Congratulations Daddy O

Big promotion at work for our very own Superintendent! Great work babe!



Take a look at the celebration cheer:

Something for Little O

I know it is several months away still, but Little O needs a lovey. I found some really cute ones at this great site. Here are my top three picks:

Feminine & Sophisticated

Mod & Bright

Delicate and Bohemian

I think all three blankets will work in the nursery without repainting or major redecorating but still make it girly. So, let me know what you think (kind of exciting to think there will be a baby girl in our house some day soon).

A little Christmas cheer

Noah will make you smile all day long (we think he was singing Joy to the World):



The house is starting to look like Christmas. We finished decorating the tree and putting out some of the other treasures. Tomorrow we will get the wreath for the outside and put up some lights.

With a Thanksful Heart

This was our 2nd Thanksgiving (my favorite Holiday) with Noah and our 3rd Thanksgiving in Chicago. This very cold state is beginning to feel like home. We had a great dinner (turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes) with some good friends (Handy's, Gayle, Clare). We might have eaten too much but don't worry, Noah saved room for +2 cookies after dinner.

I had fun dressing up in costume (and I think Noah had fun too). One of my personal dreams came true today....Daddy & son matching outfits. I am still not sure how I pulled this one off but both boys were happy to be dressed the same :) OBTW, Mommy was happy too!

So many things to be thankful for-
Brian and I are overwhelmed with love for our son and we cannot accurately express our gratitude for the opportunity to be apart of his life. Thanks be to God for this amazing blessing.

My quick recovery in June and the extended time I got to spend with Noah over the summer

AJ's safe return from Iraq

Successful and FUN 1st annual Jamboree

Renewed love affair with my one and only

God's provision for little O (emotional, financial, timing etc)

Noah and I are decorating the house for Christmas tomorrow, so stay tuned for some pics...and Merry Christmas!

Bee-bim Bop and a West Point Shout Out

Noah got this great, new book for an early Christmas present. Early because once I have a present for him I just can't wait to give it to him. An easy, family participation required recipe is included at the end of this story. Using the recipe, Joanna made Bee Bim Bop for us last night and it was amazing - Thanks again for the great dinner, Asia!





On another note:
As the wars in Iraqi and Afghanistan drag on (even through the Media has opted for more palatable subjects during the holidays), the new chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Michael Mullen took a few moments to talk to some of those amazing, hard working US Army captains and majors who are sacrificing everyday to maintain our (not so) "combat ready" stance. Check out this article, A fading fighting force. Some great insight on the price we will pay in years to come. Of note, "a total of 35 percent of the West Point Class of 2000 left the Army in 2005; 46 percent of the Class of 2001 left in 2006, and a staggering 58 percent of the Class of 2002 left active duty when their obligation expired this year." This is totally staggering to me because after 4 years of brain washing "Duty, Honor, Country" (and believe me I drank the KoolAid too) up to 58% of WP grads are opting out??? Wow!

Getting Ready to Feast

Noah has been busy this week getting ready for Thanksgiving '07. His Wednesday playgroup was great fun and Noah made (read Joanna made) the really cute turkey hat above. Then on Thursday, the Grayslake Library story time craft was the smart turkey poster. Noah is becoming a serious crafter. He loves being in charge of the glue and he is so proud to show everyone his handy work.

Speaking of marketing the holidays away, Noah is a huge fan of the always adorable holiday Starbucks cups. His brand recognition is spot on and when drinking from the coveted SB cup his milk really does taste better :)

Another major benefit of the Christmas frenzy....Wish Books. They come with the newspaper almost every weekend now and I think they're better then the actual toys pictured in them. Take a watch :

Noah turns two, Brian is almost 30 and I now have a blog

So, I realize that it is now almost Thanksgiving, but I thought a few Halloween pictures of our little monkey were in order. Noah was so cute all dressed up in his costume. Once he realized that candy was waiting at each house he really got into the whole trick or treat gig. Check out Noah's dog/brother....Jack really got into Halloween this year.




The joint birthday party for Noah and Brian on Saturday was a big success. Noah was delighted to be the center of attention. He got the biggest grin when everyone sang happy birthday to him. I decided to sing it to him everyday in November because he smiles so big.

The other birthday boy was SO happy to play XBOX until 1am with the boyz. I decide to let him play as much as he wants the rest of November because he smiles so big when he plays.

Some other points of interest -
Patricia is pregnant! Yeah!! We can't wait to see the baby bump....Noah said "love baby" when I told him that another cousin is on the way.

We received the draft of our home study yesterday from our social worker. Everything looks good and we should be ready to send it off to Children's Home in a week or so. The process still seems too much like applying for college to get really excited but I am still pretty excited.

Brian and I took our 1st night away on Friday (alone) in 15 months. We just stayed in a hotel in Chicago but it was really, really fun. I was reminded why I love Brian and what it is like to read the paper at breakfast...so cool.




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