River Time

I have spent the summer letting Lily do whatever she wants in the water. I have decided that I would not push her to do anything she didn't want to do. The past few summers I felt I needed to fight through her fears and thought she would end up liking the water in the end. Can you believe that didn't work? Yes, I know, you are stunned. So this summer Lily has decided to take some risks in the water all on her own. She still will not stick her face anywhere near the water, but when we go she goes in with no fear. She will hold onto the side and kick, she went under a shower of water all on her own. Previously this has really shook her up. The sprinklers are simply horrifying for my girl. And today she rode on Peters back all around the river. She was a little scared, but decided it was fun enough that she would do it anyways.

And I am embarrassed to admit that I have come to this place all my life. It was my river of choice for a whole summer in college while I was babysitting my nephews (I was here on a daily basis) and never once did I travel across the street to this wonderful park.

This bridge is the longest single span bridge in the world.

I felt like a tourist in my home town today. These days I live in suburbia and I do like it that way, but this is why I love my home. Beauty is everywhere there. If only they would get themselves a target I just might move :)

And I think this guy who posed for me must mean good luck. My family could use some good luck.

Thomas the Tank Engine

We headed back to roaring camp which is where we were at when we rode the train on our vacation but this time there was a special guest. It was quite a drive but really quite worth it to see Lily's reaction. When we parked our car and got out Lily was yelling at the top of her lungs Thomas where are you? Blow your whistle so I can find you! Cute clever girl.
There were about 15 train cars behind Thomas and we were in the car right behind him. That is what happens when you buy tickets 6 months in advance.

Thomas is a steam engine.

The many mood swings........

of our girl Lily!

The trees at Roaring Camp are amazing!

Boy was that FUN!

Then I convinced my girl to get her face painting. This is usually NOT a possibility.

A blue dinosaur for my girl.

There was a small price for the painting of the face. Mommy had to do it too.

Have I mentioned how happy I am to be this girls mommy. I love her all the way to the moon and back.

Here he is the engine of the hour

I'm sure we will see you next year Thomas. Muhaw!

Aviana

This book was made for Aviana and her family, if you have not read her story please go here. I am really proud to be a part of this wonderful community. Thank you to all who participated and sent our friends some encouragement and love. I think that if you click on them they will get bigger and you may be able to read them.

Made by Sarah

Made by Kelly from Saint Louis Missouri


These next pages were made by Sophia from South Carolina

Made by Janet from Washington DC

Made by Nora from Minnesota

The next few pages were made by local adoptive families

Made by Veronica

Made by Julie
Made by Luana

Made by Tiffanie

Made by Koren I was priveledged enough to spend some time with beautiful Avi tonight. She is one strong cookie and it felt good to hold her hand and stare into those chocolate brown eyes of hers. It also felt good to get some time with her parents who remain strong positive and amazing people. I am honored to call them my friends. Continued prayers please for their little pumkin. She has come a very long way, but still has a long road ahead of her.

Guatemalan Tacos

I found a recipe for Guatemalan Tacos and decided I simply must try them. They were really quite delicious. The picture below is the ingredients for the sauce. YUMMY!The filling was a combination of ground beef and potatoe.
Here is the sauce all blended up!


And the finished product!

Our last Horse back riding lesson

Please be patient with me. My computer has met it's demise and so my mom is graciously letting me use her computer but it does not have my fancy editing system so I can not do as much with them. As we speak I am setting up 5 new posts that will post over the next few days so keep checking back.

This is our very last horseback riding lesson of the summer. I am so happy how brave my bee bop was. She loved it best when the horse would trot and her instructor carrie said that she didn't know many toddlers as brave as my Lily.

My mom came to our last lesson.

Lily even decided to take a drink out of the faucet which is usually a forbidden activity.