Janie's First Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was of course extra special this year! There is so much to give thanks for right now....but my biggest blessing....this amazing baby girl who is the light of my life!

The above picture is Janie right before we went out shopping on the day after Thanksgiving. No, we didn't go at 4:00am, 5:00am, or 6:00am. Those people are NUTS!! We went around lunchtime. It was still very crowded but not too bad. Mommy worked retail while in high school and college so she has absolutley NO DESIRE to go shopping that early! (Of course that all may change when Janie is older and wants that special something and mommy stands in line in the early morning hours...)

So much to be thankful for:

This year I am so thankful for my family and friends. I am so grateful for my parent's support and love during this process. And my extended family has been so wonderful too. My friends have anticipated Janie's arrival just as much as I have. What a roller-coaster journey this has been and the support from everyone in my life has been what got me thru it all.

I am also thankful that I live in a country that allowed me to build my family thru adoption. As Americans, we often get discouraged with politics and our government....but ultimatley we are fortunate to live here. 

I am thankful to the men and women in the armed forces who serve this country and give us the freedom we so often take for granted.

I am thankful that I have the comfort of a nice home in a great neighborhood and town to raise my beautiful child.

I am thankful that I have a wonderful job teaching the most amazing students. I am thankful for the great people I work with each day.

I am thankful for my church family and the love I get there each week.

Mostly, I am thankful to God for bringing me and my daughter together. He has provided so many blessings in my life. 

Now.....pictures from the day!!!! I didn't take as many as I would have liked but my cousin Becky has a nice camera and she hopefully got some good shots that I missed....

The Macy's Thanksgiving Parade is a holiday tradition...but it has special significance in my family. Well, Janie must know that already because here she is fully enjoying the parade (on tv) from her Mimi's lap. How amazing is that---what a special moment for the two of them!! She loved the colors and music. Janie, I promise I will take you to NY one day to see it in person--it is so much more amazing than on tv.

You will notice Janie had several outfit changes on Thanksgiving...not because she messed any...nope, she just wanted to show off her many clothes. A fashion girl has to show her style!! This was the first time many of her relatives met Janie...what a special day for them and for her. 

Janie and I live kind of far away from our extended family, and we decided it would be bset to have Thanksgiving at her home--so many of our family came to meet her (so sweet). We still have SOOOO MANY more aunts, uncles, and cousins to meet--can't wait until Christmas when we travel to meet all these crazy family members :):):)

Janie was full of smiles on Thanksgiving, but as soon as I pulled out the camera-she was mesmerized by it and I didn't capture the smiles..

Here is Janie with her Uncle Rusty
Got your nose!

Aunt Barbara brought Janie some gifts--yeah, we love presents!

Janie with Becky and Griffin!

Janie's first TURKEY! Of course she couldn't eat it, but she liked looking at it!

 Janie with her aunt Barbara (I don't seem to have a picture with Aunt Charlene-hopefully someone else got a picture of them)
Janie loves her Mimi!
Janie's first Thansgiving meal--she had Sweet Potatoes and Peaches! But check out that plate of food in front of mommy---yum!
Janie and her uncle Randy (don't have a picture of Sarah, hopefully someone else got one)
Janie and Griffin! Check out her UGA outfit. She has to show support of her UGA Bulldogs for the upcoming UGA vs Ga. Tech game. Griffin is a HUGE Tech fan so it was hard for him to hold her in this outfit :):)

Janie knows the Bulldogs aren't having the best season this year....but she has full faith that they will come thru and take this game!! (Griffin hopes not)

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and we can't wait to see what 

the Christmas season brings us this year!!!