HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! I HOPE THIS YEAR BRINGS A LOT OF JOY TO EVERYONE.

I KNOW EVERYONE IS DYING TO HEAR MORE ABOUT MY NEWS. SO, HERE IS A BIT MORE. I WILL BE ADOPTING MAYA'S BIO SISTER. SHE IS DUE 2/18/2009. WE HAVE PULLED A LOT OF STRINGS. I AM JUST PRAYING THAT THINGS GO SMOOTH THIS TIME. I WILL GET TO NAME HER AT BIRTH. SHE WILL BE GABRIELLA HOPE. WE WILL CALL HER GABBY. EVERYTHING IS DONE, WE ARE JUST WAITING ON HER TO BE BORN AND GUATEMALA TO REOPEN. I AM TRYING NOT TO GET EXCITED!!!

CHRISTMAS IN A NUTSHELL!!!

These are some pictures that I had made when we went to visit Ellie in California. Yep, I am just getting them back. I know some people are slow. Anyway the pictures turned out really good. However, I couldn't get them to turn the right way.

Christmas was GREAT this year. Maya was so excited. She was a bit upset Christmas morning when Santa wasn't there. She go over that really quick. She got a tricycle, princess table and chair, princess backpack, doll house, and a crayon doll that teaches colors in english and spanish. From other family members she got a desk, Elmo live (I love him), more dolls with all the accessories. I really don't even remember what she got. It was way too much. We have been very busy all weekend. I am trying to get over the flu. Not easy when you can't rest. I will have to go back to work to get some rest. However, I wouldn't change a minute of it. Maya was so much fun this year. I have tons of pictures from the weekend. I have to sort them and download.

Maya also has some big news. Our family of 2 will very soon be a family of 3. That is all I can say at this point. I am trying not to get excited but that is hard. I have known about this for about a month. I have been dying to tell but I just told my family. I will give more details as I can.

EDITED TO ADD: CONCERNING THE BIG NEWS, I AM NOT GETTING MARRIED, THERE IS ANOTHER BABY IN THE MAKING AND NO I AM NOT PREGNANT.



I hope everyone had a very Happy and Blessed Christmas!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS.

We hope each of you have a great day with your family and friends.

FROM OUR HOME TO YOURS

MAYA MEETS THE SNOWMAN!!!

MAYA WASN'T REAL SURE ABOUT THESE THINGS.

THE BEST PRESENT EVER!!!!

THIS SHIRT IS SO TRUE!!! MAYA IS THE BEST PRESENT I EVER GOT. I STILL LOOK AT HER IN AWE. SHE AMAZING ME MORE AND MORE EVERYDAY. I LOVE TO SEE WHAT SHE IS GOING TO DO DIFFERENT EVERYDAY. SHE IS TALKING NONSTOP NOW. INTERESTING IN EVERYTHING. SHE IS GROWING UP WAY TOO FAST. SHE IS HER OWN LITTLE PERSON WITH A VERY STRONG LITTLE HEAD. SHE KNOWS WHAT SHE WANTS AND SHE GOES AFTER IT. I LOVE HER MORE EVERYDAY. I DON'T EVEN REMEMBER MY LIFE BEFORE HER. WHAT DID DO WITH MY TIME?

SOME OF MAYA FAVORITES:

FOOD: TOMATOES, NOODLES, RICE

SHOES: FLIP FLOPS AND BOOTS

CARTOON: DORA AND SPONGE BOB (NOT MINE)

TOY: BABY DOLLS AND PURSES

PHRASE: NOWAY AND ITS EVERYWHERE (YOU HAVE TO SEE THE HANDS)

PERSON: HER MAMA, OF COURSE

EATING PLACE: TACO BELL

BELLINGRATH GARDENS

WE SPENT THE DAY IN MOBILE SHOPPING. THEN WE WENT TO BELLINGRATH GARDENS TO LOOK AT THE LIGHTS. THIS WAS MAYA'S FIRST TIME. SHE LOVED IT.

PICTURE POST

CUTEST LITTLE WREATH HOLDER THAT I COULD FIND.
POSING BY THE TREE. YES, MAYA IS THE BEST PRESENT I EVER GOT.

SHAKING HER BOX IN THE CHRISTMAS PLAY AT CHURCH. SHE HAD JUST WOKE UP SO SHE WASN'T REALLY INTO IT. SHE THOUGHT WHEN I PUT HER PJ'S ON SHE HAD TO GO TO SLEEP.

MAYA WITH CASEY AT THE CHRISTMAS PARADE. IT WAS SO COLD!!

TAKING A LEAF BREAK. I USED THIS PICTURE ON ONE OF OUR CHRISTMAS CARDS. SINCE SHE REFUSED TO SMILE ON THE ONES WE HAD DONE AT OLIN MILLS. THAT IS A WHOLE ANOTHER POST.

STRIKING A POSE. SHE IS GOOD AT THAT.

WE HAD ADOPTION DAY AT OUR CHURCH. THIS IS WHAT SHE WORE. I WROTE A LITTLE TESTIMONY ABOUT US BECOMING A FAMILY. IT WAS A VERY SWEET SERVICE. WE HAVE ABOUT 15 KIDS IN OUR CHURCH THAT ARE ADOPTED. MAYA IS THE ONLY INTERNATIONALLY ADOPTED.

SHE GOT ALL INTO DECORATING THIS YEAR.

MAKING COOKIES FOR UNCLE JAMES IN IRAQ.

MY GRANDMA WITH ALL HER GREAT GRANDKIDS.

CHEESE MODE!!!

MAYA AND HER NANA

MAYA AND AVA PLAYING AT THE MALL.

NELSON AND MAYA WAITING FOR THE HAY RIDE THAT TRICK OR TREATING.

FIRST STOP FOR MINNIE MOUSE.

PLEASE BE PRAYING FOR MAYA'S BABYSITTER AND HER FAMILY. THEY FOUND OUT THIS WEEK THAT THEIR 8 YEAR OLD DAUGHER HAS CANCER. THIS IS HER SECOND BOUT. SHE HAD IT 4 YEARS AGO. SHE IS A PRECIOUS LITTLE GIRL. THEY HAVE 5 ADOPTED KIDS AND SHE IS ONE OF THEM. THEY DON'T KNOW HOW THEY WILL TREAT IT YET. THE DOCTORS ARE STILL DOING TEST.

HAPPY "LATE" THANKSGIVING!!!

I HOPE EVERYONE HAD A WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING WITH THEIR FAMILY!! ME AND MAYA SPENT THE DAY AT MY GRANDMAS WITH MY ENTIRE FAMILY. IT WAS A GREAT DAY. WE ATE WAY TOO MUCH!! I HAVE TONS OF PICTURES BUT I LEFT MY CAMERA SO LOOK FOR THEM LATER. WE GOT UP THIS MORNING AND WENT TO WAL-MART AT 5 AM. THAT WAS AN EXPERIENCE!!! IT WAS MY FIRST AND LAST. I HAVE SO MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR. I AM SO THANKFUL THAT MAYA GRACE ROSALIA IS FOREVER MY DAUGHTER. I AM VERY THANKFUL TO HER FIRST MOMMY FOR CHOOSING LIFE AND GIVING ME THE CHANCE TO HAVE SUCH A BEAUTIFUL LITTLE GIRL.

OASIS 2008

SORRY I DON'T HAVE PICTURES YET. I GOT THERE AND MY BATTERIES WERE DEAD SO ONE OF THE OTHER GIRLS IS GOING TO MAKE ME A COPY OF HERS. SO THEY WILL COME. THE WEEKEND WAS AWESOME. I CAN'T EVEN BEGIN TO EXPLAIN IT. YES, I DID MISS MY LITTLE PRINCESS BUT I NEEDED SOME ME TIME. SHE DID GREAT WITH MY PARENTS. YES, SHE WAS VERY SPOILED WHEN I GOT HOME. THE WEEKEND WAS VERY REFRESHING AND RENEWING!!! I WENT WITH A GREAT GROUP OF WOMEN. I WILL POST MORE ABOUT IT WHEN I HAVE PICTURES.

A LOT GOING ON!!

I LEAVE TOMORROW AFTERNOON FOR MY WEEKEND RETREAT. I AM STARTING TO GET EXCITED. HOWEVER, I AM A BIT NERVOUS ABOUT LEAVING MAYA. I HAVE NEVER LEFT HER EXCEPT TO GO TO WORK. SHE IS STAYING WITH MY PARENTS/GRANDMA. I KNOW THAT SHE WILL BE FINE. IT IS ME THAT I AM WORRIED ABOUT. SHE IS REALLY EXCITED ABOUT STAYING WITH MAMMIE AND BAMPS. SHE KNOWS THAT SHE WILL GET WHATEVER SHE WANTS. IT WILL PROBABLY TAKE ME SIX MONTHS TO GET HER BACK TO NORMAL. OH WELL, AT LEAST I WILL BE RESTED FOR THAT ADVENTURE. THE RETREAT IS CALLED "OASIS". IT IS AT A LODGE IN VICKSBURG, MS. I AM GOING WITH 11 OTHER LADIES FROM MY CHURCH. IT WILL BE SO RENEWING. EVERYONE KEEPS TELLING ME THAT IT WILL MAKE ME A BETTER MAMA TO MAYA. ONLY TIME WILL TELL. I WILL POST PICTURES OF THE WEEKEND ON MONDAY.

ME AND MAYA HAVE THE BEST SECRET BLOG PAL!!! WE HAVE ENOUGH POPCORN TO LAST FOREVER. WE LOVE IT!!! WHO EVER SHE IS MUST KNOW US. WE LOVE CARMEL CORN!!! I HAVE PICTURES OF MAYA WITH IT BUT BLOGGER IS BEING BAD RIGHT NOW.

I HOPE EVERYONE HAS A GREAT WEEKEND!!! PLEASE PRAY THAT I DON'T MISS MAYA TOO MUCH.

ONE DAY LATE!!! TWO YEARS AGO!!!

TWO YEARS AGO YESTERDAY MAYA WAS PLACED IN MY ARMS FOR THE FIRST TIME. IT WAS LOVE AT FIRST SITE EVEN THOUGH SHE HAD THE MEASLES. I FELL SO IN LOVE WITH THIS BABY GIRL. I STILL LOOK AT HER IN AMAZEMENT. WHERE DOES TIME GO?? I HAVE LEARNED SO MUCH OVER THE PAST 2 YEARS FROM MAYA. SHE HAS MADE ME A DIFFERENT BUT BETTER PERSON. I MET SOME AMAZING FAMILIES ON THIS JOURNEY. ELLIE WAS THERE WHEN I FIRST HELD MAYA AND WE HAVE BEEN GREAT FRIENDS SINCE. I ALSO MET WENDY AND HER FAMILY DURING THIS TRIP. I CAN'T START TO NAME WHAT ALL OF THESE FAMILIES MEAN TO ME. THEY ARE GREAT SUPPORT!!! I LOVE YOU GUYS!!! ELLIE, THANKS FOR LISTENING TO ME CRY FOR OVER A YEAR.

PUMPKIN PATCH!!!

WE WENT TO THE PUMPKIN PATCH YESTERDAY. MAYA LOVED IT!!! SHE PICKED OUT HER OWN PUMPKIN. WE GOT LOST IN THE CORN MAZE FOR ABOUT 45 MINUTES. I WAS FOLLOWING HER. I KNOW REAL SMART TO FOLLOW A 2 YEAR OLD IN 12 FOOT CORN STALKS. IT WAS FUN ANYWAY. WE WENT ON A HAYRIDE, WATCHED THE PIGS RACE, DID A HAY MAZE. THAT WAS WAS EASIER. I AM LOVIN' THIS MOMMY THING.

A LOT OF CATCHING UP!!!

MAYA AND AUNT GOLDA ALL THE FROM COLORADO!!!
THIS WAS THE MORNING OF MAYA'S BIRTHDAY. I GOT HER THIS LITTLE CUPCAKE DOG.
I AM MAKING MY MAMA A BIRTHDAY CAKE. SHE IS GETTING REALLY OLD BUT I STILL LOVE HER SO MUCH.
THIS IS THE FUN PART. I LICKED THE BOWL AFTERWARDS.
MILIDU, SASA AND MAYA IN NEW MEXICO. WE MISS THEM SO MUCH.
I LOVE THIS PICTURE OF MAYA. IT WAS HARD TO KEEP HER OFF THE LADDER. SHE IS MY LITTLE CLIMBER.
NOW INVENTION BY MAYA: CORN ON THE COB DIPPED IN RANCH DRESSING.

SORRY THAT IT HAS BEEN SO LONG SINCE I POSTED. I KNOW MANY OF YOU LIVE FOR A MAYA FIX (ELLIE AND FARRAH). WE HAVE BEEN VERY BUSY. SINCE MY LAST POST WE WENT BACK TO ALBUQUERQUE. I ALWAYS THOUGHT I WOULD MOVE BACK THERE ONE DAY BUT GOD HAS A PLAN FOR ME IN MISSISSIPPI. DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT BUT I CAN'T QUESTION IT RIGHT NOW. I HAVE FOUND A GREAT CHURCH WITH VERY LOVING PEOPLE. ABOUT MY LAST POST. NO, I HAVE NOT HAD BREAK YET. I AM GOING TO A WEEKEND RETREAT WITH MY CHURCH THE END OF OCT. I AM GETTING EXCITED ABOUT THAT BUT A LITTLE NERVOUS ABOUT LEAVING MAYA FOR THE WEEKEND. REMEMBER, I HAVE NEVER LEFT HER.

MAYA IS DOING GREAT. SHE IS SUCH A BLESSING. I SEE THIS MORE AND MORE EACH DAY. I NEVER KNEW THAT I COULD LOVE SOMEONE SO MUCH. SHE IS ALMOST TOTALLY POTTY TRAINED. THAT WILL BE WONDERFUL. AT HER LAST CHECK UP SHE WAS 26 LBS AND 34 INCHES LONG.

I WILL TRY TO POST MORE.

QUESTION???

THIS QUESTION IS FOR ANYONE WITH ADVICE!!! MAYA HAS BEEN HOME FOR A YEAR NOW. I HAVE ONLY LEFT HER FOR 2.5 HOURS TO DO SOMETHING FOR ME. I DO HAVE TO LEAVE HER WHEN I GO TO WORK BUT THAT IS A MUST, TRUST ME IT IS NOT FUN FOR MAMA. I AM STARTING TO WANT A LITTLE MAMA TIME. IS THAT WRONG?? AM I A BAD MAMA FOR WANTING SOME TIME FOR JUST ME?? EVERYTIME I THINK I AM READY TO LEAVE HER AND DO SOMETHING FOR MYSELF, MY GUILT KICKS IN. I FEEL LIKE I WOULD BE A HORRIBLE MAMA IF I JUST LEAVE HER FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS. I ALWAYS END UP TAKING HER EVERYWHERE I GO. I LOVE TAKING HER PLACES AND I LOVE SPENDING ALL MY SPARE TIME WITH HER BUT...... I JUST THINK I NEED A FEW HOURS FOR JUST ME. I GUESS I FEEL THAT SINCE I WANTED HER SO BAD AND FOUGHT SO HARD TO GET HER HOME, I SHOULDN'T WANT TO LEAVE HER. I KNOW THIS PROBABLY SOUNDS CRAZY TO SOME BUT IT IS THE WAY I FEEL.

WOW, WHERE DOES TIME GO???

MAYA HAS BEEN HOME ONE YEAR TODAY. I STILL LOOK AT HER IN AWE!!! SHE IS SO AMAZING.

BIRTHDAY PICTURES, PART ONE!!!!

JUST A SWINGIN'!!! GO DAYLA AND MILLER!!!!
OKAY, I WILL LET YOU HUG ME IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE TO!!!! HOWEVER, I AM NOT GOING TO LOOK AT THAT CAMERA.
CHECK OUT MY BEADS!!!!
THE PROM QUEEN (SHNAYE) AND THE CHEERLEADER (MAMMIE) OR SHOULD I SAY THE WANT TO BE'S????
TIRED BABY GIRL!!! THIS WAS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE RODEO. THIS DIDN'T LAST, SHE SAW THOSE BULLS AND WENT WILD.

I JUST LOVE MY NEW BOOK!!!
ALL DRESSED UP AND READY TO GO.
LET'S GO MAMA, I HAVE MY HEELS, HAT AND MY BAG. WHAT MORE DO I NEED???
BYE BYE, MAYA!! THIS IS NELSON GIVING MAYA A BIG HUG.
A PRINCESS MUST HAVE HER TOENAILS DRIED.

WOW, THIS IS A REALLY PRETTY DRESS. I AM SURE MAMA WILL HAVE A PHOTO SHOOT WHILE I AM WEARING IT.
THIS BAG IS PERFECT!!! I LOVE BAGS AND FLIP FLOPS!!!
LOOK MAMA, THIS DOLL IS JUST WAY TO CUTE AND IT EVEN LOOKS LIKE ME.
SWEET BABY AVA
APRIL AND AVA

I SURE DO LOVE THIS CAKE.
THIS IS GOOD ICE CREAM. THANK YOU DEBORAH FOR MAKING IT.
PRESENT TIME!!! YIPPPPPEEEEE!!!!
CHECK OUT MY NEW CLOTHES.
I JUST KNOW THERE IS ONE MORE THING IN THIS BAG.

OKAY, TAKE THE PICTURE!!!! I AM DYING HERE!!!
I WILL NEVER TELL MY WISH. I WILL TELL YOU THAT IS HAS ALREADY COME TRUE.
CHEESE!!! THE CAKE WAS A BEACH WITH ELMO AND A BEACH BALL.
SHE GRABBED THE BALL AND STARTED LICKING THE ICING OFF.
YEP, I AM EATING CAKE!!! YOU GOT A PROBLEM IT???

WE HAD MAYA'S BIRTHDAY PARTY TODAY. IT WAS GREAT!!! WE HAD IT AT PLANET PLAYGROUND. THE WEATHER WAS PERFECT. MAYA HAD SO MUCH FUN. THERE WAS 27 GUEST AT THE PARTY. WE HAD HOT DOGS, CHIPS, CAKE AND HOMEMADE ICE CREAM. SHE GOT TONS OF CLOTHES AND TOYS. SHE WAS WILD. AFTER THE PARTY ME, MAYA, SHNELL, SHNAYE, DAYLA, AND MILLER WENT TO THE RODEO. YES, SHE STILL LOVES THE BULLS. AFTER THE RODEO WE WENT TO BURGER KING AND THEN WE ALL GOT A HOTEL ROOM TO FINISH OFF A GREAT DAY. I FINALLY GOT HER TO BED AT 1 am !!! SHE CRASHED ABOUT 5 MINUTES AFTER I PUT HER IN THE BED. I ALMOST CRIED WATCHING HER WHILE WE WERE SINGING HAPPY BIRTHDAY. I AM SO THANKFUL THAT SHE IS HOME. I LOVE HER MORE AND MORE EVERYDAY. SHE IS MY WHOLE LIFE. I DON'T EVEN REMEMBER LIFE WITHOUT HER. WHAT IN THE WORLD DID I DO BEFORE MAYA???