Archives for November 2009

to our house they came! Thanksgiving dinner was served to 16–13 of whom spent the night at our house…a house, mind you, that only has 1 1/4 bathrooms (we only count the powder room as a 1/4 bath rather than a 1/2 bath. It literally is only 2 ft x 4 ft. but complete with a sink and toilet). It was a fool–I actually typed that and meant to type “full”…ironic, perhaps…so, it was a full house indeed. I’m actually quite amazed that we didn’t have more mishaps or broken things…just a forgotten pumpkin pie (had to run to Wegman’s to get one an hour before dinner because Mom left her wonderful homemade one in the frig at home…sad), a broken toilet, and some other toileting issues…oh my. It was a lot of fun—we were particularly excited to learn that my sister’s homemade cheese rolls weren’t her only bun in the oven! Erin is having her third baby in June–Bohdan will be a little over 4 and Audrey will be just 2 when Hamson baby #3 arrives. This summer will be a fun one assuming that we have 2 new babies in the family then (come on, Lydia!).

1. Visit a fancy spa for manicures. Let her pick any color she wants even if it’s sparkly fire engine red and called “Don’t toy with me.”



2. Head to a fancy grocery store and pick out a fun dessert (chocolate lava cake) and her favorite ice cream (mint chocolate chip).
3. Go out to a restaurant for dinner (Baxter’s), let her take pictures with her own camera there to remember the event even if it’s embarrassing, and let her order whatever she wants (chicken and fries…as usual).



4. Walk to the local bead store, admire all the sparkly gems, let her pick out a few (about 10) and pay too much for them ($5 for tiny beads…okay, they are real crystals…is that really any different than sparkly glass?)
5. Go home and make sparkly charms and put them on a silver necklace. (Okay, I take back what I wrote about the beads. They look pretty darn cool on that necklace. I have already asked to borrow it.)



6. Put her in a jacuzzi bath with loads of bubbles.
7. Put on matching pajamas.
8. Get into bed with our dessert, turn out the lights, and watch the Tinkerbell movie. (I was not excited about this movie and thought I’d zone out for it. But, it actually has a decent message and I found myself totally identifying with Tinkerbell with her major character flaw of unrelenting standards. Scary.)
9. Read a little bit — a combo of Little Critter and a commentary on Genesis for my Bible study.
10. Turn out the lights and go to sleep at 9pm.
11. Wake up together at 7:30 and enjoy a relaxing morning which includes watching some of the movie again.
12. Dress in matching outfits for church and head to the muffin store. Let her order the biggest, most unhealthy muffin there is (double chocolate—who am I kidding? Was my pumpkin cheese any better?)



13. Go to church and worship together.
14. Head home, play some computer games together, finish watching the movie for the second time, eat dinner leftovers for lunch, and joyfully welcome your boys home from camping.

If I appear 10 lbs heavier next time you see me, this will be why. I may officially be addicted to caramel hot apple cider. It’s pretty much the best fall treat ever. Between that and the Halloween chocolate candy I keep snitching still, I’m pretty much doomed. Working out at the Y twice a week is just not going to cut it.

At Mark’s suggestion, we got out of the house today and headed to Valley Forge Park. The day is beautiful, the leaves are beautiful, such a pleasant day to be outside and enjoy fall. It was good to take a deep breath of God’s creation. He has been speaking to me in very tangible ways lately–for which I am so grateful. We’ve had a rough time these last few weeks with the adoption process. Still praying to know who our little girl is before Christmas and travel this spring. The wait and the review of files has become increasingly difficult. I was not prepared for how hard it would be.