November News

Lily is doing well in school at her conference, which was led by Lily herself, she shared her strengths, areas for growth, and her goals for the next quarter.  We are so proud of her!  She is a super shiny star!  She is loving her Spanish lessons at school!  I am so excited for her!  She also adores art class!

She's begun to get a little stubborn regarding swimming.  She had a meet in early November that she was committed to and she downright refused to go.  I guess we could of given her consequences to make her go, but was it worth it.  Needless to say Olav and I were pretty sad about it.  I contacted Coach Cheryl and she met with Lily.  Hopefully, she will be more agreeable about her next meet in January.  I suspect she will give up swimming at the end of the season, but I really want her to find some type of physical activity she loves.

Fall Fun

Lily has had a super packed fun fall!  This year for Halloween she opted to be a tiger!  However, since she has had so many opportunities to dress up she's also used some of her previous year's costumes such as the rainbow unicorn and Cleopatra.  It's been really fun!  We've been to multiple fall festivals, trunk or treats, Great Wolf Lodge etc.

Lily and the Headless Horseman Rudy at Great Wolf Lodge

Photo bomb by Austin the dog

Lily continues to thrive at both school and swimming!  We are so proud of her!

I continue to adore Lily's fashion sense.  Long skirts and T-shirts, with leggings underneath.  I secretly hope she never gives it up!

Lately, she has really taken an interest in art.  This week she came home and announced that for Christmas she would like some oil pastels and that she thought when she grew up she might want to be an art teacher.

The faith of a child

Oh, how I wish I had the faith of a child, like Lily.  Her faith in God is amazing!  She is truly free in Jesus.  She doesn't judge, she doesn't preach, she simply loves Jesus and her bible and tries to live out her faith in her actions.  She talks about Jesus to her friends like it's the most natural thing in the world.  I know they see God's light in her!  I am so proud of her and I am so inspired to be like her.  I pray she continues to be God's light and share her love of Jesus with others as she grows into adulthood.  I know we could all be a lot more like her in this area!

Also on a side note, the head swim coach at FAST has really been investing in Lily.  She's been giving her lots of encouragement and positive feedback!  She leaves her swim practices feeling really good about herself. 

Knuckleheads

First of all, I just want to say what a joy Lily has been.  She is so responsible, well-behaved, and courteous of others just to name a few!  I am really amazed by how much she has grown and matured!

I don't know if she is just extra sensitive or if there are more knucklehead kids in her school/class but she seems to be very bothered by children who are not making good choices around her.

For example, a few weeks ago she came home and announced that she wanted to go back to her old school.  Apparently, some of the kids in her class were knuckleheads in P.E. class.  They were so bad that the school principal had to talk with their class.  Lily was mortified.

Also in our carpool, the little girls who she travels with sometimes act like knuckleheads as well, and it really bothers her!

So of course instead of pulling her out of these situations, we are trying to teach her how to deal with these situations, as she is always going to be surrounded by knuckleheads!

My biggest prayer is that she continues to know that they are just knuckleheads and for her to continue to make good choices!

You're gonna hear me roar!

Lily has had a secret talent for about a year or so now....it is her roar!  She loves to roar like a lion to get attention, be cute, and freak people (especially boys) out.  Yesterday she informed me that after completing her work with her teacher Ms. Curtin, she showed Ms. Curtin her roar!  LOL

An unexpected growing up milestone

So we had been talking about how Lily was at the age where we might consider leaving her home alone for short periods such as if we go for a walk or run down to Dollar General.  Well, today she got her first taste of it unexpectedly...poor child was very distraught...Olav got caught in a meeting at work and couldn't get to the house on time to meet Lily's carpool drop-off.  Just for the record, he has been a constant in her after-school life since she was in pre-k.  The carpool waited for 10 minutes when Olav finally instructed Melissa (the carpool mom) to simply leave Lily there...he had left the door unlocked.  When daddy came home 30 minutes later poor Lily burst into tears....talk about a memorable first time home alone.  Anyway, at least we are more motivated to get her that phone for the house should that ever happen again.

Back to School

First day of 4th grade at Carroll Creek Montessori

Well, yesterday marked a big life change for Lily.  She attended a brand new school.  Earlier this summer, we got word that she had been accepted into the Frederick County Public Carroll Creek Montessori Charter School.  It was a really hard decision on whether or not to send her there.  We liked her home school very much and she even got the teacher I pseudo suggested, but this new school offers daily Spanish classes and goes up to 8th grade, which means if it goes well, she will avoid the traditional "middle school" environment.  Needless to say some big pluses.  However, like every change, it also has its negatives.  The school is located on the other side of the county, so it's a least a 20-25 drive daily.  Also, the school meets in a business park, so their playground is not ALL that, and they don't have media classes.  We told her we would try it...if it is horrible we can always go back to her home school.  Anyway, the night before she was a mess.  She was crying tears of grief and loss.  My heart was so broken for her.  There was nothing I could do but hold her and hug her.  On the day of I think she was a bit apprehensive, but I think overall she had a good day.  She came home and spoke Spanish to me, told me she made a new friend, and that the substitute assistant in her classroom was strict.

Anyway, I was feeling so guilty about her tears Sunday night, but a Facebook friend encouraged me with this statement!

Consider that you are giving your daughter the gift of adaptation and change resiliency skills. These are necessary skills and she'll take the lead with them. You are a brave mom.

Here's to hoping for an amazing year!

BIG changes ahead!

Can't believe school will start in about a week!  Lily has some big changes happening this fall.  She was recently accepted into our local Montessori Charter School which has a bilingual program.  This is a huge change for everyone!  Hopefully, it will be a good experience for her!

Also Lily has been such a great kid this summer!  Of course, she has her moments where she has driven me crazy, but overall she has been amazing!  I am really proud of the young woman she is becoming!  She has been polite, helpful, godly, well-mannered, etc.  This is so awesome, especially thinking two years ago that she was really struggling!  I keep praying that it sticks!!!!

Summer fun!

First of all, Lily has a wonderful time at sleepaway camp!  She said she cried a tiny bit when Abigail left, but she bounced back quickly.  So proud of her.  I was totally expecting her to run up to me with wide open arms shouting "Mommy".  Oh well, only in my fantasy.  She actually was quite aloof.  Oh well.  Glad to know she felt so independent!

The following week we headed to North Carolina for Grandma Ginger's 75th birthday.  Olav put Lily in the 3rd row of the truck so she and Ashton wouldn't fight as much!  Of course, Lily's first question was, "If I sit in the back, how will I get the Kindle?"  Can you say ONE TRACK MIND!!!!!  Lucky for her each child got their own Kindle tablet for the ride.  She had a fabulous time playing with her cousins!  On the way down we stopped at Natural Bridge.  Lily really enjoyed the Native American reenactment that was there.  On the way back we stopped at the Johnson City Children's Museum.

Natural Bridge

 

Upon our return, she went to VBS and Sewing Camp.  She was soooo excited about sewing camp.  She made a long maxi skirt, a dress, a craft bag, and a unicorn head!

 

Dress and Unicorn Head

 

 

Today we had a new family experience because Ashton always seems to enjoy Blaze and the Monster Machines and Paw Patrol. So we went to a Monster Truck Jam.  At first, Lily was a little skeptical, but I think she really enjoyed it!  There was even a female monster truck driver who drove a pink monster truck named Madusa!

 

 Monster Truck Show

 

Growing up milestones

Well, Lily is officially a 4th grader!  Hard to believe!  Today we delivered her to her first sleep-away camp at Mountain View Bible Camp.  I was really nervous for her because we had planned for her to go with her friend Abigail Cagle.  Unfortunately, Abigail was going to have another commitment so she was going to come to camp a few hours later and Lily didn't know anyone.  Lily actually seemed quite calm, compared to how I felt inside.  Lily and I walked over to the children playing and we started speaking with a camp counselor who introduced Lily to some other girls.  I slowly pulled myself away.  As I was walking slowly away I saw Abigail joyfully bounding toward the playground toward Lily and me!  I felt the tears of relief flooding my eyes behind my sunglasses!  What an unexpected blessing.  Lily was pleased as well and had absolutely no trouble saying goodbye to us!  I am very proud of her.  I hope she has a wonderful and memorable time!

 

Lil' mama

Lily is our little mama!  She definitely has a mother's spirit.  She's a mama to Ashton, Samara, and so many others.

She loves her bible!  I love watching her thirst for God's word.  I pray her thirst for HIS word will continue.

Can't believe how grown up she is getting! In just 3 short weeks we will officially have a 4th grader in the house. 

She finished her first Lacrosse season.  Two weeks ago she got an award for being "as tough as nails".  I think she really enjoyed her lacrosse experience.  Olav and I have really enjoyed watching her!

We just went camping with our fellow adoptee Guate friends.  Lily, Rudy and Liliana had a blast as always.

Birthday party and Easter

Here are some great pics from Lily and Ashton's birthday party and Easter!

April Whirlwind!

Well, April has kicked off with a huge whirlwind.  On April 1st, Lily, Decka, and I boarded a plane for Guatemala to visit Bubby Patricia and Guillermo for Semana Santa.  What an amazing time.  While there we visited two different hogars (orphanages)

 The first one was Oasis, which is basically a foster care home for girls who have been sexually abused, physically abused, and neglected.  Here the girls get a chance to go to school, go to therapy several times a week, and have a safe place to live where they receive physical, emotional, and spiritual care.   Some of the girls have families and some do not. Bill and Pat act as God parents to one of the young ladies, named Tatiana in Oasis.  She is 17 years old and has a very rough past.  Including being sold when she was young for 50 Quetzals (equivalent to about $7 US).  Being kidnapped, being sexually molested and abused by family members, etc.  She has run away from previous orphanages and has been at Oasis for 3 years, apparently the longest placement she has ever had.  She could speak a little English and she and Lily bonded over "camera wars" i.e. taking each other pictures with their respective cameras. If you ask Lily what her favorite part of her trip to Guatemala and Tatiana is in the top 3.

Oasis

Tatiana



Some of the girls playing with their ipads

Tatiana

 In addition to young girls, they have also opened up a new wing, which includes a young mama's ward for young women who have been raped and impregnated and are now raising babies. Hard to believe the girls were 12, 14, and 15 with babies ranging from 9 months to 18 months. Meaning that one of the girls was impregnated at age 11.   The Tia's (house mothers) basically teach them how to parent and also parent them. 




Some of the mama's and the their babies

The second hogar we went to was called Luz de Maria.  There were 31 children of both genders from ages 6 months to 10 years.  There were three nineras (caretakers) who were responsible for them.   I think it was overwhelming for Lily and Decka.  I did talk Lily and Decka into holding a baby to help with their brain development.  Lily also handed out rice crispy treats that she and Bubby made.

While in Guatemala we also went to a wheelchair ministry called Hope Haven.  Since it was a holiday the shop was empty, but it was really cool to see the facility where families' lives are changed by gaining mobility.  Lily and Jessica really enjoyed climbing the avocado tree, playing avocado soccer, and bonding with the dogs.

Hope Haven Warehouse

Climbing the avocado tree

Hope Haven dog, Rita

Another highlight of Guatemala was meeting our Compassion child, Kimberly.  We spent the morning and early afternoon at the Children's Museum in Guatemala City.  What a wonderful experience it was for everyone!  It really broke down the language barrier!

From left to right:  Jessica, Kimberly, Lily, Our translator Kimberly, Kimberly's mother, Manuel, Kimberly Compassion teacher, and me!

Another highlight of Guatemala was celebrating Lily's 9th birthday Guate style!  Bubby made her a traditional Guatemala breakfast, yummy chocolate cupcakes, and Lily got some money to do a little shopping in Antigua!  She got two pairs of really cute shoes (wish they had my size!) and a Guatemalan purse!

Birthday breakfast!

Birthday with tricky candles

Check out those new shoes!

While in Guatemala we did a little sightseeing.  We took Lily and Jessica to Antigua so they could enjoy the Semana Santa festivities.  Lily had a chance to help make a small portion of a sawdust alformbra.  She loved picking up the remnants of floral alformbras and making her own at home!

Using the stencil!

Posing by tiny part of the finished product

Lily's homemade alformbra

Hill of the Cross

More Hill of the Cross

Pretty Lily at Casa Santo Domingo

More pretty Lily at Casa Santo Domingo

Peace out a Casa Santo Domingo

A beautiful sawdust alformbra

Lily in the tuk-tuk

We also went to Lake Atilan.  Even though we had been to Panahajael/Lake Atitlan when we lived in Guatemala, I never took her across the lake due to the "public boats" which have 15 life jackets and are packed with lots and lots of people!  But now since she can swim better than anyone in our family, we went across the lake!  Lily loved being at the head of the boat!  We enjoyed an amazing afternoon at the La Casa de Mundo and walked to the village of Jabilito.  We hoped to see a bit more, but we ran out of time.  Next time!

Lake Atitlan

Dippin her feet in the Lake

Fishing boats on the shores of Lake Atitlan

Front of the boat!

In addition to all the sightseeing, Lily and Decka endured me reuniting with friends.  We saw Antonio, Sonia, and their daughter Cessy.   It was their house that Lily ran into that allowed us to eventually leave the country!  We also saw Lily's old nanny Elaina and our former caretaker of our first apartment in Antigua, Christina, and her daughter Erika.

Christina and Erika

Antonio, Sonia, and Cessy

Elaina

Last but least through it all we got to enjoy time visiting Bubby Patricia and Guillermo.  Lily loved being there and loved their dogs...Tresy Lee, Pinky Lupit, and Lucy Kathleen.

Upon our return, Lily had her first lacrosse game.  Olav got an amazing picture of her!

Hopefully later on will come pictures from Easter and her birthday party!  Until later!