We had a great Wednesday. I have started a lovely post to tell you about that day, but I won't be able to finish it tonight. Here's a peek, however, of what we did and saw that morning.
We had an afternoon of swimming, making new friends, and visiting some old friends. We had dinner with two families that adopted their children through the same program/orphanage that we used for HV and HM's adoptions. I've emailed with these families for quite some time and so it has been a pleasure to meet them face to face. Thursday was a somewhat quiet day. HG had a time of grieving in the morning (which is the main reason that I could not finish the post about our fun Wednessday morning adventure) and so I spent the greater portion of the morning just holding the little one. I was also working on getting some stuff set up for the adoption process this next week (more on that later). We headed to the farmacia that afternoon for parches, eye patches, for HG. After searching a few places, we found them and at a decent price (the first place we found them was 2x what we ended up paying for them). HG's vision is so poor and her eyes need a great deal of strengthening. So, we patch one eye each day so that she can learn to use and control that eye. The next day, we patch the other eye. You can definitely tell that she has to work to get the uncovered eye to cooperate. We made a stop at McDonald's for a treat and to play on the playground (that's another topic/post too) and then headed home. We did buy 2 pounds of strawberries for Q5 (about 60 cents) from a street vendor. I was a little leary of doing it but I used my vegetable/fruit wash and everything was fine. While preparing dinner, I ran out of water--again. It's not a big deal because all you have to do is go ask the "gate keeper" or door man to bring you another one (Q17 for almost 20 liters, I believe). I, of course, only had a Q100. The door man, Domingo, doesn't have change for this big of a bill and so I went to my neighbors for change. Luckily, they were able to help out. When Domingo came to bring the water, he joked that it smelled like I was having pizza. Remember when we first arrived and our luggage had not? We ate a fair amount of TelePizza and Pollo Campero (chicken) because they both delivered. I told him no, we were having spaghetti with meat sauce. He saw me cutting up the strawberries and I told him we were having vanilla ice cream with strawberries for dessert. "A que rico!" was his response. So, while he didn't eat at our table, Domingo shared the same dinner and dessert. Friday was spent just hanging around our house. The girls' best friends, A and A (twins), start school on Monday in their hometown and so they were "moving" back to their hometown on Saturday. We were just around the house so that they could all play together for the last full day. They had such a wonderful time. We have been so blessed by meeting this family. The kids made friends so easily and so quickly. HM and girl A were both so into dollies, Barbies, and playing babies that they were the perfect friends. HV and boy A were both the rough and tumble ones. On one of the first days, their dad told me that we needed a boy in our family. I said no, I have HV. He sort of laughed, but later realized what I meant. Today/Saturday was a super sad day to see them drive away. Yep, Chick-A-Dee, I cried. I know the kids are sad too. Whenever we leave our complex, we walk by their house. As we did so this afternoon, HM said, "I'm used to hearing A and A call our names as we pass their house." Playing outside just didn't have the same appeal this afternoon either. We rented some movies today and so we've spent the greater part of today here in the apartment, just being quiet and together.
The Fabulous Four playing a game
Little Miss A at the top of the slide.
Brother A and HV--these two LOVE to swing really high and love to spin in the swings too. Their favorite is when I will push them or spin them--fast!
I'm tired. I'm emotional. Today was rough for me because I knew the kids would miss their friends so much. I get teary now just thinking about it (I know. I need some sleep). I am torn between being rather homesick and yet not wanting to leave HG. She is doing SO well. When we wake up in the morning or when I enter a room, I hear "Hi, Monny!" Last night, she wanted hold my hand in the bed and kept patting my chest. She's learning so much too--today we added "Ayudame" and "Arriba" to the things she is saying. I also know that our money for us to be here is running out and yet it's not time to bring HG home. We've been cautious in our spending here and at home but it's taking longer here than we anticipated and the amount for which we budgeted is almost gone. School's just around the corner too (we've already taken care of that for now). And so, I'm a mess. I can't solve this one by myself. All I know to do is pray for wisdom and clarity in what we should do. Please pray for this for us too.
This afternoon, after feeling so down, we lost our power for about 30 minutes. Of course, I was just getting ready to put the chicken in the oven when it went out. A few minutes later, HV exclaims, "Mom! Look!"
While we didn't have a rain, perhaps they did up on this mountain area. It was cloudy and looked like it could rain, but this was God's handiwork that we saw. God's promise to us. I know that God will show us what to do. I just have to listen.
Adoption Update:
I posted before about the US Embassy changing the procedure for the DNA testing. Well, I guess I am perhaps the first person to utilize this procedure (most people have had this step already done) because no one really knows what they are doing. I got a call on Wednesday afternoon/evening from the woman, KS, at the US Embassy. She did not tell me previously nor did the lab in the US know that the lab in the US must send a DNA sample collection kit on my behalf to the US Embassy--directly to KS. Now, the labs here in Guatemala already have these kits, but it must be sent for me to use. So, I got this straightened out on Thursday and the kit should be delivered to the Embassy on Monday. I have asked, again, for the Embassy to schedule the DNA appointment now. The protocol is that they will schedule the appointment AFTER the DNA kit is received. I nicely outlined/explained, however, that we lost almost an entire week because no one knows/understands their new procedure and I do not want to be penalized for that. So, we will see what they say on Monday. The Embassy was closed on Friday. See, they get to observe both American and Guatemalan holidays. Saturday/today is the Feast of the Assumption and so that means they get to close on Friday when there is a Saturday holiday. (I need a job like that--taking lots of holidays and working only 1/2 days on Fridays is perfect for me!)
My attorney, DG, tried to submit the file to the PGN this past week after the release from Family Court. They, however, refused the file because the DNA results are not in there. Yuck. I will see what I can do about that on Monday too. Please continue to pray for the hearts of those involved in this process, that they will be softened and the right thing will be done for HG's sake. While she is doing so well, I can only imagine how well she will do once she is receiving therapy from someone that knows what they are doing. I know how to love her and teach her things any mom would teach (or try to teach) their child, but her issues/needs are not my field of expertise at all. I don't actually have a field of expertise but I know that someone can help her more than I can. So, I'll cling to God's promise, a reminder given to me today through the rainbow.
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