Fun filled memories...

So today was the big NFL game in Nashville. Shane and the boys had a good time,while Maiya and I headed to Opryland hotel for some fun. First Maiya and I dropped the boys off at the game. Thank goodness I did,parking was 30 bucks!! So off me and Maiya go thru the traffic,wish I had a one horse open sleigh...LOL,then we finally make it to the Opry,and well...a little cheaper,18 bucks to park for non hotel guests.LOL Pitiful huh?:)
So I get all our gear,stroller,camera,bag,Mika,the works!! Off to the garden cascades for some pictures of Maiya and Mika baby!! We got some lovely pictures,hopefully will post next week! Then we walked around and I mean we walked,so did Maiya. It was so funny,Maiya insisted on walking and holding my hand while Mika rode!! This lady laughed and asked Maiya...Aren't you suppose to be in the stroller?:) We finally found the Delta river area, with a great but expensive pizza place. Maiya got one slice of cheese,I got one slice of vegetarain and one little ceasar salad and... one coke ZERO,all for a whopping 16.00!! We ate it all,didn't waste any!! Would you?:)Next we headed to the Shrektacular dreamworks show featuring KUNG FU PANDA and Shrek!!What a neat show...can you believe it was free!! Maiya had a blast.We got the best seats in the house!! Finally back to get the boys. Maiya konked out!
Perfect timing!! We get a call on the phone that we have been waiting on for almost 2 years,our dear friend has finally came home from Africa. We are so happy for the family!!
On the way home,we gave Outback a visit. Now we are cuddled up home as a family. Daddy is putting scarfs on Maiya while the boys are giving the playstation 3 some play,dirtbike good times!! Have a great weekend....Shopping Spree day to come!!

Mika is on the way........

Well this post I am sure caught you by suprise!! Maiya's first little bamboletta doll ( Mika) is on the way to us from Canada. I have been trying to score one for months!! CHECK THEM OUT at www.bamboletta.com. Yes they are pricy around 215 or so. These mamas make and sew these organic all natural dolls. They are so cute,colors,styles,clothes,faces, hair,you name it,they got it. I know you are already thinking this mamma his nuts! But to me,this is a cherished doll she will always have even to take to college with her or to pass it down to her daughter,....if the world is still standing.
I was thinking..... what is the difference between getting a expensive american girl doll,which I didn't want cause of the hard face and body,not counting you gotta buy clothes.And the heaviness of the doll.
Maiya needs something light and just her size. Plus this money goes to stay at home mamas,not a million dollar company!! Girl...when these little ladies upload,you better click on anyone and add to your cart,DON'T push the back key to look or edit and just hit checkout,or your baby will jump out of cart and someone will get it. These are great for birthdays or special days. I told my husband I wanna buy her one every year until she turns 9 or 10. My neice is 8 and still loves her baby dolls. They have a upload every Friday at 12 noon PST time. So if you are central then it would be 2:00 in the afternoon. Get on at 1:50,go to the doll shop on the website,keep hitting refresh (with google chrome).It should say "The Little ladies are getting ready" Then BAM!!!!!! all the dolls appear at once!! Click fast on your doll,you really don't have time to be picky on which one!! Then add to cart and go to checkout. These babies go in seconds,minutes. I just was hoping for a brown one the other day,I was shaking so nervous while I was hitting refesh. Then BAM!!!!! Mika was on the top row!
When you see a brown one,click it,they are not as common as the whites. If you wanna add freckles you can email the owner too!! The make light brown,dark brown,white,cream colored skin and any color hair. Some of them have pink dreads which is so cute. Even some with highlights. Just watch tomorrow,this Friday you will see. Remember the time ladies...12 noon PST,you will need to convert to figure out your time!!! HAPPY DOll getting...Oh and P.S. I am even in the clear with my man!! We plan on video taping Maiya opening Mika. I will try to post here. Oh and Maiya will be getting her today or tomorrow.!!If you need to save for a doll,don't worry they do a upload very Friday. This has taken me months to cart a doll!! LOL

A different tradition..but simple.

So this year we have decided to do things in a different,less stressful,but FUN way:)Since this time of year,things tend to be rush,rush,stress,stress,money money,santa,santa.
Then Jesus is somewhere in it,but all are too busy to notice JESUS. Not all families don't do this,and we sure don't either. So don't take offense.:)
This year we wanted do something simple,something where we can sit back and still enjoy,but most of all,we can focus on God and who he was and is.
So this year on Christmas Eve Shane is taking the boys to a NFL fottball game in Nashville Tenn @ 12 noon.
Then while they are away,Maiya and I will be baking up finger foods!! When they arrive home we will have the Nativity story ready to watch with some great food. Then we snuggle and sleep. On Christmas Day we are gonna relax and play board games all day!! Family Fun!!
Then sometime that week,we are gonna hit the sales and have a FAMILY SHOPPING DAY,where the kids take their money that we give them and shop for things they need and want. They will learn the value of a dollar and this will teach them how you have to manage money!!And of course that money does not hang off trees!!:) This way they get what they like,no stress for us and trying to hide gifts.Plus we don't do santa anyway!!Plus we save money.$$
Of course we will help Maiya....FUN,FUN,I have some ideas in mind!! Maybe a cash register,stroller for her babies!! Food for the kitchen....endless possibilites!! And we will control the boys!! Can you picture all 5 of us???LOL ...Then we will top it off with a nice meal somewhere,:)
Shane and I will have to have a date after this!! In the meantime,I am looking for snowman things for my mini tree that I keep up all year. I wanna do just a winter theme!! This weekend we celebrate Bailey's 11th Birthday....well off to take a nap with Maiya and then prepare for the party. Looking for my Linus ...(Bailey) to do a great job this Sunday at the play!!It seems as if these winter days...my mind is constantly going.
I hopefully will post some pictures next week. Happy WINTER!!:)This is the plan so far....I will take pics of the famous shopping day!!

MORE FALL PICTURES BY MAMA...

Thankful....

A long time since a post...well I have just been BUSY. We have had some sickness around,stomach virus,bronchitis,me both at the same time. I am just now feeling better. But hey atleast that is all. I guess that comes with the fall season. Bailey and Adyn are doing great in school. Maiya is doing great with her little school and friends. She absolute has a ball there!! And I get a breather too,time to help mama be healthy and relaxed. Yes..I am on a journey to a healthier me,for me, my husband, and kiddos!! So far I have lost 11 pounds. Not to be a model, but to be healthy and energetic for my kids.I have recently joined the YMCA and I go every morning if I can especially on the days Maiya has her school on Tues and Thurs.!! I have been busy taking fall pictures of the kids and of my neice. If blogger will upload faster I could show yah more! I also have returned to work part time working ever other weekend as a charge nurse at a small local owned nursing home. I have worked there years ago. Still the same boss,who is great! Maybe I will go back to school to further my education on the days Maiya is in school.
Speaking of little Maiya,she has come out of her shell with men I believe. This past week the TV man came out to hook our satelite up,she didn't run and cling to me...she walked on over started talking and made a new friend. Even said BYE!! I was shocked. Then my dad and I and little Maiya went out for lunch and my dad's friend came up and adored Maiya. He asked if he could hold her,she went to him,smiled but right back to pepa.Once again,shocked. I am also glad for her,I don't want her to feel tensed up. She is such a sweet little baby girl!! Her favorite movies are Tangled,How to train your dragon,Junglebook,Elmo!! Loves CAKE!! Loves her dogdy SIMON!! Maiya loves all dogs,giant and small.She loves to push Simon around in the grocery cart!! Not sure he likes it to well.LOL
She runs to daddy everyday he walks thru that door. Full of personality!!

Bailey just made straight A's is getting taller everyday. He is in 5th grade and sometimes I think how did he grow so fast?:) He is a handome smart young boy full of laughter and heart!! He just got his first 10 pt buck last weekend!!:)Likes to play nerf guns!! Great artist!!

Adyn is quite the little cuddler still. At 6 yrs old now and getting bigger and smarter in kindergarden everyday. Likes to play NERF guns!! He is a great artist for his age. Ok so blogger is so slow,I will post more pictures later!
I am so thankful to God for who he is and how is LOVE never changes,even when I am less then what I should be! So thankful for family and health and every blessing bestowed upon us and for smiles,laughter and a peck on the cheek! And we just got a new sponsored child from Kolkata! So now we have Shaba 15 and Ankita who is 8!! No, I am not going black Friday shopping!! We got some different things in mind for this year!! Take Care until more news...lots of happy days to you all!!

FOOTBALL SEASON...Bailey's first time playing!!

                                                               Practice...GO # 84

                                                                  Moving it...

       

Adyn sporting Bailey's Jersey:)

Pumpkin Patch 2011 Kindergarden class...Oct 3rd

                                                   Adyn going  thru the Corn maze!!

                                                            Mama and Little A

                                                              Sunflower Garden

                                                                The Hay Castle

                                                       We found a pumpkin to call our own!

This day was a special day for my son and I. The drive was absolutely beautiful and peaceful. I remember as I was following the school bus how I was thinking how thankful and blessed I was to be able to go on this little trip with my little man. How thankful I was that God let me be in this day. I remember as I was driving alone and I just started laughing, the joy of the LORD and the joy of his beauty,and I was thrilled to be in it. :) Adyn had the best time,we had a great time just A and me!

Heading down south....

So as plans were to travel up north to Liberty,and her family....we decided recently maybe we need to wait till next spring. Hopefully the bed bug epidemic in Cinncinati will be long gone:) I didn't wanna risk going and bringing home some little visitors that would drive us itchy crazy.  Looking forward to zoo time next spring with Liberty, and maybe New York during the summer to meet Maggie and Pala and go to Niagra falls. Never have been to New York either!
So with after thought and talking, we are off this week to Florida,the Gulf coast white beaches. We leave Tuesday night.
 Excited that this is Maiya's first family vacation. We have not gone anywhere this year and we are all excited to get away for some quality family time.
We hope to enjoy some seashell hunting,fishing,building sand castles and hunting for crabs with flashlights at night,...the ones that don't bite!!:) And of course some good seafood and relaxing.
I will be taking the camera so I will post when we get back!! We hope to get someone that works at where we are staying to take some pictures of us as a family with my camera,even if I have to give them 20 bucks!!:)
Have a great fall break!! Pumkin patch pictures to follow of Adyn and I.

Picture time!!

                                            Preschool graduation TIME!! MAY 2011

                                             
                                              ELMO SHOW TIME!!! Nashville Tenn

Bailey and Lexie on her birthday!!

                                          Maiya 1st day at First Christian Church
                                              

Adyn 1st day of kindegarden!!Maiya giving him luv!!

Bailey at Football practice!! GO FALCONS.

Maiya being sweet.

Bailey ,my handsome big boy.

Maiya Bailey and Adyn

Picture day with mama!

Adyn with daddy learning to ride!

Mama and Maiya at Audubon park

We hope you enjoy these summer shots of the family!! I have beeb putting my new camera to good use as you can see!

 So glad cooler weather has hit today. We are so ready for fall of the year. This week we celebrate Shane and Adyn's birthday sccoby doo style! A Falcon game coming this saturday and a evansville trip for fall bargins!!  Oh and by the way...Jasper ,our bullmastiff is on the way!!

We are so thankful for everyday that God gives us together!! Rejoice for this is a day that the Lord has made.:)

Have a great September!! We are hoping to head up north to Ohio fall break to take the kids to KINGS ISLAND and to the ZOO!! And we hope to meet Liberty and her family. Maiya and Ben were at the orphanage together. Ben came home about 2-3 weeks before Maiya.

So we are planning a day at the zoo together!! And yes pictures I will be taking.:)

Adyn's first day of kindergarden!! Bailey 5th grade!

So sad for me,I feel like I just let hime go to the world, a BIG world. But I have prayed for him and Bailey today and I know God will comfort Adyn in this change and make him feel confident. Big brother walked on in cause he didn't wanna walk by mama.:( Adyn and Maiya by my side,first we go to his room to drop off a folder then off to the GYM. We find Adyn's class and we sit down. I ask Adyn...can I stand up on the floor and take your picture. Nope,he wanted me to stay by him. So that is what I did,to make him more comfortable. He recognized a couple boys from his preschool,which is grand. So off to march in a line to the class. Here I am beside him with Maiya and my camera! Thank goodness Maiya did not drop dead weight on me,LOL. We get to the colorful class so neat and tidy! I am so glad he got the teacher he did,she is mature and has had experience!! And so good with little ones I hear from the principal,which is my friend.:) I help Adyn find a seat by his friend and then before we leave...  Maiya has to plant a big one one Adyn with a snuggle hug!! Adyn kinda smiled but was like oh no,in front of my friends.
Adyn asked me what time I was coming...I said 2:40. He wanted to hear that time. We left with a wave and blew a kiss. Now when the teacher handed me my little tea parent gift,I thought so sweet. But when I read it,how awesome she is. As Maiya and I walked down the hall, tears under my sunglasses,leaving my little boomy. I know he will be ok, God is looking out for him.
Even though I feel like he is not under my wings...like when a baby bird leaves the nest. The good thing is that he comes back to the nest this afternoon.
Bailey...well he is fine boy. He was excited and ready to go. He vanished. LOL, I tried to look for him in that blame gym so I could get a picture. I wasn't so lucky. So I hope he has a good day, and I know he is thinking about Adyn being there.
This is a part of growing up, I know,another step in life. So.... thankful I can be there for my children as they are growing up. Sometimes it just hurts and then it is JOY when you see them turn into a fine young boy and girl then when they get big...
So let's not think about that,taking it one day at at  time. Pictures to come soon.

Maiya's first day sleeping at First Christian School

Well today was the big test to see if nap time for Maiya  was gonna go smoooth sailing,AHHHHH.
 For me,no nap time, because  tomorrow starts the boys first day of school. Today was her third day,she did not even cry when I took her in, all smiles as her teacher was waiting  at the door!:)
 Well I called at nap time,and YESSSS Maiya Reela was sound asleep. I went to get her after nap and she was in the gym eating snacks. So glad to see my big girl adjusting and having fun!
Now tomorrow is Adyn's first day of kindergarten, bittersweet for sure, and Bailey 5th grade!  The boys had one good blast today with their papa from North Carolina before school starts.
They are both excited,yes a good thing. Me,well I will make it. Sending another baby to school,BIG school... I will miss little Adyn so. Well all of them. Summer went too fast!

Maiya's first day at First Christian Church School

Well little Maiya and us all had a great morning,bittersweet. Maiya all cute in her ME TOO bird jumper dress,her owl lunchbox,elmo in her hand, Bailey packing her big bag. Adyn leading her in.... to her SCHOOL. She enters the door all with smiles. She remembers bringing Adyn here to preschool.
First we went with her teacher and found her cubby,she neatly packed elmo away in her bag with a smile. We went to the gym and then finally back to take her lunchbox to the refrigerator. The kitchen is where they all eat and socialize.:)   Then it's time for mommy and big brothers to say Bye and we will be back.:( Maiya's teacher took her in her arms and.... she cried. We left,oh my heart was hurting. So I gave it about 10 mintues and I called. The teacher answered and as sson as she knew it was me.... She said, are you alright? I said kinda. She told me that  she took Maiya to play with some babies. Then she went outside with her class to have chalk time on the sidewalk.:) She said she is fine and if we need you,we will call! So she stayed from 9-12. I picked her up right after lunch.
As soon as I walked in,they were smiling and told me how great she did. How she jibber jabbered all day,how she played puzzles,how she ate all her food at lunch,how she was all smiles all the time. Maiya ate her carrots first at lunch and how she quickly spotted her owl lunchbox as soon as it was time for lunch, She told them...That is my bag. How sweet.I look up and Maiya is running to me with smiles and grabbing my leg. This sure helps mama's heart today. Her teacher then emailed me and told me how glad she was to have Maiya and how excellent she did. She even sent me pictures via email that she took. How great. I can say this is definate meant for Maiya! Now we wait for Thursday and looking for Maiya to have a good day! Pictures of her first school day coming hopefully this week.    The boys and I also had a great day together too.:)

Check out the new wonderful shirt at Wild Olive!

So loved...to remember we are loved and how we love another. Check out this great shirt and giveaway.

Riding along...

Let's hear it for Adyn..3 weeks ago about,Adyn learned to ride his bike without training wheels and last night he just learned to ride what used to be Bailey's 50 KTM dirtbike. Now Adyn gets the fun of it,and hoping to get Bailey one this fall ,and daddy one in the spring. So looks like there will be some dirtbike riding good times in the future!!! Have a great week!!  Maiya starts school 2 days a week next week then Adyn kindergarden, and Baileys the big 5th grade! Yikes!, they sure are moving along. I feel like some times,wait a minute  kids.... let me catch up here!!:)

It still hasn't left me...

Well this post will be documented because you just never know where God will take you or lead your heart too..
It still hasn't left me,I have lately kinda been like, NO! this is it,I try to go on, but it still hasn't left. Then the dream when I least expected it. In fact I had done closed up, or atleast tried to on the idea.
So about a few months back,maybe 2-3. I had this dream of me holding a baby girl,(Maiya's sister) if this is gonna happen. She had chubby cheeks and different pig tails in her hair. She was healthy and plunp with dark hair. In this particular dream,I was holding her and smiling and talking to someone.
 I was telling them that she had been home 18 months and that was how long we've had her.
It was a clear picture of me and her,black and white,no color. Like a portrait picture shot, but in a conversation with someone. In my dream I was looking at me. It was like I was watching myself talk to me. Nobody else in the dream. I thought first thing I needed to write it down but never did.
 Shane and the kids I assume were there just standing as I talked to me or someone in this dream.
So who knows...I am not closing the doors ever to what God wants to call in our lives as the Fenwick 5. I trust his plan is perfect,and I know he does not break any promises nor neither lie. So if this is GOD,it will come to pass,if it is his plan and if we listen. I sure don't see a way any time soon,but with Maiya we didn't see it all or have it all,God just lead and we followed.
 Sometimes ,I know I don't always listen,but I am learning. So is it God talking?,we wait and keep being thankful and loving life together. No matter what, we are blessed beyond words.)

Something new from the past week,the other night,while I was sleeping,I seen a name spelled out before me...Sophie. So I don't know,I thought that Maiya would be our only girl. If she is,I am content and thankful,thrilled actually.... but if God has other plans,I trust he will reveal how,when,where and work on daddy's heart. Right now I believe Shane's heart is so full..full of love for Maiya and the boys,full of gratefulness. It has not hit Shane's heart yet, if it is meant to be. And since he is the leader of our family,God will lead him if this all  is suppose comes to pass.
 So with all that being said,we still are just loving one another. And like always... I document it all,so I can later see the big picture.:)

God is faithful,always

As I was cleaning the kitchen today,God started to remind me of all the times he has been faithful to us. So many times these past 3 months God has been there for us,even when I couldn't see how or when things were gonna work out. First God has healed my heels and feet recently. Let me tell you about it: For several weeks into months. Every morning when I would wake up,I could not walk right. My heels and feet felt so bad. I had to put on shoes with inserts in them,I could not walk barefoot. It was a struggle to get out of bed and walk even to the bathroom. I was limping like I was crippled I even had to hold to the bed. I couldn't stay on my feet long. The kids had to help me around the house. Shane and I agreed that I did not want to go to the doctor,we agreed together to pray. So we just prayed about it for weeks and weeks. I told the LORD that I needed my feet to take care of the children, and asked him to heel them. I told him I was not going to the doctor and that I believed in him. So I still kept getting that pain and stiffness. But I didn't stop believing and being patient. Unlike me,patient. So about 2 sundays ago,God reminded me in church,... God said "your feet,your heels? Healed,pain was gone. I totally forgot about it all,I got so use to hurting and the last I remember was hurting. Then I was like,Oh my goodness,I have not hurt for weeks,Thank you God. God reminded me. So I am so thankful today for God's healing power and mercy. Mercy that keeps me everyday. We have had many other blessings come our way how God has provided for us. We have even recieved blessings when there was no way,but HOPE. When we didn't even tell a soul.... God knew,God provided. Jehovah Jireh,my provider. 

How has GOD been good to you today.

Are you living?

Do you have health?

Do you have food?
Do you have a bed?
Do you have a job?

Can you see?

Can you eat?

Can you walk?

Are your kids happy?

Do you have clothes?

Do you have a roof?

Do you have JESUS? Salvation Acts chapter 2
Do you have his name in baptism?  Salvation Acts chapter 2
Do you have the Holy Ghost with eveidence of speaking in tounges? Acts Chapter 2:38

God is so good.

The health benefits for us mommys!

I have tried and tried to post that this blog was gonna come to a hault for the summer and well...maybe for good. Can't get that post to post ,so maybe it is not meant for me to close shop just yet,right? So now I will tell you about the good health news for you.

Shane and I have started something healthy. A organic apple cider vinegar drink from the healthstore! It helps with it all,natural and even promotes weight loss,hooray!! You mix 1-2 tsp of vinegar with 1-2 teaspoon of honey in a 8 oz glass of water and drink one morning,midday and evening. It is also a natural pick me up that helps give you energy. The heat does not even bother me,Yesterday,I washed and cleaned the inside of the van,...in the middle of the day. I feel better,lighter,and it curves your appetite while cleaning your body of toxins!! This and green tea and cutting back with some walking....outta help this mama shed some pounds and get in shape. Shane even takes this in his lunch. We started this a week ago today. So many health benefits to this apple cider vinegar,and the brand is BRAGG's. only 6 bucks for a 32 oz bottle. Try it!! I am not a vinegar person,but it doesn't taste bad.

Today one year ago...May 21st!

Today one year ago we landed on US soil home sweet home from beautiful INDIA!! Off to shoney's to eat amercian food and me...so TIRED!! Tired from holding Maiya Reela for 19 hours all the way. Daddy was able to give me a few breaks,but not much.:) We were so glad to see our boys and the family. So glad. Time in India was grand and yet it flew by. I guess anytime you are having a grand time,it flys by it seems. Yes, time does fly because I cannot believe a year has passed!! So thankful that our Maiya Reela is home with us...forever.

I have decided that this will be my last blog post for the summer and well maybe for good,unless ...!?

Kinda bittersweet. This will be our family's adoption journey from 2008 to 2011.

Hopefully,turn this to a book. As soon as I double check it all.:)

I wanted to say that you all have been such wonderful friends thru the bloggy world and such a support group. Thanks for reading our journey. Our email address will stay the same if you ever want to contact us.:)

School will be out June 3 and I want to enjoy it all because Adyn starts kindegarden in the fall, and Maiya and I start to school, and Bailey will be in 5th grade! So this summer the blog cannot be in my to do list. I want to devote my blog time other places. Happy days to you all. I still will be checking on the great journeys of other families and cheering you on. Pictures of the family posted below,lots of them!!

Gidget Fenwick:)

Lots of MEMORIES,Lots of LOVE!

More 2011 memories

Maiya lovin her GOTCHA DAY BOOK