Concert performed by Maya!

Maya decided to put on a concert this morning before going off to school and we thought we would share. I love how she ends each 'song' with the same key.

I want 1 show, mommy

Maya has learned the art of negotiation. Immediately arriving home from work today, Maya held her little finger in the air and said "I want 1 show, mommy just 1 show". She apparently thought her cute looks and her sweet talking would get me to over rule Daddy by allowing her to watch 1 Dora show on TV. Maya, mommy is on to you! Did she get to watch Dora? Unfortunately no. Here is how Maya looked after telling her no for the 100th time tonight.

Busy Weekend

What a weekend! This Memorial Day consisted of family, more family, and an awesome graduation party (Congrats Leslee!). Maya got to see many aunts, uncles, cousins and grandmas who spoiled her rotten. I have never seen Maya bounce off walls before but I guess that happens when over loaded with sugar and fun. Maya's meal of choice this weekend? Cheeseburgers, gummy bears (or gum gums as Maya calls them), cake, and juice.

Maya sitting on Leslee's lap eating cake or should I say frosting?

Maya also had so much fun at the hotel pool. She especially loved going down the big slide over and over again. I think we have a little fish on our hands as she loves the water.

Maya was ready for the pool even before we left. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures at the pool as I had to enjoy the slide too.

Hope all of you had a great long weekend. I'm thankful to have taken another day off to rest. Maya is napping and I am blogging - what fun!

Pretty

Yesterday Maya got her hair professionally cut and styled. Once again, Tarsi did an amazing job and Maya managed to sit for over an hour. Dave took Maya as I had to work and I am the lucky recipient of a facial rash. Unfortunately I have to stay far away from any of my hair/make-up products as well as Maya's hair products. Thankfully we have Tarsi who can help me out. Maya thinks her hair is very pretty and we think so too :)

Is there a model in the house?

There sure is and her name is Maya.  Here Maya shows off her new bathing suit.

Jello-Fest

Our church held their annual jello-fest on Sunday and we couldn't resist participating.  There were three categories:

1. Best Salad
2. Best Dessert
3. Most Creative

If you know Dave and I, we are certainly not going to shoot for #1 or #2 so we went for #3.  Our main goal was to promote Kolfe Orphanage and bring more awareness of the sponsorship opportunity with Children's Hope Chest.  I don't believe we won but hopefully one more person took the time to learn more.  Here is our creation - we cut out the shape of Ethiopia and laid the jello on top of injera (bread).  We used green, yellow, and red jello to represent the colors of the Ethiopian flag.  What do you all think?  I think they turned out pretty darn good!  Ha ha.

P.S.  Thanks Nicole for letting us use your cookie cutter! 

Adopting Mom Video - TV Profile

A friend of ours traveled with this couple who adopted a little girl from Ethiopia in early 2007. One interesting thing to note is the video coverage at the end where the little girl is putting a hand print on the large wall. This wall represents all the children that were adopted in that year from CHSFS. We did this very thing with Maya. It may not seem like a big deal but it was as there was so many little hands on this wall who all found forever homes and it also left a reminder to the amazing staff of all the children they so graciously loved while in their care.

Also interesting that the Dr. in the video was the same doctor that cared for Maya - we were able to meet with her 1:1 to discuss Maya's health the six months she was in her care. You could tell that she knew everyone of the children in the care center personally and cared for each of them greatly.

Proud Mama

I'm am proud to report that Maya officially went potty in the toilet!!!  Yesterday late afternoon Maya said she had to go potty.  We thought "yeah right" but we did our part and took her to the bathroom.  She actually did go potty in the toilet.  Of course we cheered and praised her.  Daddy gave her a nickel and Maya proudly placed it in her piggy bank.  Today we learned that Maya went #1 and #2 in the toilet at daycare.  She even earned a sticker which she wore on her shirt for the rest of the day.  I'm so proud of her. 

I'm so cool

Maya found her sunglasses from last summer.  They are now one of her favorite toys to play with.  How cool is Maya?  Ha!
 

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all the mother's out there! I feel so blessed to be Maya's mother. I have waited so long to be a mother and now I am celebrating my 2nd Mother's Day. What a gift! Dave gave me a very precious gift today. He found a beautiful adoption poem that bring tears to my eyes. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Eyes
My Mother's hands are not like mine
But both can wave or climb a vine
Or make a castle out of sand
Or hold onto my Daddy's hand.
My Mother's eyes are not like mine
But both can see the bright sunshine
Our eyes can look way up and down
Tho' hers are blue and mine are brown.
My Mother's hair is not like mine
But both of us look very fine
With braids and bows and Sunday hats
We even put them on the cat!
My Mother's heart is just like mine!
We love and care and learn each line
Of God's own word to Mom, Dad and me.
Our insides are all that He can see.
Because God doesn't care about our skin
Or eyes, or hair, or even our chins!
He loves what's inside of me,
So I'm the best girl I can be.
God loves me so much, you see
That He gave me two Mommies--each are perfect just for me.
So every night I pray to God above
For the Mom who gave me life and for the Mom who gives me love.
© Tabitha

2009 Fargo Marathon

What an exciting morning! We got together with a group of friends to cheer on the runners and close friends. Despite the chilly weather, we had a terrific time. After the majority of the runners ran past us (some for the second time) we headed back to my place for some delicious rolls and fruit. Each year I say to myself that I am going to run the 1/2 marathon and I think next year is the year. I guess time will tell :)



We watched right next to the water station which really wasn't the greatest idea.

My sign was a big hit - I thought it would be make the runners smile considering it was so darn cold outside

Grandpa Ed and Great-Grandma Barbara

Earlier this week, Dave and Maya visited his family. Maya got to give her late Grandpa Ed a big hug. I'm sure he is smiling down from heaven right now as I know they would have been the best of friends. Ed is a wonderful man and we miss him dearly. The day was also the burial of Dave's Grandma Barbara. It is resting to know that Barbara and Ed are together again and watching over all of us. Death is hard but at least it brings family back together. I'm so happy that Dave and Maya had a chance to see family this week (just wish I didn't have to stay back to work).

Here Maya gives Ed a big hug

Love this picture - Maya is with her cousin Melissa

What a little helper - love this picture too

Cap

Dave found Maya this cute swimmers cap and she loves it!  She would wear it all day and night if we let her.  I just love this picture as you can see how proud she is of her new cap.

Weekend with family

We had a fun weekend with my brother Jon, his wife Shannon, and their adorable 3 year old Olivia. Maya and Olivia had so much fun playing with each other despite some sharing issues. Saturday we met them at Chuck E Cheese to celebrate Olivia's 3rd birthday. The girls had a blast going from one game to another. If that wasn't enough, we took the girls to the butterfly house where they got to see all sorts of beautiful butterflies. The rest of the weekend consisted of opening gifts, eating cake, playing, and visiting. Thanks Jon and Shannon for having us!

Maya and Olivia fighting over who drives!

A little young to be kissing a boy Maya! Ha.



Shannon, Jon, and Olivia at the Butterfly House

Maya and mommy

The girls had a blast playing with bubbles

Grandma Julie with the two girls

Maya going after Sammy, the cat

I love ketchup

Maya has a new favorite food - ketchup! She insists on having ketchup with her meal as she loves to dip all her food in it. It is magic for us as it gets her to try new things even chicken nuggets. Whatever makes your happy Maya - we are not going to fight you on this one. Pick your battles, right?