NVC!!!

Libbie's room looks like this.... it's a pink explosion! I hope to have photos of the finished product next week. (if I stay on track) It came today!! Totally unexpected. I called the NVC (National Visa Center) this morning only to hear the message, "The NVC is closed today due to weather"... They're located in New Hampshire... I checked the weather there and it looks really bad! So I thought, great, it will be another week before I can get an e-mail from them. All my sources say you MUST get an e-mail because snail mail could take up to three weeks.... I ran home after work and checked the mail and what to my wondering eyes did appear? A pretty white envelope from the NVC!!! Yippiee.. So what does this mean for our family?? you might ask... were patiently waiting on Article 5 which were told takes two weeks from the time our agency sends the NVC approval (which should be tomorrow) (we hope)THEN... drum roll please... we are waiting on TA (travel approval) So.... we are thinking we'll receive TA some time in January and be on track to travel in February!! There may be a back log of families waiting to travel right after the Chinese New Year.... We are hoping there won't be too many and that we'll get an appointment. We are sooo blessed.

Oh Holy Night

It was such a special night tonight. We attended our Christmas Eve service with BB and KK. The message was just awesome. Just another reminder of what Christmas is all about. It's so easy to get caught up in the shopping, wrapping, baking, and family and miss out the true meaning of this most holy day. We came home for Gumbo, Shrimp and Grits and Christmas goodies with the grandparents. Lambert drove to Galveston this morning to pick up the Gumbo from The Saltwater Grill.... YUMMY!! It was a nice quiet dinner and the kiddos played great together. After dinner we made a birthday cake for Jesus and the kids decorated cookies for Santa. My dad called and pretended to be Santa, so they are on their VERY best behavior (thanks for that Papa Truman!! They made birthday cards for Jesus and now they are watching The Very First Noel...if you don't have this movie.... I highly recommend it. The Christmas story is beautifully narrated by Andy Griffith. We've tracked Santa on Norad and they are about to head to bed!!! Santa is on his way. KK and I are enjoying Mexican Coffee, a recipe Granna shared with me last year and Lambert is on his 4th bowl of gumbo!!! It's going to be a late night for the parents. I wouldn't have it any other way. Well unless we had more family here with us!

I hope you enjoy your Christmas with those you love, and remember to take time to cherish the true meaning of this very special season. I love this passage, what great NEWS!!

Luke 2:8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

The Good, the bad and the UGLY!!

WAR ZONE... The kitchen is so sad.



This rolling pin was a Christmas gift last year from my step mom. It's been a pretty decoration until now... my friend told me to use a porcelain rolling pin for cutout cookies. I put the pin in the fridge while I wasn't using it. It helps keep the dough cold and well... it just works better than a wooden rolling pin. LOVE IT!



Really really sad... nothing magical or wonderful going on. i'll be up all night making it ready for guests.


This bad boy saw some action these last two days. I love this mixer.


The cookies are amazing... I'm not the best decorator, but they will do for this year. I'm on the hunt for a scottie dog cookie cutter for next year. I purchased Hoot the Star Wars cutters from William Sonoma. We'll have cutouts for his birthday this year.

Family will be here tomorrow and lets just say.... the house is a TRAIN WRECK!!! I've been dropping balls left and right. Poor Hoot had a book exchange at school last week and I forgot to send him with a book... I totally missed the order date for our Christmas cards (i know, humbug!!) Hoot saw two of his gifts in my car because I forgot to take them out... i told him they were for a needy family were giving to and that they were not his... star wars light sabers... he cried for 2 days! I decided I would bake iced cutout cookies and started that yesterday... I iced them tonight, we've declared the kitchen a war zone, I haven't finished Christmas shopping, I have to work tomorrow, I have a sore throat coming on and we still have to drive to Galveston to pick up gumbo for Christmas Eve... Lambert is changing sheets while I type...When the heck did December pass me by?!? With all that being said, I am so happy that were not traveling this Christmas, we'll be able to attend our Christmas Eve service with family and wake up Christmas morning in our own home! We usually travel to Dallas for Christmas which is fun, but I love being in our home. I'm looking forward to signing happy birthday to Jesus Christmas morning, and watching the kiddos tear into their gifts... AND the cookies... they are too die for. A friend of mine gave me her recipe and told me the tricks to good cutout cookies... mine are usually too thick or too thin, the icing is running or lumpy. I have not had success with iced cutouts in the past. that is ,until now!! The trick is to keep the dough really cold, roll them out 1/8 inch thick and watch them like a hawk in the oven. They need to be soft when you pull them out and then immediately put them on cooling racks. They are beautiful and yummy. Santa will be happy!

The Polar Express

Friday, we surprised Hoot and took him to Palestine to ride the Polar Express! We didn't tell him what we were doing or where we were going until we pulled up to the gate! He was beside himself with excitement. I packed his pj's and he changed in the car. If you live in Texas, this is a family adventure MUST if you have littles! We will certainly go back next year with Libbie.

Happy Birthday Libbie!!

Hoot made the CAKE!!! It was perfect.





What a day it was (so good it was two days ago!!). We've been really busy. We received a precious 21 second video of Libbie on her birthday. (what a gift) it was so perfect. I don't think I've stopped smiling! I made my way to the Asian market for egg roll wrappers that afternoon. We made egg rolls and fried rice for dinner and then we celebrated with a heart shaped birthday cake Hoot baked (almost all by himself). We sang happy birthday and Hoot blew out the three candles for her. I was so hoping we would get the good news on her birth day that we were I800 approved... it didn't come.. So today I called USCIS (immigration) and spoke to our officer. He said that he received 17 files yesterday. As he looked through the files he didn't find ours. After about 5 minutes of searching, he said, "well no wonder I can't find it... it was approved on the 14th and mailed out!!!! So it did get approved on her birth day... Another wonderful gift. God is so good!!!

I am a happy momma~

James 1:17
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

The house is ready, the stockings are hung... now were baking and enjoying family and friends. The week after it's all done makes me happy! It's finally cold in Houston and feeling like Christmas.









I love this little santa more each day... he's so cute in person!





Lambert and I had the best time decorating this house. I know it looks like Hoot did it himself, but it was all me and Lambert. Hoot could care less!

Happy Birthday Libbie!!!

Tomorrow is our sweet Libbie's birthday. We're going to celebrate by baking her a cake and having a special dinner. This is the last Birthday and Christmas without her. We love you Libbie

It's begining to look a lot like Christmas!

When Spencer our Elf on the Shelf shows up, the Christmas season officially begins for our family. This is our third year with Spencer and true to his timely tradition, he arrived December 1st!

I had already decorated nine trees, mantles, wreaths, bathrooms churches.... you get the picture. I was kinda dreading pulling everything out. Don't get me wrong I love it... all of it. I love this season and I love the message that I am reminded of each year. After we made our trip to the Best Tree Farm EVER... I quickly got back in the spirit. We had an awesome time stalking the best tree (for one hour) and then cutting it down. Hoot even called, "TIMMMMBBERRR!!" It was only 6 feet...

We came home and the trimming commenced!

href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lambfam5/5240208658/" title="DSC_4052 by slambert4, on Flickr">DSC_4052 src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5290/5240208658_1d9fdd69f6_z.jpg" width=640>

Next week, we'll begin baking... Hoot and I have a lot of fun in the kitchen. Libbie's birthday is next week so we're planning a full on family party for her. We'll have cake and ice cream and maybe Chinese take out!!!

We're having Christmas Eve at our house this year. We're having seafood gumbo, shrimp and grits, homemade pralines, and lots more goodies. I can't wait. This is a wonderful cookbook for family celebrations. I received it as a gift from a sweet friend who is a member of The Houston Junior League.

DSC_4054 src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5122/5240208936_bb4108a3f1_b.jpg" width=1024>

This is one of many of my treasured Christmas favs... My step mom gets these from a very talented lady in Indiana. She makes them from vintage scraps and sells them at Christmas craft shows and fairs. I got this little guy a couple of years ago as a gift. I loved it so much I asked her to keep an eye out for one this year. We have pretty similar taste... She called me Saturday morning and texted me a photo of this little sweetie... there were several she picked out, but she only had send me one photo and he was mine!!!




I love unique handmade or vintage treasures best!

I truly do love Christmas, but not for all the decorating, glitz, shopping and gifts. The message of Christmas is just so peaceful and amazing. He took two young people who were willing to be obedient (Mary and Joseph) and gave us the savior of the world. The name Immanuel, God with us... brings hope, peace, and joy. How could we ask for more? Enjoy this Christmas season and I hope you find hope, peace and joy.

Luke 2: 8-14 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

DSC_4041 src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5049/5240210440_da536dd549_b.jpg" width=685>

Unexpected Blessing!!

I was busy packing and getting ready to head to Dallas Wednesday when I realized I missed a call from our adoption agency. I listened to my messages and received news that we had a sweet surprise they wanted to share with us! I called Lambert to tell him I thought we had received the long awaited video!! I anxiously called our agency and got VM!!! I hate VM!! So I hung up and called right back, still VM! I left a message and then waited about 2 hours for a return call... The phone rang around 2:00PM and the news was... (drum roll) LOA!!!! I almost drove off the road!!! We weren't expecting our LOA at all. The average wait is 55 days and our agency told us it could be longer... We were on day 43 when it came!!! GOD IS SO GOOD!!!! I couldn't wrap my head around it... we would receive the Fed Ex package Friday (today) so were ready to file our I-800!!! We're hoping for a two week turn around and then we will wait for the NVC to process it(not sure what they do, but it takes about 10 days) next, we will wait for Article 5 (not sure what this is either,but it takes about 2 weeks as well) then we will wait for TA (travel approval) NEXT we will be CHINA bound!!!!! PTL (praise the Lord)

We went to ICE at the Gaylord Texan for Thanksgiving. It was amazing. I couldn't get over the detail in the ice. It was so life like. We had the best time sliding down the ice slides and drinking hot chocolate. It was 15 degrees inside the exhibit so when it was over, we were ready for the hot chocolate. I highly recomend it if you're in the Dallas area during the Holiday season.



I am in the Christmas spirit. Can't wait to dig out the decorations tomorrow.!!

Thanksgiving Blessings

We are truly a blessed nation. We've spent a lot of time learning about missions this year. Many of our friends have traveled to Haiti to be the hands and feet of Jesus. The reports they bring back astound us. Yes, there is devastation everywhere, but in the midst of all the suffering the Christian people of Haiti praise God with joy and thanksgiving in their hearts. Almost every testimony that we've heard includes an account of how the people worship. (not like we worship on Sunday) but with loud shouts of praises to the King. Their eyes light up and their voices can be heard throughout the streets riddled with death and decay. We've heard the truth that through suffering the follower of Christ will draw closer to him... I've never suffered. Not a day in my life have I ever experienced suffering.

Job 36:15
But those who suffer he delivers in their suffering; he speaks to them in their affliction.
Interesting passage... it doesn't say he will deliver them from their suffering, it says he will deliver them in the midst of their suffering.

The people of Haiti are experiencing God in their suffering. This amazes me and I am thankful. I am thankful that I have a relationship with the God who is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. He doesn't change and he has given me everything I could ever need because he sent his son to pay the debt for my ugly sin. Every blessing is from Him. Thanks be to God!

James 1:16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

This Thanksgiving I am thankful for The Cross and the ultimate price that was paid so that I could have a relationship with God!! I will praise him with loud shouts and thanksgiving in my heart!!

I hope you enjoy your Thanksgiving and reflect on all the blessings you are thankful for too!

Guys Only!

Today was early release day for Hoot. He was super excited that Lambert would be picking him up from school and spending the afternoon with him. So, this morning Lambert told him that when he picked him up they would head over to Hoot's favorite pizza place. This place happens to be right across the street from my office. So I said, well that would be great. I could meet them there and then they could go on their way... Hoot informed me that today was just a guys day... No girls... mom, sorry, your a girl... I thought surely he would forget by lunch time so I called while Lambert was in the pick up line... He put Hoot on the phone to talk to me. I ran the plan by him one more time thinking he might change his mind and have mercy on his poor hungry mother. Once again he informed me that it was guys only and I wasn't a guy... then he said, I don't want to make you cry and you don't need to find a new family, we can spend time together when you get home from work... and with that, he handed the phone back to Lambert... I ate lunch, solo... When I got home I found out that they spent the afternoon at Toys R Us and this is what they decided on... Lambert went to see Toby Mac tonight so it was a mommy and Hoot night. I'm not nearly as cool as Lambert, but we did have a good time together.

Libbie's Sprinkle Part I

These are photos from sprinkle #2 because I dont' have the photos from sprinkle #1 yet. I am so blessed with beautiful friendships. I wasn't planning on haivng a shower for Libbie, just because she won't be a baby and we really don't have a lot of NEEDS... But it turns out we had 2 sprinkles! Her closet is bursting with dresses given to her by a sweet sweet friend who has two little girls. Lambert is going to re-organize the closet for her and build in extra hanging space and drawers (he doesn't know about the drawers yet)(now he does because he reads my blog daily...:) (love you honey). We really didn't need anything, but it was super fun registering at pottery barn kids for fun gear!

As you can see from the photos, my friends can throw a party. The food was almost too beautiful to eat. (almost)
Please sign the registry and come enjoy the party!



Just one of several spreads!


Like I said ALMOST too pretty to eat... It tasted as good as it looked I promise!


The party favors. the fortune read, "welcome home Libbie"


Details details beautiful details!


Just beautiful!


Red velvet cake balls.... YUMMY


This is my sweet sister. she came in from Dallas with my niece, Bella



Beautiful Friends (Co-Host)


My very best friend (hostest with the mostest) and my mom.


did I mention the food??


And the gifts.... I'm demonstrating for everyone how one might push a sit and stand stroller. I'm very animated and we all looked very red... I think we were all glowing!


The pottery barn school house chairs OH MY!!


The BIG Brother... What a sweetie pie!



We count our blessings everyday. It was a very special evening celebrated with very special loved ones. I can't express how thankful I am for the intimate friendships we have developed over the years. We celebrated with old and new friends that have encouraged us and cheered us on through every step of this adoption journey. We can't wait to bring our sweet Libbie home to meet the friends and family that already love her to peices!

Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times and a brother is born for a time of adversity

Details from Sprinkle 1 to follow soon!