So Photogenic

My child, and yes, I know I'm biased, is so photogenic, I just can't stop taking photos!  Her Grammie says that Maelie's going to go into the Guinness Book of World Records for "Person with the most photos taken of them."  Grammie may be right......

Swimmin'

It was a gorgeous day today, so we traveled to a nearby town for a little A & W dinner, then borrowed Grandma's yard for a little bit of swimmin'.  Maelie LOVED it.

Photos for your enjoyment

We had such a good time playing outside yesterday.  Here's a bunch more photos for your enjoyment!  :)

My Gorgeous Girl

I took these photos today while we were playing outside.  I know I'm biased, but......

Ode to Mr. Willard

Yesterday morning, we lost a dear dear family member, Mr. Willard.  He was one of our rescue Yorkies.  We adopted him when he was 12, because his family felt they could no longer care for him, and he was going downhill.  Well, Mr. Willard surprised them...he would have turned 18 in August.

Mr. Willard was a very special dog to me.  He came to me at a time when I was going through some severe anxiety that turned into depression.  I was on medical leave from work...it was basically a work burn-out I was going through, which exacerbated itself.  I was battling a medical condition that was debilitating, frustrating, and painful.  Due to medical leave, I was feeling pressure to get well to go back to work, our finances were in crisis, and life was just not good.  Enter Mr. Willard.

Mr. Willard, from Day One, would just 'know' when I didn't feel well.  He would sit in my lap for hours, letting me pet him, letting me hold his little paw, not caring if his fur got wet from my tears.  He never judged, he'd give me kisses, and, overall, he taught me that life can be tough, but we all just have to keep going.  There were days when I didn't know if life was worth it anymore, but, having Willie, I knew I had to keep going for him.  Mike wouldn't be able to care for him like I could, and Willie deserved a loving retirement home.  He helped me through a terrible time in my life, and for that, I'll be forever grateful.

In the past year, Willie suffered some health issues.  We had to have one eye removed, due to a ruptured ulcer.  His other eye was blind.  For the past couple of years, because he had arthritis, we had to carry him up and down the stairs.  When Maelie came, it became more of a challenge to care for Willie, but I refused to become angry about it, and never once felt as if he were a burden.  I always said that I would care for him like that for a million years, if it meant he could stay with us.

But, Mr. Willard was an old dog.  I knew this in my head, but my heart didn't want to listen.  This past week, Mr. Willard stopped being able to move.  He was in great pain, and it broke my heart to see him like that.  The only thing I could do was return the favor he gave me years ago.  I held him, I comforted him the best I could, and I held his little paw.  We knew yesterday morning that it was time.  I think Willie knew, too.  Before Mike took him to the vet, I held him and petted him, told him all my feelings, thanked him for the wonderful times we had together, and we made our peace.  I have no regrets about it.  Yesterday was incredibly difficult, and I cried every time I saw the empty spot on the couch that was 'his.'  Today is better.  My heart is listening to my head again, and I know I did the best I could for him, I tried to make every day with him count, and he's no longer in pain.

I will miss you, Mr. Willard.  I know you will always be with us, and I will see you again.  I love you.  You were a good....no....WONDERFUL dog.

Flower Garden

The other day, Maelie 'helped' me plant some flowers.  We had to pull out weeds, dig holes, and plant the plants.  She's so proud of her 'plANTs.'  But, now she keeps wanting to dig the holes!!!  So, I'm not sure how long these plants will last, but, it was great fun watching her help, getting dirty, and checking out her plants every time we go outside.

Colin Mochrie & Brad Sherwood Show

So, sometimes...for often than not...my life has had odd little special fun happenings in it.  Things just seem to fall into Mike's and my laps sometimes.  And trust me, I don't take these things lightly.  So, last night, we had tickets to see Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood, from Who's Line is it Anyway, at a local casino.  Now, I have to preface this by saying that I have just loved Colin Mochrie, and have always said that I've wanted to meet him in person.  One of my 'bucket' list items is to meet him in person.  One of my 'fantasy bucket' list items...the ones that are unlikely to ever happen....is to have Colin Mochrie and Ryan Stiles over for dinner.  As normal, everyday people.  :)  

But, back to our evening.  We had tickets to sit a ways from the stage, but the show was in a small ballroom, so it was still just going to be so cool to see these two comedians in person.  We found our seats and settled in to wait for the show to start.  After sitting for about five minutes, the place was about half full, maybe.  A young guy walks up to us.  US.  There were other people there.  But, he walks up to US.  He asks, "Do you guys want to sit up front?"  We're like...huh??  He tells us that him and his girlfriend have front row tickets, they don't want to sit in the front, and would we like to switch seats?  We tell him, yeah!  Sure!!  As I'm walking up to the front, I'm thinking, damn...I should have paid more attention to where the guy was pointing to his seat....we're stuck behind huge speakers.  Nope.  Front row....center.  Like, five feet from the stage.  Cool, or what??

They put on a good show, and had lots of audience participation.  Mike and I have watched the show a bazillion times, and every time they do the game where audience members have to do the sound effects for the comedians, Mike will throw a fit because they can't make good sound effect noises.  So.......they had that game last night.  And asked who in the audience could sound effects.  I, of course, grab Mike's arm and THROW it into the air.  We got noticed.  Mike was chosen to go onstage and do the sound effects for Colin Mochrie!!!!  I was so thrilled, and he did an awesome job, brought down the house, had a great time, improv-ed with them....it was GREAT.  It was AWESOME.  I laughed my ASS of.  While I didn't get to meet Colin, personally, this was damn  close, and I think I can cross it off my bucket list!!!!! 

We were going to have Maelie stay overnight at Grandma's house, with help from Auntie Kimmie, but, when we called after the show at 11:00 p.m., she wasn't sleeping.  We decided to pick her up.  Poor baby was staggering around, she was so tired, but would NOT give in.  We literally drove away from the house for ONE MINUTE and she was out COLD in her carseat.  But, we all had fun!!  :)

Playin' with Photoshop

These photos were taken the other day, just out in our yard.  This was my first attempt at making a collage...and I just kind of grabbed the photos.  But, I think it turned out nice!  I can't wait to make more.

The Amazing Maelie!

Yesterday, Maelie and I were at her little table, just playing with play-doh.  Out of nowhere, she starts counting. Now, she has been counting to 5, and knows how many each number is up to 5.  But, yesterday, she just bloomin' started counting and went all the way to 10!!!!!  I was so proud of her.  I gave her a big hug.  I got a look in return that said, "Mommy, get over it.  I'm all ABOUT numbers."  She does love her numbers.....

Some Photos

In an effort to chase the cobwebs out of the corners of my blog...here are a few photos from Easter, and an early Spring visit to the Zoo.  Some of my favorite photos here!

Latest Photos

Sharing a few photos from this past weekend.  We spent Sunday evening at my mom's house visiting my niece Samantha, home from California.  Nice to see her, it's been too long!!!!!!!  Enjoy the photos!

"Auntie" Sam!  :)

Mother's Day 2010

I had a lovely Mother's Day.  Mike and Maelie were little secret squirrels last weekend and went to Grammie's house for...something.  Turns out, Mike had Maelie make hand and foot prints in clay and let it dry, so today, I was presented with my very first homemade Mother's Day gift.  I was THRILLED.  :)  It was wonderful.  When I get them hung up, or set up, I will photograph them.  It was very special.

We had dinner at my mom's with Auntie Kimmie, Uncle Dave, and Uncle Alan.  It was a wonderful night. Everything was very low-key...just the way we like it.

I have to post our Mother's Day photos....although I look like a big ol' dork...but Maelie was gorgeous, as always.  :)  I feel so fortunate to be able to celebrate Mother's Day at all, but to celebrate being Maelie's mom, well, that's just awe-inspiring to me.  I love this little girl so very much...some days it takes my breath away.

Happy Mother's Day!

This will always be my favorite photo.  This was taken on our first night together in Vietnam, during Maelie's first bath.  This photo always brings tears to my eyes.

Happy Mother's Day to all of you!!

The Butterfly Story

So, I must share with you all Maelie's butterfly story.  She has really been talking up a storm lately, copying words, combining words, it's been so great to watch.  Well, on her favorite Sprout television channel, there's been a commercial for the "Live Butterfly Garden."  One day, about ten minutes after the commercial had aired, Maelie looked at me and said:

"Buf-fwy.  (Maelie's sign for caterpillar).  Fwive.  (Maelie flutters hands)."

To translate:  "Mother.  You can purchase this kit.  You will receive 5 caterpillars that, when ready, will hatch into 5 butterflies that will fly away.  Isn't that cool?"   :)

Now, if you ask her to tell you the 'Butterfly Story' she will regale you with the above tale.  I just love it.  I love hearing her sweet little voice saying, 'Buf-fwy.'  One of these times I'm going to try to get her story on camera!

Our Little Fish

So, at just a touch over 2 years old, Maelie has shown us that she is part fish.  She has always loved her baths and water, and we have been taking her to our local Y for swimming.  No lessons, just swimming with Mommy and Daddy.  This video was taken on probably her 4th or 5th trip to the pool.  We've gone again since taking this video, and now she doesn't even WANT us to touch her or help her...she uses one hand to swim and the other to swat our hands away from her, yelling NO!!!!  Goofball.  We are proud of her!

SNOWING

It is SNOWING here today!  Can you even believe it??  SIGH....there go the tulips....

Mother's Day

Once again, we have been featured on the front page of one of our local newspapers.  Of course, I couldn't be prouder!

I wanted to share the link with you to the article, and to say that YES....we'll be doing Spring Cleaning around this old blog and dust out the cobwebs.  PROMISE!

And, for now, Happy Early Mother's Day!!!!

http://www.hometownfocus.us/news/2010-05-07/Features/Adoptive_mom_I_am_a_Mother.html