Ava Anticipation

In my Ava Anticipation, I have started buying her a few things.  

One thing I had to get was a doll.  I felt it was really important to find her dolls that look like her.  I'd been searching the internet, and found a few I liked, but hadn't totally committed to them yet.  Then I found out through one of my facebook DTC groups that Wal-Mart had an Asian Rag doll that could be personalized.  When I saw it, I knew I had to order it!  It will be perfect for taking on our trip.  But later that same week, while shopping at Aldi's, I found another doll that I think looks Asian.  And she was only $7.99!  

The picture on the back of the box.

I think she is a very sweet and cute doll!

Ava's personalized Rag Doll is currently sitting under our Christmas tree.  My Christmas wish is that she will be home with us next Christmas!

Could she be any sweeter?

While we were in Erie, I did run out for a little bit on Black Friday morning for just a few things.  I headed to Hobby Lobby to get the boys their annual Christmas ornaments.  Of course, I had to start Ava's Christmas ornament collection.  Low and behold, I found a Chinese take out ornament!  We hope our little Dumplin' will like this ornament.

I also got her this cute glass bear ornament.

This past week while at another craft store near here, I found these initial ornaments.  So I got one for each of us.

A is for Ava

I have also already bought her a stocking and stocking holder.  The boys stockings have snowmen on a blue background.  So I was pleased when I found this light blue stocking with a cute snowman on it.   We have these awesome, heavy pewter stocking holders that came from Jeremy's Auntie Sande.  They actually can hold a picture, but last year, I made some decorative initials for the boys.  While I couldn't find something similar, I was really drawn to this stocking holder.  It says HOPE.  It is our HOPE that she will be with us by next Christmas, that she knows that we LONG for her, and that she will know the HOPE of Jesus who gives us our HOPE everyday and for eternity.

HOPING this is what our mantle will look like next year!