Next step completed - we're in Antigua

It's still Grandma posting - I just finished talking to Donna and she and the boys made it safely to Antigua about 2 pm this afternoon. As mentioned in an earlier posting, she is at the Quinta de las Flores and according to her, it is every bit as beautiful as it looks on the web. She has a "nanny" with her full time for the first few days. The boys were a little tearful when they left Guatemala City and had to part from their "foster sisters." but Donna and her new "nanny" gave them bottles on the trip to Antigua and they promptly fell asleep. When I was talking to her, they had only been there for about an hour and I could hear the little ones just babbling and laughing in the background. They seem to have adjusted quickly to yet another change in their young lives and are taking it all in stride.

They were all heading out to explore the grounds and grab a bite to eat, so when I hear from her again, I will definitely update this site. Sounds as if the "new Mom" has adjusted well to the role. She had a little emotional breakdown earlier in the day just prior to leaving Guatemala - when I asked her what was wrong, she said it was just hard for her to believe that she was finally a "Mommy" and she was sort of overwhelmed by it all.

Donna and family thank you all again for your prayers and support - I don't think any of us could have gotten through this journey without you.

I wish I were in Antigua with her - although I'm not there physically, my heart went with her and that's where it will remain until she returns safely home with Austin and Logan.

Getting Re-acquainted

It's Grandma again - Donna's having communications problems in Guatemala and her internet is not working, so I've been asked to keep the blog going until she is able to resume those duties.

She is with the boys and they are all in the process of getting to know one another again. Donna says the boys are "mucho activo" (very active). They understand Spanish very well and are adjusting to English - Austin actually called her "Mama" which, of course, was the highlight of her day. She is fortunate to have the two daughters from the foster family staying with her and helping the boys in their adjustment - Donna says she and the girls have really hit it off. They have been very helpful by encouraging Austin & Logan to go to her and to call her Mama, etc. - I think she is really going to miss them when they all part company.

Tomorrow at 1:00 pm, Donna is off to Antigua where Gary will be joining her sometime next week. They will stay there until they get their Embassy appointment, which she hopes will be very, very soon. And then, it's home to America - I, for one, can hardly wait.

She is quite anxious to get her "internet" connection back up and running and as soon as she does, she will once again be posting on this blog.

UPDATE - TWO DOWN - SHE MADE IT

Donna just called me a few minutes ago from the plane - she made the flight and is on her way!! Thanks again to everyone for "praying" her there. In just a matter of hours now, she'll be with the boys again - the plane should arrive in Guatemala around 1 pm their time (3 pm here).

The lawyer and foster family will be bringing the boys to the hotel about 4 or 4:30 Guatemala time (6 or 6:30 VA time), so Donna should be able to unpack and unwind a little prior to the big moment of seeing Austin and Logan again. The foster family will spend the night at the hotel tonight and possibly tomorrow to help make the transition as smooth as possible, and to allow Donna to catch up on much needed rest and to enable her to recuperate a little from the trip.

Her "Heart's Journey" has finally come to fruition - the boys are now hers forever.

One Down - One to Go

This is Josie, Donna's Mom, letting everyone know that Donna made it safely on the first flight from Richmond to Charlotte. She arrived at the Richmond airport at 4:30 for her 6:00 am flight to Charlotte, not knowing until after all other passengers had boarded whether or not she would have a seat. Luck shined upon her once more, her name was called and she was able to board the plane, arriving in Charlotte a little after 7 am this morning.

Her flight to Guatemala leaves at 11:22. She doesn't know yet if she will be on it but things are looking good at the moment that she will have a seat. Please keep the prayers going - they are needed now more than ever as they are nearing their final and last step - bringing those precious grandsons of mine home forever.

Present and accounted for...

Austin and Logan survived the earthquake! My friend/translator just called and she spoke with the foster family. They felt it pretty bad, but they are all okay, present and accounted for! Yay!

Okay - now, lets just put our praying hats on one more time and pray me on down to Guatemala. Most of you know that I am flying on stand-by or what is called a "buddy" pass. And I will most definitely need your prayers and God's intervention to get me on that plane!

Not to worry, though. For the last few days, I think I have finally found my zen, my inner peace and it's getting me through all of this.

Ever try to catch something delicate like bubbles, or butterflies, or those little twirling helicopter leaves, maybe an escaped feather from your down comforter? How do you try and catch it? Do you swat at it, reaching for it, trying to grab it? Ever notice that in fact by trying to catch it, you're actually creating a wind current that sends the object of your desire further away. Or worse yet - you wind up popping the delicate bubble. So how do catch it? You relax. you sit still. you stay calm. And you open up your hands. You just cup them together and leave them as they are, hands poised ready to receive. And the object of your desire will float gently and safely into your waiting open hands.

So, when trying to catch something as the delicate as the preciousness of my baby boys, I'm not going to frantically swat around anymore. I'm not going to get in God's way by creating a wind current for Him to overcome.

I just going to relax. and sit still. try and stay calm. And I am going to place my hands, palm up and empty, ready to receive. to receive those two precious and delicate gifts He has chosen just for me and my family.