"So Frequently we mistakenly believe that our children need more things, when in reality their silent pleadings are simply for more of our time."
***President Thomas S. Monson (Ensign May 1994)
Months ago, after I made a dress for McKaylie, Myshel asked me to make her one.
Finally, it's done. I really was just procrastinating. It drove me completely crazy and I see lots of mistakes in it, but overall, I don't think it ended up, too bad. She does look pretty cute and most importantly . . . she loves it!
Brotherly love . . . . . or is that brotherly torment! Either way, this is my favorite picture we took!!!!
We love Vanilla, we really do. I mean look at that face!!! But, twice a year she sheds something fierce. That's what we're going through right now. The quilt on my bed is constantly covered in her dog hair and I feel like I'm breathing in her hair half the time, too. We have a special comb that we use that helps get the loose hair from her undercoat out. It works pretty well. I'm always amazed at how much hair comes out. We've combed/brushed her 3 times in the last week and a half and gotten this much off of her each time. CRAZY!!!!
But it doesn't matter how much we comb/brush her, she still leave her hair all over our house. So, if anyone has any suggestions . . . short of shaving her bald, let me know!
Myshel was offered an amazing opportunity this fall. Her principal chose her and one other student out of 50-60 kids taking Chinese to go to Beijing, China in September!
The principal was invited to come to Beijing by Mt. Ararat's (High School here) Chinese teacher's former headmaster. What a mouthful! They'll be gone for 8 days. Myshel will stay with a host family from that school and attend school with her for several days. She'll also get to see historical and cultural sites while she's there, too. The principal and the chairwoman of the foreign lauguage dept. and one other boy will be going with her.
We're very, very excited for her, sometimes a little scared and nervous, but mostly very excited. I think it's such a great opportunity to see how they live and the schools and the cultures first hand and wow what an experience! We're so proud of her for being chosen among her class mates for this.
So now we're busy getting a passport and visa, immunizations, and saving our extra pennies on top of planning a trip to Wyoming this summer.
Yesterday was McKaylie's 9th birthday. She told me she had a great day before she went to bed last night. I love hearing that!
We brought cupcakes to school
and had cake and ice cream at home.
McKaylie has always loved dogs, but right now she loves wolves and huskies. I think it's because of the books she's been reading. So, there's an obvious theme to the cakes.
We love McKaylie so much. She's always been such a sweet blessing to our family.
I don't know what we'd do without her here. She's so much fun to have around, so silly and so full of love!
She's been asking for the NintendoDogs game for her DS, for months. She finally got it. Do you think she likes it? I'm not sure.
Happy Birthday, McKaylie!
Finally, it's done. I really was just procrastinating. It drove me completely crazy and I see lots of mistakes in it, but overall, I don't think it ended up, too bad. She does look pretty cute and most importantly . . . she loves it! 
Brotherly love . . . . . or is that brotherly torment! Either way, this is my favorite picture we took!!!!
