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We spent our first Christmas with Lindy in Arizona with Don's family. We weren't 
sure if everyone was going to make it because of all the snow Denver got!!! However, by late Christmas eve everyone made it in safely.Lindy survived the near 2000 mile roundtrip road trip, and so did we. She has proven herself to be a pretty good little traveler, for which we are thankful. 
She did hit the wall a few times in the car, but who wouldn't when you're strapped in from head to toe and looking out at miles and miles of nothing???!!! She pointed out just about every truck on I-10 and learned about trains, as she added two more states to her repertoire. 
Lindy got to meet the rest of her boy first cousins, except for Shon. She also met her Uncle Pat, Uncle Robbie, Grandma & Grandpa Osborn, her Great Uncle Denny & Aunt Sally from the Seattle area, 
and two second cousins and second cousins once removed. She also saw Aunt Michelle, Aunt Anne, and cousins Brooke & Livi again. There were so many people to play with and an amazing toy room.
We drove around and looked at lights and she squealed with delight! We've also discovered she's a normal toddler when it comes to Christmas--more interested in the boxes and paper 
than the gift itself. Towards the end of opening her gifts, she did start to say, "Ohhh and ooohhh." Sounds like she may be ready for a fireworks display!It was so special for Don and I to have our little girl this Christmas. She by far is the best gift we received all year.
Enjoy the photos!The Osborns
Before we head out for the holidays, we want to wish everyone a lovely Christmas. Whether you are spending your time with family and/or friends, we hope it will be special and that you will take time to reflect on the meaning of Christmas.We look forward to experiencing Christmas through the eyes of our sweet Lindy. It has already been a blessing to see her marvel at the tree or say "lights" over and over as she sees each new display of Christmas lights. I leave you with a quote from Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol: ". . . for it is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its mighty Founder was a child himself."Merry Christmas with love,The Osborns
Last Christmas was kind of tough. Don & I had hoped to be in China, recently home, or just about to travel…and then the BACKLOG began. It became pretty obvious in October and November that we weren’t going to be traveling before the end of the year because we hadn’t received our referral. Yet, we still hoped for a referral before Christmas, but that wasn’t meant to be, either. We didn’t travel to be with family, we didn’t decorate, and we didn’t exchange gifts with one another to conserve cash for our adoption. When Christmas rolled around and we didn’t even know who our daughter was, it really felt like it was never going to happen. Baby showers had been thrown, a room was in place, but it felt like it was all for nothing.
It wasn’t. 
A year later, we have our sweet Lindy and what a joy she is to us! However, we are aware there are many other families going through the same feelings and emotions we felt. I dedicate this post to all my friends who are disappointed and hurting because their children aren’t home with them this Christmas. Keep the faith. There is a process and God has a plan. I know you identify with the words of this song by Third Day, but pay attention to the last verse. It WILL happen and, God willing, next year you all WILL hold your sweet babies at Christmas.
"Merry Christmas"
There's a little girl trembling on a cold December morn
Crying for mama's arms
At an orphanage just outside a little China town
Where the forgotten are
But half a world away I hang the stockings by the fire
And dream about the day when I can finally call you mine
It's Christmas time again but you're not home
Your family is here and yet you're somewhere else alone
So tonight I pray that God will come and hold you in His arms
And tell you from my heart
I wish you Merry Christmas
As I hang the tinsel on the tree and watch the twinkling lights
I'm warmed by the fire's glow
Outside the children tumble in a wonderland of white
And make angels in the snow
But half a world away you try your best to fight the tears
And hope that Heaven's Angels come to carry you here
Christmas is the time we celebrate the Holy Child
And we celebrate His perfect gift of love
He came to Earth to give His life and prepare a place for us
So we could have a home with Him above
It's Christmas time again and now you're home
Your family is here so you will never be alone
So tonight before you go to sleep,
I'll hold you in my arms
And tell you from my heart
I wish you Merry Christmas
Well, folks...we're under two weeks until Christmas. Like Santa, I have many lists of stuff to do and buy to be officially "FINISHED." I do have a sense of calm that all my Christmas cards and the presents which needed to be mailed are out the door. That is always worthy of a big sigh of relief...
Last Friday(Lindy's 19 month birthday), I took Lindy to meet Santa at the mall. After extra effort to primp her and make her pretty, we braved a really chilly morning to go meet the man from the North Pole. The conditions were perfect. The line was short, no kids were crying, and some of her friends were there. She watched Santa while we were in line and really didn't show any apprehension at all. She watched her best friend, Beck, crawl onto his lap with no tears and seemed quite interested in that. However, once I walked up there and tried to place her on his lap she became stiff as a board, suddenly weighed 100 pounds, 
screamed and cried the biggest crocodile tears you can imagine. Therefore...NO Santa picture. Unfortunately, I didn't have my camera, so I was unable to catch any of the scene. The camera lady kept asking if I wanted to be in the picture. Standing there with no makeup, a frumpy outfit, and partially dried hair I felt like barking, "Do I look like I'm ready for pictures??? Uh No!!!" However, I kindly said, "no" as I stepped aside for the next person in line.
Honestly, I was pretty surprised Lindy was so resistant because she's really pretty fearless and quite friendly and outgoing. Of course, the wind was taken out of my sails a bit because things didn't go as I had hoped. I am SLOWLY learning things aren't always going to go as smoothly as I like with my little lady and as frustrating or disappointing as it may be, it's OKAY.
The good news is that a couple days after the Santa incident, I was able to capture a couple of pretty good pictures of Lindy in a dress I bought for her over two years ago on clearance. Yea!!! 
I don't know much about this thing they call Christmas, but I think I like it. One day I went down for a nap and the most amazing thing happened. When I woke up, there was this beautiful tree with lights and all sorts of interesting things on it. Even though I have only rearranged a few of the ornaments, I have heard, "Just look, don't touch" a lot more than usual. It is so tempting to touch all those pretty things...
One thing I really, really LOVE is the music. Mommy and I listen to it all day long at home and all the time in the car. It is so much fun! I know Santa says, "Ho, ho, ho," even though I say, "Ho, ho." I think Mommy is going to take me to visit him tomorrow. I've seen him on the catalogs I get in the mail and on TV and he looks pretty fun.Last Saturday I went to Daddy's work for a party. Here are some pictures of me and these beautiful red plants I wanted to eat but Mom told me are dangerous. 
Having candy canes on my dress made me hungry!!! Are candy canes anything like candy corn???
I think more fun times are in store for me these next few days, so I'll write more later.Love,Lindy
An extra bonus during our trip to CA was getting to meet my friend, Jill, face-to-face.Jill is part of a wonderful group of women with whom I pray via conference call on a weekly basis. We're all scattered throughout the U.S. and most of us have never met. Many of us have adopted from China or are waiting to adopt. We have developed some really amazing friendships and are such a unique support system.Jill graciously opened up her home to us and we had a great lunch and lovely visit. One would never have suspected we had never previously met.
Jill and her husband are waiting to bring home their son, Sammy. Just as she has been a cheerleader for us about Lindy, we can't wait to celebrate when it is time for their sweet boy to come home!!!
This past week the three of us traveled to California. The last time we were in California, (
April 13, 2006) Lindy became a U.S. citizen as her tiny feet touched down on U.S. soil for the first time. This time we were there to celebrate the 50th wedding anniversary of Lindy's great great aunt Nadine and great great uncle Al, as well as have a pre-Thanksgiving gathering with family. Lindy did fairly well on both flights and and a real trooper as we logged over 600 driving miles in southern California to our many destinations. We're blessed that she is pretty flexible and adaptable to new situations!
Not only was Lindy reunited with Grandma & Grandpa, Uncle Jeff, Aunt Dani, and her cousins Bryce & Brendan, she met her 
great 
grandparents, two great great uncles and great great aunts, two great uncles and one great aunt, a slew of cousins, and all the family dogs...It was very special for me to see her meet so many of my loved ones on my tiny little family tree--a real Thanksgiving blessing. I think it is safe to say she warmed the hearts of many. 
While we were at the 50th wedding anniversary celebration our dancing queen really came out in rare form. The minute the dj put on the music, the lights were dimmed, and the disco ball came out, Lindy was in the middle of the dance floor. She couldn't stop. Pictures don't do it justice because she was moving around so much. 
Here are some pictures of the trip...
Hi all,
Tonight Lindy celebrated her first Halloween. We went around to some friends and neighbors to initiate her into trick-or-treating. She was not at all bashful about sticking out her pumpkin and asking for candy. She thought an open door met an open invitation to come inside and make herself at home--especially when she heard dogs.
She also enjoyed handing out candy...ONE PIECE AT A TIME.
Poor thing, it was probably close to 90 degrees in San Antonio today and we had her covered from head to toe and she was DRENCHED! As a giraffe, she probably felt like she was in Africa.
As I've mentioned before, she's a hard one to photograph these days, but here are a couple...
sure if everyone was going to make it because of all the snow Denver got!!! However, by late Christmas eve everyone made it in safely.
She did hit the wall a few times in the car, but who wouldn't when you're strapped in from head to toe and looking out at miles and miles of nothing???!!! She pointed out just about every truck on I-10 and learned about trains, as she added two more states to her repertoire. 
and two second cousins and second cousins once removed. She also saw Aunt Michelle, Aunt Anne, and cousins Brooke & Livi again. There were so many people to play with and an amazing toy room.
than the gift itself. Towards the end of opening her gifts, she did start to say, "Ohhh and ooohhh." Sounds like she may be ready for a fireworks display!
