Christmas -- Extended Family Edition

Our oldest and youngest family member!

Our holiday traditions have changed as our children have grown up, gotten married, and had children of their own.  The demands on THEIR time has increased as they juggle spending time with our family and their in-laws.  I've learned to be flexible.  As long as the family can be TOGETHER I'm not picky about the date.  So we got together the weekend before Christmas this year.

   

 

 

As our number nears THIRTY we've also had to rethink how we do things. A gift given to each person FROM each person is a bit crazy.   AND we like to take turns opening the gifts one at a time so we can enjoy each one.  Can you even imagine how long it would take to open all of them if it was 30 x 30?  You do the math!

So this year we tried something different, and I didn't know if we would like it - AT ALL.  We exchanged names.  For those still living in our home it that meant we needed to purchase gifts for just seven people.  That was certainly more manageable, and the gifts given could be a bit nicer also.

 

It likely came as no surprise to most of my kids that "Grandma does what Grandma wants to do" and I put together a basket for each of our adult children containing gifts for each individual in THEIR family.  They were primarily little things (I made many of them) and some treats that I knew they would enjoy.  But they opened the basket as a family so it was quick. 

 One of my married daughters MAY have announced, "Mom went rogue" as she helped carry the gifts into her hosting sister's home.  I'm sure they forgave me!

We also decided to go more simple on the meals.  While we have greatly enjoyed the Christmas china and formal meals of the past, doing such a thing with my eleven grandchildren and seven minor kids borders on the ridiculous.  We instead chose to use disposable table wear and prepare easy meals.

Our family gatherings look a lot like a crock pot reunion, and this day was no different.  We had FIVE hams, mashed potatoes, and various sides and desserts that people chose to bring. The next meal was even more simple.  The previous day I put together a roaster full of chili and a roaster full of corn chowder.  All I had to do was plug it in when I arrived at the party and it was ready that evening.

Simplifying the gifts and the meals left us time to actually do things together as a family.  We read the Christmas story from Luke, sang Christmas carols,

 played games,

 even made sock puppets

 

and put on shows with them. 

I think it was one of our best holidays yet!

 Merry Christmas, from our family to yours!

My Blog Has a Name Change

If you've been around awhile you've seen my blog evolve since we began our first China adoption paperwork  in 2012. It began as "Adoption Adventure with a Little Princess"  and fairly quickly switched to "Adoption Adventure with Two Little Princesses" as a second daughter was added to that "going to China just one time" adoption in 2013. A Prince was added in 2014, then Princes Two in 2015!   Our family has increased far more than we ever anticipated when we began this journey. 

You may have also noticed a magnificent little girl that I've advocated for beginning sometime early in 2014. I loved her the first time I laid eyes on her.  At first I spoke up for her quietly to folks on the side that I knew were looking to adopt a child her age, then on some of the advocacy groups. I featured her on my blog several times, and finally ended up with being her Warrior for the Reece's Rainbow 2015 Angel Tree.

As part of the Warrior role I started a community on Facebook dedicated to fundraising for an adoption grant for her and advocating for her family to find her.  I talked to people interested in adopting from China (both online and in real life) but she didn't seem to be a perfect fit for any of those families.

When we returned from China with Patrick in April of this year, I may have loudly proclaimed to God and anyone else who was listening that our family was DONE. Done, done, done. Never say never.  Even though I loved this little beauty the minute I laid eyes on her, we thought we were too old for a four-year-old child. So I advocated for her as "Zuza" when she was with WACAP, then as "Susy" when she had turned five and her file was with Madison, and for the past year on the shared list. She was in my thoughts most days, and literally haunted my dreams at night. I'm thrilled to say my advocacy paid off - though not how I expected. Surprise! WE get to adopt this magnificent little girl (who is now six years old) and I am at peace at last.

Here we go again! We received our PA (Pre Approval) from China and have begun the long process to bring our baby home.  We would greatly appreciate your prayers as we jump through all the legal hoops over the next several months.  If you are counting, she completes our baker's dozen.  We are thrilled beyond words.  My blog's new title is simply, "Raising the Royalty."

Video: Kings & Queens by Audio Adrenaline

Christmas Tree Day!

Pat loves to tell us how strong he is.  He got a chance to prove it here!

Starting youngest to oldest, each child gets the chance to help cut the tree.

We couldn't quite get in there to get a photo BEFORE it was cut down, so Baba holding it is the next best thing!

On the way out of the field to the van!

There are several activities to do at this farm.  The kids always enjoy the photo shoot in the sleigh.

Then Tikvah decided to get out ....

and become a reindeer!

Hot chocolate and cookies!

Goats to feed

or NOT.  Pat was afraid of them and dropped the corn when they got near.

It is always so exciting to see the FIRSTS with these older kids.  Pat LOVED the horse and carriage ride.

Merry Christmas!

f o u N d - an adoption story

My children were invited to be a part of this video that was the senior project of a friend.  She is a Communications major who interned with Dr. Mary Staat at the Cincinnati Children's International Adoption Center and this video was donated to them for their use.  I am privileged to know many of these great kids. Their stories are all true.  Enjoy!

Craft Fair

Yesterday was the big day for the craft fair.  It was a fundraiser for "Susy's" Angel Tree grant.

I made sugar scrub, bath salts, coasters, and hand warmers.  I still have a lot left, so if you would like some for gifts this year, give me a holler!  You can see them individually pictured and order HERE