Minimalistic

It's amazing how fast time can go while doing very little.  Our days have been spent waking up late, watching football and doing lots of eating.  Eventually, we muster the energy to take the pups out for a long walk.  Mattie loves the outdoors and darts from one side of the road to another.  It's been super nice not to worry about a thing and slowing down our pace.  I think that is why I love this place so much:  my family and the fact that it forces us to slow down. 

Last night, my Aunt Leta came over for a nice chicken dinner.  A little later really good family friends, Chris and Vince, stopped by to say hello.  Once again we ended up in the kitchen and talked to ten.  It is a little quieter here today, my brother left for home.  We drove down to Columbus this morning to bid him farewell.  Tomorrow, we head home early.   

Until then, I'm hoping to get one more Pisannello's Pizza....our third outing!     

Wordless Wednesday: Pizza Joy

Wordless Wednesday: Pizza

Wordless Wednesday: Santa Puzzle

The Holiday Season

Time flies when you are having fun.  We have had a great start to the holiday season.  We celebrated Christmas with Mike's family a little early and then headed to my parents.  Christmas Eve was spent with my extended family at my Aunt Margie's.  It was cute to see how excited the kids were for Santa to come.  On Christmas, my Uncle Dick, Uncle Larry and Aunt Leta came over.  The day was spent with laughter re-telling old stories and was gone in a blink of a moment.

We spent the last few days putting a puzzle together--insanely hard with a mirage of different Santas (picture coming soon).  Tonight, we are headed to our favorite pizza shop with lots of friends and family.  We almost fill the joint all by ourselves.

I miss this magical world, but know that Philly awaits us.  Thankfully, we managed to miss the blizzard that hit home a few days ago.  It sounds like we got over 8 inches of snow.  Hopefully, it will all be gone when we get home.

Wordless Wednesday: Betty

Yes, Virginia There is a Santa Claus

Back when we first started this process, Mike and I made the decision to wait to tell people about our plans to adopt.  We wanted to make sure that the dream could become a reality.  As time has gone on, it has been harder and harder to keep this secret.  I will say that Mike held out much longer than me.

I immediately told my brother, the one person that I can count on to give great advice.  He was so supportive and continues to be my rock.  His only thought is that with a child we would live a full-filled life.  Honestly, I think he was already scheming on how to make this kid a future SC homer!  I then told my mom during my birthday weekend with the promise not to tell others.  To say that she was happy would be an understatement (she started to cry with joy).  I plan to tell the rest of my family at Christmas.

Last night, we broke the news to Mike's family.  During Mike hemming and hawing his way to telling them, you could literally see the wheels in motion to his mom figuring it out.  His dad was even funnier:  "are you getting another dog".    It was really neat to watch their shock and unbridled excitement.  His mom's parting words--this will take a few days to sink in.   It looks like his grandmom will be next in line to learn the news.  The rest will learn when we get the referral.