Sprinkler Fun, An Adoption Anniversary and Emma’s FIRST Fish Tale

Well, summer is officially upon us!  : D  I have a bunch of fun photos for you!

My new hydrangeas…Endless Summer Twist-n-Shout…so pretty and interesting looking.  Love them!

We bought a blow up pool several weeks ago and it started leaking air and water after two uses so, Emma has been enjoying our sprinklers while we decide what to do about a pool!  : D  I absolutely LOVE this watermelon bathing suit (or, as Emma would say…”Waterlemon”).

This month, we celebrated the THIRD anniversary of the day that Emma came to live in our home!  Can you believe it’s been three years?  Wow!  We celebrated with ice cream!  Emma loved her vanilla cone.  : )

Today, we took Emma fishing…she had a blast!!

“This is totally AWESOME!!  Go faster, Papa!!!”

We enjoyed our picnic dinner on the boat and Papa spent some time breaking in our new motor.

So, here’s Emma’s first fish tale (this tale is true…hee hee)…  : )  We decided to let Emma try out her Barbie rod and reel using a little fly as bait.  On the first cast, right near the boat, we hooked a good size northern!!  Papa guesses that it was around 25 inches long!!  We could not believe it and we were cheering!!  The fish quickly went to the other side of the boat and easily broke the line!  It was very exciting!  ; )  Papa didn’t bring extra lures so Emma quickly graduated to the only other rod and reel that we had in the boat.  Doesn’t it look like this wasn’t her first rodeo?  She blew us away….she was reeling like a PRO!  : )

On one the first casts with the “big girl” rod and reel, she had a nibble at the end of the line!

She was a little intimidated by the nibble so she handed the fishing pole over to Papa!  “Reel, Papa, REEL!!!!!!  I sink it’s a BIG ONE!!”

 

Emma:  “OH, a fish, A FISH!!!!!!”

Papa:  “Look at that…it’s a crappie!!”

Emma:  “Mama…LOOK…it’s a CRABBIE!!  A CRABBIE!!!!!!!”  ; )

Emma was so proud of her “crabbie” and WE were so proud of HER.  : D

Before I sign out for the evening, I will leave you with a few of my current favorite “Emma-isms”…  ; D  Little kids say that most hilarious things…

*  Papa:  “Hey Emma, check out this guitar!”  Emma:  “Papa, that’s NOT a GUITAR…that’s a UKE-AH-LARRY!!!!!!!!”  (Ukulele)

*  Emma:  “We have to be happy wiff people and den we’ll make LOTS of fwends!!!”

*  Me:  “We’re going to a Barbeque, Emma.”  Emma:  “What’s a barbeque?  Is dat yike a dance powty???”  (Translation:  Is that like a dance party???)

*  This is what I hear from Emma about 34349384938943 times every time we’re outside and she wants to go on the swings:  “Mama!!!  Can you SWING ME?????  Pweeeeeze?”

*  Emma:  “Mommy, it was just an AXE-SILL-LENT!!!”  (An accident)

*  Me:  “Hey Emma…come and get your vitamin…”  Emma:  “Uh, um…I want CHOC-YET!  How about CHOC-YET???!”  (Choc-yet = chocolate)

*  When we’re in the truck, Jason and I try to have a conversation over the very loud talking and phone noises, boat noises, singing, etc. coming from the back seat.  I actually LOVE and adore these noises but sometimes, Jason and I can’t even hear ourselves talk so we say, “Hey Emma…can you please make the phone ringing sounds just a little bit quieter so that Mommy and Papa can have a conversation?”  Emma quiets down but continues to make the noises and a few seconds later she yells, “Hey MAMA…is DIS quiet enough for you??????!”  ; )

*  I love that:  “Someping” = “Something” and “Nuffing” = “Nothing”  : )

*  I also think it’s hilarious when she says:  “Mommy, can I see Emma on da blog??”  ; P

God bless,

Tera

Three Years Ago Tonight

Three years ago tonight, our placement agency called us to talk to us about a baby girl that was born in Amatitlan, Guatemala less than two weeks before. 

A few hours later, we received several emails that contained  photos of the most beautiful baby that we had ever seen.  I was absolutely astounded by her beauty…the rosy cheeks…and the lips!  It was love at first sight! 

So, today we celebrate that special day…our referral-versary aka the-first-time-i-ever-saw-your-face day…one of the most amazing days of my entire life. 

It was so much fun to see this photo!  I love that she is “peeking” here…hee hee. 

We made the journey to Guatemala in about another week or so and we brought plenty of preemie outfits (Emma was barely five pounds).  And, we gave the foster mother the preemie outfits in exchange for this special pink sleeper.  I still have this sleeper (of course…hee hee) and it still smells like the fabric softener that Emma’s foster mother used when she washed it before she gave it to me (crazy, I know).  : )

I love you, Emma…  It seems like yesterday that we gathered around our laptop and saw your beautiful face for the first time.  Your face is what I look forward to seeing each and every morning.  I am SO BLESSED that you are my child.  As I always say to you…  You are a treasure and my dream come true…  and… I’ll love you forever and ever…no matter what!

God bless,

Tera

Yet Another Summertime Hodge Podge

TWO years ago this past week, Jason and I boarded a plane with Emma in Guatemala to bring her to the United States!

What an EXCITING day!

Can you believe how little she was on that day?  She was 8 months old and tiny.  I think she was wearing size 3 month clothes. 

She is sitting on Jason’s tray in this photo.

Friends and family members stayed up LATE to meet us at the airport with signs!

Bringing Emma home that night and then waking up to a BABY in OUR HOUSE the next morning was an amazing experience!  I can’t believe it’s been TWO YEARS!

* * * * * * * * *

Besides celebrating an exciting adoption anniversary, we are also celebrating the fact that today a very large dumpster was dropped off in our driveway along with a big pile of siding materials.  Our little rambler was supposed to be sided this past week but the contractor was delayed a bit because we had a couple of rainy days.  Soooo…hopefully…THIS will be THE WEEK!!

* * * * * * * * *

Recently, Jason was giving Emma a bath and she was playing with her tub crayons.  He called me into the bathroom because he wanted to show me something… 

Check this drawing out   ------->

Emma was drawing lines like waves and when Jason asked her what she was drawing, do you know what she said??? 

“I’m drawing a RIVER!”  Oh. My. Goodness.  My eyes almost popped out of my skull!  Truthfully, I am a TERRIBLE artist and this is probably a better river than I could ever draw!  Hee hee…  I think we might have a budding artist on our hands…  ; )

* * * * * * * * *

Emma and I were out and about doing errands and we drove past a McDonalds.  Emma said, “HEY MAMA!   That’s where cheeseburgers live!!!!”

: D

* * * * * * * * *

A few days ago, my sister and I got together with Krissy…a friend who now lives in IL with her family.  We had a fun play date!   If you are reading this Krissy, we had a fun time!  Emma has been asking about Matthew!  : D

* * * * * * * * *

Before I sign off, I’ll share a few photos of a recent outing to Minnehaha Falls with my parents…  : )

Emma with Grandpa.

My parents.

God bless,

Tera

Two Years Ago

Two years ago today, I traveled to Guatemala to take full custody of Emma and to live there with her for several weeks before we were able to travel to the U.S. together.  Oh, how excited and nervous I was! 

My gigantic rolling duffels, well worn from three previous visit trips to Guatemala, were packed to the MAX with supplies.  I remember the butterflies in my stomach when the plane touched down in Guatemala.

The next few hours were a whirlwind…  Shopping for Emma at Hiper Paiz (sort of like Walmart)  “How many packs of diapers should I buy?  What types of jar fruits and veggies should I purchase?  Hmmm…would she prefer pears or applesauce?  How many cans of formula should I purchase?” 

  

After a quick stop at a pharmacy, my sweet driver took me to the Westin Camino Real in Guatemala City.  I was a little frazzled so I went to freshen up quickly in the bathroom.  It wasn’t long before Emma’s beloved foster family arrived with Emma.  As I walked down the hall towards them, my eyes brimming with tears, I could see that Emma’s foster father had already been crying…tears were streaming down his face.  I just could not keep it in…I let the tears flow...I was (and still am) immensely grateful for the love and care that Emma’s foster family gave to Emma for the first seven months of her life.  The next several minutes went by so quickly…many exchanges were made…  Hugs, kisses, tears, instructions, thank yous, promises of love…  And, finally, sweet Emma Grace Esperanza was put in my arms…forever.  We then traveled to Antigua to get settled in.  (I purposely have never posted the photos that I took of Emma at the Westin that day…Emma was so confused…I have chosen to keep those photos private.  The photo above was taken a few days after she had warmed up to me). 

Our first night together was HEARTBREAKING.  Emma screamed and screamed and screamed…she was completely inconsolable. 

She missed her foster family so much…they were WONDERFUL to her…they loved her so dearly and she missed them so much. 

The next few weeks were difficult in that regard but she did warm up to me. 

The photo to the right was taken the very next day.  Emma and I traveled from Antigua to Guatemala City together for Emma’s passport appointment.

The next few weeks in Guatemala were nuts!  The stove exploded where we were staying and Emma became very sick with rotavirus and she was hospitalized for a few days.  After we left the hospital in Antigua, we moved away from Antigua before we had originally planned to so that we could be closer to Emma’s doctor in Guatemala City.  And, I could NOT understand why Emma was spitting up SO MUCH, not eating well and vomiting and not tolerant of bumpy/long stroller rides and carriers (later we discovered the true extent of her struggles with reflux).  Jason arrived a few days after we left the hospital and I was SO grateful to have extra help.  However, he became sick and was vomiting and passing out!  What a crazy trip!!  We are excited to go back to Guatemala some day so that we can enjoy the country more and see what we were not able to see because of all of the craziness. 

Hanging out by the pool at the Westin in Guatemala City.

 

Emma seeing Papa for the first time in months.

Hanging out at the pool with Mommy.  I miss the blue and white lounge chairs.

 

Left:  Emma with Papa on the plane.  Right:  The 3 of us on Embassy appointment day.

We are SO BLESSED to have Emma in our lives!  We love her so much!!

God bless,

Tera

2nd Referral-versary

Two years ago this past week, we received the call that would change our lives forever.  Our agency called to tell us that they wanted to talk to us about a baby girl. 

A few of hours later, we received an email filled with photos of the most beautiful baby girl that we had ever laid eyes on.  Seeing Emma's face for the very first time was one of the most powerful experiences of my life.  I will never forget that night.  She was teeny weeny itty bitty...barely five pounds...I loved her rosy cheeks and her lips...I could not wait to see her, to touch her, to hug and to kiss her...to be her mother.

The gift of Emma through the miracle of adoption...I pray that I will never take it for granted.  May God continue to knit our hearts together and may I be the mother that God has called me to be.

I love you Emma Grace.  You are special.  You are wanted.  You are precious.  You are loved.

God bless,

Tera

Emma's Homecoming Anniversary: She Said

Woohoo...four posts in four days!!!!!  ; D  (You will miss a lot of Emma sweetness if you don't scroll down to check out my latest posts.)  ; D

Jason and I both decided to post today to celebrate Emma's homecoming anniversary (a he said/she said kind of a thing...we both want to share our thoughts about this special anniversary).  Hopefully he'll get around to posting tonight...if not, he'll post tomorrow.  I think that he has a marathon post planned.  : ) 

Here is my post...  : )

At this very moment in time last year, we were on our way home from Guatemala...the three of us...a forever family.  I can't believe that it has been a year.  The time has flown by waaaaaaay too fast.  My baby does not look very much like a baby any longer.  And, honestly, it brings tears to my eyes and it puts a lump in my throat.  Lately, this has been very hard on me and I have tried to make each day, each moment count.  It is exciting to see her grow and progress but it is so difficult to see the baby in her slip away.  If I could, I would freeze her in time...exactly as she is right now so that she could stay this small just a little while longer.  Every day with Emma is a GIFT and I deeply cherish each and every one.  *sniff* 

 

 

The photo on the left was taken one year ago today, right before our plane took off from the airport in Guatemala City.  We were so excited! 

And, the next morning, it was very surreal to wake up to "a baby in OUR HOUSE!!"

Thank you to everyone who stayed up LATE to meet us at the airport with signs.  : )

 

 

We had a WONDERFUL day today celebrating Emma's first homecoming anniversary!!  The "Homecoming Queen" was able to do all of her favorite things today...she had a long stroller ride right after breakfast, she followed Papa around while he mowed the lawn, she had LOTS of outside time and she enjoyed the slide and the swing.  She watched a few of her favorite shows, she colored and gathered crayons and for dinner, she had pizza and carrots and peaches and Popsicles for dessert!!  Pics from today...

 

 

 

Emma and mommy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Emma LOVES this slide!!

It brings true joy to her heart!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Papa's lawn shoes!

 

 

 

 

Mmmmmmm..."optacles"

 

 

 

Doing what she does best in the backyard (besides sliding)...RUNNING, running, RUNNING and...

Acting SILLY (Can you say HIGH ENERGY???  Jet fuel, I tell ya...JET.FUEL.)

If you want a hug, you have to hug her "on the run"!

Emma likes LOVES to swing.  (Excuse the spotty shirt...she had just finished licking a Popsicle before this pic was taken)  : )

When we ask Emma to smile, this is the smile that we get.  : )

All in all, we had a wonderful, simple day with all of the things that Emma likes the best.  : ) 

It is AMAZINGLY WONDERFUL to have sweet Emma Grace in our lives and we thank God for her.

Before I sign off for the night, please visit my sweet friend Tricia's blog.  Please consider donating a few dollars so that a tiny orphanage in Guatemala will be able to have a Christmas party this year...  Please consider donating...  You could win a prize if you do...  Every dollar counts.  And, if you do donate, you will be able to bring smiles to the faces of many, many children.

God bless,