Funnyisms of the Week

First, to really appreciate this you have to know we do not have any type of television. So any exposure Lily gets to television comes from outside sources. So the other day her daddy was telling her how smart she was. And she responded, "There is smart, and then there is Kmart smart". We think she heard that at daycare.

Then last night while at the Chinese Food restaurant, Lily got a little carried away and "hit" the waitress in the face. When her daddy asked her why she did that she responded, "I was all jacked up". Wonder where she heard that one? Mamma and Daddy?

Lastly, driving in the car on the way home from a party this evening I was sharing that tomorrow I had to get my chi, chi's smooshed in a big machine (a.k.a. mammogram). She asked, "How are they going to take them off". I laughed so much, I cried.

Love it!!!!

Bathroom talk and more...

First Lily is on a huge bathroom talk spree. If she can get the words, underwear, pee, butt, etc...in a sentence she is thrilled.

Lily also went to her very first movie, Tangled. I am not sure who was more excited Lily or Mommy...I think Mommy!

The other day we went to a restaurant for lunch, and the hostess was a very petite South or Central American woman. Of course, Lily with no filter, said, "Wow your small" If she only knew!

Lastly, for my birthday Olav bought me a magazine which had quotes of gratitude. One of the quotes that took my breath away and made me laugh all at the same time was by an actress by the name of Kristin Chenoweth. It read:

"When I was adopted, I went home with Jerry and Junie Chenoweth. I feel like I won the lottery in the family department. Not a day goes by that I am not grateful that I was placed with the right family. I believe God had a big part in that. Also, I do have long legs, which I am thankful for because I am only 4'11"."

That is my prayer for Lily, that someday she will feel very much the same way.

Odds and Ends

Favorite funny from last Sunday. We were at church and Patsy the instructor was talking about Jesus and his disciples. We were explaining that Jesus's disciples were like his helpers. Lily exclaimed, "Just like Santa's elves". That's my girl!

We had our first conference with Lily's teacher on Monday. Ms. Oland said Lily is doing fabulous. She has already completed most of the objectives for Pre-K. She is likely to begin bringing home one-word reading books! Very exciting. Ms. Oland showed us the test results and we learned something new and interesting about our beautiful princess. When given an oral/auditory test she doesn't always comprehend and know how to answer the questions. But given a visual cue and something to manipulate, she rocks the answer every time! So obvious she is a visual/kinesthetic learner.

Ms. Oland said overall she is a good listener. She occasionally needs reminders to follow directions and is sometimes silly, but once re-directed she follows directions. Socially she is doing well, she is hanging out with both boys and girls. She spends a lot of time with two other little girls in her "reading group". Her teacher reported that she sometimes can be bossy and doesn't like to share, but of course, that was no surprise here!

That's our girl!

Yesterday Lily received her first Pre-K report card. She is doing great. Looks like she is developing right on track. There were two items of interest though that take me back to the core of who she is. Mostly she received satisfactory marks for most behaviors and efforts, but she received two outstanding marks for her willingness to try new things and her ability to adapt to new situations. I thought doesn't that typify her. She has truly been an amazing little person. In her young little life, she bounced to 3 different foster homes, changed countries, learned a new language, makes friends with everyone. Truly amazing! I wish we all could be as flexible and adaptable as her!

Also before I forget Lily has a new vocabulary word for nightmares. She calls them sleep stories.

Gussied Up

Today I told Lily that we had to leave the house to vote. She replied, "Wait I have to go put my lipstick on!"

Later on, we were in Kohl's in the bathroom and there was a full-length mirror...she of course had to appraise herself before we left the bathroom!

Too funny!

Lily world

Lily has been super fun lately...truly the light of our lives.

A few weeks ago she came home from school and told Daddy, that she couldn't marry him anymore because she was going to marry Hunter (a boy in her class)

The other day she told me she was no longer going to marry Hunter because she was going to marry Neil (another boy in her class) Apparently Neil asked her to play with him...that made him marriage material!

I shared with her that she might want to consider the single life for a while!

Her teacher tested her in school and said she was a "smarty" pants in a good way. I am very excited for her parent-teacher conference to hear how she is doing.

She seems like school. She has come home with lots of new songs, and talks about her friends and her favorite centers.

Tales from School

So have begun the tales from school.

1. Lily reported that she fell asleep on the school bus earlier this week

2. Last week, Lily reported that she had a bad day at school because she had to put her head down on her desk. Apparently, she screamed at Cain because he took a toy from her.

3. Lastly, yesterday Lily reported that Makayla was calling her mean things and throwing (pretend) sticks at her.

Oh such is life in Pre-K

First day of school!

Riding the school bus home!

A teary mommy!

Arriving to school

Getting ready to go!

Today Lily began her first day of "real" school at Liberty Elementary Pre-K. The teachers came to our home earlier in the week and today we dropped her off with 1/2 of her class and she rode the school bus home. Before school, she said she didn't want to go, later we asked her why and she said she thought there would be monsters there. Happily, by the end of the day, she exclaimed, that she liked school. I took the morning off work so I could "experience" Lily's first day with her. I am really glad I did...however, I did not expect to feel so emotional about it all! I guess it is a big milestone in life!

Creciendo

Hay muchas cosas que crecen crecen crecen...

This has been Lily's summer of growth. Up until now, she has been pretty consistent with her sizes and her age. When she was 2 she wore 2T, when she was 3, she wore 3T, etc...but this summer...man...she has sprouted....some of her 4T has gotten too small:) Yet in my mind, she is too little for either 5T or little girls 4/5 clothes. She grew out of her footwear in a blink! Her little toes are hanging out of her shoes that were way too big when the summer started!

Of course, mama is a little sad...who would think her changing clothing sizes would invoke an emotional response:)

Exciting for the fall...Lily got accepted into the public school pre-K program. We are all very excited. She gets to ride the school bus like a big girl....oh man....letting go...

Is it time to go back to school yet?

It has been a whirlwind summer so far! I don't think Lily is fairing so well without routine nowadays. She has been a bit difficult. Throwing tantrums, not listening, and occasionally hitting. It's been really difficult. I feel like the picture above really captures the essence of our lives at the moment.

In positive news, Lily loves the song by Evanescence (Amy Lee) My Immortal. It has become her absolute favorite.

Additionally while in NC a puppy adopted us. Olav named him Austin.

a C or a P make all the difference!

Crack-up moment of the day:

Lily: Daddy you have to stop roughhousing with Mommy

Daddy: But Lily I am not roughhousing with Mommy

Lily: Yes you did

Daddy: Lily, where is the forgiveness, mercy, and grace

Lily: Walks over to her kitchen set and picks up a bunch of plastic grapes. Here are the grapes Daddy!

Oh, how one letter can make a difference!

Lily's tender heart

We have always known Lily to be a sweet girl. Always so sweet and kind to everyone. We went camping this weekend with several adoptive families and on the way home she asked a million questions about her birth mom. In very simplistic terms we explained that her birth mother was very poor and didn't have the money to give Lily clothing, toys, and food so she decided that it was in Lily's best interest to give her a different life.

So while we were crashed out from our camping trip, Lily came up to Daddy and gently nudged him on the shoulder holding some spare change in her hand. She whispered to Daddy, "I am going to give this to my birth mother". What a kind heart...

From to tomboy to princess overnight!

Lily has always been tomboyish. She never has liked anything in her hair. She often preferred to watch movies, read books, or even play with dinosaurs and trains...UNTIL she turned 4! Then she became a princess lover! Princess movies, princess dress up, headbands in hair! So funny!

Quotes from Lily

Kids do say the funniest things...here are some Lily quotes for the record:

1. Lily was telling Abuelita and me the story of Easter. When it came to Jesus' burial, Lily said that they took Jesus off the cross and wrapped him in wrapping paper.

2. Lily held out her two fingers to her daddy and she asked him to smell them. He asked, "Lily did you put them in your pompi," she innocently replied, "No I put them in my vagina." Great:)

3. Lily and I went car shopping on Monday since my 2D car died last week. While walking into the 1st car dealership Lily says, "Mommy, do I get my own door?"

The writing on the wall...literally

A few weeks ago I was lamenting that Lily has been learning to write her name and that I did not have any samples of it.

One night I was putting her to bed and I had to move the huge white unicorn her abuelita gave her...lo and behold behind the unicorn in big green crayon was her name!

Needless to say, I had to take a picture of it...and of course, she posed so proudly by it!

That's my girl!

God's great plans

I often sense that God has some amazing plans for Lily. She sparkles so much! Lately, she has taken to being a greeter at the church. She loves standing by the door and opening the door for people and either shaking their hand, saying hello, or hugging them. It is precious to watch.

I know everyone thinks their child is somebody special, but I often wonder if God has some special calling for her. From Satan's defeat in Guatemala to the amazing sense of God's protective hand on Lily to her sparkling personality that shines wherever we go. I guess we will just have to wait and see.

I pray that her little heart continues to grow in faith. I pray that she will come to know Christ as her personal Lord and Savior. I pray that she will be a light for Christ and that many will come to know him through her. Thank you Jesus for reminding me that I am not her Savior, but thank you so much for letting me be her parent. I am very blessed.

Finally ready to write about it!

Well, a few weeks ago we had the first major trauma that was on Mama's watch. Lily and I were sledding. Because the snow was too deep (almost 4 feet), Lily and I were sledding in the street. Anyway, I would pull her along and when the sled got too fast so that I couldn't hold on anymore without falling down I would let her go and meet her at the bottom of the hill. We live in a dead-end cul-da-sack. Anyway on her last run, the sled went under a four-wheeler, that must have come out of its driveway and into the street. Talk about terrifying! Of course, we called 911 and the paramedics and ambulances came to our home. Along with plow trucks to unstuck the ambulance. Miraculously Lily had no serious injuries. No concussion, no broken bones, only 10-15 stitches in her head. Some down deep and some on the surface. It took me days to forgive myself for allowing her to sled in the street. I kept saying to myself, "What kind of mother lets her child sled in the street". But by the graciousness of God and all my friends and even the doctors, I was able to let go of that guilt. Even Lily now will say, "Don't worry mama...accidents happen". Yes, that is so true...let's just hope no more accidents happen on my watch...or really anyone else's:)

Praise God that she is okay! He must have amazing plans for her!

Learning to Read

Boy, it is so exciting. I can't believe it! Lily is learning how to read! She is so much smarter than I ever was! Her first official read word is the word STOP! Gotta love it!

What is so ironic is that her birth mother never learned how to read or write and Lily is 3.9 years old and has a true love for the written and spoken word. I truly wonder what her birth mother's true potential could be!

Maybe someday we all go back to Guatemala and teach those children who don't have an opportunity to go to school.

The story of your birthmother

Recently I came across the social study done by the Guatemalan govt. regarding Lilian's birthmother. I had never really read it in any detail. However, some things caught my eye that I wanted to record in English.

Lilian Bernardina Yac Lopez was born on Nov. 24, 1982

Her father lives in Santo Tomas La Union and works as a loader. Her mother died when Lilian was 15 years old.

Lilian has 7 brothers. All of them are older than she is.

She has one son, named Josue Uris Yac Lopez. In April 2007 he was 2 years old.

Our beautiful Lily was born in El Centro Medico Quirugico Tulam Zu in Mixco, Guatemala

Lilian was born in a two-parent home. She lived with her parents and her brothers. She began to work with her brothers and after she experienced bad treatment, she decided to find other work when she was 15 years old.

After many years and after knowing Antonio with whom they were boyfriend/girlfriend for 3 years, Lilian became pregnant with her first son, Josue.

Antonio denied that the baby was of him, and tried to lead her to have an abortion. But Lilian decided to have the baby and raise it herself alone.

She dedicated herself to work and then she came to know Fransisco Chosh with whom she had been dating for 1 year. This resulted in a 2nd pregnancy. Which is our beloved Lily.

Because the responsibility of another child was too much and they did not have anyone to lean on for support and the care of Lily while Lilian was working because Lilian's mother had passed away, and Lilian's home village did not know of this pregnancy, Lilian Bernadina choose adoption for Lily. She chose adoption because Lily would be able to have a family who would be able to provide for all of Lily's needs.

While I have no documentation regarding Lily's other siblings, I do know there was a rumor of Lily's birthmother being pregnant with the first 9 months of Lily's life. I do not know the whereabouts or the validity of this information.

Additionally while in Guatemala, we met Lily's birthmother on 3 occasions. She was pregnant and the baby was due sometime between August and October. I do not know what became of this child as adoptions were closed at this point.

Someday I hope to find out this information for Lily if she wants to know.

Upon Lily's birth, Lilian was living in a home in Zone 3 of Guatemala City as a domestic employee. She was making 400 Quetzals a month (equivalent to $57 a month)

A new year!

I so want to post some new pictures. Unfortunately, if I continue to wait to post until I have new pictures I likely will not post for a very long time as my home computer is ancient and doesn't like it very much when I download new photos!

Anyway, it is a New Year,  2010 and I wanted to update Lily's world!

Lily is growing like a weed. I don't think we will make it out of this winter without having to borrow or buy some 4T clothes! I haven't gotten her recent height, but I was able to check her weight at the gym a few weeks ago and she is almost 34 lbs.

She has been super fiery lately. I find myself praying a lot! I know we prayed fervently for her and I know God gave her to us...I guess he thinks we are the perfect parents for her....but man...lately, I feel so overwhelmed. I try not to fast forward to her teenage years or "go to the end of job" as my mom would have said, but I admit sometimes it is hard. She is so strong-willed and sometimes just downright defiant. I just pray that God gives us the tools to shape her into the woman He wants her to be.

I do think her little girl side is slowly peeking out! She has always been sort of tomboyish, but for Christmas, she got pink sparkling shoes and now she wants to wear them every day! Though she has NEVER been one to let me put anything in her hair, she will occasionally come out with one of my headbands. Now mind you, it doesn't stay on long, but man it sure looks cute when she had it in! She also loves to wear necklaces. Very frequently she asked me to put a necklace on her. Yesterday she even let me put a ponytail in for a few short seconds! Of course, she pulled it out immediately...but it was adorable for a few short seconds.

She continues to make us laugh! She loves working out with me and the other day I was lifting some hand weights (3lbs each). Of course, she wanted to lift like mommy. I told her to be careful, I didn't want her to hurt herself or drop them on her feet. She said, "Don't worry Mommy, I'm hard". We always joke that Daddy is ripped, hard, and tough.

The other day Olav told Lily he was going to see Mr. Rusty. Lily said, "You are going to see the snowman?" She had thought daddy had said Frosty...not Rusty

Around Christmas, we were talking about Christmas Eve. Lily says, "I know Christmas Eve and she pulls out her children's bible and shows us Adam and Eve. Oh too cute!

Lastly, she loves flashlights. Well, one night she was in her bed and she was playing with her flashlight. Daddy had warned her that it was time to go to bed and that she had to turn her flashlight off or he would take her from her. Her response was, "Well I will just hold it tighter!" The tenacity of a 3.9-year-old!

She also is so amazing in how she is trying to make sense of her world! She has very often begun to talk about being adopted asking many questions and making many statements. Poor daddy is having a hard time with it...he didn't expect it to start so soon. I think cognitively she understands that she was born in another woman's tummy (we refer to her as her birth mom) and that she was poor and could not afford to give her food, clothing, or education so she chose to give Lily to us so we could love her and take care of her. We talk about how even though she wasn't born in my tummy she was born in my heart. But I so don't look forward to the day when she grasps it emotionally. I do hope it is not too painful or traumatic for her.

She also loves letters! She loves to sound out letters, put letter sounds together, and on occasion write letters. I wonder if she will learn to read before kindergarten. That would be so cool. She loves books. On the other hand...numbers....no interest really. We've been working on it...but I think she may not choose to be an accountant:). Although I guess you never know!