Happy B'day, J!

Poor pics, I know. Sorry! That's the best I could do with my phone. and poor lighting!

Today we celebrated J's birthday! After swimming for the big girls this morning and work in the yard, we ate dinner at Babe's. Yum! We had never been to Babe's and we all really enjoyed it! The girls were a little freaked out by the "chickens" in the entry way, but they were able to laugh about them on the way out the door. Then, a yummy ice cream treat at Dairy Queen. Whew! We are stuffed! In fact, we had to save the presents for in the morning because we were all tired and too full to celebrate any more. Happy Birthday, J!

Nueva Prima

I had to steal these pictures from my sister's blog, but the girls have a new cousin! Yippee! M was born on a cold and snowy Friday! In this picture, she's ONLY about 30 hours old! And yes, she was already at home.

What a sweet little "burrito!"

When we let HG hold her, she patted her and said "O! Pobrecito!" which means oh you poor little thing! Too funny!
J and HM stayed home, not going out for the snowy drive to see the new cousin!

Still Here!

It's been almost 2 months since HG has been home and I have been AWFUL about posting here. I'm sorry! We're all hanging in there and doing as well as we expected.
1. Christmas was lovely. I don't know if HG quite understood it all, but she had fun nonetheless. The girls got a wii from Santa and we've had fun playing the different games together.
2. HG started preschool (where HV and HM went) in early January, going 3 days per week. She seems to enjoy it and asks each morning about going to see her teacher! She will increase to 5 days per week of preschool this month/February. We are checking into putting her into a spanish preschool part-time too. A speech pathologist that we consulted recommended that we do this since HG isn't speaking in spanish as she should for her age--she uses 1-3 words, not complete sentences--and since her dominant language is spanish, it would make sense to increase that too. There are several spanish preschools around us, but I do not know if they will accept her since she is technically the age for kindergarten here.
3. All 3 girls are doing gymnastics. Everyone goes on Monday evenings and has a blast. HM also goes on Wednesday evenings. We don't care if they are gymnastic superstars. We just want them to have fun and have some exercise.
4. The big girls are continuing with their swim team on Fridays and Saturdays too. Both of them are like fish. I think once HG realizes that the water in our back yard is for swimming, we will be in trouble with her! She will want to be in it all the time! She likes to "swim" in the bathtub.
5. FIVE--we're still adjusting to being a family of five. We knew it would take time--a long time--for it to seem normal. I would say that where we are today is where I expected we would be: everyone still testing the boundaries, checking to see where they fit in this new normal for us all. Little by little, we will get there.
I promise to be better about posting. When I got 2 emails saying that people were worried because I had not posted, I figured I had better get busy! I'll do better--promise!

Home Sweet Home

I think most of you know this by now, but we arrived home in TX with HG one week ago today! What a difference a week has made! We're all still settling in, of course, but little by little, we will get there! We were in Guatemala for 3 weeks, missing Thanksgiving with the family (HV and K were the travelers with HM and J staying home).

Here's a photo of all 3 girls together tonight!

HV, HM, and HG

Our girls 4 years ago

HV enjoying a waffle

Little HM. I loved this haircut on her.

Little 5 month old HG. We didn't know about her then, but I treasure having some pictures of her when she was a wee little thing!

Momma Mallard

Yesterday on my way home, there was a sweet Momma Mallard walking down the edge of the road followed by her 9 little babies. All 9 of her kids were all following clustered behind her, less than 12" away. A car came by and Momma and 4 of her babies jumped up onto the sidewalk. The 5 left below the curb were SCARED! They were jumping, jumping, jumping, trying to get up on the sidewalk. One of them finally made it up over the curb (they weren't even as tall as the curb!) and then the other 4 finally made it. They all huddled in, closer to Momma, now less than 8 " away from her, but still walking along. Too precious. I just sat in my car, watching them go along. I guess they were out for their afternoon stroll, building up strength in their little legs (I'm guessing that they live in/around one of the ponds on the golf course right by our house).

My thoughts automatically turned to HG. She's jumping, jumping, jumping, trying to get to her Mommas and yet she hasn't made it to us yet. Even the little ducks KNOW they need their Momma. They want to be close to their Momma. And Momma wants them close to her. She needs to love them. And teach them. And nurture them. All so that they can grow up and become adult ducks.

And then, my thoughts turned to God and the amazing way He made us. He made us, both ducks and humans, to need our Mommas (or could be Daddies, of course). We need to be taught, to be loved, to be nurtured and God, in His wisdom, created families. A place where you can be accepted and loved, not matter what. A place where you can be taught to be strong, ready to face what comes your way. Being in a family is also the first place you get to try your hand at relationship skills. Skills you will use for the rest of your life. HV and I have been talking about this too--you have to practice being nice to your sister/family because it's your chance before getting out in the real world. Children need parents, not just their basic needs of food and shelter met. What would happen to the baby ducks (and children) without them?

HG and the baby ducks need their Mommas.

Be Afraid, Sister

My sister is one of a few people that read this ol' blog, so Sister, this one is for you. Look at what I saw this morning on the walkway to my center.

The dreaded June Bug with his sticky little feet. Be afraid, dear Sister. Be afraid.

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' 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.

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!

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....

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.

House Church Songs

I filmed the HGP girls (all 3 girls will have the same initials except for their middle names) singing two of their favorite songs this morning during House Church. Here you go!
To schedule an appearance of the HGP singers at your upcoming event, please contact their Mommy!

Chillin'

HM has always liked to work with tools. A few years ago, she got this wooden tool set for Christmas. At the last minute, I decided to pack it and bring it. HG played with it for about an hour this morning. (HM took the above picture for you to see).
At first, HG thought it was funny because she was permitted to hit the nails with the hammer. (She will try to hit the girls on occasion and so she was delighted that this was something she could hit without being redirected). Then, after a while, you could see that she was really thinking, trying to figure it all out. She would hammer the nails in and then turn the case upside down, trying to get them to fall back out. It has screws, nuts, a screwdriver, and a wrench too.
Today we mainly tried to use the screws and the nuts without the screwdriver and the wrench. HG's fine motor skills are behind and so this was "good work" for her. I have some wooden puzzles here too and so we will probably continue to "work" with both of those things for now. We also worked on making different sounds with our mouths. We're working on "Mommy" which typically either comes out as "Nina" or "Monny." She has a version of both HM and HV's names too. She is starting to try and tell us what she wants and she's no dummy! The girl loves to drink--it doesn't matter what it is, she loves it. At dinner, I told her she had to eat first and then she could have a drink. Well, I didn't say she had to eat ALL OF IT and so she ate one bite, just like I asked, and then asked for a drink again. That girl! Tonight, I tried using "todo pizza" but if one of us had a drink, she would ask for one. There's a part of me that feels bad by not letting her have a drink during her meal because at her orphanage, they were given just a few ounces of watered down juice after the meal, not during. I do allow her to drink during the meal, but if she had it her way, she would drink the whole cup and then try to eat.
After doing some "work" this morning (while HV and HM watched some videos), we headed for the pool. It was much more crowded today but we all had a good time. HG stayed in the water the whole time, a couple of hours. I even got a little sunburned! Being in the pool is such a good bonding tool for us. We must be close, skin to skin, because she is fearful but yet likes the water. There were some other families there that are fostering with little/younger kids and they had a ton of pool toys. HG got a cup toy and poured water on my head for a long time, laughing each time. If you came close to us, she would pour it on your head too! We won't be swimming over the weekend. The price is more on the weekend and they say it's much more crowded. I didn't like it too much this afternoon because it was harder to keep an eye on all 3 girls so I don't want to try for the weekend. Here are some pics from today.

I'm not quite sure why HG always gets this dazed look when you take her picture. She can be laughing and playing and when you bring out the camera, she turns to this look. Well, here she is, enjoying her ice cream cone today (Yes, I let them have ice cream again today but we had it on the way to the pool instead of before dinner!)

HV had seen on the sign for this ice cream shop that they have some sort of uva (grape) float called a Nevada. She has been asking me if she can get it. Well, today was the day. This was grape ice cream (it's not creamy but more like Italian ice--they call it nievas which is snow) with grape soda. She loved it! It was tasty but I don't think I could drink the whole thing! A bit too much grape for me!

HM looks tired in this picture (and this was BEFORE swimming today). She has been wanting to try the chocolate dipped cone with peanuts. Well, the chocolate didn't set up like it should have today but it still tasted good. If HM won't eat real food, you know she will eat ice cream, pizza, or spaghetti!

HV is such a good big sister for both HM and HG. Here she's trying to get HG to smile or laugh instead of the dazed look.

All 3 girlies on the good ol' horse!

We hope you had a good Friday. It's hard to believe that we've only been here for one week. On one hand, it seems like we've been here a LONG time. On the other hand, it seems like we just arrived yesterday.

Oh, I know it's been so hot in TX. I was talking to the housekeeper this morning and she told me that it was very hot here right now. I agree that it has been rather warm. I've done my fair share of sweating, that's for sure, but I know that it's NOTHING like what you guys have been experiencing at home. I hope you are all staying cool!

Peace and blessings!

Custody Happenings

I'll start this post now, but I don't know if I will finish it in one sitting since I hear little feet coming up the stairs. "Arriba" is being said by HM to HG. :)

If you remember, we went to seek custody of HG on Friday. The judge said to come back on Monday for the custody papers. We returned on Monday, just to be told to return on Thursday for the paperwork. Well, we needed to go into the City on Wednesday and so we decided to take our chances and go by the Court first. The clerk met us in the hallway and told us that she did not call us to come and that tomorrow was our day. She stomped off upstairs and I looked at A (HA's mom) and told her that we should go down the hall to see the Judge ourselves. She agreed and so while the Clerk was missing in action, we were sneaky down the hall. The "secretary" said that we could see her in about 10 minutes. So, we stood around and then out came the Judge. She recognized A, almost like they were long lost friends. They spoke and Judge told A that she would have the papers ready in 10 minutes for us to go pick up HG! She said that we would need to return around 2 p.m. for some other paperwork, but the document she was going to provide in 10 minutes was enough for us to pick her up. Yippee!!! So, after getting the document, we headed to the orphanage. When we arrived, they were getting HG ready in a nice little dress. The orphanage staff prefers that I just wait in the entry way, not fully entering the building. When the nanny came out with HG, she told HG that her Mommy was there to pick her up. She just stopped and looked over in my direction. I spoke and her face lit up! She remembered me! She came to me immediately and allowed me to pick her up and hug her. We cuddled close and HV and HM were happy to see her. One of the nannies wanted to pick her up to say good bye and I asked to take their photo. The nanny agreed, but HG did not want to be picked up by her. A told her that it was just for the photo and that she was leaving with Mommy. She posed for a few pictures as long as I was close by.

We all shed some tears (well, not everyone but me and the nannies that have cared for her for the last year) and away we went.

Here's the girls have their first snack together, fruit gummies!

We had lunch at McDonald's (for those of you that know me, you know I don't eat here but I've eaten here 2 times in the last week!). HG is a patita (french fry) lover! She'll fit right in at our house, right? We did have to take the fries away from her, telling her that she had to eat some of her quesoburgesa (cheese burger) before she could have more patitas. She then figured she could dip her burger in the ketchup and thought that was rather funny. After the burger and the fries were gone, she then proceeded to just lick the ketchup. We stopped that, of course. We then headed back to the Court where we waited for 2 hours for the paperwork to be issued. They finally called my name and so I went up to the window to sign a paper. My name was misspelled. I was fearing a long delay in fixing that, but the guy smiled and said, "We can do this fast!" and he reprinted the sheet. I signed and we were set. Now, in my petition for custody, I asked for the hogar to maintain the legal custody (called the tutela here) and that I was simply responsible for the care. Well, the judge actually revoked the tutela from the orphanage and gave it to me. While this is great, it is now even more imperative that the process go smoothly and quickly because I cannot take her back to the hogar. I know that God will provide but the human side of me gets nervous and fearful about these things. Anyway, I asked the Judge if we could take a photo with her even though cameras weren't allowed past the security on the floor below. She said sure and so here we all are! A is in the blue jacket and the Judge is in the pink blouse. You know everyone else.

A few closing thoughts from yesterday:

1. In our excitement to get to the City and potentially pick up HG, we forgot to plan for diapers (HG is not potty trained at all--I'll start on it in a few days). After she was in the car, I looked at A and said, "Oh no! We don't have any diapers or wipes!" We laughed because A has like 2 cases of diapers at her house but yet we brought none. A quick trip to Paiz (WalMart) fixed that. Thank goodness too because we had to use one and LOTS of wipes when we returned to the Court for the final paperwork.

2. I FIRMLY believe that we would not have received the paperwork we did had A not been seen by the Judge. We've been referring to her as "abuelita" (Grandmother). HV said, "Man! We should have made you come back here to the Judge's office before now!" It was rather humorous. What's even funnier is that A doesn't really know the Judge. She said that she has seen her around town but she wasn't even sure of her name. She said that she could easily pretend to know her if it helped us with HG's case! We laughed about that all afternoon.

3. Guatemala traffic is worse than traffic in the DFW area. It can take 2 hours to travel 25 miles.

4. HG is babbling a TON more than she did in January. I know that she believes she is saying something because she says the same thing over and over to me. I, however, have no idea what she is saying. She does repeat what you say alot. We're taking it easy today but I'll begin working with her more tomorrow. She does remember some of the signs that we taught her in January. I was quite impressed with that.

5. HV and HM have been great. Sitting in a lobby on a wooden bench for 2 hours is no fun. Today, I plan to take them swimming. We did this the other day too (the day with no internet access) and so I'll post pictures later.

6. HG seems healthy overall. I think she is used to drinking more milk/formula (I'm not sure what she typically drinks, honestly) than she is eating food. She'll try most things but still drinks her milk from a pacha (bottle). I'm fine with that because it forces eye contact and closeness because I don't allow her to hold the bottle. I hold her and the bottle while she drinks.

7. I asked her for a hug this morning and she gave me one. It's a step.

8. She doesn't like to be too far away from me or the girls. She tends to follow HM more. Perhaps it's because they spent time together before. Perhaps it's because HM is just only 3/4 head taller than HG. Who knows. Right now, their watching another Scooby video on my bed.

9. HG needs a haircut--bad! We're going to see if we can take care of that this afternoon on the way to the pool. I don't think it's been cut since I had it done in January.

10. I can't believe that all 3 of my girls are here in the apartment with me!

Prayer Requests:

1. Please pray that HG's mom, M, will not cancel any appointments. It is imperative that things run smoothly from here on out so that we can return home asap.

2. Pray for the Judges and Court officials, that they will have HG's best interest in mind in their processing of her case. Being home in TX where she can receive the medical attention and intervention that she needs is rather important.

3. Pray for us as we transition into our new family unit. There is, of course, a little jealousy between the girls. HG needs a lot of attention. She is always on me or one of the girls. HV and HM are being very tolerant and helpful, but I imagine that the "honeymoon" will end before too long.

Thank you, dear friends, for your support. We appreciate it more than you know.

What a Sight!

I forgot to flip the bottom picture before uploading here, but as you can see, 3 little girls all watching some good ol' Scooby Doo!

Off to fix breakfast for THREE DAUGHTERS!

more later, of course.

Whew! TGIF!

Busy week for us! I'm glad it's over. HM and HV went to a softball camp in the evening this week. They had a good time and learned some good skills. In fact, it's probably the most instruction they have both had!



girls with coaches from camp
On Wednesday, the girls went to Hurricane Harbor with my sister, affectionately called Nay Nay by my girls. In return, I got to watch Nay Nay's baby, the Bear. Boy, it's been a while since I've taken care of a baby! It was great fun and she was a good baby for me. I was able to give Nay Nay some hints on how a woman babysitter could get Bear to drink her bottle. If you know Nay Nay, you'll have to ask her about it sometime. Love ya, Sis!

The Bear

I saw that the DFW area made it on CNN this morning for the bad weather we've had in the last few days. While we did have massive rain at our house, we didn't have the damage like seen in other parts of the metroplex. We're thankful! We had a few small limbs, but nothing like other areas.

That's a wrap! Have a blessed weekend!

Children's Devotional Book?

I'm looking for a children's devotional book that I can do with the girls daily. Any recommendations? The girls are ages 6 and 9 years of age.
THANKS, friends, for your input!