One Year Later and Time to Say Good-Bye!

One year ago today!

Today!




We just returned from a wonderful relaxing two weeks in Maui with just the two girls. It was a wonderful way to spend Lauren's 12th Gotcha day and Marissa's 1st Gotcha Day. The girls are great travelers.

Marissa has changed so much since she became ours this time last year. One night while in Hawaii, I was thinking about the vast changes in her short little life. I could not help but reflect on God's great plan for her life. I watched her laugh, play and love on her sister on the beaches of Maui. Chances are she would have never left the village that she was born into let alone Guatemala had God not brought us together. I also thought about the incredible love of her birthmother who knew that Marissa would have a better life and was willing to trust her precious child into our hands to raise. I thought about how her birthmother at 22 years old could not sign her own name for the adoption and had to use her thumbprint instead. Now her five year old child in one year is beautifully writing her first and last name. She is reading sight words. She has graduated from preschool. But most importantly, Marissa is a child of God who we are incredibly blessed to call our daughter FOREVER.

It seems like a natural time to end this blog journey. I am creating a scrapbook for Marissa from the blog. I am almost done and can not wait to see the finished product. For now, if you feel inclined you can follow our next journey for Bryson at his blogspot or check in with me on my new blog called mylifemydesire.blogspot.com. It is in the works, but my plan for the blog is to give whole family or indidvidual kid updates from time to time. I also envision it being a place where I will share my faith, a place where you can see how God continues to work in our lives and a beginning voice for the adoption/foster/orphan care ministry Robert and I would like to start.

Thanks to everyone who has followed this awesome ride with us over the last two years. May you continue to be blessed!

Marissa Has a New Card!!!

We just received Marissa's social security card in the mail. She is so excited to have it! Last piece of the adoption that we are waiting on is Marissa's US Citizenship. It is hard to believe we have had this angel for almost a year now. My plan is to close her blog after her one year Gotcha Day celebration! May start a family blog to keep everyone updated on our mucho grande la familia.

New Pictures!

Just a few photos to show how girlie Marissa loves to dress up. The more colorful the better!! The yellow thing on her head is her long blonde hair and her slippers are glass slippers of course! The ones at school were at her open house.

Pay it Forward!

Thanks to my blogger friend and fellow Guat momma, Natalie, I'm now playing the Pay It Forward game.How does it work?Here are the rules:I will send a handmade gift (of my choosing) to the first 3 people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this "PIF" exchange, and who make the same pledge on their own blog.I don’t know what that gift will be yet and you may not receive it tomorrow or next week, but you will receive it within 365 days, that is my promise!The only thing you have to do in return is PAY IT FORWARD - on your own blog.So, if you want to (eventually - remember, I get a year!) get a homemade goodie from me, and are willing to do the same via your blog, let me know!(Note that you'll need to give me your real (snail mail) address... Which you can give be by emailing me at: sallyreed@sbcglobal.net or just leave it in the comment section. Let's have fun! I actually know what I am sending and will if I really even have three bloggers to send to!

Marissa Has Been Tagged!

Marissa's blog buddy Caleb and fellow Hiskids adoptee has tagged Marissa. The directions are to post 10 random bits of information about themselves and then tag 10 more people.
1. Marissa LOVES to wear dresses. We have not seen pants on her in two months.
2. The dresses have to be able to twirl when she spins around.
3. She loves Cinderella!!!!
4. She has an incredible imagination. She loves to pretend play like she is a teacher, princess and waitress.
5. She is very bright. She is reading and writing her first and last name. She can write "I love mommy".
6. She loves her family. You can see it! You can feel it! You just know it!
7. She is very obedient.
8. She says grace before every meal on her own.
9. She loves PINK!
10. She is going to be a big sister to Bryson!

At Papa's Work!

Robert thinks she is another softball player in the making. I think Marissa has her eyes set more on cheerleading and dance than softball! I have to admit Lauren and I am hoping for softball too! We just are not the cheerleading type! Then go figure-God blesses us with this adorable Guatemalan who loves to shake her pom-poms! Gotta love her!

Lauren used to go with Robert to coach the high school girls too. She became the team's mascot. They even gave her a softball shirt with "Baby Bulldog" on the back. Looks like Marissa will be having just as much fun with the high school girls as the new softball season gets underway!

Happy Birthday To You!

All a birthday girl needs is her sash, crown, wand and pink boots to have a great birthday!!!



Started this tradition with our older kids when they were little. They get to pick out their favorite junk cereal for their birthday. This has been a great tradition as the kids have never bothered asking me for junk cereal during the year, but look forward to it every year on their birthday! So here is the continuation of our tradition with our little Guatemalan birthday girl!


Marissa turned 5 years old today!!!! Our sweet baby has been sick since her surgery last Thursday. Started on Friday with high fevers and asthma only to get much worse over the weekend. Last night her fever was 105 and had 6 breathing treatments at home. She went to the doctor today. She has pneumonia! Not a fun way to bring in your 5th birthday! By the looks of her pictures you would never know she is as sick as she is. She has such an incredible resilient spirit!