MAYLIN2007

Kenzie had an 80's dance at her school on Friday. I had a few 80's clothes she could have borrowed, but she wanted to have her own. Heaven only knows why. We went to the mall and went to a store called Forever 21. Should be named Forever 80's. Seriously, I thought I had gone back in a time warp. They had shirts with the young Madonna from the Like A Virgin days on them and half/flash dance shirts that said, "Like a Virgin" on them. I couldn't believe it. Are people actually buying this stuff again? After we bought her stuff (even a lace glove) we had plans for her BIG 80's hair. On the day of the dance I took her to a salon and they crimped her hair and gave her BIG bangs and a BIG Madonna bow. I hate to admit it, but I was a Madonna lace bow wearer back in the day. Ahhh....what memories. I can still see me now in my parents white Lincoln Continental (we called it the Limo, it was four door) with the windows down, listening to Madonna on a very high vol...

Got a hand written letter from Austin. It was SO good. It was short, but really informative. I love letters like that. It is on his blog.

By 4:15, when we hadn't heard from Austin, I started to worry. My imagination had him in the hospital. When I said to Maylin, "I wonder why we haven't heard from him?" She said, "Maybe he's in prison." That killed me. By 4:25, we had a letter. It was short, but it is posted. He said he wrote a hand written letter we should get on Saturday. So glad to know he is safe and not in jail.

Maylin, unfortunately, due to older siblings activities hasn't really got to do anything. We did gymnastics for a couple of months, but when summer started and we were SOOOOO busy, I kept forgetting to take her. We dropped out, due to the fact I couldn't justify paying for an activity I kept forgetting to take her to. Last week she started swimming lessons. The poor little things isn't fairing very well with these either. First week, there was a wreck on the way to the pool so we got there 10 minutes before the end. The next time, she participated for ten minutes when a kid in the pool near her class threw up. They had to close the pool for clean up. Then for tonight, I just plum forgot. Seriously, I do that every time there is a holiday on a Monday. It messes me up the whole week. I think it should be illegal to have Monday holidays, or at least to not hold me accountable that I can't keep my days straight. Here is my cute little swimmer all dressed and ready to go...

This is my favorite shot of Austin. I like it because it shows how hard he is working. He is so cute. I didn't post it with my last bunch. I don't know why..... If you haven't seen the other pics below, check them out.  

We got pictures from Austin today!!!! Woot Woot. I cried when I saw them. Dang I miss him so much, but it was good to see his room, his study area, his classroom and the people he is with. This is his district. He is now a Zone Leader so he is over about 20 plus missionaries. Study time. This is a picture of his dresser/desk area. He can write in Spanish!!! Partying with their roommates and district. A cheer with cheese and crackers. At the temple. Closet Fun times.

We got a letter from Austin. It is posted on his blog. He is doing well, but says he is worn out. He took a 10 minute nap this morning during personal time and then plans on taking a nap later today. He said on P-day's (like today) he takes a nap everytime because he is so worn out. That is a red flag to me because of his health and it makes me worry. BUT, I am glad he is thinking and taking a nap rather than something else. I also know, the Lord will bless him for his hard work. Everything will be fine. He is sending his camera memory chip!!!! We will have pictures!!! Happy dance......

Last Monday when we sent our regular package to Austin, Maylin wanted to do her own letter. She wouldn't let me look. She brought me the finished product all sealed in an envelope (it was thick!) that had drawings and stickers and stamps (real ones!) all over it. It was so sweet, so I popped it in the package. I just figured she had drawn him some pictures. Yesterday we got a letter from Austin. Actually it was to Maylin. It was 8 pages of scrap paper that we have at home all taped together like a book. On the front cover in Maylin's handwriting it said, "Austin" and on the other side said "Maylin Nini." Below that in Austin's handwriting, was a picture of her and him together with the words I love you. See the below picture. Inside on the paper were tons of lines written across the page. Austin had written on those lines. In the first sentence he thanked Maylin for making the premade letter for him. I asked her if that was what she put together...

Here is a Valentine's gift. Hope you don't think I am cheap. I didn't spend a dime, but this is way cool and should brighten your day! I just love my kids' school. I know I have shared a lot about what they do and learn, but their school did something I want to share with you on this special day!!! My kids aren't involved, but many of their friends are!!! Please take a look at the following classical music video, featuring Steven Sharp Nelson from the Piano Guys and the American Heritage Lyceum Philharmonic (this is my kids' schools' orchestra). They are amazing! I know it will make your Valentine's Day complete!!!! This song is currently in the number one position on the iTunes charts in the United States and Canada, and is in the top 10 in eight other countries around the world:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJ_fkw5j-t0 CBS News posted a review on their blog, calling the piece "pure amazing."  On its current trajectory, the video...

Thanks to everyone who has emailed or commented about book suggestions! I have already purchased some of them on line and the others are on my wish list (my honey won't let me get to many at once). Keep them coming if you can. Also - tonight Maylin just killed us. We were sitting at the table eating dinner and she says, "Mom and dad love me more than you guys." She just smiles at Alex and Kenzie with this sheepish "I am so cool" grin. I said, "What did you say?" And Kenzie said, "Don't worry mom. She tells us that all the time." We had no idea she knew our true feelings!!!! (just kidding...we love them the same) What a cute little bug!

I have become a reader. I know I have posted that before so none of you are surprised to hear that...being a reader, I am in a dilemma tonight for I have nothing to read! I finished my last book Friday night. I don't have a single book left that has not been read by me. I am literally impatiently waiting for the book store to open. Recently, I read: The Descendants. That was pretty good. I enjoyed it. I read it while we were in Hawaii. Perfect fit! I can see why it was rated R at the movie, so if you aren't up for some language don't read it. The Lady Bug Farm books: A year on Lady Bug Farm, At Home on Lady Bug Farm and Love Letters From Lady Bug Farm. Really fun and good. I liked them a lot! The Elegance of the Hedgehog - A very good story, but I will admit hard to read for me. I had to sit with a dictionary or I wouldn't have known what the words meant! Seriously. It was really good though and I cried at the end. I loved the characters, the writing (except for...

Trying to get used to this new blogger I have to use. I hate it. I guess it is hard to teach old dogs new tricks. First- we got a letter from Austin. You can see it on his blog. He is happy. That makes me happy too. I sent him a package this week with homemade chocolate chip cookies, cough drops just in case, watercolor pictures by Maylin and cherry gummy hearts. Second- I started a trainer to help me with my flabby thighs, butt and hips. Can I say that I am not going to be able to move tomorrow. I am putting myself through this because my kids told me after seeing me in a swimsuit in Hawaii, that I gagged them. Dang those honest kids!

I went to the doctor for my normal female exam. While there I showed him how I am loosing my hair and I told him how I can't remember a thing. He tested my thyroid to see if it was the culprit. The next week they called and said my thyroid was at 3.9 and 4 was high and my doctor liked it around 2.5. The doctor started me on a medicine, just once a week and a tiny dose. However, that tiny dose has made me so nervous....really, my skin feels like it is crawling. I am restless, nervous, anxious, irritated......the list could go on. I talked to my pharmasict and he said that med would do it, but I am on such a low dose that I shouldn't be having the issue I am having. He said on the dose, he can't believe my body even knows it is there. They are having me not take it this Wednesday and see if the nervousness goes away. If it isn't gone by Friday, I am suppossed to go into my doctor. Great. Here are some funny things Maylin said this week: When we were blowing bubbles - ...

We went to a Chinese New Year's party this year on January 28. I am so glad we got invited! I got invited to one at Circe's, but it was two days before Austin was leaving and I just couldn't go. I kept thinking in the back of my mind that I needed to do something for Chinese New Year, but those thoughts just stayed in the back. I was so glad this invite came up because I really didn't want the holiday to go by without Maylin celebrating it. There were two families there that we knew; the Browns and the Johnsons. It was fun to visit with them. Maylin had a good time doing crafts, but literally left with more glue and glitter on herself than on the paper. Last time we went to this party (2 years ago), Maylin cried during the fireworks and we ended up inside. She did great this year and loved every minute of it. At that same party, two years ago, Maylin wanted to participate in the parade, but by the end she was a nervous wreck. She wouldn't look at anyone, ...

I don't need to say anything else. I am as pleased as punch. You can go to his blog to read it if you would like. I do realize that his letter may be confusing to those who do not belong to our church. He does talk about things we believe. It is the same way I would be feeling if I was reading my friend's son's letter when he is of a different faith. I think it is great though that we can all love each other even when we are different, are in different places and have different circumstances in our lives. I think it is about understanding and loving each other no matter what! I do love all of my family and friends (some I have never met in person). To just show what I mean....I have a bloggy friend out there, M3, she lives in California near where Austin will be serving. Even though we have only met once in real life and our lives are different (kids, jobs, hubby, background, she's super talented, I am older) that doesn't matter. We have the a common bond of adop...