Yankee Christmas Center AWESOME!

Wow, Megan and Adam took us to the Yankee Candle Christmas Village, it was awesome! If you ever head up to South Deerfield, Massachussetts it is worth the visit. It is so big, and lots of cool things. Mom and Heather - you would love it. We ate at a great restaurant and the kids were actually pretty good, which is a good thing. Tomorrow Megan and I are headed back so I can do some Christmas shopping, it is a little hard to do with hundreds of people around and pushing a stroller. We are having a great time. It is great visiting them. It is nice Chad gets to spend some time with his brother since we have lived away so long. Megan is also wonderful and a great hostess!

Thanksgiving at "The Other Zeiglers"

We are having a great time up here in Massachusetts with Adam and Megan. They had a great meal prepared for Thanksgiving. Here are some clips of it. Today we are going to a huge Yankee Candle store and maybe a butterfly habitat. The kids are doing well... Aidne is like jabber jaws and Taylor just loves getting him going.

I love it up here though, very quaint. The scenery is great. Hopefully we can get together more often. Okay I am off right now, hope you all had a great Thanksgiving. We got up at 4:30 for some great deals today!

Thankful for all I have...

What is Thanksgiving to you? This year I just want to let people know what I am thankful for.

First and foremost, I am thankful that I have a God that is there for me in good times and bad, who has given me hope for the future and to know I have eternal life with him in Heaven.

Secondly, I am thankful for a wonderful husband who has always been there. In good times and bad, I can always count on him. Who would have thought 13 years ago, our lives would be where they are today. I couldn't ask for a husband who is a better dad and who has given up so much for all of us.

Thirdly, I am thankful for my sweet daughter who is the light of my world. She is the best treasure a mom could ask for. She is considerate and thoughtful, along with spunky and forward. I couldn't ask for a better little girl. I can't even put into words what she means to me. Time is just flying by...

I am thankful for this sweet little boy that has opened a whole new world for us. I couldn't have asked for a better little son. He has been such a blessing to us. People say, we are a blessing to him but really he is the biggest blessing to us. I thank God for making a way for Aiden to join our family. I thank God that the staff at Foshan Nan Hai took great care of him and the wonderful doctors who saved his life.

I am thankful for a wonderful mom and dad who have always been there for us. My dad always said through good and bad your family will always be there for you. They instilled Christian values that have never departed... you may stray but you always come back to what makes you - you . My family has made me who I am. My mom is my best friend (well along with my sister)!

I am thankful for a wonderful brother and sister. We truly have a bond that cannot and will not be broken. I appreciate you both so much. We certainly have the stories to tell of growing up. We won't mention dressing DJ up as a girl and sending him to the neighbors. You both have grown into great parents and for that you should be so proud. I am thankful that you have married wonderful people that compliment you so well. Heather you are the best person with the biggest heart. Who would have thought my "little" sister would be so big to me.

I am thankful that Chad comes from a great and loving family. It makes him who he is today. I am thankful for having Christian grandparents who have been the rock of our family from the start. You have taught me about giving and putting Christ first. Sometimes when you are growing up you roll your eyes at these things, but again it never has left me. I always remember my grandfather saying, "Take time to read and pray", not really understanding the importance of this until later in life.

I am thankful for my wonderful friends. I have so many that I don't see but I know we will always be there for each other. There is nothing more comfortable then an old friend who loves you just the way you are. It is fun remembering the past... it is what has made me who I am. I am so thankful for my new friends, especially in the adoption community, we have such a special bond. I am thankful for my support group friends from silent grief, I can't say enough about the strength of these women.

I am thankful for all the wonderful things that have happened in my life. Thanksgiving is the day I found out I was pregnant with Chase 2 years ago - I am thankful that God has allowed me to go through this experience. Do I still hurt from it? Of course I do, and I still do not understand why, but I have embraced that this is the path God has choosen for me. I do believe that we have been blessed with a beautiful family, and wonderful little boy who is such a joy and makes us smile so much. Then there is Chase who lives in heaven and one day we will see him. Taylor reminds me all the time about Chase in heaven, she tells her teacher that she will see him one day again. She is wise beyond words.

I know that there is a bigger purpose out there for my life, and I think with the hardships comes a bigger picture - like what can I do to help others? How can I be a blessing to someone? What does God want me to do? I tell Chad all the time there is a bigger picture out there for us... so who knows exactly what that is, but I know there is a plan. I know to some people may think I have gone out of my mind by sharing so much, but why keep what we feel inside. I have learned that life is short, I don't want to live with regrets and the biggest regret is not letting people know how I feel about them and how important they are.

So, Happy Thanksgiving and for those of you who I am not with on this day, I wish I were and I miss and love you all... I have to write when the feelings come and this has been on my mind. Thankfulness, I have alot to be thankful for..

Older Children Waiting...

http://www.cwa.org/1hope/21.htm

I just had to post this on my blog. My friend Maggie sent me the link and you can't view the clip without having your heart break. I just have such a heart for these kids, who knows maybe we will go back someday. If not I want to try and advocate for them. They really do not have much of a future in China being an orphan. Aiden watched it with me and he was going crazy pointing at these kids. I think he liked hearing the Chinese songs, but it is ironic to see him pointing at these kids who just want a home like he has.

I am posting this from another site:

http://www.cwa.org/1hope/home.htm
CWA's site:Christian World Adoption is honored to be one of three agencies chosen by the CCAA to help the precious children who are waiting for their forever families, the children of Hope Project. Prayerfully consider if you are the right family for one of these children. These children are all older- and in the Beijing area. CWA spent a weekend with them and interviewed each one personally- video clips are included- tissue alert! I pray this new program finds these children families! The children wrote letters and drew pictures for their new families...oh, if I could only psychologically handle one more right now!!!There is a 13 year old who ages out on Feb 4th- and she realizes it. She broke down during the performance - and I cried for the next hour praying for her.Please, please pass this on. It is powerful, I hope it is very successful. I am told the CCAA is bending rules to bring these kids home.

Kandy Kisses Black Friday Giveaway !

Laurie is an awesome designer! Check out her link below - giveaway every hour for Black Friday! Taylor had a beautiful outfit made from her - just awesome!

http://tinyurl.com/6jjubm ( I wish I knew how to link it with her name on not show the link... anyone tell me how to do this?)

Carrie Underwood CMA performanace ~So Touching ~

Last night, I was watching the CMA awards when a lady appeared and started talking about her husband who wasn't here anymore and how music has helped her cope with her loss... very touching. Carrie is just so awesome and pure with her music. I know for me music has always helped me. The music video to this is really touching as well. (remember to scroll to the bottom of my blog and click on the volume of my music to turn my blog music off)

Getting back to business or trying too..

So, I am trying to get back into my business of creating boutique style clothing for my ebay store and Taylor. I finally got my room organized and thought I would dive into things. I bought some patterns from Sandie Hendersons Portabello pattern http://portabellopixie.typepad.com/portabellopixie .I am working on the Gracie pattern and trying to decide which fabrics I should use... what do you think? Leave a comment! Taylor is going to get one and then if it turns out well I will list it in my store online. I love her material as well, althought this material is from another designer.
I was sitting in my sewing room with my IPOD on because right outside my door it seemed as though there was a wild party going on. Chad and the kids were playing as loud as could be.. and for me I am ADD when trying to do something. Next thing I know there is a knock at my door and this is who came in...
Stay tuned to see how this turns out... I know for some of you this is really exciting (LOL)

Veterans Day... remembering

My Daddys Got Your Back
I am a small and precious child,my dads been sent to fight..
The only place I'll see his face,is in my dreams at night.
He will be gone too many days for my young mind to keep track.
I may be sad,but I am proud. My daddy's got your back..

I am a caring mother. My son has gone to war..
My mind is filled with worries that I have never known before.
Everyday I try to keep my thoughts from turning black.
I may be scared,but I am proud..My son has got your back..

I am a strong and loving wife,with a husband soon to go.
There are times I'm terrified in a way most never know.
I bite my lip,and force a smile as I watch my husband pack..
My heart may break,but I am proud..My husbands got your back..

I am a soldier..Serving Proudly,standing tall.
I fight for freedom,yours and mine by answering this call.
I do my job while knowing,the thanks it sometimes lacks.
Say a prayer that I'll come home. It's me whose got your back.


I just wanted to remember all my fellow veterans and their families on Veterans Day. It is easy to talk about the war and all that is going on in the world, but the reality of it is for the families and the veteran himself. Today, Chad went with Taylor to her school for a Veterans Day rememberance, she was so proud he was going with her. She tells me that dad goes away to the far away places to keep the bad men away from here... it is amazing what children understand. Thanks Chad for all you do, and to all my friends deployed I wish you a speedy return home, and thanks to all the Veterans who have come and gone.

Love this little face...

I know more pictures... I can't help it. I just want to squeeze those cheeks!

Trick or Trunk Night

Friday night, my friend Stephanie and I took the kids to the church for "trunk or treat" night. It was really a nice alternative from trick or treating. The kids loved it. Aiden thought it was pretty neat that all these kids were dressed up. The church had a magic show, drama play and then the members lined their cars up and gave out candy. They even gave out tickets for free food.. that is always up Aidens alley, he LOVES food. He eats more than Taylor! I had to take a picture of the one person dressed up with the "hiney" cheeks... it was funny I have to admit, I don't know about wearing it to a church even butt...