Happy Thanksgiving

I can't even believe what a year we've had. We spent Thanksgiving with my sister in Ohio, and it's the same place I was last year. Now, I have a confession of sorts - I hope I don't hurt anyone's feelings by coming clean....but last November we were in a really dark place. We had expected our referral in October and that didn't happen - when it still hadn't arrived in November I was pretty depressed. Our agency representative felt bad and when she delivered the news that it would be another 6 weeks until the referral, I thought I was going to lose it. Andrea, our WACAP angel, reached into her heart and gave us the most precious gift last Thanksgiving...our first picture of Jesse. We didn't tell anyone - and even lied about it when we finally did share his picture, but it was too precious and we didn't want Andrea to get in trouble. I was sitting there at my sister's house remembering a year ago, how I sat at her computer and for the first time saw my son. It was a gorgeous Thanksgiving weekend, perfect weather, and this perfect little present emailed to us from across the country. I thought about that as I watched Jesse run around in circles chasing the dog, watch him gobble up his first Thanksgiving dinner (which he loved), and as we sat and had our first family-of-4 holiday picture taken (to be seen later on our holiday cards).....what a year we've had. I have so much to be thankful for - sometimes I can't believe I'm really this lucky.

We are now gearing up for a few really big events. 1) Hanukkah starts on Tuesday night. Another first for Jesse. I know he's going to love the candles and the presents - and the potato latkes :) 2) Jesse's adoption is right on track for mid-December finalization. Our social worker was here for her last home visit and it was bittersweet. It's hard to believe we are so close to being "official" and 3) Christmas Eve with my in-laws. It's a fun festive evening with presents, a huge dinner and lots of laughing. Even though we don't really celebrate Christmas it is a family tradition to go and spend time together. Jesse will love seeing the big Christmas tree and all the lights.

I'm glad things are picking up and busy-ness is setting in. I've been feeling very overwhelmed emotionally lately. A lot of little things piling up in my head and it's been hard to shake. I have a plan in my head but it's been hard to execute everything I'd like to do...plus there are just things that can't be controlled. Sorry, I don't mean to be mysterious - I'm just not comfortable writing about specifics on the blog. But the holiday season makes me happy - I love the shopping, the wrapping, the "baking" (I don't really bake but I manage to put together a decent gift plate for friends), the decorations, and all the stuff that most people find stressful. So, hopefully for the next month or so I can work my way out of a funk and remember all the wonderful things I have in my life to enjoy and smile about.

Long time

I know it's been awhile since I've posted. We went on vacation right after Halloween and it's taken me a week to recover! We took an amazing road trip...but first Halloween. Here's a picture of me in my awesome costume with my Knight in Shining Armor.


We had 2 fun filled days of parties at the YMCA, plus actually trick-or-treating with our friends. Jesse caught on super fast and was not shy about wanting the candy. Ian was a super trick-or-treater running from house to house and never loosing steam. We had to drag him back to our friends' house for dinner, or else he'd have been out all night. He had a great time, and I don't think it was even all about the candy. Just the act and excitement of each new house, all decorated and all the surprises the lurked behind each door.

Then we headed out on the road for a giant trip - hey man, go big or go home, right? So we drove through the night to Pittsburgh and stopped over for good friends and good food. I only lived there a year but I made this amazing friend, Tara, and she opened her house to us and helped us eat our way around town. It may sound weird, but really Pittsburgh has some of the move amazing local restaurants. Imagine a giant sandwich with your choice of meat (we like the tuna salad or roast beef), a slice of cheese, vinegar cold slaw, tomatoes (if you like) and super yummy french fries, all together on thick cut italian bread!!!! I know, I know - but you've got to taste it! There is an amazing tex-mex place, Mad Mex, that was a late night spot when Sam was in college, he was hooked for 4 years and it took me like 2 visits to start craving it). And, although I'm proud to be from the Chicagoland area, there is a local Pizza place in Pittsburgh that is the most delicious pizza I've ever had. Our next trip to the 'burgh will include more than just food :) Oh, and you can't forget the Smiley Cookies! I can't wait to go back!

Okay - so I spend a lot of time talking about food we ate in the first 24 hours of our trip...but we had a great adventure heading into Baltimore, MD to visit family. Aunt Sheilah (pictured with us and my niece, Faren, at the Harbor Place) Aunt Frona, Grandma Elaine, Aunt Min, and Jack all met Jesse for the first time and saw Ian again for the first time in 2 years. We went to the Utz Potato Chip factory tour (super yummy chips you can only get out East), Hershey, PA (where I once again ate the best chocolate cake in the world from this little local diner), and Washington DC - to Air and Space Museum and the National Zoo. We spent time with my sister, Donna and her family - the first real time she's spent with Jesse. And returned home, exhausted but really happy. Ian has also started a new collection - squished pennies, so now we hunt for those machines where ever we go :) Okay - enough babble now for some pictures.