5 months...

As I looked at the date today, I realized that it has been 5 months since our little man entered our lives. Sure, we prayed for him for years prior to having him home with us, but no picture could replace us actually HAVING him in our house. It is amazing to look back. If you look back to November 2007 in the archives, you will see some holes in our story. It was a strange turn of events that I never explained really. Oooo, I am so mysterious. At the time, it was just all so overwhelming.

First, we were going to have Jeff travel to get Mario in Guatemala. There was a LOT going on in Guatemala at the time, and we were already seriously nervous about Jeff traveling alone and being with a baby for 4 days, then on the plane. It was just a crazy and stressful time. We were in contact with our congressman who thought it would be better for us not to travel if we could avoid it considering some circumstances that had happened. We abruptly changed our plans and had Mario escorted here. It was just the right choice for us, but I certainly "stalked" other's blogs to "see" their views of Guatemala. Thank you to all who posted such beautiful pictures making me feel like I was part of it, even though we did not travel there.

Escorting created a set of issues that I could not have prepared for...you have to have a different visa and a cable sent there.... more paperwork...and there were roadblocks that were causing many delays. We had to get our congressman to speak on our behalf.... then we got the call. The day before Thanksgiving, we were told that he was coming home the following Tuesday. Boy, we were so excited. We told our family, invited them to the airport, made the flight arrangements, etc.... then, we got the call that there were issues with our visa, and it did not arrive. Calls then were made to our family to tell them NOT to come to the airport, things were cancelled, etc. The up and down was just too much.

Finally, we were told that we should make the flight plans for our escort for the 29th ! The day of was a blur. As much as I thought that I was prepared, I SO was not. I did not know what he was eating or anything. There were many "holes" in the information we had received, so we were "winging" it.

Picking him up was just a whirl-wind. We did not know if we would be allowed to go to the gate or how we would even find them at the busy airport. After some schmoozing, they let us back, and not too long after, we were standing at the gate waiting to see this little wave....






How perfect is that little face? I could not have dreamt it better.

I am not going to pretend that the past few months have been easy, but they have really gotten better and better every day that he is in our lives. The first month or so, he was sick, rashy, distant and sad. I did not really tell that side of the story. Only my family and close friends know about that time... maybe someday I will share it. What I focus on is the now. Now, he has bonded to us so much and us to him. Now, he says, "Mama, Dada, Siss." Now, he reaches for us and allows me to comfort him when he is hurt. Now, he gives kisses (sometimes with tongue). Now, he wants no one but us. Now, he is one of the greatest loves of my life and I cannot imagine what life was like before

NOW.

Thank you, ALL who have followed our story so far, or for those of you who are just joining us. If you are a lurker, leave a comment today. I'd love to hear from you! 16,000 hits... amazing what one little Guatemalan can do!

CONSIDER ADOPTION.