Thank You Secret Pal!!

Wow, wow...WOW! Once again my Secret Pal was beyond generous with July's gift! Thank you so much SP!

July's theme was 'Summer Fun' and oh boy will Hannah have fun and be stylin' with all her new summer treats! Absolutely everything she'll need for a day of fun in the sun with mommy was included!

Miss Hannah will be sporting this too-cute-for-words pink ladybug bathing suit with one of her 2 matching hats that have the great neck protection flap at the back.

On her feet outside of the pool she'll wear adorable, sparkled flip flops and when in the pool, teeny, tiny pink water shoes! I've secretly wanted a pair of those flip flops since they were all the rage at the last MIW dinner when a few people received them.

Upon exiting her too cute lady bug pool, Hannah will don her bright, fun, colourful beach towel while reading her new 'Who Loves Baby?' book! (These books are wonderful and I plan on sending one in a care package to Hannah once I receive her referral. They're made so that pictures can be inserted in each page so I'll send one with pics of myself and my family so that she will have an opportunity to see us and get to know me a bit before I arrive in China. Hopefully this will ease the transition a little bit.)

Thank you, thank you SP! Once again you outdid yourself and I am very thankful! The card matches the entire gift perfectly and I'm already enjoying the shower gel.

Thank you!!!

Thank You Secret Pal!

June's gift theme was 'Baby's Got a Boo Boo' and my SP found lots of helpful items for Hannah to use. (It was funny to see some of the same items I bought for my SP sent to Hannah.) Another challenge we faced was with the delay in referrals continuing my SP bought things that wouldn't expire before I travel. Great job SP!

This month's gift contained Dora tissues, Dora band-aids (for when Hannah goes through the 'Yes Mommy, I need 20 band-aids on at one time' stage), an eyedropper type medicine dispenser, thermometer, travel first-aid kit and a really neat little bottle type medicine dispenser with a nipple in it. I hadn't seen anything like that but think it's really neat!

The package also had 2 cute little books, cotton pads, a pill divider and travel size wet ones.

Such useful items and I'll be able to take many of them with me to China. Thank you SP! There are many items on my 'to buy someday' list that I can now cross off because of your generosity. I really appreciate all the thought and care that you put into purchasing gifts each month!

Wow! Secret Pal...you're the BEST!

When I arrived home today there was a wonderful treat waiting for me at the front door. May's SP gift! I couldn't wait t open it as May's theme was 'Music' and I love that Hannah will have lots and lots of music in her life! (I've already asked Sharon to put her on her waiting list for piano students in ummmm...2014!)

Each item in the package was chosen so carefully and with such care. I love the variety of CD's my SP sent too! There is a nursery rhyme CD with old favourites like This Old Man, The Itsy Bitsy Spider and many more. The 2nd CD is a Crayola Storybook CD with stories like Jack and Jill, Humpty Dumpty and the Three Little Pigs.

But, the CD that touched my heart the very most was one called Heavenly Lullabies. Its a Christian Music CD of lullabies just for babies. Some of the pieces are, What a Friend I Have in Jesus, Fairest Lord Jesus and This is My Father's World. SP, I am SO touched that you have taken time to get to know me as a person - I'm guessing through my posts and blog. That you took the time to find a CD like this makes me cry. I can't wait for the day when I can introduce Hannah to God and share how He planned to bring us together long, long ago, because He loves us so munch. Thank you for including such a precious CD! It will be played in her nursery at night as I calmly feed her her last bottle, snuggle for a bit and then tuck her in to bed. (OK, ok...before you all choke! It will also be played on those nights when she fights her bottle, pushes away when I try to snuggle her and screams when we even move towards her crib! :o) Reality check - check!!

Also included in the package was the wonderful book, 'Six Little Ducks' that comes with a CD of the story and others too.

Another treat is a beautiful pink 'h' magnet that will proudly be displayed on the front of my fridge before my head hits the pillow tonight. Just seeing the letter 'h' and knowing it is a reminder of Hannah brought a smile to my heart! (It really must be quite comical as I open these gifts on my own and audibly ooo and ahh over each and every piece of the gift!)

The final item in this most amazing gift was a note with the words to Steven Curtis Chapman's song, 'When Love Takes You In.' I love this piece and the first time my friend Carol heard it she immediately called and offered to sing it at Hannah's dedication service! I quickly took her up on her offer because not only is she a great friend, but she has a beautiful voice and music ministry.

Secret Pal, THANK YOU! I love receiving your gifts each month but this month was just something extra special. I don't know who you are but please know that you, your family and the precious baby you will someday hold are being prayed for. YOU are very special and I am so thankful that you are my Secret Pal!

When Love Takes You In

When love takes you in
everything changes
A miracle starts witht he beat of a
heart
When love takes you home and
says you belong here
The loneliness ends and a new
life begins
When love takes you in it takes
you in for good
When love takes you in

Steven Curtis Chapman

Thank You Secret Pal!

What a treat it is each month to participate in the March DTC Secret Pal gift exchange!! It's fun to go shopping for someone else and then the excitement of receiving gifts for Hannah and I!

April's gift was a bundle of photo and memory treats as well as some Easter treats too! 4 picture frames to place pictures of my precious Hannah and a Mom's Brag Book...oh yah! Gonna wear that one out! There was also a sweet little Disney photo album with the Disney princesses on the front. My SP knows how much I love Disney!


There was also a bundle of fun Easter treats. A yummy chocolate bunny that didn't last long, cute litte carrots stickers and an Easter boarder for scrapbooking, a bunny puzzle and magnetic picture frames. She also made a beautiful page with spring pics and stickers on it.

What a nice surprise it was that Mom and Dad received a treat too! Here they are posing with the pictureframe that was included for them.

Thank you Secret Pal! Your thoughtful gifts are much appreciated each month!

Our Secret Pal Strikes Again!

I want to say a huge THANK YOU for March's gifts and apoligize for taking so long to post here. Life just seems to be crazy busy right now and sadly my blogging is taking a beating.

I absolutely love all the adorable ladybug and panda things you found for Hannah and I last month! Hannah rec'd an adorable, cuddly panda, Fisher Price panda with moving feet (I know...because I've played with it! :o) and child chopsticks that are joined at the top! SP - I've looked for months for children's chopsticks - Thank you!!!

As always, my thoughtful SP remembered Mommy too. Bright, fun tea towels with spring flowers and ladybugs, some beautiful stories of pandas and ladybugs as well as tissues with ladybugs that are just too cute to use! And lastly mmmm....chocolate!! I'm not sure if that's for baby or mommy but since it won't make it through the weekend I'll say it's for mommy! LOL!

Thanks again SP for your always thoughtful and special gifts. Even the box they came in was dressed up with pandas and ladybugs.

You are so kind and Hannah and I so appreciate your generosity.

Thank You to my SP and the 'Mystery Gifter!'

I received another wonderful gift from my secret pal last week! With all the excitement of making it through the review room I decided to hold off posting about the great gifts she sent until this week. I don't know who you are SP, but if you also received the great news that you're through the review room...CONGRATULATIONS!!! That would mean our LID's are close together and there is a small chance we could be in China together. That would be great!

February's gift theme was 'Cuddle Me Close To Your Heart - Bedtime and Snuggling Items.' My SP sent a wonderful selection of bedtime items. Firstly, a Dora CD called 'World Adventures.' (Can you believe I've never watched an entire Dora episode? Bet I won't be saying that 2 years from now!!!)

After we watch the CD it will be bath time and pajama time. She sent an absolutely adorable penguin pj set with a cute hooded robe. I've wanted to pick up a robe for her and now she has one. Thanks SP! (My friend Krista is penguin crazy!! I'll think of her as well as my SP when Hannah wears these adorable pj's)

After she's all cleaned up, snuggly and almost ready for bed it will be time to read her a story, prayer time and then off to bed....I hope! :o) This fun, colourful book about Disney Princesses will be just perfect!

Thanks SP! Once again your gifts are perfect!! Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness and kindness!


I also received another treat in the mail last week. I went to the mailbox and this fun surprise was waiting. I love ladybugs and this cute magnet now holds a prime spot on the fridge where I can see it daily. Thank you Mystery Gifter!! I won't blow your cover...just wanted to say thanks!!