To A Girl Who:

• Sleeps with her head at the wrong end of the bed EVERY night
• Is rarely afraid of anything
• Likes to dress up as a princess and catch the bad guys
• Thinks eating is a nuisance
• Loves to run anywhere, anytime and mostly at the most inappropriate times
• Gives stubborn a run for its money
• Says, "I missed you soooooo much" if we have been apart
• Could play with or in the water for most of the day
• Tells her mom or Max, "That's It!" when we do something she doesn't like (wonder where she heard that phrase)
• Squeezes and carries cats around, likes most dogs and wants the cows to lick her
• Is a socialite and asks to play with friends daily
• Loves nursery
• Calls Max "buddy-boy" and says she's going to get her "some Max" as she attempts to wake him up from his nap
• is not potty-trained YET
• Turned 3!!!!

Happy Birthday Zannah Mae! What tender memories your dad and I have of your miracle entrance into our family.

A Bully and A Queen

There once was a blue-eyed goose who was a Bully and a brown-eyed girl who was a Queen. The Queen enjoyed sharing her wealth of bread crumbs with the local pond-folk, until the Bully made his appearance, and he always did.

Using his scare tactics to challenge her majesty.

And for a few months, it worked.

Alas, the Queen does not allow disobedient subjects to abide in her kingdom. As the rest of the royal family well knows, we all eventually bow.

Holy Guacamole (for all but marcus's eyes)

I'm such a procrastinator! Instead of packing this week:

• I've baked cookies and convinced myself that it is less flour we have to move.
• Checked out the "Great Gatsby" and "King Arthur" from the library because I HAD to take advantage of the library while we are here, what if Idaho doesn't have one. About those movies, can't believe I haven't ever read or watched the Great Gatsby before......depressing and by that I mean wow that was depressing to watch. And King Arthur had me laughing hysterically at what Kiera Knightley is wearing in the last fight scene.
• I have 2/3rds of my visiting teaching done. Funny how even that is more exciting than packing.
• Got my hair trimmed, gotta look good for the boxes I'm too nervous to introduce myself to.

Marcus is out of town all week and is expecting to come home to a completely packed house. And really that good guy had 85% of the packing done before he left. He always makes things look so easy, sometimes annoyingly so. But, you know what, I work well under pressure. Some of my best homework assignments were performed at 3 in the morning. It builds character or something.

Currently

Max is sitting on his own. Unless detained by the Z-meister.Currently bathtimes are unpredictable.I cannot figure out if Z is a lefty or a righty. I don't even know at what age this is determined. She only kicks the soccer ball with her left foot and throws with her left hand. But, draws with her right and eats with either. Currently I'm trying to memorize these two at this age. I dislike when life seems to be a blur of days squooshed together.

For Real

We are moving back to Idaho! We are excited and nervous. I think the kids can feel the anxiety. We are grateful Marcus's company is letting him do what he does from there. The past year we have felt the need to get our kids closer to family and be more permanent. Yet, it is still unreal. I will miss Amarillo. We were given both of our kids here. We have made friends here and I can finally get most places without getting lost.

But, I like a big change. Aside from the stress of moving. Change is exciting and fun. The biggest thing that makes me nervous is dumb. I worry about Idaho being our permanent stay. I like to look forward to moving onto something new. Although we never know what the future holds, we plan on staying in Idaho. I hope I'm ready for that.

Max's Big Day

December 31st, 2010 in the Twin Falls Temple, Max was sealed to our family for time and all eternity. The day was absolutely perfect. If you have spent time with Max you quickly realize how laid back he really is. He only wimpered once the entire day. I love this little guy. Poor Z was hanging in there. She did not feel good! The Dorsey clan. It was so neat that ALL of them could make it! My youngest brother Justin had just returned home from his mission and we were able to see him for the first time in the temple while he met Max for the first time. We missed Charlotte's hubby Jake, he had to work.

Isn't it true that your biggest trial can turn into your biggest blessing? That is how I feel about infertility. Adoption has opened our eyes and hearts to Heavenly Father's love and mercy. It has also afforded us 2 very special days in the temple and feelings I can't quite express in writing.

We kept Max's sealing simple and small. I love the contrast in Zannah's and Max's sealing. I loved having all our family and friends that could make it come to Zannah's, and with hers we had a big meal together after and professional family pictures before. It is so fitting of her personality. She is so stinking social and vivacious. I also loved having mainly just parents and siblings at Max's. It was more laid-back, and quiet (not to mention less stressful for me). Which is definitely fitting to Max's personality.

Christmas in Boise

We flew into Boise on Christmas Eve. The kiddos got to waer their matching PJ's in the airport.

We opened Santa's presents at our house in Texas Christmas Eve morning. Max got a garbage truck that he doesn't quite care about yet.

Zannah got a "Chicken" as she calls it. We have debated over getting a kitchen for the past year. I'm glad we bit the bullet and did it, she loves it! (We are tight-wads, especially at Christmas, so this was a big buy decision for us) Christmas morning with Grandma Dorsey.

Cousin Callie and Zannah in her superman outfit, she has worn it everyday since we have been home.

So good to be in Idaho with family. Dana always has the best food and I eat myself sick for days on end. We played games and had a great time. Zannah is in love with her older cousins. They spoil her with attention, she was in heaven. Max was his typical laid-back self. He is so easy going, it is painless to take him anywhere. Unfortunately, Zannah's age is a little harder to travel with. Naptimes and bedtimes were quite the nightmare, and of course she got sick while there. I was very grateful it wasn't her ears, which it has been the last 5 trips to Idaho. I caught myself thinking many times, how did my mom do it with 5 little kids?? How did she take us on a 12 hour drive to Colorado each year, sometimes by herself? I think mom's were made tougher back then :)