Happy Holidays!

We just wanted to wish you all a very Happy holiday season.  I love this time of year, the lights, the music, the smells, the shopping, the family parties, the giving, the service, Holly (our elf on the shelf), the snow-when we get it, and most of all the spirit that we get to feel when we remember the true reason of Christmas.  It truly is a wonderful and magical time of year.
Oh yeah and we are still partially patiently waiting for a very special gift.  Hopefully this will be the last year that Mady gets WAY too many presents, because she will have someone to share them with!  She will be THE BEST SISTER ever.  I know she tells me every day :)

Thankful...

On good ol' Facebook everybody posts everyday something they are thankful for, but me.  I like it but it seems like all of the answers are the same, don't be offended. But I do love this time of year.  I love that Halloween is over ( least favorite holiday). I love the change in the weather and the leaves.  I love all of the family parties and get togethers.  I love ALL of Christmas time and decorating for it.  And I love Thanksgiving. I have ALOT to be thankful for.  So here is my list:

Our family

MADY

Our home and the things in it

Our friends

The fact that Pat has a job and he loves what he does and that he can NEVER be fired

Our health

Those who sacrifice to keep us safe

Skype

Our community and country

The fact that we can give gifts to those in need during the holiday season

Our trials

Our church and the leaders

Doctors and medicine that are continuing to try and help us grow our family

Mady's birth mother...

And her mother

 Cell phones so that I can talk to my sister all day, everyday

That Mady LOVES LOVES LOVES all of her Papa's and Grandma's

That we got the opportunity to take Mady along with the extended family to Disneyland.

On the days that I have myself a little pity party wondering why me I need to remember all of these things that I have I realize that I have a WONDERFUL life.  I just hope that we can all enjoy the up coming holiday season and be safe and healthy with our loved ones.  We are still waiting for a special connection with somebody and pray that you will all come into our lives soon.