Santa Has Got His Work Cut Out For Him!

A couple days ago, I spied Christmas lists that were rolled up in Kate and Jackson's Christmas stockings. I pulled them out and read them and thought, "Uh-oh. Santa is in trouble this year". I will be curious to see how many wishes he can grant using these lists...

Jackson's list:

Dear Santa Claus,

I want a stufanamile.

Play house.

Santa and Elf (he actually told me the other day he wants an elf...now a santa too?)

Wii game.

DSi game.

Tent.

Thank you! (and the bottom of the exclamation is a santa hat...too cute).

Kate's list:

(No heading here...she just goes right into what she wants)

A puppy or a pony

DS game

Wii game

Moon sand

Surprise movie

Webkinz

Laptop

Wishing rock

Diamond maker (P.S. Santa, Mama wants one of those too... lol)

Make-up

Time Machine

Beatles Rockband

Kids Bop sings the Beatles

Detective kit

A password door that's invisible and leads to a magical world

Mall Rats

Here's what $2 can buy you at the mall. Enjoy! lol...

Ears Pierced!

The other morning, Kate said, "Mom, I want my ears pierced tonight, can we go do that?" At first I was shocked since this girl is deathly afraid of needles. I asked her a few times if she was really ready and that it is a big commitment. She assured me that she was ready and that she really wanted them done that night. Josh and I agreed that it would be fine and off we went that evening. It seemed for a few minutes that Kate was really regretting her decision, but shortly after the procedure, she couldn't stop smiling about it. She looks so girly with them in.

BTW, this is an interesting lesson in peer pressure. No one told her to have it done, but she was the last girl in her class to get them. So she obviously felt left out even if no one mentioned it to her. Now she is trying to get her neighbor friend to get them (and talking about how easy it was to do, etc., etc.). I had to remind her to not make her friend feel pressured into doing it AND that not every girl needs her ears pierced to fit in. She promised me that she would not make her feel bad and not talk about it too much. We shall see...

Kate starting to look like she's regretting her decision.

Not so happy about what just happened, but putting on a smile for me anyway.

Happy to have them and happy it's over with!

Off to Chicago

Well, Josh and I are heading down to Chicago in the morning and not a minute too soon. It looks like the area is going to be pounded with a massive snow storm starting tomorrow afternoon/evening. We are really going to miss the kids, but we are also very excited for the days ahead and what might become of it-- a beautiful little life starting his or her journey into the world. These next few weeks are going to seem like forever until we know for certain if the pregnancy test comes back positive or not. I am really optimistic about our outcome. I sure hope I'm right. That would be the most perfect Christmas gift I could give someone. All your prayers and support are so meaningful and appreciated... keep 'em coming!

All I Want For Christmas Is...

MY TWO FRONT TEETH!

Kate has officially lost 6 teeth. If she loses any more, she will have to be put on a liquid diet!

I guess Jackson was caught up in the moment too! lol He's still wondering when he's going to lose his first tooth... my poor kids lose them so late and they feel left out when all of their friends are toothless wonders. I'm predicting February or March for him though... that would have been the same age that Kate was when she lost her first tooth. I'll have to let you know how my prediction turns out.

On a totally different subject, Jackson asked the other day, "Mom. What if a grow up to be a midget?" lol... that kid cracks me up...

And So The Fun Begins....

Halloween Fun!

Halloween is one of my favorite times of the year. It's so much fun deciding what to be and picking out costumes. The kids still wanted us to dress up as a family and we were happy to do so. I figure in a year or two, it will be every man, woman and child for themselves! This year we decided on Scooby-doo... it would've looked really great if it wasn't so cold that jackets were mandatory, but this is Wisconsin and it is what it is. At least our costumes were worthwhile at the two parties we went to... one for the kids and one for the adults (YEAH)!

Kate carving her pumpkin

Shaggy

Velma

The whole Mystery gang

The kids running to get as much candy as they could and perhaps just to keep their core temperature up! LOL

And here's our costumes for the adult party. We had so much fun!

Me... aka "St. Pauly's Girl, Swiss Miss Girl, Gretel, Goldilocks", etc...I heard them all! :-)

Herr Boersma, Hans, Franz, Hansel, Chevy Chase....

Kate's American Idol Slumber Party

On Thursday, Kate and six of her girlfriends had the time of their lives going to the beauty parlor to get glamorous, eating pizza and cake.... AND partying until nearly 11:30 at night!!! It was a good time and despite Josh "accidentally" scheduling a dinner program that night in Green Bay (hence he was not there to help), it went pretty smoothly. It's not something that I plan on doing ever again, but Kate and her friends had a really good time, and I'm glad I was able to accommodate her wishes.

The stage was set for a fun evening:

The girls getting their hair and make-up done:

(Lizzy)

(Julia)

(Kate)

(Brooke)

The girls went to the party room to decorate a t-shirt for the birthday girl and decorate little bags for themselves while the other two girls were finishing up...

(Marina)

(Katie)

Still working hard...

...still working on Katie's hair...

The girls doing their best to stay patient while we waited for Katie. It was hard though, because they had a serious case of "ants in the pants" and they couldn't wait to get back to the house to party like rock-stars!

All the girls glamed up!

In the morning, we made pancakes, eggs and bacon... there was some left over and Mater was grateful for that!

Despite what this might look like, Jack is actually in the bathroom just to wash his "eyeball" (some sticky thing he got in a treat bag from school)--NOT to put on makeup with the girls! Josh had to go and check... just to be sure! BTW, I'm not sure my bathroom will ever be the same again... there must have been an inch of glitter on the floor when they were finished!

Introducing... My New Family!!!

Well, as many of you know, I have decided to be a surrogate again. My last couple felt like their family was complete with the twinkies, so I was matched with not only a new couple, but a new family (and a great one at that!). They have a little boy named Ryan and a little girl named Emma.... they are so precious! We are so anxious to get started on completing this family. If all goes as planned, we should have a transfer during the first part of December. Please say your prayers and cross your fingers that we have first time success! Thank you for everyone's support... it means the world to me!

Me, Kevin and Kim

Kim and I

The whole gang minus Miss Emma... she was being shy which is TOTALLY unlike her! She is a little pistol for sure!

Kevin and Josh

The kids outside the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago.

Kate and her little buddy.

The kids had fun dressing up and pretending to be penguins.

I'm not sure what Jack is doing to this poor penguin...LOL