I know it's early but....

I've got Christmas music playing.... I'm actually late this year I usually start listening to it in October.  The irony is I hate rushing Christmas... it always irritates me to see things up in the stores too soon.... However, I love my Christmas music, and feel as if 3 weeks in December is too little to be listening to it....

Big News!!!

Harry has a new Christmas album!!!  Are you kidding me??!!   I am a card carrying member of his fan club. 

I just can't decide if I want to download it from i-tunes or if I NEEED the ACTUAL album (the actual album will contain pictures... so you can see my dilemna)

Go here for a listen....

Harry Connick Jr Christmas

I highly recommend his other 2 Christmas albums too... they're fabulous "When My Heart Finds Christmas" is one of my absolute favorite songs (Christmas or otherwise).

Trick Or Treat!!!

 

 

Readoption & Crossover Day

Today was a very special day for Madalynn & I for 2 reasons.

Firstly, today is the day Madalynn has been with me longer than she was without me... I call it crossover day.

Secondly, after 1 year, 8 months, 3 weeks, and 5 days her adoption is FINAL!!  We went to the county family court house for Massachusetts to officially recognize & finalize the adoption.

IT IS DONE!!!  I had tears in my eyes this morning when I got her out of her crib, and said "Today's a special day".

  

The judge, and clerk were just wonderful.  The judge said this is the best part of his day, and probably the only family he would see today that was smiling.  My parents, and niece Jessica went with me to see it made official.

Then we came home for a nap, and my Mom, Jessica, Madalynn & I went to a charming restaurant that I used to go to as a child (their rolls are pecan sticky buns & corn fritters....YUMMY).  It's an Old Mill that was powered by a river so it's got the water wheel, covered bridge, and ducks to feed... it was very nice to just stop and commemorate this special day.

This was a barn we passed that I just HAD to have a picture of...

And when we arrived home these beautiful roses were on my doorstep from my parents... 1 dozen red, with one pink in the middle...

Moments of Mommyness....

 

There are moments in my daily life with Madalynn that make me feel like a Mom...like this life, and this precious girl are real...

• Laying her down in her crib... blowing her a kiss, and whispering 'Good Night'.
• When I'm working in the kitchen, and feel little arms wrap themselves around my leg.
• Rocking her back to sleep when she wakes up in the middle of the night.

Autumnal Update #2....

Still loving fall here in New England... the leaves are actually beginning to fade unfortunately (BTW, the title of this post is for Karla as I know how much she loves the word autumnal... :-).

I feel so blessed that this is the view out my back windows...

My dear friend Sunny, and her husband Matthew are back in New England for a visit, and are staying in the chaos that is my house these days.  It's so great to see them again.  Sunny & I met 9 years ago at church, and hung out for the year she lived here in Boston, and have remained friends ever since.  She married Matthew 5 years ago, and this is the 2nd time I've been able to meet him, and love spending time with both of them, and wish they lived closer.  Hopefully they'll let me snap a pic for the blog before they head back to California (right before the snow comes... yes I said snow... we have flurries predicted for Wednesday).

Madalynn has moved into a big girl car seat.  Mommy held out as long as she could, but it was time.  I thought she'd be so excited & happy to be facing forward, but she didn't seem all that impressed... she's like her Mommy... not big on change....

She also has a new favorite toy...the SWIFFER.... she loves it.  I took the top 2 sections off so it's her height (and she won't take my eye out), and she goes to town.... in some of these pics you can see the Swiffer is blurry as she was moving it so fast... she's going to be a great help with the hardwood floors....

 

Sadly... the Red Sox season is over... I think this picture sums up the feeling of Red Sox nation...

And lastly, before the season completely disappears I made some apple crisp for my guests Sunny & Matthew... yummmmm....

 

 

Politics

I hate politics... most people I meet already have very strong feelings one way or the other, and not much you say will sway them.... the beliefs are so deeply rooted.  I stay informed, and try to stay balanced so I can make an educated decision.

Because of this I stay away from discussing politics on this blog, as I don't want to alienate family, and friends who may differ from my point of view.

HOWEVER, I am breaking my own rule (sort of... I'm still not going to state a position), but I can't stand how ugly this election has become. 

It's not just ugly, it's out & out hatred!!!  

I just don't get it, and it scares me.  The only thing I can think of is it's spiritual.

The only other thing I will say on this topic is to educate yourself... evaluate what are your biggest issues... the economy? the war on terror?  social issues?  Whatever it is, find out where the candidates REALLY stand, not just what their rhetoric says, and vote accordingly.  Don't vote with emotion.

A couple years ago there was a gubenatorial race here in Massachusetts, and one of the candidates had an ad with a woman at one of his rallies saying "I feel hopeful again... for the first time in a long time".  My response to that is if you're putting your hope in a politician on either side of the aisle you are sure to be disappointed.