More Office Party Pics

Look what got forwarded to me today! More pics from the office holiday party!

The Spirit of Chirstmas

...oh yeah, I'm a happy mom tonight!

Crushed ice, EggNog, and Bourbon

Merry Christmas Everybody!


p.s. while I ususally enjoy this drink in a fine, irish crystal tumbler, spongebob is a nice alternative! I wonder if Waterford ever considered a Spongebob pattern?

Has T been fibbing???

...no, T's nose hasn't grown lately. She's just sporting one of the gifts she received at the FCC luncheon.

Thank you, Shari and Myke!

Kaz Babytime

It is with much joy that I am officially adding Kaz Babytime to the "Families on the Move" section, albeit a little late. Here's the link: http://www.kazbabytime.blogspot.com/

My good friend from work Shana and Larry have been doing the adoption process for over 3 years. Started in the China program, switched to the Vietnam Program, and have now found success in the Kazakstan program. They're in Kaz right now for their first trip.

For those unfamiliar, the Kaz program is quite different from china. First of all, you go there, and actually pick one of the babies that you feel a connection with. It also differs in that you must go to Kaz 2 separate times. Shana and Larry are nearing the end of their first trip, so they'll be listed in the "on the move" section for a while.


Good luck and safe travels to them. And a big congradulations on Adam Garrett Belyeau!

He's gorgeous!

MaoNan Reunion

These next two pictures are really special. This little girl with T is Mia. She is from the same orphanage that T comes from, and they were there at the same time. I suspect that Mia is probably 7 - 9 months younger than T. She was an infant in the orphange and was there the day that Dot and our group visited. Its amazing to me to realize that my sister, Laura, and others in our group touched and kissed this little girl, who was on the other side of the world busy surviving. Then as fate would have it, Mia was blessed with two wonderful parents who live in South Florida, and these girls now live hours apart. I tear up everytime I think of it.

No, your eyes aren't deceiving you, Miss Mia is very tall for her age and Miss T is a shrimp.
Lastly, thank you Shannon for taking a picture of me and T together. We have so few of them, that I always treasure each and every one. T is laughing so hard here, because I'm secretly tickling her sides. She LOVES to be tickled.

FCC SoFla Xmas Luncheon

I'm happy to say that we made it to the lunch, and had a blast. It was so great seeing all the little girls having fun together. Each child brought a craft-related gift. They were all put on a table and all the girls got to choose one for themselves.
This picture here is T's number being called. She's thrilled and gave Marc the MC a thumbs up.
First T went for a big red present, but then changed ehr mind at the last minute, and chose the white polka-dot package. She's thrilled with her gift. She got a stamp kit and has been trying to con Leonor into playing with it with her since we've been home.

First Santa Picture

Yes, brace yourselves, it finally happened. T actually sat on Santa's lap. No coersion was needed and there wasn't a tear in sight. Santa was set up on the stage in the St. Rose Auditorium (the old gym). I've ordered up the professional photo from the school, but I snapped these myself while standing in front of the stage. I can't believe what a big girl T is!!

We had a very big day today and we accomplished all that I had said we would. Of course, no way could we have done it without Leonor's help. Bright and early we left for the Santa breakfast. T wanted nothing to do with the food, but had fun chasing after Sophia and Nick. We'll be going back over to their house on Thursday night. Sophia will be caroling with a group in Miami Shores, and T and Nick will remain at home awaiting their arrival.

Anyway, I couldn't be more proud of my little Taylor. You may recall the video from last year, wherein everytime I mentioned Santa, T would respond, "I don't like that man!" Well, as T is beginning to comprehend the meaning of presents and their relation to Santa, she's now more than willing to sit on Santa's lap and pour on that fake charm of hers, which she now employs whenever she wants something.

Smart girl!

My Little Computer Addict

...yes, my daughter is quickly getting hooked on the computer. Grainy photo was taken on the fly, as she wasn't in the best of moods and didn't want her picture taken.

Leonor consented to come to the rescue tomorrow, so we'll be venturing out to the FCC Xmas Lunch, stop by Costco on the way home to pick up a batch of xmas cards, then grocery shop.

Let's hope I can pry T away from the computer.

Sunday Fun

...I've successfully conned Leonor into acting as a nanny today. So, what's on today's schedule? Here we go, mainly for Dot's benefit, as she's still stuck in Manila.

• Marie called last night with extra tickets to the St. Rose Santa Breakfast. We'll strategically show up after church, pretending all the while that we attended the services. I'm an old hand at that, and got much practice doing just that when I went to school there, myself! T is excited to see Santa. We'll see what happens in reality, as she's never gotten closer than 5 feet to any santa.
• After breakfast, we're headed up to the FCC So Fla lunch. Its debatable whether or not we'll get there, as mapquest says its 60 miles away, practically in Palm Beach County. Many roads are closed for some motorcycle event so it will be interesting what the traffic is like. Even if we make it there, our appearance may be limited based upon 2 things: the seating given my trick back and the bigger issue....its such a long drive, that T will probably fall asleep in the car. She does NOT do well being awoken from her sleep. Odds are she'll be cranky and probably throw a tantrum. I suspect we'll drive there, drop off our gift, and turn around and drive home. I nice 2 or 3 hour Sunday drive.
• Stop off at Dot's apt to check the mail and pay her bills
• Stop off at Costco and pick up our xmas cards. This would be the 2nd set we're picking up. I screwed up the first one, and the coloring is all off. T actually looks orange in the picture. Yikes.
• Grocery shopping. I have to take advantage since I have leonor's help today. Its funny, but the one act that is guaranteed to throw my back out...or come really close to doing so...is pushing a cart in a store. That's my current problem, I was pushing one in Target and costco on my day off and am currently paying the price. It's funny, but that action apparently puts pressure on my back at just the right angle, that I'm screwed. Since I haven't been grocery shopping since dot left, I'm running low. The Farm Store (a drive through market in So. Fla) just can't provide for all our needs, although I admit it comes close!

Big Girl Purse

Is this the cutest purse ever or what?...fake fur with a red bow. Fabulous! Of course, I took the opportunity to peek inside, and see what she's carrying around. Poor T is going to hate me when she's a teen, as i firmly believe that the Right to Privacy doesn't apply to my daughter until she's 21. Yes, I suspect that I'll be snooping in her stuff for years to come.

So, what did I discover?
Like any hip toddler, T carries around her cell phone.

In other news, more evidence that T is growing up: T is now officially too tall to sit in my lap and have her head fit under my chin.

Somebody make it stop!!!