We had a great time at Holly's

Yesterday, I was a mess because I did not want to go to John's viewing alone but did not think it was appropraite for us to bring the kids. We don't have family nearby and our babysitting ideas did not work out, so we brought them. When we got there, our neighbors Marianne and Tom were there and they took Maya and gave her a bottle while we went up to say a prayer Goodbye to John. Bryan actually was very quiet and although it seems strange, I think he really understood. He was very quiet and knew that John was asleep forever. A lot of you have seen how crazy Bryan can be(he is almost 3...)but this was so different. Bryan actually blew him a kiss right in front of Erika! Then he gave Erika a kiss with George and I. Nobody knew that there were children in the funeral home, I kid you not.

Erika actually had called me yesterday afternoon and wanted to make sure I knew that John had passed. I assured her that the whole block knew and would be there if they could make it. She was so worried that nobody would come, but the place was absolutely packed. If you knew John, you loved him, simply put.

We had dressed the kids up, and decided to take our kids to a party at almost 8pm at Holly's house. That is probably not in any parenting books...to take kids out at that hour! But it is only 10 minutes away and it worked out great!

Thank God for Holly's blog that I knew all the faces, just about. Otherwise, I would have had major social anxiety! Dawn and Sandy were there to greet me right away, like they knew me forever. I actually had met Dawn the day of Zo's transplant,and that was back in March of this year. The family was great. Holly's mom was so happy to meet Maya. She, much like my mom, is very up on the blogs.

It was great, Maya went to everyone easily...especially the ladies...Natalie, Dawn, Sandy, Kim, Kelly, Vindya

See the pictures below:

This is Maya all dressed up before the viewing/party. The coat is from my close friend Sue and the shoes actually came attached to a dress from Sue's Mom

Maya sitting...this is what she did before meeting Greg

You want me to do what?

Oh, stand, okay, I can do this

I am an old pro

Gotta take a minute to remind everyone that I have 4, yes 4 teeth crushing through my top gums at this very second

Mommy does not think I will walk in my tenth month like my brother, I'll show her!

Speaking of big brother, here is Bryan enjoying all the toys at Gia's house that he did not have to share because the Guatemalan girls were getting spoiled to pieces


Bryan asked me if he could get a bird. I said no, but he could have a picture with a bird!

Well, here it is, Bryan's ornanment that he stole from Holly's Mom. The nose lights up and he is still obsessed with it. We placed it on the tree this morning right at his height so he can reset the nose as needed

George, Maya, Zo and Gia getting ready for night-night

This is Bryan immediatly after the party. We were still parked across the street from Holly's at this point

Thanks for my cupcake, Holly, I finished it today after lunch

Well, time to say good-bye, until next time!

Sad news

I am afraid to say that my update is not a happy one today.
Yesterday someone close to our hearts passed away.
That someone was John.

John lived in the house next door for many years.
John was the neighbor on the block that knew everything about everyone, but not in a bad way. We felt safe living next door to him from 2000-2006.

Earlier this year, he and his wife moved into a new smaller home where things would be taken care of for them. They have been GREATLY missed since their move by ourselves and our neighbors.

John found out he had cancer in the past year and it really took his life very quickly.

He was 72. His wife Erika is surviving and our hearts pour out to her.

John and Erika's only daughter was killed in a traggic car accident in 2003(around Thanksgiving I believe). Thank heaven Erika has her only son living nearby. He is recently divorced and I am sure that they will lean on each other to get through this diffcult holiday.

I am writing to let you all know that a truly wonderful man has passed away.

John and Erika were the cutest couple. They walked everyday together. When I would see them as a couple walking or even fighting..I always thought to myself how I hope that would be George and I when we are older.

John was friendly and loved to be ouside in his garden. He had the greenest thumb that I will ever know.

He loved animals and people, especially children.
We are so blessed to have known him for as long as we did .
The Lord is lucky to have him.

Tomorrow is the viewing and we will be going to see John one last time.

Below are the only pictures I have of him.

This is John with our other neighbor Sherry and our son, Bryan. John was already sick. in this photo, but his mind was still strong. This was taken in March of 2006.

I finally caught up with my blogging!

Below is Maya's Baptism picture. Believe it or not, she was not very good for this sitting. I picked her up and stopped her from crying and then asked the girl if we could just try one more time. Below is that one more time!!!

MAYA'S ADOPTION ANNOUNCEMENT

Below is Maya's adoption announcement that we sent out to all close family and friends. We got some feedback that it was done well and we thank you! We thought so too! It reads: In our hearts, she was already our daughter.

We just had to bring her home.

It is with great joy that we announce the adoption of :

Maya Grace Lear

Born February 24,2006 in Coban, Guatemala

After miles and miles of paperwork and visit trips,

Maya Grace came home forever on November 10, 2006 to her loving parents, Kerry and George and proud big brother, Bryan

Derek turned 3!

Saturday we all went to my Godson's 3rd Birthday party. I cannot believe he is three. It was just yesterday that his Mommy told me that she was pregnant. Life goes way too fast sometimes.

Maya got to wear her new dress from Nanny and Poppy to the party. Okay, she is pretty in PINK too!!

Boyfriend, Aidan, and his OMA play at the Leapfrog table

Tell me Maya is not a hot Mama in these boots

Derek, another CARS fan

Red is her color

Below are some pictures I took of Maya the other day in her RED sweater. I actually bought her the sweater at The Children's Place Outlet as soon as we got her referral. We were in some denial that she would actually ever be ours at that point. But this outlet gives things away. This sweater was $3.99 and I had a 15% coupon, I remember!

Holly, give me an email or a call and I will show you where it is!!

MAYA'S ELVIS IMPRESSION

CAN ANYONE BELIEVE THAT WE GOT SUCH A BEAUTIFUL BABY??

TRULY, WHEN YOU ADOPT, YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOUR CHILD WILL LOOK LIKE...SO WE REALLY HIT THE JACKPOT!!

Cameron is coming home!!

I just checked in on Gia's blog and found out that Cameron is coming home!!! Cameron is from Guatemala as well and his Mommy's name is Kerry!!

Kerry enjoys Starbucks, has a Golden Retriever and loves Philosophy Amazing Grace perfume.

We have a little in common:)

I have her blog listed under Gia's if anyone wants to check it out. Like Holly, Kerry writes often and very well. I wish Cameron a speedy and safe trip home. He will be another spoiled child:)

New Pictures of our Niece

Well, we are preparing for the holidays this week. I think I have a lot done, but we will see how I feel on Saturday about that. I have some new pictures, but blogger is very busy tonight. The site is not letting me upload more than one pic at a time, so I will post more later. These are 2 new pics of our niece, Taylor. She's very photogenic like her Daddy(George's brother).

We are enjoying the Christmas cards we are getting, especially all the picture cards.

More to come soon.....

Maya and Gia...together again

Well, yesterday we finally met up with Gia and Holly . I think everyone reading this knows Holly or of her. We live 10 minutes away from each other in NJ, yet we became friends in Guatemala. Our daughters are friends(little do they know) already.

We met at the mall and had a fun, relaxing time. Holly is another bad influence on me(as I am her) when it comes to shopping. We had fun but refrained from buying too much as we fear what our families might buy the kiddos!

If you check Holly's blog, you will see an out fit she bought. The Children's Place has a ton of cute stuff out now. I cannot post what I bought b/c it is all for my niece, Taylor. I also did some Yankee Candle shopping, and thanks to Holly---Cinnabon.

Check below for Maya's new favorite toy , ANIMAL!!!!

This was Maya and Animal this morning after watching us eat Cinnabon for breakfast. Yes, she tasted them!

Maya and Gia in American Greetings

Shopping really can make you tired

Maya had a fun day. This is the outfit that Lisa, Carli and Carina got Maya. TARGET if anyone is wondering!

Maya eats a french fry

Gia, Miss Vanity Fair

What is this??

Oh, ANIMAL!! Just like Gia's!




Can you tell who has more practice with the camera

???

Maya, say cheese, please??

Okay, we'll take that ....

Gia when I first took out my camera

Maya feels good standing when Mommy or Daddy is nearby. This was Bryan's Leapfrog table. It was a good investment!

Catching up with the blog pictures!!!

Monday we met Cheryl, Cathy and Lisa at McDonalds playland. The kids run like crazy there. They have so much fun. Above is Carli, Derek, Bryan and Logan. Looks like Carli has her choice here.

Cathy with her 2 boys

This is Maya with Carina and Aidan. Carina and Aidan were both born on April 6, 2006. I visited both Mommies in the hospital. Carina is crawling faster than I am walking. Thanks to Carina, Maya started to crawl on Tuesday! Who thinks that is a coincidence?

Aidan's shirt should say, "just droolin"

Lisa really loved Maya(what else is new???) Babies this age are so precious. I am trying to treasure every minute

Carina and Maya having Cheerios while the rest of us have McDonalds