Kisses

Still feeling pretty icky today. I have lots to blog about but no real energy. So for now, I will leave you with these pictures of Briana kissing herself in the mirror. Have a great weekend!

Under The Weather

Briana, Doug and I are all "under the weather". Briana and I have colds and Doug had a procedure yesterday to remove that kidney stone I talked about a couple of months back (yep, he didn't pass it like we thought).

So, I am taking a little bloggy break for a few days.

Catch up with you all later...

Happy Birthday Doug!

Yep - my man turns 35 today. Happy Birthday sweetie!!! Briana, Asia and I love you very much!

XOXOXOXOXOXOXO!!!!!

Li Li's 3rd Birthday Party

Briana and I attended Li Li's third birthday princess party yesterday! Debbie, you really outdid yourself! From the table, to the cake, to the party favors - it was spectacular. And it was so fun. All the little girls dressed up in princess outfits. It was so cute!

Briana had an absolute blast, but toward the end of the party, she had a meltdown. Mommy didn't want Briana to shove all the frosting from the cake in her mouth at the same time. So, Briana proceeded to scream and cry at the top of her lungs. Ahh - the first time she has ever done this in front of a large group (and it is rare that she ever does this at all). Thank goodness I was among sympathetic friends. They have all been there and done that. So, after two short trips to the bathroom to let her cry it out, she came out happy and started to party again. Let me just say that Briana can be very exhausting at times!

The party was absolutely beautiful and so was the birthday girl!

Head In The Fridge

Here are pictures of Briana's and my lunch date with Kathy and Chani as promised (I swiped the pics from Kathy)!

Once again at Kathy's house, Briana looks like this...(actually Briana loves putting the bows in her hair.)

This is why I named the post "Head In The Fridge." Please don't ask why she did this...

Ah, that's my girl...

Briana showing Chani the nail clippers.

Briana wiping Chani's nose. Isn't that sweet?

Briana stealing, um, I mean eating Chani's fruit puffs.

Thanks Kathy for all the beautiful pics!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Moi? Blogging With A Purpose Award

I must thank Kim from "Journey To Isabella" for awarding me with the "Blogging with a Purpose" Award! This is what Kim said about my blog...

"Lisa @ Life with Briana...Lisa is a new mommy to a smiley little Briana...Lisa has a Heart of Gold...I have figured out why Briana is always smiling..."Like mother, like daughter..." Lisa is so inspirational...still after her referral and she is home with her daughter...she is still right in the trenches with us waiting on our little girls to come home..."

Wow - I am not worthy! Isn't she the sweetest? I really am so honored.

So, now I am supposed to pick 5 blogs that serve a purpose and pass on this award. Gosh, this is hard. I follow a number of blogs, and I believe each and every one serves a purpose. I am also not supposed to award someone who has already been awarded. I must only choose 5, so here it goes (and hopefully they have not been awarded already):

1. The Mad Race For Macey - Kris is a true inspiration. When I read what she writes, I can actually feel her emotions through her words. She is so amazingly spiritual and enlightened. I love her honesty and openness as she shares her life with us as she waits for her daughter in China. And her photography is so beautiful as well.

2. Australia to China - Who knew I would become blog buddies with someone on the other side of the world from me? Ozimum shares her mantra "Laugh. Live. Love." with the blog world. I love her upbeat attitude about the wait for her China daughter, and I enjoy reading about her life and family.

3. Catherine's Chatter - Waiting For Hannah - Catherine has such a positive attitude about the wait for her China daughter and toward life in general. Her faith in God is strong and gives her an amazing peace of mind.

4. Tuininga Treasures - Janet shares her life and funny stories about raising a large family as she waits for a daughter from China. I can't tell you how many times I find myself giggling about what her kids say. Her blog is fun and uplifting!

5. 3D's Adoption Journey - Doris openly and honestly shares the ups and downs she experiences as she waits for her daughter in China. And she always reminds you to "Keep Smilin'".

Below are the guidelines to follow when choosing the next 5.

Rules:
1. Awarded parties must nominate five people who have not received the award.
2. The blogs that receive the award must serve some purpose.
3. In their post about the award they need to link back to this entry.
4. Awarded parties must post the award banner on their site. The banner must remain linked to this site.

Baba's Comin' Home and No More Box

Well, Miss Briana and I survived five whole days without daddy. Briana is alive and kickin'! (Giving myself a little pat on my back - LOL!) Doug is on his way home from Vegas and will be home this evening. We miss Baba so much and he needs to come home so Briana can do this again...

We did keep pretty busy while Doug was out of town. Sunday, we visited grandma the whole day (and my mom offered to watch Briana for a little while so I could go out and do some clothes shopping - which I hadn't done in a long time - NICE!). And yesterday, we visited Kathy and Chani. We had a great play date and went out to eat Mexican food for lunch. The girls did so well at the restaurant! Kathy and I actually got complimented by a group of people at another table that the girls were so good and so cute! :) It felt so surreal that Kathy and I were eating lunch together with our daughters. It was wonderful. I think about it and feel like tearing up! I didn't have my camera with me, but Kathy took a bunch of pics of the girls, so I will steal some from her soon!

By the way, I LOVE "my", um, I mean "our" new car...

And I did see RQ this morning and saw the disturbing news about the "box" and how the CCAA is not going to update it anymore. My heart goes out to you all that are still waiting. I heard this song on the radio the other day. It made me think of Doug because he was out of town, but it also made me think of all of you waiting families. It seems appropriate to post today. Please hang in there...

17 Months Old, New Wheels & Vegas Bound

Baby girl is 17 months old today! She is rockin' the shades.

And check out our new wheels! A black Infiniti FX35 - shweet!!! The transmission on Doug's Isuzu Rodeo crapped out right before Christmas, and we had to get it rebuilt. Ugh. The car was 11 years old, pretty shaky and it was time to go. So the day after New Year's, Doug traded in the old car and bought this baby! It is so nice!

Doug is headed right now to the CES convention in Las Vegas and will be there through Wednesday. That means me and Miss Bri are on our own for a few days. But I get to play with the new car now all by myself, so it is ok! Briana and I miss Baba already!

Have a great weekend everybody!

A Little Backtracking

The month of December was crazy busy for Doug, Briana and me. There were several occasions that I didn't get a chance to blog about last month, so I am going back a little now.

A few days before Christmas, my cousin Jennifer and her fiance Andrew came into town from Florida to visit her parents (my aunt and uncle who live about an hour from me), and they all came over to see Briana. Jennifer had not met Briana yet, and they hit it off immediately! It was great to see Jennifer, but it is not possible that she is getting married in May because in my eyes she will be perpetually 5 years old (she is 10 years younger than I am).

Jennifer and Briana

Andrew and Jennifer

And also a few days before Christmas, Doug, Bri and I were invited to Zachary's birthday dinner (Doug's best friend Jimmie's nephew). Zach turned 14. There is no way he turned 14 - I am in denial. He will also be perpetually 5 years old in my eyes. Dinner was great (Japanese- yum), and Briana had a blast - actually I think Bri has a little crush - LOL! Zach got Guitar Hero for the Wii, so a good time was had by all! Two days after Zach's b-day, "Uncle" Jimmie came over to our house bearing Christmas gifts. Let's just say he spoiled Briana some!

And lastly, there are a few more pictures from Christmas Eve and Christmas Day that I want to share! Our holiday season was purely magical!

So Few Referrals - What Gives?

It's official - and it's ridiculous. Plain and simple. Only 5 days matched this month. I thought I was going to lose my mind when I waited 19 months for a referral. I can't even imagine what it is like for all you waiting now. Torture is probably the best word to describe it. Reasons need to be given as to why this is happening - why things are moving even slower than before. You all need answers. You deserve answers. No more speculation, no more excuses, no more lies. It is not fair and it is not right.

It just sucks...