September 11 2011 -- a reflection on the 10 year anniversary and how Maggie brings a balancing force through her love and joy of life.

sailing on Lake Minnentonka

Today is the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attack in New York on 9 11 2001. In reflection of this day, I contrast Maggie's joy and love of life. She makes you smile, she loves life; and she's already kind and generous  Ideals she embodies counter the beliefs of some on that tragic day. A precocious  4 year old, she's on the run from the moment she gets up to the last minutes of reading bed time stories by her mother. Here are some pictures since her birthday in April....
In addition, last month we celebrated another milestone : Maggie's USA citizenship and her own SSN #.
We applied for her citizenship in January -- after 7 months we received it in August. It arrived via US mail! Now we just need to get her US passport....

May 2011

At St.David's Center her  pre-school

Maggie at the indoor playground at the Williston Center.

June 2011

Our beloved doggie friend "Trixie"

Swimming lessons at Williston Center.

July 2011

July 4th parade in Wayzata.

Then we spent a week on Mackinac Island : it was a time of fun and adventures on bicycle rides, horses and time with Grand pa Charlie and Grand ma Ama Puttkammer but the most fun were the kids play time....

goodbye hugs....

September

"walking on air"

steering a sailboat....

Maggie's 4th Birthday

This Wednesday is Maggie's 4th Birthday.....

What I remember of this year with us?

There were so many changes...
We moved from Mississippi to Minnesota....

Our first trip to the Orthopedist for a broken leg accident sliding down a slide; orange cast for a month 1/2;

moving into a new house ,

new room and new day care school : St. David's for 4 days a week;

many new friends and being near cousins : Casey and Nate.

Our first Christmas morning -- Santa Claus came with beautiful gifts from family and friends and a Christmas tree....

Ski lessons in the 'hot coco club' at Hyland Ski area -- learning to ski downhill with mom and going up the magic carpet by herself;

Ice skating on cold days this winter and enjoying it....

Snow show hikes on Lake Minnetonka;

Swimming and gymnastics lessons.

Learning to read and write : Letters M and A are favorites and the ABC song;

Learning to use the brake on the 2 wheel bike!

Birthday presents....

Mom and aunt Michelle singing "Happy Birthday"....

Uncle Paul with birthday balloons

Birthday with Grandpa, Nanna and mom

our little angel....

Our new home in glorious spring blossoms

Never far from "Lulu"

swimming lessons

Our new Year 2011

We are slowly getting grounded in our new home in Minnesota.....Maggie is loving her new environment: new school in Minnetonka called St. David's pre school ; skiing and gymnastics lessons, ice skating and swimming.
One year later and she has blossomed into a lovely little girl....still attached to her mom at the hip but exploring her new life with us. We are blessed.

Here are some of the latest pictures from Minnesota...

Our new home

Our first ever visit with Santa Claus!!

Christmas 2010 Dec 25th.

Aunty Michele signing Maggie's first leg cast -- an accident going down a slide with her super

energy and enthusiasm...

Bumble bee at Halloween Oct 31 2010.

New year 2010: Our first week in Mississippi

It's January 10, 2010 --
Our first weekend together at home in Mississippi without help from Grandpa and Nanna.
Maggie Sonia is slowing adjusting to us -- she still is attached to the hips of Mary from the time she gets up to bedtime which makes a long day for Mary -- I'm still doing only 10% of the caring duties.
Our biggest challenges are : getting her to sleep......
I had started this entry when we weren't getting much sleep so I didn't add any details of our many adjustments within our new family..........
Well 8 months later 9 14 2010:Good News --
We are preparing to move to Minneapolis Minnesota. Today the truck packed everything including the VW and drove away....our little one has grown into our family...there are still many challenges but seeing her in these pictures tells part of the story...Mary is a great MOM and we are learning that little Maggie brings joy and happiness  to all who encounter her +++ energy and love.....

January 2010

February 2010

March 2010

First Birthday with us April 14 2010 !! Can you guess her favorite color?

May 2010

With Grandparents and Great Nana Goggin!

On the campus of Mississippi State Univ.....our energizer bunny!

With Mom in June in Mississippi --it is HOT!!

July 2010 --Serious cooks -- anybody wants BREAKFAST!!?

August 2010 

On the day of her Christening at the same church we were married "Immaculate Conception" in Newburyport, Massachusetts with her cousins N8 and Casey Pasko -- who are the God Parents! We feel so blessed !!

We spent the end of August on Mackinac Island with the Saxen-Puttkammers....

Willie,Mitchell,Elliot and Maggie

At the Butterfly house!

Making delicious cinnamon bread with Willie and Grandma Ama and Mom!!

Isn't she a JOY?

A wonderful carriage ride to remember!

Mitchell, Willie,Maggie and Elliot

Final ferry ride home

Home in Mississippi for the new year 2010

Twenty days ago we flew out of Mississippi on this incredible journey to Bhubaneswar Orissa to meet our new daughter for the first time. Last night we return home to Starkville, Mississippi.
I'm not eloquent enough to put into words our feelings. The adoption process has challenged us and the past 20 days were filled with many sleepless nights and questions on if we could do this?
Now each day reminds us how much we are blessed and humbled to be her parents.
Last night at the local airport, her grandparents Mike and Margaret Reardon met us at the airport to greet their new grand-daughter. We celebrate Maggie Sonia with all our friends and family.

Happy New Year 2010 to all!!!

Grandpa Mike and Nanna with Maggie Sonia