HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving! There is so much to be Thankful for!
I am thankful for ALL my friends and family here in the USA all the way to Korea!
I am thankful for everyone's health.
We celebrated at Scott's parents house and my Mother's. We had lots to eat and a really great time. I always love getting together with my family. The kids get pretty loud and crazy but they all have a great time. We took some photos trying to get "A" photo for the Christmas card. But didn't get a "great" one. Why is it so hard for everyone to look at the camera and smile for about 15 seconds? HAHA! I think we took 100 photos.
It was so nice outside, I would love if the winter stayed this beautiful out. Scott's parents are heading to Florida this winter so we celebrated Christmas also. The kids were of course showered with tons of stuff from Nana and Papa.
OH and did I mention the food??!!! We had so much! I ate at least 3-4 different kinds of deserts! YIKES! I had a piece of apple pie, banana bread, pumpkin bar and pumpkin pie! Yikes 4!!! Also ham and turkey. The kids got their fill too!

Since we live further away from my family we don't get to see them often. It makes it hard for Anna. She really doesn't like going to their houses. She gets pretty scared and clings to me. She does open up some and plays but keeps an eye on me. I think part is her personality and some just because she doesn't see them like the other 2 kids did. She also was tired as she missed her nap.

All in all we had a great time and are stuffed!
Here are some photos....

A friend is waiting for her baby today

Today an old friend is waiting for her baby. She is coming to the Chicago airport via escort. Her baby is coming from Korea like my girls. She is very excited and it brings a lot of memories back to me.

3 days I will never forget, Isaac's birth day Nov 25 1999, Ella's airplane day Dec. 26th 2006 and Anna's day July 27th 2010. All very different days. All 3 came into our lives very differently.

I will forever remember their face's on those sweet days. They are forever engraved in my memory. Isaac was so tiny and cute. He looked like me in a baby version.
Ella was so adorable, her little round face and big eyes stared at us all. Ella was a thinker. Anna was sleeping and woke up in my arms. She was so tiny and strong. Her sideways tear drop eyes just sparkled.

I love when families come together. Whether by birth or adoption every single one is special. Each one brings different memories and thoughts.

I really need to update

I didn't realize how bad I am about blogging. I really need too do it more often. I like to look back at the thoughts and memories I have. I should try and make it a goal.

Well today is my Birthday. I had a great day but poor Scott did not. He was so sick today. He was up all night sick and off to the ER in the morning. they gave him 2 bags of IV fluids and sent him home.
Now tonight he is feeling a little better.
The night before we ate out (for our birthday meal, we were born 2 weeks apart) at Wild Wings. He had the HOT wings. I had something totally different. We really think it was bad chicken. But who knows for sure.
This morning I felt a little hand on my shoulder waking me. It was Ella. She said "Mom happy birthday" it really made my day. She was so sweet to remember. All week she has been asking me when Sunday was coming. It really had me thinking all day, how lucky I am to have her, Isaac and Anna. Each child so different and unique.

So I thought about each one today on my birthday to remember the great things about them.

Isaac.... He has such a sweet smile and bright eyes. Isaac tells me every day he loves me. There is not one day that I don't get a "I love you Momma" from him. He usually says it a few times. He is my sweet boy, a true Momma's boy. He is very electronically able. He loves his IPAD and computers. His birthday is in 5 days. He wants a movie projector for his birthday. No idea how I will pull that off! :)

Ella.... A sweet, sweet soul. She is a Daddy's girl with a huge touch of Momma! She is my snuggle bug. Ella has a memory on her like a genius. (at least I think) She loves school and is a class leader. Ella loves to dance and sing. The other day I caught her singing "silent night" and was floored. Her voice is so pretty when she sings. :)

Anna.... My big ball of energy in a small package :) She is small but mighty. She is a giggler. She LOVES to be tickled. She laughs so loud. Anna loves to play games and sing. When she "sings" it is a run on singing. This girl eats standing. She is always moving. Anna is a huge sweetie. She loves to be kissed and hugged. She has started giving me surprise kisses.

That's it for now. I will try and update on what we all are doing and how things are going. I will add some photos. :)
BYE!!!

In August we went to Lake Superior and had a wonderful vacation!(beautiful memory!)

Happy 1 year to Anna!!

Yesterday we celebrated 1 year with Anna. We celebrated with her favorite supper... pasta and made cupcakes. She was in a extra smiley mood so I took advantage of it and took lots of photos. It has been a wonderful year with her. She has blossomed so much in a year. Anna loves to go swimming and play outside. She doesn't walk she runs! Anna is a big Momma's girl. She likes me to carry her everywhere. Anna will say bye bye? And I say yes and and she gets so excited and says yes! She is really starting to talk and try to communicate with us more. She understands everything we say and follows commands. She is very smart and sweet. Here are some photos from yesterday!
HAPPY 1 year Anna! We love you to pieces!!!!

update...1 year ago on July 27th and July 28th.......

I seriously want to get better at blogging :) I like to see the changes in my feelings and the kids growing!

July 27th Anna was in our arms forever and July 28th we flew home to be a family of 5. It is a day I will never forget. A very special, bittersweet day. I will always remember Anna's foster mother as a sweet and beautiful woman inside and out. She has so much generosity. I truly believe Anna's wonderful start in life is all due to her.

Anna has truly blossomed into her own personality. She is a loving and sweet girl. She is very smart and loves to go bye-bye! She doesn't walk, she RUNS! She has a lot of energy and sleeps good. Anna's favorite food is icecream! She also loves pasta and fruits. She is 19 pounds now.

We are so grateful for Anna in our lives. We truly can't imagine life without her.
She is my little itty bitty baby. I love how tiny and petite she is. She can just be my small little girly for longer! :)

We have been busy swimming this year. Scott has been busy with work. Ella will start kindergarten this August. Isaac is in 5th. My babies are growing UP!

We plan on celebrating Wed with a party for Anna being home 1 year!
here are some recent photos.......

Anna's new hair cut!

Today Anna had her first real hair cut! I took her to a salon. The back of her hair was long and uneven so I wanted a fresh look. Well here are the results!

Anna, Anna, Anna..... the sweetest baby girl..... EVER

SO SWEET and LOVELY.....

Photos from yesterday....

Soon I am going to change the blog as a FAMILY of 5 and spruce it up to our family!!!