Mama Bear

That's me. Mama Bear. Mess with my kids, and you'll have to deal with me. I just have one problem. I don't know how to fight back on this one. The US Embassy is continuing to give me problems. Big, big problems. Not backing down. Mama is tired. I can't keep fighting. Yes, I know I can, but today, my mind is too tired. I can't think. I can't get it together. I can't figure out what to do. So, today, I have ignored it. Yes, I've thought about it all day, but a part of me has pretended I don't have to deal with it. But, tomorrow will come. The problem will still be there. And I still have to figure out what to do. Please pray. Please pray for wisdom in solving this problem. Please pray those at the US Embassy to realize how and why I cannot comply with their requests. Our hearts are heavy and I just want to crawl into my bed and come out only when this bad dream is over. Is it over yet? Nope, I'm afraid not. HG needs us. She doesn't have anyone else in her corner except us. Strengthen us, Lord Jesus. We are weak and cannot do this alone. I know you are here. Please make your presence known to us, giving us a calm and peace.

Santa has a beard!

I was finally able to get through on the phone to speak with our dear HG. We've been trying since Christmas Day, but the calls just would not go through. But, we were lucky last night. "Hello, Ma Ma Mee" was the greeting I heard and then a little giggle. I spoke to her for a moment and then said, "Merry Christmas!" She repeated the phrase back to me. Then, I asked about Santa. Another giggle. "Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas!" was my reply which was met with a BIG giggle! HV and HM both got giggles with their Santa impersonations as well. While HM, otherwise known as "Hoo Hoo" to HG, was on the phone, she/HM told me to wait a minute because someone else was talking to her. I don't think she understood what he was saying, but it was HG's foster brother. He was telling HM that HG was telling her about Santa. HG told HM that Santa has a beard and says Ho Ho Ho! The foster brother told me this when I got back on the phone and said that HG laughs at him and his father each day when she sees them put the shaving cream on their face. He laughed and said that he might be a little overweight, but come on! I thought it was hilarious and shows SUCH great progress for my little dearie. To attempt to tell Hoo Hoo about Santa and then to transfer her picture knowledge of Santa to that of her foster brother and dad's shaving creamed faces is FANTASTIC! So, it gave me a peace. A calm. Oh how I miss that girlie!
HG's foster mom doesn't speak much English and while can communicate just fine in person using our hands or whatever, she doesn't care to talk on the phone. We typically always end conversations with me asking if she has any questions for me and then she asks if I have any questions for her. This part is typically facilitated by a family member that speaks better English. Last night, I didn't have any questions for them but I did thank them for loving HG for us. Her foster brother's response was "Well, that's easy to do. And, we are happy to do it!" That just gives me more peace and more calm. I need that calmness right now. My mind is running "900 miles an hour" as we say here in the South. HG's birthday is a mere 1 week away. Her 5th birthday. And she won't be here for it.
Thank you, Lord, for such a sweet and loving foster family for HG. Give us the strength to continue waiting for her arrival here at home. There are days when it is so hard and all we can do is lean on You. Please, Lord. Let it be soon.

Christmas pics of HG

I actually took this photo myself. That's J's hand/arm on the right side (with the black bracelet and watch). Little did we know back then what God in store of us and little HG. She's 11 1/2 months old in this picture.



Christmas 2006



Christmas 2007


I have none of her for Christmas 2008. Actually, I don't have many pictures of her at all during 2008. I'm grateful, of course, for what I do have because I know many kids that are adopted at an older age have nothing from their early years.
When we began HG's adoption in December 2007, we had NO idea she wouldn't be home for Christmas 2008 or Christmas 2009. Surely by Christmas 2010, right? If not, you guys might be coming to visit me at Millwood, our local psychiatric hospital. Maybe they will let you take a picture of me wearing a cute little Santa hat like HG.
Merry Christmas, sweet HG. Te quiero mucho.

Christmas' Past

More old pics. I'm sure you guys don't care anything about seeing these, but they warm my heart.

Christmas 2003, waiting for HM to come home

Christmas Eve 2004

We went to Guatemala for Christmas 2005, so here are the girls with Ronald at the McDonald's in Antigua.

I have no pics from 2006 at all?? I had a hysterectomy that December, so perhaps the pain pills had the best of me for that Christmas. Here's 2007 with the two tias (aunts) y una prima (cousin)

Christmas Eve 2008. The girls participate every year in the Live Nativity at our church on Christmas Eve. HV was a wise man and HM was the donkey that carried Mary.

We will again this year have our traditional Christmas Eve breakfast with the tias and the prima above at our favorite Mexican restaurant. We've been doing this since 1998, I believe. The restaurant has changed a few times over the years, but the tradition continues. Then, we will go to the church service where HV will again be a wise man but HM is going to the angel that appears to the shepherds. She's nervous because she has a speaking line this year: "Do not be afraid!" Now, if she could just practice what she is "preaching," right? Pics, of course, will come.

Splish Splash!

I was looking at old pictures and this one was taken 5 years ago today. Oh my, they have grown.

From the other pictures I had taken on this day, this must have been HM's first bubble bath or at least one of the first. She apparently was amazed at her feet "hiding" under the bubbles and then reappearing when she lifted her foot back out of the water. Oh my.

Fast forward to January 2009 when HM and I traveled to Guatemala for HG's 4th birthday. HM was able to help HG "check out" taking a bath, just as HV had helped her.

Again, oh my.

ya!

Ya literally means "already" in spanish. It is, however, also used as "I'm done already!" too. For example, if you are done playing with something, you could give it back to the owner and say "ya!" This is one of HG's new words and she uses it correctly. When sitting on the potty, she says "ya" when she is done and is ready for you to give her the paper if she can't reach it. Ya actually explains a lot for us right now, you now. Ya is exactly right, my lovie.

Sorry. The "few days" I said it would take for me to write about my trip to Guatemala turned into much longer. My mind. Remember we were waiting for the certified copies and then we got them? Well, after they were submitted to the PGN/Attorney General's Office, we decided I should go down, trying to push it through the remainder of the process in that office. I flew down on Monday afternoon and finally crawled into my bed in Antigua around 12 a.m. The alarm went off at 4:15 a.m. and I was downstairs by 5 a.m., ready to ride in the van. Little HG was coming along with me! She was a little stand-offish at first, but once her foster mom, A, left and HG realized it was either me or no one, she was fine. No tears or anything like that. We went to the US Embassy where I submitted these same certified copies, then off to the Judge's Court for some other certified copies (2 hour wait for 12 total photocopied pages), and then over to the PGN. Lots of waiting, of course, every where we went, but that's Guatemala. At the PGN, we were told that they now needed yet another document before they would release the file for processing. So, my trip didn't accomplish too much except to find out these new/additional requirements, getting the copies submitted to the Embassy, and last but not least, spending some time with my precious HG. There haven't been many new developments since then, sadly. Not much happens in Guatemala right now (at least not in the legal arena) due to Christmas celebrations, but we have some things in the works and I DO hope and pray that they are fruitful.
My time with HG was precious. She did indeed remember me. My name on this visit was often "Ma-Ma-Mee" which was pretty cute. She stayed pretty close to me and even refused to accept a cracker from my translator friend but would only take it from me. Her walking looks GREAT! I only saw the "dandy walker stance" when she was walking barefooted in our hotel room (tile floor). In the past, I would see the stance anytime we were walking someplace completely unfamiliar. I didn't see that this time. Praise the Lord! That means her legs are getting stronger, she is becoming more sure with her movements, and perhaps even she is negotiating better with the vision she has. She does speak quite a bit more now, using more words (even words that I didn't teach her before and yet I could understand her!). She did wet her pants while we were waiting for the copies at the Judge's Court. I take full responsibility, however, because I was tickling her after letting her spin round and round in the office chair. Laughing as hard as she was, I'm surprised I didn't go too because I was laughing so hard at her laughing! She did say "O! Pee Pee!" but it was too late. I had plenty of clothes for a change, but no panties. So, she had to go "commando" for the rest of the day! :) Funny story--the translator asked me after the clothing change if I had noticed a rash or something on HG's bottom. I said no but why did she ask? She said that HG kept pulling at her bottom and scratching. I smiled and told her that HG had no panties on and that I was quite certain that the tag was in her crack! I'd be pickin' my seat too, you know. Anyway, she was a real trooper and would often raise her arms up, asking me to pick her up. She fell asleep in the car on the way back to Antigua and she was OUT! She did wake up to eat a bit of pizza for dinner and then back down for the night. She wasn't as snuggly with me as she was in the past, but that's ok. She wasn't bothered by me being in the same bed as her, so I have no complaints. We spent the day together on Wednesday, just doing things together around the town. We visited her school where we talked with her teacher and I met her friend, Anuk. The foster mom took us to the school and then back to our hotel. When it came time to get out of the car, HG scooted as far away from me in the car and said "Bye Bye!" waving at me but not necessarily wanting to go with me. I picked her up from the car as she was screaming and back inside the hotel grounds. We sat down on a bench where she allowed me to hold and comfort her. After she stopped crying (was a very short time) but with her head still on my chest, she quietly said, "Pachita" and so we climbed the stairs to our getting, getting her a bottle of milk. I was so happy to see her tell me what she needed or wanted AND that I understood. We enjoyed a pasta dinner and an ice cream cone, of course. While we waited for our food, my arm was completely covered with her sweet kisses. That girl. She would kiss my hand and then lift her hand for me to kiss. Then the other hand. We then decided that I would take the early flight home on Thursday instead of the late flight and so HG went home with her foster family. We spent about 40 hours together and it was great. She was delighted to listen to her sisters on the telephone. She was perfectly fine being with me but does prefer her foster family if given a choice. Oh, how I want that girlie home.
I was talking with my sweet friend, Chick-A-Dee, on Saturday afternoon. I told her that I do not know what God is trying to teach us through this, but I know His timing is perfect and that these things are happening for a reason. I, of course, want to tell God, "But, couldn't I learn it in a different way?" I guess not. HG IS being well cared for by her foster family. They love her dearly and she loves them. She IS learning. Words that she could clearly say to me were por favor, sientate, gracias, buenas tardes, hello, hola, bye bye, pachita, ya, doo doo, pee pee, and mas. I know there were more, but these were the main ones. Another funny story--we were leaving the hotel grounds and the "gate keeper" spoke to HG. She didn't answer and so I told him that she doesn't speak much (this was all done in spanish). He opened the gate for us and as we exited, she said "Gracias! Buenas Tardes!" He and I both cracked up. She showed me, didn't she?
Please continue to pray. It is difficult as the celebration of Jesus' birth approaches this week without her here. Yes, she will enjoy Christmas with her family and we will enjoy it here. She does, however, have presents under our tree. I know we will have many more Christmases with her in the future. But we miss her on this one too. The girls wish she was here too. Not a day goes by without one of them saying "Man, I miss her." We do well on most days, and then something will just take the wind from my sail and I'm down. I'm choosing to focus this week on preparing my heart and mind for the birth of our Savior. My savior. Without Him I could NOT do this. My heart does, of course, hurt for my daughter that isn't here. Ya is right. Let's be done with this!

Una Amiga, Anuk

HG tiene una amiga a la escuela!

Meet Anuk. She's HG's friend at school. Yep, our baby has made a friend. They seek each other out and actually play together. Before now, HG has just done parallel play. So this is EXCITING! Anuk is only 2 years old, I believe, but HG is about the same age developmentally. I haven't asked the school directora if Anuk's mom/dad speaks English, but I will probably try and establish contact with her family before we are able to bring HG home since she is, after all, her first friend. With all of the yucky stuff going on right now with the US Embassy, I MUST take time to rejoice in the good things that are going on. Developing a friendship is definitely a good thing.

Trials with the US Embassy

Oh, friends. Since I have last written, I have made a quick trip to Guatemala. I'll write more about that experience and getting to spend a little time with my sweet HG in a day or so. Right now, I ask for your prayers for the staff of the US Embassy. For some odd reason (I honestly don't understand it and so I can't explain it to you), they have made a bizarre "conclusion" to HG's case. While "the fat lady hasn't sang" yet by any means, it is a big obstacle for us right now. They are asking for paperwork/documentation that does not legally exist for HG because of the type of case that she is. This case type is decided by the Guatemalan government, not the US Embassy. And so, I am currently trying to "convince" them of HG's legal status by simply showing them the proof in the writings/declarations of the Judge and the Appeals Court. It's not my opinion. It's the declaration from the Judge that states her legal standing. The Embassy, however, has opted at this point to disregard that and make their own rules. Please pray that they will retract their current requirements as it is impossible for us to comply. Please pray that they will simply see their oversight with this issue and will issue that preapproval/Embassy Consent. Please pray that if the officer doesn't see or understand the information she is reading, one of the coworkers, whether in Guatemala or in Washington DC, will help her see the information that is clearly stated in the resolution. Please pray that this will be resolved this week. It can happen. I know it can.

The Eagle has LANDED!

Hot off the press: I just received an email from my attorney that he has now received the certified copies that we need. THANK THE LORD! So, he will submit the copies to the PGN/Attorney General's office and the US Embassy by the end of the week. THEN, hopefully it won't be too much longer and we are done! Yippee!

My dog ate my homework

My sister is a teacher. I have friends that are teachers. I've even thought about being a teacher. One excuse, however, that we have all heard, even if just in a joke, is "My dog ate my homework." We all blow it off as a lame excuse, right? Well, that's what happened today in Guatemala. Today was the day we were supposed to get the certified copies we NEED in order to process. We've been waiting for the right day for the last 2 weeks, I think. Well, the translator went to pick things up today and guess what? No copies. Why? Well, the copier is out of toner. You know, "My dog ate my homework." No toner? Of course, there are multiple storieslevels and multiple courts in this one building but no, a copier on another floor or court could not be used. We suggested that the translator just go out and purchase the toner cartridge herself (we would pay her back, of course). She said she had already proposed that to the clerk but the clerk and judge said that they didn't want to be accused of accepting a bribe and so they couldn't do that. So, the ink cartridge is supposed to arrive tomorrow morning. It was also supposed to be there today too. Again, I won't be holding my breath for those copies. I'm glad I didn't start holding it yesterday. I'd be dead by now....

Today, I asked HV to help me snap a photo of the two dogs together for the Christmas card. Here's what she captured in the first attempt

As I uploaded this photo from my camera, it really reminded me of today's happenings in Guatemala. The camera and the operator were just a little slow, not capturing the intended subject of the photo. Instead, we got a blurry of the grass, nothing else. Just the same ol' grass. And just like this photo, tomorrow J and I will try again to capture a decent photo of the dogs together for the card and the translator will return to court, again, to attempt to obtain those copies. Oh my!

Baby Jesus

I hope you all had a good Thanksgiving. Our day was full of food, family, and fun. I did brave the crowd at WalMart on Friday morning, leaving the house at 4:30 a.m. I got some good things for the girls and we are about done with our shopping, thank goodness. Saturday was a day of work outside in the yard before the coldness arrived late this afternoon. We have about 10 large black trashbags of clippings from the yard which required everyone, large and small, help with the work. Hooper and Hershey, of course, did their fair share of "cutting" up limbs with their teeth and Hooper was FILTHY after the afternoon of work. I gave him a bath and he, naturally, thought I was trying to kill him. When will he learn? He did allow me to brush his teeth a bit more today so that was good. After his bath, I wrapped him up in a towel so only his little face was showing. I carried him into the house and asked HV and HM if they wanted to see my "baby." They laughed and said he was Baby Jesus. So, here's baby Jesus for you. HV took the picture, looking over my shoulder at the baby.

We didn't get the papers we were anticipating on Thanksgiving Day. We actually knew before Thanksgiving day that we weren't going to get them. We are supposed to get them tomorrow. Since we've been told that for the last two weeks, I won't be holding my breath until we get them. I don't know that I can hold it that long.

Blessings

Happy Thanksgiving! I know that we have a TON to be thankful for even though HG is not home yet. We have each other. We have our health. We are thankful that HG is living with a sweet, sweet family instead of in an institution. We have freedom. We have a roof over our heads and an abundance of food. We have jobs. We have God's saving grace and peace. Oh my. Where would we be without God's saving grace and peace? I don't even want to think about that....

So, Happy Thanksgiving from us all!

Wrap Up from Last Week

It's hard to believe that Thanksgiving is this week. I love Thanksgiving. I love the food. I love the preparations for Christmas. I was oh so hoping that HG would be home for Christmas, but I don't know. I KNOW that God can do anything. He CAN move mountains. He CAN move the Guatemalan government (and the US Embassy). I will pray it. Will you pray it with me?

We still don't have THE papers that we need. We are close, oh so close. The last notification was done on Friday, thanks to some very diligent work by one person in Guatemala. Now, we have to wait until Thursday, yep Thanksgiving Day, to get the certified copies. Then, we will be able to present them to the PGN/Attorney General's office and to the US Embassy. If they will hold up on their previous agreements to process our case quickly, we should be done the next week (the week after Thanksgiving or first week of December). Yes, it COULD be that simple. Will it? I don't know. I will pray for it to happen that way. Then, there are some wrap up steps and then we bring our "baby" home! Can you imagine? Our THREE girls under one roof--sisters forever! I'm ready. We're all ready.

Meet Hooper

Well, we've had Hooper now for almost 2 weeks and I'm just now posting about him. Why? He's a mess! Boy, it's been a long time since we've had a puppy. About 5 years to be exact. Hooper was born September 10 and we picked him up on November 7. The first few nights were rough. Very little sleep by everyone in the house. After moving his crate into the bedroom, it has been MUCH better. He typically sleeps through the night now--thank goodness. He loves to play with Hershey and she has been very tolerant with him. Again, thank goodness. We're getting used to another H name in the house but having a "boy" in the house has been a hard adjustment. We call him "her" most of the time, forgetting that he is a she. Confused? He probably is.

Here's Hooper on his 1st day at our home.

Hooper's dad. Hooper's markings are very similar to his dad's.

Hooper's mom with Hooper, trying to nurse for one last time.

And here's Hooper, up to his normal antics here at home. I'm loading the dishwasher and he jumps in. He's carefully watching J's house slippers because he likes to attack those too.

I'll have to keep trying to get a picture of his eyes. His eye with just the tan around it is blue. His other eye is what they call "amber" but it is basically like a light brown. I don't know how remove the red eye you see here.

Of course, we had to make a trip to PetSmart to buy Hooper a few things. His favorite toy, however, isn't something we bought there. Watch the video below and you'll see him in action with it. You might be able to see his neat eyes in the video too. If we could all have this same energy....

Stethoscope

I don't know who created this, but I like it.

Hoy

Hoy yo tengo no papeles. Yo estoy triste. Ahora "la nueva manana" es lunes. Yo espero. O Dios, yo espero. Sabré más información el viernes. Yo estoy rogando.

No papeles

Well, I guess today wasn't the right "tomorrow." Maybe tomorrow?
Please pray for us. We're struggling with this all. IF there was a good or decent reason for the delays, that would be one thing. But, we have done what they have asked--return tomorrow/Monday--and nada. :( My heart is sad.
I talked to HG on the phone last night. She greeted me with "Hi, Mommy!" Yep. Mommy. Remember it used to be "Nee Nee." Now, I'm Mommy. Just a little more heart break for me.
Going to bed with my tail between my legs, just like our puppy which I haven't been able to tell you much about.

The new tomorrow?

Well, the word from down south is that Monday will be new tomorrow. Supposedly, we will be able to get the documents we need on Monday. There's a part of me that wants to believe it, but I guess I've "been there, done that" before and it was the wrong Monday. So, please pray that Monday IS indeed the day we can get our paperwork.
Have a good weekend! I'm going to try and introduce our other new family member over the weekend. Think fur. Think 4 legs. Think little cutie pie.

Still NO Green Flag

boo! As of Tuesday afternoon, the document still hasn't been signed. The judge didn't work on Monday--her mom had some sort of medical emergency. While I am deeply sorry about her mom (and I will pray for her healing), if she had signed the document last week, we would have been out of her hair! Every day, the answer is "maybe tomorrow." Which tomorrow? My patience is growing thin....

Where's the GREEN flag?

I feel like we are going round and round--like with a car/NASCAR race. The caution flag as been raised and everyone is going around, being careful because something has gone on. WHEN are they going to wave the green flag? I posted about the caution flag about 2 weeks ago, remember? Well, since then, the return receipt has been received. We thought we were then "home free" and that the green flag was back out. Nope. Nada. Zilch. I have now learned that the Judge has to review the thing again, making sure that everything is set with it and then she has to sign it. After that, we can get the certified copies we need. Now, you must remember that the Judge has had this document for the last 30+ calendar days. She knows what it says. She doesn't need any more time to review it. She's already done that. So, sign the darned thing, would ya? J and I were quite disgusted last night when we found out. We were hoping that we were going to receive the certified copies yesterday only to find out that we have to wait. wait. wait. again. again. again. J said, "You know. The average person would not believe that we are waiting for the Judge to review and sign a piece of paper that she has had for 30+ days. It just doesn't make sense to any rational person." She's right. It doesn't. The translator is going to try and get news on this on Monday. Please pray. Please pray for the Judge's heart to be softened and for her hand to be ready to SIGN the thing on Monday so that we can get this going. The cases for 6 children will be able to get the green flag as soon as we can get the paperwork. I know that 6 kids isn't very many in the world, but when one of them is YOUR kid, it's huge. No green flag until we can get this paperwork. So, we keep going round and round. Round and round. I'm ready for this ride to stop. I'm getting sick.

All Saints Day

Sunday was All Saints Day, a day to remember those that have had their homecoming with the Lord. After receiving communion, there is time to light a candle yourself, remembering those that had passed this year or just anyone that has passed away. We lit a candle for my dear Gramps. If I had to name one person that I felt was the most Godly man I know, it would be my Gramps. He loved the Lord. Oh, how he loved the Lord. He was always singing, humming, or whistling a hymn. Even at his ripe ol' age, he was teaching 4 year old Sunday School in the last few years of his life! Gramps loved me too. And J. And our girls. We shared a love for peanut butter and anything that contained peanut butter. I remember asking him questions as a kid about God, theology, and such. Once I remember asking him to walk down the street with me one evening when they came to visit. I don't know how old I was, but I know I wasn't in elementary school just yet. My little neighbor friend had told me that day that her grandfather was going to have to cut down our favorite tree because it was diseased, needing "more to eat." I had saved part of my dinner to take to the tree, thinking that I could save it with my food. Gramps allowed me to put my food at the base of the tree but also told me that he didn't think that it would "cure" the tree. I remember that we prayed for the tree through my tears. While the tree didn't make it, I felt ok with things because we tried. I remember driving to Tyler where he lived when I was in high school and college, taking along a friend or two. I would play the piano (and I think I sang once too) for his adult Sunday School class that he directed with Mamaw. Mamaw went to see the pearly gates of heaven in September 2001. After she passed, Gramps continued his "work" at his church, delivering meals for Meals on Wheels, and many of his normal activities he did with Mamaw, BUT Gramps then took up dancing too. It became quite the joke that little Baptist Grampsie was cutting a rug with the senior citizen ladies! I remember calling him one time on my way home from work and he told me that he only had a minute to talk because he had a church meeting from 5:30-7:30 p.m. and THEN he was going dancing. He had more of a social schedule than me! Gramps suffered a stroke in November 2007 and then he moved to our area to live in an assisted living home for the last 10 months of his life (May 2008-March 2009). While I told him of our pending adoption of HG, I don't know that he ever "got it." I would tell him about her during my visits with him, and he would just smile. Most of you know that I'm a big cry baby. I can cry at a commercial. When we went to Tyler to see Gramps after his stroke, we had helped him get settled back into his bed for an afternoon nap after his therapies. J and the girls had left the room for me to say my goodbyes that day. Oh, I'm not good at goodbyes either. I started to cry. I took his hand and told him that I was sorry for crying. He looked up at me, and in his typical Grampsie fashion told me that I should NEVER apologize for showing emotions. He said that God gave us the ability to feel as humans and that I should use it. He reminded me that even Jesus wept and that Jesus knew what it was like to feel since He came to earth as a human. For me. Gramps assured me that he was going to be alright and he would be a "good boy." (I always used to ask him if he was being a good boy and continued to tell him to be a good boy once he moved to our area). Boy, I know I'll remember that one forever. My sweet, handsome Grampsie. (Yes, I'm weeping as I am typing this.). That was probably my last glimpse of "the ol' Gramps." At least it was my most memorable moment of him in his later years. One other thing that Gramps told me 10 years ago that has had a lasting impression on me is God's love is big enough for everyone. If God can love me, then he could love me too. So true. So true.

I know if "the ol' Gramps," the pre-stroke Gramps, were here during this almost 2 year long adoption ordeal for HG, he would have provided me with such great counsel. He would have prayed for me. He would have prayed for us. He would have prayed for HG. I KNOW he can see us and he watches over HG. That selfish side of me, however, wishes he were here to meet her when she comes home.

Happy Halloween from The Ghouls

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Pumpkin Fun

Do you remember seeing the pumpkins in the back of my car during Trunk or Treat on the left hand side?

Well, the girls decorated the larger ones themselves. They picked them out too, even one for HG, this past weekend with HM's godmother. The little pumpkin was HG and they insisted that she have glasses. So, here they are for you to see more clearly.

Notice that the yarn hair matches their normal hairstyle--the largest pumpkin is HV with bangs and a bob. The medium pumpkin is HM, no bangs with a bob. The smallest is HG, complete with the glasses. While I never did braid her hair, we did do ponytails quite a bit. Too cute!

I also just had to share this little guy's picture from our Trunk or Treat. I know. I'm bad. I took a picture of him but not of my own kids. He LOVES vacuum cleaners! He insisted on being one for Halloween and so his sweet Mom made him this costume. Isn't it too cute? He was thrilled to say the least.

Trunk or Treat

Our church held it's second annual Trunk or Treat event. While this concept is incredibly popular here, I guess it hasn't made it's way to all areas of the US and so if you don't know what it is, let me explain. People decorate the back of the cars, all parked in the same parking lot (for us, it was at church) and then the kids go car to car, saying "Trunk or Treat!" The girls were delighted to wear their costumes (and I failed to get a picture of them--can you believe it?), have a hotdog dinner, and get some candy! I think that HM ate 5 pieces of chocolate in 5 minutes! That girl! The kids also got to decorate cookies (and eat them) as well as take many rides on the train that we had too. What fun!

Our car. HV wants to do something scary. I told her that we don't have anything scary. These decorations came off of our front porch.

This family LOVES Halloween. They had two cars this year, both complete with the fog/smoke machine.

I like this dracula cow!

Isn't this train cute?

HM is in the second seat of the first car, wearing the dark purple. She was a cheerleader. HV is in the last seat of that same car, wearing a turquoise cape/shawl. She was Queen Esther (it was really a Cleopatra costume, but she thought Esther sounded better).

Rollin' Rollin' Rollin'

Sorry that this is upside down. I don't know how to fix it! Make sure you have the volume where you can hear the laughter. Precious!

Caution

The definition of caution according to my dictionary: alertness and prudence in a hazardous situation. Yep, I get it. This weekend, the time "expired" for any entity in Guatemala to appeal the sentencia from the Appeals Court. No filed one (this has also been referred to as a Constitutional Injunction in some of my posts)! Yippee! And so, we will proceed with caution. While the situation isn't necessarily hazardous, I could become hazardous if this doesn't hurry! We are actually waiting for one piece of paper to be returned from an area that is a bit of a jog from the City. I'm told it's like sending something via certified mail with a return receipt--we're waiting for the return receipt. It SHOULD be back this week. Then, we can get the certified copies we need of this sentencia to proceed both with the US Embassy and with the PGN (attorney general's office). I'm cautiously optimistic that once we can get this rolling, it will be quick. Lord, I hope so.
THANK YOU for your prayers. We need them. The children need them. Please keep praying for the things I listed a few posts ago. You can scratch off the Constitutional Injunction one because we survived that one!
Hang on, HG! We're coming, baby. We'rd coming.

Specific Prayer List, updated

Updated:
I have added specific prayers for one more little one at the end of the listing. I also fixed a typo in there--sorry!

During this journey to bring HG home, my faith has grown. It has been tested, but in the end, it has grown. I KNOW that God will take care of me. My human side, however, likes to think it should take over.... I decided to make a list of all of the specific things for which I should pray daily for our case as well as the others caught in this mess. I emailed the families in process, asking them if they would like to add something to my list that is either particular to their child or their case. I'm pasting this lengthy list below. One of the families thanked me for writing it out like this. I'm a list maker. I don't always get it all accomplished or marked off of my list, but I like seeing things in writing and this helps me to keep my communcations going with God. I hope it helps you too.

PRAYERS:
Process
--for people in power and decision making positions to do what's best for our child
--for there to be no Constitutional Injunction this week
--for the hearts of everyone will be softened to act quickly on behalf of our children
--for all obstacles to be removed and the process to be able to flow quickly through
--for our cases to have favor with officials and for God to remove those people who stand in our way
--for the children to no longer be held by the injustices of adults for which they had no control over
--for the process to be quick and without setbacks
Families
--continued strength to perservere through the process
--financial resources to provide for our families as well as the adoption needs
--support and caring from our own circle of friends
--for the other children in our families to not feel neglected or "short changed"
--for a sense of peace surrounding the process
--for the knowledge and wisdom needed to bring our new children into our families and how to best meet their needs once they do come home to us
--for peace and healing for us as the parents and families, in mind and soul
--for knowledge and peace with the understanding of why we have endured this process in our efforts to bring the children home
--for God to "save us from persecution by those who seek to do evil."
--for God's perfect will to be done, whether that means our children grow up with us here in the US or in Guatemala
--for us to accept God's perfect will
Children in Process
--for God's continued protection of their bodies and minds
--for the current caregivers, that they will love and nurture our children as their own until they can join us
--for the children to continue to learn
--for their comfort, knowing that we are here, preparing our lives to include them physically
--for their health
--for each child to receive the proper stimulation and nurturing needed to minimize institutional behaviors
Specifics for each child:
SM
--for continued physical growth and development
--for good health
--for her to begin to learn about families and understanding of how she will fit into one
--for her to know the love of her family
--for her to continue to learn
MA

--for the orphanage to release MA the care of the foster mom
--for the orphanage to release MA's paperwork/file
--for MA to be able to transition smoothly to the foster family
HG:
--for her to not be confused about why we had to leave her
--for her mind to stay open and accepting of us as her family
--for her to wear her glasses and eye patches as needed to help her vision to improve
--for her to continue to gain strength and stability in her movements/mobility
--for her to continue to learn at her school as well as with her foster family
--for her to know that we love her and are ready for her to come home to us
CP:
--for him to understand that his family is working hard to get him home
--for his mind and body to be protected from harm
--for him to remain strong, happy, and to feel loved
--for physical growth and endurance
AC:
--for her to continue to grow and learn in her current beautiful envirnoment in Guatemala
--for her to begin to adjust to life without her "brothers and sister" she has currently at her orphanage as they start to go home to their families
--for her to bond to her family in a way that gives everyone more strength and love
C:
--for God to surround his mind, body, and soul with His goodness and protection
RA:
--for God to surround his mind, body, and soul with His goodness and protection
--for RA to be receiving the attention and emotional care that he needs
--for RA to not have any anxieties or fears after his accident
--for RA know that his family loves him and is working hard to bring him home
JR:
--for God to surround his mind, body, and soul with His goodness and protection
IC:
-for her to not have a negative perception when she grows up of Guatemala based on the events of the past 2 years
-for her to not feel unloved or confused when her family visits and then leaves
-for her to be provided love, guidance, and patience until she is forever in the arms of her family
-for her biological mother to stay involved in the process for as long as it takes to complete
-for her case to be submitted to Family Court and for the social worker to work accurately and quickly

Puppies

Our dear friend, Chick-A-Dee, gave HV this cutie book for her birthday last week. It was a "how to" book on making some little puppies with all supplies, even the glue included. This was the perfect gift for HV, combining two of her favorite things--crafts and puppies. Yesterday, HV crafted her pups. Here she is with her "babies."

Yes, HV would have LOVED to have a real puppy for her birthday, but this will have to do for now.

"Brawl"

Sometimes HM says things that totally crack us up. She's typically not trying to be funny. Yesterday we went to her Open House at school. On the way home, she was excitedly asking us if we saw her pumpkin book, dog puppet, etc. Out of the blue, she says, "Oh and Mom? Alexa has a brawl." Now, this had the tone of like "oh my gosh! I cannot believe that Alexa has a brawl." Confused, I said, "Who is Alexa? and what is a brawl?" HM responded that Alexa is a new girl in another class and she has a brawl like HV's. What??? So then, HV figures it out. Bra! Alexa has a bra! Now, I don't know if Alexa does or doesn't have a bra, but it was just so funny the way it came out of her mouth and at such a random time.
We've had so much rain here in the last 7-10 days, that I am ready for the sun. My mind and body are ready for it too. I know the rain is needed, but I find it rather depressing to have cloudy days every day.
Happy Weekend!

Fog

There is a ton of thick fog this morning in our area. While it can be difficult to drive, I find it peaceful. It seems so quiet. Perhaps it's my reminder to be quiet.

On Hold

I know I haven't updated much on HG's case. Sadly, there isn't much to report. Remember me talking about the Appeals Court issuing their "sentencia?" Well, that came out about 2 weeks ago. Remember me talking about the US Embassy requesting more paperwork? These two things have now become twisted together for me, resulting in a "holding pattern" for us for now. I need a certified copy of the Sentencia, but I cannot obtain one for about 2 more weeks. See, technically someone could appeal the sentencia and they have 30 calendar days to do so. IF this happens, it's bad, bad news for us all. It could take 1-2 YEARS to clear this type of appeal. Please pray that this doesn't happen. Now, nothing has been stated as being wrong with HG's case, BUT since she is still tied to the original orphanage and, from what I am told, she cannot be legally separated from that in this matter, our case would be stuck. Again, please pray that the appeal of the Appeal/sentencia does not happen for the sake of all of the children involved (14 children), not just HG. None of us can endure going through this, that's for sure. We've all been through enough. If no one files to appeal the sentencia, then we should resume processing in the last week of October (both with the Guatemalan side and with the US Embassy simultaneously). I am going to pray and claim that the appeal of the sentencia doesn't happen. Will you join me?

Double Digits

Friday we celebrated HV's 10th birthday. Double Digits. I'm not ready for this new era, to say "My oldest is 10 years old." Boo. I love her more and more with each passing day and year. Happy Birthday, HV!

our first glimpse of HV. This was one of three referral photos we received of her.

Getting ready to open a present on her 10th birthday. What a "big girl" she has become!

going for a ride on the teacups with HM at the Texas State Fair on her 10th birthday

Having Fun

I was so excited to receive an email today from HG's preschool director. She wrote me a sweet note and sent some pictures from their Day of the Child celebrations on October 1. Oh my sweet girlie! We all opened the pictures together today after school on the computer. HM said to me, "Oh, Mommy. I miss her so much." I know, pumpkin. I do too.

Yes, I know HG isn't wearing her glasses or her patch in these pictures. While she is encouraged to wear them everyday and will do it on some days, she does refuse on other days. We do not think that something is wrong (glasses are wrong prescription, they hurt her, etc.) but simply that she is refusing to wear them because she can refuse to wear them. Sort of like a rebellion thing. She didn't do this with us, but I think she is still a bit confused and frustrated and wearing (or not) the glasses is one thing that she can control. HV told me today that HG WILL wear her glasses when she comes home to us. Ha! I told her we would work on it and see.

Clothing Rotation

As HV outgrows her clothes, we put them in bins by size, saving them for HM (and now HG too). The girls' school closed last week due to a flu outbreak and so we took advantage of that and the fact that it was a rather rainy weekend to "rotate the clothes." This is one of my least favorite things to do, honestly. But, it was necessary and it's done. Thank goodness. HM has a new wardrobe. I can't think of anything that she is lacking except perhaps a pair of jeans. If the pants fit her in the waist but yet were too short, then the clothes went into HG's closet. All I could think while I was carefully and nicely arranging the clothes for HG was
the clothing was hung in the closet with care,
in hopes that HG soon will be there.
Oh, I do hope so. I'm missing that girl something awful right now. Since we started HG's adoption 2 years ago, we had been saving the 3T and 4T clothes for her. Well, she no longer needs those. I was able to pack up 5 bags of clothes for my niece and for a friend that is in the process of completing a domestic adoption of a little 2 year old girl after being a momma to boys only! We are grateful that we were able to help them both.
Poor HV. Her closet is about empty. Thank goodness her birthday is this week and we can give her new clothes for her presents and it will serve a dual purpose--presents and new clothes. Yeah!
J and I laughed as we went through the "old" clothes of HV. You can tell our priorities have changed because the girl had a TON of clothes. Now? We don't buy like we used to do.

A Tale of Two Families

No news from Guatemala. :( The US Embassy is now requesting a copy of the sentencia/resolution that the Appeals Court issued. While this sounds like it should be an easy thing to complete, I must request a certified copy in writing, have the 15 pages translated into English, and then I can submit it to the Embassy. Yuck. I also do not know what this has to do with the Embassy issuing their consent, but whatever. I would spend more time fighting it than I would to get it done, so we are moving ahead with getting it done. We do hope to have news by the middle of the week on the status with the PGN/attorney general's office.

I wanted to share with you about two families that I know. Family #1 has adopted two children, both through the same program as HV, HM, and the one that started HG's adoption. During their second process, they had lots of extra fees to pay. Family #2 has also adopted two children through the same program. Family #2 knows of Family #1 and knew of all of the fees that #1 was having to pay. #2 paid some of the fees for #1, saying that they had the funds and were happy to help. Family #1 knows that the fees were paid but doesn't know the identity of Family #2. Now, jump forward to our current situation of not having all of the funds to complete HG's adoption. Family #2 has suffered a job loss this year and is still unemployed. Their support and friendship, however, has been priceless during our adoption. Family #1 mailed me a check last week with a note inside. It said:
Remember when someone paid some of our fees during our child's adoption? Well, we're paying it forward and now we're helping you.
I shared this with Family #2, showing how even though they couldn't help us financially right now, their financial generosity in the past has paid off to help us after all! Isn't that neat? The gift from Family #1 allowed us to pay all of our adoption bills owed at the beginning of October. God provides. We have continued to be humbled and grateful for all that you guys have done. It's just too much at times. J told me the other day that she has been amazed at what I have done with this fundraising. I told her it wasn't me at all. She corrected herself, saying that it's amazing what God has done in the fundraising. She's right. It's amazing.

Day of the Child

Today is the Day of the Child in Guatemala. I knew that. I didn't realize, however, that those people that work on behalf of the children, like the gal we needed to talk to yesterday/today, takes the day off because it's the Day of the Child. Oh well. They'll try again tomorrow.
I'm tired. I've slept for 9 hours total for the last 2 nights combined. I'm grumpy and this just isn't sitting well with me. Sure, take another holiday, right?
Good night.

No news today

The gal we needed to talk to today was in a meeting. :( So, no news today. We hope to have something tomorrow. Keep praying! I didn't have a lot of time yesterday to post (and I don't tonight either), but I'll try to explain in a nutshell what's supposed to be happening exactly. The Appeals Court came out with their "sentencia" at the end of last week. HG's file is in the PGN, the attorney general's office BUT it is in the Minor's Section, not the regular processing section currently. The gal we need to talk to stated last week that she was going to try and pull the file up to the the regular processing section. Our prayer request is that she is indeed able to do this and that it's already been done. This gal has stated that she will process the case as soon as she gets it and so we also pray that she will keep her word and do this. As you know from our previous experiences, it seems that many Guatemalans are worse than most about keeping their word. The lack of accountability is probably THE most frustrating thing about this whole process. So, please pray for this gal. I won't give her name, but God knows who she is.

J and I have continued to be humbled by those of you that have contributed to HG's adoption fund. We are grateful and we thank you. We look forward to sending you the "I'm Home!" announcement as soon as HG is indeed home with us.

Wednesday Prayers

While I don't expect the final approval tomorrow, we are hoping for some good news tomorrow. I'll fill you in after I get the news, but please pray for goodness tomorrow. Oh, I'm ready for my girlie to come home. I think I'm nesting and ready for her--now!

We did finally get the results from J's MRI on her liver from a week ago. Praise the Lord, it's fine! They do want to repeat it in 6 months, but the doctor said that she isn't too concerned at this point. Praise the Lord!

Burnt the Horner

pic of the girls at gymnastics, taken with my sister's cell phone

According to my dad, my older sister and I used to say "Burnt the horner, Daddis. Burnt the horner." What we meant was "honk the horn, Daddy. Honk the horn." So, we've all said this little saying for our whole lives. So, why am I writing about this? HM got to "honk the horn" tonight at gymnastics. HM and HV both started taking lessons 3 weeks ago. HM had been asking to go and so initially it was going to be her thing. My mom owns a gymnastics center in our area and when we went to HM's class, she said that she forgot that there was a class that HV could do at the same time. So, both girls are going. And having lots of fun. The gym has a horn which you get to honk when you learn a new trick. Everyone in the gym stops and looks to see what "the honker" learned, complete with clapping and cheering. HM's honk was for learning a pullover on the bars. Now, I'm actually quite surprised that HM can do this since she hasn't shown to be particularly strong nor has she done much on the bars until today. She is very proud of herself (she told us that on several occasions tonight) and we are proud of her too! Yes, we're proud of HV too, but it's nice for the little sister to get to be the first one to do something for a change.

Conversation with HV

The city in which I work had it's annual Western Days Festival today. HV accompanied me to work my shift at the Festival, much like she has done in the past. I remembered this morning the Western Days Festival of 2007. We had just returned from a visit to Guatemala a few weeks prior. HG was on our minds. We knew that Guatemalan adoptions were ending. We knew she had no family. We knew of the place where she would be transferred and we were praying hard about her becoming part of our family. J suggested I talk to HV as we worked Western Days. So, HV and I climbed into the car and off we went for the 30 minute commute. I didn't say much on the way, my mind spinning. We did our shift and then as we were heading home, I asked HV if she remembered HG at the orphanage. Yes, Mommy. I told her that J and I were thinking about adopting her into our family. I explained to HV that we didn't know what all was wrong with HG and she might not ever be like a normal girl. HV asked if we could fix HG's brain here in America. I told her no, but I did think that we could make it better but I wasn't sure we could "fix" it. She sighed and said, "Well, Mom. You know that EVERYONE needs a family, even HG and even if her brain doesn't work right. So, she can be part of our family. Oh, when is she coming home?" I fought back the tears and told her that we all needed to pray about this, asking God for the wisdom to make the best decision. She said, "Ok, Mom. I'll pray that God allows us to have the blessing of HG." While I'm not crying while typing this today, it does bring back such a vivid memory and a smile to my face. HV's right, you know. Everyone DOES deserve a family and we're ready to be the family for HG. We just need her to come home so that we can have the blessing of having her in our family.

Mejor Hija

translation: oldest daughter.

When J and I began our adoption of HV, there was a small part of us that thought it really wouldn't happen. Oh we were (and continue to be) blessed with HV. We're blessed with all of our girls, don't get me wrong. With HV being our "first born," she holds such a special place in our hearts.

This is the first/youngest digital camera I have on this computer. HV is 2 years and 2 months old here. She looks so little.


2 1/2 years old, flower girl for a wedding

first day of kindergarten, August 2005

first day of 4th grade, September 2009

1st day of 4th grade

Oh, she has changed! Yes, her hair cut has virtually remained the same over the years, but she has matured so much in the last year or so. I'm not ready to have a kiddo in the double digits--just a few more weeks until that happens. I love you, "my biggest baby." You'll always be that, you know.

-------------------

HV loves to "wear" her animals. When we were in Guatemala, we purchased this cloth for her. We later purchased one for our friend, Anna. I told Anna's mom that we would make her a video, helping them to figure out how to wear Anna's cloth. T, Anna's carrying cloth looks similar to HV's in color. (The other piece of fabric that you have that's not as thick as this one is the skirt/corte. We'll make you another video for that one). Anyway, here's HV explaining how to use the cloth. Let me know if you have any questions. I don't know how to "flip" this thing, but I'll work on it and see if I can figure it out.

Limanad

pictures taken before going to the 1st day of school 2009

HM started 1st grade when we returned from Guatemala. She has grown and changed so much in the last 6 years. Looking at pictures of her as a baby don't even look like her to me.

one month old-first picture of her with her eyes open. Those big, dark, and round eyes.

We picked up HM in the evening on this day--January 24, 2004

HM is learning to read. And spell. She's different than HV in that HM will try to spell things, even if it's not correct. HV never wanted (and still doesn't) to write it if it's not spelled correctly. HM will try. I find this note in her backpack the other day. I hope you can read it, but if not, it says "Limanad and cookes for sal $25"

I was so tickled when I saw this. I guess she was planning on having a lemonade and cookie sale. She writes little stories and notes to us all of the time. If she's carrying a purse when you see her, I'm sure that there's a tablet and a pencil in there, ready to write something down. Just in case she needs to do so, you know.

I love you, stinkie. You are growing and becoming such a big girl.

Bread

some bread from our little bakery close to our apartment in Guatemala--this wasn't our normal bread but this was all they had on this day that was fresh.

I love bread. I really could bypass almost all of the meal if I had bread. HV is a bread lover too. I joke and say that she got that from me. :) In Guatemala, we would go and get fresh bread from a particular bakery several days per week to have with our meals. The girl at the bakery came to know us and would only sell us fresh bread. See, since I'm a gringa, some bakeries would simply sell me whatever, even if it wasn't fresh, and so that's why we continued to go to the same one over and over. She knew us. As I shared before, my friend gave me a Bible Study book for the Lord's Prayer. I decided when I finished it in Guatemala that I would continue to go through the book until HG comes home. So, I'm on my second time through now. The study lasts 40 days, not counting Sundays (it's designed to use during the Lenten season), and I do hope that I only get to do it twice before she comes home. :) I know I commented before on the lessons discussed in the book on bread here, but it's hitting me over the head AGAIN as I journey through it a second time. "Bread" is much more than the food pictured above. It's about God's provision for us. God keeps reminding me through this study and discussion on "bread" that He WILL provide. If we are following what He commands us to do (and we feel we are), then He will provide. My human side, however, becomes fearful that we won't have all of the funds to cover our adoption expenses. We have been overwhelmed by the goodness and thankful for the generosity of a few families that have given to HG's adoption fund. J and I couldn't believe it. We aren't where we need to be in terms of the finances, but we KNOW that we are doing what God has asked us to do and He will, therefore, provide. Pray for our patience, wisdom, and understanding with it all. We are only humans.