Mike and Mari's wedding

Well this weekend was pretty jam packed. I had to work Friday then left for the rehearsal dinner down South Philly. We were invited to Ryan's cousin Mari's wedding. She got engaged about 15 months ago to Mike MacDougal, if you f ollow baseball he is the Washington Nats closer. They make such a wonder couple they seemed very much in love. The place was calleed Momma Maria's. Well if you are in the mood for a 7 course Italian dinner this is the place. Everything was great from the Anti pasta then soup which was a crepe filled with cheese and soaked into a chicken broth. The a trio of pasta and sauces. I choose Veal Marsala for dinner the bean and rice and salad and after all that dessert with Lemon Chello. Very good dinner. Saturday I had work in the morning then left early to get my hair a nd makeup done. Then off the the reception. Ryan went to Mass he was a reader, I wasn't able to make the ceremony because of work. He said the Mass was beautiful and he did a good job on his reading. The ceremony was in the Bellvue down town, what a beautiful place. Everything was done top notch. Ryan's 3 little cousin were there. the youngest was the flower girl she looked beautiful. We had a great time hanging out with them. I think Ryan hinted to me that he wanted me to have a baby. I kind of ignored him and started talking about something else. Maybe some day it will be in my cards to have a baby of my own but right now I believe the best thing for me is adoption. I think he was just in the moment hanging out with the little girls and having fun with them that he said that,but I know he wants to adopt to. The food at the wedding was just as good as the food from the rehearsal. The best man and maid of honour made toasted which were beautiful and came right from the heart. We said over at the hotel and woke up the next mooring for breakfast with all the guests from the wedding. So I think i am about 10lbs heavy then I was on Friday. We had a wonderful time spending time with family and each other. Ryan even said lets get married again. Watching two people so in love makes you want to get married again. Well its now 5:30 and I am ready for bed. Thank God I don't have to be in work tomorrow till 2

My scare

Let me start of the story is all my pets are fine. Well I think today might of been a test for me for becoming a mom and I might of failed. Thurs nights my husband gets home from work late. So it is the only night I get to come home from work and have a few hours to myself. Well I have four pets to take care of when I get home. First I let my dog Lucy out back to do her business. In the meantime Sadie and I go out front for her to do her thing. I refill the water bowl get Sadies snack so she can take her medicine and give Lucy's treats. Go check on the cats and make sure they are alright and give them some attention. Well that's what happened tonight but somewhere in the mix of this and cooking dinner and changing in my pjs I lost track of Lucy. I thought she was outside. I remember letting her out she came back in for her treats, went upstairs with me while i was getting changed and I swore (would of bet my life on it) that I let her back out. So some time passed my husband came home from work and I asked him to let her in. I heard him calling her she didn't come in, he said I am going to take a shower Lucy doesn't want to come in. Well it was getting late and cold I don't want her out there anymore I get up I am at the back door calling her and nothing She doesn't come when I call. This went on for a full minute I couldn't see her or hear her. So now I am in a panic my hearts racing I run in the house put sneakers and sweater on and go out back (our back yard is pretty big and dark plus we have an in ground pool) start calling for her waking around the pool praying she didn't fall in. So my mind starts wondering I think she died somewhere in the yard a wild animal got to her and killed her. I run upstairs make my husband get out the shower and help me look for her. He gets the flash light and goes through the whole yard no sign of her anywhere. I don't know what to do at this point I am asking St Anthony to help me find her show me a sign where she can be. In the meantime when my husband went to take a shower he brought the cat upstairs with him. Lucy and Buddy the cat (or so we thought) don't get along we never leave them in the same room together because we thought Lucy would hurt her. So my husband goes back in the house and for some reason decides to check the house for her and there she is Laying on the bed in the spare bedroom like a queen and guess who is in the bedroom with her Buddy the cat. Well instantly I start crying. I was so relieved I really thought she was dead somewhere in the yard. I am standing there crying and hugging her and she is looking at me like What I was here the whole time why are you crying. For 5 years now we have keep the dogs and cats away from one another and tonight because of my absent mind they were hanging our not even caring they were together. What a great mom I am going to be I can't even keep track of a 4 legged dog who is suppose to come when called. I guess the lesson in this check the house when you can't find the dog and don't just assume something bad has happened.

The Philadelphia Phillies

Well the Phillies lost. What a great fight. I am sad that they lost but happy they had a great season. They came out with heart, They had a tuff start this season by losing Harry Kalas. I am sure that took a toll on the team he was the heart and soul of the team. The rest of the city got to mourn him but the Phillies still had to work. We battled injuries, death and even a birth this season. They were in the World Series with the New York Yankees, that says something about this team. The Yanks have a big payroll the Phillies don't players for the Yanks go there because they get paid more than their worth it. Phillies players come to this city because they want to play baseball with a city who has just as much heart as they do. I love this team they gave us a great season. Watching them I get to spend time with my family, go to games with my sister and nephew, have discussion about who stinks and who is great ( of course we all have different opinions). The Phils brought us together as family. I haven't sit down in my parents living room since I was a little girl and laid on the couch and watched a baseball game. I got to listen to my dad complain how they stink(he is their biggest fan he never misses a game but yet no matter what always thinks they stink. It is his thing) Me and my mom yell at the TV like they could here us. We are either cheering or wishing we were their coaches because we know better. My husband is off in his own world and has totally different views then anyone I know. Well Phils Thanks for a great season can't wait till April. Hopefully I will be there for opening day.

Halloween weekend

Well this weekend has been a mix of fun and games. Well first I got to see all my little friends sons. My oldest friend Lisa who grew up across the street from me has two little boys Kyle and Colin. They were dresses as a Cowboy and Race car driver. They looked so cute. Next up is my friend Judy who I have been Friends with now for about 6 years, she came into my life when we started working together. She took a part time job at my parents restaurant and we pretty much became instant friends. Her so Michael was dresses as the incredible Hulk. He was so funny, when I went over there is was just starting to get ready, he is 5 years and did not want to get the green makeup on his face. He was giving his mom a hard time her Patience was wearing thin SO I stepped in and he let me finish spraying his hair and he was a perfect angel for me. We went trick or treating and got to go to some really cool haunted houses. I think I was more scared then him. We went to the hot dog ladies house and got hot dogs and chili. She even had beer for the adults. After Judy's house I went to visit my friend Lane at work. Her family owns a local tavern in the city. Well here comes the games. The Phillies game well as everyone knows they lost Saturday night. I was sitting at the bar with a bunch of strangers and the only thing we had in common was the hope the Phillies would win but they lost and our hope now was that they win on Sunday. Well here comes Sunday and we got an extra hour of sleep, but someone forgot to tell my dogs so they got up at 9:30 and were ready to go out so I up playing on the computer till I had to get ready to go to work. Work was slow and pretty boring. After work I went to visit my closest and dearest Friend who is my cousin Rose and her son Cayden. He is will be 3 in March; Rose dressed him so I could see him in his costume which was a pizza delivery man. He looked great. He had on jeans and flannel with a little apron and vest with a pizza sown on his back and he carried a box of pizza. Pretty creative. After I left Rose's house I went to my parents to wathch the Phillies game. They could not seem to pull it together homers with no one on base. No hits when someone was on base and Lidge just couldn't pull off a 3 out inning. Well they lost, while I am sad I am still hoping for a win in the next 3 games. If anyone can do it, it will be the PHils. While I had a nice time hanging out with all my little Nephews I can't wait to dress my daughter up for her first Halloween and take her trick or treating. I am thinking for her first Halloween I want to dress her as a Panda Bear. How cute will that be. Well I am signing off for the night and hoping the Phils get a win Monday night!!! Go Phils

Our Children

Carla

Buddy

Lucy lookingl like the queen of the castle

Sadie Sleeping as usual

As we are waiting for our daughter, I can introduce you to our 3 furry daughter and our furry son. Lucy and Sadie our dog daughters. The best dogs you could ever ask for. I love them so much. They are the cutest and most lovable dogs in the world. Lucy is a little bit of a loner, she loves to be outside chasing the squirrels and rabbits in our backyard. She love sitting in the sun and watching the birds fly around above her. When she comes in she loves cuddling up with her mom. While she is an obedient dog in the house she is not so obedient outside. If she gets out the front door, she takes off through the neighborhood and comes home when she is tired and needs a nap and drink. Thank god this has only happen a couple times and we live in a quiet neighborhood with no main highways. We had to get a six foot fence because she could jump over out first fence of 4 foot. Lucy is an a rescue dog form the Pennsylvania SPCA she is a Lab/Shep mix. She has the body and hair of a Lab but the marking of a Shepard. She is 7 years old. Sadie is the complete opposite of Lucy, she is a 90lb baby. Mommas girl. If she could find a way to permanently attach herself to me she would. I always joke and say i am going to make a kangaroo pouch for her so she never has to leave my side. She hates to be outside. She is house trained so she goes out does her business is back in in less then 2 minutes. Where ever I am she is right behind me. She is big Ofe. I just love her to death. I don't think she could get any cuter. She is so dumb but yet so smart all at the same time. I never have to worry about her getting outside, she would never leave the front patch of grass. we go out front together and i lay on the hammock and she lays right under neath me. Another dog could walk by and it doesn't even phase her. When she wants to play I leave that up to my husband. She only weighs about 20lbs less them me, so when she jumps on me she knocks me right over. She is also a rescue dog from the SPCA and is 6 years old and is a Doberman/Rottie mix.

Our next daughter is Carla she is our cat who i found as a stray at my work one day. She is the cutest thing when she was hanging around our work one day she was so tiny and skinny. I decided to take her to the vet have her checked out. Then bring her to the SPCA for someone to adopt. She was in perfect healt except for one thing, she had a botfly growing in her nose. It had to be the grosses thing i ever seen. The doctor pulled it out of her nose it was twice the size of her nostril is had to be so painful. I thank god everyday that I found her and was able to help her. Well the plan to drop her off at the SPCA didn't go so well. After two days of keeping her in my house and playing with her I fell in love. So now 5 years later she is running around and finding crazy hiding spacing in the house. She keeps to herself but when she want to be pet she lets you know. Next is Buddy, he was Ryan cat before we met. He found him while working in West Virgina. He is the biggest cat I think I ever saw. He is very lovable.He loves to snuggle under the blankets with you, he loves everyone that comes into our home. I swear he talks and says Ryan. He buy far loves Ryan more then me, the other three love me more then him. We are so grateful to have such wonderful children and I hope they are all still here with us when our daughter comes home from China.

100 Wishes Quilt

We got this idea from another family adopting from China. She had told us about this tradition that started in China. To welcome and celebrate a new life, there is a tradition in the northern part of China to make a Bai Jia Bei, or 100 Good Wishes Quilt. It is a custom to invite friends and family to contribute a patch of cloth with a wish for the baby. Part of the patch of cloth goes into the quilt for the baby, and the other part of the cloth can go into a creative memory notebook with the wish for the child. The quilt contains the luck, energy, and good wishes from all the families and friends who contributed a piece of fabric. The quilt is then passed down from generation to generation.

We started this quilt right after we put in our application to China. When we started to tell our family and friends we gave them a copy of the 100 wishes quilt. We have received some really creative thing from people and love making the scrap book. I actually look forward to getting the mail everyday hoping for a new peice of fabric. One of my cousin is friends with a lady from China and she wrote her wishes in Chinese that was really great.

If you would like to contribute here is what you do.

If you would like to contribute here's what we would like for you to do:
1. Choose any 100% cotton fabric that you like. We hope that you will be able to find a piece of fabric in your craft supplies, old decorating projects or among old clothes that you no longer wear.

Some ideas for selecting the fabric square include selecting a fabric that is meaningful to you or is a pattern or design that you think is pretty. 100% cotton fabric is best because it will hold up longer and wear better. Try to avoid fabric that stretches such as t-shirt cotton or jersey because it is very difficult to work with.
2. Cut one 8 x 8 inch square from the fabric. Cut a second 2 x 2 inch square from the fabric.
3. Print or hand-write a good wish note on a sturdy type of paper such as an index card or cardstock. Remember to include your name!
Ideas for good wishes notes include anything that you would wish for a newborn child including good health, happiness, compassion, patience, or a sense of humor. It could contain your favorite scripture, poetry, the lyrics of a favorite song or just your own words. It could be serious or light-hearted, so long as it contains your heartfelt good wishes for our daughter.
We have not decided on a name yet so if you would like to address her as Our Special Blessing.
4. Assemble all three items above and mail to us at the following address:
Danielle and Ryan
1181 Bristol Pike
Bensalem PA 19020

Phillies

Go Phillies, they have only 5 more wins and they will be world Champs again. I can't wait. What great stories we will have to tell our daughter when we bring her to her first Phillies game.