Honor Roll

So proud of Lily! She made the honor roll with 2 A's and 2 B's! We are so proud of her!

A little fall fun

Fall fun has been a little more subdued this year due to Covid-19 concerns.  But we did manage to squeeze in a little bit of fun, even if it was a little delayed!  

Yesterday, we were finally able to make it to Gaver Tree Farm for the very last day of their annual fall festival.  I am so glad that Lily (even when given a choice to bring a friend) humored her mama and went and spent time with me!  We had a good time eating apple cider donuts,  feeding and playing with the various farm animals, and playing a few games such as milk can toss and corn hold.   Plus we got a few great pictures!  

Lily is such a gem.  She's getting so much older and I can feel these days are fleeting, before I know it she will be so busy and not have a lot of time for Mama! In one sense I feel like Covid has given me a little more time with her before she "launches" and for that I am thankful.

This week she even attended a virtual open house to explore career options at the Career and Technology Center in Frederick.  She's thinking about studying Criminal Justice and Homeland Security.  Again, so grown up, this mama can't stand it!

For Halloween, she humored me as well and went trick-or-treating with Nanna's family (Garrett and Michael).  I wasn't sure if she would go, but she did!  She threw together a makeshift teenager costume of a werewolf.  Regardless of what she dressed up, she still looked stunning!

The end of the 1st marking period of high school is coming to an end and she has done an amazing job!  I believe she is going to make the honor roll!  So proud of her.

This girl is rocking high school!

I am so incredibly proud of the young woman Lily is growing up to be.  It's her first quarter in high school and she is totally rocking it!  A's and B's!  So proud!  She's a self-starter.  She sets her alarm each day.  Gets herself up and ready.  Does her online schooling without fail.  Working so hard!

She's also rocking it on the soccer field!  Really holding her own!  I love watching her play and have such a good time!

Back to School-COVID style

Lily's first day of high school was much different than everyone anticipated, but aside from not being able to access her 2nd block class immediately, she did great with the virtual learning platform.  Here's to a great year!

Lily 1st day of 9th grade @ LHS

Summer Fun

So because of Covid a lot of our summer fun had been canceled.  But fortunately, we were still able to squeeze in a few memories!  First, we went to a KOA in Williamsport with our former bible study.  It was super fun to see all our friends, especially the Best family who moved away to Tennessee.  Usually, there are 4 girls in Lily's age range (Chloe, Bell, Aubrey, and Lily) and they usually play together, but this year the three of them (excluding Lily) were inseparable all weekend playing on their phones and doing art.  I was super impressed with Lily, she didn't seem to be bothered at all.  In fact, she said she knew better than to be on her phone all weekend while camping.  Fortunately, we had a new family join us who had an upcoming 6th grader and 10th grader, so Lily spent some time hanging with them!  

We also took another trip to Raystown Lake to visit Lily's friend Taylor who had moved away two or three years ago.  Lily and Taylor had a great time playing in the water and having a sleepover. 

Last week we traveled to the beach last week with some friends of Ashton's from school.  Not only did they have a 9-year-old daughter who is one of Ashton's besties, but they also had a 13-year-old daughter Alyssa who Lily enjoyed spending time with.  Unfortunately because of the warmer water, this time at the beach we experienced a lot of "sea lice".  Basically either blue crab larvae or jellyfish larvae.  Regardless they kind of ruined Lily's fun in the ocean because they got under her swimsuit and made her itch really bad!  It was also really nice because Ashton's friend's mom is from Costa Rica and she was so much fun to be around and really took a shine to Lily.

Today our neighbors Jimmy and Cindy Trout took Lily and Ashton fishing on the lower Potomac.  Lily had an awesome time!  Reeling in a huge catfish!!!!

 

Lily has spent a lot of her summer training for soccer tryouts, but unfortunately, there will be no fall or winter sports high school sports this year due to Covid.  She has been struggling with various ankle ailments, so maybe it's a good thing.  It seems like she has a new ailment every day.  I am not sure if she is super sensitive, truly in pain, or a hypochondriac.  I am chalking it up to being a teenager.

We also sent a text via Bubby Patricia to Lily's bio-sister Susana for her birthday.  We did not hear anything back, but there could be so many reasons including but not limited to:  them not having minutes on their phone or not being able to read the message.  Lily didn't seem too disappointed.  She seems so happy just to know that she has a sister!

 

A lot to process

So earlier this week, we received notice that Lily's biological mother had been found and was sent a report.  Even though I think Lily wanted the information, I am not 100% sure she was ready for it.  I think it has been a lot to process.  Not sure what Lily wants to do next, but I guess we shall see.

Attached is the report and photographs:

Search Report for Kim Gjerde

June 2020

By Fidelina Chavajay

Birth Mother: Lilian Bernardina Yac López

SOCIAL REPORT

Family Situation

The family consists of:

Lilian Bernardina Yac López, 37. (November 20, 1982).  DPI: 25488 9123 1017

Her partner: Manuel Guarchaj Guachiac, 68.  He is from Nahualá, Sololá.

The couple have lived together for 12 years in Guatemala City.

Their daughter:

Susana Lidia Yac Guarchaj Yac, 11. (July 26, 2008)

The family is of the K’iché ethnic group and speaks Maya K’iché.  Susana says she understands K’iché but doesn’t speak much as everyone in the city speaks Spanish.

Lily’s Parents:

Juan Pablo Yac Chávez, he has another family and lives in Santo Tomás la Unión, Suchitepéquez.

María Candelaria López, she died many years ago.

Lily’s Siblings:

Juan Adan Yac López, 40. He is married to: Yanira del Carmen Ramirez Alvarado. They live in  Asentamiento Esquipulitas Zona 21.

Marcelino Yac López.  He is separated from his family.  He lives in Guatemala City but Lily doesn’t know where.

Roberto Yac López.  He has a family.  Lily doesn’t know where he lives.

Irma Yac López. She has a husband and 4 kids (twin girls and 2 boys). They live in Santo Tomás la Unión, Suchitepéquez.

Vilma Yac López. She is married and has 3 kids.

Juana Yac López. She is a single mother of one daughter and lives in Guatemala City.

Abraham Yac López.  He left Santo Tomás la Unión when he was young and they never heard from him.

María Yac López. She is Lily’s youngest sibling. She lives with her aunt, Carmen Velásquez, in Cantón Samaché Chiquito, Santo Tomás la Unión, Suchitepéquez.

Lily says: “ When my mother died everything changed.  We had a stepmother who did not treat us well and would beat us for any small thing.  She was very violent and abusive to me and my siblings.  Each of us looked for a way to escape her house and my brother Abraham was kicked out of the house.  I don’t remember what he did but he disappeared and we never heard from him again.  My mother died when Maria was born and my aunt Carmen came to get her and she lives with her and is fine.

I asked Lily who in her family knew about the adoption.  She said just her husband, Manuel, and her daughter, Susana. 

Lily’s birth father is named Victor and he is from Jutiapa.  Lily Bernadina met him in Guatemala City when he was working as a truck driver.  He was tall, thin with light brown skin and straight hair.  He knew she was pregnant and then disappeared without saying goodbye and she never saw him again.

Economic Situation

Lily and Manuel belong to an Evangelical church and they preach in the streets.  They live off of the tithing of the church members. They rent a room that has water, electricity, and a cement floor for Q500 per month.

When they save enough money they visit family in Santo Tomás la Unión each December for 3 days.

Education

Lily is illiterate.

Susana is illiterate and does not go to school.  I asked her why and she said that her parents enrolled her one year but she needed to spend Q200 on school supplies and her parents did not have the money so she stopped going.  Now she is embarrassed to go as she is too big to be in 1st grade.

Manuel can read and write a little.

Juan Pablo, illiterate.

María Candelaria, illiterate.

Juan Adan, can read and write a little.

Marcelino, learned to read and write in Guatemala City.

Roberto, learned to read and write in Guatemala City.

Irma, can read and write a little.

Vilma, illiterate.

Juana, illiterate.

Abraham, never went to school.

María did go to school but Lily doesn’t know how far she got.

Education

Lily is healthy.  After Susana was born she asked in the hospital for a tubal ligation.

I noticed that Lily has lost two upper teeth and has a wart near her left eye.

Susana is healthy.

Manuel is healthy.

María Candelaria died in childbirth.

Juan Pablo suffers from swelling and pain in his feet.

Lily’s siblings are healthy.

ADDRESS

Asentamiento Arenera Zona 21

Ciudad Capital

Tel. 3126 6083

MESSAGE TO LILY

Lily, I love you very much.  I have always thought about you.  April is a special month for me and every year I say to your sister and Manuel that my daughter is another year older and that I hope she is well and celebrating and what a shame we did not have news of her.  I hoped that her family loved her and understood her when she was naughty.  I cried with joy when I saw your photos.  It made me so happy to hear from you that you are well.  I love you.

MESSAGE TO KIM AND OLAV

Thank you for looking for me and for having Lily in your home and for being her parents.  It is a blessing to me to have news from you and to hear about her activities.  Thank you for sharing.

You are in my prayers.  Of course, I am open to having a relationship with you and hope you are open as well and that Lily is comfortable with that.

We are so happy to have news of your family.  For the moment I do not have any questions for you.  It is enough to know that you all are well during the pandemic. May God protect and care for you.

SEARCHER’S COMMENTS

I spoke to a woman named Marta in Santo Tomás Suchitepéquez who knew Lily. I sent her the photo of Lily and she said she knew her from when they were little and we agreed to meet on June 16 in Santo Tomás la Union, Suchitepéquez.  When I arrived the Lilian Bernardina that Marta brought was not the birth mother.  She resembled her but she was only 24 years old.

Marta took me to visit the Yac López families in the area and we found the house of Pablo Yac but he was not home.  We were told his name was Juan Pablo Yac Chávez and he would return home before the curfew at 6pm.

I showed the DNA photo to the woman who answered the door and she said it was Lily when she was young and that now she lived in Guatemala City but she didn’t know where.  I left my phone number.  Later Pablo went to Marta’s house to ask why we were looking for his daughter.  They called me and I explained it was on behalf of a charity project in Antigua.  Don Pablo gave me Lily’s address and phone number.

I called Lily and she was friendly as her father had told her about my call.  When I told Lily the true reason for my call she said she was Lily Rosemery’s birth mother and that she had placed her for adoption because of her poverty and she thought it would mean she would have a better life.

On the phone with Manuel listening she told me she had been forced to do the adoption.  I told her we would talk more in person and it was important she be truthful as I saw the photos of her with Lily and Kim.

On June 26 I was able to get permission to enter the Capital so called Lily and asked her to meet me. The taxi driver did not want to take me to her house as it is in a “red zone” where there are a lot of gangs and assaults.   I got Lily to come meet me at the Dispensa Familiar where I bought her groceries.  Note:  normally we do not buy groceries as part of the search but now it is necessary to say this is the purpose of the visit in order to get permission due to the COVID-19 restrictions.

Lily was happy to have news of Lily and cried when she saw the photos and when I read her the letter.  Susana asked if one day they would meet her sister with tears in her eyes.

Lily asked if you wanted to meet her.  I told her of course.  Manuel said that he could see in the photos that Lily was doing well with her family and that made him happy that she had a loving family.

8th grade graduation

Five years ago Lily was invited to attend Carroll Creek Montessori School, a bilingual local charter school. It has been the most amazing five years and we feel so incredibly blessed that she could attend. She has grown so much as a person and a student. Today was supposed to be her graduation, but it only seemed fitting for 2020 that they got their class and individual pictures, sat down for a moment, and then the skies opened up! The teachers were so kind as to squeeze in two words to describe each student before everyone ran for shelter in their vehicles. Lily was described as KIND and CONSCIENTIOUS. We couldn't agree more and are so proud of who she is and who she is becoming!

Soar high Lily bean!

Ashton waiting for the graduation to begin

Mommy waiting for the graduates

Classmates finding their seats

Corona Virus Seating

Thank you Carroll Creek for 5 amazing years!

In front of CCM

In front of CCM together

The obligatory last day of school picture!

Soaking wet (and the rain stopped:))

Our new normal

We are into week 8 of our COVID quarantine.  And while Mama is going a little crazy with cabin fever, Lily seems to be handling things fairly well!  She usually wakes up between 10 and 10:30 to begin her school day and then works steadily throughout the day finishing by late evening.

Every once in a while she'll come out of her room to grab a bite to eat or go outside to kick the soccer ball or humor her mama and go for a walk. 

Not sure what the summer/fall has in store...but I guess we shall see!

14 years ago!!!!

This girl is 14 today!  We are so blessed to have her in our lives.  She radiates inside and out!

We celebrated by getting Ledo's Pizza take-out and an ice cream cake from Dairy Queen.  She had really wanted Chinese, but it didn't appear as if the Chinese restaurant was still open because of the coronavirus.

Things are definitely strange lately.  Leaving the house for carryout was the big outing for the day!  We had a makeshift family sing-along for her birthday cake via Zoom!

Zooming on the cell phone for her birthday cake!

Poor Lily sprained her ankle really badly last Friday morning while practicing soccer!  At first, we thought it may have been broken, it swelled up so badly, but after a few days she seemed to be able to limp around on it, so it is most likely just a bad sprain. The good thing is that no one is playing soccer right now anyway so she is forced to rest it!

Ouch sprained and very bruised ankle

She started online schooling and that has been frustrating for her as the computer software the county uses keeps crashing because so many students are trying to access it.  But again, it gives her now the freedom to sleep in longer in the morning and do the work later when there is not as much of a demand for the program.

We also got an interim update from the birthmother searcher.  It is on hold right now until the lockdown in Guatemala due to Corona is lifted.  I suspect it will be quite a while.

Interim Search Report for Kim Gjerde

By Fidelina Chavajay

March 2020

Birth Mother:  Lilian Bernardina Yac López

When I researched Lilian I found an address of: Lote 31, Mzn. B, Sector 9, Villa Hermosa 1, Zona 7, San Miguel Petapa, Guatemala.

On March 13, 2020, I traveled to this address and found that it is a house with rooms for rent.  I spoke with the manager and some of the tenants but no one knew Lilian.

On March 14 I requested documents from RENAP (government ID office) and asked my K’iché translator to ask around in Sector San Toñito, Santo Tomás la Unión, Suchitepéquez, which was an address in the adoption documents.  No one recognized the photo of Lilian or her name.

In the information I received from RENAP I found information on Lilian’s brother, Juan Adan Yac López , and his wife, Yanira del Carmen Ramirez Alvarado, that showed an adderss of: 16 Avenida, Comunidad Esquipulas Segundo Callejón, Lote 116, Guatemala.  According to the documents Lilian also lived at this address in 2018.

Unfortunately, this address is incomplete as it just says “Guatemala” and does not indicate which Zone.  Escuipulas runs across several Zones.  I went to the transit police office in Guatemala City they could not give me any more information than what I’d already discovered.

On March 15 I went to each of the Zones of Escuipulas but could find no one who recognized her name or photo.

On March 16 I went to the Supreme Electoral and asked for help in locating the address.  They told me it was in Zone 21, Nimajuyu.

When I arrived it was obviously a red zone (high crime area) but I was able to find Juan Adan.  He was very rude and abusive.  I showed him Lilian’s photo and he confirmed she is his sister and said that the baby she was holding in the photo is now grown.  He said this very aggressively, in my face, and using vulgarities.  I told him I had come on behalf of a charity organization and asked if he could help me locate Lilian.  He replied, “Even if I knew where she was I would not tell you because I don’t get along with that trash.”

I asked some neighbors and showed around her photo.  Some of them told me that she was Juan Adan’s sister and used to live with him and they had seen her but now she lived in a settlement called El Barranco that was even more dangerous than where we were.  They told me it was late in the day and was not advisable to walk there.

This is as far as I got with the search before the travel restrictions for COVID-19 were put in place.  

Once in a 100 years!

Homeschool art with Ashton's art teacher Ms. Giro

In 1918 there was the Spanish Flu.  In 2020 we have Coronavirus or COVID-19.   Except for grocery markets, most things have been shut down at least for two weeks, but honestly, it appears as if it will last much longer.  China, where the virus originated, is only finally reopening after 2.5 months of lockdown and they are a communist country. With the USA being much more freedom based I am not sure how things are going to go down. 

Before all the closures, we started a search for Lily's birth mom.  She has expressed an interest for a long time and I never got a sense of when the right time was.  Daddy said, let's just do it, so we started.  However, now with the coronavirus worldwide, I don't expect to hear anything anytime soon.  I have been praying for Guatemala and Lily's biological family that God would keep them safe from harm and provide for their physical needs during this time of no work due to closed transportation etc... Last we heard on the birthmother search was that her birth mother could not be located in either of the two addresses I had provided.  No one seemed to know of her in her home village or in the city.  Last Friday they were supposed to get some information about a birth sibling.  But I haven't heard anything since.

I know God's ways are so much higher than my ways and so I need to trust in that, even though it is so stinkin' difficult!

Best kind of boyfriend ever!

So Lily shared last night she has a new boyfriend.  His name is Sean and she has been talking with him since we met him on our Labor Day camping trip near Elkton, MD.  In Daddy and my eyes that is the perfect boyfriend...two hours away!

Class of 2024

Last night we went to Lily's high school orientation at Linganore High School.  I was teary all day!  I can't believe my baby girl is going to go to high school!  I know she is ready and will be amazing.  It's so exciting to see all the opportunities she will have.  I just so badly want it to be an amazing time for her! Full of great friends, exploring new interests, and pursuing hobbies such as soccer and swimming.