hola

hey mia, what's a zee-zee?

look mazy, your big sister mia is watching you...

i really can't wait for mazy to meet miss mia... mia your going to enjoy being a big sister.

bath-time...

prep'ing for our 7am embassy appointment...

Hola Dada

Hello Dada, Ma and Mazlin.

I'm staying very busy while you are gone. I'm going swimming with Lily, True and Felina tomorrow. It should be fun. I went to the park today with mommy, aunt Steph and Josh. I really miss you. I've been swimming with Elliot, too. Mommy said we can all go to the park when Mazzy gets home. I miss you and I love you.

P.S. I made two pictures for you tonight. One on paper and one on the rug. Mommy doesn't like the picture on the rug for some reason :)

Love-Mimi

dear mia,

i hope you don't mind that i have dada down here with me... i really can't wait to get through the appointment at the embassy tomorrow and then go to antigua to see where you lived with momma for all those months. i'll pick you up a gift there on sunday. i am practicing how to walk so i can keep up with you when we visit the park together... will you show me all the cool places for us to play when i'm home?

i love you and i look forward to our meeting real soon...

xo

maz

mazzy and ma

mia i'm coming home...

are you not so excited to meet me? dada is telling me all about you and zee-zee. i like dogs and i am so curious to meet you for the first time on tuesday... we have so much in common and so much to talk about. see you soon

Mazy!

we met this morning for the first time, she was as incredible in person as i had imagined all along... she is sweet, soft, round, vocal, inquisitive and most of all she is loved. her foster mother has given her a wonderful beginning pictured here together, Mazy says Momma, Poppa, agua and move over Mia... she also says... no, no!

Safe, Sound and Waiting

Just spoke with Dennis and they are just waiting to meet Ms. Mazlin. I'll keep you posted.

6.8 magnitude earthquake strikes off Guatemalan coast

What are the chances? Dennis and his mom flew out today. I haven't talked with him since his arrival. I'm sure everything is fine. I just hope this doesn't delay the embassy appointment.

Party in the Park

Mia and Jameson

Saturday in the Park with Aunt Molly

A Letter to Mazy

Dear Mazy,

I just overheard mommy and daddy saying that you are arriving the 19th of June. I've pretty much been living on easy street around here and basically have them wrapped around my finger. I'm really not sure how you are going to fit into the picture and I'm more concerned about what steps I will take in order to make sure you don't mess with "my good thing".

Here are the rules:
1. No sharing before 10:00am
2. My needs come first
3. You will have to eat anything I don't like
4. I get daddy 99.9% of the time (unless you are sick). We can split mommy 50/50 since she has too many rules.
4. I'm your big sister, your best friend and you can tell me anything. I"m going to be there for you no matter what and I'll always protect you. We share a culture and history that will bond us forever.
6. I'll be waiting for you in my room---just knock first and don't touch anything unless I tell you that you can.

Love your big sister Mia

Mazlin Liliana McGrath

Mazlin Liliana McGrath

We just received new pictures of Mazzy. We found out last week that she is out of PGN and ready to join our family. We are beyond thrilled and today is the first day that I've allowed myself to get her room all the way ready. It is really happening!!!

Mia

You are the sweetest and funniest person I know. I had a great Mothers day because of you

Mia's Big Surprise

The McCarren's Visit.

Our friends, Karen + Denis + Jack, came to visit from Minneapolis this weekend. It was great to have Mia and Jack back together again. They play for hours on end and most of the time laugh their heads off at each other. Karen is due in October and we talked at great length about how we hear over and over again two changes everything. We also had a visit from Steph, Josh and Kaitlyn. We met Julie, David and Lily at the zoo. I hate to say it, but Mia LOVES the zoo. I wonder how she will feel about my stint as an activist against the use of animals in the circus and the zoo. Maybe I'll wait until she is a little older to tell her about that one.

A nice sunday afternoon swing

Denis + Kaitlyn+ Josh

Denis + Mia

Lily + Jack + Mia + Mr. Camel

Luv + Suds

Tiny Dancer

Ready to sign autographs after her amazing performance.

Mazzy, Mazzy Little Star

How I wonder where you are... Okay, so today is rainy and a bit gloomy and I have one thing to say. We are ready for you. Your mommy, daddy, sister, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, neighbors, zeker, the playground....we are just simply ready. Some days are worse than others. Today is/was one of those days.

Kate and Matt

Kate and Matt came to visit us last weekend. We had such a great time. Many laughs with too much wine and food. We also had a party for Nora, Adeline and Aedan. It was great to see eveyone and meet a few new family members on Dennis' side. Kate, Matt and Max are expecting a little one from Vietnam in the near future. She will be a good little buddy for Ms. Mimi-head.