MAYLIN2007

Today is my cough, cough, gag, 40th birthday. Sick, isn't it. I remember when I got married, my oldest brother was 40. I thought he was ancient. As it turns out, it is not so ancient. What 40 is though, is the time you really notice the wrinkles. Since I am against (or afraid) of plastic surgery for myself, I decided if a strategically placed band aids on my face to hide the wrinkles, I could just lead people to believe I had been attacked by a dog or something. I don't need any gifts. I have everything. Well, maybe I could use a wish for a long life. Here is what makes turning 40 palatable.

I have so many things to post about, now that I finally have my pictures off the camera. Here are the pics of Eliza and Maylin. They had a great time together. Eliza wasn't sure about the chickens, but she seemed to enjoy everything else. Maylin loved having her. There are two reasons I am posting these pictures before some of our other adventures: First, they are so DARN CUTE! and Second: Sheesh! Maylin has been a terror tonight and her activities have taken precedence over any other event. To recap - I am bandaging Kenzie's toe. I finish. Turn around and there is Maylin smearing the extra tube of medicine for Kenzie's toe on the WOOD FLOOR! Yea, and it is the consistency of Vaseline. Have you ever tried to wipe off thick smears of Vaseline from the floor. Sad thing, while I am doing this I can hear her in the kitchen in the cleaning supplies. I scramble to get up and find her spraying the glass cleaner on the leather couch. I take it away and she screams a gleeful, I know...

Last week, before the toe incident, Alex's school teacher called. They had been raising caterpillars and had watched their every step up until they came out of the cacoon. Since our seasons are about 2 weeks behind this year, they didn't get to see it hatch before school got out. So, she called once they were out and invited us back to the school for a picnic and a butterfly release. It truly was one of the coolest things we have seen. Alex even got to keep the remains of his butterfly's cacoon (she had them all labeled). It was so fascinating and made us all amazed at our Heavenly Father's creations.You can click the photos to make them larger. ********Alex with the remains of the cacoon. The teacher taught the kids how to hold the butterflies so their wings would be safe. Maylin thought the whole event was "Whoa mazing." Can you see the butterfly on her finger?

I still can't get my pictures off my camera's memory card, so obviously the pics I have posted were taken last week when that wasn't an issue. So tonight's post is picture less. The pictures I wanted to post are quite cool, so I will post them when I can. I don't have any before shots, but you can see the after. So you are all asking, what in the heck is she talking about.....well, Kenzie's toe. Yep folks, never again will I say, "It is just a toe." About 1 1/2 weeks ago Kenzie stubbed her toe. It bled a lot, but it wasn't bad. Really. It chipped her nail and took off some of the skin. There wasn't even a cut. Just a skinned toe. Kinda like a skinned knee. Well about 5 days ago she told me she stubbed it again and it was bleeding. Being the ever attentive mom (ha ha ha) I didn't even look at it this time. Why should I? It was so minor last time. I just told her to clean it up and put on a band aid. So on Wednesday we are sitting on the couc...

Maylin loves her bapa. In fact, she loves all her bapas. She loves her na mas too. She sees this grandpa (my father) the most, so she talks about him a lot. She calls him on her "phone" and asks where he is at least a couple times a day. She really has a love for "grandparent" people. Her foster parents must have been older. At church she loves to sit with the older people and she hugs them and cries when we have to leave them. To all our grandmas and grandpas, "We love you!"  

There are so many personality types in the world. Its wonderful to meet and know all kinds of people. We just happen to be raising 4 hams. They all love attention, obviously some more than others. They all love to crack us up. They all have funny personalities. You get the idea. Here are two pictures of our youngest ham. She found the Halloween box and is in total heaven. When she wears the cow costume, her fingers have to be by her head like horns and she moos. The purses, phones and shoes come out with the other outfit. So funny. Here are a few other "hamerific" facts: 1. Maylin has figured out that if she stretches her leg out in her car seat she can roll down the window with her toe. 2. She no longer sleeps with her shoes, but sleeps with them on. 3. She walks around singing "no one, no one, no one" the song by Alicia Keys, while waggling her pointer finger around in the "no, no" wave. She actually knows the tune to the song too. 4. She has been telli...

Austin's heart surgeon called today. We have a date. It was supposed to be this month. However, he is booked and couldn't get anyone to move. So we took the next available date. Anyone want to guess the date? Let me give you a few hints: its a freak of nature kinda deal, a once in a lifetime, can you believe it date, lighting does strike twice. So do you have it? Yep! His surgery is the exact same day and time as last year's....July 17 at 5:30 a.m. I don't know how I feel about that. I already have so many emotions connected to that date. Now there will be more. Here are some pictures that are darling. Pictures that remind me there are good times in life. Austin is not in many because he hit the ball twice and it wiped him out. He slept on the bench behind us. We had fun watching Nini pick dandilions from the grass and steal everyone's balls. Alex did well once he figured out golf was not like baseball. Kenzie spent more time giggling because she missed the ball so ...

I have tried on and off to potty train Maylin. It really didn't work, so I let it go. I don't think we have mentioned it for over a month. But four days ago, Maylin told me she was ready to go potty. The first two days, she was completely dry. Dry at night too. Yesterday we had two accidents, but I say that is still pretty dang good. She has been completely dry today too! I am amazed. Easiest potty training job I have ever had. On Saturday our friend Tiff and Eliza came to visit. I got some great picutres, but my disk won't work. Jay is working on it, so I guess those pictures will have to wait! This picture is of Miss Smartie Pants herself. This is her new face.   ***NOT TWO SECONDS AFTER I POSTED THIS Maylin was going potty. In walked Alex and he used the big potty. Maylin saw him go so she stood up and tried to go the boy way. I tried to explain that it wouldn't work and I put her back down in the sitting position. She yelled and tried to pee like a boy again. I let ...

Here are a few shots of our first week of summer. The kids wanted to make a movie outside in the yard. Alex was the bandit, Kenzie was a hula girl and Maylin was the vicious lion that saves the girl from being robbed by the bandit. Austin was the video cameraman. These are just a few still shots he took. They all had a great time. The third picture is of Alex setting up his winning run in the Boy Scout's rocket Derby. Can you tell by his polka dot rocket that dad was out of town and mom was in charge? Hey he won though! The last two shots are at Alex's baseball games. I love it when Austin and Maylin walk hand in hand. Alex was selected to try out for our city's All Star Baseball team this Saturday! He is so thrilled. Maylin loves to go to the games. Not to watch, but to play in the "sanda box" that is right next to the bleachers. I love my kids.         **Update** Of course, just when I am lulled into thinking this is going to be a peaceful summer....it hits the ...

This morning Austin helped one of our local news networks, co-host the local Children's Miracle Network Telethon. He did a great job! Isn't he handsome? We hope they raise a lot of money for the children's hospital. There are so many children in need.