I'm getting EXCITED!!!!!!

72 hours from RIGHT now we will have our sweet Essie! I still can't believe that our gracious Father has sent us another of His angels!!!!! It's getting real.....I started packing a few minutes ago for TWO babies...... I am hoping that since they are close in age that Essie can wear some of AP's clothes, so they can coordinate. It was so different this time. I didn't have to go buy anything except some new baby Tylenol and tummy medicine for Essie. I went straight to AP's closet and went "shopping" for Essie. I have piles of stuff that I am taking to leave down there. In addition to packing I still have all that last minute Christmas stuff to take care of. I promise that Christmas around here has a whole new meaning!!! I have experienced such love and generosity over the past few days..... I am truly blessed to have so many behind and beside me! I am a bit tired today.... I was on the phone with a certain someone until 2 am! You know I don't stay up that late EVER, but the time just flew by. I loved talking with you, girl! Tonight I will be heading to bed EARLY, so I can finish everything up. I have one thing I want to go get Essie for her first Christmas present...... Can you believe that I'm venturing out tomorrow???? Anything for Essie! All babies need something special their first Christmas don't ya think???? If I don't post again....Have a very merry and blessed Christmas........

Love you guys!

To my Christmas Angels on Earth.....

There are no words.....None are suffient to thank you for what you did for Essie and for our family. Thanks to you generous people we received enough to buy plane tickets for Andrew and Anne Pearce. Do you realize what you all just did???? You just made Essie's adoption possible. God just worked through each and every one of you who donated one point or one dollar to give this child a family! I would have NEVER imagined when I started this little ol' blog that I would meet so many people that would become a part of my family. You have all been there every step of my adoption journey (starting with AP), and you guys just get me. It means more than anything in the world just knowing that there are people who "get" what we're doing and WHY we are doing it..... to know that you guys will be there through every step to get Essie home where she belongs. I know you don't want me to mention your names, but people, let me tell you: My buds have got my back in ways you can't even imagine. I am blessed to have the best friends on earth....many I've never even spoken to or met in person. I am humbled. I am thankful. Am I surprised??? Not for one second. You people rock! Christmas is about being together and helping others (to quote AP's favorite, The Wonder Pets). You all are the true meaning behind Christmas. The total unselfishness and gracious giving...... God is smiling down on each and every one of you, and I know He will bless you.........

I love you all more than words can say.
Eccl. 4: 9-10, 12
9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: 10 If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! 12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Am Ex Points

EDITED TO ADD:
Hey, this is Nat again. OK...we can transfer Continental miles, however, the transfer fees are ridiculous. We have found out that it is SO much easier and less expensive to transfer Am Ex points. So far, we have already received 36,000 Am Ex points...thank you!!!! We are looking at needing 105,000 points to purchase Andrew and Anne Pearce's tickets. Again, just leave a comment if you would like to help and I will get in contact with each of you!

THANK YOU!!!!!!!! You are all amazing!

Hey everyone! This is Natalie. First of all, I just want to express my gratitude to all of the WONDERFUL people who have already jumped at the chance to help get Lou, Andrew and Anne Pearce to Guatemala next week to sign the POA to continue Essie's adoption. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!! It is GREATLY appreciated. This is so very humbling. It just means so much to us all.

OK....so I've been trying to figure out a way for us to transfer our Continental miles to Lou's account. So far I am not finding anything to let me know that this is even possible. I will be making some phone calls in the morning, when the One Pass department opens. If any of you know IF and HOW we can do this...please go over to my blog and leave a message or leave a message here...I will be checking. Thank you so much!

Also, even better....we just realized that people can transfer their AM EX points directly to someone else's Continental One Pass account! That is great! We have already received one very generous donation through the Am Ex route! So, this is fabulous to know that if you don't have any Continental miles, but you'd still like to help, you can also transfer your Am Ex points!
Thank you again for your kindness and generosity! Our blog buddies never seem to amaze us! We love you all!!!

Ok, I'm telling ALL....

Meet Esther Alejandra, our Essie

This is NOT the way I wanted to tell our little secret. I had plans of a super secret admission after a bunch of clues.....However, this is not how it worked out.


Andrew, AP, and I are flying to GC on the day after Christmas to sign the POA to adopt Esther!!! It's a LONG story that I will tell later, but God let us know last weekend that we HAD to do it........ We are in shock.....happy.......excited.......SCARED......but trusting. We will be grandfathered in, as our POA will be registered on the 27th.....Our attorney spoke with the embassy to make sure.

NOW, WE NEED CONTINENTAL POINTS!!!! We thought up until a couple of hours ago that I could go alone to sign for us both. Jorge called me after Sergio talked with a government official. We BOTH have to go sign for it to be valid. You can imagine how hard it is for us to come up with this money so last minute the week BEFORE CHRISTMAS, but if we don't go now we lose Essie. If you have any points that you would be willing to donate we would be happy to take them. A FABULOUS blogging buddy already promised me almost 31,000 points!!!! Girl, you rock, and I owe you big time. We need around 80,000 to have Andrew and AP paid for. Natalie is figuring out how all this will work, so people can donate points....... It goes without saying how thankful we are for ANY assistance you can give us to get down there to start the ball rolling. The adoption will be tight, but we think we have it figured out. I know God will provide! Thanks you so much, and PLEASE PRAY!

How can you people say no to my divine big brown eyes????

Say What?!?!?! You guys are bringing Anne Pearce??? Are you sure about that???? Ok, if you promise you won't let her attack me we'll be fine! Bella has told me a thing or two about AP's talons! And TEETH, and PUSHING abilities!!!! Oh what am I in for????

There are some BIG things going on at my house.....

Stay tuned for further developments...... IT'S A SURPRISE!!!!!

I know you all are tired of looking at my hair......

And it's past time for a new post...... We had a great weekend....We went and spent the day with all of Andrew's family yesterday (HEY GOODDADDY), and we had a wonderful time catching up. Anne Pearce loved playing with her grandparents, great-grandparents, and sweet precious little cousins. When we were at Andrew's Maw-Maw's there were 8 little ones running around, and that wasn't even all of them! AP was in baby heaven........ It was great to see them all....

I have to go into major shopping mode this week to get finished up... I still have TOO much do to.....It is much harder sh0pping with a one year old! It is WONDERFUL..... Ol' Man Winter finally blew some cold air our way. I think it's supposed to last for 3 days.....Oh well, life in the south! Here are some more of our pics from Nat's. I was keeping these a secret for my hubby, but I had to show them, since other people were getting them as gifts! He loved them!

Daddy's 2 girlies!

How stinkin' sweet is this?????
This is my absolute favorite of Anne Pearce..... She looks like an angel!
lovey lovey,

lou

New Haircut......

I LOVE my haircut girl: Lacey.......She always knows just what to do with my hair.... Today I gave her full reign.....Just told her to do something short. She said I had a "perfect forehead" for bangs whatever that means, so I told her to have at it..... This is the end product. I haven't had bangs like this for a LONG time....... Cheaper than Botox!

Can I just say that I feel like a complete dork taking pics of myself??? It just feels bizarre....

I was already being a goober taking pics of myself, so what the heck??? Here's a wink for blogland......

AP's first Christmas Tree

Good job, Mama!

I think I would rather just eat my ornament! Wouldn't you agree, Bella??

Mad Skills!
Check out Ap's thumb! Just like her big brother!

Just some cuteness from the HOT south!

No autographs, PLEASE!

PEEEEEEE YOUUUUUUU!
Yes, I'm barefooted.....it's 80 stinkin' degrees!



How cute is this???
In the middle of a clap......
Clap Part 2






You GOTTA be kidding me??? That Santa man is going to bring me PRESENTS???? Man, I thought his job was just to scare the crap outta little kids!

It is just UNNATURAL.......

To go Christmas shopping when it's 82 degrees!!!!! ON DECEMBER 11th......... It's hard to get into the Christmas spirit when it feels like summer in the south!!! Today, AP and I took off to run some errands. I was wearing capri pants, a sleeveless top, and flip flops.....What is wrong with that picture??? This time last week I was bundled up at Nat's, and boy do I miss that! Come on, Old Man Winter!!!!! Blow some cold air our way...... I am lovin' all the Christmas cards I am getting! Ours just went out today, so be looking in your mailboxes this week.

This has to be my favorite of the pics I have seen so far. This is just "so us".

I am such a goober!!! We were all ooohhhhhing at the stream......... Don't know why I am the only one looking at the camera!

Come out, Come out, where ever you are! Edited: Sneak peak at our portraits!

Here are a couple of our pics we had done at Nat's.....We haven't seen them all yet, but we LOVE what we've gotten so far!

Ok, all you blog readers.....I'm sure you all saw my new playlist on the side.....I want all of you to come out of the lurking closet...... Tell me your favorite song(s)......I'm sure you can tell from my list that I love LOTS of stuff. I'm curious to see what everyone else likes too. SO, come on out!
Tell me your all time favorite song.........

This is what happened earlier when we were trying to take Christmas pictures....Anne Pearce wouldn't quit lovin' on Hayden. It was SO sweet.

We're home and more pics.....

Well, we had a fantastic visit.....It's always wonderful, but it's also hard to leave..... We are all family and meant to be closer....We just keep praying about that! I will write more later, but I know all you really care about is the pictures anyway:

Our babies with bedhead

Ap tackling Bella for a hug
Bella loves to snatch pencils and draw on the floor.
I think we have a future artist on our hands.
What do you notice about our hair?
AP couldn't wait to get out in that snow.
"Hey I like to eat this stuff".
Ralphie anyone???
No words necessary.
Anne Pearce, they are TRYING to take our picture.

Best Buddies
You guys are so funny!
AP come back here!

Mama, I KNOW you are NOT taking me to see that Santa person.

Oh No you're not!
Oh yes you did!!!! AP, can you BELIEVE they did this to us?

Bella, I CANNOT believe it!
Kennedy, are you here to save us, or are you just gonna sit there and look cute? DO SOMETHING!
Whew! Glad that is over!
That is what I think of that Santa person!
You don't get any more beautiful than this.

Look how sweetly Kennedy was talking to Santa.

Couldn't resist a couple more!

"Who us??? Why are you looking at us?? We're not doing anything wrong...."