Just a Few More of our Mini Vacation...

We all had a great time and so did Betsy and Boyd...

More Mini Vacation Pictures...

fun in the sun and a little relaxation......

Mini Vacation ......

We took the girls on a mini vacation.. They were excited to have water park fun and sleep in a hotel. We took Besty along and our friend Boyd joined us in the water fun....

Thought for the Day....

Thought for the day...
"Quit living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death. Set God-sized goals. Pursue God-ordained passions. Go after a dream that is destined to fail without divine intervention. Keep asking questions. Keep making mistakes. Keep seeking God. Stop pointing out problems and become part of the solution. Stop repeating the past and start creating the future. Stop playing it safe and start taking risks. Expand your horizons. Accumulate experiences. Consider the lilies. Enjoy the journey. Find every excuse you can to celebrate everything you can. Live like today is the first day and last day of your life. Don't let what's wrong with you keep you from worshipping what's right with God. Burn sinful bridges. Blaze a new trail. Criticize by creating. Worry less about what people think and more about what God thinks. Don't try to be who you're not. Be yourself. Laugh at yourself. Quit holding out. Quit holding back. Quit running away. Chase the lion! "~Mark BattersonBook: In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day

More Pictures of Princess Matteya...

look... no high chair at McDonalds... i am a big girl now:o)

Peek - A - Boo

Matteya playing at Kohls while waiting for Ga ( grandma):o)

Please Pray for Abby and her Family...

Below is a post from a friend Michelle, Michelle adopted Abby who was born in Guatemala and adopted through the same adoption agency I adopted Gabi and Bella through. Last Friday Michelle and Brent's daughter Abby (pictured above) was diagnosed with Leukemia. Please keep this precious family in your prayers. Their strength and courage will touch you- and their faith will change you. If you would like to visit Michelle's blog and let them know you are praying for them you can leave them a comment at http://riggsbunch.blogspot.com/

Our three year old daughter, who was adopted from Guatemala, was diagnosed Friday with Leukemia. We are so sad that she is going through this, but also praising God that He chose her to be our daughter and brought her to the United States, where she can receive excellent medical care. This is so hard for us to go through as a family, I can't even imagine the pain that mothers and fathers in poor countries feel when there children are ill or hungry. Today we are praying as much for those other parents, as we are for our daughter. We would deeply appreciate it if you would pray for our daughter's healing and add her to your prayer lists. Some have asked if they could tell our daughter's story on their blog. We would love it if you would tell her story or and link to our blog. The prayers mean more than we can express. Below is what my husband wrote to his many thousands of readers on his ministry site, http://www.seriousfaith.com/
An Opportunity of Faith1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (NKJV)The Lord has chosen to bless our family with an opportunity for faith, trust, witness and spiritual growth. The Bible says to give thanks in ALL things, rejoice in ALL, never stop praying... so my wife and I thank God for however, whoever and whatever He is going to do in our lives during this trying time.

Papa and Bella's Birthday Party....

Bella and Papa had pizza , cake and lots of water fun!!

Happy 65th Birthday Dad!!!

My father turned 65 years old the day before Bella turned 5. We try to celebrate their birthdays together. This year my parents came to visit us for 5 days, so Bella could share her birthday party with her Papa. They had a fun swim party at the health club, with Bella's friends.

I have been blessed with a magnificent father who has always been there to help me , laugh with me , cry with me and be a friend and a father during the many ever changing chapters in my life...Thanks Dad, Happy 65th Birthday and i love you very much!! A Father means so many things...
A understanding heart,
A source of strength and of support
Right from the very start.
A constant readiness to help
In a kind and thoughtful way.
With encouragement and forgiveness
No matter what comes your way. A special generosity and always affection, too
A Father means so many things
When he's a man like you...
~ Author Unknown ~

What do you see....

There was a blind girl who hated herself because she was blind. She hated everyone, except her loving boyfriend. He was always there for her. She told her boyfriend, 'If I could only see the world, I will marry you.'

One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her. When the bandages came off, she was able to see everything, including her boyfriend.

He asked her,'Now that you can see the world, will you marry me?' The girl looked at her boyfriend and saw that he was blind. The sight of his closed eyelids shocked her. She hadn't expected that. The thought of looking at them the rest of her life led her to refuse to marry him.

Her boyfriend left in tears and days later wrote a note to her saying: 'Take good care of your eyes, my dear, for before they were yours, they were mine.'

This is how the human brain often works when our status changes. Only a very few remember what life was like before, and who was always by their side in the most painful situations.

Life Is a Gift

Today before you say an unkind word - Think of someone who can't speak.

Before you complain about the taste of your food - Think of someone who has nothing to eat.

Before you complain about your husband or wife - Think of someone who's crying out to GOD for a companion.

Today before you complain about life - Think of someone who went too early to heaven

Before you complain about your children - Think of someone who desires children but they're barren.

Before you argue about your dirty house someone didn't clean or sweep - Think of the people who are living in the streets.

Before whining about the distance you drive Think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet.

And when you are tired and complain about your job - Think of the unemployed, the disabled, and those who wish they had your job.

But before you think of pointing the finger or condemning another - Remember that not one of us is without sin.

And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down - Put a smile on your face and think: you're alive and still around.
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Happy 5th Birthday Anabella!!

Today we celebrate Bella turning 5... Bella came home from Guatemala when she was 14 months old. She is growing up to be a beautiful little girl inside and out. She loves to be a big helper at home and at school. She will be going into pre-k 4 this Aug. Anabella's birthday is the day after her grandpas , so he flew in with grandma to celebrate their birthdays together. They will have a pool party at the health club on Sunday with some friends.

Karate Time....

Gabi loves her karate lessons...sometimes i have to remind her , she can not try it out on her sisters:o)

Who is left of the Guatemala 5000?

It is so very sad the children in process that are still waiting to go forever home..the Guatemala shut down has slowed down the current adoptions in process... there are so many tears of so many families waiting...Please pray for them all.

Copy and paste (or click on ) this web site link to watch the video of all the children in process still waiting to come home..... Video Campaign Two (7/1/08) http://www.onetruemedia.com/shared?p=632a10209e67fd0f3042a6&skin_id=1603&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=text_url

click on link then scroll down until you see alittle picture that says"Places of Emptiness" click on the picture. There will be more vidoes to come. So far we have sent out videos on Semillas, Campaign Two, and now Places of Emptiness Please send the link to everyone you know. We need to get all these precious children forever home to their forever families....

Facts about Gautemala

Facts: About Guatemala
Population: 12.2 Million 55% Mestizo-Ladino 43% Maya indigenous 2% others
Area: total: 108,890 sq km (42,042 square miles)
land: 108,430 sq km
Water: 460 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Tennessee
Highest Pt: Volcano Tajumulco, 13,846 ft. (4,220m)33 towering volcanoes in all
Money: The Quetzal. About 8 Quetzales to 1 US dollar.
Languages: Spanish and 21 Amerindian Languages
Religion: Roman Catholic and Maya Beliefs
Government: Democratic
Weather: Dry season is October – May
Climate: tropical; hot, humid in lowlands; cooler in highlands
Telephones: main lines in use: 1,132,100 (2004)
Mobile cellular: 3,168,300 (2004)
Literacy rate: 71% (2003 est.)
Agriculture - products: sugarcane, corn, bananas, coffee, beans, cardamom; cattle, sheep, pigs, chickens, metals, rubber, tourism
Industries: sugar, textiles and clothing, furniture, chemicals, petroleum
42% of the population of Guatemala is under 14 years old, 3% are over 65.
37% of its population fortunate enough to have access to electricity.
75% Population below poverty line (2004 est.)

My 4 precious daughters, Gabriela, Anabella ,Matteya and Neyvada were born in Guatemala. It is a beautiful and colorful country and the people are so warm and and have a heartful of love. Unfortunately it is a very poor country.In a few years when our girls are a little older, i want to take them back to Gautemala and do volunteer work at an orpahnage and help the children that are where they were years ago...Gabi and Bella were at what is now Eagles nest. Neyvada and Matteya were in private foster care. Adoptions are closed at this time in Guatemala and it is devastating for all the children whose birth mothers and families can not feed them and take care of them. It is devastating that there are doctors, chefs, artists, teachers, chemists, dentists, poets..the list goes on and on and all those hopes and dreams will never come true, they will never get the opportunites.. All the orphanages are over crowded with no adoption money coming in. Please pray for each and every child and the people in Gautemala. Please check my links for possible ways to help support , sponser a child or donate too help .....

Happy Re-Adoption Day Neyvada!

Today was Neyvada's re -adoption day!!! Neyvada has been forever home 10 months, a very fast and wonderful 10 months .I know there were a few people who did not understand the feeling in my heart when i felt God's plan of another gift of a child , only 36 days after Matteya came home, there was another little girl waiting for forever hugs......there is no way to describe it .. you just know and I knew and felt in my heart there was another child waiting for her mommy to find her, when i saw her picture for the first time, i found her , i knew she was my precious new daughter waiting for her new forever family, she was waiting for us....Thank you God for this precious and beautiful little girl full of love.. We love you so much Neyvada !!

The Gift of Life.....I didn't give you the gift of life, But in my heart I know. The love I feel is deep and real, as if it had been so. For us to have each other Is like a dream come true! No, I didn't give you The gift of life, Life gave me the gift of you.--- Unknown