SHE IS HERE!!! SHE IS HERE!!!

She surprised us today, and just showed up for the weekend!!!

And I want to cry with joy!!

And I have to stop myself from staring and start believing that SHE IS REALLY HERE!!!!



And John couldn't let her go.

Support group

Hi, my name is madeleine, and I *used to be* a Phillies fan.



Lol.

I feel like it was some horrible thing I had committed way back when, when I was young; being a Phillies fan. I remember the World Series back in '93 and how I cried when Mitch Williams pitched with 2 outs, 2 strikes, bottom of the 9th and they had it in the bag. And the Blue Jays hit a home run.

I cried.

I married a Mets fan, and then proceeded to give birth to Mets fans. Yes, my family is one big mass of die hard Mets fanatics. All of them. And I have no doubt, when Elly steps off the plane and hits US soil, she will be wearing Mets something, to show her true colors, whether she likes it or not.

Football is my passion, but I like baseball. I enjoy a good game. Usually with teams I like. First being the Mets,second the Red Sox.

( and don't tell my family, but I will still cheer for the Phillies)

(secretly)

Unless they are playing the Mets or Red Sox.

Fair enough, right???

Last night's game...

***AWESOME***

The DEATH pose

Warning: weird post.

Gettysburg was stunning. The scenery reminds me why I keep going back, even when I don't feel like it at the time.

I have loads of pictures of how beautiful it is. But when I downloaded them, I noticed a constant theme.

My son wanted to get the perfect dead pose.

WHO DOES THAT? At the time, I just took the picture when he told me to as I was talking to my friend. You know...mindless aim & shot.

Then I saw them. lol.

You be the judge.

Will he need therapy???

(click to enlarge)



























This was the " YIKES, I'm going to die" pose.

Off again

We are off again tomorrow.

Where you ask??

Here is a hint.

This was last year. Joe & Samuel on top of Devil's Den.



Which of course is in Gettysburg.



We have been to Gettysburg too many times. I think I will give it a rest for a few years. Even if I DO have a Civil War nut on my hands...


Maybe it is time to go to other Civil War places.


In the South? Where are they??


Maybe he will just have to read on it some more, instead.


Anyway...


.., I'll catch you on the flip side!

ARB

Today came the post card reminding me to get my tickets to the Nutcracker.

Chloe has been dancing since she was 4. She had wanted to start earlier, but the school did not accept children earlier then 4. To tell you the truth, she has been dancing before she knew what dancing was!

There was a photographer at a Christmas party, and when he heard she danced ballet, he asked, right there and then, for a quick photo shot.



When she graduated high school, she was ready to teach. The school only trains you in classical ballet, and when you have dance for so long with them, you are ready for anything.


When she started college, since she was a dance major she had to learn other types of dancing. We kind of felt bad that she hadn't trained in anything else, except for irish dancing, but there was no time! She was already dancing 15+ hours a week; she quickly learned.


There was this modern dance they performed that was quite *interestsing*. I don't rightly remember the name of the dance, but I lovingly call it Deranged Farmwives. lol. You had to see it to appreciate the title.



Anyway, back to the Nutcracker.

I don't think we will be going this year. I had the privilege of sitting through about a million rehearsals as well as shows for the past many years.

I don't think I can go through that one more time.

Unless our new peanut decides she wants to dance ballet, too.

Then we will make the trek, once again.

our Home

We have a small home. In fact, when we got the specs on it from the realtor, it was listed as a cottage. It is unusual and John loves it.

And it was time that the room get ready for our little girl to come home.

My sister came out this weekend and painted Elly's room. ( Have I ever mentioned I hate to paint?)

She should have her own tv home improvement show.

She is a nut that way.



I wanted a cheerful room. I think it works!

We are almost done with it!! Just finishing up the curtains & waiting for the paint to dry on the dresser.

And we should probably buy some girl toys. lol. All I have is a Lilly stuffed monkey we picked up this summer.

I will post a new picture when it is completely done.

Now we only need to get her here!

FALL WREATH GIVE AWAY!!!

I am the world's biggest sucker for wreaths.

Really.

I think one on the front door complete a house and make it a home.

And Kathy is giving away a Fall wreath, with a little help from you.

So run over to her blog and check it out!!


Because it sure is pretty! And how much do I love the butterfly?

LOTS.

FALL in!!

I love this season.

It is cold but not horrible, beautiful, and cozy. Going for walks just about anywhere is just a gift to the eyes. Sheesh, even driving to do an errand makes you want to gasp.



And except for Christmas, you can find the loveliest crafts at craft fairs to make your home celebrate this season.


I have 2 big boxes full of fall decorations. They start on the porch and make their way into the living room & dining room.


On another note...

We, and when I say we I mean Samuel & I, not John, are always hoping for that move to Texas. We went to Home Depot last weekend (a fluke warm day of 60 degrees) and Samuel found these!!! He HAD to try them on, so John helped him. They weighed a ton and John wouldn't buy me one. He said it clashed with our cottage home. Bummer.

Another Another 24!

Yes! Another 24!

We have prayed for this young man for YEARS. I mean years and years and years.

Then one day we met him.

(the only picture I could find of the 2 of us)




And then he married our daughter.

Oh, how we love him.

And... he is but 2 days younger then our own dear son!! That means his mother and I were pregnant together. Had them swollen ankles, that funny waddle, excitement, fear, hope and joy at the very same time!!!

Also means we went through the teen years with them at the self same time! LOL!

Who new?

Happy Birthday Josiah.

May God bless you as HE has blessed us with you!

Praying for many more birthdays in HIM.

BAD News / GREAT news

Yesterday, I got a call from Kate, and she was sooo mad. USCIS aka Homeland security *lost* our paperwork



I know!! Right??

They up & changed PO boxes the week I sent our stuff in and according to the post office, it was delivered. They have it *somewhere*. I started to cry. This means it will be about another month before we go to China. ANOTHER MONTH SHE IS NOT HERE. Everytime I start to think about it I want to cry. Again.

We are so ready. This is over 2 years of paperwork/waiting/filing/running around like a maniac to make it happen. And it wasn't China that is causing the trouble. It is US!

So, now MAYBE we will go in December.

Whatever.

Yes I am slightly bitter.

Okay, so after hours of pacing and trying to get over the frustration, my sister called.

Elizzi (our niece) got into HARVARD!!!!

****YAY*****

(click to view bigger; she is the one of the right)


The Harvard crew team courted her and last night they told her she is in!!!! She has always wanted to go there. That was her hope. And to know now, instead of next spring like the rest of America's high school senior.

She is a smarty pants.

It was bound to happen.

Her grade point average is 5.2 and she did Algebra 2 in like 8th grade.


Smarty pants I tell you.


So as upsetting as finding out our daughter has to be in an orphanage for another month** excessive sigh** I can't help but be so very happy, too.

Another 24

Our oldest is 24 as of 8:30 this morning.

We have enjoyed this boy so much, even as I think back to the hard years, I can honestly say...he was worth every moment, every tear, every heartache, every joy.

And today he is 24.

He is such a great boy... Young man.

I pray he seek HIM with all his heart mind and soul. So no matter what his circumstances are, no matter what brick walls he hits, no matter what hurdles he encounters, as well as whatever joy he has, what ever blessing he receives, I pray he knows HE is right by his side. May his faith be that strong.

And here he is...enjoying life as best he knows how. By making us laugh. He is not one to care who is around him, who can mock him. Life is too short. Live a little, live alot!




Happy Birthday my son. May you be blessed with so many more in HIM.

Psalm 90:12 Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

My mom

So, when I asked my mom way back if she wanted to go with us to China...I hadn't even finished my sentence when she jumped out her skin and said a resounding YES!


(Note the necklace with all her granchidren)


My mom is the kind of grandmother that is there. She is the most reliable person I know. Her grandchildren ( as well as her children) mean the world to her. And they know it. Yes, she is your typical Italian/Jewish grandmother, without being being either Italian OR Jewish, but thats what we love about her.

When my sister used to live in CA, she would take weekend trips out there to watch her 4 year old granddaughter's ballet recital. After all, how could she miss that? Or another CA weekend trip to watch her grandson's Christmas show at church, in which he didn't sing a word, just stood there staring out the whole time.

But she wouldn't have missed that for the world.

So back to China. She is leaving for El Salvador this Saturday. ( My cousin is graduating college) She has to run to the Chinese Consulate tomorrow, for they are closed most of the week, and get her Chinese visa and get her passport back in 2 days! She can't do it when she comes back, because chances are, she will be home from 1 - 4 days before she turns around and goes to China.

But does that make her crazy? No. She is already crazy.

In a good way. :)

That is just a challenge she will meet head on, and make it happen.

After all she is going to meet her newest granddaughter. Her namesake!