My Heart Rests Easily Tonight

This is the reason..

As I sit here my sweet Analise is asleep in the next room. This was a year full of highs and lows but we thank God everyday for our journey to her.

We continue to pray for those of you still on the journey (via adoption or biological) to your little one. We look forward to the day they are at home alseep in the next room.

We also look forward to many more smiles like the ones below...


HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Adjustment

Life has been a whirlwind the past month. We have gone from a family of two (after 12 years) to a family of three overnight. Literally!! Here are a few of my realizations from the last two weeks.

*Sometimes, like when you got to WalMart, you have to figure out how to go pee without putting your child on the floor. This was a sight to behold!! I simply propped her up on the toilet paper holder with one arm and did my business with the other! It was pretty amusing!!

*At this point, a full nights sleep doesn't exist. Luckily, I am one of those people who can thrive on 6 consecutive hours of sleep.

*Someone needs to create a line of Stage 3 baby foods that tastes like human food. Seriously, my child gags at just about anything Gerber makes. But she does LOVE her some Bananas and Blueberry Buckle!! A child can not survive on Dessert alone. Although some adult women may argue this point!

*I can no longer clean my house and do laundry for the week in a day. Now, it consists of a here and there type schedule. Some finished today and some finished tomorrow. I may have clean underwear but no clean socks...

*Carrying a cool, hip purse is non-existant. Who wants to lug another item in addition to the kid, the diaper bag, the stroller and groceries! Maybe in a few years when the kid can actually go to the potty, walk and carry my groceries I will be able to carry that nice Coach purse again.

*My love for reality TV is becoming unheard of at this point. We now Tivo such things as Elmo in Grouchland and The Wiggles.

*My child LOVES music. Now, I don't mean that like all other Mother's. Seriously, Analise will try to sing, bounce or jump anytime musical notes are audible. She is actually singing right now in my lap as I type this. Oh, and she is also releasing some nasty funk at the same time. Which takes us to the next point.

*Sometimes it's a good idea to wait just a few minutes after finding a stinky. Case in point. My husband discovered the funk and promptl informed me with a shouting of "Sweet Fancy Moses" she needs changed. So, I pick her up and head for the changing table. I start changing her and realize, "WHOA! She wasn't done!" Yeah, I caught the rest in a wipe because I didn't want to ruin the cover on the changing pad. Luckily it wasn't runny!!! I know, graphic, but true story.

*I love the way Analise still smells like a fresh bath in the morning when I pick her up. I love how she smiles and laughs after every time she sleeps. I love that she smiles with her whole face. I love seeing her sleep in her Daddy's arms.

*Lastly - I love that God chose the PERFECT child for our family!!

Daddy Daycare

Ok, so I ask dear hubby to watch Analise for a few minutes. I come back and this is what I find. Too cute.

Good thing I have this rattle to keep me occupied.

Mommy, really, it's ok. I told him to take a snooze.

See, he's starting to wake up. Due, in part, to my superior reading skills.

Yeah, I pretty much rock this reading stuff.

Teething. Isn't it a joy?

Analise already has eight teeth but she is workin' on some bigger and better biters!!! I think this pic says it all!!!
See, Betsy, she doesn't smile ALL the time just most of the time.
The teething tablets seem to work wonders though!!! Props to my neighbor Kelly who told me about them!! I only knew about anbesol and orajel! Those now pale in comparison.


Closing with CUTENESS
Analise and her Great Grandad, Pops. I love this picture of the two of them.

More Christmas Pics

Our only Christmas family picture!

This pic reminds me of the one from my first visit trip.

Christmas morning and ready for breakfast!!


Opening gifts from Santa on Christmas morning.

Pics of Analise's 1st Christmas

Apparently everyone is trying to load pics. So, this is all you get for now. I will try again later.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Dinner With Daddy

Here is Daddy having his first go at feeding the girl. As you can see, they had a great time. She absolutely LOVES anything her Daddy does with her.

Pics from the past few days...

Here are some pics to hold you all over. Since we got home, my husband got sick so it's been a little NUTS!! Trying to care for him, Analise and the animals has been quite the juggling act. We are plugging along - Hubby is feeling better and Analise is finally having some normal poops!!! That's a whole post in and of itself!! HA!!

I hope this holds you all over for a while. Also, we will be sending out adoption announcements in the next few weeks. So, if I am at least familiar with you - email me your address so I can send you one!!! Family - email me your addresses too just in case I don't have it!!

My email can be found by clicking on "View my complete profile" on the top right of this page. There is a contact email there.

FFF EVER

Definitely the best Favorite Foto Friday EVER

We are home. Analise is settling in wonderfully. I do have an Embassy Day story to share but tonight - we are putting up Analise's first Christmas tree. Until Later...

Reality Check

Yesterday was reality check day. I do believe there isn't anything harder than being sick yourself and trying to care for your child at the same time. There is no sitting on the couch and sipping 7-Up. No, no you must carry on and continue to change the explosions that happen at any given moment!!

Yeah, so I was sick yesterday but perfectly fine today. Today, my SIL is sick so pray that she gets better before our appointment tomorrow.

Here is an explosive pick of me and Analise. My dear SIL decided to snap a pic before actually helping me to save the outfit. Notice I already have it on my arm!!! GROSS!!! I think I laughed so hard I cried!!


Just to save face I will post a cute pic too. This bow is so ridiculous that I
love it!!

More Pics of Analise

Day 2

Good Morning Sunshine


Oatmeal induced serious gagging


But Aunt JuJu's recommendation of Mum Mum's went down like candy!!

Playtime in the baby lounge....good times.

So Happy Together

We are here safe and sound. Everything went smoothly and she is an absolute dream come true....here are a few pics until tomorrow.

And, We're Off

We are off to see this sweet little face



Check back Friday night....

Merry Christmas, What's Your Favorite Color???

PINK PINK PINK

We're are headin' to GC for our appointment on Dec. 11th!!!

2nd DNA has ARRIVED at the Embassy!!!

We just found out this morning that the 2nd DNA arrived YESTERDAY at 3:25 at the US Embassy!!! YIPPEE!! We should have PINK SOON!!! WOOHOO!!!!

To top that off - we received new pictures today!!! Here is our little tumbleweed...




It's going to be a Merry, Merry Christmas!!!!

Giving Thanks

This week was the absolute longest and hardest week of this entire adoption process. Allow me to give you a play by play.

Monday:On Monday, our 2nd DNA had officially been at the lab for 13 days. We were given a timeline of 7-10 days from arrival to return to Guatemala City. The stress level was starting to reach above my functioning threshold.

Our agency called the lab and this is what they were told. "The more you call the longer it takes for us to complete our tests." Of course, this threw me into aggression overload. I told our agency this is completely unacceptable and I want answers!! I told them need to be a little more pro-active and aggressive. They said if they didn't hear something by Wednesday, they would have the Latin American Program Manager from our agency call.

Tuesday All I could think about was Why is this taking so long? Why can't anyone give us any answers? It was a hard day...

Wednesday Our agency spoke to the lab again and this is the information we received. Apparently, when Analise went for her swab she had either been eating or drinking something prior to the test. This caused the culture to read UNCLEAR. Which meant they were going to have to run another culture on the same swab. There was a chance that the culture would read UNCLEAR again. But the lab didn't think there would be a problem...so they started the culture but it wouldn't be ready until Friday. Ugh, the agony...

Thursday I tried to stay busy all day and not think of all the repercussions of not having a CLEAR DNA test on Friday. The one thing I mostly dwelled on - no Christmas with Analise. Because they would have to start the whole 2nd DNA process AGAIN.

The only thing I could do - pray and keep the faith that God would not leave us hangin'. He has been with us throughout this journey every step of the way. He has provided a circle of family and friends to lift us up during the hard times.

Last night, I couldn't sleep. I would doze off and dream VIVID dreams of our pick up trip (seeing the foster mom, taking Analise from her, hugging Analise, waiting in the airport). Then I would wake up in between the dreams. It was all so real. I thought I would be tired this morning but I jumped right up and felt rested.

Friday Long story short - I was in SAMS CLUB and my phone rang. It was the agency. They told us the test came back CLEAR and PERFECT. They also sent the lab to us via email with the FED EX number for tracking. I just started to cry. It was such a relief to know that it is on it's way to the US EMBASSY in Guatemala.


I am continually reminded of God's love and grace. In the times when I think I just CAN'T go forward He is there.

Reason Why Dear Hubby Probably Won't Change Dirty Diapers

***Return of the SHOTGUN Post***

Yes, the Shotgun post has returned due to lots of things to post and not enough time to blog them individually. Oh, and because of a little thing named Analise who we are planning to have home in a couple of weeks. OH YEAH BABY!!! So, hang on to your skirts friends cause here we go!!

BANG - Sneak Peak!!This is a sneak peak of part of the Coming to America outfit.

BANG - The LootThis is to prove to my sister that Analise does have "girly" clothes and toys!!!


BANG - Thanksgiving Day - Gobble, GobbleWe had an awesome day just chillin' and eatin', of course! I must say that I was a little more sublime than usual. I was definitely missin' my little Analise...
The Centerpiece
My first attempt at Nannies Dumplins!! I think they turned out quite nice!!
Grandma's Pecan Pie!! YUMMO! Made with pecans from our place...


The 3 Amigo's. The after dinner slump! My Pops is almost 90! I adore him...
Hubby and I after the big meal!


BANG - Fun with Video This would be us having a little fun with the new video monitor!! We LOVE IT!! Color and night time vision!!

BANG - Adventures in Post Hole Digging We decided to add a couple more paddocks for our horses. The first step is digging all the holes for the corner posts and gates. Usually, we did this with a post hole digger or two man auger. But not today folks, we used our tractor and my rear end!! Literally!!!

The tractor and the post hole digger contraption. Look intimidating??


Not to me!! I just jumped right on. We needed a little more weight on the back to help push the bit through the Oklahoma red clay! It worked!!

Well, that's all I've got for ya folks!! We should be hearing about our PINK date this week!! We are SO EXCITED!!

Ending with a special Happy 9mth. Birthday to my little tumbleweed, Analise. See Ya Soon!!!