Christmas is over, Winter is definitely here...what else could that mean??????

Of course a new background!

Also thought I would quickly post a handful of pics from Christmas at our house and and my parent's house.
Here is Becca Boo looking cute with her Christmas outfit on.


Here are a couple of pics of our little family, as well as one of all the cousins.



Becca in her new Cinderella dress up clothes. She loved this, and surprisingly kept the crown on for quite a while. That makes 2 dress up outfits she got!


And myyyy gift that Santa left me. What a surprise...Santa wasn't supposed to bring Momma and Daddy gifts this year!

Thank you, Thank you. Thank you.

On Monday I was texted by a friend at work, and told that I had to come to the office (on my day off of all things!) because there was a surprise for me. Hmmmm.
So Becca and I made it in to visit, and OH MY GOODNESS! My friends at work ROCK!

They surprised me (or actually, the surprise was for my sister and the kids) with an enormous about of presents for Xavier and Shalaya, and a large giftcard for Wendy.

Seriously! I love my coworkers. To throw a little Grainger humor into it...they definitely "WOWed" me! I went straight to Wendy's house to deliver, and took pictures of their family opening the gifts. It was great. Oh my. So much excitement and happiness and joy fills that house everyday, but watching the kids open those unexpected gifts....makes me a little weepy. I took pictures with Wendy's camera. So as soon as she uploads them, I will share.

Tremendous thanks go out to my Grainger friends. You truly are the best friends ever! God continues to provide for everyone, in every way, every day. God blessed me with friends like you, and He will bless you as well.

One Christmas down....

Well, kinda sorta. Today was Christmas at my Grandpa Dale's house, however, the clan from the Des Moines area didn't make it up because of the weather. Can't blame them. I wouldn't want to travel with little ones in blizzard conditions either. The in-towners did make it up to eat and chit-chat. That was good. Patti and Gary brought presents for the little ones. Shalaya and Xavier received art supplies. Becca though...got the best present of all! She got her very first Gymnastics Leotard! Its sooo adorable. I'll post pictures later. She'll be starting "nastics" as she calls it, in January!

Well, tomorrow Becca will be going to spend the day with Grandma and Grandpa as usual, while I finish up shopping for stocking stuffers. I'm looking forward to the time by myself.

Tuesday I think it'll be a girls day for Becca and I. Haircuts, painted toes for the holiday (its a tradition we started last year) and maybe to see my friends at work, and Daddy at the office!

FINALLY! Its here!

I am officially now on Christmas vacation! I won't be going back until January 2nd! Gotta love all the vacation that Grainger gives!

Love this! Just sharing!

Whew.

So yesterday we did end up making it to the Youth Pavillion for the first time. We met Wendy and the kids there, and they enjoyed all there was to see and do. Good time! It was very loud, but fun. I've added pics of Shalaya driving the tractor, and Xavier and Becca doing a painting.



After we got home, we found Tim with full blown stomach flu. I quickly called mom and Dad, packed a bag for Becca and I and we had a last minute slumber party at their house. I didn't want to expose becca to the germs any longer than she had been already. Praying we don't get it! But if we do, I hope its now, rather than on Christmas.
Today, I had already had the day scheduled off, so Mom and Becca and I went shopping. We had hoped to see Santa a 2nd time, but he was busy at home building toys still. Becca was disappointed, but was distracted by the promise to go to Village Inn for lunch! But here is a pic from last week when we went to see Santa. She wasn't comfortable getting down from my arms, but she talked to him just fine.
We'll keep trying, without pushing!

It escapes me....

Ever have one of those busy weeks...that seems like you can't ever catch your breath...but it escapes you at just what exactly kept you so busy? Haha! I'm having one of those moments!
Maybe it was just the waiting early in the week to hear from my sister on what was going on with the possibility of Shalaya coming home to her. Then finding out that an emergency decision was made by the judge and caseworker on Wednesday during the day. Shalaya came home with Wendy that night. Next it was the excitement leading up to meeting Shalaya, at the same time trying to give Wendy, and the kids space to become familiar with one another.
Becca and I did get to meet and play with Shalaya yesterday afternoon before we all went to church. She is a beautiful little girl. Quiet still for the most part. But very sweet. She warmed up to me at church, and by the time we were driving them home, she was getting silly with Becca and Xavier in the back seat. It was great to hear everyone laughing. Made me get a little sappy.
Oh! And Shalaya lost a tooth while we were at church! After church on Saturdays, they provide free Pizza. So we hung out and ate with the kids. Well, Shalaya took one bite of her crust and out it came! I'm sure the toothfairy made a visit to her new house last night ! *wink*
Today Becca and I are going to join Wendy and the kids at the Youth Pavillion. They are having Dollar Day if you bring a can of food! We're soo there!

Overflowing Carts

I've never had so much fun Christmas shopping as I had yesterday!
Wendy and I had lunch and went Christmas shopping. We braved Target and spent at least 2 1/2 of the most wonderful hours ever!
We bought some clothes and toys for my new Foster Niece, as well as coordinating Christmas outfits for all three of our little kids! Figured Cody wouldn't be into matching the munchkins so much! It was a blast! An overflowing shopping cart and 14 target bags later, we decided to make one more trip to Barnes and Noble.

It really was great! I know we both did more than we would normally have done this year, but with a new member of the family, who will basically come with nothing...she needs EVERYTHING. Underware, socks, dress shoes, pajamas, loveys, toys, etc. Sounds like she's been with a couple of foster families, and will be brining very little of her own stuff. What a better time than Christmas!

Wendy and I then stopped to pick up Becca, who joined us for church and then pizza and "paper taping" (present wrapping)- as Becca calls it, at Wendy's house. It was a blast!

Thank you God for blessing our family, and blessing the life of this little girl, who needs a loving place to call home. There's no better place than Wendy's!

Its a Girl!

Sounds like I'm going to be a "FOSTER-Aunt" in a couple of weeks!

My sister will be fostering a little girl. Shalaya is 5, and will be a good fit with Xavier and Wendy. We are all very excited and are giddy with excitement!