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!

Junior Prom

 Last weekend Lily attended her Junior Prom with her boyfriend Raymond.  She looked lovely in a dress that was given to us by a friend of a friend!  Raymond looked super cute as well in his tuxedo!  They went to dinner at Chipotle, then arrived at the prom, hung out for a few hours, and then left to go hang out at Raymond's house.

                                              

Birthfamily update and April fiestas

April is always such a busy month, with so many activities and celebrations.  This past weekend we celebrated Easter with some family friends.  I upped the Easter egg hunt game with some cash, and the kids were super motivated to find the eggs.  At the end of the day, there are still 2 eggs out there, each with a one-dollar bill tucked in it!

Lily celebrated her birthday many times over with various friends.  Sam, Susan, and Tina took her out to Mexican and mortified her with a birthday serenade.  Her boyfriend Raymond took her out to IHOP.  Last night we went out for Hibaci with Lily's good friend Carolina to celebrate along with her wonky Baskin and Robbins Chick Cake  She received many thoughtful gifts including, a gift from Raymond's mom, a gas card from Tina, and other thoughtful gifts from friends and family.

We also received an update from Lily's birth family as well.  It's always nice to hear how they are doing and see new photographs.

Kim Gjerde

Lilian Bernardina Yac

Lily es ama de casa y se ocupa de las actividades de su Iglesia Evangélica con la ayuda de Susana.

Lily is a housewife and is occupied with the activities of their Evangelica Church with the help of Susana.

Manuel se dedica a Orar, a predicar y toda la familia viaja para Tucurú, Alta Verapaz, hacer misiones.

Manuel is dedicated to prayer, and preaching, and the entire family travels to Tucuru, Alta Verapaz to do missions

 Susana tiene 14 años de edad, no estudia y se dedica a las actividades de la Iglesia juntamente con sus Padres.

Susana is 14 years old and does not study and she is dedicated to the activities of the church together with her parents.

 La familia está bien de salud

The family is in good health

Lily contesta la carta:  Lily answers the letter:

Familia feliz año 2,023 y que la Navidad lo hayan pasado en convivio familiar y felices.

Family, Happy New Year, and that Christmas passed with family and happiness.

Espero que todo les esté saliendo bien, tengan una buena salud y armonía en su hogar.

I hope that everything is okay and that you have good health and harmony in your home.

Ojalá le hayan ido muy bien en la competencia a Lily; Es una Atleta.

I hope Lily did very well in the competition.  She is an athlete.

Lily es muy inteligente y dedicada en sus estudios para estar en el cuadro de honor que bendición y felicidad.

Lily is very intelligent and dedicated to her studies for to be on the honor roll is a blessing and happiness.

Espero que le guste la experiencia del trabajo en un Restaurant y se adapte a sus compañeros de trabajo y la presión del trabajo.

I hope you like the experience of working in a restaurant and you adapt to your co-workers and the work pressure.

Familia los queremos mucho y muy agradecidos con Ustedes por hacer lo posible de enviarnos víveres, carta y fotos.

Family we love you very much and are very grateful to you for sending us food, letters, and photographs. 

Ustedes son una bendición en la vida de nosotros y de Lily principalmente porque llegó a su hogar recibiendo amor.

Your family is a blessing in our lives, and mainly Lily because she arrived at your home where she receives love.

Lily eres una hermosa niña maravillosa, gracias por ser como eres, estoy muy orgullosa de ti y eres bendecida por Dios porque tienes una capacidad de entendimiento especial. Te amo, quiero conocerte algún día y sé feliz con cada logro agradeciéndole a Dios.

Lily, you are a wonderful beautiful girl, thank you for being you.  I am very proud of you and you are a blessing because God has given you a special capacity for understanding.  I love you, and I hope to meet you one day and that you are happy with every blessing, thanking God.

Vas a tener un trabajo, ruego a Dios que tu experiencia sea lo mejor y te guste esa actividad.

 You are going to have a job, I pray to God that you have the best experience, and you like the activity.

Familia gracias por todo que Dios los bendiga y lo proteja siempre.

Family,  thank you for everything.  May God bless you and protect you always.