It has been awhile!

Thanks to some encouragement from my avid readers, I felt I should post a little something here to let you know we are still alive!

Transitions are going pretty well overall. Jaxon is learning English, learning new songs, potty training, and starting to be picky on what he eats. Audrie is going through spurts of seeing my loving, sweet girl and moments of introducing a very mean girl. We are working on this.

Audrie has not returned to school yet, but is still taking her gymnastic class on Wednesdays.  We got a new swing set and the kids are loving playing on it! The weather has just been beautiful!

I have an adoptive friend/parent that just returned with her daughter. I have another adoptive friend/parent who will be traveling soon for her son and daughter. Prayers for the two families and their journey would be wonderful! 

This weekend is a very special weekend for us and our family:
Jerry's Grandma Evelyn is celebrating her 90th birthday
This week was also my Grandpa's birthday! He is celebrating in style with our savior. Miss you lots, Grandpa!
It is Mother's Day - Happy Mother's Day to all of you wonderful moms!
There is a very special girl (Makayla) graduating from High School in Nebraska.
Audrie is celebrating her 4th birthday!
Taylor is celebrating her 16th birthday!
Grandma Sharon is celebrating her birthday... won't list the #... LOVE YA!
Aunt Nancy is also celebrating her birthday!
Friday night is OCC graduation!


So, as you can probably guess, it is going to be a busy weekend. Unfortunately, we cannot travel to Nebraska as we had hoped, but will be there in spirit. So, Thursday, I spend some time with family friends and birthday party it up. Friday night... Graduation and spending some time with friends! Saturday, BIRTHDAY PARTIES all day long! Sunday, Mother's Day/Birthday Party!

Thanks for reading! My apologies for not posting more on the blog, but working from home full-time, and spending all evening alone with the kids, leaves not much time for blog posting.

We are contemplating life changing decisions around our circle, so prayers for guidance on big decisions would be also appreciated.


 I am continuing on the 17 day diet. I have not really talked about it to most, but my friend inspired me to share a little about it. I started the second week in January. The plan is limited carbs (only fruits), but unlimited lean protein, and cleansing veggies for 17 days. This is to prepare the body for weight loss. The next 17 days involve a rotation of cycle 1 and a diet that adds in health carbs (2 servings) before 2 pm. The next 17 days integrates more foods, and trains us how to eat healthily. Lastly, if you want to lose more weight, you return to cycle 2 and rotate 2 and 3 until you reach desired weight. You start out with 17 minutes of exercise daily, and slowly work toward doubling this amount.

What sold me on this plan:
1. You do not have to count, track, write down everything you eat. I know what I can and can't eat on each cycle, and have favorite recipes for each.

2. It is healthy. You eat very little (no) processed foods with additives. And very little added sugar. It is back to basics. Lean proteins, veggies, fruits... tasty!

3. It works. You see huge results in first couple of weeks, and continued results steadily through the cycles.

4. The maintenance plan is great! You pick a cycle and follow it during the week. On the weekends, you let yourself live. (Indulgence every day... no, but you can have the dessert you have been wanting....) Weekends is usually my struggle point, so this plan was appealing.

5. The only thing you have to pay for is the book and groceries. I downloaded the kindle version because I couldn't wait for it to come after hearing about it from friends. ($12)  You do not have ongoing fees, have to purchase prepared foods, or subscriptions. (YES, I am cheap.) I could not pay for two adoptions in less than 2 years if I wasn't.

Oh well... results, some of you already know this, but I am over 40 pounds down (after a little under 4 months). (45 tonight to be exact). I still have a way to go, but am feeling better about myself, my body, and my mind. I know through sharing her information this friend has helped others... so I decided to add a little too. If you are someone who is struggling with weight, doesn't mind cooking at home, and a little exercise... this is a great plan! If you are doing it or decide to do it... let me know, so we can share together!

I know a blog about Jaxon and she is talking about herself. Well... I am Jaxon's mom so deal with it.

Well, blog readers... have a great weekend!

Love,
The Mayhalls

Medical Updates...

Jaxon Medical Updates:

We have been to a Pediatric Dentist at Riley in Indianapolis for an evaluation. They have recommended a Deep Cleaning process to get him cleaned up and check for cavities under the plaque.

We have had a full evaluation completed out Grand Avenue Pediatric in Washington. She had positive news from initial evaluation. From test results, we have the following referrals/further investigations:

- Pediatric Endocrinologist due to elevated TSH levels

- Pediatric Urologist to check surgeries and discuss further needs

- Medical to kill of parasite found in stool sample

So, we have a few appointments coming up and started medications today!

Build a Bear

Today, we got to travel to Evansville to have two recalls and a lot of lights checked out on our truck. What was supposed to be an hour or two, turned into 4. Thank goodness we had them drop us off at the zoo!

Our extended warranty covered all but a deductible, so that is good! We spent 4 hours at the Evansville zoo, which is a long time in hills with mom pushing a stroller, but better than a waiting room at a dealership!

I did not bring a camera because I wasn't even thinking about taking pictures....just getting the truck fixed. BUT, we had a great time and finished with a visit to Build-a-Bear. Jaxon made a monkey named Monkey Butt and Audrie made a purple kitty named Meow.

Monkey Butt is Meow's Prince!

We picked up new nightlights on the way home (as this was to be Audrie's first night back in her room!)

Gifts and Misc.

Jaxon and Audrie dressed for their first church service!




Jaxon enjoying his new computer from mom and dad (we needed it... he loved Audrie's and it was a never ending fight) Audrie enjoying not sharing hers.


Jaxon sporting his backpack from the Hamptons!




Audrie and Jaxon making and decorating brownie pops (kit given by Pat Graves)!

New bikes...

We made a trip to Olney to check in with my peeps and get new bikes for the kids! Audrie picked a nice purple and black one and Jaxon got an Orange one with a handle that steers the bike for him!

Grandma Sharon and Papa Jerry came over for a visit, we went out to eat for their anniversary, and then went to Audrie's "flipping class!"

Cousins!!!

Jaxon got to meet his cousins (and Aunts and Uncles and minus Autumn and Dalton) the weekend after we got home! He had a great time with both sets! Thanks Aunts and Uncles for bringing everyone to visit!

Catching up....

So, I know I started slacking on the blog the last few days of our stay, so I will catch up today from my home...which is awesomely awesome!

These blog updates are coming to you one handed as I hold my purple angel while she watches her favorite movie, Tangled.

YAYA

Pleasant Goat and the Bad Bad Wolf is a cartoon that is very popular in China. The creators have teamed up with Disney in Hong Kong and are allowing Disney to show the cartoon and use the characters.

At Guangzhou (our last stop before currency changes), there were goats that dance and sing the theme song. I still had a few Yuan left, and so I bought them for the kids. Jerry was upset because the boxes were huge and we had to carry them on the plane at this point....BUT!

When we got home, Jerry unpacked the animals and put in the batteries... what an awesome surprise. Jaxon was singing with them, the kids were dancing and had a great time.... ALL DAY!

Grandma Sharon, Papa Jerry, and Grandma Evelyn

This afternoon, we had three very special visitors! Grandma Sharon, Papa Jerry, and Grandma Evelyn came for a visit!

Audrie got a new school bus, new pjs, a new sweatshirt. Jaxon got a castle with a ball launcher, a new outfit, puzzle, and clothes!

Grandma and Paga

We were very excited to land at St. Louis and be quickly greeted by Grandma and Paga! We did catch an earlier flight than scheduled, so we got in at 6 pm vs...10 pm! YAY! Audrie was surprised by a new Punzel doll (in a wedding dress) and a Flynn Rider doll and Jaxon got a new cars Flinn McMissile and Mickey Mouse.... among other things that Grandma and Paga appeared with:-)

Here are some pics of the kids with Grandma and Paga once we got home!

Handsome Dude

Here is Jaxon in his sweater that he had on when we got him! What a handsome lil guy!

Packing up.....

Kids are bathed, almost all the luggage is packed. We are ready to head out in the morning. Prayers welcome for safety and peace in travels! I will try to update when we get settled at home!

Last visit to the Executive Lounge

Enjoying our last meal in the Executive Lounge before we leave early in the am!

Yuexiu Park

Today, we spent a few hours in the Yuexiu park near our hotel (Really just under the ground to cross the street, then around the corner)!

We checked out the coy pond, saw a children's play area and pool, saw an "amusement park" in the park, visited the statue of five rams, and enjoyed watching women exercise while the retired men played their version of hackey sac.

Later, we returned to the island to exchange Audrie's purple dress for a little larger size, and ate noodles at Lucy's...yes, we wanted another iced tea. Picture is Audrie in her purple dress with one of the bouncey ball/hackey sacs.



Well, we were supposed to meet Eva at 430 to get the final package and passport/visa, but we couldn't find a cab. We finally got one...shared with a nice lady from Chicago area. We were just about 30 minutes late!

My Sister's Brush

He already knows when he is doing something that Audrie is not going to be happy with...check out this smile when he gets ahold of her brush!

Consulate visit

Today, we visited the consulate, took the oath on behalf of Jaxon, and finalized all paperwork to pick up the visa tomorrow!

Laura....

Yes, they are the two cutest kids leaving the country. Well, maybe it was a way to start the conversation that they wanted to have. It would be an awkward conversation! So many smiles, people are so nice! Except when they don't think you have enough clothes on the kids! They yell at you for that! We got yelled at in the hotel elevator because Jaxon did not have a coat on. We were inside for pitty sakes!

Jaxon is eating all the time! He does not stop! Now the flow from the other end is not so quick, but coming! We are pruning it up! He is sitting in a high chair to help support and give him an eating area. Audrie has been also becuase she does not want to be left out.

Today we took the oath at the consulate. It is going to be an easy going day, and thinking about ordering some KFC tonight for supper! I feel like Chicken tonight.... like chicken tonight!

Pics from the island visit

Just a couple of pictures from our visit to Shaiman Island.

Notes + today

Sarah/Kathy/Sharon - thanks for the FB messages! We look forward to meeting you!

Today is Sunday, day of rest, so we took a cab to Shaiman Island. We did a little shopping, although some of the shops have closed down, and ones that are there have downsized a lot. It has hit them hard for the White Swan to be closed. Jordan (a shopkeeper we met last time) has downsized and said fiscal on the island is bad.

We ate at Lucy's for lunch and kids enjoyed fried rice, Jerry had Malaysian rice, and I had lettuce wraps with Thai spicy minced meat! Oh yea...the best part is that we had Jumbo Iced Teas! Our favorite!

Now we are relaxing in the hotel!

Hope everyone has a great Sunday!

I Scream, You Scream...

We all scream for Ice Scream!

Whatcha Wanna Eat?

One of Audrie's favorite questions is, "whatcha wanna eat?" We were at the park on the 4th floor here at the tel (hotel) and Audrie said... Mommy whatcha wanna eat? I said blueberries. She said, Three? I said, Sure! She said..... Do you want a Diet Tickle with that?

Diet Tickle.... so Cute! So, from now on...Jerry and I will be drinking Diet Tickle.

Fw: Baiyan Gardens/Mountain

Today, we toured a park and gardens at the Baiyan Mountain! The gardens were beautiful! We had a lot of locals saying things to us (like at the park), but this time we had a guide to translate...so we did not have to just smile and nod.

The comments were so sweet. One couple asked why our kids looked Chinese. Eva explained that we adopted them. They said we were very kind. A group of ladies were talking about how pretty our kids are. (They are right:-)) It was very interesting to hear what they were saying. You always wonder how the locals feel about Americans adopting the kids. It seems that they appreciate it! One couple told Eva they always wanted to adopt, but couldn't.

We rode the cable car to the top of Baiyan Mountain. What beautiful views!

When we returned, we completed some paperwork with Eva, then went to Macau for Lunch.

Macau is a Chinese restaurant around the block from our hotel. I had questioned whether to go because on our walk I had encountered "the back door". Anyone that has worked in a restaurant can testify that this could very well make or break a dining experience. Anyway, Eva said it is delicious, so we went and tried it....and I did not gag in the back of my throat like I anticipated. It was wonderful! We had Curry Shrimp, Spicy Shrimp, Noodles, Green Beans and Minced Meat, and Jax/Audrie shared some Congee as well! All of that for a family of 4 for under $40. And, we had take out to bring back to the room! It was A LOT of food! I didn't take my camera, but wish I did.

I will post one more set of pics!

Baiyan Gardens/Mountain, cont.

A picture from the cable car, and one of the rose gardens!

There were friendship gardens (where statues had been given from other countries), there were statues of characters - ie Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, Hello Kitty, Pokeman, and Snoopy, there was a greenhouse with beautiful Orchids, Cacti, and other plants from many countries, waterfalls, mountain views, rocks, and beautiful flowers.

Last set from Safari Park

 Last but not least, Pandas! And, Mama and Jaxon with a Monkey! The monkey tried to steal my map from my pocket!

Safari Park Pics

More pictures....

Sorry... I can't stop! Here is the brown bear and a white tiger!