Whew....

Wow, I think that was the quickest holiday ever! Over a 2 day period of time
I had no less than 3 Christmas meals (at my house) with a total of 34 people (not all at once) mounds of gifts and lots of laughter at our house this holiday! It was a pretty chaotic turn around with a half an hour between my family leaving and Tims family arriving on Christmas day but it was wonderful to see everyone and spend time with them. My sisters were able to make it home this year and we were really able to catch up and visit since my sister Ellen and her very tolerant hubby Charles stayed with us! They have been on a whirlwind tour of the world and have been overseas for the last 4+ months. They came home with quite a Christmas surprise for us and now it seems as if there will be 2 new grandchildren for our parents to spoil this year! She is due in early June so I am hoping and praying not to be in China during that time. I so want to be with her and support her as she has for me so very many times when Emily has been in the hospital! you can visit their blog www.charlesandellen.blogspot.com
I got to spend some great time with my other sister Bonnie as well who was home from Boston! My kiddos wont know what to do without all their aunts, uncles, and grandparents around all the time this week.
Now everyone has gone home and we have spent 2 days just recouperating, so it is time to return to the realy world. We dont do a bunch for New Years so this week will be relaxed for us.
As far as the adoption goes, we have been at a stand still right now. We are still waiting on the USCIS for approval and then our dossier will go to China. Our magic 90 day mark is January 20th but I have been hearing of families getting their approval in 60-70 days so it is possible that we may get it approved sooner. Christmas was indeed bittersweet as my heart ached for our son so many miles away, but we took comfort in the fact that will be the last Christmas he will not be with us. We are just slowly but surely moving forward as we get just a little closer to him with every passing day!