Christmas, adoption, sickness, etc.

These pictures crack me up!!! Aspen's first Christmas was SO wonderful; I can't believe how much more special it was with a kiddo, even though she's only 6 months old, she made it so wonderful. She had so much fun opening up presents; she couldn't have cared less about what was inside, but she LOVED opening them and playing with (a.k.a. EATING) the wrapping paper. She started doing this crazy happy squeal and she'd close her eyes tight and open her mouth and just let out this crazy noise that just cracked us up!

We were hoping and praying that Aspen's adoption would be finalized before the end of 2007, but sadly it was not. We found out the week before Christmas that the courts are behind right now and so it would be another 2 or 3 weeks before they even looked at our file. So....we wait another couple weeks....then we wait for a court date....then, then, then. I've struggled to stay positive with the whole process, but it will happen soon. I just want it to be official; Aspen is 100% our daughter, but I want the little paper that says so! And more than anything, I want to have her sealed to us...and the longer we wait, the more impatient I get. She is so much the greatest blessing in our lives. She really is one amazing little girl!

And one last side note, for anyone wondering where we've been or what we've been up to....I have just been really sick! I haven't wanted to get off the couch for quite some time....it takes all my energy to take care of Aspen....I can't do much more than that. I've had a few really great days, like 2 days in a row without puking, but that's about all I can go before it all starts again! Yuck! Like yesterday, I went and picked up some groceries and Aspen is big enough now that she can just sit up in the carts at the store (so YAY for not having to carry her gigantic self and that carseat!). Anyway, we did fine until we were going out to the car. So picture this....I'm pushing her and the cart of groceries in the parking lot toward the car....the wind is blowing in Aspen's face and the sun shining in her eyes, so she was not a happy camper to start with....and then I feel...the urge....to puke....and I do! So I'm trying not to let the cart with my child and my food blow away in the wind while I'm losing all the contents of my stomach....a little graphic and gross, I know..and I'm sorry!

But the good thing is....the baby is doing well and all seems to be going well. So no matter how sick I get, or how tired I am, I am grateful beyond measure that this pregnancy is going well. I have prayed for children for so long...our prayers were answered with Aspen and are being answered again with this little one who is rapidly growing in my belly! Malo and I couldn't be happier or more grateful for these blessings in our lives.

Anyway, enough of this novel! :-)