The Big 10.....

Several months ago Devin and his Big Brother/Little Brother program selected Devin and his Big to go to the Iowa college football game. Devin has been to a game several times before, but this game was different. Devin got to go on a behind the scenes tour, go on the field and loads of other fun things. If you watch any football I'm sure you know the Iowa Hawks are undefeated 9-0 in the Big Ten and ranked at Number 4 in the country. The Hawks have three more games and they are going to be tough...I have faith we will be taking a trip to the Rose Bowl in January!
Go Hawks!

Pumpkin Patch

It always cracks me up when Danilo and an animal are in a photo together. He always has this look like he is being forced to pet it. Danilo just isn't a big animal lover, he doesn't dislike them but doesn't react to them either. I guess the good thing about that is he won't be asking me for any pets.







We headed to one of our local Pumpkin Patches on Sunday. The kids had fun picking out their pumpkins. It was so cold!
We had a light dusting of snow last Saturday, and sat at Devin's football game last night and froze as well. Our forecasters are predicting the coldest fall on record...I have this strange feeling we will be trick-or-treating in 20 degree weather this year.

Photos To Share~

The kids and I have been so busy with Football, Soccer, Gymnastics, Hip-Hop, and church...I decided to squeeze in some early Christmas photos. They turned out great and I can't wait to get them sent out in my Christmas cards in December...He he! The kids are growing up so quickly, and Maysa exhaust me with all of her talking...this girl can talk!

ONE YEAR ~ GOTCHA DAY!

Above is a photo of Maysa after we arrived back to the Marriott one year ago today with her Visa packet from the Embassy. I can't believe it's been one year already! I remember being able to finally breathe on this day and I finally had my little girl with me forever.

1) September 1st @ 4:30pm Maysa was placed in my arms forever.
2) September 3rd @ 7:00am Embassy appointment No. 17
3) September 4th @ 3:30pm Pick up Visa packet
4) September 5th @ 11:00am Fly home to the US

The year has been wonderful and Maysa has grown up so much. She is defintly not that shy and quite little girl who was placed in my arms at the Marriott. Maysa talks all the time and likes things done her way. She has come out of her shell and brings such joy to all of our lives. HAPPY ONE YEAR MAYSA...YOU ARE LOVED SO MUCH!

Kansas City Fun!

We took a mini-vacation last week to the Great Wolf Lodge in Kansas.
We had a great time!
Grandma and Grandpa went along to, and they even went down the water slides!
Danilo celebrated his 10th Birthday on vacation....he was so excited to get ice cream and cake at every resturant to celebrate his special day!
Summer has went by so quickly and I'm so glad we were able to get away again before school and all the sport activity's begin next week.

Danilo is off to school~

Danilo started school on July 30th. He is now in the 4th grade and is so excited to be back. Danilo goes to one of our year-round schools which has been wonderful in helping him with his education. He is still struggling with all areas of his academics, but receives special ESL (English as a second language) help most of the school day. I worry all the time that he will always struggle with school and that it will be hard for him, but he at least has the opportunity to go to school and learn that's far from what he would have received if he was still in Guatemala.

Their is a web~site named www.mayanfamilies.org where you can sponsor a student so that they are able to go to school. It costs as little as one might spend weekly at the grocery store. Please consider sponsoring one of these children so that they have a chance...education is key to stopping the cycle of poverty. Please help one of these children...once you see their adorable photos you won't turn your back.

Sleepy Girl...

This was a picture of the first time ever, Maysa has fallen asleep in her high chair. She is quite the trooper when it comes to long days with no naps...(we can't always fit them in on weekends) she keeps goin' and goin'. On this day she was was just 100% exhausted...gotta love it!