See below for blog....these pictures would not attach to it!!
Thursday, October 27, 2005
The Pics of Halloween Pasts
I loved the idea that Traci had on her blog of posting past Halloweens, so I copied her. One of my favorite things to do is look through old pictures from "this same time last year"....so, here are a few of our past Halloweens! From lions and mice to Raggedy Ann and Cinderella, we have had fun dressing our little ones up. (I was hoping to find some of the whole kiddo gang at the Ownby's house, but didn't have any digital copies. If you're reading this and you've found the pictures, then post them on your blog! I love those of all the kids together over the years....)
This year, our family will be following a similar tradition to last year. If you know me, you know I am obsessed with my girls "matching", so of course, their costumes must coordinate as well. I can't do it any other way!! Last year, they were Cinderella and her little mouse friend, Gus. This year, (going with the movie theme), Kendyll will be Dorothy and Carlie will be the Cowardly Lion (flashback to Kendyll's first halloween...same costume, different girl!)
The only thing that is changing this year is that Mom and Dad are getting into the fun. I know, I know, another unbelievable thing for those who know me best. :) But, I really am dressing up! We are attending an "adults only" Halloween shin dig, so it was kind of forced upon us. But, it will be fun! Mark had a great idea for us...(Candice, if you're reading this, this year's for you, friend!) Mark will be appearing as his look-alike, Donny Osmond, and I will be Marie. What is funny is that both of us have been given those nicknames in the past, so it's only appropriate that we bust out with the 70's leisure suits and go as the couple that we look most like....You'll have to wait and see if I'm willing to post pictures or not. It depends on what I look like in a leisure suit....
So, Happy Halloween everyone! Enjoy the dressing up...I know we will.
This year, our family will be following a similar tradition to last year. If you know me, you know I am obsessed with my girls "matching", so of course, their costumes must coordinate as well. I can't do it any other way!! Last year, they were Cinderella and her little mouse friend, Gus. This year, (going with the movie theme), Kendyll will be Dorothy and Carlie will be the Cowardly Lion (flashback to Kendyll's first halloween...same costume, different girl!)
The only thing that is changing this year is that Mom and Dad are getting into the fun. I know, I know, another unbelievable thing for those who know me best. :) But, I really am dressing up! We are attending an "adults only" Halloween shin dig, so it was kind of forced upon us. But, it will be fun! Mark had a great idea for us...(Candice, if you're reading this, this year's for you, friend!) Mark will be appearing as his look-alike, Donny Osmond, and I will be Marie. What is funny is that both of us have been given those nicknames in the past, so it's only appropriate that we bust out with the 70's leisure suits and go as the couple that we look most like....You'll have to wait and see if I'm willing to post pictures or not. It depends on what I look like in a leisure suit....
So, Happy Halloween everyone! Enjoy the dressing up...I know we will.
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Random Bedtime Conversation
It really is funny to have conversations with a three-and-a-half year old....especially when they don't make a lick of sense!
Tonight, I was putting Kendyll to bed and was telling her to hurry and do something (who knows what) and then, after three attempts at getting her rear in gear, I said that if she couldn't listen, I wouldn't be able to stay and do stories, songs, etc. etc. So, this is how it went (Also picture Kendyll having this entire conversation while doing the "hula" around her room....not exactly laying still in bed like she is supposed to be doing):
"Kendyll, this is your last chance. If you cannot listen and obey, I am leaving and bedtime stories are over."
"That's okay Mom because even if you leave, I still smell you."
"What??? Did you say you SMELL me?"
"Yeah, I smell you even if you don't stay in here."
"So, what do I smell like when I leave?"
"You smell like better."
"Better? What does that mean?"
"I don't know....you just smell better than daddy!"
(Oh my gosh, was I laughing!!! But, I wanted more scoop, so I kept a straight face and kept the conversation going...)
"Well, what does daddy smell like?"
"He smells like he's sick." (What????)
"He does? And, what do I smell like?"
"You smell better....kind of like a Barbie."
So, you can see why I titled this "random conversation"!! What in the world was this about??? And, is that a good thing that I smell like a Barbie?
Tonight, I was putting Kendyll to bed and was telling her to hurry and do something (who knows what) and then, after three attempts at getting her rear in gear, I said that if she couldn't listen, I wouldn't be able to stay and do stories, songs, etc. etc. So, this is how it went (Also picture Kendyll having this entire conversation while doing the "hula" around her room....not exactly laying still in bed like she is supposed to be doing):
"Kendyll, this is your last chance. If you cannot listen and obey, I am leaving and bedtime stories are over."
"That's okay Mom because even if you leave, I still smell you."
"What??? Did you say you SMELL me?"
"Yeah, I smell you even if you don't stay in here."
"So, what do I smell like when I leave?"
"You smell like better."
"Better? What does that mean?"
"I don't know....you just smell better than daddy!"
(Oh my gosh, was I laughing!!! But, I wanted more scoop, so I kept a straight face and kept the conversation going...)
"Well, what does daddy smell like?"
"He smells like he's sick." (What????)
"He does? And, what do I smell like?"
"You smell better....kind of like a Barbie."
So, you can see why I titled this "random conversation"!! What in the world was this about??? And, is that a good thing that I smell like a Barbie?
Monday, October 24, 2005
Sick Again!!
Well, after a day of doctor's appointments, we found out that Mark and both girls have walking pneumonia. NOT good news for our household! Sounds like a week at home for all of us. What's amazing is that I don't have any signs of even a cold yet...yes, I know, I just jinxed myself into instant illness. But, for now, I'm feeling good and spending my time taking care of my little hacking coughers. They all sound HORRIBLE!! And, they have that miserable look---half-closed eyes and crusty green noses. Poor things!
So, my plan of doing everything fun for fall this week is quickly falling through (although Kendyll still swears that she feels good enough to make Halloween cupcakes tomorrow!) I'm so bummed though because I had the whole week planned for us, after all the craziness of our last few weeks. We were planning trips to the pumpkin patch, a play date with friends who we never see, and the neighborhood fall carnival....not to mention the Sunshine School Fun Fall Day! Oh well, I guess Mark's right----they won't know what they missed. But, I sure will!!
There is something so fun about this time of year with little ones, and I secretly look forward to all of these "kiddish" things for myself as well! Having cold weather for one day makes me absolutely giddy and ready to jump right into the season. Last night, I lit all my fall-smelling candles, got Pumpkin Spice Lattes for me and Mark from Starbucks (Cass, I'm glad you made me try it---it's now my favorite!), and bought more pumpkins at the grocery store. Now, if I only had a family to carve them with....
But, hopefully there are healthier days on the horizon for us. We made Carlie's appointment for her pre-tubes consult, so she should have tubes in her ears in the next couple of weeks. Our next hope is for Kendyll's tonsils to be removed. I know it's a tougher surgery, but with how sick she gets and how often it happens, I am convinced that alot of it comes from those huge nasty tonsils that are constantly infected!
Okay, enough details about my daughters' illnesses. I will get off of this blog and go enjoy my extra unexpected hour with my hubby! (There are some good things about sick kids---like early bedtimes!!!)
So, my plan of doing everything fun for fall this week is quickly falling through (although Kendyll still swears that she feels good enough to make Halloween cupcakes tomorrow!) I'm so bummed though because I had the whole week planned for us, after all the craziness of our last few weeks. We were planning trips to the pumpkin patch, a play date with friends who we never see, and the neighborhood fall carnival....not to mention the Sunshine School Fun Fall Day! Oh well, I guess Mark's right----they won't know what they missed. But, I sure will!!
There is something so fun about this time of year with little ones, and I secretly look forward to all of these "kiddish" things for myself as well! Having cold weather for one day makes me absolutely giddy and ready to jump right into the season. Last night, I lit all my fall-smelling candles, got Pumpkin Spice Lattes for me and Mark from Starbucks (Cass, I'm glad you made me try it---it's now my favorite!), and bought more pumpkins at the grocery store. Now, if I only had a family to carve them with....
But, hopefully there are healthier days on the horizon for us. We made Carlie's appointment for her pre-tubes consult, so she should have tubes in her ears in the next couple of weeks. Our next hope is for Kendyll's tonsils to be removed. I know it's a tougher surgery, but with how sick she gets and how often it happens, I am convinced that alot of it comes from those huge nasty tonsils that are constantly infected!
Okay, enough details about my daughters' illnesses. I will get off of this blog and go enjoy my extra unexpected hour with my hubby! (There are some good things about sick kids---like early bedtimes!!!)
Sunday, October 23, 2005
Dear God....
Well, before we get to the "blog" of today, I'm announcing a start-over with my blogging habit. (And, how long have I been doing this? A month???). I have let it slip away already, and it's time to get back in the swing of things. Really, my intention has still been to blog all of these funny stories that happen daily around here, but then, one thing after another, and I'm all of a sudden at the end of another day and an exhausted mommy falls into bed without ever typing a word!
So, here's my first entry of my new and improved blogging. Hopefully I will have more entries than once a week, so that you are not bored to tears by the "week's synopsis" used as a catch-up blog from the days that have passed.
(What's funny is that even on the days I don't blog, I find the time to read everyone else's! It's just too addicting! So, you may not know much about my life, but I know ALL about yours!)
Dear God...
Something that has been a topic of conversation in our home the last few weeks has been our family's prayer life. First, Carlie has started praying, which has got to be the most precious thing I've ever seen. She bows her head, covers her eyes with her hands, and listens....until about halfway through the prayer, when she starts dying laughing. Which of course, makes all of us want to laugh too. So, that is a fun addition to our prayer life.
The second change has been Kendyll's prayers. We had noticed that her prayers were exactly the same every time without much thought or emotion in them. She said what we said and we all prayed pretty simple prayers with her. So, we decided (inspired by a speaker at church) to really start praying "bigger" prayers with Kendyll so that she saw God as capable of handling more than just a "thank you for our mommy, daddy, and Jesus" kind of prayer. And, the results have been both humbling and amazing....
First try....Mark prays a beautiful prayer asking God to help other specific people, bless specific babies who are growing in tummies of our sisters and friends, and thanking Him for the many blessings in our lives (by name). Result....Kendyll praying almost the exact same prayer that evening at dinner. Lesson....Our children are learning from EVERY word that leaves our mouth and are forming their image of God every day by what we teach them. A huge parenting lesson that day.
A few days later....Kendyll is still praying her typical prayer but it is changing slightly. It includes more "specific" requests and she thanks God for all of her "bahlessings" and names a few. She also started praying for more people than she used to.
I also started praying nightly for her future and her character, which Kendyll doesn't totally understand yet but can pick up on pretty easily. This has also been neat to watch. Because she has now started praying for me in a similar way! It brings tears to my eyes to listen to what she thinks I need most and to hear her thanking God for specific character traits about me and her daddy. WOW!! Our kids are capable of so much more than we give them credit for. Then there are the simple things that make me cry. The other night she said "And, God, thank you for how much my mommy loves me and for how many hugs she gives me." So simple, but meant to so much to a mommy who had a very busy week and was worried about exactly that. She must have known what my mommy heart needed to hear.
And, then, here is the funniest story of this whole experience. The other day, Kendyll had been having a pretty rough afternoon...whining, not sharing, screaming, the works. So, in Mark's prayer at our meal, he asked God to help Kendyll "make better choices, be happier with her sister, to remember what the Bible says about respect" and a few other things. After he finished, we kind of laughed about how really that was a lecture to Kendyll in prayer form, and decided that maybe we shouldn't do that in the future. And, instead focus on the positive in prayers and hope that would make a difference.
But, the impact had already been made. The very next time we prayed together (our dinner that night), this was the conclusion of Kendyll's prayer: "And, God, please help my daddy to make better choices. Help him to play with me more, and to always love me and trust me. Help him to be happy with me too." I couldn't even tell you what else she said because I was stuck on that sentence.
It was one of those moments where you were just so awestruck that you just couldn't say anything at all. She had just said a "lecture prayer" to Mark!! I just started laughing and couldn't hold it in and Mark just started crying and couldn't hold that in either. It hit us in that moment how fallible we really are as parents and how much they pick up on what we do. Although Mark felt horrible (and begged me not to blog this!), I think it was such a good lesson for us on the importance of teaching spiritual habits to our children carefully. We also learned that we need to be praying more about just how to do that!
I pray that the Lord continues to equip all of us mommies and daddies with the spiritual knowledge and words to show His spirit to these tiny minds and hearts so that they will grow up to know who God really is.... and to understand that He is ready to listen to whatever their hearts want to tell Him through their sweet prayers!
So, here's my first entry of my new and improved blogging. Hopefully I will have more entries than once a week, so that you are not bored to tears by the "week's synopsis" used as a catch-up blog from the days that have passed.
(What's funny is that even on the days I don't blog, I find the time to read everyone else's! It's just too addicting! So, you may not know much about my life, but I know ALL about yours!)
_______________________________________
Dear God...
Something that has been a topic of conversation in our home the last few weeks has been our family's prayer life. First, Carlie has started praying, which has got to be the most precious thing I've ever seen. She bows her head, covers her eyes with her hands, and listens....until about halfway through the prayer, when she starts dying laughing. Which of course, makes all of us want to laugh too. So, that is a fun addition to our prayer life.
The second change has been Kendyll's prayers. We had noticed that her prayers were exactly the same every time without much thought or emotion in them. She said what we said and we all prayed pretty simple prayers with her. So, we decided (inspired by a speaker at church) to really start praying "bigger" prayers with Kendyll so that she saw God as capable of handling more than just a "thank you for our mommy, daddy, and Jesus" kind of prayer. And, the results have been both humbling and amazing....
First try....Mark prays a beautiful prayer asking God to help other specific people, bless specific babies who are growing in tummies of our sisters and friends, and thanking Him for the many blessings in our lives (by name). Result....Kendyll praying almost the exact same prayer that evening at dinner. Lesson....Our children are learning from EVERY word that leaves our mouth and are forming their image of God every day by what we teach them. A huge parenting lesson that day.
A few days later....Kendyll is still praying her typical prayer but it is changing slightly. It includes more "specific" requests and she thanks God for all of her "bahlessings" and names a few. She also started praying for more people than she used to.
I also started praying nightly for her future and her character, which Kendyll doesn't totally understand yet but can pick up on pretty easily. This has also been neat to watch. Because she has now started praying for me in a similar way! It brings tears to my eyes to listen to what she thinks I need most and to hear her thanking God for specific character traits about me and her daddy. WOW!! Our kids are capable of so much more than we give them credit for. Then there are the simple things that make me cry. The other night she said "And, God, thank you for how much my mommy loves me and for how many hugs she gives me." So simple, but meant to so much to a mommy who had a very busy week and was worried about exactly that. She must have known what my mommy heart needed to hear.
And, then, here is the funniest story of this whole experience. The other day, Kendyll had been having a pretty rough afternoon...whining, not sharing, screaming, the works. So, in Mark's prayer at our meal, he asked God to help Kendyll "make better choices, be happier with her sister, to remember what the Bible says about respect" and a few other things. After he finished, we kind of laughed about how really that was a lecture to Kendyll in prayer form, and decided that maybe we shouldn't do that in the future. And, instead focus on the positive in prayers and hope that would make a difference.
But, the impact had already been made. The very next time we prayed together (our dinner that night), this was the conclusion of Kendyll's prayer: "And, God, please help my daddy to make better choices. Help him to play with me more, and to always love me and trust me. Help him to be happy with me too." I couldn't even tell you what else she said because I was stuck on that sentence.
It was one of those moments where you were just so awestruck that you just couldn't say anything at all. She had just said a "lecture prayer" to Mark!! I just started laughing and couldn't hold it in and Mark just started crying and couldn't hold that in either. It hit us in that moment how fallible we really are as parents and how much they pick up on what we do. Although Mark felt horrible (and begged me not to blog this!), I think it was such a good lesson for us on the importance of teaching spiritual habits to our children carefully. We also learned that we need to be praying more about just how to do that!
I pray that the Lord continues to equip all of us mommies and daddies with the spiritual knowledge and words to show His spirit to these tiny minds and hearts so that they will grow up to know who God really is.... and to understand that He is ready to listen to whatever their hearts want to tell Him through their sweet prayers!
Thursday, October 13, 2005
A Long Time Coming!
It's hard to believe that it's actually been a full week since I blogged last. Where does the time go? We have been BUSY BUSY around here, so there's more than I could type in a blog entry to catch up on the last seven days.....but, here's a quick look.
We spent the beginning of last week with Mark's parents, who were here visiting, and we of course had a wonderful time! Kendyll and Carlie are so blessed to have such wonderful grandparents, great-grandparents, and even one sweet great-great-grandmother (We love Lil' Mama!) So, each time we're with our family, we are thankful that our kids have such amazing people to learn from and grow with. With Pops and Grandma, K & C got to do the usual traditions....Chuck E Cheese, Mickey D's, playing at the park, and LOTS of playtime at home. It's not that often that two adults will do WHATEVER you ask them to any time you ask it! So, it was a fun few days for all of us.
Then, we spent alot of last week just enjoying the wonderful fall weather! We went to the park, took walks, played outside, and went to the library for storytime too. Of course, I also spent most of my waking hours sewing for the fall bazaar I'm a part of too. But, that's too boring to blog about! (and, I'm avoiding even thinking about it at this point!!)
The weekend was full of Daddy time for the girls, including a "Daddy date" to the mall to eat, ride the carousel, and pick up our pre-purchased Cinderella DVD so that I could get more sewing done. Their errand-night led to a huge Cinderella watching-party the next day with Kendyll decked out in her new Cinderella nightgown (Thanks Grandma!), Cinderella shoes, and a big bowl of popcorn. I forgot how good that movie is!
Saturday was a special treat when we got to go with Grandad and Grankay to see the Aladdin Show Live! Kendyll was in "Disney Show Heaven" and Carlie couldn't stop clapping the entire time. They both loved it and we had SUCH a good time with the family. They got to stand on stage (as you can tell from the picture) and thought they were the stars of the show! Kendyll even busted out in song!
The rest of the week since then has been much the same. Sewing, sewing, sewing, and playing with my girls. And, trying to balance the "to-do-list" with the "would-rather-do-list"!! I have tried hard to keep sewing limited to late nights and early morning hours so I won't miss out on time with them. Today, we spent time playing outside and having puppet shows in the playhouse. It is in those moments that you just want to freeze time and remember them just as they are then.....if only I could! It is always amazing how God finds a way to put my busy life in perspective when I just stop, be still, and really see these girls who have stolen my heart. I am so thankful....
So, there's a week in a nutshell. Sorry to the family who was asking where I was----if you're still wondering, I was probably at the sewing machine!
We spent the beginning of last week with Mark's parents, who were here visiting, and we of course had a wonderful time! Kendyll and Carlie are so blessed to have such wonderful grandparents, great-grandparents, and even one sweet great-great-grandmother (We love Lil' Mama!) So, each time we're with our family, we are thankful that our kids have such amazing people to learn from and grow with. With Pops and Grandma, K & C got to do the usual traditions....Chuck E Cheese, Mickey D's, playing at the park, and LOTS of playtime at home. It's not that often that two adults will do WHATEVER you ask them to any time you ask it! So, it was a fun few days for all of us.
Then, we spent alot of last week just enjoying the wonderful fall weather! We went to the park, took walks, played outside, and went to the library for storytime too. Of course, I also spent most of my waking hours sewing for the fall bazaar I'm a part of too. But, that's too boring to blog about! (and, I'm avoiding even thinking about it at this point!!)
The weekend was full of Daddy time for the girls, including a "Daddy date" to the mall to eat, ride the carousel, and pick up our pre-purchased Cinderella DVD so that I could get more sewing done. Their errand-night led to a huge Cinderella watching-party the next day with Kendyll decked out in her new Cinderella nightgown (Thanks Grandma!), Cinderella shoes, and a big bowl of popcorn. I forgot how good that movie is!
Saturday was a special treat when we got to go with Grandad and Grankay to see the Aladdin Show Live! Kendyll was in "Disney Show Heaven" and Carlie couldn't stop clapping the entire time. They both loved it and we had SUCH a good time with the family. They got to stand on stage (as you can tell from the picture) and thought they were the stars of the show! Kendyll even busted out in song!
The rest of the week since then has been much the same. Sewing, sewing, sewing, and playing with my girls. And, trying to balance the "to-do-list" with the "would-rather-do-list"!! I have tried hard to keep sewing limited to late nights and early morning hours so I won't miss out on time with them. Today, we spent time playing outside and having puppet shows in the playhouse. It is in those moments that you just want to freeze time and remember them just as they are then.....if only I could! It is always amazing how God finds a way to put my busy life in perspective when I just stop, be still, and really see these girls who have stolen my heart. I am so thankful....
So, there's a week in a nutshell. Sorry to the family who was asking where I was----if you're still wondering, I was probably at the sewing machine!
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
Pictures of Mia!
Here are the sweetest pictures of little Mia! (To go with the post below! Read it if you haven't yet....)
Monday, October 03, 2005
A tribute to Mia...
Today I had the blessing of seeing a little face that so many of us have dreamed about, talked about, and waited to see for months. Mia "Jing Min" Maulsby is officially coming soon, as of today!! And, I have never seen a cuter baby than she is. Chubby cheeks, big eyes, and beautiful hair. She is perfect.
My entire blogging post is dedicated to this sweet, adorable, precious, prayed-for little girl who I cannot wait to hold and hug in just a few short weeks. Today, I got the call I have been waiting for from two ecstatic parents (Chad & Amy...at the same time, on the same cell phone). To their surprise, they got a call from their agency this morning (after being put off month after month after very long month) that their referral from the Chinese agency had come through. Now, for those of you not familiar with Chinese adoption, this is the last "step" before traveling to meet and bring home your precious baby. So, today, Chad and Amy got to see little Mia for the first time and will most likely be traveling to get her the first week of December.
Every time I think about it, type it, or tell it to someone new, I well up with new tears and get goosebumps all over for this new family of three. Having watched them over the years, as they waited for the Lord to bless them with a child, the road they have been down is not one any of us could have predicted. But, along the way, I have learned so many invaluable lessons from Chad and Amy, and can not wait to watch them pass along those lessons as parents to Mia.
There is so much to say about these two friends of mine, and not enough blog space. But, thank you Chad and Amy, for continuing to show us your trust in the Lord, your patience with this process, your never-ending love and support for each of our own families & children, and your relentless pursuit of your beloved Mia, who will finally receive the blessing of two parents who love her more than she will ever comprehend (But, as I've told you before, I plan to tell her all about this roller coaster of a ride to get to her whenever she is giving you a hard time in highschool. I have a really good guilt-trip already planned out!)
And, here, is the email that we've all been waiting to receive. Sent today by Amy at exactly 2:08 pm!!!
"We proudly introduce Jing Min Gong (Mia Maulsby).
Birthdate: 3/19/05 (6.5 months!)
Weight: 12.5 lbs
Height: Approx. 24"
China Province: Jiangxi
The call came this morning to alert us of the details. A really poor picture is attached, but she is the cutest little miracle we've ever seen. She loves music and is very active. We will travel to China in 6-8 weeks to pick her up. How will we function until then???
Thanks so much for all of your diligent requests for updates through this process. Your thoughts/prayers have been very appreciated…it takes a village.
Chad and Amy Maulsby"
WOO HOO!!! She's coming soon!!! Congratulations to the Maulsby family on this great day. Praise the Lord for answered prayers.
"Do not be afraid, for I am with you. I will bring your children from the east, and gather you from the west." Isaiah 43:5
My entire blogging post is dedicated to this sweet, adorable, precious, prayed-for little girl who I cannot wait to hold and hug in just a few short weeks. Today, I got the call I have been waiting for from two ecstatic parents (Chad & Amy...at the same time, on the same cell phone). To their surprise, they got a call from their agency this morning (after being put off month after month after very long month) that their referral from the Chinese agency had come through. Now, for those of you not familiar with Chinese adoption, this is the last "step" before traveling to meet and bring home your precious baby. So, today, Chad and Amy got to see little Mia for the first time and will most likely be traveling to get her the first week of December.
Every time I think about it, type it, or tell it to someone new, I well up with new tears and get goosebumps all over for this new family of three. Having watched them over the years, as they waited for the Lord to bless them with a child, the road they have been down is not one any of us could have predicted. But, along the way, I have learned so many invaluable lessons from Chad and Amy, and can not wait to watch them pass along those lessons as parents to Mia.
There is so much to say about these two friends of mine, and not enough blog space. But, thank you Chad and Amy, for continuing to show us your trust in the Lord, your patience with this process, your never-ending love and support for each of our own families & children, and your relentless pursuit of your beloved Mia, who will finally receive the blessing of two parents who love her more than she will ever comprehend (But, as I've told you before, I plan to tell her all about this roller coaster of a ride to get to her whenever she is giving you a hard time in highschool. I have a really good guilt-trip already planned out!)
And, here, is the email that we've all been waiting to receive. Sent today by Amy at exactly 2:08 pm!!!
"We proudly introduce Jing Min Gong (Mia Maulsby).
Birthdate: 3/19/05 (6.5 months!)
Weight: 12.5 lbs
Height: Approx. 24"
China Province: Jiangxi
The call came this morning to alert us of the details. A really poor picture is attached, but she is the cutest little miracle we've ever seen. She loves music and is very active. We will travel to China in 6-8 weeks to pick her up. How will we function until then???
Thanks so much for all of your diligent requests for updates through this process. Your thoughts/prayers have been very appreciated…it takes a village.
Chad and Amy Maulsby"
WOO HOO!!! She's coming soon!!! Congratulations to the Maulsby family on this great day. Praise the Lord for answered prayers.
"Do not be afraid, for I am with you. I will bring your children from the east, and gather you from the west." Isaiah 43:5
Sunday, October 02, 2005
The latest pics...
Just a few pictures of our girls the last few weeks....to go with the update below!
The Sunday Night Post
I have posted a family update every Sunday night since I started blogging (a whopping total of two or three Sundays so far...) and I think it will be a new tradition for me. Especially for the family and friends who live far away and don't see us as often. (For those of you who live here and see me all the time, the Sunday Night Post might be a bit boring...)
So, here goes...
Highlights from our week/weekend (since Skunk night):
*Week FIVE down of Sunshine School and all is well! I am loving my little class of 3 year olds and have enjoyed watching Kendyll and Carlie with their friends too. I am very blessed to have a very sweet class this year with 7 girls and 2 boys. (Maybe all those girls is why it's sweet!! Just kidding, boy moms.) Anyway, it's a very fun group!
*On Friday, Kendyll, Carlie, and I got to visit my dad at his brand new school! It was so incredibly fun to watch him "in action". For those who don't know, my dad has been working to complete his teaching certificate requirements to change from a career in sales & business to being a 5th grade math and science teacher for the first time. What a CHANGE! But, those kids loved him so much, and it was fun to see. Carlie was a big hit when she waved and blew kisses to the class. And, two boys asked Kendyll to do their homework, and she looked at me, then looked at them, and said "Sure, I can." And took their papers and went and sat down in a desk. She LOVED getting to be in big-girl school.
*As of last night, at 11:15 pm., my CHRISTIAN SERVICES AUCTION JOB IS COMPLETE! A very big success, and something I always enjoy (even though I whine a little in the last weeks before it hits), and it was a great date night for Mark and me. We even won some good stuff this year and had lots of fun laughing with Clint and Alyssa at our table.
The funniest part of it is watching Mark enter "Vegas-mode" in wanting to win every bidding war he gets into. We ended up with a few more things than we needed, but it was fun nonetheless. He surprised me with a weekend at the Gaylord Texan and an included gift card...to be used at a later date unbeknownst to me (wow, that was a big word!)
Other things we won: Piano Camp for Kendyll next summer, a photo session & family portrait with a great photographer in town, Stars tickets for four, a YUMMY 3-layer pumpkin spice cake, a golf game for Mark at some random place that didn't have any other bids, and some personalized stationary from these great girls I know called Papers from the Heart...hee hee. A very productive (and costly) night, I must say! But, it's worth every penny when it goes to those sweet adopted children whose faces make me cry every year!
*My sister, Cassie and her husband, Austin, came in and stayed with us to keep our girls while we had date night. A huge thank-you to them, for being the sweet aunt & uncle that they are, and for playing dress-up and tea party with Kendyll until they're blue in the face. She loves you so much and we appreciate the night away!
*Today, I got to help Cortni (my other prego sister) register for baby presents! It was so fun to anticipate baby Braden's arrival and pick out cute BLUE things for a change. He's going to be the cutest nephew and I can't wait to finally be an aunt!!
*We also get the fun treat of having Pops & Grandma (Mark's parents) here for the next three days to visit and look at houses! They sold their Hawaii house and will be moving here at some point! So, we're excited to begin the search for their new home. We are also excited to have some babysitting for Mark and I to go on yet another date...to the movies this time!! Any suggestions on good flicks out there?
And, that brings me to now...Sunday night at 8:30. the house is quiet, the kids are sleeping, and it's time to start the school preparation process. Clothes to iron, lunches to make, bags to pack, lessons to prepare. Man, I'm glad we only do this two days a week!!
So, here goes...
Highlights from our week/weekend (since Skunk night):
*Week FIVE down of Sunshine School and all is well! I am loving my little class of 3 year olds and have enjoyed watching Kendyll and Carlie with their friends too. I am very blessed to have a very sweet class this year with 7 girls and 2 boys. (Maybe all those girls is why it's sweet!! Just kidding, boy moms.) Anyway, it's a very fun group!
*On Friday, Kendyll, Carlie, and I got to visit my dad at his brand new school! It was so incredibly fun to watch him "in action". For those who don't know, my dad has been working to complete his teaching certificate requirements to change from a career in sales & business to being a 5th grade math and science teacher for the first time. What a CHANGE! But, those kids loved him so much, and it was fun to see. Carlie was a big hit when she waved and blew kisses to the class. And, two boys asked Kendyll to do their homework, and she looked at me, then looked at them, and said "Sure, I can." And took their papers and went and sat down in a desk. She LOVED getting to be in big-girl school.
*As of last night, at 11:15 pm., my CHRISTIAN SERVICES AUCTION JOB IS COMPLETE! A very big success, and something I always enjoy (even though I whine a little in the last weeks before it hits), and it was a great date night for Mark and me. We even won some good stuff this year and had lots of fun laughing with Clint and Alyssa at our table.
The funniest part of it is watching Mark enter "Vegas-mode" in wanting to win every bidding war he gets into. We ended up with a few more things than we needed, but it was fun nonetheless. He surprised me with a weekend at the Gaylord Texan and an included gift card...to be used at a later date unbeknownst to me (wow, that was a big word!)
Other things we won: Piano Camp for Kendyll next summer, a photo session & family portrait with a great photographer in town, Stars tickets for four, a YUMMY 3-layer pumpkin spice cake, a golf game for Mark at some random place that didn't have any other bids, and some personalized stationary from these great girls I know called Papers from the Heart...hee hee. A very productive (and costly) night, I must say! But, it's worth every penny when it goes to those sweet adopted children whose faces make me cry every year!
*My sister, Cassie and her husband, Austin, came in and stayed with us to keep our girls while we had date night. A huge thank-you to them, for being the sweet aunt & uncle that they are, and for playing dress-up and tea party with Kendyll until they're blue in the face. She loves you so much and we appreciate the night away!
*Today, I got to help Cortni (my other prego sister) register for baby presents! It was so fun to anticipate baby Braden's arrival and pick out cute BLUE things for a change. He's going to be the cutest nephew and I can't wait to finally be an aunt!!
*We also get the fun treat of having Pops & Grandma (Mark's parents) here for the next three days to visit and look at houses! They sold their Hawaii house and will be moving here at some point! So, we're excited to begin the search for their new home. We are also excited to have some babysitting for Mark and I to go on yet another date...to the movies this time!! Any suggestions on good flicks out there?
And, that brings me to now...Sunday night at 8:30. the house is quiet, the kids are sleeping, and it's time to start the school preparation process. Clothes to iron, lunches to make, bags to pack, lessons to prepare. Man, I'm glad we only do this two days a week!!
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