Being a Tuesday and all, I’m thinking it’s time I published a post my mother will read. This is, after all, still my personal blog, and I’ve been ignoring readers who don’t happen to live and breathe adoption and its related issues, but rather think my little kids … who just happen to be adopted … are adorable and worth spending time gazing over in cute holiday shots, and who like hearing about what’s happening in my life.
Those who couldn’t care less about me, my life or my family are excused from today’s blog.
Mom gets some bragging rights, as I was informed yesterday that I won First Place in the Answers.com Creating Writing Challenge. This was the third time I’d participated in what has been a fun practice in brain flexing, and coming in First has me right chuffed. I was pleased with what came from the list of “must use” words, and am happy enough that someone agreed that it was good. So happy, in fact, that the “I Won” badge will be a sidebar feature for some time to come. Besting what must have been thousands of entries, you won’t catch me … or my mom … sneezing at this acknowledgment.
I’d recently read Irene Nemirovsky’s “Suite Française”, and that elegant tale of the horrors of occupied France obviously inspired “Sweet Polska”. (I write on adoption out of passion, but fiction is all love.)
With the holidays over, it’s time to post those photos I’ve been promising, so here are a few from Christmas and New Year Eve.
Sam and Cj Christmas Eve with the tree in the background …
Checking out the gifts … notice that small rip in the wrapping paper?
Cj’s not happy about being discovered in the process of peeking …
Some of our Christmas Eve open house guests …
Kids on Christmas Eve
Our youngest guest …
Mark had a good time!
Sam served tea …
New Year’s Eve. Me with my friend, Michael …
Cj holding hands with Daddy
Sliding into the new year!
A collection of my short stories:
I'm in this one, too ...
And I'm in here, as well ...
Paradise Preoccupied 
Of course you won the writer’s challenge!!!!! Congrats.
The photos are delicious – you are looking fab!!!
L.
Way to go Sandra! You go girl! 🙂
Heidi
Thank you, Thank you! I had been missing day to day news and pictures of the munchkins and hubby dear. So glad to see all the smiles and socializing. It is also fun to recognize faces of folks we got to meet. Your hair is getting sooooo long! Jane
Thanks, folks.
Jane,
I was looking at some photos the other day and realized that I haven’t made time to have my hair cut since just before we went to Cambodia for Cj. That was in July of 2005. One of these days …
And to think of how much time I used to spend on hair and nails and makeup! Could my time have been better spent then, or now? There’s a question I should probably ponder, but I don’t have the time.
Great shots, S! The kids are breathtaking. Love, love, love the Cj face upon discovery. LOL, too funny 🙂 and glad to see Mark had such a good time.
Congrats on winning….no surprise there, though…..
You are so awesome! Of course you won!
Nobody can serve up words as deliciously as you do 🙂
Loved all the pics – it is great to be able to see you all, even though you live a world away.
The photos of the kids under the table with the gifts are just breathtaking. I wouldn’t want to be the recipient of that withering look from CJ!!
Beautiful photos!
Congrats too.
Sandra,
I can just hear your Dad chuckling over your First Prize!! We are
all so PROUD of you!! Keep it up! Miss you a bunch!
Have a joyous and healthy 2008 and love to you all.
Fran
Adorable!!!!
Looks like you all had a great Christmas.
The kids are beautiful.
Congratulations on the blogging prize.
Wow, those pictures are GREAT. Your kids are BEAUTIFUL. Congratulations on the award, you are a good writer!
I love the photos – looks like you spend a lot fo time on your porch, which is my daydream. My 2008 calendar is simply pages of photos of the water taken from porches!
I am so tickled to have discovered your blog and I look forward to reading more!
Dee
LOVE the pictures!!
– Faith
hey! thanks for visiting my blog. i’ve enjoyed reading your posts about adoption.. you have a beautiful family. i wished i lived on an island!!! thanks again for the kind comment… peace.
Nice pics, Auntie! 😀 😀
Congratulations on your award — such an impressive accomplishment!
You have such a beautiful and fun-looking family! I hope your holidays were wonderful.
Congrats on the award! I was not surprised though, you are an excellent writer.
I really enjoyed all the pics too (and your Charles Schulz Christmas tree!)
Was nice to see one pic of YOU too! Oh… and I promise no more virtual makeovers from this end, you don’t need it!
Deb
Sandra,
Congrats all around on the prize. It’s deserved; you are an excellent writer.
Oooh. The kiddos are cuties! Who wouldn’t love them?
Deb,
I’ll have you know that that tree SPINS! Charlie Brown’s tree couldn’t do that. (My mom sent it to me years ago, and it just keeps coming out of the box year after year after year.)
Coco,
Thanks. So far, everyone loves my kids, and with good reason!
Tisha, Lisa, Shelley, Michelle, Fran, s, Greshom, Kippa, Dee, Faith, Aaron, Becca, sluggomarie and everyone who has noticed how lovely Sam and Cj are and sent congrats …
THANKS!
“I’ll have you know that that tree SPINS!”
You just don’t get quality like that anymore……:)
Your kids are BEAUTIFUL!!!
Congratulations too!
-Jess
congratulations, san, although I agree with everyone else that it is no surprise to anyone who has read your writings. I’m happy that you are pleased and proud. You’ve such a wonderful talent. Your “babies” are just becoming more and more precious and beautiful….what fun! Looks like fun times at the Benoiton pad. Love to you all and hoping you have a wonderul 2008. (hi, too, to Frances. ) love, gayle