Adopting from Guatemala

We're running a little behind on deleting this site, but I have it on good authority that it's going away this weekend. It's not too late to join the new site. Send me an email at sharonj78@gmail.com 

We've had 441 views of our webpage this week, which I find very interesting since we've had MANY people switch over to the new site. Now, I know a lot of people had to come here to find out we were moving, but STILL. Come on, all ye who lurk. Come forward and be counted. Email me at sharonj78@gmail.com and tell me who you are, how I know you, and that you want to be invited to the new site.

 

If you've emailed me and haven't received an invitation, please email me again. :)

 

If it's any motivation, I just made a BIG announcement on the new blog I'm not going to post here! ;)

Ok, y'all. Thirteen more days until this space is gone! I know there are lots more people that read my blog that haven't emailed me yet. I don't want anyone left behind! If you haven't yet, please email me at sharonj78@gmail.com (not my normal email address) and I will send you an invitation to our new blog, which is already up and running. See you there! 

Ok, here's the deal. We've decided to move to a security protected blog and we will immediately be moving. If you would like access to our new blog, simply send me an email at sharonj78@gmail.com and I will grant you access. This goes for EVERYONE--- family and close friends too, so I don't forget anyone!!! In your email, please state your name and how we know you or how you came across our blog. We apologize for this inconvenience, but feel this is the best decision for the protection of our family. We will be deleting this space in T minus 15 days. Thanks! 

I'm feeling a little blue this morning and just quickly asking for extra prayers for peace and comfort. 

Lots of fun hanging out by the pool on the roof... 

Not us... we're fine. It's one of the volcanos that surrounds Antigua, aptly named Fuego (meaning fire). It's been errupting all afternoon and into the evening. At first, it was just smoke, but after a while we could see lava shooting up into the air. It's amazing to see and pictures really don't do it justice.   

 Today's 'message from the wall' comes from a child who , previously getting up several times a night, has suddenly slept through the night for two nights in a row.

Thanks to Katie for the popsicle kit! What could be better poolside than a popsicle???

In case you haven't seen it, take a look at my friend Katie's sweet blog entry about us and our situation. You can find it at http://katiemohr.blogspot.com/2007/08/to-my-dear-friend-sharon.html  Today's message from the wall comes from that post. 

**First I want to let all worried readers know that Bella's head is absolutely back to normal. No bumps or bruises remain.**

 

In the package of fun stuff we received last week from our friend Katie, was an alphabet set for the bathtub. We've had lots of fun with this. The creativity abounds because there is only one of each letter. Irene and I are going to start a "Daily Message from the Wall". Look for it to begin later today. Here's a sampling:

Irene and I had a special day today because we were able to spend some of it with some friends from home! Our church, Eastpoint, sent down two mission groups this year to Guatemala and our friends were able to spend today in Antigua before they take off to the coast tomorrow for another few days of mission work. We had a great time, guys! Can't wait to see you again, in the USA!!! 

 

I fell down today and bumped my head pretty good. Mommy says I have a goose egg now. I haven't seen any eggs yet, but I can't see anything any more because Mommy keeps shining a bright light in my eyes. She says it's for my own good. I don't know about that. 

 

I wish I could come play with you. Mommy says the lake is really nice in the summertime and we could go for a boat ride. What's a boat?

 

Ok, I have to go to bed now. I miss you and love you a lot, even though I haven't met you yet. 

 

Oh, one more thing. We made you a sign, but I kinda wrinkled it up. It says "Dear Unc, I can't wait to see you! Te amo (which means I love you) ~Bella"

 

Love,

Bella 

Pretty Good News- PGN!

 

We received a phone call from Traci this afternoon letting us know that the Freeman file was submitted to PGN today- the anniversary of my arrival to Antigua! Can I tell you how encouraged I am by this? The Lord, in His infinite wisdom, has brought everything full circle. We are beginning the final countdown to bringing Isabella home!

Thank you all for your incredible support and continued prayers!  

One year ago today, I arrived in Antigua to foster my daughter , Isabella. My mom came with me to get me settled in and spend some time with her new granddaughter. Everything about that day is absolutely clear in my mind. I remember being positively exhausted after our red-eye flight from L.A. and so excited to hold my baby again that I didn't mind how tired I was. I remember what we had for lunch, what Bella was wearing, and the elation I felt when she was finally in my arms again.

As I'm sure you all know, we had no idea one year ago that we would still be here today. We've never given up hope that one day I will return to the United States with this darling little girl. At each different stage in our adoption we've done what all adopting families do- we've gotten out a calendar and said "Ok, if we get in PGN on this day and everything goes well... we could be out by this date... add three weeks and possibly we could be home by this date". We had hoped for November, and then that stretched into February which became March, then April, and then the big Unknown. That's where we are today, a year later. In the big Unknown. I don't know when I'll be going home.

I do, however, know that I am unquestionably glad to be here. It's all been an enormous blessing from God. Because of His provision, I've been with my daughter since she was less than three months old. I was there the first time she laughed out loud, rolled over, sat up, tasted rice cereal (and all other solids that followed), started crawling, stood on her own, cruised around all the furniture, said Mama, took her first steps, learned her first words and signs, had adenovirus, rotavirus, chickenpox and various colds, had her first pig tails, and slept through the night. I've carried her all over Antigua a thousand times in various carriers and slings and pushed her hundreds of miles in the stroller. We've made about fifteen trips into Guatemala City and each celebrated a birthday. We've had twelve roommates and known and loved each of them and their familes. We've had visitors seven times -three of which were Daddy- and all of which messed up Bella's sleep habits. I've held my daughter when she's been scared and feeling anxious about being separated from me, either during the day or late at night. On a few occasions I've had to leave Bella for a few hours and I've had the tremendous privilege of seeing her joy upon my return.

And I've done it on my own. We've had amazing - AMAZING- roommates who really are more like family than anything else and who have all willingly lent a hand when I needed one. But for the most part, it's been just the two of us. I have missed my husband Greg more than I can ever put into words. And he's missed us. Everything I wrote above that I was here for, he was not. He, in his wisdom, is grateful that at least one of us was. And that is why I love him.

I know she is not legally my daughter, but there can be NO DOUBT that she is the child of my heart and I am her Mommy. I would not be anywhere else and I will not leave without my daughter.

We found Kraft Macaroni and Cheese hidden on a bottom shelf in a specialty store yesterday and we were SO excited! (It's the little things, people.) Bella has never had macaroni and cheese, mostly because I really don't care much for the brand they sell in our grocery store here. So, the big debut was at lunch today and, as I'm sure you can guess, it was a hit with both girls! Later, while I was cooking dinner, Bella sat on the counter next to me. At first, she just played with a wooden spoon, but then she noticed the cheese I had sitting to the side to be added to our meal. I didn't even hear a rustle, but I turned my back and saw her gnawing on a giant hunk of white cheddar!

Well, not technically mail, but parcel delivery! My friend Katie (y'all remember her, right???) sent FUN stuff to us through a friend's husband. We got new clothes for the Belle Belle (wait till you see - TOO CUTE- though some are a little on the big side yet!), bath toys, magazines, new sunglasses, and other just fun stuff. She sent a pedometer and I've had fun watching to see how far we go in an average day, since we walk everywhere. It's 6:30 p.m. and we've gone 4.5 miles so far today!  Thanks Katie!

There is a house being built right next door, and there are some awkward moments because, well, it's RIGHT next door. I'm adding a couple pics from this week, taken from my bedroom door, looking out toward our patio. Katie, this is for you! 

 

P.S. I didn't think to take a picture until it was too late, but one day last week I came out of my room at seven thirty in the morning, and one of the construction guys was sitting on OUR roof, on our side of the wall that divides the houses!!! And there I was in my pajamas! Awkward!

 Where does the time go? Unless you've fostered here, you may not understand this. You would think that each day and week would drag on and on, and to some extent that's true early on. But there's also this time warp that happens when you've been here a while and know you're not going anywhere anytime soon. It's like you just blink and another week has gone by. It's almost August. WHAT?!?! Where does the time go?

 

One of the things Irene and I have been doing to keep ourselves amused is experimenting with new hairstyles. Irene looks adorable in her new braids and Bella was also sporting a new style today! So girly and so fun! We all went to church this morning, and since we were all dressed up, had a few picks taken. I admit that I am totally biased, but I happen to think I have two of the most beautiful girls on earth!

 

After church today, we came back and soaked up some sunshine while Bella played in her pool. Of course, halfway through the afternoon, she decided that she didn't want to wear her swimsuit anymore. Pics to follow.

 

Side note: found a recipe in an issue of Redbook magazine (had Meg Ryan on the cover) for salmon tacos and decided to try it for dinner tonight. Amazing! Definitely a recipe I'll be using often!

 

And, finally, we are ending the day with a decent storm. This one hasn't brought much thunder or lightening yet, but just a TON of rain. I'm loving it! 

We've been busy! We (finally!) bought some freshly roasted corn at the mercado and brought it home for supper one night. It was a big hit with both my girls! We've also been starting the "time out" with Bella. It amuses me greatly, but so far it's pretty effective, if only I could learn to be consistant! We've been to the doctor and learned that Bella finally gained some actual weight! A whopping pound and five ounces! We've played in our pool on the sundeck outside our room which is always a hit with the Belle-Belle. And, the most exciting thing of all was the re-arranging we did in our room today. We used to have Bella's pack-n-play in the huge walk-in closet, so we could close the door and not have to whisper, etc. Well, Bella has had some SEVERE separation anxiety in the last three weeks (ever since Greg left) and getting her to sleep and stay asleep in her pack-n-play has been a nightly battle. She's been getting up every 30-60 minutes. Nightmare! So, in an act of desperation, we moved her bed out of the closet and put it right next to my bed. We'll see if it helps. So far, so good. Of course, it's only been an hour...

I can't tell you how many times I've had people comment to me that they are amazed at how well I am handling all of this and I figured it was time to set the record straight.

 

A very good friend of mine from home emailed me early on in my fostering days, when our case seemed "difficult" then, and reminded me of Phillipians 4:6-7

 

What a blessing this has been to me! I've come back to this verse hundreds of times in the last year, and each time the Lord gives me something new to see in it. And I'll tell you something else- it works! When I am worried or afraid, I pray and give it to God and I find that He does indeed give me peace. I love that I have a Father who loves me so much that he wants to take on my worries and cares and make me feel better! Isn't that what daddies are supposed to do?

 

Here's something else He has given me. Romans 8:25

 

And Psalm 37:7

 

And one more Hebrews 6:11

 

I am able to get through each day because I have faith. I believe, without a doubt, that this adoption is the Lord's adoption. I believe we were called by God to adopt so that Bella would come to be a part of our family. I believed from the beginning that He would provide the means for the adoption and He has. I believe that He has a purpose in ALL of this. I believe that one day Bella will come home with me and our family will be united forever.

 

 

 

I don't know why! It appears that this silly website only allows those with an MSN live account to comment. However, my amazing husband set up this nifty little link on the left-hand side of the page that says "EMAIL SHARON". Click on it and it will open an email browser thingy so you can contact me directly at just the click of a button. Cool, eh?

When left to her own devices, our Bella naturally gravitates towards dirt. Every time. Yesterday was the first time she used a tool (clothespin) to dig in the dirt. The tool went from shovel to spoon as she began to scoop up the dirt and eat it. Future archeologist? Or food critic? You decide.