That's it......we're finally into the double digits!

10 months down already......how exciting!! I know that at the beginning of this journey we thought we would be going to China any time now and here we are still so far off.

Sometimes, its crazy what life has in store for us...........you think your on the path to get to where you want to be and then all of sudden a huge tree falls in your way and you have to learn a new way to get there.....

Most times it's infuriating and frustrating.....but in this case there is no choice but to sit back and allow it to happen as it does. As much as I want to go over and bring Gracie back, there is absolutely nothing in my power I could ever do to control that timing.

If there was, I would move mountains to have it happen.

This weekend we plan to get organized for my brothers wedding, which is next weekend......I still can't believe that!! It always seemed like it was so far away and now here we are 7 days away!!

I am starting to get VERY nervous about being an MC........what the heck did I agree too. I am not overly prepared for this.......I don't have my speech memorized yet.....it seems every time I have it down pat what I want to say I get discombobulated!!

I am keeping my fingers tightly crossed that I will be awesome at this..........I want everything about the day to be perfect for my bro!

Last weekend we had our friends Steve & Kat over along with my bro and his fiance.

I had the privilege of working with Steve a few years ago and we formed a great friendship. As couples, we have a great time with one another....an easy friendship.

And now, it seems I will once again be working with him. He recently accepted my position at the Funeral Home.

A few weeks ago I resigned from my position as Pre Need Director. For the past few years I have been managing the pre arrangement/estate department of the Funeral Home...and after years of stress and huge budgets I decided it was time to move in a different direction. This was a tough decision to make, financially and career wise......as I have been very successful over the last few year.

But, thankfully, I was offered an amazing position at the same Funeral Home. I will be the Director of Operations and the primary arranger. Basically, I am in charge of the making sure the work gets done by the staff and I do the majority of arranging the funerals with the family when the death has occurred.

I am elated...........

This is a great opportunity for me, career wise, and I am feeling very blessed to be in this position!

I am truthfully a little nervous...........but I know it will all be okay. It has been a few years since I have been involved in that aspect of our industry, but I am sure it's much like riding a bike....you never really forget.

So, work is about to get even better....with me in my new role and Steve in his!!

We had an amazing evening with the four of them.....it was filled with non stop laughter!! We sat by the fire most of the night drinking and acting like twenty years olds!!

It sure does feel good to do that every once in awhile.....

After a few drinks I got on the swing that we have hanging from our tree in the back yard and Antz and Michael decided they would see how high and fast they could push me. As if going 500 feet in the air wasn't bad enough, they had to have a game of dodge ball with me in the middle. As you can imagine this was a disaster waiting to happen....at least from my perspective.

Sure enough, a twirl on the swing too far and the soccer ball comes flying right at my face.

Thankfully, the drinks had numbed my face and initially I was stunned but not hurt. Getting off the swing, I was so dizzy and disoriented from spinning that I fell to the ground and scratch up my side. Being superwoman that I thought I was after 2 drinks.......I finished off the evening by getting on the trampoline. Us adults on the trampoline bouncing one another around like popcorn!!!!!!

To say I was sore the next day would be an understatement.....

What were we thinking!!!

Antz and I are not big drinkers and we are usually in bed by 10 pm. So, to have our company leave after 3 in the morning was rough!

We sure did feel our age on Sunday!!

Congrats Steve on your new position!

Michael roasting marshmallows a la carte

Mike & I in a cream pie fight........


Pie Fight Champ

The six of us

Mom & Dad were finally back in the city on business and stayed a few extra days for a visit. We decided that we had to take them to the Lantern Festival, knowing they had never seen anything quiet like it.

We knew that mom, who is a Christmas guru would just love the lights!!

And it really was breathtaking....

To start the evening off we went to the Mandarin for dinner and ate so much that it made all the walking at the Festival both necessary and uncomfortable!

The displays were so beautiful and informative.......it felt so nice to submerse ourselves & mom & dad in our daughters culture.

It's a rare opportunity to see this, and I am thankful that we were able to do so.....

Us with mom & dad

Antz and his mom