2023 comes to a close!

Hard to believe another year is coming to a close!  Time is flying so fast!  This year our searcher Fide was able to see Lily's birth mom before Christmas (in the past it has always been delayed) and give her the Christmas basket and some small gifts we had brought down in August. So we were able to see some photographs of the experience!  Plus we had purchased Susana some jeans and a T-shirt so she sent us some photos of her modeling her new clothes.  The only downside is because she saw Lily's birth mom in a large group we didn't really get an update...only new photos.

Susana doing an Instagram-worthy pose

Susana modeling the jeans and rocking her long locks!

Susana and Lily

We had a delightful Christmas with our friends and family.  Christmas Eve, we spent going to church with the Conte family and making Raclette together. On Christmas day we enjoyed a delicious breakfast, opened gifts, and our traditional Chinese food restaurant with friends.  This year, Pop-Pop, Raymond, the Rinkes family, Steve, Jennie, and Jax Lane joined us for dinner.  Lily was super thoughtful this year with Christmas gifts now that she is working and earning money.  She bought me a backpack for the dog and a console carrier for the dog as well.  However, one of her most thoughtful gifts was a pack of Nutty Buddy which she knew I loved!  I was so blessed that she was so thoughtful of me, it truly warmed my heart.

We also had a delightful Chanukah celebration with the Bugash side of the family. 

Lily continues to work hard at school, for her job lifeguarding at the YMCA, playing travel soccer, and competing for her high school swim team.  Just last week she competed in a 100-meter freestyle and she came in first in her heat!

Lately, she has really impressed me with her high emotional intelligence.  We've had a situation involving some close family friends of ours that has been just heartbreaking and she has impressed me tremendously with her ability to navigate this very difficult situation.

I pray that as we move into 2024 Lily continues to grow and flourish. 

Another Thanksgiving in the books!

Hard to believe we have passed Thanksgiving and moving at super warp speed into the Christmas holiday season!   Lily has done an amazing job adulting!  Going to school each day, then work, then high school swim team and/or soccer practice!  Occasionally she has time to hang with her friends or her boyfriend.

We had a lowkey Thanksgiving, but the kids humored me and went on a short 2.5-mile hike in the Walkersville Watershed!  Happy mama!

Thanksgiving Day family hike!

Senior homecoming

Lily had her senior homecoming a few weeks ago!  She looked stunning in her sparkly blue dress.  Unfortunately, her boyfriend Raymond wasn't feeling his best that evening, so they didn't stay at the dance too long.  But thankfully she had been craving Chipotle, so Raymond's dad had it ready for them when they got to his house!

Non stop action for this girl!

This girl has been busy!  For work-study after much diligence on her part, she got a job as a lifeguard at the local YMCA branch.  She works anywhere from 15-20 hours a week.  In addition to this, she takes two classes at the high school and is still playing soccer for both the recreational and travel teams, although she hasn't had to do much for travel yet.  Plus finding time to spend with her friends and boyfriend!  Needless to say, she is a very busy girl!  

Even though she's a bit nervous, she is handling this growing-up thing in stride!  I'm thankful she is going to go to Frederick Community College next year as it gives Mama time to adjust to all this!

Abuelita and Hombre sin Nombre cheering Lily on at soccer!

Buddies apple picking in the pouring rain!

Summer Recap and Senior Year!!!!

Where did the summer go!  Hard to believe Lily started her SENIOR year at Linganore this morning!  Since she is doing work study this year she doesn't have to take the bus anymore!  Freedom!!!  She had a good summer working at the local Westwinds Pool.  She definitely has gotten more comfortable and is even considering taking on a leadership role at the pool next year.

Our summer trips were small but fun this year.  She and I took a short stint to Bethany Beach in July to visit my sister and nephew.  The kids enjoyed the beach, some ice cream, and some banana boating. 

Beach babes

We also went up to CT for a few days to spend time with Stian and the kids.  It was really sweet seeing Lily and Ashton interact with Finn, Anksel, Caysen, and Eirik!

Lily with no fear Finn

Girl bonding with Caysen

Lily hanging with Anksel

 Lastly, in August, Lily's best friend Emery's mom took Lily and me for an all-expenses paid trip to Guatemala.  We had a really good time visiting the project where we sponsor a child, visiting Hobbitteanago, attempting to climb/horseback ride up the Pacaya Volcano, and having senior photographs taken.  Lily has such a good heart, after playing with the kids at the project on their "soccer field" she wanted to do something for them.  She didn't have the resources to purchase a soccer goal, but she spent her own money and purchased them a new soccer ball.  Additionally, she really bonded with one of the young boys at the project and he really liked the soccer player, Messi, so she purchased him a Messi soccer jersey in the market. The kids voted her the best soccer player!

In typical traje at the Project

Hanging with our sponsored girls

 

Playing soccer with the kids

View at Hobbitteanago

Horseback riding up Pacaya

Let the summer fun begin!

First, we received Lily's 4th quarter report card last week and we are pleased that once again she made the honor roll!  Way to go Lily!

Also, we went on two camping trips so far with some different friend groups.  Lily had a good time kayaking, swimming, and hanging out with her friends.

Soccer season finale

It was a little stressful there for a short bit, but the good news is Lily will continue to play for her travel soccer team next year.  She really enjoys the camaraderie with the girls and of course, enjoys the game.  Her team pulled out a victory in the final game of the season and she played really well.  I was so proud of her for taking risks!  Usually, she gets the ball and wants to get rid of it right away, but this game she got the ball and she took it and dribbled it down the field.  Also, she usually is nervous about taking shots at the goal, but this game she took several shots at the goal, and while none went in, some were super duper close!  I was just so proud of her willingness to take a risk!

She recently was asked out by a boy who was on her recreational soccer team last year, and while I think she might be interested in getting to know him better,  because of her loyalness to her current boyfriend, and her inability to get to know him in a group setting (because they don't share any common friends), I don't think she is going to step out at this time.  But I've got to say I was so proud of her for not playing games with him and calling him directly to talk.  So mature!

Junior year completed!!!! I can't believe she will be a senior!!!!

Today was the last day of school for Frederick County Public Schools!   I awoke the children with my usual Alice Cooper's Schools Out for Summer and neither of them were impressed!  I was hoping to get a last day-of-school picture of Lily before I left for school, but because of her schedule, I had to rely on her sharing some pics with me!  Thankfully she complied, even though it looks like she has no pants on!  LOL

Not amused with Alice Cooper!