Lesa's my Secret Pal!

I forgot to post a photo!!! Thanks again, Lesa!

My Secret Pal's the Bomb!

Lesa, you are the Secret Pal Queen! I'm sorry it has taken me so long to post, but it took me the last 5 days just to lay out all the stuff for the photo! :) The last box of goodies seemed to go on...and on...and on! So much fun! The little lady bug outfit and socks are just adorable! I can't wait to be able to try it on someone. The little ladybug toys are cute, cute, cute, and will go so well with our nursery theme. I also love the stuffed block, the nesting blocks are way too cool, and the little stuffed "critter" (is he a ladybug, too?) is so cuddly. And you KNOW I like the croc sandals because that's what I wear! The panda squeaky book is cute, and I'm thinking about sticking that in the suitcase for the China trip. Now...the little pink pig with the ribbon on it. I think it's for hair barrettes? That's what I was thinking about using it for, anyway. My 3 favorites are: 1) the photo of you and Wendy (sooooo sweet! I'll put it in my daughter's scrapbook!); 2) the bracelets! Please tell Wendy thank you for making the bracelet for Chloe. I will treasure them both always; and 3)the little fuzzy purse with stuffed lipstick, compact, and cell phone. This one may go to China, too.

Lesa, I just want to thank you for being the best Secret Pal and for making the past 10 months so enjoyable. Kevin and I both looked forward to your packages every month and the love and care you put into each one was just so evident. I don't know how to say thank you enough. I hope we will still stay in touch and I so hope that we all travel together. I need to be with someone who has the experience behind them ;) Take Care, friend.

Thank you Susan!

Susan, I want you to know that everyone in my family really loved and appreciated getting all of the wonderful packages that you so thoughtfully put together. One of my up most favorite things you sent was the Chinese Cookbook! I truly love all of the illustrations in it.
Wendy has loved being able to open all of the boxes that came! I always waited for her to be awake from her nap to share in the opening. Lacy and Holly have also enjoyed this. Before this our second adoption I have never participated in a Secret Pal Swap. I wish I had been in on our first one, but got in our group too late.
I know we all will miss going to the door and finding a special surprise awaiting us.
I finally have the final photo to add to our blog.
Thank you so much for being a wonderful SP and now a wonderful sister/and forever friend.

Your pal,
Lesa

Jennifer is my Secret Pal!

Jennifer,

How can I thank you for the blessing that you have been to me? I have looked forward to your packages every month! It is so nice to know who you are! I love seeing the pictures of Adrienne on your wonderful website for adoptions, and it is fun to know that you picked out the darling things for our little Samantha!

I love the Panda! And the bow is just perfect, as it matches my house and it will be sitting in the living room until we start Samantha's nursery. The sweater and the ladybug items are so cute and a perfect weight for our winters.

I hope that the number of referral days picks up and that we have the opportunity to travel together as I would love to meet in person.

Again, thanks so much for the many thoughtful gifts and the encouragement that you were every month!

Love, Christine

Thank you Diane! You've been the best!

Diane, it's so great to finally find out who you are! You've been so thoughtful with all of your gifts over the past months, and what a great grand finale! I love everything! I listened to Patty Stevenson's CD on my way into work today. Talk about making a girl wanna cry! I had a knot in my throat throughout "I will", and held the tears back so I wouldn't walk into the office with my mascara streaming down my cheeks. That is such a touching song and means so much to me. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. You really could've just stopped there, but no, you had lots of fun stuff for Maiya too! I love the ladybug theme -- which included a creative activity tote (perfect for us creative sorts), sippy cup, and a ladybug farm! And then there's the oh so cute outfit, that will be perfect some 4th of July! And, last but not least, the crystal and silver Forever baby bracelet. I love it! That almost had me in tears last night when I first opened your package.

You've been so thoughtful, and I've found so much support in the lovely cards and sentiments you have wrote each month. I do hope we have a chance to meet some day in the near future. You will make a wonderful mommy to a very special little girl!

Thank you again for everything.
xxoo,
Susan

To Michele M. from Melissa

Michele,

You have been the greatest SP! I love the canvas "D" I just got in the mail today for Darby's room. It looks awesome in there. As soon as I opened it (and wiped away the tears...this is such an emotional time for all of us w/ our 1 year annivesaries here or coming soon) I hung it in her room. It goes great!!!!! I absolutely love it and so appreciate you taking the time to have it custom made to match her room. Katie has been at her mom's but will be home Friday and I can't wait to show her.

I thought at one point that you were my SP too, but I was only about 50% sure. That is too funny. Yes, please let me know when you come down to FL. We don't go away for the holidays since all of our families live here. I would really like the chance to meet you and Mike in person.

Thanks once again for all of your thougtful gifts. I have loved them all and really enjoyed this SP swap!

XOXO,
Melissa

Here it is...

Thanks again to my wonderful SP's Melissa & Katie. You guys did a great job every month and I will miss receiving those surprises at my door.

To Michele M. from your SP

Michele,

Your June special gift is on it's way to you. I don't know if it will state who it's from as I shipped it direct so I wanted to let you know that I am your SP. I am so sad this is coming to an end. I really enjoyed being your SP and looked forward to finding new goodies to send you each month. I must also finally confess that my daughter, Katie, was also a huge help every month and she has had so much fun with it as well. I have to give her credit where it is due. I had never heard of a SP swap until I joined this group and was really unsure of it at first, but it has been a great experience and I hope we all decide to do something else in the future.

Your SP,
Melissa

Thank You Sherry....Cynthia's SP

Hi,

I was thrilled to find out Friday night when I got home that Sherry is my secret pal. Sherry you have been a fantastic secret pal. I have enjoyed all the wonderful gifts you have sent. This month was no exception. I have wanted to get wooden letters that spell Taylor to hang over her bed. I have looked all around but never found anything that I really liked. My search is over....Sherry gave me my letters. Not just any letters. These are hand painted with colors and designs that match her room colors and bedding. Sherry's mom painted them so a special thanks go out to her. I love them and can't wait to hand them in Taylor's room. I know she will like them also. So you can all see the detail and colors of the letters I took individual pictures of them.

Thanks again Sherry for everything. You have been an awesome secret pal. I can't thank you enough.

Cynthia

Thank you to Diane's Secret Pal !!

Hi Secret Pal, Wow... I came home from a work trip to not one but TWO packages on my porch! What a wonderful surprise on a tired evening. You definitely shouldn't apologize for timing, you are a terrific secret pal. We're all busy and time flies! Anyway, back to the thank you!! April's gift brought a picture that matches perfectly to my vision of the nursery... the color and butterfly are perfect. It makes me want to start working on the room now even though i'd decided to wait a while! I love the pattern of the notecards... perfect for a quick note. The bird matches the garden theme I've got going in my dining room. And the pair of ladybugs are too cute... i can't stop playing with the windup one that does flips! May's gift is perfect too. I know my little one will love all the choices in music (what a selection!), and the travel pillow set will be so soothing during the long trip! The card is really thoughtful too! Thanks so much for everything these many months. I can't wait to find out who you are ... hopefully we'll get the chance to travel together and you'll be able to see some of the little outfits and other assorted treats in actual use :) Thanks again! Diane

Finally got the photos....

Hey Susan my pal! I finally got pics of the wonderful things you sent to all of us. Holly loves her monkey and said thanks she was so excited to be part of the Pal Package Opening Ceremony. We are going to make the Monkey Bread tomorrow night. Wendy loves her own Buddha! She also loves her Backpack purse....it is now loaded with her Buddha, her princes stamps and a watch. I can hardly wait to play the CD for Mylie. I may play it for Wendy just to test it out. I also can't wait to see Miss Mylie in that darn cute skirt and stockings which I will put them together with the little onsie, tam, and socks you sent. It will make such an adorable outfit and can't wait to send a photo of her wearing them to you. Who knows, I may be taking it to China with us.

We all love you, Susan!! Thanks for being such a wonderful pal and especially my friend.

Love,
Lesa

Thanks to Melissa's Awesome SP!

SP you are the best! I feel so blessed to have you and I am very sad this swap is ending next month. Finding your packages at my door or in my mailbox are so much fun and they always seem to come at just the right times when I need a little pick-me-up. I love the toys for Darby. I have been thinking about picking up some stacking cups after hearing what a hit they are with the babies and I love the ladybug teething toy too. Bootsie has taken over the catnip toy and this is the first time I have seen her play so intently in a while. She loves it. Thanks for thinking of the cats. In the tradition of my love of everything ladybug, the note nest and pin are fabulous! I also loved the book of thoughtful post-it notes. I have never seen anything like it before and I have already started using them. I like to stick handwritten little notes in my husband's or daughter's lunches so they are perfect.

Big Hugs!
Melissa

Thank you, Christine's Secret Pal

To my wonderful Secret Pal,

Thank you so much for the darling Mother's Day gifts. I really love the satin/cotton blankie, what a wonderful cuddle up with blankie! I can't wait to use the bows, they are adorable and the bib is so cute I won't want to use it! :-) I so look forward to see Samantha running around in the little romper. You have been such a blessing and I can't wait to "meet" you next month!
I have really looked forward to your packages every month, and I am sorry it took me so long to post a thank you for this gift, we got a new computer and it seemed to take forever for my hubby to get everything transfered over.

Again, thank you so much for the wonderful gifts and the caring heart behind them.

Love,
Christine

Thank You Susan's Secret Pal

I adore everything! My package included: a bikini (the cutest!!!) with matching hat, beach coverup, and the coolest lime green sunglasses! I cannot wait to put our little Maiya in this adorable outfit! And, there was a special treat of Asian rice snacks, which is one of my favorites--seriously! I love everything, you are the greatest, and I will miss getting these special gifts from you. But, I also can't wait to find out who you are, and hope we get to travel to China together!

xxoo-
Susan

Thank You! Thank You!

A great big Thank You from Lissie's Secret Pal - and no, I do not know who you are. I love all the beach related items: beach towel, adorable sunglasses to protect her delicate eyes, a cute little swimsuit, and some fun sand toys! I can't wait for her to see the ocean for the first time! Thank you again and I guess next month all will be revealed! Till then ;)

Your Pal, Lissie

A Belated Thank You to my Not-So-Secret Pal!

April and May Secret Pal Gifts

Kevin posing with my Mother's Day books from my Secret Pal!

Pink Ticklish Hippo-VERY SWEET!

I feel awful for being so delingquent in thanking the best Secret Pal in the whole wide world! Lesa, will you please forgive me? I get so wrapped up in my own crazy world some times, but I do want you to know that I love everything and I will miss your wonderful packages after next month. You have been absolutely great! And up until March, I really had no idea who my Secret Pal was!

Thank you so much for the wonderful goodies! I hope you like the photos. I made Kevin pose with them. Doesn't he look enthused? He really likes the tickle giggle hippo and loves to torture the cats and Sunshine by making it laugh. We both love to receive packages in the mail. He always lets me open them but he's as excited as I am to find out what's inside. Everything will go so nicely in my "garden" themed nursery. I can't wait to get it all put together!

Take care, Lesa, and thanks for being such an inspiration and mentor during this process of waiting...and waiting...and waiting.



Mary

A huge thank you to Cynthia's SP

Hi,

Thank you sooooo much secret pal for the wonderful package I received Friday night. I love everything in it. The cabbage patch doll - Elyssa Madison is adorable. What a great surprise. I love her and I am sure Taylor will too. I can't wait for her to see her. Boy will Taylor have fun in the tub with all the cool toys you got her....rubber ducs, little animals that squirt water, the ladybug with 3 babys. The foamer will be fun for her shampoo. Can definately use the wash cloths. Everything is fantastic. You are so thoughtful and generous. I can't say thank you enough.

I love everything!!!!!

Cynthia

A Special Mother's Day Thank You to Cynthia's Secret Pal

Happy Mother's Day to my secret pal. I received a truely wonderful gift from my secret pal yesterday. A beautiful silver heart key chain. The heart opens up and inside is a red thread. I really love it and have keys on it already. I also got a package of kleenex with the cutest saying on them "Because I am the Mom that's why." I love it. Wonder how many times we will say that to our daughters during their lives?!?!?!

Thanks sooooooo much for everything. They are special gifts and you are a wonderful, thoughtful secret pal.

Love, Cynthia

My FABULOUS May & Mother's Day gift

I really hate to brag - but I must. I have the most incredible, amazing, wonderful, and generous Secret Pal ever!!!! I can't believe the absolutely wonderful gift she sent me for Mother's Day.

Let's back up a couple of days.

On Tuesday of last week I got an email from my SP saying that she mailed my May gift and I would be receiving it in a couple of days but not to open it until Sunday. (she has a secret email address that she used to send me messages some times)

On Thursday of I received a package in the mail. Now, it was from 'Red Envelope' - so I knew I would love it. But, I couldn't open it. And I really wanted to. But, I had promised I wouldn't. So I was good.

Friday came - I checked out the box again. I moved it from the snack bar to the kitchen table. Sitting there all alone - just waiting for me to open it.

Saturday came - I moved the box to dust under it and placed it back in the same spot. So tempting. I then thought - just open it - she'll never know. Very tempting. But, I was good and didn't open it. Only a few more hours.

Sunday morning - 6:15am the dogs wake me up for food. The first thing I see when I enter the kitchen is the box on the table. But, the dogs would never allow me to open it before feeding them. Ok - now I can open it!!!!!

And look what's inside.

Ok - Since my picture taking skills aren't the best - here's what that picture from the Red Envelope website looks like:

So thank you SP from the bottom - top and middle of my heart. You have made this Mother's Day truly amazing. This is a day I won't soon forget.

And your generosity is amazing too.

Word can not express how much I love this and you.

You are a wonderful kind person.

Love,

Sherry

We Love You Secret Pal

Secret Pal:

Danielle and I received your package yesterday. She loves to open up gifts. Since she has come home she has gotten so many (including her birthday) that she thinks all gifts are for HER!! Well, Danielle loves her Piglet. She actually brought him (her) to school with her today. I love the summer dress (perfect size). It will look soooo good on her. She has been spending a lot of time outside and is getting a suntan (even with sunblock). Interestingly, the dress is a "heartstring" and my sister-in-law used to work for them YEARS ago before they sold out to the "big guys". My nephews used to wear all of their clothes when they were toddlers. It brought up some good memories when I saw the tag.

I love my candles and candle holder. Fits my house perfectly!!

You also sent me my first Mothers Day Card!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank You. I apologize for skipping my thank you to you last month. It was a really hectic month with me going back to work and Danielle starting Daycare. That is really no excuse, expecially condidering all that you do for us, but it is the honest truth. Please know that we do appreciate you! Please accept my apology.

Love,

JoAnne and Danielle

Thanks to Michele's SP

Hello SP,

I was pleasantly surprised to see a box of goodies sitting by the door for me today. I really needed that big smile; it wasnt a great day for me. Thanks for that. On my wishlist of things to get was a seat protector for the car...thanks thats great; one item crossed off the list. Not sure how you knew but I was also in need of some hangers so it was perfect timing. What can I say about the socks....we can always use them and can never have enough! Thanks again. I love the little hint too on the card. ;)

Have a wonderful Mother's Day!!!

Thank you SP for my March & April gifts!!!!!!!

I've so far behind in everything lately that I just took pictures of all my gift for the past two months. I'm so sorry I haven't posted pictures yet. But, here they are!!!!!! So thank-you, thank-you, thank-you!!!!!! You are the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Above are the March gifts ---- LOVE the socks. And Sonny was so happy to get a Daddy book.

Below are the April gift. Look at how cute the jammies are. The I love the placemat. And the back of it can be used for chalk - how great is that. I love it. I can see that will be traveling places with us!!!

Thank you to Cynthia's SP

Hi,

I want to thank my SP for my wonderful April gifts. I received for Taylor a really cute Pull Along Music and Movement Dudley and Daisy. It is so cute and I can't wait for Taylor to play with it. I also received some bubble pendants that I am sure will come in handy at bath time. Also received really nice smelling (sweet pea) bubble bath and body lotion. Already started using these :) Last but no least is a really cute strawberry flvored pig. I am slowly nibbling my way through the pig. The tail was quite tasty!!!

I love everything. Thank you so much you are the greatest.

Have a great week.

Cynthia

Thanks for Michele's Birthday Surprise!!

Hey SP~

A big hug and many thanks to you for my special birthday surprise. I love Bath & Body Works and the scent smells so pretty. Thanks for your thoughtfulness, I truly appreciate it and will think of you everyday. You're #1 in my book!!

As Promised here are the photos of April's Pal Gifts

I wanted to post the photos of our April package. Wendy just loved her chicken! I loved watching her open all of the packages. The little Buddha is so cute, but it was hard getting a photo of just him, because he is so small and shiny.


Thank you for all you do. You are a very sweet and thoughtful Secret Pal, and I can't wait to find out who you are. I keep thinking I have you figured out and then something comes up to make me think different. LOL

I just had to show off your art work!! Great job. Oh, the dogs really appreciate being thought of as well.



Love, Lesa and Wendy

Thank You, Christine's Secret Pal!

Dear Secret Pal!

What a wonderful surprise to find in the mail Saturday! A wonderful Easter blessing for our little Samantha! What a darling outfit, it look's so cozy, can't wait to cuddle with my little one in it. :-) This was an especially good week to receive this as I was a little down about the small number of days that China made through this month for referrals, but it gives me a lift to get this packages and to know that this WILL happen! And I know this wait will seem like nothing when we receive our daughters, but sometimes it seems forever!

Just know, Secret Pal, that you make the wait go by so much faster and you are such a wonderful blessing!

~ Christine ~

Thank you so much for my March and X-mas gifts....

Funny....I just found our X-mas disc with the wonderful wonderful gifts. I loved the candle stick holders and ornament. Wendy loved her bells.
Sorry that I am so incrediably late at posting the photo.

Now for my March gifts.....The PJ's for Wendy are so sweet and I love the ladybug outfit for Mylie....I can't wait to put her in it. The little pig is adorable.
My Hot Tamales were enjoyed by me mostly, but Wendy surprised me with eating half of them! She has become fond of spicy things lately. She loves Thai food with a little spice. The CD is wonderful and is so calming.

I got your package with all of the little outfits. They are absolutely precious! What a surprise to get them so quickly after getting the last package.
As soon as I get the photos I promise I will put them on.

Love your pal,

Lesa

Happy Easter/Spring Susan's Secret Pal!

Thank you Secret Pal for the awesome Easter package!!! It came on Saturday afternooon--perfect timing for the holiday weekend! I love the little sun dress, it's sooooo adorable! It's the size I've been buying most, so we're thinking the same on clothing purchases. It's hard not knowing sizes or seasons to buy for, but even harder not to buy in advance. Little girls clothes are just too cute, I really have to control myself these days!

Scooter loved the quacking duck toy! I had to tell him that it was for Maiya, as well as the duck bath puppet, when he decided to try and swipe it from the dining table. Oh, and I haven't had Peeps since I was a kid, but I am one of those adults who still likes them along with those orange Circus Peanuts that so many kids like! They were gone quickly, too quickly for me to find chocolate sauce to dip them in! I wanted to "fondue" them, but Roger decided we needed to experience them like kids do. Thank you for everything!

I hope you had a nice Easter and will soon be seeing warmer weather come your way, wherever you are. Speaking of, it's so hard not to guess who you are! I keep thinking I've got it figured out, but then something confuses me and I change my mind. And, it's even harder being a Secret Pal and not revealing myself! One of these days I'm going to goof and sign my name in response to a thank you on the yahoo group, or on the card I send with the packages! If I haven't already done so, it's only a matter of time.

Happy Spring Pal! Hopefully we'll be seeing the referrals blooming in the weeks and months to come!

You're the best!
Susan