No Decimos Adios.. Sino Hasta Pronto

This has been a wonderful summer. We are blessed to have gotten to know these wonderful kids and shared our summer with them. It is hard to believe that the five weeks is already over. We hope that they had a great visit and that they have a safe journey home. We pray also that all receive a true Summer Miracle, that there is a family that adopts them so that the next time they come, it wont just be for a summer but for a lifetime.

Hasta Pronto Amiguitos!

Mark & Lydia

Mayerly

Mayerly is a joyful, happy girl with a pleasant personality and a quick wit. She has a great sense of humor and always makes us laugh. I can often hear her laughing aloud to movies or singing along to songs. In our home, she has adapted very well. She takes the initiative to help me around the house, she plays with my children and she entertains herself when I am occupied with childcare. She enjoys playing on the computer, singing along to songs, riding bikes, swimming and drawing. She likes to primp in the mornings but is laughingly compliant when I hurry her along.

Mayerly has accompanied me to many different places and different situations. In each, she has shown her adaptability and friendliness. She enjoys new experiences and is able to immediately win friends with her outgoing personality. Her YMCA camp counselor told me that she does very well, even though the other children don't speak Spanish. The first day I went to pick her up from camp, she had a group of girls around her, teaching them Spanish. She seems to me to be a leader and self confident. She is a very bright girl and a quick learner.

As the weeks have progressed and we have become more comfortable with each other, she has begun to talk about her feelings, her dreams, her friends and her life in Colombia. She has been open and expressive. Also as the weeks have progressed, I have had to set some limits. Specifically with junk food. She has a sweet tooth and would eat popsicles for breakfast every day if I let her. When I told her it's not ok, she had no problem with compliance. Also, she enjoys staying up late, reading or watching movies. Again, when I ask her to go to bed, she is compliant.
She tends to eat what we eat with some exceptions (ie. doesn't like shrimp) and some strange additions (I.e. mayonnaise on peas).

Having her in our home this month has been a pleasure. She has been very easy, very friendly, very pleasant. My children love her and we do too. If I can give you any additional information or answer any questions, please let me know.
Thanks,
Kye

We had the opportunity to spend some time with Mayerly this weekend and she is very sweet, outgoing, joyful and very well behaved. She was very playful and patient with my 4 year old son. He loved her! She does not have any "teen attitude" & was a great sport in all the activities we had this weekend. She behaved great during Mass & was not shy about meeting lots of our friends at church. She said she likes basketball, "Tweety" (as you can see in the picture!!) and candy. She was also very neat, and helped pick up the table, made her bed and "redecorated" my son's bed with toy & stuffed animals. It was definetly a pleasure to share the weekend with her.
Thanks

Lydia

Last Minute Plea

We are closing down our last few days with the kids, and most of our kids have family commitments or strong continuing interest.

As I have fallen in love with all of the children this summer, I am a bit concerned about Mayerly and Bryan finding families. They are siblings and have a nice relationship, but are not currently living together and can be adopted either together or separately. Please help spread the word once more. Bryan is a great kid, typical boy, and Mayerly has been ones of our sweetest, easiest children of our summer visit. Our host families are standing by and willing to speak with anyone who wants more details.

The kids are leaving Friday, let’s let them leave with their miracle!

Many Blessings,

Terri

Bryan - Upload a Document to Scribd

Read this document on Scribd: Bryan

Mayerly - Upload a Document to Scribd

Read this document on Scribd: Mayerly

Final Weekend Event

Next Sunday, August 3, we will have our final weekend get-together at Austin's Park and Pizza from 5:00pm to 8:00pm. Austin's Park and Pizza is located at 16231 N. IH-35, on the east side of IH-35. Take exit 248, Grand Avenue Parkway, near Pflugerville. If you need help finding it, their phone number is 512-670-9600.

This will be a fun evening, with attractions both indoors and out, such as rock climbing (closed toe shoes required), laser tag, video arcade, miniature golf, go-karts, bumper boats (you may want to bring a towel and/or change of clothes), and a batting cage (helmets provided).

The manager has provided a small discount on the admission fee for our group. When you arrive, be sure to identify yourself as part of the Kidsave group for the discount. Here are the possibilities:

- $19.95 for those 58" or taller (child or adult) - includes unlimited activities and all-you-can-eat pizza, pasta, salad and soft drinks

- $15.95 for those 40-57" - includes unlimited activities and all-you-can-eat pizza, pasta, salad and soft drinks

- $12.95 for any age/height - includes two attractions (two different attractions done once each or two turns on the same attraction) plus all-you-can-eat pizza, pasta, salad and soft drinks

- $7.95 for any age/height - includes all-you-can-eat pizza, pasta, salad and soft drinks but no attractions

Admission is free for children 39" and under.

2 X 1 cupon here

Hope to see you there!

Kidsave in Other States

Here is a document highlighting the kids in other states that are still looking for families.

For more details, please go to: http://www.kidsave.org/summer_miracles_kids.html

Kids Needing Families - Upload a Document to Scribd

Read this document on Scribd: Kids Needing Families

Another Video

Here is another video I prepared with pictures from the kids... Hope you like it! - Lydia

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytji75rpOpY

Children in Need

We have two more weeks before the children return to Colombia on August 8.

The following kids do not have firm adoption commitments at this time, so we are gearing our efforts toward them. We can’t let them go home without families!

Bryan

Jefferson

Maria and Edgar

Maria de los Angeles

Mayerly

The host families would be happy to talk with anyone regarding these particular children. I’m hearing really nice things about all of them, each different in their own way. Let me know if you have anyone who needs further information.

A Fun Weekend

We had a fun & busy weekend with the kids.

Saturday afternoon we had our weekend event at Dart Bowl and it was a lot of fun. Thank you to all the visiting families that attended! The photos from the event can be found in our Picassa album here: http://picasaweb.google.com/KIDSAVEAUSTIN in the “events” folder.

Then it was off to the Round Rock Express baseball game with Bryan, Jhonathan and Paola. All the kids, but most especially the boys were really excited about attending the game. We would like to thank Heather Tantimonaco & the Round Rock Express for their generous donation and to the catcher, J.R. Towles that graciously posed for a picture with our kids.

I asked Bryan if he liked baseball and he responded: I ADORE it! (With emphasis!). Bryan is a really outgoing kid with a lively personality; he was smiling and playing jokes on us the whole time. He told me his favorite sports are baseball and cycling and I noticed he was great at bowling too.

And if Byran is all boy, Paola is the most girly girl I know. She has a great personality, really sweet, friendly and talkative. She said she wants to be a princess and that her favorite movies were “The Little Mermaid” Part 1 and Part 2. Her favorite sports are jumping rope and volleyball and she said “Like all women, I like to play with dolls”. His favorite school subject is math and she loved to play with our Leap Pad.

I am really enjoying spending time with these kids & the other families. I know that my life is changed just by getting to know them.

Lydia

Join us for our Kidsave Bowling Event!!

Join us for our Kidsave Bowling Event!!

Come bowl with us this Saturday and meet the kids! We only have two remaining events, so please spread the word!

Saturday, July 26, 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Dart Bowl, 5700 Grover Avenue (west of Lamar Blvd and just south of 2222)

The cost will be $7.50 per bowler (regardless of age) for 2 hours of bowling, with shoe rental included. Anyone not bowling is welcome to watch and cheer on those who are (no cost).

Austin Steam Train

This past Saturday some of the kids, escorts & host families took an excursion on the Bertram Flyer of the Austin Steam Train Association. We rode on vintage passenger cars that reminded me of my childhood train trips in Mexico. We had a lot of fun!

The pictures from this excursion are now posted on the Kidsave Picassa Album here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/KIDSAVEAUSTIN

We would like to thank Holly Doggett and the Austin Steam Train Association for their generosity and hospitality.

Lydia

The kids are on News 8!

Here is a link to the story yesterday on News 8:

Video: http://www.news8austin.com/shared/video/video_pop.asp?destlist=54713

Story: http://www.news8austin.com/content/top_stories/default.asp?ArID=214960

Lydia

Sandra & Ivan Update

Hello everyone Carnahans here with Ivan and adorable Sandra . We have felt truly blessed having them with us . Even my son is enjoying every minute with them . It's like they are meant to be together. Like they have known each other all there lives . Alex was so cute in church last week he was helping them to find the service in spansih . Our misslettes' at SMM have dual language components and he was helping them find the correct passages to the english ones just so they could follow . We took them to Casa Colombia Wednesday evening when I had gotten off work early . Boy Ivan can eat . He received the house plate of all this food and ate about every bite and offered everyone a taste . Even our Russian adopted son liked the arroz con pollo . And Gina couldn't help , but take a picture of the restaurant .Gina felt it was just like home.
Sandra and Ivan have been participating in the Leander summer reading program and already have won prizes for reading . Today Gina cooked authentic Colombian pasta dish which was quite tasty I must say . I had a little . These two are willing to try everything . We look forward to seeing everyone Sunday . Hopefully I can get some pictures developed . Brooke CARNAHAN

Coming To America

Here is an article about the Summer Miracles program going on in other communities:

http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/art_life/display_features.htm?StoryID=77613

Come Meet The Kids, Sunday, July 20!

Hi Everyone,

Things are going well with our children so far this summer! For the most part, they are adjusting to life with their host families and enjoying their vacations. I’ve pasted a couple of pictures below of the kids to share with you. Getting to know them has been by far the best part of this program! The boys were playing soccer or in the water most of the time, so I’ll send more pics of them next week.

Next Sunday, July 20, we will have our second Kidsave event at Westlake Beach beginning at 2:00 ending about 6:00ish. This is Colombian Independence Day, so an important holiday for the kids! For more information and pictures of West Lake Beach, check out the web site at www.WestLakeBeach.com.

Please join us for a Sunday afternoon swim and BBQ, and a chance to play with the kids. The owners of the park are donating the pavilion and the entry fee for the first 40 people. After that, the admission fee will be $8 for adults age 12 and up and $5 for children age 1 to 11.

The park recommends water socks due to Zebra Shells in Lake Austin.

Here are the park rules:1. West Lake Beach closes at 7:00 PM and all must vacate the picnic area.2. Glass items are not allowed. Beer in keg is OK or can.3. Piñatas and confetti are not allowed; gift bags are OK.4. No water balloons, silly string or raw eggs (for egg toss).5. Pie throwing is also prohibited (shave cream, whipped cream, etc.)6. All decorations must be removed including tape, tacks, staples before closing time.7. Horseshoes only in designated place (ask management where horseshoe pit is). 8. Inflatables are not permitted (air mattresses and floats are fine).9. Any use of electricity must be cleared before party (radio, margarita machines, etc.).10. No dogs/pets allowed.


Hope to see you there! Viva Colombia!

Terri

Mayerly Update

Mayerly has integrated very well into our home and our family. She is so easy going and sweet natured that I think she could fit in anywhere. She has been polite and respectful from the beginning but has now warmed up enough to allow her personality to shine. Her sense of humor is great and her laugh comes quickly and freely. She plays with my small children, making them laugh. For my 18 month old "mommy's girl", it surprised me to find her quickly climbing into Mayerly's lap to watch videos. I can be anywhere in the house and hear her laughing and singing. She makes the home seem more alive and happy when she is in it.

She is, above all, a teenager. She likes watching movies, listening to music, singing aloud to the songs, and playing video games. She is so smart that I now ask her for help when I can't figure out something with the electronics in the home. Maybe I'm just old...

She started camp this week and I felt a little apprehensive, as I recently learned they had no Spanish speakers there. I went to pick her up today and found her in a circle of girls; them teaching her English and she teaching them Spanish.

It's going to be fun to get to know her more so I'll keep you posted.

Thanks,
Kye

Little Kevin

Little Kevin moved in this weekend to another family's home. I feel hopeful about this move, because it increases his opportunities to find his permanent family.

I prepared this slideshow of the pictures I have of him so far, I hope you like them!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0rj10v8dkg

Lydia

American Idol

Here is the cutest video of Kevin singing, playing his guitar & dancing. He is pretty much making up the lyrics as he goes along. Make sure you stay until the end when he starts doing cart-wheels & breakdancing. He is hilarious and very talented!

http://www.penawatson.com/videos/Kevin.wmv

Enjoy!

Lydia

Airport Arrival Video

It may not be KVUE, but I think it is pretty good considering the excitment of the day!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jp6AFymScY8


Lydia

Bienvendios a Maria de los Angeles!

Maria was one of the "lucky" kids who arrived in Austin before midnight. Considering all the challenges they faced just getting to Austin, these kids were in good spirits. The picture we had of her must be a couple of years old because Maria looks very different now. After we welcomed all of the kids and it was time to leave the airport, Maria made sure to hug all of her friends good-bye (for a week). It is a lot for a 9 1/2 year old to handle, but she remained calm and polite. And patient. Due to some lost luggage, we ended up leaving the airport about an hour after others who arrived with Maria. She was glad to see a bed and slept very well on her first night in Austin.

Camp & the Big Bike Squable

Today was Kevin first day of camp. He was excited about going to "el colegio". On the way he was asking lots of questions about his "profesores". He is a very outgoing little boy and did not seem scared or nervous about this new situation.

GENEROSITY. When I introduced him to one of the camp counselors he immediately gave her his lolipop (from the haircut place). Then he asked me if I could bring his toys when I came to pick him up. (His toy possesions are 1 stuffed monkey he got at the airport and 1 stuffed dog that John got him). When I picked him up and gave him his toys he gave them to 2 of the counselors. I was very touched by his generosity, especially since those were the only 2 toys he owned.

BIG BIKE SQUABLE. We have 2 bikes, a blue bike with a loud horn and a basket, and a pink princess bike courtesy of our neighboor. Guess which one the boys fight about? There was a big squable this afternoon over who got to use the princess bike (kidding - it was the blue bike) and some wresling was involved which now that I think about it, it was funny since they both still were wearing their helmets and it looked like our very own version of mini-american gladiator (it was not funny then!). BOTH bikes got put on a 10 minute time-out. And then we fliped a coin to see who got to use the blue bike first, set a timer for 10 minutes and then they had to switch bikes. It worked!!! I am so amazed when some of my discipline ideas actually work sometimes. They still played very rough, bumper-bikes, taking turns crashing into each other and laughing and complaing and crying the whole time. A good time was had by all except me - I needed a break as soon as my husband came home.

Sweaty & tired but happy the boys came in for dinner and Kevin was very happy that we had pasta (spagetti) for dinner. He said that is something he really likes and if we could please give him a lot of it. He was very thankful.

At bath time, they wanted to do the coin toss again to see who would get a bath first. So I guess I am keeping a coin in my pocket at all times now for prevention purposes.

NEW FRIEND. Kevin is very outgoing and makes friends easy. He overhead me talking to a friend over the phone and inviting him over. Well, Kevin did not want to have dinner until our friend showed up. When he finally did show up, Kevin became his buddy immediately, asking him lots of questions about his family, and his trip. Our friend Juan will be traveling to Australia tomorrow to represent the United States at World Youth Day's Final Mass and will be confirmed by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI. Juan was nervous because he has never been away from his family or traveled by plane and here he was going to be sent across the world, traveling with hundred of thousands of young pilgrims and representing our country.

Before Juan arrived, I had given Kevin a little plastic rosary as we were getting ready for our evening prayers. Well he gave it to Juan as a gift. Sweet little Kevin.

Lydia