A day at the Beach with Friends

We spent a day with our friends the Harkema's at Lake Michigan Monday. So fun to have the Guat Tot's together. Bella was a little off that day, not her normally smiley self. She is all smiles at home, but you take her out of her normal environment, and she gets a little nervous. The kids had a great time playing in the waves, and the big boy got to jump off the pear for the first time.

We are heading to the cottage for the last "ha-ra" of summer. Not sure if I will have internet access, so it may be a couple weeks before I can post again. Hoping to be able to post before Bella's first birthday next week. Oh my goodness, I think of my emotions a year ago...we had been waiting 7 months for our referral, and here we are, a year later and she is home. Glory to God!

God bless, thanks for checking in.

Sun, Trees and Beach

It was a relatively quiet week for the kids. We spent this week home as I had many apts and work to complete. We did manage to get to the park one day to climb trees and the beach on Friday to enjoy Lake Michigan. Bella loves the sand....but I am in no hurry to head to the beach again. She would not take her nap, and therefore, Mama could not lay in the sun as I so love to do. But the boys flew their kites and we made the best of it. Cottage life is definitely easier with babies. We will head back to the cottage this week for the remainder of the summer, school starts Sept. 3rd. Ready or not, here it comes. Boys are ready, I am ready, not so sure Bella is giong to be ready. I am not ready for summer to come to an end, I love the carefreeness of the season, the warm weather, sunshine, days at the cottage, hanging with my siblings, nieces and nephews, parents. Over all just enjoying my kids being kids. But Michigan falls are beautiful, and this family LOVES Halloween, we start planning for that in September.

For all of you praying for our family, thank you, God's mercies are new every day and we praise Him through all storms as we know he will faithfully take us through them and come out victorious on the other side. We are doing well.

Bella is teething again, her 7th tooth is trying to make its appearance on the bottom. Still not walking, but she is gaining strength in her cruising around furniture and standing on her own. Hard to believe that she is almost one. I so much want to keep her my baby, being that I missed the first 8 months, but so very thankful to see her growing healthy and appropriately.

Stay tuned for more great family cottage photos. We are winding the summer done, its always bitter sweet.

Love to all.

Loving Summer

Bella eating Big Girl Food, she is now switched to table foods and Vitamin D Milk. Mommy is having a hard time with it, Bella is fine.

This girl loves the sand....I do too, but not on my face. It gets in the mouth and then its all over for me.

Taken on the dock with "her boys". LIfe at the lake.

Everything is big at the lake, including this 24" Pizza! IT's so fun to walk in the pizza shop and pick up the box, its so ginormous. The kids just think its the coolest thing ever and the pizza is really good.

I dont know why this picture is posting sideways. This is my Jake, a cottage renter next door gave us the boat when they left...it did not have oars, so Jake made due using the beach shovels.

Another great weekend at the cottage. This week we are stuck at home as I have several homes to show, baby shower and an open house. We are taking the boys to Lake Michigan on Friday to the beach....they are so excited. Bella is still standing great, but this little Princess would rather be held. NO sooner do I put her on the floor and "her boys" come and scoop her up. She is now to the point where she cries if she is put down. Yikes! We need to break this habit as the boys go back to school in Sept. But its wonderful to have a baby that loves to be held. I am so living that up. She is now blowing kisses and giving kisses...she even makes the noise. It's hard to believe that she is almost one.

Wow! How fun, I won an award for all my blogging efforts. I dearly love all my blogging buddies and hope to someday meet them. Thanks Stacey, Cheri and MaryAnn for the award. So here's the deal:

1. Put the logo on your blog.

2. Add a link to the person who awarded you.

3. You must nominate 7 fellow bloggers for this award.

4. Add links to the recipients.
5. Leave a comment on the recipients blog so that they know they won an award.
6. Copy, paste and answer the questions.

A. Attached or singles? Attached for 17 years to my high school sweetie!


B. Best Friend? My Hubby


C. Cake or Pie? Cake with Butter Cream frosting!


D. Day of Choice? Friday


E. Essential Item? My God


F. Favorite color? Absolutely RED!


G. Gummy Bears or Worms? Maybe worms


H. Home town? Michigan


I. Indulgence? Recees Peanut Butter Cups, the little ones


J. January or July? Undeniable July...bring on the heat and sunchine!


K. Kids? 4, 3 boys and 1 Guatemalan Princess


L. Life isn't complete without? Jesus by my side, cant do this life with out him.


M. Marriage date? July 6, 1991.


N. Number of Brothers and Sisters? I am the oldest of 6! 4 brothers, 1 sister, 2 wonderful sister-in-laws and one special brother-in-law. I am truly blessed by all of them.


O. Oranges or Apples? Apples


P.Phobias? Heights, do not like them at all. But I can ride roller coasters all day long.


Q. Quotes? This is not a quote but a scripture. I consider this as my life verse.

"He who is in me is greater than He who is in the world". Therefore, I can do all things!



R. Reason to smile? Too many to list...My God, my husband, my kids, my life



S. Season of Choice? Summer!



T. Tag 7 people ( see below)





U. Unknown fact about me? I have a tatoo on my back lower hip. Shamrock with tiny red lips in the middle.



V. Vegetable? Green Beans and Peas


W. Worst Habbit? Email



X. X-ray or Ultrasound? Ultrasound, ooh my babies.



Y. Your Fav. food? Mexican



Z. Zodiac sign? Aries



Now here are my 7 people I have chosen for brillante weblog:

http://www.journeytonola.blogspot.com/
http://vanderzwaagfamily.blogspot.com/
http://thegrossfam.blogspot.com/
http://lovingourtwoguys.blogspot.com/
http://www.adoptingbabyz.blogspot.com/
http://www.fiestaof5.blogspot.com/
http://ourpeanutspage.blogspot.com/

I have several other favorite blog sites, but they have already been awarded this award. So I wont make all of you do this twice.

Me Amigos!

I just had to post this picture....I will post pics of our weekend tomorrow, but this is over due. This is what happens when six siblings (my 4 brothers, sister and I) and their spouses get together at the cottage....we stay up till 3:30 am laughing, talking, break dancing, eating and dancing. Had anyone walked by the cottage, they would have thought we were having a wedding the way we were dancing around. This all took place 4th of July weekend. I just have to give the Lord a praise for these people, I love my siblings, sister-in-laws and brother-in-law with all my heart. They are one of my greatest treasures, there are just no words to thank God for all they are to me, my husband and my kids. I love you all, may the party continue.

3 Months and Praising!

Wow!!!! Bella has been home 3 months on August 3rd. May 3rd, we landed from Guatemala in to Houston, TX and at that moment of the planes wheels touching the ground...she became a US Citizen. My heart still swells thinking of that moment. I cried that entire trip home that day...cried tears of joy and praise, for all God had done, for he "brought to completion that which he started", just has He promised. Today, Bella is thriving in her new home, glorifying God just by her very presence. In 4 weeks time, she has learned to crawl on all 4's, stand up and sit down, cruise along furniture, broke in 4 new teeth (she broke the first 2 the first week home), plays peekaboo with her little hands over her face, does so big, say's Dada, turns the pages of books, and gives us the biggest grin every time we say "Hola Chica" when approaching her in her crib. She has such a quiet sweet personality, but definitely displays a little "latin passion" when she gets beside her self. She loves her boys....and I admit, I am getting concerned for both of us when they return to school in 4 weeks. She just does not know how to live her daily life with out one of them picking her up, reading her books, playing with her, throwing her in the air, pushing her in her swing, etc. Birth Mom told us she chose us because of "the boys", she wanted her to be the only girl. She loved her own brothers and the attention she was given by them and wanted the same for her daughter. I hope to be able to share with her that her dream for Bella has come true.

It's been a wonderful 3 months, and a very challenging 3 months. The transition alone from 3 school aged children to having a new baby was enough, but we have had several other issues at hand. I remember the first week home, I thought to myself, "Lord, I just want a break". I wanted a break from the battle. The adoption was a 2 year process and although spiritually wonderful, it was draining. I have quickly found out through several attacks from the devil that there are NEVER any breaks....taking a break only opens the door for the devil to step in. We are going to get through our challenges, the Lord always has and always will see us through, but please do keep our us in your prayers. I know God will use all of this for good.

Many blessings to all of you, and thanks for checking in.

Susie