MAYLIN2007

Maylin: Mom I am tired. Mom: Are you ready for a nap? Maylin: Yep. The Jonas Brothers made me tired. Mom: ? ? ?

How do you fit in everything you have to do? You just do it, but then have a breakdown or you eat lots of chocolate. I think I did both this past 10 days. First, Alex had a game, 2 hours away from our home. That meant, 2 hours up, 2 hours for the game and 2 hours home. That is pretty much a whole day. To top it all off Austin and Kenzie had stuff too. So I let them get where they needed to go without my help and hoped the drivers I asked, showed. It did turn out well. Everyone made it in one piece. Next, we had company....which was awesome. I just wish they could have stayed longer, but they have busy lives too and it is hard for them to fit it all in. Sorry to the adults who visited, but only the ones under one made the photos. Isn't my great-niece Claire darling? (We are glad you came tho' K, T, A and C) During the week we also packed in a trip to Idaho, 3 football practices, a YW activity, canning, school projects, another game, yard work...it is the end of the season, and h...

We had some family visit us this past weekend, so we took them on an afternoon hike. It was a great day in the valley, but when we got to the canyon it was a cool 62 degrees. It was cold at first, but after we got going it was great! The cool weather ended up being perfect. We enjoyed the fall leaves that had begun to change colors. Maylin was so proud of herself because she "walked all by myself." She did have a two minute backpack ride from Alex, but she really enjoyed doing it herself. The kids loved the stream and the waterfall we hiked too. We had a picnic afterward and it tasted delicious because we were so hungry. The last 5 minutes of the hike, Maylin was tired and I carried her, only to have her fall asleep. The last bit of the hike was quite the workout for me! Hopefully I burned off all the Macadamia chocolates I had eaten earlier. Man, those things are SO good.     Maylin trying to keep warm.    

The other day we had rain. Maylin was so excited. She thought it was a perfect opportunity to wear her new coat and snow pants that we had just bought for winter. She put them on herself. Even though it was a struggle, she kept telling me that she wanted to do it herself. She stood out in the rain for over 20 minutes. She enjoyed the rain on her tongue and on her face. She thought it was great. It wasn't until she got in the house that she realized her new coat was wet. That didn't go over to well.       While posting this, I am sitting on a few shirts that need to be ironed. My computer is in my laundry room. Maylin just asked me why there were shirts on the chair. I told her it was because they needed to be ironed. She said, "You are ironing them with your butt?" Yea, that's it. It's big enough and heavy enough to get out the wrinkles. Sheesh.

Can you tell I am excited for Austin? The kids just left moments ago for dinner and the dance, but blog pictures are already up! They look so nice together!!! Earlier today, they went go-cart racing, hiking and they had a picnic in the canyon. They didn't do these all day dates when I was this age. Fun tho'. Austin has been so excited. He was so cute picking out her corsage. He did a great job too. They are doubling with his friend Ryan and his date. I hope they have fun. I will post more tomorrow.    

We were at Alex's football game and Maylin stole the camera. Here are some shots she took of me and Austin. Austin took the camera and took this funny pose of Maylin. It looks like she doesn't have arms. It is funny how kids see things. When I looked at the picture of me, I couldn't believe how old I looked. So many wrinkles. To add too it, Maylin told me the other day that my hands were wrinkely. She is right. They are getting old. I dislocated my hip a few weeks ago. You know how? Walking. Yep, walking down my hall. I have been in physical therapy for weeks. It is getting better, but still hurts when I go from an on the floor position to a standing one. I realized the other day I will be 56 when Maylin graduates. The hip better get better or I will be using a walker. I am kidding about that, but seriously, It is amazing how since I hit 40 that my body has really started to have a hard time. My spirit is young, but the body is a bit slower.      

We never really think about Maylin being Chinese. It is just who she is, like Austin being from Idaho, Jay Texas and so forth. However, there are times where she just looks really Chinese and we will have a "oh yea, you are from China" moment. The other day was one of those for Jay. She was dressed in a flowered dress with her hair all turned under. Jay came home from work, picked her up and hugged her and the following took place: Jay: Maylin you are Chinese. Pause Maylin: Daddy, you are Mexican. I can't even begin to tell you how hard we all laughed. It was the most unexpected thing to come out of her mouth! Hilarious!!!