Christmas Thank You

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Fish Toast??

So Ana is finally to that age where she's started really speaking. Today we had french toast. She said,"I don't want any fish toast." So, we spent five minutes trying to explain the word french toast--no go. It's still fish toast to her (maybe it's because she has a love affair with fish balls?)

The other day we got her ready to go out for a walk. I selected a pair of shoes, she put them next to her dress, and said, "Mom, (not mommy) is it a match?" Matt just about died laughing. I have a 27 month fashionista--probably shouldn't have played all those matching games!

Merry Christmas!

Adoption Update

Sorry to say we did not pass court again :( China's family did not come. We are still waiting to hear if Behailu's case passed! Our new court date is January 25th!

Thanks for praying! God has a plan even if we don't understand it!

Good Things!

1. We found bean bag filling for about the same price as in the States--can cross that off my list.
2. A Wendy's opened in Singapore--frosty here I come!!
3. I found Christmas fabric at 75% off (I've never seen anything at 75% off--a big sale here is 20%!). So Ana gets to have a Christmas skirt!
4. We have a restful Christmas planned!
5. SKYPE! Ana can see and talk to all the relatives!

Here's a Good Laugh!

I told you it was awful, but funny!

A Nice Surprise!

I was surprised to find some new pictures of the boys this morning. I knew that one family had traveled, but this is the first time we've got pictures back so quickly! They look great!

Photoshop is awesome. Some of the pictures were quite blurry--it really helped!

What We've Been Doing...

We've been mixing up different cookie doughs (and freezing them). Ana is now an expert "creamer". She can mix the butter and sugar really well! In these pictures though she's kneading the pizza dough. Keeps her busy for a good 10 minutes!!

She's also into "building". With so many construction sites--you see builders wherever you go here. So she likes to build "tall ones" like she sees on the way to school.

I've finished the chef's hat and apron--will post some pictures soon!

We had a nice relaxing weekend with a lot of good Chinese food. I'm stocking up now that I know I'm coming to the States! Not much authentic Chinese food there!

"My Mom Made It"

The advent calendar has been really great. She loves choosing a nativity figurine out of the pockets each day (later on I have put in some small toys). It gives me another chance to talk about the Christmas story!

I've been experimenting with a lot of bows, flowers, etc. for Ana's hair bows!

This is a felt tree that she can decorate--so she's not tempted to touch the real trees. But it can also be used for directional words: "Put the white ball under the star... etc."

Another fun activity we've been playing with A LOT is a memory game. I collected the lids from our lime juice, stuck stickers on the inside, flipped them over, and played. It was quick, but she sometimes plays it 5 or 6 times in a row. You can always add more pairs or change out the stickers!

Ana goes around and tells people that I made everything (not true), but I have been making her some things with which to wear and play :) One of my Christmas gifts to her will be a chef's hat and matching apron. I've got it cut out, but just need to get my sewing machine back out! She loves to "pretend." On the train last night she was typing us up tickets. I told her to type me up a ticket to America. Then I said she better make one for her. She very clearly replied, "I don't want to fly. I want to stay here and ride the train!"

A Perfectly Horrible Sound

So, Ana asked to play her violin yesterday. It's really still to big, but we didn't have anything else we needed to do--So I got it out and tuned it up. She "played" for a half an hour. At first it was like nails on a chalkboard, but she did get better!! Doesn't she look old in these pictures??

This is "Sweet Dreams" week at I Heart Faces. I thought this fit the bill! Pop over to see all the rest of the entries!

Good News

Our caseworker informed us this morning that BOTH mothers did show up for the court date. God answered your prayers!! They are now checking whether or not they have to come again for the next court date.
Thank you for praying. This is really encouraging to us! It means there is a possibility we could pass on this next try!