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September 7, 2013 ~ "I'm super, snooper, duper, luper, SOOOOOOOOOO tired tonight!!!!" ~ Maya K

September 8, 2013 ~ I'm not sure what is going on with Maya K today. She slept hard all night (even slept in about 15 minutes later than normal) and has been EXHAUSTED all morning!!! She even almost fell asleep on my lap during the singing at church. She has not been her normal energetic self. She went down easily and quickly for her Sunday afternoon nap and I am hoping that she sleeps longer than normal!!!

September 9, 2013 ~ I'm having one of "those" mornings. The kitchen looks like it threw up over the weekend, the bathrooms need to be cleaned, I haven't finished making the menu for September, I need to make a grocery shopping trip to two stores, breakfast needs to be made, homeschooling needs to be done, laundry is waiting to be put away, and on the list goes. I'm not really "feeling" like doing any of it :-(. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." :-)

If you see Maya K and I at the store today, please just ignore the fact that she is wearing a hat because I haven't done her hair today!!!!

I'm so mean. Dinner tonight is something that Maya K DOES NOT like (green bean casserole) so I'm letting her choose between the casserole (after she eats a little of it) and a ham and cheese sandwich (another meal that is NOT her favorite). Poor girl :-(. Life is HARD!!!!

Maya K has a tiny  hangnail and I have chosen to NOT put a band-aid on it. She just wrapped a large piece of toilet paper around her finger and taped it :-).

September 11, 2013 ~ Hmmmmmmmmmmmm...............To do school or to have a lazy day with movies and popcorn???? (We were going to go to the zoo today, but the weather is telling us "no".) I think that we are going to have a lazy day. We have already done 17 days of school, so I don't feel too bad :-).

Melkem Addis Amet ~ Happy Ethiopian New Year 2006!!!!

We're watching "Pippi Longstocking."

September 13, 2013 ~ I just found Maya K upstairs cleaning the bathroom!!! She had swept the floor and was wiping down the back of the toilet with a wet piece of TOILET PAPER!!! She told me that she wanted to surprise me :-). I suggested that she use a washcloth and that I did NOT want her to wash INSIDE the toilet!!! "This was just for your treat, Mommy. Not every time, but maybe I do it again next time for your second treat. Maybe four days and then I do it again. Just for your treat."

I've started the process of going through the containers of clothes that were given to us last year when Maya K came home and  pulling out the fall/winter clothes that she has grown into. It's going to take a few days to get everything sorted!!! And then I can see what "gaps" need to be filled in.

FB Friday

August 31, 2013 ~ One of Maya K's current FAVORITE things to do (along with her FAVORITE word - "favorite") is to cut with her scissors. Today she is cutting up pipe cleaners.

Maya K got to ask a million and one questions at the veterinary clinic today (for our cat's apt.). How many of you think I should be able to count this as a school field trip???? :-)

September 2, 2013 ~ Context: Maya K has a "cow clock" that has a dancing cow that lights up at 7 a.m. This lets her know when she can get out of bed. We were up late last night and Maya K was still sleeping at 7:30 a.m. She woke up around 7:40ish and came downstairs right away (normally she stays in her room for a while playing while she wakes up). She was VERY sleepy and confused!!!! "Mommy, why did the cow wake up so FAST?!?! I was still tired!!!!" ~ Maya K

Our morning was spent taking everything out of our garage, cleaning the garage, sorting/tossing some of the things that had been in our garage, and then putting everything back in the garage. I'm GLAD it's all DONE!!!!

September 4, 2013 ~ I am desiring chocolate and Mt. Dew right now. Just sayin'. In case anyone cares.

We got to spend some time with some adoptive friends at the park on Monday :-). Carmen and I became friends early in our adoption journey and it was fun to get to introduce our kids to each other!!! They got along well right from the beginning and had fun playing together!!!

I just threw away my very first Barbie :-(. The head broke off many years ago, but I had kept the body because I would use it as a store mannequin. But it was discolored and very sticky and it was time for her to go :-(. We have chosen to not buy Barbies for Maya K, but I brought in the container of my old Barbies and let Maya K and K play with them today :-).

September 6, 2013 ~ It's gonna be a busy day!!! School this morning, hopefully a quick trip to WalMart before lunch, early afternoon attorney apt (to start the readoption process), home to get a couple chores done and eat dinner, and then Nathan and I get to go out for a movie date tonight!!!

Some days I just feel amazed!!!

September 17, 2012

August 21, 2013

I've got all of Maya K's important documents in my purse. You'd better believe that I'm going to be hanging on to my purse like my life depends on it this afternoon!!!!

Have I mentioned how little Maya K and I have been apart since she came home? Yes. I know. I have mentioned it several times. You are all probably tired of reading this AGAIN. I am going to the State Ladies' Retreat tomorrow and I have to leave before Maya K will be awake. This is the first time in over 11 months that Maya K will wake up and I will not be right there with her. She was feeling a little emotional about it tonight :-(. I'm feeling a little emotional about it tonight :-(. Please pray that she will wake up feeling okay about me being gone and that she and Nathan will have a good morning together. I chose to not go to the retreat today and be gone overnight because we haven't done THAT on yet either!!! One of these days I will be brave enough to leave her for a night. One day.

FB Friday

August 24, 2013 ~ Nathan left for the Men's Retreat yesterday afternoon and I sort of stopped doing anything productive. Maya K and I went to my sister-in-law's house for pizza and a movie, came home and put Maya K to bed, and I read a book. Got up this morning, got ready for the day, went shopping, came home and ate lunch, then watched 30 minutes of TV with Maya K, then read a book during her quiet time. I've been trying to make up for lost time ever since. Dishes are now done, two loads of laundry done and put away (more in the machines), dishwasher emptied, and ran some errands. Maybe he won't need to know that I did nothing last night or until 2:30 p.m. today :-).

August 26, 2013 ~ "Sometimes I can't remember the bad snake's name so I just call him a bully. Because that is what he does. He is bad and wants people to do bad things. That is why I call him a bully." ~ Your morning doctrine lesson has been brought to you by Miss Maya Kisanet Joy Maxwell :-)

August 27, 2013 ~ Here is the conversation I had when I went into Maya K's bedroom this morning.
Maya K: "Yikes!!!"
Me: "What???"
Maya K: "Yikes!!! Mommy, what does 'yikes' mean?"
Me: (don't even have time to answer)
Maya K: "Like a person sits on a pinecone and says 'Yikes!!!!'"
Me: "Did you see that happen somewhere? In a book, on the TV?"
Maya K: "No. I know this just because I am a smart girl."

School was a little "rough" this morning. Maya K did A LOT of jumping jacks and running up and down the stairs. Then she would be able to THINK for a few minutes and then her brain shut off again and it was back to the running and jumping jacks!!! But we got through it!!!!

We were stopped in Aldi's by a lady who words there as she commented on how much Maya K has GROWN. Her second comment was, "She still doesn't stop talking, does she?" Nope!!!! I don't expect the words to EVER dry up!!!!! :-)

August 28, 2013 ~ "Keep coloring, you silly Daddy!!!" (repeat 20x over 15 minutes) ~ Maya K

Maya K: "I wish I could have a baby when I get bigger."
Me: "Well, maybe you WILL have a baby when you grow up. But what do you need to do before you have a baby?"
Maya K: "Learn how to obey."
(I was thinking something along the lines of "get married first" but learning how to obey is also a valid answer!!!)

August 30, 2013 ~ Second week of school = Done; CPI form submitted = Done; New books checked out from the library = Done; Maya K settled in the living room with her lunch, watching Daniel Tiger, and reading a book all at the same time = Done. It's been a good morning :-).

First Week of School

Our first full week of kindergarten went very well!!!! Maya K is having fun (except for a grumpy moment on Thursday when she told me, "School isn't very much fun!!!") and she is doing a GREAT job!!!!

We have been starting our school day at 9:30 a.m. She normally wakes up at 7 a.m. and then plays in her room until 7:45/8:00. Then she comes downstairs and brings our cat in from the garage and feeds him. We eat breakfast and then she goes back upstairs to make the beds and get dressed. Normally it is around 9:00ish before all this is done and she can have a few minutes of play time before school starts.

Bible - We each get to choose one or two Bible songs to sing and then we read a story from her Bible story book. On Mondays, I am planning to read through her papers from Sunday School and finish anything that she wasn't able to get done in class. Then we end with us each talking about something we can thank God for or ask Him for, and then we pray together.

Phonics - I really like the A Beka phonics curriculum, so that is what I chose to use this year. Maya K already knows most of the letters names and sounds, but we are starting with the vowels and learning the name, sound, and a picture that starts with that letter sound. We have had some fun learning a few poems about the letters "Ii" and "Uu" as well as some hands-on activities. Worksheets are also involved :-).

Handwriting - Maya K has been interested in writing letters for the past few months, so she is really enjoying handwriting!!!! She holds her pencil BEAUTIFULLY and wants me to draw a smile next to the letters that she does well. I do!!! She also really loves our "Writing House" song. You'll have to ask her to sing it for you if/when you see her :-).

Numbers - We are working on number recognition (1-5 so far) and that is something that has not been easy for Maya K to pick up on informally since she came home. But after putting some time in each day she is doing very well. We are also working on counting to 20 (she does great) and things like patterning, object placement (i.e. top, middle, bottom; before, after). Worksheets are involved some days.

Phonics Review - We review the letters we have been working on and often play a fun game.

Readiness Skills - This isn't every day, but some days we have a paper that involves coloring, cutting, gluing, drawing, tracing, etc.

As the school year progresses and Maya K learns to read, we will have more "seatwork" and a reading group time :-).

We have been getting done with her schoolwork around 11 a.m. this week. I have been pleased with how well Maya K has been focusing on what I am asking her to do and I know that our bond is growing stronger with each minute we spend together!!!!!!

I am very grateful for the opportunity to teach my daughter this school year!!!!!

FB Friday

August 19, 2013 ~ Maya K and I are talking about the Millennial Kingdom at breakfast this morning. Oh my goodness!!! This little girl is going to make me pull out my theology books from Bible college to answer her questions soon!!!

August 20, 2013 ~ Maya K got to eat her first s'more tonight!!! She liked it!!!

August 21, 2013 ~ Dinner had better be VERY good for how long it took me to cut up the tiny pieces of apple!!! We're trying a new crock pot recipe today - Bacon Wrapped Apple Chicken :-).

I did something "new" with Maya K's hair today. It only took about 30-40 minutes and I think it's cute :-). Now we just have to see how well it "lasts"!!! (Three flat twists across the front from ear to ear to make a "headband" and two pony "puffs" in the back.)

August 22, 2013 ~ Handwriting time!!!

"You are the greatest, Mommy!!! Because you do lots of things others don't. Like playdough, and hot dogs, and brats, and sometime let us watch Clifford, and everything!!! Not everyone do those things. You are the best mommy EVER!!!" ~ Maya K. I guess I know the way to her heart. Playdough, hot dogs, brats, and Clifford!!!! :-)

August 23, 2013 ~ She was awake and calling us at 4:30 because of a bad dream. Called again at 5 because she couldn't find her baby. Still wide awake at 6 when Nathan got up. Fell asleep somewhere between 6-7. She is still sleeping and you'd better believe I am NOT going to be waking her up. One of the advantages of homeschooling this year!!!!

We got to enjoy pizza and a movie with our Aunt Heidi and cousins tonight :-). The movie was Shirley Temple's "Heidi" and the story was just a little too personal for my little girl. Poor thing was in tears as Heidi was crying for her grandfather!!!! :-(

FB Friday

August 10, 2013 ~ Have you ever had one of those days where you feel like life's biggest failure in every possible way but especially as a mommy? That was my morning :-(. Nathan has tried to counteract this feeling by putting me to bed for a 3 hour nap, making the pizza crust dough blue, and then buying me a Mt. Dew slushy and chocolate when I woke up :-).

At this very moment, one year ago, we were on a plane to Ethiopia to meet our little girl for the very first time. My heart was sooooooo very excited and also VERY scared!!!! Our "Meetcha Day" anniversary is TOMORROW!!!!

August 11, 2013 ~ One year ago today.......We finally met our little girl!!!!!

Nathan gave her two Sprees. Heaven help us!!!!

We celebrated our "Meetcha Day" by watching the video of those very first moments together with Maya K before she went to bed. She wanted to watch more and more!!!!

August 14, 2013 ~ One year ago today, we sat in an Ethiopia judge's "courtroom" and heard her tell us that Kisanet Nathan Maxwell was now and forever officially our DAUGHTER!!!!

"Less talking, more eating.......less clapping, more eating......less silly, more eating.......less singing, more eating.......less talking, more eating......less faces, more eating......less laughing, more eating." This is what I am listening to at lunch today. The GIRLS are telling each other these things NON-STOP while they are "eating."

August 16, 2013 ~ We start school today!!!! Maya K is running around saying, "I am super, super excited to......eat the mushroom!!!!" (We bought some large portabella mushrooms and THAT is what she is excited about the day!!!).

First day of school = DONE!!! It only took an hour today :-).

Our first day of school dinner is DRUMSTICKS!!! Maya K has been asking for chicken on the bone for a while now. Anyone who knows me well knows that I can't stand eating meat off a bone. Can. Not. Do. It. I love my daughter. We are having drumsticks = chicken on a bone. She gave me a HUGE hug when I told her what we are having for dinner tonight :-).

First Day of Kindergarten

Maya K started Kindergarten today!!!!!!

I am homeschooling her for Kindergarten and we were both excited to get started!!!! It only took about an hour to do our work today, so it was short and sweet :-). We had fun!!!!

"Meetcha Day" Video

On August 11, 2012, we met our daughter, Kisanet, for the very first time!!!!

FB Friday

August 3, 2013 ~ My hubby is amazing!!! He has started the morning by reading to Maya K, starting a load of laundry (with a few "tips" from me) and brought me my breakfast of eggs in bed. I love you, Nathan!!!!

Nathan continues to be amazing!!! On my "day off", I have slept in, eaten breakfast in bed, gone Goodwill shopping and out to lunch with a friend, and spent over an hour reading outside at the park. Nathan has fixed breakfast, done two loads of laundry (put one load almost all away), unclogged the bathroom sink, done the dishes, vacuumed half the house, fed Maya K (and himself) lunch, took her to the park, and put her down (and got her up) from quiet time. Now he's reading to her :-). I "heart" this man!!!!

"I'm stuck in my head!!" ~ Maya K
(This is actually a very good way to describe what happens when we can't remember what we were doing to say!!!)

I was able to get some school "preparation" done this evening :-). I love getting things filed into their labeled folders and seeing all the things that Maya K will be learning in Kindergarten this year!!!! We're starting school in just TWO weeks!!!!

August 4, 2013 ~ Would anyone like to volunteer to explain HOW the oven works to Maya K????

August 5, 2013 ~ Maya K has her third round of immunizations this morning. I would appreciate prayers as she is not very happy that she has to get MORE shots :-(.

Me: (told Maya K to do something)
Maya K: "Mommy!!!!..... Oh....... I was going to argue. Nevermind!!!!"

Shots are done (for today)!!! She has one more round in a few months and then we are ALL CAUGHT UP!!!

Ten months = 5 inches and 8 pounds = Maya K's growth

Nate: "Holy monkey buckets!!"
Maya K: (heard from the other room) "Holy, Holy Spirit. God the Father. God the Son.....Jesus. God the earth (don't worry; we're working on this). Holy Spirit."

August 6, 2013 ~ Can children's Tylenol cause hyperactivity?????

Look what I found today in the library book I am reading!!! An unexpected blessing :-).

August 8, 2013  ~ Buy one, get one FREE coupon at Yankee Candle = :-)

She NEEDS to talk!!! Maya K and K were told to stop talking at lunch because neither one of them were eating. Maya K just asked to go to the bathroom and asked if she could talk while she was going potty. She is in there talking up a STORM!!!! It had only been five minutes and the words were just BURSTING!!!

"It scared me as much as a LION!!!" ~ Maya K (when her folding chair fell over and folder her up in it)

August 9, 2013 ~ It's Adventureland Day!!! Maya K and I are joining some friends for a day of rides and FUN!!! Maya K is super excited!!!

Over 7 hours at Adventureland today = SUCCESS!!!

Maya K: "I have several things to clean up......What does 'several' mean???"
Me: "It means that you have more than a little to clean up. Do you have a lot to clean?"
Maya K: "I have several a little things to clean."

FB Friday

July 27, 2013 ~ It's been a BUSY day!!! Two family Bday parties (LOTS of fun!!!) = a tired/cranky daughter and a tired mommy and daddy!!! I am feeling thankful for a late afternoon quiet time!!!

July 28, 2013 ~ We're heading for VBS with a tired/grumpy/cranky little girl who is EXCITED for Vacation Bible School. Prayers would be appreciated!!! :-)

July 29, 2013 ~ I just went to make my shopping list and realized that I haven't made my menu for August. And, since August begins this week, I can't do my shopping list until I first do the menu. Oh dear. I guess I know the first thing on my "to do" list for today!!!!

I'm teaching the lesson at VBS tomorrow evening and am trying to prepare. But I keep getting distracted!!!

"Mommy, I liked my nap. Thank you." Said by a sleepy face little girl with a BIG yawn!!!

July 30, 2013 ~
Maya K: "Mommy, do you know why I like it when you answer me things?"
Me: (I guess a whole bunch of "silly things, and then ask her to tell me.)
Maya K: "Do you need a clue? It's something that I LOVE to do."
Me: "You love to talk."
Maya K: "YES!!! You guessed it really good, Mommy!!!"

Cranky little girl = stressful morning = little girl "gets" to take a nap = mommy trying to get VBS lesson finished = 30 minutes into naptime and mommy about to go check to see if sleeping is happening = doorbell ringing = CRANKY mommy!!!!

I'm out of practice!! I taught two 40 minute Bible lessons at VBS tonight and I'm exhausted!!! I used to do this all day, five days a week!!!

July 31, 2013 ~ Maya K just came upstairs and said "I'm doing a surprise so that you see that I can cut some food and do all the dishes. It's a surprise that I can clean and then you will let me cut ALL the food and clean ALL the dishes!!!" (She is currently sweeping the entry way floor and I "don't know about it"!!!)

It's lotion mixing time!!!

August 1, 2013 ~ I'm a "non-scientifically minded" person. Maya K is currently drawing a picture of a stomach, complete with blood "floating" in and around the body. I think I'm in trouble!!!!

August 2, 2013 ~ Maya K "normally" sleeps from 8:30-7ish. Well, she went to sleep at 11 p.m. and woke up at 6:30 a.m. Let's see how today goes :-(.

Thanks to a toy study that Maya K went and participated in this morning, she now has her first set of Polly Pockets to play with :-). She's having fun!!!!

Me: "Maya K, look over there. That is the capitol building."
Maya K: "What is the 'capitol building'?"
Me: "That is where some people go to make the laws or rules that the people who live in Iowa need to obey."
Maya K: "Oh!!!! They are the ones that say 'You can't go potty outside because there are lots of people around'??? They are the ones that make that rule????"

"I think Mommy and Daddy are going to have to learn ALL of the questions, because I am curious!!! ~ Maya K

SOMEONE needs sleep!!!!

Nathan is giving me a DAY OFF tomorrow!!! What should I do?!?!