Grandma arrived safely and soundly yesterday, but a wee worn out. Her 6am flight arrived at 9am instead of 7am due to “the plane needing anew computer!” Yikes! And her flight to Guatemala was delayed about 40 minutes due to “runway congestion.”
All four of us surprised her and met her at the airport! By luck, mom was on the same flight as other friends of ours, Robin and Jeff who are here picking up either Austin’s or Logan’s future wife. Mira is 8 months old and it just a little princess!
Hours later, we were all settled in our room, Mom and I were on the couch with the babies, and yep – rumble, rumble, rumble, Mom and I started shaking away on the couch. The lamp shade started a swaying. And Momma said, “Are we having an earthquake?” Luckily, before we fully realized it was happening it was over. But, 7 floors up in a mostly glass building in a country you’re not familiar with, with 2 small babies in your arms – itz a wee bit scarey, or unnerving to say the least. There are 3 volcanoes near here and we’ve been admiring their view, but last night they took on new meaning! Hmm, are they active? Anyway, the evening proceeded with no more greetings from Mother Nature!
So, Gary left today and we miss him, but Mom and I are doing just fine.
Oh, and for those keeping up with the adoption process, we finally got Pre-Approval for one child (this is what is needed to get us into the last stage). We’re trying to figure out why we haven’t gotten both of them, but pray it will just arrive any minute now (it is e-mailed to us).
Chuga, chuga, chuga…..we’ll get there one day!
Thanks for all the prayers and support!!
All our love,
Grandma, Mom, Austin and Logan!
Monday, February 5, 2007
Grandma arrives!
Friday, February 2, 2007
Our boys!
Hello all!
Boy we sure have been busy!! Gary and I flew out of Richmond yesterday right when the snow started. Things were a little iffy in Charlotte, NC – the snow and ice were quite heavy, but after we were “de-iced” our plane left only about 20 minutes behind schedule.
We had a great arrival, much hotter here than last time! Again, Austin and Logan were waiting for us in the lobby – at about 4pm!! They were so awesome, they recognized both of us immediately! We got big grins from them and they came to us right away. It was such a delicious moment!!
Their new foster mother cried when she left, I think she’s really been having a great time with them. The boys have not grown much, still wearing 3-6 moths clothing, but they are doing a LOT more – crawling, standing, pulling themselves up, and playing, playing, playing!
We spent the evening again running around gathering supplies (water, formula) from the mall. And we did not get internet access until this morning. So, we’re just now “relaxing!”
So, Grandma Barbie is on her way down here Monday – yippee! And we’ll try and keep the pics coming!
Oh, forgot – We were impressed that the boys are now sleeping thru the night – 10pm until 5am! That's all for now - I started this e-mail 2 1/2 hours ago - I'll check in soon!
Love,
Donna and Gary,
Austin and Logan,
Mason and Evan - hanging out at home
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
1/30/07 Journal entry
01/30/07
Wow! What a week. We weren’t sure if we were coming or who were coming or when we were coming if we coming…should I stay or should I go now!!
Dad and I are worried about leaving Mason and Evan and a possible ambusch. We still don’t have PA. We’re flat broke and we want Grandma Barbie to meet you, too.
I had a great talk with Ed today and he assured me that you were mine. That you really will be coming home tome one day. I can’t tell you what a relief that is to mommy – HUGE! Believe me, it makes the waiting easier to know that you really are mine. ;-)
I feel so good right now, it’s hard to believe how bad I have felt in the last few days.
And I can’t believe you’re going to be in my arms again! Oh, how incredible!! I don’t know how I going to sleep between now (Tues) and Thursday!!
All the preparations we must get together. I’m so sorry we’re not bringing you home, but I know you’re happy where you are and I know you’re safe and sound until you come home!
Before I saw you,
I knew you were coming
And I was SO excited
The day I longed for
Would soon be here
And I wondered
God, how much longer?
The day I saw you,
I knew in an instant that you were mine
I couldn’t hold you, but my heart melted every time I looked at you
And boy, did I look at you often!
And I wondered
God, how much longer?
The days turned into weeks
Weeks turned into months
Every picture
Every video
Every tidbit of information of you
Was consumed on impact
Analyzed, cherished and reviewed daily
And I wondered
God, how much longer?
Then, came a day we had been waiting for
We could come meet you!!
Oh, we prepared for weeks
What to take
What would you wear?
We couldn’t sleep for days before our trip
And we thought,
God, thank you for this trip
And then, there you were
Real, alive and beyond any amazing gift we could have imagined
I tried so hard to see you through all my tears
I couldn’t wait to undress you
To see your toes, your belly, your cute little butt
You were wonderful
And we spent our days in heaven
And I wondered
God, can’t I stay longer?
All too soon we had to say good-bye
We had to leave you again
And I’ve never experienced a greater physical pain
Than on that day
……………………
And I wondered
God, why me? Why so much pain? How much longer must I endure this suffering?
We came home
And shared all of our pictures
And all our joy
And we prayed, and prayed, and prayed
God, surely, not much longer?
We watched you grow
We cried when we heard you were talking
We so wanted to be there on that special day
We cried when they said you were walking
We so badly wanted to teach you that
We cried at the injustice of it
God, why me?
I can’t take it any longer!
Mommy watched all the other babies come home.
Mommy watched all her friends have babies that weren’t even planned
We watched and we waited
We waited and we prayed
God, have mercy!
How much longer?
And then…..
And then….
Oh my gosh, please don’t lie!?!
Oh God, can I really go get my babies?
Today!?! Finally, today!?!
And I rejoice,
God, thank you, thank you, thank you for today!!!
Oh, sweetie -
I gotcha!
Momma’s got you, baby!
Oh, honey - Momma’s got you and I am not letting go!
I am right here, I will always be here for you, my child!
You, sweet, precious, little child of mine!
And on my knees, I prayed….
Dear God,
Thank you for this moment,
Thank you for this miracle,
for this baby,
Thank you for this most precious gift in the world.
Thank you, God
Thank you for choosing me!
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Not much...
Well, no big news to report on, but I did get confirmation from the US Embassy that they have our DNA results as of Jan 3rd and are processing them ASAP! So, I feel like we are on a slow moving train on the verge of picking up speed as we head to PGN. Here’s a little good news, PGN seems to be right on schedule taking approx 6-8 weeks, with some cases reporting a miraculous 30 days! Once we exit PGN, we have to wait another 2-4 weeks for a new Birth Certificate to be ordered and an appointment with the US Embassy to be made and then, we travel to pick-up and bring home the boys. So, are we near the final finishing line? Maybe 2 more months? …or 8 weeks….or 56 more days? Lets begin our final countdown to Austin and Logan and mark today as Day 56! ;-) I know, it’s a mind game thing, but come along with me…..
Gary and I have rearranged our 2nd visit trip traveling days. We will be heading down Thursday, Feb 1st. Gary will stay until Tues or Wed the following week and Grandma Barbie will be coming in on that Tuesday! She and I are going to stay a few more days and probably come home over the weekend! Yippee!!
Oddly enough, this trip has sparked Granddaddy Barbie to put in for his passport so that he can travel with us (in addition to Grandma, Evan and Mason) for the final pick-up trip. On that trip, we will travel some to Antigua and sight-see some of Guatemala, documenting our trip for Austin and Logan. What a fun family trip that will be!
Monday, January 8, 2007
Happy New Year!
We finally got the approved/positive DNA results in hand! One hurdle down! Now, we need to finish getting out of Family Court, get pre-approval from the American Embassy and get into PGN where we wait (surprise there) for the Guatemalan government to approve our adoption.
Some cases have made it out of PGN in 2 weeks, others have been "stuck" in PGN for over 8 months. Typical cases are about 7-8 weeks. There is no rhyme or reason - it just is.
So, we are praying for and asking God for a miracle. We know that He is in charge and that He has a greater plan for all of us and for all of this, we hope He is on the same time schedule as us!
Gary and I finished up a lot in the nursery today and we're planning another trip down to see the boys. It's the only thing that keeps us going - knowing we'll see them again in a few short weeks.
As always, thank you for the continued prayers and support and sharing this journey with us!
God Bless!
