Knowing EVERYTHING

Have you all seen this adorable commercial (no matter what your computer preference is...it is really cute): Anyway, a couple of days ago, just before Emma's birthday that commercial came on and when it was over she turned to me and said: "She (the girl in the commercial) knows EVERYTHING". Then about 2 seconds later she sighed and said, "I can't wait til I'm 4 and a half then I'LL know EVERYTHING...(sigh)" And here I thought that she already did!

Praying in Primary

My little girl is getting bigger. On Sunday she gave her first official prayer in primary. I helped her and pretty much had to feed her every word to repeat (even though at home she can do it mostly alone)...however, when I told her to say 'bless President Monson' (which she did), she then turned to me and said 'what about President 'bama?" I told her she could pray for him too. She did a good job and I was proud of her.

Happy Chinese New Year!

creator of this artwork

Well, its a new year.

And with the inauguration of our new president: I've decided to renew hope in all the things that seem a little crazy or out of whack in my life:

...like trying to keep my business afloat...

...like trying to believe that my referral WILL come someday from China...

...like trying to cherish those too few, too short weekends that I get to spend with my daughter before I have to go back to full days of work... ...like trying to refinance my home... ...like enjoying more time with my family... ...like trying to pay off my debt... ...like trying to see more movies... ...like trying to have a party once in awhile (like I did in the old days)... ...like getting back in touch with so many friends on Facebook (I LOVE that thing!)... AND MOST OF ALL...

...counting my blessings everyday!!

First Five....

taken from cath's blog (which was taken from kate's blog)...see how this whole chain of giving gets started?...cool: _______________________ the first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me! my choice. for you. this offer does have some restrictions and limitations: 1. i make no guarantees that you will like what i make! 2. what i create will be just for you. 3. it’ll be done this year. {translation: you may be waiting a little while} 4. you have no clue what it’s going to be ... it may be cards, a poem, a bookmark, something yummy or a complete surprise to you (and me!) ... who knows? not you, that’s for sure! 5. i reserve the right to do something extremely strange. 6. most importantly, you must offer the same deal on your blog - the first 5 people to comment on your blog (or if you do not have a blog, facebook) get something made by YOU! the first 5 people to do so and leave a comment telling me they did win a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift by me ...

Christmas, Christmas time is here...

Here is my beautiful Christmas angel. She is the joy of the season for me. We had an all day snowstorm in St. George. This picture was taken in the morning when it had just started. By the next morning the ground was covered. To say the least Emma was excited to have a "snowball fight" and to build snowmen (5 when all was said and done). The joy in her eyes and face was simply magical as she played in the snow. Here is our tree, decorated my the master's hand (Grandpa). Emma helped too. She looks like a little candy cane here. At the ward Christmas party, Emma sees Santa...(she has since seen at least three other Santa's...and each time asks for different things...I hope Santa is amazing and has some magical tricks up his sleeve this year!)

I'm dreaming of...

My OTHER Christmas angel. Its been two years since my paperwork was received in China for my second adoption. While this has been a magical, wonderful time for Emma and I, my heart does ache as I wonder about my next little one. I don't know if she or he has been born yet...and I don't have any idea when I might actually go, maybe not for as much as two or three more years. I pray that it will not take that long, but I honestly don't know. I hope that wherever my little one is (even if not born yet), that he or she will know that I am loving him or her already and dreaming of being together. Here is a picture of the 'matching room' - this central office in China processes all adoptions and does the matching of adoptive parents with children. You can see along the wall the shelves full of dossiers (applications/paperwork of adoptive parents). My dossier might be somewhere on that shelf! (I don't know when the picture was taken). This is an example of what is known as a 'finding ad'. In China, the county or province newspapers list the children who are in the orphanages in that area. This is the paper where Emma's ad ran back in 2005. This is just one of three full pages. Oh how I dream that every child on this earth could find a home where they can be loved, feel safety and be at peace.

THE HOLIDAYS ALREADY?

Gosh, I can't believe how long it has been since I last checked in here...and now it is the holiday season? Wow. How did that happen??? We had a great Thanksgiving. Emma made this beautiful turkey hat at 'preschool' on the day we had it at our house (once a week, 4 little friends do preschool at one of their houses), it was just a few days before Thanksgiving...so hence, the 'turkey theme': On Tuesday, Me, Emma, Aunt Jan, Grandma and Grandpa all piled into the car and headed to Karen & Matt's house. The Campbells have been working on their new house for like three year...that they built themselves (they totally rock!)... And it is now finished and we went to enjoy the Thanksgiving weekend there at Campbell Manor. It is just such a gorgeous home and I am so happy for them. We had a wonderful time just sitting around, watching movies in their 'theater' room, being cozy by the fire and, of course, having a delicious Thanksgiving dinner. Here are a couple of pictures of the event: Emma and Paige even took a dip in the hot tub... What would a Broberg family holiday be without singing together around the piano? And of course there was lots of Christmas decorating to do. The master at work: