To You and Yours...

China starts Olympic year with celebrations video clip.

Out of the Mouths of Babes

My niece swallowed some sweet tea (eww, not my cup of tea!) and started coughing. When she was composed she informed us that "It went down the wrong drain." and drew an imaginary line from her throat and down her arm.

I read that Jazzie assured her mom that when Jazzie was ready for a husband she would just go to H*me Dep*t to find one!





Somewhere in blogland I remember reading that one little girl kept singing "We Three Kings of Oreo Are."


Good stuff.

Dejected

I know this shouldn't stun me at this point, but to see that this month's referrals are reported to only go until December 19th is such a heartbreak for so many. Not to finish such a reportedly "small" month such as December 05 until maybe March is unbelievable. Ok, unbelievable may not be the most accurate word to use when you consider the wait just keeps getting worse. 6-8 months til referral my...foot.
Do you think that the 12/17 RQ post "all sorts of rumors about how things are going to work around the Olympics" including “last referrals will be in March or April, then will stop until after the Olympics” may be true? That would be 2009 for February LID's.

In a similar vein, ever feel like you keep following the arrow pointing left?

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Just Stuff

I discovered a live "lucky" ladybug in the bottom of one of my gift bags on Christmas morning. Hope the luck holds true! =)

I was watching my new Fli.ght of the Conc.hords dvd and there is an episode in which they invest in "property" or stars. This reminded me of one of the presents I received last year. A binary star system named for Ellie and me. Cool, eh?






In my family the Christmas decorations come down pretty early. In fact, I helped my mom take the trees down yesterday! Since there's no snow in these parts and the weather is nice, it hardly seems right to keep the decorations up. When do y'all clean up and start fresh for the new year?


Due to a series of "unfortunate events," my niece and nephew had to hold their tree up with chairs as we neared Christmas!! =)




I just bought tickets to the M@tchbox Twe.nty concert. My 2008 social calendar is filling up fast...

Merry Christmas Eve to You All!

Christmas Eve Festivities. My niece, K., dressed herself for the colorful occasion! She also started off the evening with some modern dance set to Christmas tunes. My parents are great supporters of the arts. =)


My nephew, D., chose to chill in his S@n Diego Ch@rger colors while chomping on a banana.
Obviously Aunt Shi-Shi doesn't hold one's attention like a banana does! =)

K tries to feed the cat some grass.
D wants in on the action.
Quite an entertaining evening!

Don't forget to set out the milk, cookies and carrots tonight!

Jenny's Shower for Abby

I know this is what you all have been waiting for! =)

Yes, I got to finally meet up with Jenny! After two years of talking about meeting up, I figured the shower was really the last chance before Abby's schedule takes precedence! If you look closely you can see Abigale's picture on her necklace. Abby must be taking a nap, tucked in next to her mama's heart. =)











Jenny was radiant as she mingled with everyone and opened Abby's gifts. Here are two of Jenny's nieces, E. and V., who are both VERY excited about Abby's upcoming arrival!

















Abby's Meema's house in Gloucester was just lovely all decorated for Christmas. That's Abby's Meema Sherry up front and center making sure she captured the shot.








Jenny's sister L. reminded everyone to take their party favor box with them. She's using the kid's boombox microphone!
The party mementos were so creative. That's Abby's referral picture on the fortune cookie! The bracelet is for us all to wear while Jenny, Sherry and Hugh are in China meeting up with Abby. So thoughtful.


















Just look at these cute cakes!

This little sweetie and her mom, J., were so fun to chat with. Little J. was enjoying every last bite of the cake!







I'm not sure who first started the bloggy buddy tradition of exchanging gifts when they finally meet up, but boy, I sure am lucky they did! Even though it was Jenny & Abby's day, Elena & I got gifts! This monogrammed onesie and bib with matching hair clips is sooooooo precious! And the angel ornament with the 'daughter' banner made me tear up. Jenny said she got herself one, too! Thank you, Jenny!
I was so happy to attend your baby shower, Jenny. We are all so thrilled that you will soon have Abby in your arms!




I still have hope that Ellie will be home for Christmas 2008. My mom always had a feeling that she'd be arrive at Christmas time. Just didn't think it would be so many years later! My Mom gets all the grandchildren Christmas ornaments each year and Ellie already has quite a pile of them waiting for her. Hoping to be in China next year, but maybe put them on the tree in 2009? Oh, yeah, guess I have to put up a tree finally, too! Here's hoping to under 34 LID's til Baby Mine Day!

We're finally on...

winter break! Thank goodness!!!


My mom & I spent the day at the mall with my niece and nephew getting S@nta pictures. We totally lucked out and got a cute picture with both of them smiling! Not a bad day out until it was time to leave the mall playpark. I know ya'll feel the same way when you leave the playpark! =) Now it's either a long nap or happy hour for Aunt Shi-Shi. Decisions, decisions...It's good being "the aunt"!


Stay tuned for pictures from Jenny's baby shower for cute lil' Abby! We are finally going to meet up Sunday to celebrate Abby's January arrival!

Don't forget to check out Shannon's blog. She's in China picking up Emily!

It's Time

Ida the Bear and I are going to settle in for some head in the bucket time. Later. =)

Staying Home Today

Guess I partied too hard with my niece and nephew this weekend. =)

Kaitlin's Birthday Bash!

Partying is serious business. Not sure what the sticker on the forehead was for...she and her cousin had matching yellow stickers.
Little brother checking out the scene.



Ziplining was a huge hit.
A huge feast! This gym place was great...these 2 employees did all the work, playing games, helping with presents, serving food and clean-up, too!

Doesn't she look a little close to that flame? K.'s mom & dad pulled together to salvage a possible cake fiasco when the W@lmart didn't have the order and were totally rude about it. Several party stores and grocery stores later...viola! Perfect cake!



"I ALWAYS WANTED THIS!"
The Bithday Girl walks down the red vinyl! She loved it!
Vegging out after all the fun. It can be tiring bonking heads with 3 & 4 year olds while waddling around, picking up ping-pong balls and eating endless cheetos and drippy pieces of cataloupe. =)

Kaitlin's 4th birthday party was a huge success!

The Big OH-FOUR!!

Happy Birthday to my niece, Kaitlin!

And There You Have It

This chart from RQ pretty much says it.

A Night at the Thee-ah-tah

I took my niece to see the local high school production of G*dspell tonight. She did really well and stood up and grooved in place to one or two songs! G*dspell is one of my longstanding favorite scores/soundtracks. I grew up with the movie soundtrack so nothing sounds as good as that "original"! One summer home in San Diego from college I saw the production and finally saw the movie back in 1997 and thought it was...interesting! I had no idea that Vict*r Garb*er was the lead! With an huge afro to boot! Too funny. Anyway, I'm not an overly religious person, but I just love the music from G*dspell. This site has a trailer for the movie and there are three songs in the one below (removed). Not my favorites, but I tend to like the less popular songs. =) Oh, and G*dspell is coming to B'way in 2008, doncha know.

Referrals Trickling In

Not official, but it looks like referrals go through 12/14/05. This is one day above the "horrid" case scenario, BTW. I know I should focus on the positive, but it sure is hard! =)

I truly do mean to congratulate all those families finally matched with their child. You all endured a two year wait plus the paperchase and in a few weeks you'll be forever families!
Now off for some ny*quil or a glass of wine...or both...

Where...

are those referrals? If we're gonna get another measly number, let's get 'em in and work towards the next batch, ya know? I'm thinkin' this cold medicine is making me more aggro (80's word!) than usual... =)

Elfing It Up

Yeah, everyone else has done it, so I elfed myself, my niece & nephew, too!My niece & nephew look so cute and I'm a much better dancer than I though! =)