Two posts in one day!

Happy Birthday Little Miss!

Christmas Eve was Maya's Birthday, I am now the momma to a three year old Taiwanese Princess!

Maya is so much fun! She definitely thinks she is the one in charge and she is not afraid to tell you that she is. She is stubborn, sly, silly, shy at times, and oh so smart! Right now she speaks in full sentences, pretends to read, cooks you anything you would like...pretend rice and broccoli are her favorites to cook, loves to sing, count, dance. She is one loved little girly. Her latest accomplishment is that she is finally potty trained!! YAAAHOOO!

I can tell it is going to get harder and harder to separate Christmas Eve and Maya's Birthday as she gets older. This year I tried really hard to have everything ready for Christmas Eve the day before so we could concentrate on our girl for the first part of the day. To celebrate the boys and I braved the mall and took her to Build-a-Bear. She loved it! Meet "Pinky" the bear.

After B-A-B we let her and Jake take a spin on the Carousel and she loved that...there was plenty of jumping up and down and little girl squeals of delight as she went round and round.

After the Mall (which we were in and out of in less than an hour!) we came home and she got to decorate some sugar cookies with her boys while mom got everything ready for Christmas Eve. After all our guests had arrived we quickly took a few more minutes to celebrate our baby girl with her Princess cake and presents.

Then Maya got the starring roll as Mary for our very irreverent reenactment of the Nativity...here she is on her trusted donkey aka Tanner, and directing angel traffic with Jake posing as Joseph.

All in all it was a very fun filled full day of celebrating Maya and the birth of our Savior.

As usual, I had mixed emotions during the days that led up to Maya's birthday, I spent the 23rd which is the 24th in Taiwan thinking of her birth family off and on and feeling so extremely grateful for their part in making Maya a part of our family. I hope her birth family and especially her birth mother know of our love for them. I am sure it was a bitter sweet day for her birth mom and thinking back to the day she placed Maya in my arms I am so grateful that I got to look into her eyes to witness her love for the little girl I now call my own. Despite the language barrier and extreme emotions that day I know from that one moment when our eyes locked that we both know how much this little girl is loved.

Happy Birthday baby girl!

Merry Merry!

First off I really do feel guilty for not getting to this post in a more timely manner, but life moves at warp speed around here and I am trying really hard to enjoy life in the moment and blog about it when I get a minute or two to do so. Today is the Sat. after Christmas and the kids are all tucked away enjoying thier Christmas gifts and Maya is tucked in for what I hope is a LONG winter's nap so I best get to updating you on what keeps us busy!

Christmas was wonderful and brought lots of smiles, Maya still did not know what to think about this person called Santa who came to her house and left her all sorts of goodies, but she sure enjoyed it!

We spent our day "chillaxing" eating way too much good food and enjoying the family.

My baby girl and my not so baby boy!

This blogger continues to be really behind when it comes to blogging! If my life would ever cooperate and slow down for a even just a few minutes I may be able to fit blogging in on a regular basis, but I don't see that happening in the near future with the holidays just around the corner (which that thought alone is giving me a stressed out I have so much to do feeling). As it is the only reason I am blogging right now is because it is 5:30 am, the house is mostly quiet although the teenagers are just getting up to get ready for Seminary, and I could not lay in bed one second longer trying to get some much needed shut eye- there fore I am blogging!

So on with my post-

Spencer turned 16 on Thanksgiving Day...I still choose to believe that he really is not that old- how could he be 16 when just a second ago I was holding him for the first time! In honor of his birthday here are 16 reasons why I love my Spence.

1- He is my number one helper around here- something I rely on way to much, but it really is nice to know that he handle things when I need to be gone.

2- He is my Guinea pig and he is usually okay with it- we are navigating this road together and everything he goes through is new territory for us- sometimes figuring it out takes a lot of experimenting!

3- He is very caring- he loves his brothers and adores his sister even when they drive him to the brink of insanity (where he usually finds me clinging to the edge and we hang on together!)

4- His love of reading- don't know where he got it from, but when Spencer disappears for awhile he is usually found with a really good thick book. He is in heaven if he is in a book store.

5- His love of talking- this kid is an open book! When he was little his punishment was to sit on the couch and not talk for 10 minutes- which he never could do.

6- His love of organizing- although his room does not show it, he loves to organize things.

7- His love of learning- he is a sponge when it comes to learning new things and he is a great student- he handles high school with ease.

8- His constant mild temper- not much can ruffle his feathers, he is a very mild mannered person- although lately Mr T. seems to push his buttons.

9- He is a good friend- the kind of friend I wish I had more of in high school.

10- He is responsible and dependable- great qualities if you ask me.

11- His love of family- especially extended family in Utah and most especially if your name is Kinsie- the oldest of the two Cowan cousins- these two have been good buddies from the day they were born- they have quite the senior trip planned together- good thing the parents get to chaperon!

12- His love of the gospel- this kid has been getting up to go to Seminary (like bible study) by 6:30 am every school day for the past three years. No complaints- ever. He says its a great way to start the day.

13- His sensitive side- He has always worn his heart on his sleeve.

14- His mad computer skillz- not many a day passes without him having to bail his mom out or fix something she tried to do on the puter! He prefers to type not write.

15- He is forgiving- He won't stay mad for long, and he always forgives his mom when she looses it and dumps more than his share on him cause he is the responsible one and I can depend on him to do it.

16- I love him most for all of these things and hundreds more- he is my first born, the one who made me a mom, the one I still look at with amazement- He came into the world a hefty 9 lbs 6 oz by c-section. Back then I used to think about how he would be when he grew up, I think he is growing up perfectly.

Love you Spence!

And no together forever bolg is complete without some Maya cuteness, so I leave you with a couple Fall shots I took for her yearly adoption update- she is quickly approaching 3 (although she thinks she is 16)- so watch for her birthday update.

Where to begin?

I have been such a blogging slacker lately that I thought I would show you what we have been up to the past couple months...

We have been spending many and afternoon and evening watching T-man play water polo...it was his first year and he really caught on quickly and was quite the goalie. He even got more than comfortable in his little speedo, but his mom will never be comfy with him wearing it! Water Polo season is over so no more 2 1/2 hour practices 5 days a week...Great season Eagles!

The beginning of school also brought Homecoming season which means float building for all the kids involved with Student Government. Lucky me I have two boys in SG so twice the float stress for us. We were the major push behind the Freshman (Tanner) float this year which turned out okay for a Freshman float and Spencer spent many hours at pomp parties for the Junior Float which won the competition! Homecoming day brought gale force winds and blew everything down...but the boys had fun.

We celebrated Jake's 9th birthday and he got money so he could go shopping for all things that nine yo boys think they need (i.e more legos for me to step on and more nerf bullets to shoot his brothers and Maya with)and we took him out to breakfast for his birthday and to Leatherby's a couple nights later for ice cream. We also celebrated Dave's b-day and our 17th wedding anniversary!

Soccer season has been going full force and is now over for Jake (YES!) and Matthew has his last game next week-I seem to only take my camera to the last game, so that's why there are only pictures of the Jakster, Mateo will get his pics next week. It was a great year for Jake, he played all positions really well but loved goalie and forward best.

Halloween came and went with a ton of rain. Maya was Snow White and I had visions of all of us being her 6 dwarfs (I know there are seven), but I ran out of time and have three boys that were not really okay with that so it never happened-instead I was a witch (fits my personality perfectly these days so I'm told!)Dave was a tired dad, Spencer was a doctor, Tanner was many things but is pictured as a swamp thing, Matthew was an All Star baseball player, Jake was a hippie and Maya was Snow White or Queen of the candy. She loved Trick or Treating!

Here's the gang...

And we started our house remodel which is sure to cause me great deals of anxiety and stress! I started a blog specifically for the remodel so you can check it out if you would like- http://www.hazelwood-house.blogspot.com/

Anyway, life is just as crazy as ever but we are doing great...I just need to get rid of this nasty head cold and life would be even better!

Oh, and as for us going private, I have all of the emails you all sent me saved and I will get it done eventually when life slows down enough for me to figure it out!

Hugs!

We are still here, not private yet, but no blogging time to be found anywhere. I am sorry for slacking. Let's just say that the boys are extremely busy right now which makes their parents even busier making sure they are where they need to be and have what they need to have-we are starting a HUGE house addition, and Maya has successfully kicked her Binky habit to the curb and is so close to being fully potty trained (YES!YES!YES!)- we are crazy, busy, happy and for the most part healthy- just not spending near the amount of time I used to spend on the computer and guess what? It really is a good thing- instead of blogging about all the fun and the crazy schedule my family keeps, I am right in the middle of it and except for the taxi cab part of it, I love it- these kids will be gone before I blink!

Here is a Maya fix- she is getting to be so big. I need to do just an update on all the crazy things this girl does and says! Man she keeps me on my toes!

I promise to update for Halloween.

See ya next week!

Dear Maya,

Two years ago today we climbed on a big plane and made our way across thousands of miles to bring you home. Little did I know how much our lives would change in that one instant as your caregivers at Chung Yi brought you through that door and placed you in my arms. My goodness how beautiful you were in person. I fell in love with you the second I saw your referral pictures, but to hold you and feel you and see your sweet face for the first time in person took my breath away. That day they placed you in my arms for the very first time, but I realized something at that moment, you have always been in my heart-even when I did not know you were there.

Two years later I look at you and you can still take my breath away. I cannot believe how incredibly blessed we are to call you our own. I look at you with all of your little quirks and determination to rule the world and smile (most of the time). You are simply my wish come true when it comes to my little girl.

I love how you love your brothers, it can turn a very bad day into an okay one when I see you running to catch up with "your boys". And then to see them scoop you up and love you back makes my heart swell. Not many little girls can command 4 boys to have tea parties you know- but they love you so much and will do most anything to make you happy.

Your Daddy is your biggest play thing, I love how when he comes home from work the world stops and your drop everything and run to his car. I love to watch him scoop you up and hug you tight while you say "Daddy! You home! I miss you so much." And to see your daddy with you is amazing, I have always known he was a great father, but you baby girl bring out a whole new side of him.

And as for me, I am so happy we are "best fwends". I love to spend my days with you-even when you are so mischievous I want to pull my hair out. I love that you just crawl up on my lap and cuddle or ask to "hold you mommy" when you are sad. I love your tight squeezes best of all.

On this day I can't help but think of another family who loves you just like we do. There is a mother who only sees your smile and the way you are growing up in pictures. I know how I longed to hold you and touch you when all I had were pictures of you and it makes my heart hurt for her. I have told her over and over again how grateful we are for her selfless love, but thank you will never ever be enough.

Two years ago today they placed you in my arms baby girl, but you have ALWAYS been in my heart.

I love you little miss,

Mommy

*note: please see post below and let me know if you want an invite-

Going Private...

Well. it is time to make this blog a private one. I am not sure who is reading this little blog, but I do know that it is a lot more than comment. I get 50-100 hits some days and quite frankly that kind of freaks me out. While I choose to believe that most of you are family, friends, and adoptive parents, I worry that some creepy person/people are looking in on my little piece of this world and worry even more that they could be looking at my kids. If you would like to keep reading about the Smith Fab Five and thier very tired parents shoot me an email at jansboys4@yahoo.com with Blog Invite in the subject line and I will hook you up.

We'll be making this a private party after the first couple weeks of September.
Thanks for reading!
Janalee

And he'll live another day...



So today was one of those days, the kind where every time someone cried, or hollered, or even winced it had one certain young man's name written all over it. The kind of day that a mom (with five kids) hates, the kind where everyone is getting along except that one kid who just can't resist stirring the pot, who can't stand to see everyone happy, the kid who seems to make it his life's goal to drive me CRAZY- and yes mom, if you are reading this I know. I know if you put pigtails on him he is a mini me at that age. I get it. I learned my lesson, but I still blame you because you kept telling me you hoped I got a child that acted just like me-see it IS your fault!
Anyway, the kid does nothing but drive everyone insane all day and just when I had had enough, I go outside and see this-





My fourteen year old son playing "neighbors" with his little sister. Eating the "maconi and cheese" she is cooking for him and shaking her hand and asking "How do you do?" out the little windows. So sweet! So, I guess he will make it through the rest of the day, but I am not promising anything for tomorrow!



On a funny note, when I made them come in, Little miss Attitude was not happy with me and said "Mommy I not you nieghbor no more!!"


Side note: Thanks big Maya, Booke, Lise and Budder Jones for the sweet new house, Little Maya LOVES it! But, WE MISS YOU!

Keeping busy...

Been too busy to blog lately, our summer has been crazy busy. Since my last post I went to Utah alone for a weekend visit, came home and drove out back to Utah with the kids (all by myself!)the very next weekend, drove the youngest three and my nephew Josh back to Cali a week later and welcomed my sister and her family a couple days after we got home...yeah, crazy busy-but in a really fun sort of way!

We are having fun, enjoying the last weeks of summer and getting ready for school.

Oh yeah, and while his family has been traipsing about here and there, Davey has been hard at work on his "shed." Uh- it is 20x30' people, not a shed in most people's eyes but it might be a great "doghouse" for him to visit!

This month is our Gotcha Day month so I have been working on a care package for Maya's birth family and I am so overwhelmed with emotion this past few weeks as I have watched such deserving people become parents to amazing Taiwanese children. It just brings it all back...more on that soon, I promise!

Celebrate good times...

We had a great 4th of July. The weather was perfect. We started the day at a pancake breakfast in the park with our church.

Maya enjoyed the parade. She thought she was so big riding her scooter with all the big kids!

This is Jacob (with his brother Jared). He is one of my hero's. He was a great parade leader and led the kids around the park with great enthusiasm. He kept the beat with his drum and sang "America" and "The Star Spangled Banner" the whole time he led the parade. Such a privilege to know this young man.

We ended our evening at a BBQ with family and friends. The boys (minus Tanner and Matthew who were away at scout camp) enjoyed swimming and goofing off and lots of great food. The toddlers were hysterical and kept all of the moms busy as we tried to keep them all in our sights (and sharing with each other) with the pool being right there.

Maya really got into her fudgesicle, and sweet little wild man Brock would spray anyone who dared to try to take the hose away from him!

We went to La Sierra for a big free fireworks show and LOVED it! A new tradition for sure.

Maya was not pleased with the fireworks at all. She was about 10 feet away from me when the first three "big booms" went off, and I think she cleared that ten feet and climbed up my body to get to my arms in about 1.5 seconds flat! She soon felt a bit safer in her daddy's arms, but only with her blanket pulled over her head!

Thanks to the other Smith family, Kanzler family, Christensen family, and the Moser boys

for a great evening!