love,
Debbie

The Phantom of the Opera

This afternoon, Tiff went with her friend Maddy & Maddy's mom to see The Phantom of the Opera. This is the first time Tiff has been to a real play (that was not a field trip with school). She was so excited. She loves the movie & the music. They left around 12:45 PM for a 2PM show. Around 6 PM we hear knocking on our door and it was Tiff & Maddy. They were so excited. They got to meet the Phantom! Thankfully Tiff took my camera so she could show us. Here is the photo.


They also got to meet the actor who played Raoul. Here is the photo.


Here are a couple of photos from the theater. Tiff was taking photos of the stage before it began and was asked not to take any more photos since it is all copyrighted. So I will not post those photos (even though they did not turn out LOL).



They had a great time. Tiff said they had the best seats. I'm so glad she had fun. She & Maddy were so excited that they wanted to watch the movie. We told them another time since it is a school night.

Until next time.....

Billy

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Abby the Cowgirl

Today Abby was invited to a birthday party for a friend from school. We drove to the park and had a wonderful hay ride. It was so beautiful out today. After the 30 min hayride we went to a stable, where they had pony rides. Abby rode 4 times. She had a blast. Here are some photos of our little cowgirl. :-) We think she's so cute.
Enjoy!

I forgot about Publix

Yesterday at 4 PM I took Abby & Jadyn to Publix to trick-or-treat. We have never done this before. So I figured I would take them up and get dinner while I was there. They had a blast. I took these 3 photos to share.

Halloween night

I have to admit, I'm so glad Halloween is over! It is not my favorite holiday. It's fun to get the kids dressed up etc. But I don't like the candy. Because it's so tempting. :-)
This year, Tiff had a few of her friends meet at our house. They went trick-or-treating together. They had fun. When they were finished, Bill took them to church for a bonfire & games.
Abby & Jadyn went trick-or-treating with their best friend Bella. They had a blast. Thankfully the girls did not want to go to many houses. They got tired and their bags got heavy.
Unfortunately, we bought too much candy and not many kids came to our door. So we have a ton left over. Not a good thing.
The night ended around 9 PM. The girls were exhausted. Everyone had a great time. Tiff did not get home until after 11. It's after 10 AM now and she is still sleeping.
Enjoy the slide show. The kids were all so cute. And everyone was well behaved.
Happy Halloween.....