MAYLIN2007

We spent the day at the Heber Valley Railroad! What fun we had. We met Thomas and Sir Topum (Sp?) Hat. Maylin loved the train ride to Solder Hollow. Every time the train would blow its whistle she would jump and wrap her arms tightly around my neck. She doesn't like loud noises. The 2nd picture is Maylin enjoying the view from the train. The last picture is of her getting a Thomas the Train temporary tattoo. It was just one of the rub on kind. From her face you would think it was a real one! She loved it tho' for she kept looking at it all day and pointing to it.

I know that Memorial Day is to honor those who have served our country. Yet, I find that recently I have had several close to me pass on that may have not served our county in the traditional way, yet they definitely made the world a better place. The first is my nephew Nathan C. Nelson. He passed away in March while we were in China. He was 6 years my junior and died at the young age of 32 of natural causes. He left behind a wife and a darling baby girl. He made the world a better place by bringing his daughter into the world and by being kind to those less fortunate. He took care of animals, he made people laugh and he was adventurous. His 33rd birthday is this Thursday. The second is my sister-in-law, Jandee Davidson. She passed away 3 years ago at age 33 of cancer. She was an amazing mother of two. She worked for the head-start program and helped unwed mothers. She was always giving service and making gifts for others. We remember them this Memorial Day and are grateful for what th...

No happy photos to post today so here are some from the beginning of the week. Yesterday we had our doctor follow up. All her test came out perfect except she does have high levels of lead in her blood. They aren't high enough that they are worried, but they are high enough that we will re-do blood work in 4 months to see if the levels are dropping. The worst is they started her immunizations. They did 4 shots, but they were a combo of 7 different vaccines. She has had a fever of 103 degrees since. I have given her Tylenol or Motrin to lower it, but it makes her vomit. So we deal with it. She is also cutting her 7th tooth. I think that is not helping things. There have been no smiles yesterday or today, just lots of sleeping and cuddling (love that). Can't wait until she is back to Miss Personality! By the way, she is 30 inches and 20 pounds 8 oz. She has grown 1 in and gained 6 oz. P.S. Thanks Nonnie and Papa for the cute outfits and toy! Nini loves it....Alex loves the toy ...

Here are some more pictures that go with the post below. It was a wonderful night, but I am a little glad that it is over. Maylin and I spent more than one or two full days at the school helping and that is hard with a baby who doesn't want to sit still. It was worth it tho' they did a great job. Below are pictures of Austin in costume, Austin with his teacher Mrs. Brinkerhoff, Austin with his grandparents and McKenzie with cousins Adam and Claudia who came to the play too. That picture was taken at Maggie Moo's ice cream shop where we went afterwards to celebrate.

Austin played Fabian in his school's Shakespeare play. He did great! He spoke clearly, with inflection and did great motions that made it fun to watch. We are proud of him. Go Austin!

Things around our house certainly have changed! Not much gets done that is for sure. Instead of doing what needs to be done, we spend more time laughing, getting to know each other and giving hugs and kisses. To me, nothing could be better. We did spend a lot of time this week getting the yard done. Alex and Kenzie planted the garden and Austin trimmed trees while Jay and I got the waterfall and sprinklers working. Maylin spent her time getting over her fear of the yard! She is no longer afraid to walk on the lawn or in the sand box! She also loves to sit next to sister and stick her feet in our little stream and she loves to help mama plant flowers. Of course she always has time to be dragged around or dressed up by her siblings! Bathtime has become a family affair. Everyone loves to watch her in the tub. Last bath Alex pushed Austin in the tub with his clothes on. After that everyone had to get in on the act! We are so glad everyone (for the most part) love each other.

I love Spring! There is nothing better than the beauty of the earth coming back to life and watching new friendships begin. The attached pictures are of Maylin and her new friend Gage. He lives across the street and absolutely loves Maylin. He takes such good care of her and is always bringing his toys over for her to borrow. Also, below is a picture of Austin and Maylin standing by my climbing vine. Almost lost is last year, due to a family of birds who picked apart the vines to make a nest. But after careful care, it came back and better than ever. Hey, and I saved the bird nest too!

There were so many cute pictures to choose from that I had to go with this format to fit them all in! (Click on the pictures to make bigger.) The top picture shows Maylin's reaction to anything she sees that is fuzzy. She squeals, picks it up, pulls it to her cheek and then hugs it. Picture #2 is Maylin and Austin playing Star Wars. She also likes to wear the Spiderman mask. Go figure?! Picture #3 is Maylin playing peek-a-boo. She plays it 75% of the day. She can say "Boo." It is was her first English word. Number 4 is my sister and her husband and son/daughter-in-law in town for a visit. We celebrated my brother-in-law's b-day and my sister brought Maylin a wonder blanket, a frame and the best gift of all "I Love You Like Crazy Cakes." This is a Chinese adoption book. Number 5 is where Maylin likes to hang out. Not only for the kitty, but to take care of business (if you get what I mean). Number 6 is just being silly with dad and brother. Number 7 - do we ...

Last week we received Maylin's official certificate of citizenship. I was really moved by the following statement from a letter from Pres. Bush. "Americans are united across the generations by grand and enduring ideals. The grandest of these ideals is an unfolding promise that everyone belongs, that everyone deserves a chance, and that no insignificant person was ever born." I was particularly touched by this after spending time in China and actually seeing how their choices are limited, and how these choices really keep them from having the things mentioned in that quote. A simple example would be Maylin's birth mother's right to keep her. Her choices were limited, thus her future was decided for her. Far to often, I am saddened by the complaining that goes on between Americans. From my experience and for all of those who have had experiences with a foreign country like China, I am sure we have felt that maybe we take things for granted and are not truly gratefu...

Just thought I would share something my nephew found in a paper. It explains that what a mother does during a day would qualify her for making around $140,000 a year. I read that and was impressed. However, with the events of yesterday and today, I think I need a raise. We took Maylin to her "Welcome to the U.S." doctor's appt. yesterday at the international adoption clinic at the University Hospital. The doctor was wonderful! However, due to where she is from and the lack of shots we had a lot of blood work and poop/pee tests to do. Yesterday they took the blood....and lots of it. They needed 4 viles of blood. The first attempt on the right arm produced 1/2 of a vile and LOTS of crying. The second attempt on her left arm filled the rest of the vile and LOTS of crying plus vomiting because she was so upset. The doctors said she had excellent veins she just didn't want to share. They called the IV team and they put a line in her hand and after much squeezing, begging,...

So sweet. Got the outfits at the Silk Factory in Beijing. I want to have their photos professionally done in these outfits.