*My Not So Little Baby*

My Aubree is only seven years old, but you wouldn't know it by looking at her! Heck, she's nearly as tall me! And yesterday I bought her boots in a women's size 6!!! I have no doubt that she will be as tall as me by her eighth birthday next April! As she continues to grow and grow I wonder how tall she will be by the time she's done growing - taller than me, for sure.

I remember, so vividly, seeing the then 16 month old Aubree in Ukraine for the first time! We knew next to nothing about her, but we didn't care - we just knew that she was ours, and she belonged with our family. However, I can't say that Aubree and I bonded right away . We had a hard time connecting - there were many, many, many tears shed. Today, we still have moments of "trial and error", but we've come a long way in six years. I love that little girl - I love her so much. I am so, so grateful that she is my daughter. I know how lucky I am that she came into my life. And no matter how tall she gets - she will always be my little baby.

One of my favorite adoption poems:

The Gift of Life

I didn't give you the gift of life,
But in my heart I know.
The love I feel is deep and real,
As if it had been so.

For us to have each other
Is like a dream come true!
No, I didn't give you
The gift of life,
Life gave me the gift of you.

Author ~ Unknown

*Thankful, so Thankful*

So, what am I thankful for this year? Family - my wonderful, beautiful family. I live for them, and I adore them. We're keeping the get together small this year - just a small gathering which will include my parents, my sister and her boyfriend, Dan, w/ their son, Frankie, and my uncle Bobby, and, of course, Dave, Brenna, Aubree, and myself. My nephews, Nic and Luc, will be at their dad's house this year, so they will be missed, and, most definitely, in our thoughts.

I'm looking forward to a very relaxed holiday of hanging out and talking, maybe playing a little Wii, and a couple board games, and, of course, as always, lots of laughter! We all have such a great time together, but, unfortunately, we don't get to do it often enough, so I will cherish our day together, and try to soak up every little bit of it, and, of course, be very thankful for it all!!!

And then Friday is our Shopping Day!! The guys - Dad, Dave, Dan, uncles Lito, Tony, and Bobby - go out shopping....well, I think, they mostly eat, and people watch all day long!! And I get to spend the day with my mom and my sister - I am so looking forward to a day alone with them!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

*Halloween's Gone Slutty*

When did Halloween costumes get so slutty? Was it always like this? Maybe I'm just noticing it now because I have young daughters. I've seen so many skimpy costumes out there for teens and kids - I don't get it! Is Halloween now just an excuse to dress provocatively? Do I really want my 7 and 10 year old daughters wearing this?

Or this?

Nope, not so much! What else? Oh, did you know witches weren't ugly anymore? Apparently, they are now sexy!? I didn't get that memo! And Little Red Riding Hood is now a slut, too! Gone is her long, red cape - she now wears a corset and short skirt!! My, my, my - what would grandma think??

Well, I imagine, costumes will only get sexier in the years to come, but I hope to teach my girls that Halloween is suppose to be a fun night of trick-or-treating, having fun with friends, and, yes, dressing up, but that the dressing up doesn't have to include wearing these sorts of outfits!!!

*New Name*

I wasn't feeling the blog name anymore, so I changed it!! The new name, obviously, is ..... Life - it is Here and Now. I like it because that's how we - "we" being my family - live our lives. We try not to worry about tomorrow, or next week, or next month. We try not to worry about yesterday, or the day before, or the day before that. We try not to worry about the future. We try to live each day to the fullest - enjoying each and every moment, living, loving, and appreciating the here and now.

*Sleeping Babes*

I love watching my girls sleep! I do it - alot. Sometimes I snuggle up to them to take in their sweet, sweet smells. Sometimes, I trace the features of their faces - Brenna's beautiful lips and Aubree's adorable nose. Sometimes, I rub their backs. Sometimes, I stroke their gorgeous hair. Sometimes, I hold their hands - their tiny fingers inner laced with mine. Sometimes, I just sit and watch and get filled up with gratitude that they are mine...all mine.:) Always, I whisper sweet nothings in their little ears, and I am, often, rewarded with a sleepy smile - and it doesn't get much better than that!

*Ten Years*

How is possible that my baby girl is ten years old, already?? It seems like it was just yesterday that she looked like this...

and here she is today...

Amazing!!

It seems like such a short time ago I was finding out I was pregnant with Brenna. It was Feb. 2nd, 2000 - the day after I turned 28 years old and what an awesome birthday present it was!! The minute - no, the second! - I found out I was pregnant I was in love!! I loved this girl from the moment I knew she was inside me. I quit my job right after finding out I was pregnant, and I spent the next nine months, in bliss, waiting for her to come! I loved being pregnant! I spent my days talking to her ... almost as if she was already here.:) And when she, finally, arrived - oh my....the love just doubled, then tripled, then quadrupled, then quintupled, as the days went on!! I cried with joy every time I looked at her - I was in awe of her. And the loves just keeps growing...

Brenna is a delight - pure and simple. She's kind, funny, stubborn (sticks to her guns, I love it), talented, smart, creative, mischievious (in a good way!), outgoing, and loving. Oh, trust me, I could go on and on, but I wouldn't want anyone to think I'm bragging.:)

Happy Birthday, Brennie!! I love you. Thank you for bringing so much good to my life!!!!

**New Beginning**

“The best day of your life is the one on which you decide your life is your own. No apologies or excuses. No one to lean on, rely on, or blame. The gift is yours - it is an amazing journey - and you alone are responsible for the quality of it. This is the day your life really begins.”

~Bob Moawad