Two Years Ago....and a trip to Florida!

It's hard to believe that Danilo just celebrated being home forever...yes, that's right TWO YEARS on March 27th. Time has went by so quickly!
In February we went on a family vacation to St. Petersburg Florida. We thought we were going to the sunshine state, but the high the whole seven days was 56 degrees. We stayed on the beach so it felt even colder. Don't let the pictures fool you...my kids were the only ones in the pool and playing on the beach...no one else was in sight...it was kind of like having a resort to ourselves LOL...in any case we had a great vacation together just wished the weather would have been warmer!

Keeping busy...

Happy 2010! Life has been pretty busy around here and I can't believe Devin and I just celebrated our second Christmas with Maysa and Danilo. The Mid-west has been completely covered by snow. I think we have approx 24 inches on the ground as of now. The kids have five snow days to make up so far and the freezing temps and ice everyday is a common occurrence. I have booked us a trip to Florida for the first part of February...I have to get our of here before we all crack! Poor Maysa gets shocked at every turn by static electricity, and because it so dry here everyday is a bad hair day. Devin has managed to fill up every night of the week with an activity, and Danilo is taking beginner wrestling. Maysa and I take a mommy and me gymnastics class once a week. Life has been busy, and we are looking forward to a wonderful 2010!
Keep praying for the family's still waiting for their little ones to come home this year!

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!

My poor Maysa...

Last week Devin, Maysa and I were sitting on the couch and Maysa was standing up on the couch as usual (she has no fear!) While she was standing the couch she lost her footing and fell backwards off the arm and landed straight on her face hitting ceramic tile. We rushed to the medical clinic and thankfully were able to come home after visiting the Dr. She has a concussion, two black eyes, a huge raised bump on her forehead, cut nose and she is swollen everywhere on her face. She has to follow up with her regular pediatrician and a nose specialist to make sure her nose heals as it should, but right now there is to much swelling to determine the damage. Maysa has been such a trooper and tough girl. She has to be watched so carefully to make sure she doesn't bump her forehead again. I think I have slowly recovered from my panic attack/heart attack since last week LOL>I'm so thankful it wasn't any worse!

What a Great 4th!

We spent Friday evening in the rain (did I say it rained...I mean poured) at The Meadows Race Track and Casino waiting for fireworks. The boys played football in the rain and us grown-ups and Maysa hung out under the canopy tent and back of the car hatches. It was loads of fun even though it was raining. Maysa LOVED the fireworks display and wasn't frightened at all. We spent Saturday at Aunt Sherry's house for a cookout (It rained on the 4th too). Thankfully the rain let up by early evening just in time for us to let off fireworks. The kids played so much they were totally exhausted when we got home. Hope everyone had a great 4th!

Races and Rabbits

We were excited to find 7 baby bunnies in our sandbox this week. Because we have two dogs we usually never get an opportunity to see rabbits in our yard. They were the cutest things ever and left their nest yesterday. We were able to watch them leave one by one, and Maysa just adored them. She keeps going to the sand box and asking "where are the baby bunnies?"



Devin ran in the Hy-Vee Triathlon on Saturday, and did a wonderful job. It was so hot and he was exhausted by the time he reached the finish line. He won a new bike so I think that helped ease the exhaustion. I'm so proud of him for doing a great job!