Miaya's Chicken Adventure

Miaya meets chickens for the first time.  Other than nuggets that is!  She was trying to scoop up one of them like she does her outside kittens at home -- probably not a good idea!

And, yes she made it in the house without dropping or breaking any of the eggs.  Not many chicken houses have curtains and cabinets.  And definitely the cleanest chicken house I've ever seen.

Our Little Blossom Among The Blooms

The forecast was for severe storms in or area, so Michael and Miaya went out to take some pictures of of Kim's flowers in case the storm was too hard on them.

Stargazer lilies - our wedding flowers.  This one stalk had over a dozen blooms!

Them is some tall lilies!

Wow!

Our little blossom among the blooms.

You can also see our accidental sunflower patch - from bird seed the birds never found!

Some very prolific daylilies.  

It's a good year for Tiger Lilies, these came from Michael's great-aunt Deloris, and are always tall, but this is really exceptional.

The John Deere walking plow held Michael's father's mailbox for many years.

It was kind of a bad hair day for Miaya.

I'm done with pictures for today!

Our little Ciara

Our little Miss Ciara is growing up! I think in my heart I have her in 6th grade, but unfortunately she has grown more than that and will be graduating next spring from Corning High School.

We are so proud to announce that her newest adventure resulted in 1st place in the Adams County Fair queen contest. The second runner up was from Prescott also and as Miaya calls her "My Jenny". Jenny as well as her sister Josie took care of Miaya when she went to daycare in Prescott. So it was almost a clean sweep for Prescott!

Our Salute to Kansas

We thought of our friends in Kansas today when we saw our sunflower plant bloom.. Mom tried to feed the birds this past winter and they had nothing to do with the sunflowers, so guess what SUNFLOWERS! Miss ya Gary, Sophie, and Miss Zia!

Gotcha Day

Today is Miaya's second anniversary of her Gotcha Day. It's been 2 years since we were given the most precious gift we've ever been given. Miaya can still get in her orphanage outfit. We think maybe one more year of having it fit and then she may have to wear it as a hat! She's spending a little quality time with the little pig we sent to her in the orphanage. I shouldn't of wrote anything in this blog...because words can't express how much we love having her in our lives.  Miaya dear.....we love you!

Kitty Pile!

"Kitty Pile" was what I called the Fourez cats and kittens. Miaya loves to look out the patio door and yell "Kitty Pile" when she sees the whole family together. It in fact is the entire family mama, papa, and the 4 babies.  BTW anyone want a kitty!

Sometimes...you just can't wait!

Little Miss Miaya has her favorites. As she grown older they still remain. Ciara, her big sis (we call her..she's really her cousin) made this blanket for Miaya for her to cuddle with. It is a nightly ritual to ask her pink....or blue.  Ciara had double sided the blanket with a pink solid and blue teddy bear side. Her percentage tends to go towards blue...not sure why. So I asked her one day and she said, " So I can be in the clouds!" Too cute!

Favorites tend to be well loved and drug around the house. So a weekly washing is always inevitable.
But as she grows she does become more patient and not wait at the top of the stairs until Daddy brings them up from the basement. (washer and dryer in basement...trying to remedy that soon I hope!) But today she just couldn't wait!

Whirlwind Weekend

As mentioned before we had a whirlwind weekends with all the graduation, but I didn't mind at all heading north to go to my sweet Becca's graduation party. I took mom and dad up for the festivities and headed home later in the day. She had a great turn out and everything went great! I just can't believe she's old enough to head to Iowa State next year. I'm hoping she will have a great time and take some time to come down and visit us all down south....at least she will be closer and will have cousin Rusty there just in case. Wow two McCarty's at Iowa State....go Cyclones! All our best Becca you will have an awesome time!

Take Time

Miaya's birthday came on the heels of graduation parties, commencements and anything else you want to throw in! So having everyone over on her birthday was not realistic. So we made sure to "take time" to have special moments. Janet Roberts used to be our secretary at Prescott and became a great friend that gave me words of wisdom during our long wait for Miaya. One of her gifts to us...not our soon to be adopted daughter was a tea set. She told us that we needed to practice having tea part and "take time" for special times. So with her words of wisdom still in my heart we had a picnic for Miaya on her birthday. I packed up her little panda backpack and went off to find daddy. We spread out Aunt Vesta's blanket on the ground and had choccie milk and princess cookies and just enjoyed..

Mother's Day

Yea I know ....your just now posting! Times are few to spend in front of computer lately, since I have been doing it all day for my job at school. But I had a real nice Mother's Day with Miaya's mama nift (Mama's gift) She made a tie dye shirt at her daycare with her little hands on the back. They look like little wings....just like the little angel she is (when she's asleep!) Mama was so proud of her! She is modeling for you! Naomi Campbell look out!

Does the blood run GREEN!

As a antique tractor widow (thank goodness I'm not a football widow....it lasts longer) my husband has always talked about owners of antique tractors and how their blood with run green, red, or prairie gold!  Well we do not take sides as little Miss Miaya now has a green tractor, too. Grandpa Fourez set aside money before he passed away for her "RED" pedal tractor and now she has a "GREEN" tractor! From Mama and Daddy we gave Miaya a battery operated John Deere tactor (as she says it). Her favorite thing....get this....picking up sticks and putting them in her wagon! Alright! With a home surround by hundreds of trees! YIIIIPPPEEEE!!!!

It has two speeds and we are keeping it in 1st gear as mama and papa can't keep up with her. She is an expert at rounding corners on two wheels and having her chase with the dog. But when Daddy has his John Deere out she is right beside him.  She will follow him through the timber and help Daddy. (Michael is very careful and watches her constantly...don't worry :) )


Kim

Miaya's Birthday

We have always thought there was a divine intervention when we were able to have Miaya in our family. But when we found out when her birthday was, we knew someone had a hand in this. She was born 100 years after my Grandpa Bailey. She was also born on the same day as her cousin Dwight...(wish they could celebrate together) I wish Grandpa knew her....my grandparents have always been special to me. I still have memories come back to me when I smell Lava soap. I remember helping grandma Iris pack grandpa's lunchbox...thought that was so cool to have a lunchbox....we never carried our lunch to school...so didn't have that experience. He would come in for an afternoon cup of coffee and I'd sit at the table and eat a snack with him...boy do I miss him. I was at their place shortly after my 16th birthday and he came over and said "hhhmmm 16 and never been kissed....and gave me a sweet kiss on the cheek."  I know he sent Miaya to us.I believe all the loved ones I have lost have given special gifts to my daughter. I think the singing came from Grandma Bailey...she always sang with me... I think Grandpa Charlie gave her the love of animals...especially kitties! I think Grandma McCarty gave her the love of cooking..she is always wanting to help mama...I can still remember putting up hundreds of pie crust while standing right beside her. Thank you grandmas and grandpas....but which one of you gave her the "attitude"! I have a bone to pick with you! :)

Anyway, Miaya had a great time opening gifts and all the wonderful people who came to celebrate our little ones special day. Thanks to all!

Kim

Miaya's New Rainbow Quilt

Miaya's New Quilt

Kim's mom quilted this for Miaya, and it is a big hit with our Princess. 

Our Sweety

I've had such a hard time to get Miaya to sit still for a photographer. It tends to be a 2 ring circus behind the camera person to get her to smile or do what is asked of her. This time I did nothing but stand there and let her be herself....go figure...it's the best picture yet of her...and it's a school picture. The photographers were so nice and wanted her to smile so badly...and I said no don't worry about it ..I'm just happy that she's sitting and looking at the camera!

The Last Snow Angel Of The Winter

Will this be the last Angel in the snow this year? 

Michael and Miaya had been out in the nice weather this afternoon, and she kept asking about making an angel in the snow.   Just before they came in, Miaya was playing on the deck, and suddenly dropped onto the snow there and made her angel! 

And, of course she had to assemble her Choo-Choo Train before finally agreeing to come in for supper.

The Trip Home From Illinois

Two years after the "Flood of the Century", numerous houses stand abandoned, and empty foundations mark the place where others once stood.  Flood debris still dots the wooded areas along US 34 on the approach to the river near Burlington, Iowa.  Many houses, renovated on the inside, still show the high water line on the mud-discolored siding.  The same discoloration shows up on farm buildings and grain bins in the flood plain. 

A house abandoned after the flood of 2008 on the Illinois side of the Mississippi near Burlington, Iowa.

Note the high water level on this house on the Illinois side of the Mississippi.  This house appears to have been rehabilitated. 

Two years after the flood, this business building may still be undergoing restoration, but has no windows.

 Another house abandoned after the flood of 2008.

A string of barges tied up to an island in the Mississippi River at Burlington, Iowa.  Note how high the water level is by the trees standing in the water.

The top of the old Moehn Brewing Co. building in Burlington, Iowa.  The castle like appearance with the crenelations and ornate corners always catches my attention.

And now, some artsy pictures......

The last bit of sun as it slipped down behind the clouds on the horizon.

A farmstead silhouetted against the sunset.


And finally, one of Princess Miaya in her chariot.

Miaya with a smile somewhere between Chariton and Osceola, Iowa.  The Princess was a bit less cheery a few more miles down the road.  Note that the little monkey has managed to slip the latch on her chest buckle. 

A Quick Trip To Illinois

Cousins Nora and Kassondra help Miaya build a tower -- another of Miaya's fascinations.

We took a fast trip to Illinois last week, Left on Sunday and returned on Wednesday.  It was a quick, spur of the moment trip to see some of Michael's family, and to clear up a few lingering bits of personal business. 

Miaya with Michael's brother Jon and his wife Dee.

Jennifer, one of Michael's nieces  -- "Sweet Sixteen"

Annie -- Michael's mother's companion and protector.  Yes, a St. Bernard who lives in the house. 

Daycare Arts and Crafts

Here is one of Miaya's Daycare craft projects.  Now how much of the work is hers may be questionable, but there's no question as to the nature of the result.  The other kids (boys) declared their results to be trucks, but our resident train expert declared hers to be a "Choo-Choo"!

Miaya Goes For A Spin

Maybe she's getting ready for Space Camp?  I hear it makes grown men squeal like little girls, so...........

"Stand On It And Turn Left"

"Stand On It And Turn Left" -- Fireball Roberts