Passages

It is with great sadness that our beloved dog Austin crossed over the rainbow bridge on Friday, September 26th at approximately 7:20 pm.  Lily and Daddy were by his side in the veterinarian's office.  Austin had been declining over the past few months and the vet had warned us that his time was drawing near, but it was so hard to make that decision.  Thankfully, he had two episodes back to back that convinced us that letting him go was the humane thing to do.  Thank you, Austin for being the best dog ever.  We will miss you.

A Junior!!!

How can she be a junior already?  She was just in pre-K with Ms. Oland at Liberty Elementary.  Lily began her 11th-grade year at Linganore last week.  So far she seems relatively happy.  

She did not make the varsity soccer team, but we are so proud of her for going out and trying.  She did very well during the run, cutting a whole minute off her previous time. She will continue to play travel soccer and this fall she will get to play on her favorite coach's co-ed team.

As the summer season whines down, the lifeguard company she works for has decided to schedule her for more hours after not scheduling her much during the summer.  While it's hard to balance school and work, I think she will enjoy earning the money.

She's very close to getting her driver's license.  She finished her 3rd and final driving lesson with the instructor and I am sure she has enough practice on the road hours to take her test.  She is scheduled for October 20th.  She's getting more and more confident each time.

  

Summer Dud!

Well, the summer of 2022, hasn't panned out exactly the way Lily had hoped, but I got to give the girl credit, she has taken it all with a grain of salt.

First, she went on a cruise with her good friend Emery to Alaska.  What was promising to be an adventure of a lifetime, ended up being a COVID quarantine ordeal.  Emery contracted COVID on day 2 of their cruise and the girls were quarantined in their cabin for the rest of the trip.  At least they got moved to a balcony room, had room service and unlimited internet access.

Then in mid-July, she was supposed to go to see Shawn Mendes in DC with her good friend Carolina.  Unfortunately, Shawn Mendes had to cancel his World Tour due to mental health concerns.  Once again she took the disappointment like a champ.  I told her I would take her and Carolina to the beach in September sometime.

Work has been frustrating for her as well.  She was hoping to work many hours and make a lot of money but has only been scheduled for about 10 hours a week even though she has continually asked for more hours.

Training for high school soccer has taken up much of her summer, but I know she's been really anxious about trying out for varsity soccer.  I think the new coach is a bit intimidating.  He told them he expected them to run the 2-mile run in 12 minutes.  Crazy!  Anyway, I am praying that she will go out there, have fun, and do her best.  She's improved so much as a soccer player, and she stands a fair shot, however, if she does not make it, she's got a good plan in mind for the fall.  She's even talked about going on for the swim team for the winter season.

Schools out for summer!

This girl completed her sophomore year earlier this week! Now it's lifeguarding, traveling to Alaska, driving, and hanging out with friends all summer long!

Academic Excellence

Time continues to fly by.  Lily continues to practice driving.  Although she is somewhat reluctant some days.  I think it makes her feel a little anxious understandably so, but I feel like she is making great progress.

On Mother's Day, she made her 3rd ever goal in soccer, and can you believe it, neither Olav nor I were there to see it!  I was so bummed.  I rarely miss a game, but of course, the one weekend when I was out of town and Olav had a church obligation she scored!  I've got to give the girl credit, she appears to be popping in soccer, really holding her own on the field!  I remember this happened a few years ago when she was playing rec soccer.  It's super fun to watch!

Lily's soccer team at her Coach's surprise baby shower!

Last weekend she went to a "true Mexican style" quinceanera with her friend Madison.  She looked stunning at the end when I picked her up, although she never sent me any pictures (cue mommy tears). I think she enjoyed being immersed in the culture!  She said the music was super loud and she tried a few of the Latin dances.

This week at school she was recognized for Academic Excellence for having a GPA of 3.5-3.9.  I didn't get to go to the ceremony, but I have to say I am pretty proud of her, as I know school isn't always easy for her.

 Lastly, I know living with Ashton isn't always easy for Lily, but she's a tough girl and holds a lot together.  After a very stressful couple of days, I really felt like I needed a mental health day and I thought Lily could really benefit from one as well.  So when I asked her if she would like to skip school with me and have a mother/daughter day the floodgates just opened.  Sometimes in parenting, I feel like I do a lot of things wrong, but in this instance, I felt like I finally did something right.  I am so grateful to God for nudging me!

Festivities in April

April is always filled with so many fun festivities, but this year Lily got to participate in something very special.  Her good friend Emery, also adopted from Guatemala had her quinceañera and Lily was invited to be a dama.  It was a wonderful evening filled with so much joy and happiness, plus Lily got to meet some fellow Guatemalan adoptees.  Lily and Emery looked absolutely stunning in their dresses with professional hair and makeup.  I was hoping Lily would send me some of the pictures she took, but no such luck!

Easter was also a very fun time, sharing the day with some friends!

Sweet Sixteen

I can't believe our beautiful Lily is 16 years old!  Where does the time go?  We had a low-key birthday this year.  She and her soccer team had a 5-1 victory over another local team.  In the evening we headed to Texas Roadhouse, where she asked us not to embarrass her, while she enjoyed a full rack of pork ribs!  Then we headed home to blow the candles out on a cake her daddy bought her.

 

 

We also received an update on her birth family and what a joy it was to see them looking so happy and healthy!

 

 

 

Kim Gjerde

Lilian Bernardina Yac López

Me comuniqué con Lily y me dice: Estamos en Tucurú, Alta Verapaz y quedé que me debe llamar cuando esté en la Capital.

Les leí la carta y contesta:

Nosotros les deseamos un bendecido año nuevo 2,022 que en su hogar reine la paz y el amor.

Lily y Kim nos alegramos que se hayan recuperado del Covid y que estén bien.

Todos se deben cuidar por el frío porque afecta la salud.

Le deseamos a Lily suerte y éxitos en sus partidos del deporte que práctica.

Nos alegramos por los logros de Lily en cuánto a sus estudios y que sea una líder positivo de un grupo.

Es un honor ser la dama de una quinceañera amiga, felicidades Lily.

Lily trabajar en lo que te gusta es una bendición, ser salvavidas qué hermosa labor.

Tener oportunidad de aprender a manejar un carro es una dicha pero a la vez es un compromiso porque andar en carretera es peligroso porque hay conductores irresponsables, impacientes y borrachos, con cuidado por favor.

Lily comenta: Estuvimos en Tucurú 15 días en la Iglesia Evangélica, predicando de parte de nuestra Iglesia.

Susana tiene 13 años de edad, no asiste a la Escuela y su argumento es: No estamos en un solo lugar, no le gusta la Escuela y por eso no estudia.

Todas nuestras actividades lo hacemos en familia.

Nadie de la familia ha padecido de Covid y tienen sus vacunas.

Mensajes de la Familia:

Lily te amamos, somos felices saber de ti y que seas una niña activa, social y feliz.

Kim, Olav y Ashton, muchas gracias por todo el amor en su corazón para Lily y por apoyarnos con los víveres para nosotros es de bendición la comunicación que Dios los proteja de todo mal.

 

A loose translation (not 100% accurate done by the finder's son)

 

I got in touch with Lily and she said: “We are located at Tucuru, Alta Verapaz, and agreed with her to phone me when she is in Guatemala City.”

I read the letter and she answered:

“We wish you a year full of blessings, peace and love. Lily and Kim, it makes us happy to know both are already recovered from COVID-19. Please take care of each other and always wear a surgical mask. We wish each family member success in their daily activities.”

“It makes us happy to know that Lily has several achievements in her studies. It's great that she is a positive leader in the group. Lily, it is such a blessing for me to be able to know you are doing what you love. I know you will be saving several lives during your development. You have the opportunity to drive a car but at the same time, it is an enormous responsibility. Please be careful because there are people on the highway who drive at high speeds.”

Lily commented: “We spent 15 days at Tucuru in an evangelical church preaching and discussing God.”

Susana is 13 years old, she doesn’t go to school and her argument is: “We are constantly moving from one place to another. I don't enjoy school and it makes me mad.” She doesn't like school at all and that is the reason why she doesn't study. We do several activities as a family.”

“No one in the family has had COVID-19 and we already got vaccinated.”

Message from the family:

“Lily we love you so much, it makes us happy to receive news from you and it's great that you are sociable. Please continue increasing the number of real friends and be the kind of person who everyone loves.”

“Kim, Olav, and Ashton, thanks for the love you provide to Lily. Also for supporting us with supplies which are an amazing upgrade in our family diet. God Bless You!”