Ever feel like you are dragging....

I have been run down for about 3-4 weeks with a cold. It is in my sinuses now... and I am finally seeing my doctor tomorrow. Ugh...I am tired of being "tired!" I feel like I am kind of just dragging along... I am pretty tired. Don't get me wrong, I am super happy... just "draggy" if that is even a real word! These were from Sunday! We had a fabulous lunch with family in Sonoma! All of  the little cousins were having a blast! It was Glenn's job to pull them around, by his ankles... Thank you Theila & Barry for the wonderful time! Matt, Kelly, Mike & Kerry... We thoroughly enjoyed hanging out! We always leave saying we need to do it more often! So, LETS DO IT!

We are off to visit my family tomorrow (SIX HOUR DRIVE) , after I work a 10 hour shift.... ugh... I am tired... and look, it is after midnight! What am I doing up... writing about it? I should be fast, asleep dreaming of Nipomo and the ocean fog...

Ok, I am signing off... for a while!

Happy New Year  to all my friends! :)

Daniel, Luca & the linguini...

Because a picture can tell it so much better...

Birthday Party for Jesus!

These are my faithful friends, God gave them to me... we meet every Friday and do a bible study. They have become so special to me. They are my encouragers. These woman keep me accountable in my spiritual walk. They have taught me so much and helped me to grow so much. I love them! I could go on & on & on... 

Yesterday, we got together with all of our kids and had a birthday party for Jesus! What a fun a special way to remind our children what the true meaning of Christmas is.

From left to right in the back...

Me, Traci, Shanna, Vicky, Dawn & Monica  (Kristin, Kate & Amber... we missed you!!)

We decorated sugar cookies cut out in shapes of the nativity scene! 

The kids had a blast decorating ornaments...

We listened to Vicky read us The Legend of the Candycane, by Lori Wlaburg and James Barnardin!

...and, Of course, we sang Happy Birthday to Jesus! Cupcakes, candles and all!

You are probably noticing a couple husbands in the picture! My love, Glenn  and Monica's husband, Joe came to help out with "kid control" and actually, they just wanted to be a part off the party! :)

Oh, Deer!

A reindeer-pirate-scuba-princess??

Gingerbread fun!

Can you can "SUGAR HIGH!?"

Daniel could not get enough sprinkles (he poured the entire remainder of the jar on his poor gingerbread man's head), and I  could not stop laughing long enough to get the sugar away from him! He was practically shoveling it in his mouth!  

Naomi, on the other hand... was very delicate with her gingerbread man, carefully placing every decoration just so! :)

Wordless Wednesday...

An awesome opportunity...

I entered an incredible raffle with some totally unbelievable prizes!  All of my photography loving friends, you definitely need to check out the pretty obvious link in my side bar! :) 

The best part is... ALL proceeds go to 3 amazing organizations, String Of Pearls,  The Elison Project and No Hands But Ours!

Helicopters...

Serious INDOOR fun!!! :)

Cutting a tree in Paradise!

Really... this town is called Paradise! And it was! We come here every year to claim our Christmas tree! We had fun wandering through the trees & picking the "perfect" tree.  After finding our tree, we wrote letters to Santa,  colored in a HUGE, coloring book and enjoyed a snack... rode a reindeer, pet a mule, hung out with a turkey and some goats and just had a great time!

Merry Christmas...

Last night, we were decorating our Christmas tree, and listening to the album Christmas Offerings by Third Day. The song Merry Christmas came on. Daniel used to call this Naomi's song... He asked me if I could put it on repeat. I did. We sat and listened and reflected on how much our lives have changed in the last year. It is beautiful to be on the other side of this adoption... home forever with our child. My heart can not stop thinking of all the children in China still waiting for their families, and their families who are waiting. Would you say a prayer for these sweet children (and families adopting everywhere) for the enduring love they must experience.

Enjoy this song... Merry Christmas!

The sparkly sky!

THIS was really cool! The moon, Venus and Jupiter were out in the sky tonight! They won't be out like this again until I am almost 80 years old! :) I have no idea how to take a picture at night like this! Anyone know how... I think I need a tripod?

Good...no matter how you go at it!

This was Daniel's first pumpkin pie and he loved it.  When I told him that it was ok to eat the crust... that it was my favorite part... he gave me a look and said " Mommy, I can eat this however I like!" He never did eat the crust... silly boy! 

Happy Birthday GiGi!!!!

I started out trying to get Daniel to hold a "Happy Birthday GiGi" sign, of course Naomi wanted a sign too! I gave her a cornucopia (Daniel had made it :)  in preschool). Do you think I could get ONE stinking picture of the kids with the sign... up? Nope! This is what it is like, to try to get a picture of my kids these days!  And, yes... ( Jenn and Melissa... ) I am totally on "auto" with a flash! :) It was way to dark inside today and these kids move way to fast for me to figure out what setting to use! I guess I am ready for another class!

Most importantly...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GIGI!!!!!!! WE LOVE YOU AND WE MISS YOU!!!!

Glad you enjoyed the flowers today... wish I were enjoying dinner with you tonight...

We love you.

A "sneak peak" from some family photos...

My sweet family...

We spent the last weekend in Fresno with my family... we had a photographer come to capture some moments together! She did great! Her name is Lori Kearney. You can read more about her HERE.

My sister Lea, brother Aaron & myself.

My mom & Dad.

My nieces Emilie & Makenna

Favorite Foto Friday...

I could not just pick ONE! I did not realize until I posted these that Daniel was pulling Quincy's tail.... no wonder Quincy cat was getting annoyed with him!  I Love these little sweeties!