Wow what a month and 11 months a family!

Happy Day at Jailyn's Baptism at St. I's, April 12, 2012.

Jailyn with her Godparents and big sister and brother!

Baptism with Father Pete.

Had to share this one as the Baptism festivities were over and Jailyn loves herself so much she kissed herself!

Checking herself out!  How sweet!  Definitely building a healthy self esteem with our little girl.

Oh my stars has the past month been such a whirlwind so much happening and have not had a moment to spare to blog.  So the Baptism was a very special day for us as a family.  How great to have Katie and Scott to be her God parents.  Jailyn was an angel and could not understand why she got wet when baptized but took it all in stride.  We had a celebration afterwards with Friends and Family.  The Baptism and dedicating our little girl to being raised in the Christian was a long time coming.  I will post photos.  We had a great visit with Scott and look forward to have him home for the Holidays.   Personally we have been super busy with family home, the Baptism, working on our new house plans, Mike getting all the details together for buying the "River House Property in Rising Sun", Our getaway fun house!, refinancing our home,  putting our will and trust together (lots of paperwork and not my favorite since we had been in a paper chase for the adoption over the past 5 years)....oh and working too.  I have been a bit overwhelmed to say the least.    On a good note come early June we will finish our obligation to China with completing our last post adoption report.  WOOHOO!  I want to scream it from the mountain tops and have a party it is over and no more adoption paperwork ever unless we want to get a birth certificate from Hamilton County which would make her going to school alot easier.  We have a Chinese birth certificate so we are good.  Plenty of time to decide on that one....that is a low priority for now.   So happy to be settling back in to a more normal life....momma can not take it and we have been doing too much now having a child in the mix.  We are slowing down and ready for our vacation coming the first week of July.  Calgon take me away.....it can not get here soon enough.

Jailyn is thriving and it is a big ole deal this month as we mark the milestone of 11 months together the same amount she spent in China in foster care.  Jailyn is testing us as she approaches the Terrific Twos and even have my book "How to make the terrible twos Terrific!" on hand for my leisure reading whenever that may be????  She is so darling in the things she says and how excited and proud she gets of herself as she learns something new.  She is talking so much everyday more words and understanding.  We dance alot and celebrate everything.  She has even pooped on the potty once and now it has never happened again but it was a big ole deal.  She is interested yet not made the potty connection when she needs to go.  All in the right time....Jailyn still loves gymboree, the church nursery, going to games with Colleen's kids and spending time with Mommy and Daddy and family.  She is so bonded and we are blessed with such a happy social little girl who is so bright and smart and understands everything we say to her.....She is strong willed and still wants her way and to be in control.  We are so looking forward to spending time at the pool this summer and making memories that last a lifetime.  Her 1 year anniversary Gotcha day is in one month and then we celebrate birthday month.  Mike's is July 1 and Jailyn and her mommy is July 11.  Wow time has flown and the best is yet to come.  Best part of all Mike and I are reclaiming our lives (the part that got lost over the past years of waiting) and God has opened so many doors of opportunity for us and working in our lives big time.   Personally this has been a year of CHANGE (dramatic and welcomed yet challenged) and personally working on myself.  I have lost 30 lbs on a medically monitored diet and on target to reach my goal by July 11.  I feel great and taking care of me while focusing on what's important, our family. I am also finding my way working in a new way my MK business and letting go and trusting God more everyday.  We have been through so much this past year and have been given such an incredible gift to love, to guide and raise Jailyn. I have never been happier personally and have learned a lifetime of wisdom and patience (still need plenty more of that).  I have the most amazing husband who puts up with me and me him and a little girl girl shining her light in this world so bright with so much love and she melts my heart.  I am so lucky to be Jailyn's mommy, Mike's wife and a Bonus mom to Katie (Billy) and Scott.  Does it get any better than that?!!!!
Just so blessed and happy and looking forward to my first Mother's Day of being a first time MOM!
The Best is yet to come as we continue to realize Gods plans for us....
With a thankful heart full of love,
Linette