I was a secret pal to Kathy Taylor

OOPS, forgot to mention that I was a secret pal to Kathy Taylor ~ I hope she enjoyed my gifts to her ~ She did write to thank me a couple of times ~ Life got kinda busy for me in March... my boys always helped me find gifts for you! Have a great Spring!

My Secret Pal was Denise Woolley

Denise was my secret pal and she was the BEST...She sent me emails, extra gifts and was very thoughtful with all the gifts and also VERY generous! The first gift I received was an extra special one because it was a CD of my favorite Christian band, Newsboys... it is one I did not have and it is now my FAVORITE and also my boys' favorite CD too... We are on Spring break this week and we have been listening to this CD NON-STOP... I LOVE IT. I am a music person so when I hear songs I can't help but dance and I've been dancing around in my van with this CD...Here is the picture of the last box I received from Denise.... AGAIN, so generous and I LOVED EVERYTHING! THANKS DENISE.... I hope you got spoiled and pampered like me.

The End of Round #1

Round #1

Well, it's that time, folks....Round #1 of our Secret Pal Exchange is coming to an end. If you haven't sent your final "reveal" gift out to your pal, please do so this week.

Here's how it went.....

From what you've shared with me...some of you had a great Secret Pal experience, and some of you didn't. I heard from at least one person who didn't receive a gift, and several who hardly ever heard from their pals.

One thing that struck me the most was that those folks who had the most fun didn't necessarily get the most or the "best" gifts. Instead, they heard from their pals consistently, whether through e-mails or cards or comments on their blog. For a secret pal exchange to be sucessful, it's so important to be - well - involved. Take the time to get to know your pal. If circumstances arise and your life is super crazy - tell her. Let her know that even though you don't have time to write her a life story, you made the time to at least say hi.

Being a good pal is more than just sending a gift every 30 days. Please consider sitting out the next round if you don't feel you can commit to contacting your pal every week or so to see how their life is going. Everyone deserves a good, committed pal. Enough said.

Round #2

Round #2 will start May 1. Signup questionnaires will go out April 1, and signups will be from April 5 through April 20 (no gift exchange in April).

I think it might be fun to let folks choose who they'd like to spoil (anonymously, of course). If you'd like to be someone's pal, please let me know. It will work on a first come, first served basis, so please be understanding if you don't get your first choice. If you don't have someone in mind, not a problem - we'll match you up as we did for Round #1. I'm also looking for a volunteer to help moderate the exchange.

Lastly, if you have any feedback to improve the Secret Pal exchange - please share!! This is our group, and input is always welcomed.

All done now.

Heather in AZ

What an Amazing Pal you are Andrea Y.....

I just received my secret pal box and I was so excited to see it when i drove up that I actually fell up the stairs tryingto get in the house.

Clumsyness aside I tore open the box to find the cutest stuffed pink pig ,that is actually a hand puppet that makes the funniest oinking noises.

This will be great for distracting Mila when I need too and annoying hubby (see double duty)
J/K Hubby.
An adorable package of sparkly fun hair ties.


A 100 good wishes diaper bag that was just over so heart felt it brought me to tears...

A pretty chinese wind chime that I just hung on my patio outside Mila's Nursery and as always a card with a loving note of friendship.


Andrea Y , I may have guessed it was you correctly but you wrote everytime Ihear the chimes to think of our children.


I will but I will also think of you ''My Dear Special Pal''........
Thank You for Everthing.XOXO

Dee Kelley
DH Rob

My Secret Pal is Terri!

My secret pal Terri has been so thoughtful and has sent the

most amazing gifts. This month I received adoption books,

Boyd bear fleece blanket(LOVE IT)!!! and last but not least

Terri remembered my three girls and made them each

a beautiful ladybug bracelet. I will truly miss having you

as my Secret Pal. The next person to be matched with you

will really be blessed. Thanks so much for your friendship.

My Secret Pal is Theresa!

I have been SO spoiled the last three months by my wonderful SP Theresa! I had some very good clues and sort of figured it out but was very happily surprised today when I came home to a big brown box on the front step. I must admit that I cried when I opened the box - even before getting to the gifts. Joe was with me and asked why I was crying - well it was hard to explain - it was just this overwhelming feeling of gratitude. Theresa and I "met" on the CCAI paperchase board way back in June of 06' - we shared many of our milestones together - fingerprints, bumps along the way, but eventually DTC and LID the same day. I even had the pleasure of meeting her and her wonderul husband at the CCAI Orlando reunion. Well having had Theresa as my SP was very special to me - I believe that we will travel together to meet our daughters. First thing I opened, per Theresa's instructions, was the beautiful book You're All My Favorites - inside was a touching note. Theresa, I too believe that we will be lifetime friends and forever connected. Next up, was the beautiful ladybug picture frame that we decided will be for Miranda's referral picture. We also received a Lifebook Writing Guide - this has been something I have been looking into so I can't wait to read this and begin her Lifebook. The ladybug pen was quickly taken by Joseph for his backpack to take to school tomorrow. The Treasured Traditions St. Patrick's Day photo album is great and I look forward to start some green outfit photos for this! Okay, the SHOES - They are too cute and we can't wait to see her little feet in them. The beautiful ladybug is proudly being displayed in our living room and I can't wait to try to the Gracie Spa Scrub - it smells fabulous! Last, but not least, MRK received a Ladybug discovery toy - it looks like so much fun and Joseph can't wait to play it with her ( and either can Joe & I) - Theresa, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all the wonderful gifts for us and for Miranda Rae - but I am eternally grateful for the friend I have found on this journey to our daughter.

~~~Daniella

My Secret Pal is awesome!

A big THANK YOU! to my secret pal...Andrea W. My March present arrived and it included a beautiful hand made LadyBug blanket for baby! The last 3 months with my pal have been great. It was really fun being pampered and pampering someone else.

Andrea Y

Thank You Rebecca!

Ok so I figured it out with a little help just before the last gift arrived. I knew that my pal and I had to belong to another group besides this one just on how well she knew me. As soon as I found out that then all I did was check out the post mark and figure it out. I know I'm bad but as much as I love surprises I try to figure everything out.

Rebecca, as usual got us the best gifts. As usual she thought of my boys and got them each a three pack of POP ROCKS. They can't wait to try them after dinner tonight. For Diana she got a CD of Chinese lullaby's. I can't wait to rock Diana to sleep listening to them. She also got her this cute little flower garden that plays music. I LOVE it! I think we will have a lot of fun playing with that.

For mommy she got the cutest bug candy. It MAY be too cute too eat....Also she got me the cutest personalized luggage tag. It is black with white polka-dots with a ladybug and my name on it.

I can't begin to thank you for everything you have done these past three months! The encouraging emails, the e-cards, and of course the gifts have been so much appreciated! I will cherish all of it and think of you often.

Lisa

Thanks to my wonderful SP, Lisa!

My March gifts were a wonderful finish to a wonderful experience.
On the left is a tennis racket where the ball swings around and makes noise -- I'm sure this will be a favorite! On the right is a bubble belly -- it blows bubbles for baby! I foresee this being very handy for distracting from things like nail trimming and whatnot -- I can't wait to try it out!



My favorite this month is the elephant. We're doing baby's room in an elephant theme, and this will be a wonderful addition. She is sooooooo soft and cuddly.




Last but not least, for mommy, a ladybug journal. I think I'll use this for thoughts for baby.

Thank you thank you Lisa! You have been a wonderful pal, and a good friend.

Andrea W.

My Super Tea Monkey Secret Pal (STMSP) is Kathy Taylor!

Hi everyone, I returned home from a very fun shopping trip with other local Families with Children from China (FCC) Moms/Waiting Moms and found a box at my front doorstep. I immediately knew my STMSP had struck again - and WHAT an amazing surprise! Look at this to die for Ladybug dress designed by the Queen of Babies in Art, Anne Geddes.

Many thanks Kathy for this fun surprise and for your gentle support and friendship. You have helped make the last 3 months fly by! :)

My Fabulous Secret Pal - Laura

Thanks again for my March surprise. As usual, I loved everything! I got an adorable spring outfit for my little munchkin. I love the red flowers. The onesie is too cute, and in case you can't read what it says in the photo - " Vintage 2007 - Exceptional Year - Perfect Growing Conditions - Enjoy Contents Immediately ". My hubby thinks that is the cutest thing he's ever seen. She also sent me the awesome red baseball cap and 2 packets of heavenly smelling bath salts. I can't thank you enough for everything. You have completely spoiled me, and beyond the gifts, you have become a great friend. Thank you, Laura, for being a part of our journey. Someone out there is about to be matched with a very special secret pal.

Ashley

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Just making sure this works. :)

Thanks to my Secret Pal!!

How happy I was yesterday to see a note in my mailbox from the postman marked "Parcel at front door"! My secret pal sent a wonderful box of goodies for me to enjoy. She must have read through my blogs, because the items she sent suited me perfectly.

First out of the box - the candy - yummy sour treats and gum (I've already polished off half of it!). Then came chocolate fortune cookies (they're too pretty to eat). Moving on - she included a ball of multi-colored knitting yarn (soon to be transformed into a baby hat for our daughter).

Lastly, in the box nestled the cutest stuffed rabbit, and an accompanying book titled "Guess How Much I Love You". I have never seen this book before - the story is so sweet!

Thanks so much to my Secret Pal for such a thoughtful present. I'm glad to hear your life is calming down a bit - I hope another Tea Monkey is spoiling you as well as you are spoiling me !!

Heather in AZ

My SP is Daniella!!!

I've been dying to post that since yesterday, but waited for feedback before I went ahead and blabbed. My wonderful Secret Pal (truly secret) is Daniella. She had me fooled the whole time! I won't give away her trick (and it's a good one) in case she wants to use it on her next SP. I e-mailed her privately, and she is ok with being revealed.

Yesterday we received the March package and, of course, loved everything inside! She included a very sweet boardbook called Little Panda that has velvety textures on each page. I know Sophie will love it! I can't wait to see the cute little hat, bibs, and summer outfit on her! They are just the kind of things that I would pick out myself! I love the scents of the candles in the little terracotta pots and will be using them very soon. Logan and Nathan send a big thank you for the Nerds eggs. It was so thoughtful of you to send something for them each month.

Thank you again for all our special packages and all the wonderful notes and e-cards!!!! The thoughtfulness and care you put into being my secret pal is so appreciated and I will miss having you as my secret pal. The next person to get you will be very lucky. I hope we can eventually one day meet each other in person.

Your very appreciative friend,

Terri

My gift!

I got my second secret pal gifts yesterday! Yea! It is so fun to come home and see a package in the mail. My hubby gets into all of these gifts as well, so I actually let him open it when he came home.

We love the two purple onesies, cute cotton pants, socks, finger puppet, Mommies book and pretty notepad. What fun! Thanks so much secret pal. You have been so good to us.

You asked if I knew who you are. I have to admit, I have NO idea! I can't wait to find out!

Many thanks,

Rebecca (& Mark)

Beautiful and thoughtful gifts

Three weeks ago we received our gifts from our secret pal. I'm so sorry it has taken me so long to post on the blog. I've had a crazy month. They gifts are perfect. They bring a smile to our faces everytime we look at them. I love everything, but the Baby Love soft book is particularly adorable. We will definitely put it in a special place in our baby's room. Our gift also included a delicious package of licorice, but it didn't make it the three weeks it took me to post.

Thanks again for being such a kind and thoughtful friend. I really appreicate all of the time, energy and love you put into every package and message you send me.

For some reason I'm not able to add a picture. I'm going to post this now and work on putting up a picture tomorrow.

Sorry!

Love,
Leigh

Thank You Special Pal.......

First let me start off by saying that my box was so special that the post office didn't want to give it to me(they were after the chocolate.)

I opened a big box to find a big heart shaped valentine(already gone).

A delicious box of hot cocoa (so needed freezing in NY)

An absolutly beautiful little ski oufit by Gymboree that Mila will just look too cute in ...

And the prettiest porcelin China Doll I have ever seen(It will be in Mila's nursery and I will tell her one of her Special Aunties gave it to her).

I put her my night stand and stared at her till i fell asleep she's Amazing.

And as always a sweet card to go with it.

I just can't seem to say enough about how wonderful you are Special Pal !

You have shown me sooo much Love and Kindness and have showered me with More cards then I have ever recieved.

You have given me Tears of Joy during the Hardest times of My Life.

And I want you to know although this will be our last Month together you will always have a special place in my heart and my Home.

Thank You Always,

Dee Kelley

DH Rob

Last Gift for Round #1

Just a reminder - by now you should have sent your pal two gifts, and be working on the final "reveal" gift for Round #1. If you haven't heard from your pal or your SP experience isn't what you hoped it would be, and need me or Theresa to check into it, please let us know. Hope you are all having fun!

Heather in AZ