A Winter Wonderland

We are in Colorado for Christmas this year. Yesterday we woke up to a beautiful winter wonderland. It didn't really snow, but there was ice covering all of the trees.

An Early Christmas Gift

Raleigh and I are enjoying the Christmas season, celebrating with our families. Each year, we alternate spending Christmas with my parents in Nashville and Raleigh's parents in Colorado. This is our year for Colorado, but Raleigh knew that the gift he had bought for me was much too large to take on the plane or to have shipped. So...I got to open it early while we were still in Nashville at my parents' house.

I really had absolutely no idea what could possibly be in the large box, because I really didn't ask for anything.

I was so surprised and excited when I unwrapped the gift. I will let the pictures tell the rest of the story.

A Painting Giveaway from Kendall Boggs

I love the beautiful angel paintings by Kendall Boggs. She is having a giveaway on her blog. Hop on over and check it out!

The Nursery Chair

Since Raleigh and I started the adoption process, I have known that I would love to have a big, comfy chair for the nursery. When I look for nursery ideas, I always look at the gliders and rockers and dream of one day holding our baby in the chair.

Well, the day after Thanksgiving, my mom and I were out shopping and found the perfect chair. It is called the Storybook Glider. I just love it!! My parents were sooo generous to purchase the chair and ottoman for us.

Raleigh and I went back to the store today to pick out the fabric. I went with something pretty simple- 100% cotton fabric in the color oatmeal. Since we don't know if our little treasure will be a boy or girl, I wanted to choose a fabric that would easily fit a room for either gender.

They are ordering the chair Monday. I think I would like to find some type of cool basket to keep beside the chair. I think it would be neat to keep seasonal books in the basket for bedtime reading. And if you are wondering, I don't think it is ever too early to read to your baby. Children learn so much about reading by listening to others read with fluency and expression. Regardless of our baby's age when he or she comes home from Korea, I plan to read to him or her everyday. :)

16...

Just wanted to drop by and say that today marks 16 months of officially waiting for our referral. Each month brings us one month closer to seeing our little treasure's sweet face for the first time!

Thanksgiving Rewind

Raleigh and I had a fabulous week celebrating Thanksgiving. We are so blessed because this year both sets of our families were able to celebrate the holiday together.

Wednesday night we went to a hockey game...the Atlanta Thrashers vs. the Detroit Red Wings. Raleigh's dad (and the rest of the family too) is a huge Red Wings fan, so we all sported our red. Unfortunately, the Red Wings lost the game, but it was a fun way to kick off the holiday weekend.

The Smell of Fall

A perfect Halloween...

~pumpkin bread in the oven

~apple cider on the stove

~soup in the crockpot for dinner

What smells remind you of fall?

15 Months

Since this blog is one way that Raleigh and I document our adoption process, I wanted to note that today marks 15 months of "officially" waiting for our referral. The official waiting started when our home study (paperwork) was approved.

When our paperwork was originally approved (July 30, 2009) our agency was estimating a 12 month wait from approval to referral. At that point, we assumed that we would have our little treasure home by this Christmas. Througout our wait, the timeframe increased to 14 months and now 18 months. We know that these are just estimates and only God knows for sure when we will see our child's face for the first time.

I am so thankful for Raleigh because he is great at reminding me to cherish the time we have together as a couple. Thank you Raleigh for loving me so well!

My Mom's Birthday

The first weekend of October was very special and the memories will last a lifetime! My dad planned a fabulous surprise 50th birthday party for my mom. It was the first time he ever successfully surprised her in 29 years of marriage.

He found a fun venue in Nashville called Events @ 1418. The band Act IV provided the music. (they also played at my wedding reception:) The cupcakes were baked by Ivey Cakes in Franklin. Raleigh's brother Brandon and Brandon's wife Stacey graciously agreed to be both guests and photographers for the event. Go check out more of their amazing work here!

The night was filled with friends and family from far and near, old friends and new. There was laughter and tears of joy.

Prop your feet up and enjoy the pictures brought to you by Gresham Photography!