Friday, May 27, 2022

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!

Thursday, May 5, 2022

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!





Monday, April 4, 2022

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!”

 

 

 

 



Sunday, March 27, 2022

Soccer season has officially begun!

Lily kicked off soccer season this weekend with the Baltimore Mania tournament.  I was really eager to see her play especially since she has been practicing so hard in the cold temperatures since mid Feb.  This weekend they played their heart out, in the sleet, snow, and pelting freezing rain!  We are really proud of the improvements she has made!

 



Monday, February 21, 2022

Sunday, January 30, 2022

A newly permitted driver in the house!

Lily officially has her Driver's Learner's Permit!  She completed her 30-hour class and took her driver's permit test a few weeks ago.  She had her first formal driving lesson with an instructor last weekend and has been doing some light driving around neighborhoods and short roads.



Wednesday, January 5, 2022

A very Covid Christmas and a Happy New Year

Unfortunately, this past Christmas was not the fantastic family experience we were all looking forward to this year, as the Covid pandemic continues to rage, but we made the best of it!  Poor Lily came down with a headache and low-grade fever Christmas Eve, and a rapid test confirmed Christmas morning that she was indeed positive for COVID-19.  Thankfully it was a very mild infection and she was bouncing back after 2 days!  Thankfully, my sister and her family had already canceled their flights due to the overwhelming cancellations of flights due to lack of staff because of Omnicron, Covid and we are able to protect my dad.  I'm not sure if the rest of us had it or not, because access to testing was extremely limited.  

 


 

Lily started driver's education online during the break and has reported that is soooo boring.  She goes to take her driver's permit test on Saturday!!!!

 


 

Girl finally got sprung free for New Year's eve and got to go spend the night with a girlfriend!  Girl was a trooper during quarantine!  Thankfully midway through her quarantine they reduced the time from 10 days to 5!  Yipee!!  Like the virus cares right?? LOL

Anyway here's to a happy and hopefully healthy new year!