Yes we are still alive

It's been almost a month since I've blogged and for good reason. My laptop crashed...burned...discenigrated...had a melt-down, and so I've been without a computer for over a week now and IT'S KILLING ME SLOWLY!! Fortunately my blackberry gives me access to some of my email but going without internet access is causing me to have severe withdrawels because I use the internet for everything. Right now I'm in the cold basement working on our old dinosaur of a computer but hey...it's got internet (for now) so I'm happy! I have some new pictures to post of the girls so hopefully the 3 week time date they gave us for my laptop will be pushed up a bit. Will update soon!!

Welcome to the family Evelyn Claire

Sarah and Evelyn (Evy) Claire Bittner born January 2, 2009

Yesterday we took Sarah and Ansley to Babyland General Hospital and came home with a new baby. Sarah officially adopted Evelyn (Evy) Claire right out of the cabbage patch. It was very exciting (especially for me!!) to watch the nurses get her ready in the nursery and then hand her out to Sarah. She has blue eyes and a sprig of blonde curly hair. Both Sarah and I took the oath to be a good mommy and Nana KK and we took her home. As we entered the hospital where you check in as a guest, they had a display of original "Little People" from the early 80's and I could swear Joyce Anita was the one sitting under the window. It looked JUST LIKE HER!! I would like to think that maybe whoever found her sent her back to Babyland General and I hope that was her. Some of you know the story of Joyce Anita but for purposes of not making anyone feel guilty (mother) I won't share it here. ;-) We all had a great day and I am so excited Sarah was able to experience this. It has been on my list of things to do if I ever had a girl and fortunately I was blessed with two of them. Ansley will have her turn in a couple more years and I can't wait!

I'm telling myself the girl with the ponytails under the window is Joyce Anita!

Being born in the cabbage patch

She's a healthy baby girl

Taking the oath of adoption

Sarah signed her name on the adoption papers

Evy with Nana KK

Happy New Year

Happy New Year - 2009
May it be a blessed and wonderful new year for everyone!!

p.s. Ansley's first haircut WILL be in 2009!

Merry Christmas!

This is totally not what I had in mind for my Christmas blog BUT here it is Dec. 31st and I still haven't gotten anything posted so I figured I better throw something out there. Christmas morning Ansley had a nasty virus and spent the day throwing up. Unfortunately I didn't get many pictures Christmas morning but despite her feeling sick, we had a pretty good day just sitting around doing nothing. Sarah spent the entire day playing with her new doll house and Ansley just wanted to be held. Fortunately for her the virus only lasted a couple of days but it ended up passing around to each one in the house. Other than a minor tummy ache from Sarah, everyone seems to be officially virus free today...YAY!! I hope everyone had a great Christmas!!

P.S. the picture of Adam and Ansley was taken Christmas Eve so that explains the smiles. Little did she know what the next 48 hours had in store for her!

Last batch of cookies

As Christmas day nears, we baked and decorated our last batch of Christmas cookies. It's also going to be our 4th (and last) time to Stone Mountain tonight as we slowly start to wrap up all the holiday activities we've done the past month....and a half! We have stayed so busy doing crafts and other things this season that life might seem pretty boring after it's all over and done with! Sarah LOVED decorating the cookies with her special icing and Ansley.....well, Ansley just enjoyed sucking the icing out of the tube and trying to decorate herself! I can't wait to taste these yummy creations~

Flashback Friday - The TRUE meaning of Christmas

Each year I look forward to the Charlie Brown Christmas special and am even more excited to share that memory with both Sarah and Ansley. My very favorite part is when Linus gets up in front of everyone and tells the real reason for Christmas. I think this is a special memory for me because ever since I was little, I could recite the entire thing with him. As a child we were taught those same verses from Luke chapter 2. I vividly remember being in kindergarten and reciting those verses as we put on a play in our classroom. I don't remember too much from that kindergarten year but I do remember learning bible verses weekly and especially at Christmas time. Thank you mom and dad for instilling the true meaning of Christmas to us at such a young age.

Our special cookies

Yesterday we found out we were having a special visitor. Uncle Sean was in town and would be stopping by for a visit. Sarah loves when Uncle Sean comes to visit. She was so excited that she wanted to make him some cookies. Sarah's favorite part was pushing the hershey's kisses into the cookies and Ansley just wanted to eat them (they were chocolate mint truffle...can you blame her?)