It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...minus one little lady!

It's after Thanksgiving that means its time to get our Christmas on! I LOVE Christmas it is my favorite time of the year! I love all the Christmas gatherings, seeing family, the decorations, the smells, watching kids enjoy this special time.

We got our tree today! To think this is the last time it will be a family of 3 getting the tree - next year we will introduct a 17 month old to the picture. So excited. I'm sad she's in Taiwan and we are here. I don't understand once we get a referral why we just can't bring her home! I know I know it's the process and it's needed and I support it, it's just hard around the holiday's.

But we are having a blast preparing the house and getting ready for the big holiday!

Happy Thanksgiving

A very happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

We have a lot to be thankful this year and more to be thankful for next week.

My cup runneth over...

Homestudy Visit #1 completed

Amazing social worker Beth has left the building! I just love her and so does sophie. We always feel so connected to her and she has a large family herself so she totally understands the adoption and how hard this can be on families but she's so excited to see us when we get Lizzie home :)

Okay folks. Homestudy visits complete.

moving on....

HicCup in the road!

I am so mad! You all know not to mess with a momma bear trying to get her cub home!
Today was insane. I called to get my 1-600A approval only to find out my honestudy was never submitted so becuase it's been more 6 months since the original homestudy I have to redo the entire thing!!!!!!!!!!! What? Taiwan will accept it but my own country won't?

Makes no sense.

After flipping out, and not being nice to anyone. I finaly got myself back together and realized being upset about it wasn't going to help so I called and got a new homestudy scheduled and they are on our way...

Largest roller coaster in the world: ADOPTION!

Happy 5th Birthday Sophie!!!

Our little princess Sophie has just turned 5! What? when did this happen?

She is the absolute best thing that has ever happened to Chris and I and we thank God everyday for her! She is smart (too smart), sassy, funny, divalicious and super sweet. She doesn't miss a beat. Living life through her eyes has opened Chris and I up to a whole new world and perspective.

I cannot wait to watch her grow, become a BIG sister, travel to Taiwan - she's got a lot of changes this year but I know she will enjoy every last one!

Happy Birthday G!

Start spreading the news...NYNY

A last minute trip to NYC! Fun times with the Catlin's!
Here are some quick pics. The kids had a fantastic time and so did we :)
great times, great friends...

We accepted our referral of Lizzie!

Thrilled doesn't seem to capture the emotion of accepting our referral!

Please let us introduce you to :

Elizabeth Marie Rhine "Lizzie"

born July 5, 2011

We start our paperwork journey #2 to bring this little lady home: