Our Visit Trip Pictures

Since I could only choose ten I chose my favorites. Hope you enjoy my slideshow. I have plenty more pics. I took hundreds so this isn't even 10% of what I have. We love our son and can't wait till the day comes to bring him home.

We are Home

We are now home. It was a long flight and an emotional one. We got home late and today spent the time getting pictures, a very few, developed and showing them off. Now to find something to keep me busy. I may have too. The kids in our apartment complex need some activities for them and I volunteered to do it. I have some ideas and plan on starting this weekend to see what I can come up with and see if we can start implementing it this coming week. It will keep me busy and I need that. Tangela, our property manager, was surprised to know that was something that kept crossing my mind. It is like God knew I needed to stay major busy between visit trips and bring home so here I go. God has something great planned. Please be praying my ideas and plans work. I will need some help so please pray parents or someone will help. I will need it. In the meantime, I will keep things updated.

In Between Days and Our Last Day

Between arrival of our precious, adorable son and him going back to his foster parents we spent every minute with him. We went to bed early and got up with him and took care of him. Held him watched, watched him, took pictures of him, and just basically loved him and spoiled him. During the mid morning time when Clay finally did nap the next day, Matt let me take some short time for me. The first time, a shower and clean the bottles used earlier. We spent breakfast in the cafe and lunch/dinner at the pool. Wednesday, the last day with our child we got breakfast and lunch at the cafe. We spent the rest of the time in our room getting some final pictures and just enjoying him while I am trying so hard not to think of what was coming. See Monday night, Tuesday morning between 3am and 7am Clay for the first time I can tell rolled from his back to his tummy instead of just his side. Then that morning he started laughing for Matt, and I swear he said mama. I was so thrilled. We heard it, saw it first. The last few hours we had with him were spent watching him sleep and playing with him the few minutes he was awake. At 7pm I changed him and when they called we took him down the elevator to where they waited. I couldnt do it. I couldnt let him go. He wanted them and smiled but it hurt so bad. We couldnt understand each other till this lady came by and offered to translate cause someone from the lobby was busy and was taking awhile. I finally got the nerve up and handed him the baby since him FM's hands were full with what I gave her and OH MY GOD!!!! I couldnt say much. I know they will take care of him and love him but it was me I couldnt stand it but I had to. I stayed calm until Matt helped them get everything I gave them to the taxi and they drove away with my baby. I know he is ours but he is mine too. They walked away and I broke down. We got to the room and I walked in, it still smelled so much like him, and the crib and stuff but I cried in the pillow awhile Matt holding me and then I got up and had to go about living. He is ok. They love him, are taking care of him and I will see him again in September for a little while and I will hurt again. But I need to see him. We went to the family room and talked to a couple about a week ahead of us in the process and then went to get dinner. First time all week. We got online. Checked in. And got ready for the trip home. Our baby was happy with us and he was happy going back to them. This way we are not strangers when the day comes and we bring him home, his forever family, a family God has put together. In His Time, I know, but it sure doesn't diminish the pain or the tears. So hurry up DNA and PA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our First Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I got one hour sleep and picked Matt up at work. We were the first in line to check our baggage in at the Continental Counter, second in line to put checked luggage at luggage drop and second in line for the security line. Then our flight was delayed due to maintenance but no worry we still made it to Houston in time to walk through a very confusing airport. This part of our flight was normal. We slept from Houston to Guatemala City until time to eat bfast and do customs and immigration forms. Once we got to Guatemala City everything changed. We made it through Immigration. It wasnt bad we waited in line to walk to a counter and they took our immigration form, scanned our passport and stamped it. We then collected bags and a porter took it. As we went outside it was overwhelming the crowds of people as we got outside. Then instead of getting on the shuttle some guy took the bags put them in his van and wouldnt give them back or take no for an answer so ended up paying $20 for what should have been a free ride. We walked into a really fancy place. Checked into our room and went upstairs to rest. We got in the room and had to call down for a crib. We were about to lay down and the phone rang. I thought it was Carol cause she realized we were there, but it wasnt. It was the front desk saying our baby was there. I put my shoes on and didnt even think to brush my hair. Went down and as we stepped off of the elevator I saw him. Oh my gosh!!!!!!!!!! He looked just like his pictures, perfect. I got to hold him and he was a little cranky just waken up and we with the family and interpreter went to our room. I forgot everything but my baby. The foster mom gave me the night schedule, how to fix the bottle, about the gas drops and med in case ran a fever or something. Carol called and she came up and got some video and I dont remember much. Matt took the foster mom to the family room to heat up a bottle and the interpreter and dad stayed with me and Clay. I got to playing with him and he started smiling and everything seemed to just fall in place. After the family left we went down to the pool and Carol ordered lunch and we met Barb and Jade, Maria and her family and Barb's sister. After that we went to our room and started spending time with our son. I guess the scariest thing that night was that he got gas and I went to give him his gas drops and too much came out. Scared me to death. He was ok though got rid of the gas and he was back to being a very happy, content baby. And thus started our time together.

Our dream for homecoming!!

Our ultimate dream would be for a miracle to occur and us bring our son home by Christmas. Just a dream, though. In reality, his first birthday is a possibility and so I have included a countdown to Clay's first birthday. Only God knows when we will bring him home, though, and His timing is perfect.