Our Tiny Dancer

A latte and some face paint

 

Dennis and I were laughing this morning thinking about how our Saturday mornings of long ago (actually, less than 3 years ago) consisted of a latte, the paper and a conversation about what movie we would see, what new restaurant we would try or what new music we would buy. It was so quiet around our spotless house and we had so much time to kill. In hindsight, we weren't even 10% as happy as we are today. We love our mornings with the girls. They are hilarious together and keep us laughing constantly.

 

 

Little Diva

 

Aracely has really been a godsend to our family. I knew by talking with her references she was very special person and all of the children love her, but I'm amazed at how much Mia and Mazlin are connected to her. Every morning she does Mia's hair (with big people hairspray-see photo)before they go anywhere. Mazlin doesn't have enough hair to do anything with at this point but I'm sure as it grows she will get the same treatment. Mia's room is filled with drawings that Araceley made to help her learn Spanish. She makes amazing meals for them throughout the day and teaches our whole family things about her culture as well. I love having her here. Dennis is gone pretty often and just knowing someone else is in the house makes me feel so much better.

We went shopping to get her what she need for her room and she really just wanted picture frames and few little things. I've not been in her room since she moved in and she wanted to show me what she had done..the walls are covered with pictures of her family and her extended network of friends. She is here for an opportunity to learn English and apply for her masters degree. She really is a pretty courageous person to be here so far from her family at 25 years old. You would think by now I've learned that change isn't about what you're giving up (space, privacy, etc.) but more about what you gain (new culture, wonderful influences, etc.)

Now, if I could just make her understand that taking the car to the Casino on her off time can't happen again. To her defense-I never told her she couldn't. Live and Learn. Now I tell her everything in painstaking detail.

Aracely and the girls

 

Mia's spanish lessons

 

Mazlin is the winner

 

Mazlin 1 Mia 1

 

Mazlin 1 Mia 0

 

Sisters

 

This weekend we had our annual sisters and nieces weekend. We shopped, watched documentaries (a genetic disposition we all share),laughed and drank too many frozen rum drinks. My stomach hurt from laughing so hard. We really do have a great relationship and I feel very fortunate to have them in my life. Moving back has made me realize your family is a big part of who you are based on experiences and history. It felt good to laugh about the good and bad times and a few other things that will remain nameless. Let's just say the more things change the more they stay the same. I'm sworn to secrecy but Steph knows what I'm talking about it.

One store daddy doesn't mind following Mia into...

 

Mazzy wants Mia's purse

 

 

Mia's new fancy shoes

 

Shopping

 

Shoe shopping and a few wishes

 

It started out as a simple evening for the family to go shopping to get Mazlin new shoes and birthday gift for a friend. Pretty simple. We stop so Dennis can teach Mia what it means to make a wish and throw money in the fountain. I went to sit on the bench with Mazzie while the concept was sinking in for Mia. I'm reminded every day how much Mia ADORES her daddy. He makes her laugh like no one else and the affection is mutual. He is an amazing father and surprises me by his generosity every day. Two years ago this week we made the journey back to Minneapolis as a family for the first time. I've just started to realize over the last couple of months (as Mia continues to grow into this very inquisitive and expressive being)that Dennis and I will need to begin the process of determining how we will communicate this amazing journey we've taken with her and her sister. I literally can't even begin to think about it without getting choked up. In fact, if you were here at this very moment you would be handing me a Kleenex. A few of our friends that were in Guatemala with us are celebrating "Gotcha Day" which is a very common term in the adoption world. I've realized that I'm not ready to bring this into her life. I'm barely ready to accept the fact that she hasn't been with me since the egg and sperm met. Maybe I did give birth to her and we all just forgot about it. Not that it would mean anything different other than the fact that I could avoid that one brief moment of disconnect when I will be able to hear her brain trying to process everything. She is resilient and she will (I'm sure) move onto something else. I just don't want her to EVER question anything--is that so much to ask? What was so wrong with the kiddos that found out by looking through Mommy and Daddy's special drawer (which just happened to contain private pictures of Mommy and their original birth certificate) when they were 16. I want to see the long term effects on that study. I mean really. Although, I'm sure it is hard to get any data since they are all probably in rehab, therapy or a cult somewhere. A very wise person once told me that adoption is a process (albeit a beautiful one) but still a process. They come from an amazing culture with beautiful people and many selfless women that loved them enough to let them go...I will always want her to know every detail of her life..I'm just beginning to realize how amazingly emotional this will be for her little mind to process. My good friends that are adopted are a testament to the great parents that allowed them to say as adults they never remembered the day they found out-it was just something they always knew and didn't have a bearing on the love for their parents. Mazzie's shoes are adorable and Mia made many many wishes. If only I could take a simple trip to the mall. My mind just doesn't work like that.

A little summer fun

What is in a name?

Okay. I get it. Thanks to my dear loving friends and family, I've become keenly aware that Mazlin's name is confusing. Mazy-Mazzy-Maz-Mazzie-Mazi. I always thought it would be Mazy--but I guess it is too close to Lazy and than she would be a Maisy-which is a mouse and not an acceptable reference for a child. We had a family gathering last week that included too many Corona's discussing the way to stop this madness once and for all. The conclusion? Brace yourself. Mazzie or Mazlin only. How did we get here after a lengthy discussion you might ask? Elizabeth is not shortened to Lizzy. Therefore, Mazlin should not be either. Don't judge. It was a scientific study with valid intoxicated data.

I'm happy to introduce our daughter Mazlin. If you feel the need to shorten the name in writing, please defer to our data.

Much love,
Laurie-Dennis-Mia-Mazlin (a.k.a Mazzie)