Favorite Foto Friday #16

I so enjoy FFF each week and getting to check in with all my friends and see their happiness for the week! As I took Christmas pictures Sunday night of my kids, I was looking through the lens and my thoughts were completely about how lucky I am to be the mom of those three smiling children. I know we all know how that feels... the smile and the look in their eyes shows that they completely trust, love and are most familiar with YOU! Those perfect smiles aren't captured by a stranger behind the camera, they are captured by somebody who revels in the beauty of the most beautiful creatures on earth... your own children.

So, with that being said, here is my FFF for this week... my pride and joy! A few outtakes from our photo shoot as I can't reveal the winner just yet!

Nice electrical outlet placement!


Cheesaroonie!!


Do you hear what I hear??


Just take the picture, mom!


Bug was completely over it and not too fond of being up there, either!


Please add some blogger friend to your prayers:
*Corey has been waiting on a birth certificate from Mixco for her beautiful baby daughter, Sarah, for way too long. Please pray that the civil registry releases her (as well as many other children's birth certificates) so that their children can come home!!!
UPDATE on Corey's BLOG - AWESOME NEWS!!! Sarah has her BC!!
*Sarah can use our prayers as she and her family deal with the loss of a little girl, Christella, they sponsored to come to the US from Haiti for life saving surgery. They just got word that their "Ella" passed away in Haiti just two months after being returned to her family. Prayers for the baby's family in Haiti too... I just cannot imagine the pain of losing a child.
*Michelle can use our prayers right now too.
*Wendy needs our prayers for her little Peri Brynn to be released from PGN so that she can get the medical care she needs at home!




*Please pray for Robyn's Grandmother. She suffered a fall this week and her health has deteriorated rapidly. Many prayers needed to pray her into Heaven if that is His will. UPDATE... her grandmother is doing better over the weekend. Keep her in your prayers. UPDATE 12/4 - Robyn's sweet Grandmother went to Heaven today and is at peace and is reunited with her beloved husband. Please say many prayers for the family she has left behind.


Also, a shout out to my friend, Alma (who does not have a blog - tsk tsk), who just returned last week from a visit trip to sign POA for her new baby girl, Natalia, born October 27th! Many of the Guatoberfest people remember meeting her in Atlanta with me. She just LOVED loving all over our babies in preparation for her to become a mom for the first time! Natalia is just gorgeous! Please pray that she has a smooth process to bring her daughter home with all the uncertainty with Guatemala adoptions right now. UPDATE - DNA was done TODAY on Miss Natalia, please pray for a speedy PA!

More shout outs!

*Cameo is home with her baby Valentina - Yippee!!!
*Shannon is awaiting PINK for her sweet Analise!! Come on PINK! UPDATE: Analise is coming HOME! Embassy appointment is 12/11 and they are leaving to go get their sweet baby girl forever!!
*My great friend, Dawn is waiting on word to pickup her Jellybean from Haiti very soon!! UPDATE: Jellybean's original immigration paperwork has been lost. Please pray that the National Visa Center will allow copies to be submitted for the lost originals so that little J can come home!
*Cheri is back in PGN after being kicked out for 11 1/2 months for an unsigned cedula. Prayers that Eliana is released soon!!
*Shannon is a mom! She received her referral for Emily from China and is awaiting Travel Approval to go pick her up! UPDATE 12/3: Shannon received her TA and is leaving THIS SATURDAY 12/8 to pick up Miss Emily forever!!
*Missy arrived home today with her precious little Will!
*Sharon is home with her beautiful Olivia!!

Finally, my friend Heather, who brought home Allie this year, is once again collecting items for Jacob's stocking. One of her triplet sons, Amazing Jacob, passed away last summer after his courageous battle with cancer. To keep Jacob's giving and loving spirit alive, they are collecting donations of gift cards and books to donate to the children still battling this horrible disease. Jacob will never be forgotten!!

Oh, I am updating my blog roll, if you want me to add your blog, please let me know!

Here is a link to our FFF friends!!

Corey & Sarah!!!
Holly, Gia & Nino
Mandy & Jadon
Becky & Juliana
Sabra & Caleb
April, Riley & Mia welcome home cousin Allie!
Krystal & Parker Gabrielle
Lisa, Frankie & Sophia
Christina & Aiden
Alleen & Gabriella
Amy & Jonathan
Katie, Angelika, Taylor, Brayden & Arianna
Kerri & Ruby
Kelly & Kemry
Robyn & Gabriella's Grandma
Ellie & Angelena
Rachel with Camille & Cyryl
Laurie, Kari & Mindy
Heather, Kyle, Brandon, Devin & Jacob
Becca, Myles & Ella
Sarah, Micah, Zech, Alec & Aidan

Sibling Love

Each sibling relationship is unique. This weekend, in an attempt to get some Christmas card pictures of the three of them together, I happened to get some pictures that I love showing the specialness of each sibling set.

Sisters forever...


Big brother and little sister...


And the rarest of all... brother and sister at peace and not at war...

Favorite Foto Friday #15

My FFF for this week is of my little Sophie~Bug in her huipil and corte that I bought in Panajachel. Well, the huipil (pronounced "wee-peel" aka blouse) was actually bought for Morgan, but I loved the color so much, I had to try it on Bug. It is very big on her, but she was in such a crazy mood that day and her smile was so contagious and even though I did not chance fixing her hair and spoil the moment, I just love how she looks in her traditional Guatemalan outfit. Does anybody know how to put the cortes on right? She was like a little burrito and walked like a little geisha girl... I obviously did not wrap it right - LOL!




Don't forget to leave a comment if you would like me to link your FFF post here on my blog. To my friends that I have linked before, if I happen to find your FFF and you have not left a comment, I hope you do not mind that I link it here again. I love checking in every Friday for new pictures of our friends!!!

Tracy & Brenda
Becca with Myles & Ella's Uncle Dan
Alleen & Gabriella
Steve, Amy & Ethan
Stephanie & Maya
Holly, Gia & Nino
Corey, Gabe & Lily
Kerri & Ruby
Krystal, Gerson & Elviz
Laurie & Mindy
Robyn & Gabriella
Becky & Juliana

Happy Thanksgiving!!

So much to be thankful for this year!! Returning from Guatemala has made me much more appreciative of all the things we are blessed with. It has also made it difficult to spend money on more for the holidays.

This Thanksgiving, I am thankful for all the basic things that we take for granted... health; a safe, clean, dry home; clean water; abundant food; and the freedom to go wherever we want anytime we want to without worrying about our safety. But most of all, I am thankful for my family and friends (including my family in Guatemala), for love is the greatest thing of all.

God Bless Your Family from My Family!

Love and FROG (Fully Rely On God),

Sarah, Morgan, Grant and Sophie

Natural Beauty of Guatemala

The volcanoes were absolutely stunning!!! You just can't imagine waking up to such beauty each and every day! Catherine, Kelly and I were talking that the view from their sponsored children's (Juan Armando's and Lesby) homes would be million dollar views in anyplace but Guatemala!

On the road to Panajachel looking out at Lake Atitlan


The GAFI gang - Julie, her mom Marie, Pam, Kelly, Catherine, Rena, Sarah




This awesome waterfall along the road to San Jorge




This is the view from the school yard... takes your breath away!


Here are those million dollar views from the top of San Jorge looking down at Panajachel from Juan Armando's and Lesby's homes



See that boy only inches from the ledge? I was having panic attacks with him standing there until I told him to "venga" after I saw him in the picture...



And, in case you are wondering... yes, that is a very high cliff that I risked life and limb (with my fear of heights) to go to those beautiful babies homes... it was so incredibly worth it!!

Windows and Doors - Glimpses of San Jorge

I love doors and windows... they speak volumes to me and are quite interesting when you think about them, they are your first impression of the place you are entering... these were amazing to me! As we walked through San Jorge, some doors were closed and some were open. In the middle of such poverty, the beautiful colors that adorned some of the homes were symbols of such pride and hope to me.










This little guy was watching us leave out the window of his home... so precious!

Favorite Foto Friday #14

I am back from my incredible mission trip to Guatemala and have so much to share. I promise to get caught up here at home and post some details of the trip this weekend. I am forever changed from this trip and I cannot wait to return to Guatemala next year!

This week's FFF is my favorite photo from my trip... of Dayli with me at the shoe store in Panajachel. This was our second day together and she had really warmed up to me without being so shy. I so enjoyed holding her little hand in mine and giving her many kisses and hugs. Sharon (with Mayan Families) told each of the children that their sponsors were their Godmothers and that is the name that she called me. I was over the moon happy hearing her call me that.



Not long after this picture was taken, we had to say our goodbyes to each other. Dayli's mother told me that Dayli was "muy triste" (very sad) to say goodbye. Me too, sweet girl... me too.

Love and FROG!

Sarah

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Don't forget that if you would like to have your FFF linked here, please leave a comment and I will add you to the list of our FFF friends this week.

Steve, Amy, Ethan & Mia
Amy & Jonathan
Laurie, Mindy & Joe
Christina & Aiden
Heather, Kyle, Brandon, Devin, Jacob & Allie
Becky & Amaya
Sabra, Maya, Caleb & Sofia
Robyn & Gabriella
Holly, Zo, Gia & Nino
Kerri & Ruby
Sarah, Micah, Zech, Alec & Aidan
Marlene, Wyatt & Rylee
Tracy & Brenda
Lisa & Sophia
Stephanie & Maya
Becca & Ella

Favorite Foto Friday #13

It has been a busy week this week getting ready to leave for my Mission Trip to Panjachel, Guatemala! I leave bright and early Saturday morning to arrive in Guatemala around noon. I can't believe the time is already here and I am so excited!!

Special thanks to some fellow bloggers and friends for their very generous donations that I am excited to hand carry down to some very special children!! Thank you to Sabra, Lori, Marcy, Sarah, Anita, Judy, Holly, Nana and my dad for everything! I promise to bring back tons of pictures of the goodness that comes from all that your heart gave to this mission!!

Please follow along on the GAFI Mayan Missions Blog as we hope to post about our trip and post pictures as time allows while we are there!

This week's FFF is a picture that sums up things for me... FRIENDSHIP!



Is there anything more beautiful than friends? Where would we be in life without them? My friends ARE my family and I consider myself abundantly blessed to have you in my life.

This week's FFF blog roll won't be as up to date as other weeks due to my trip, but please play along! I just love checking in on all of your blogs each week and look forward to your updates when I return!!

While I have your attention... please check out The Mother of All Raffles being sponsored by my friends Holly and Julia. They are holding these raffles in honor of the adoptions of two very special families. Please stop in and buy a ticket (or two or five) if you can and help some beautiful children complete their journeys home!!

Love and FROG!!!

Sarah

PS... If you see my kids while I am gone, please give them a hug and kiss for me!!!


Our FFF friends:
Sabra and Sofia
Christina, Kelsey, Clara & Aiden
Amy & Jonathan
Alleen & Gabriella
Holly, Gia & Nino
Kerri & Ruby
Becca & Ella
Lisa & Sophia
Marlene, Wyatt & Rylee
Kelly, Karaline, Karson & Kemry
Becky, Juliana & Amaya
Krystal, Brayden & Parker

Favorite Fotos Friday #12

Total humiliation for our little Nacho. Morgan dressed him up for Halloween, poor guy!




What-chu lookin at?? I am still a stud no matter what I am wearing!



Links to our our FFF friends:
Rachel with Darwin
Sabra & Caleb
Amy & Jonathan
Becky, Juliana & Amaya
Christina & Aiden
Krystal, Brayden, Parker, Gerson & Elviz
Holly and the fam, costarring baby Russ
Becca & Ella
Marlene, Wyatt & Rylee
Kerri & Ruby
Robyn & Gabriella
Nancy, Dan & Victoria

Christmas Tamale Baskets for Mayan Families

My friends, I am passing this along to any of you that might be interested in giving a little holiday cheer to Mayan Families... only $30 to feed a family of up to 12 people. I am so excited that my sponsored child, Dayli's, family will be able to receive this tamale basket this Christmas.


This year we again would like to offer you the opportunity to sponsor one or more Guatemalan families with a CHRISTMAS TAMALE FOOD BASKET We have many families, mostly single, abandoned & widowed mothers, who simply cannot afford to provide the traditional Christmas celebration meal for their family.

A tamale is a traditional indigenous food consisting of steam-cooked corn meal dough with or without a filling. Tamales can be filled with meats and sliced chilies or any preparation according to taste. The tamale is generally wrapped in a corn husk or plantain leaves before cooking, and during Christmas holidays, tamales of rice flour are a special treat for Guatemalans. The preparation time of this type of tamale is long, due to the amount of time required to cook down and thicken the rice flour base.



One food basket costs US$30 and will provide a Christmas Tamale celebration meal for a hungry and needy family of 12 or more.

The food for the Christmas basket will include:
A bottle of oil and 15 lbs of rice to make the tamales
a loaf of bread with which they eat the tamales at midnight
5lbs of meat
1lb of coffee
a block of drinking chocolate (a traditional drink taken at midnight)
raisins for the tamales, grapes, tomatoes, apples and sugar
leaves to wrap the tamales, cloves, pepper, sesame and pumpkin seeds.
These are the requirements to make the midnight Christmas meal of Tamale.

The plastic basket that holds all the food will also have many uses in the home such stacking and washing dishes, holding food or going to the market.

We started this project last year because it was brought to my attention that two children that we sponsor to go to school had been very miserable. These two children from San Jorge had no food in the house on Christmas Eve, they were crying because they would not have the traditional Christmas tamales to eat at midnight along with the drinking chocolate. At midnight they went from house to house hoping someone would give them a tamale. It made me wonder how many other families could also not afford to celebrate Christmas, once we started looking into it, we realized there were a lot of families who would not be able to afford to buy the ingredients for their Christmas meal.

So this year once again we are hoping to give out as many baskets as we can.

Last year we were fortunate enough to buy, make up and distribute 215 baskets. We are happy to say that we already have 60 baskets sponsored for this year. However, we would like nothing more than to send out more baskets than in 2006.

If you would like to sponsor one or more baskets for Christmas 2007, please choose the amount and click the 'Donate' button here. This will take you to our on-line payment service which will process your credit or debit card quickly and securely. If you wish to dedicate your donation to someone, please email us on instructions@mayanfamilies.net, include your online transaction number and let us know the details of your donation. Alternatively, if you would like to send a check, please download and print this form. Once completed, please include this form with your check made payable to Mayan Families and mail to:

MAYAN FAMILIES - 2609 Hartford St. San Diego, CA. U.S.A. 92110-2315.

Already donated a basket or two?

If so, I thank you sincerely for your donation and if you would like, I would be very grateful if you decide to forward this email to any of your friends and family who may also be interested in providing a needy family in Guatemala with a great Christmas Gift.

Thank you so much for all your support. Everyone here at Mayan Families is grateful and proud to put your donation to effective use with our Christmas Tamale Basket program

Best wishes,

Sharon and the Team at Mayan Families