Tag.......I'm it!!

About a month ago my dear friend Kelley tagged me for a meme on her blog. Today, another dear friend Erin graciously pointed out on her blog that I had never completed the tag challenge so to appease her I will do it now....

The first part of the challenge was to list 8 facts/habits about myself. This was the hardest thing for me because I think I already reveal so much about myself on this blog. I am going to try to come up with 8 things I haven't already revealed, so here goes:

1. I always sleep with a teddy bear and a box fan. I have done this for as long as I can remember. In the event of an emergency and I do not have my bear I will shove a pillow under my arm. I cannot sleep soundly without a box fan going. I even have a small travel fan that I put in the suitcase when we travel. Yes, both items will be going to China!

2. I am an adrenaline junkie. I love roller-coasters, thrill rides and all that kind of stuff. I have done the "sky coaster" (a safer type of bungee jump) 3 times and I loved it everytime.

3. I am not a big crier. I hold alot of my emotions in. In the rare occasions that I do cry it is very ugly: huge sobs, tears almost convulsion-looking.

4. I cannot stand to wear pantyhose, therefore every dress or skirt I purchase has to come half-way between my ankle and knee so that my knee highs don't show.

5. One of my greatest fears it to be blind. I don't know why, it is just always something that has always bothered me.

6. I love to listen to music and sing along. It is not unusual if I am in the car alone to be singing at the top of my lungs. My music genre is large, at any given time I will have country, christian, pop, and heavy metal all loaded in my cd player.

7. I love to take pictures. I rarely go to any social event without my camera and I always take a ton. I do have to admit that digital has really saved me money on film developing.

8. I am very close to my family. They mean the world to me and I can't fathom living away from them or not speaking frequently to them.

The next challenge was to list 4 things that you have experienced in the last 4 years and 4 things you hope to experience in the next 4. I will start with the past

In the last 4 years:

1. I lost my best friend. It was very hard for me to make myself vulnerable again after that but I have and in return I have gained 4 of the very best friends a girl could have!!!

2. Paul and I decided to adopt a child from China. We "thought" we had come to conclusion that we would never be parents but God opened up a door for us.

3. I have come to love a dog more than I ever thought possible. I never really understood how people became so attached to their pets, but now I know.

4. I have learned that I am resilient. When I fall (literally and figuratively) I can pick myself up, dust myself off, and start over and you know what?? It's not that hard!!

4 things I hope to experience in the next 4.

1. Go and get my daughter and finally become a mother.

2. Become debt free (Paul and I are really working on this and are making good headway).

3. Experience a Disneyworld land and sea vacation my posse and our daughters!!

4. Hopefully start the process for child #2, who knows when or from where, we are leaving our options open.

There you go. I completed my challenge. If you have not done this and would like to leave me a comment so I will know to come look at your answers.

Hope everyone is having a great day!!

Another successful Party.....

Paul and I hosted our annual "Around the 4th" swim party, cook out, and firework show yesterday. This about the 10th year we have done this and it just keeps getting bigger and bigger. We always schedule it with slightly before or after the actual holiday so that is does not interfere with our guests other plans. This year we had an awesome turnout! We had over 40 people attend and I would venture to say that a great time was had by all. My parents are always so generous in opening up their home and their pool so that we can have this party. Thanks mom and dad!!

Weather is Texas this summer has been sporadic to say the least. We have had an unusually large amount of rain in the last month and were forcasted to have a 30% chance yesterday. The "man upstairs" was definitely looking out for us because we could not have asked for better weather. Not a rain drop fell and the temperature was not too terribly hot but definitely great swimming weather.

Of course we thought this would be Avery's debut at the party but that was not to be. Next year baby girl!!!!!!!

Hope everyone enjoys the slide show!!!

Stop the Madness!!!!!

Okay I think it is almost time for a 12 step program. How many clothes can one baby possibly need?

I mentioned earlier than while we were on vacation in San Antonio we went to a large outlet mall and picked up a few things for Avery:

Here it the loot from that particular shopping trip:
3 shirts, a pair of biker shorts, an adorable bikini, and a onesie that simply says "Little Princess"

This past Friday afternoon a friend of mine called and said that a local department store was having a MAJOR sale. Everything that was on clearance was an additional 50% off plus she told me where to get a coupon for an additional 15% off my entire purchase. Being the bargain shopper that I am I could not resist checking it out!!!!

I picked up a couple of things for Paul and I and of course I had to check out the children's department.

So here is the result of that little expedition:
Not too bad, huh????

But the "bargain of the day" was this outfit:
I scored this entire outfit for a whopping $2.54!!!!!!!!! Can't beat that!!

I try to justify it to Paul by pleading that I never pay full price and have really purchased a variety of size. I don't quite think he is buying it.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!!

On a totally unrelated note: whatever happened to Susan Powter anyway???

It's official.....

The CCAA website was updated today and referrals are arriving. They got through 7 days this month. Not great but hey, its better than 2 or 5 or 6!! We are now a mere 36 days away. If they keep up this pace we should be seeing our sweet baby's face in Dec, of course we would love for it to be before then!!!!

Congrats to all those receiving referrals and bring on the pictures!!

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!!!!

The referral "rumor train" is picking up speed, will post something as soon as it's official. Needless to say we will be celebrating another holiday without our daughter but SURELY she will be here next 4th of July and what a celebration that will be!!