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Wednesday, August 12, 2009 All I have seen teaches me to trust the Creator for all I have not seen. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson Eleven months ago, two workers from the Shenzhen SWI placed a tiny toddler in my arms. At that time, we could only guess at the amazing gift this child would be. Almost one year later we look back with tears and remember, ever grateful, this enormous moment in our lives. Daily we move forward, glancing back only occasionally to marvel at the people we once were. Today I took Maeve to the doctor for a preschool physical. She now weighs 27 pounds and is 35” tall! She has sprouted like a weed and eats like it is an Olympic event. I cannot believe that I haven’t updated this site since January. Time slips away and four kids later, my memory isn’t what it used to be. :) We have not attempted any organized activities for her beyond preschool and story hour at the library. This is enough for now, but I imagine, like her siblings, she will soon be involved in many more activities. Maeve has become a veteran cheerleader. We have spent the last several months cheering for various siblings at sporting events and other competitions. She has a keen understanding of the concession stand and can sniff it out yards away. “Popcorn, Mommy!” Happily, she has been content to munch and watch the older kids. Along the lines of watching the older kids, here are some of things her siblings have inadvertently taught her - From Jie Jie, Liz, she has learned to stare at herself critically in the mirror, brushing her hair. Liz has also, unknowingly, taught her to pluck her eyebrows and put makeup on. From Ge Ge, Mason, she has learned how to sing with gusto, at the top of her lungs. She can also talk smack, tease people, and shake her booty. Are we in for it or what? From Di Di, Gabe, she has learned drama. She has a flair for anything theatrical. She has also learned how to sneak into the candy jar and deny it believably. In fact, she just came to me to ask if she could go outside and play. She covered her mouth with her hand while she spoke. This is because her mouth is full of Tootsie Roll and she thinks I may not notice. :) This little girl is quite a character, keeping us on our toes from morning until we finally coax her to sleep. In the last few months, Maeve’s language skills have exploded exponentially. We do not hear Mandarin any longer and are able to understand about 90% of what she says. Here are some things we have heard in the last several weeks: “Mama, my hair is dwiving me cwazy!” “No, I not hiding candy under my back…” “I’m HUNGRY!” “I want to go swimming at Gwandma’s house.” “No, I don’t want to go to school.” “Why can’t I go potty outside?” “That is MY dollars!” “I wanna pet that dog!” “Mom, my baby is cwying” “Where are my wunning shoes?” “No, I need my polka dots pajamas!” Maeve is a little spitfire who knows her mind. She has this personality that just surprises us at times and exasperates us at others. Thankfully most of the time, we can just laugh at her antics. Here is a list of the things she likes: ·Doggies and kitties ·Rice and noodles ·Watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse ·Picking on her brothers ·Catching frogs ·Babies ·Visiting a concession stand ·Talking on the phone to anyone ·Sneaking candy and denying it when caught ·The pool at our “home” in Chicago ·Sweeping the floor ·Singing into a microphone, American Idol style Here is a list of her dislikes: ·Letting frogs go free ·Having the $20 bill she stole from my purse taken away ·Being told “No” ·Using the green towel after a bath, she must have a white one ·The length of the car ride to Chicago ·Coming home to the “home with no pool” after our vacation ·Bedtime ·The polka dot pajamas in the laundry and unavailable ·Any clothes I pick out for her to wear As I sign off, I want to encourage those who are still waiting for their children, those who are dreaming of maybe adopting, and those who are dreaming of bringing home another. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. – Philippians 4:13 I can humbly say that this child is a gift from a God. She lights up our family and our lives. Zai Jian, The very blessed, Mike, Traci, Liz, Mason, Gabe, and Maeve

Pretty as a picture on Easter morning! The next American Idol, notice the money thrown at her feet by adoring fans Maeve had a great time pressing a penny at the Field Museum Maeve meets someone famous at Legoland Liz, Mason, and Maeve enjoy slushies before the Medieval Times show

Maeve learns all kinds of things from her older siblings


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