Beach Day

Yesterday we all went to Vilano Beach for the day.  We parked, pitched the easy-up and relaxed.  The girls love to boogie board so they took off to the ocean.  I was worried about Fatima in the ocean even though she has to wear a life vest, but she followed right along and tried to do what they did!  Greg soon joined them and showed her how to catch the waves.  She loved it!  She was doing it on her own in no time.  This little girl is adventurous and has no fear!  She even took a turn being launched into the water by Dad.  As I watched her play, I could tell she was trying to take it all in and do as much as she could while she was here, knowing that back home, she will never see an ocean.  When on the beach, she would cover herself in sand and roll around, do somersaults and headstands!  She even covered her face in the sand!  We stayed at the beach the entire day and rode home eating snow cones.  I hope this was a fun memory she won't forget!

This is the beginning of our last full week together and I am felling a little sad thinking about her departure.  I showed her the calendar and counted the days to let her know when she would see her family again.  She looked happy and that makes me happy.  I have to keep reminding myself that she is going home to a loving family who misses her, and to a school full of friends that she will probably show her photo album to and tell them all about her adventures in America.  I have made sure to take plenty of pictures to document everything she has done....even dental visits!

Fatima will continue her dental treatments this week ending with a cleaning.  She has been wearing her retainer even though I know she hates it and can't talk very well with it in.  Tomorrow we are having one of her friends come over and spend the night, so I know she will enjoy having someone to talk to in her language.

Our cat, Gigi, has decided that she loves Fatima too and has been sleeping with her every night!  I need to get a picture of her with the dogs!  She has grown to love them as well, even though Bubba chewed the arm off of her new Barbie!

Continue to keep Fatima in your prayers!  If you are collecting items for her suitcase, please send me a message and I can make arrangements to get them!  Thank you!