This what December in Texas looks like.

Yes, this is what we were doing the last days of December in Texas!

Washing cars

in our short sleeves

bubbles everywhere

clothes soaked

hands in bucket

Sonic slushes in hand!
(Braedan's cousins are enjoying this weather, as last year,
they were up to their waist in snow!)

Even the dogs enjoyed the beautiful weather

and Lizzie the bunny too!

But it is still Texas, so of course, we found this snake (thankfully already dead) right next to where we had just been sitting.

And what would a 'warm winter's night' be without a little s'mores?

We roasted up some marshmallows in the new fire pit

well, technically, this one's on fire!

But they sure were delicious!

Ending our 2010 with some family time in our short sleeves, car washing, s'more making way! Happy New Year!

Insert Cricket Chirp {Here}.

Has it really already been 9 days since my last post?!?!?

Where in the world have the days gone?!

I just realized tomorrow is already New Year's Eve!

How can that be?!

Our Christmas was great, had so much fun with all 17 of my immediate family members under one roof!

We got a new computer, which is AWESOME! But, none of my software is installed yet, which means I can't upload or edit any pictures...working on that!

Took my first photo class yesterday, which was great!
Learned A LOT about my SLR and hopeful that my pictures will start turning out even better!

And I just have to give a shout out to this amazing artist who drew this fantastically adorable picture! I ordered this print before Christmas and it arrived the other day with an extra print, which I'll share as soon as my printer is hooked up to my new computer!



She is also a Korean adoptee and you can find her store
and read more about her HERE. I so wish I could afford her fabulous personalized portraits she also does! Maybe one day! If I could, I would order one of everything in her store and cover the wall in my office! Just sayin'. :0)

As the New Year approaches, 2011 will bring many changes to our family which we will share as each event happens!

(Trust me, I wish I could share every single one, but not yet!)

But they will be big and hopefully bring our family great luck!

Wishing all a Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas! 매리 크리스마스

And the winners are...

Comment #5

Jenny said...
Oh! Fun! Avery's fav hands down right now is her Disney Princess CD Storybook. Close seconds are anything princess. It's not like we ever go to Disney or anything lol ;)

December 16, 2010 1:56 PM

Comment #3

Craig D said...
My daughter is only 21 months old, but she LOVES books! I have caught her in her play room surrounded by toys looking longingly at the bookshelf above her reach seeking out the book she would "read" if she could get her hands on it. With that said, there is no favorite in our house, but "I Don't Have Your Eyes" and "Mr. Brown Can Moo" are two big ones. She also loves David and Goliath... well, Goliath.

By the way, you're more than welcome to follow my blog too. Email me and I'll send you an invite. We also have a daughter adopted from Korea.

December 16, 2010 10:07 AM

(And Craig D, I'd love to have an invite to your blog too!)

Chosen by random.org!!

Will you both email me at jeonjugarden@gmail.com to claim your prize?!?!? Thanks!!

I must say our favorite books right now are Bee Bim Bop, Big and Little, and of course, anything Dr. Seuss!

Thanks for sharing yours!

We read our copy of 'I Love You Like Crazy Cakes' and it is very sweet!

Happy Referral Day!

Today is our second anniversary of the day we received our referral!

Hard to believe that much time has passed!

And oh what a surprise that phone call was!

We had been waiting several weeks to go to committee on a photolisted child, where, on December 18, were told the other family had been chosen.

All three of us were down with a wicked case of the stomach flu
and it was a rough day!

But the very next afternoon,
we received a phone call that would change our lives.

The social worker at Holt told us that a new referral had come in just that morning and they thought our family would be a good match!

A good match it was indeed!

We definitely had a wonderful Christmas that year!

Happy 2nd Referral Day Seon-Mi!


And I have LOVED reading the comments on the giveaway post below about your favorite children's books! Keep them coming! Winner will be announced tomorrow, 'cause I'm giving a little extra time to enter!

A Giveaway! *ended*

TWO lucky winners will receive this
'Adoption Rocks' tote (13.5" W x 13.5" H x 4" D)
great for library outings,
which is what we plan to use ours for,
amongst other things...

AND their very own copy of
'I Love You Like Crazy Cakes' by Rose Lewis!

We've not yet read this book,
but it comes highly recommended
and will be under the tree for our kids this year!

And as an added bonus...
• Holt receives 5%-15% of the total of your purchases on all merchandise on Amazon.com
• If shoppers enter Amazon.com through Holt's website ALL purchases from Amazon.com will benefit Holt…

which is where I purchased the books!

So...

how do you enter to win?

Easy peasy.

FIRST, make sure you're a 'FOLLOWER' on our blog by clicking the 'FOLLOW' button in the side bar to the right of this post.

Why? 'Cause I like to know who's following our blog and to follow you and yours! Some of my most important relationships in the adoption world have been formed right here online through this blog and message boards. I value those friendships, whether we've met in real life or not! And, you don't have to be adopted or an adoptive parent to follow our blog or be my friend, I love meeting people in general! With all the views our blog receives around the world, I am so interested to see who you are!

So there, that's why you need to follow!


SECOND, leave a comment on this post with YOUR favorite children's book! Does not have to be adoption related! Just a favorite in your family!

Two lucky winners will be randomly selected on or around Sunday, December 19 and will be announced shortly after, so check back!

{Where's Waldo Braedan}

And how scary are all those demon eyed kids?!?!?! Clearly didn't edit this pic from his school Christmas program this evening!