Melania Maycie & Mishayla Marian

12/24/08

Christmas Eve: Pictures by Martha!

We drove to the greater Seattle area yesterday from MT. Our roads were better than expected. I can't say Mishayla enjoyed the trip, but then would any one year old?

I went to work today at my old job. It was wonderful to see everyone again, but I am still excited to have moved on to owning my business.

Christmas Eve finds us staying at my sister's house, even though she and her husband have left for Canada. Housesitting and catsitting. It's nice.

We are looking forward to seeing lots of friends and family while visiting WA, but disappointed that we won't be able to visit Caroline this trip. Thanks to all of you who have asked about her and how she is doing.

Enjoy the picture collage. My friend Martha and her husband babysat the girls today and this was the result. Martha is an amazing photographer (and friend!), and you can visit her blog -- Sew Fab Martha.

11/26/08

Melania - 8 months to 1 year in review

Happy Thanksgiving!

Now that I've been out of the blogging loop for awhile, I see some of you have went to "invite-only" status. I miss you, and I hope you'll invite me to be a part of your blog world if you come back to check out mine! Leave me a comment, or send an email to my work email address canyonferrypt@mt.net. Thanks!

11/24/08

Internet returns to Canyon Ferry PT

Yes, we have internet access in MT! Unfortunately, for the last several months it involved me sitting in my car at the wi-fi park with a really slow connection and the heater blasting away. Now, I'm sitting at my desk in my warm (nearly finished) office at Canyon Ferry Physical Therapy. I opened last week, and you can check out the article in the Townsend Star when they update their website. I have been busy working in Helena doing home health physical therapy. I like it more than I expected, but can't wait to have enough patients to stay right here at my clinic! Not much has happened at the house because all of my "spare" time has been spent on renovations. Think late into the night and every Saturday. Mishayla's birthday was on 11/21/08. We celebrated with family on Sunday evening. Like most parents, I can't believe she is already a year old. On a sad note, the attorney who assisted with the Ohio portion of the adoption died last week from complications resulting from an automobile accident about 6 months ago. I called to let her know we had moved and to give an update on Mishayla a couple of days after her death. She had also been adopted, and I really appreciated her compassion for Cortney and me through the process. The joy in her voice when she called to tell me the results of the paternity test is something I will probably never forget. As for Mishayla, we won't have much to go on in reconnecting with her birthfamily someday, but if it is meant to happen, I'm sure there will be a way. Mishayla is talking a little bit; she says, "Uh Oh!, Mowwww, Ginger, Hi, Mama and Bah (for bottle)." She crawls, pulls up, cruises, and stands for brief periods. She loves Melania, Sylvester, Ginger, and her stuffed kitty and bear. The stairs are her favorite "toy." Mishayla is generally a happy girl with a big, toothy grin lighting up her face and showing off her dimples. She goes by Mishayla, Shayla, or sometimes, still just Shea. Melania is "almost three." She likes MT, but can't wait "to go to Washington in December." I think she imagines it will be just like it was when we left there in August. Melania loves going to "mommy's work," playing with her cousins, volleyball games, etc. She loves Papa "very bad." Melania is Winnie the Pooh's biggest fan. She plays "Pooh Sticks", lets me know that "Tiggers don't like ice skating (as I'm trying to convince her to walk across a slippery parking lot), and has about memorized all of her Pooh books. We went to a couple of the state volleyball matches this past weekend. The Bulldogs placed #1. So, at least the girls have good examples to watch between the Huskies and the Bulldogs! I have to admit to feeling like a "lonely blogger" as I would follow other blogs during my absence. Prior to this experience, I would often wonder what became of bloggers who appeared to keep current for quite awhile, and then just fell off the bandwagon. Now, I know! So, thanks to you regular bloggers for keeping up. Sometimes when I was feeling overwhelmed, it was nice just to "catch up" with you and enter into your day to day experiences. Hopefully, a few picture slide shows will soon follow this post! Blogger cooperating and all.

9/15/08

More Summer 2008

Sylvester can't stay away from the tub!

Finally, some pictures. Even some from way back when...

Early August, Mishayla started pulling herself up.

Thanks to everyone who came to our nacho and packing party.

Smiley girl one morning...

Celebrating Troy and June's birthdays in July! Happy 40th! (I decided an announcement would be OK, given that most people will notice the candles anyway!) Aunt Wendy with Mishayla, who wasn't feeling very smiley Our Sunday morning meeting in Everett. We're sorry to be missing a few in this picture. Melania has decided her Husky jersey in one of her favorites. Go Dawgs! She wore it proudly to a UW vs. MSU volleyball game in Bozeman a couple of weeks ago. She danced with the Bobcat outfitted in purple. Unfortunately, I don't have pictures. June took the girls to the Kangaroo Farm. Melania "kissed" an alpaca. She still talks about it to anyone who'll listen.

A few friends went with the girls to the farm.

9/3/08

A post for the beginning of September!

Suddenly, I am the worst blogger around. I'm sorry it has been so long between posts. My computer power cord decided to quit charging the battery, so I've not had access for awhile. I moved from Washington to Montana two weeks ago. It was stressful, but I'm happy to be here, and the girls have adjusted quickly to new bedrooms and routines. They seem to love being close to Gpa, Gma, and their cousins. I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by all that needs to be done, but doing my best to keep it all in perspective. I've started working with a home health agency to fill in my employment while outfitting my clinic for a prospective early October opening. My email address and cell phone number will stay the same, so keep in touch!

7/21/08

Erika visits from South Carolina

Nap time? Chow time! Bubble time. Gotcha! (Erika's very popular.) Bath time. Duck towel is not so practical, but very cute. Skippyjon Jones in the Dog House -- One of Melania's favorite books!

Canyon Ferry Physical Therapy

Future home of Canyon Ferry PT. Several have commented on the wagon wheels, but they were not included in the acquisition of this fine building on Front Street. This glorified shed is well insulated and in a great location. There is plenty of parking, and I'll have room for a small office, 2 treatment rooms, accessible bathroom, and large "gym" area. I can hardly wait to get started on my own practice! A mid-August move is planned. I've resorted to renting my house in WA in hopes that the market will improve...

7/9/08

Mishayla loves Sylvester

Kisses by Mishayla!

Catching up - slowly! (Blogger pictures - out of order, like usual!)

The last couple of weeks have been quite busy. We went to the Strawberry Festival Parade with Wendy and Blaine. A few days later we made a trip to MT pulling a 6x12 U-Haul trailer. It was a slow trip, and I did not get the best gas milage ever. It could have been worse, however! The kids were pretty patient, and my arm only went to sleep a couple of times reaching behind the seat. We enjoyed convention at Manhattan with family and friends. I spent Monday organizing the stuff I had hastily unloaded at the River House so that it will be ready for the next load. The real estate market is not especially encouraging in my area right now, but hopefully someone will appreciate the great deal soon!
Manhattan Convention 2008
Convention - Taylor Rae and Melania - (I hardly took any pictures. Oops.) Mishayla with Melania's kitty riding shotgun.

Playing in the grass. Note very cool sandal! Once upon a time, there were 2 sandals!

My Dad is adding dirt and moving it around my MT house to make a circular driveway, access to the river, and a nice backyard. It looks great, in my opinion. You kind of have to squint and imagine the possibilities. If landscaping is what you do, I could use some help!
Parade shot of Mommy and Mishayla. Back to the parade... A bit later. Blaine and Melania. Much later...
Auntie Lisa paid us a visit one evening on her way home from work. We went on a walk. Melania's favorite lines, "Lisa love you? Troy love you?" Yes, Melania, they do! We went to the Strawberry Festival Parade a few weeks ago. The girls in their stroller. Wendy teaches Melania about candy necklaces. Wonderful... Mishayla's candy.

Melania at the Piano - 11 months

Melania at the Piano - 11 months
"Not flesh of my flesh, nor bone of my bone, but still miraculously my own. Never forget for a single minute, you didn't grow under my heart, but in it." - Unknown

The Gift of Life

The Gift of Life
"I didn't give you the gift of life,
But in my heart I know.
The love I feel is deep and real,
As if it had been so.
For us to have each other
Is like a dream come true!
No, I didn't give you The gift of life,
Life gave me the gift of you."
-Unknown