Monday, March 25, 2024

Birthfamily update

 We received new pictures and letters from Lily's birth mom and family

Spanish: 

Lily y Manuel, siguen trabajando en su Iglesia Evangélica, tienen planes de ir a Alta Verapaz, en Abril por un mes, estarán de visita en diferentes Comunidades e Iglesias.

La pareja me comenta: En nuestra casa, todo es muy tranquilo, nadie grita, nadie pelea porque debemos ser ejemplo de nuestros hermanos en Cristo. Tratamos de ayudar a las Familias que discuten mucho por cualquier tontería y se amenazan entre ellos, para nosotros eso no es vida.

Debemos buscar a Dios, tenerle temor y dedicarle tiempo con nuestras oraciones.

Susana, dice: Mis Padres no discuten, no los he visto peleando ni maltratándose como otras parejas que asustan a sus hijos. Yo, me siento muy querida y siempre acompañada por mis Padres.

Ayudo en todas las actividades desde el oficio de la casa hasta las actividades en la Iglesia.

Lily contesta la carta:

Familia que Dios los bendiga por la Canasta Navideña, nos ha servido para la noche de Navidad y año nuevo principalmente.

Susana manifiesta: La ropa me quedó muy bien, me gustó y muchas gracias por pensar en mí. Me corto las puntas de mi cabello, ya me acostumbré a lavármelo y a cuidármelo; Cuando estamos en las comunidades me recojo el pelo o me hago trenzas para que no se me enrede.

Felicidades a Lily, que ya va terminar la Escuela y lo siento que su experiencia no fue la mejor pero en la vida siempre encontramos obstáculos que somos capaces de superar y resolverlo. Su graduación será en Mayo y me alegro que tenga planes para la Universidad.

Qué bien que Lily, disfruta la competencia de Natación, es su fuerte y le gusta. Es una joven trabajadora y deportista, es muy activa y saludable.

Lily, viaja a Costa Rica que envidia, espero que la goce conociendo otra cultura y otras personas.

Mensajes de Lily:

Lily, le doy gracias a Dios porque eres una niña, aplicada, perseverante y activa. Felicidades por tu graduación en Mayo, disfruta ese día con las personas más cercanas a ti; Terminas otra etapa de tu vida estudiantil y comenzaras otra que Dios te dé entendimiento y paciencia para seguir estudiando hasta lograr tus sueños. Te amo que Dios te bendiga.

Kim, Olav y Ashton, gracias por su apoyo, su motivación, protección y amor incondicional a Lily, es una buena chica porque ha recibido los valores y principios en su hogar.

Recibí, víveres, fotos y carta, estoy presente es sus vidas y Ustedes en la mía, le mando mi afecto.

English translation:

Lily and Manuel keep working at the local evangelical church. They have plans to go to “Alta Verapaz” in April for a month. They will be visiting several communities and churches.

Her partner commented: “In our house everything is calm, no one yells or fights because we must honor Jesus Christ. We try to help families who are always discussing or arguing for whatever reason. They have threatened each other at a certain point and for us, that is not a healthy lifestyle. We must search for God, be afraid of him, and spend a lot of time praying to him.”

Susana said: “My parents never argue or fight as other couples I have seen scaring their children. I feel very loved and accompanied by my parents, it is such a blessing. I always help with the domestic work at home and also do religious activities in our church.”

Lily answered: “Family, God bless you for the Christmas basket we received. It really helped us for Christmas and for New Year's Eve mainly.”

Susana manifested: “The clothes fit me well, I liked it and thank you so much for thinking about me. I cut my hair tips myself and I am already used to washing and care for it. When we are in the communities I tie my hair or do braids myself so it doesn’t mess up during the day.”

“Lily, congratulations for being about to end school, and feel sorry to hear your experience wasn't the best. In life, we might find many obstacles but we must be able to overcome and solve them. It’s great to know you will be graduating in May and that you have college plans.”

 “Lily enjoys swimming competitions, she is strong and I am glad to know she loves it. She is a hard-working athletic girl, very active and healthy.”

“She is privileged to be able to travel to Costa Rica. I hope she will enjoy meeting new people and cultures.”

Message for Lily:

“Lily, I thank God because you are a disciplined girl and also very active. Congratulations on the graduation that will be taking place in May. Spend time with people who care about you on that day. You will end another educational phase and will begin a new one soon. God bless you!”

“Kim, Olav, and Ashton, thanks for the support, motivation, protection, and love both provide Lily. She is a good girl with good values and principles. Our family received supplies, pictures, and a letter. Thanks for having me present in your lives, God bless you!” 

Photographs:

























Sunday, March 10, 2024

Swim Banquet

This past week we attended Lily's swim banquet at the Dutches Daughter restaurant in Frederick.  Lily earned several awards.  First, she earned the Minds in Motion Student-Athlete Award given to Seniors who carry a 3.25 GPA while participating in athletics.  Next, she earned her athletic pin to go with her athletic letter.  Lastly, a wonderful surprise was the swim team coaches named Lily the senior female who most embodies the spirit of Linganore High School Swim!  Lily's coach had some nice things to say about Lily which we were thankful for because some of his comments for some of her peers were a bit more awkward.  He complimented her on her ability to swim all four stokes legally and therefore able to do Individual Medley Relays and her improvement across the board in all areas!  Way to go Lily!

Lily swim friends!

All the senior girls!

Minds in Motion recipient



Also, I forgot to mention a few weeks ago Lily scored her first goal of the season for her travel soccer team!!!!!  Winning the game for her team!  Also last quarter she got straight A's!  

Wednesday, January 31, 2024

Senior swim wrapping up!

So last week, I went to Lily's last high school swim meet that I would be able to attend.  It was so bittersweet!  It's crazy to think that we have been watching her swim competitively since she was 4 or 5 years old and now at least for us, it's over.  It's been a joy to watch her.  I wanted to express how much I have enjoyed watching her swim the last 13 years and so I sent her a heartfelt text, sharing my thoughts...however I can't spell....and it ended up looking like this:  It's hard to believe that tonight will be the last night you swim competently.  I hope you enjoy your time with your friends and your races.  You've given me so many years of joy watching and cheering for you!  Love you!  Of course, I meant to write competitively not competently!  I'm sure this will be the new family joke!  

LHS Swim and Dive Team

Senior night for the high swim team was fun, but I don't think Lily wanted to stand out too much!

Lily Senior Banner (hung in Gymnasium)

                                                                                   
Class of 2024 Swim Seniors
                                                                                   
Senior Posters

Lily and her friend Sam with Head Coach Hawkins

Senior night flowers with the family
                                                                                      
Lily's senior poster

She has had some great swims, coming in first in her heats and setting some personal records!



Representing LHS on meet day!



Soccer season has been a little frustrating lately.  The coaches have been very disciplinarian with the team for their attendance and interactions off the field, and Lily who for the most part attends practice unless she has swim and does not participate in the off-field interactions is feeling scolded when she hasn't done anything wrong.  I am hoping the Spring season will be better.
Lastly a little sunshine with Pop-Pop celebrating his 82nd trip around the sun!







Saturday, December 30, 2023

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. 


Saturday, November 25, 2023

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!




Tuesday, October 24, 2023

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!






Tuesday, October 10, 2023

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!