Hello everyone, things are going pretty well. Today we went to the zoo and the Artisian Market. The zoo was nicer than I expected it to be and the kids seemed to enjoy it. The Artisian market was nice also. We went there on our last trip, so I knew what to expect. We also ate at the local steak house there and that was really yummy!
Gideon is doing pretty well. He's not always the happy go lucky baby I know he wants to be, but that will come I'm sure. He is just really tempermental. Sometimes he is totally fine and sometimes he is just really whiney. Poor little guy. I am just cutting him tons of slack and loving on him as much as I can! He really is such a sweetheart. Oh and his sleeping leaves little to be desired, but at least when he wakes up he doesn't stay up. I tell you though, Maddie has gotten up at least once a night and Annie is getting up 3 to 4 times. So with Gideon, sleep is somewhat minimal, but nothing I can't handle.
Ryan is hoping to get some pictures loaded today so I will post some when I get the chance.
Tomorrow we go to the Embassy and the only other thing we have planned is a trip to a local volcano.
See ya!
Julie
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Just a quickie..
Gideon is sitting on my lap right now. He is being pretty fussy right now. Antigua was great, but it was a pretty long day with all 5 of the kids. They did well but they just got very tired and bored by the end of the day. I am glad we went though and if it weren't for fussy kiddos I would have loved to stay longer.
One thing I just really like about Guatemala (which I think this is kind of a Central America thing) is the park like areas that everyone gathers to. I mean we are downtown Guatemala City and there's a large sitting area and fountain just a block from here. And people actually gather there just to hang out. Antigua was the same way. I just think that is really nice, but I guess that is the social bug coming out in me.
There are a couple random things I'd like to note. Another thing about the foster family that I thought was cool was that when they brought Gideon here they brought all the things I had sent for him the last 10 months. They had also filled up the two disposible camaras we had left. I never expected to get things back and I did!
The second random thing is that I met a couple here that both graduated from Cedarville University. I couldn't believe. They seem like a great couple. They are adopting a little girl Gideon's age and they have two older girls Leah and Logan's age. They are here for an extended period of time, so I have a feeling we will hook up some!
Well, that is it for now. I hope Gideon sleeps as well tonight as he did last night. He is just so whiney right now. I mean I totally understand the poor little guy has been through a lot, but it is just tough to not be able to make him better. Please pray for him as he transitions. I think he wants to be happy. Sometimes he plays like nothing is going on, but lately, well, I think he is just a sad little guy.
Julie
One thing I just really like about Guatemala (which I think this is kind of a Central America thing) is the park like areas that everyone gathers to. I mean we are downtown Guatemala City and there's a large sitting area and fountain just a block from here. And people actually gather there just to hang out. Antigua was the same way. I just think that is really nice, but I guess that is the social bug coming out in me.
There are a couple random things I'd like to note. Another thing about the foster family that I thought was cool was that when they brought Gideon here they brought all the things I had sent for him the last 10 months. They had also filled up the two disposible camaras we had left. I never expected to get things back and I did!
The second random thing is that I met a couple here that both graduated from Cedarville University. I couldn't believe. They seem like a great couple. They are adopting a little girl Gideon's age and they have two older girls Leah and Logan's age. They are here for an extended period of time, so I have a feeling we will hook up some!
Well, that is it for now. I hope Gideon sleeps as well tonight as he did last night. He is just so whiney right now. I mean I totally understand the poor little guy has been through a lot, but it is just tough to not be able to make him better. Please pray for him as he transitions. I think he wants to be happy. Sometimes he plays like nothing is going on, but lately, well, I think he is just a sad little guy.
Julie
Monday, October 8, 2007
Intermission over....
Ok, I'm back.
So, after we talked about his name Ilse asked if there was anything the foster family would like to say to us. Gideon's foster mom said that she felt that our family was a blessing from God. She also said that she has a million things going through her mind, but she couldn't get out what she wanted to say. I felt the same way. She held my hand part of the time and it was just very precious to me.
We gave them some gifts and they were very appreciative.
All in all the hand off was amazingly sad and exciting all at the same time. We are so blessed to have had this particular foster family. I really cannot say enough nice things about them!
Goodbye for now!
Julie
So, after we talked about his name Ilse asked if there was anything the foster family would like to say to us. Gideon's foster mom said that she felt that our family was a blessing from God. She also said that she has a million things going through her mind, but she couldn't get out what she wanted to say. I felt the same way. She held my hand part of the time and it was just very precious to me.
We gave them some gifts and they were very appreciative.
All in all the hand off was amazingly sad and exciting all at the same time. We are so blessed to have had this particular foster family. I really cannot say enough nice things about them!
Goodbye for now!
Julie
Our Family is finally all together!!!
I am teary eyed as I even type that title!
Around 10:15 we got a call from Ilse, our facilitator. She was in the lobby waiting for Gideon and he wasn't there yet. So, Ryan I went down and waited with her. About 10:45 she called our attorney and apparently there was a miscommunication and they thought the meeting was to be at 11:00. So, we waited and about 11:15 I saw Jorge (Gideon's foster brother) walk through the lobby. I guess they went to the baby lounge because that is where we met last time.
So up the elevator we went and when we arrived, Gideon was sleeping in his foster mom's arms. We hugged immediately. Gideon's foster mom has such a sweet sense about her.
We went into the baby lounge and small talked quite a bit. We talked again about what Gideon's schedule is, what he likes to eat, etc. He has 7 teeth (4 on top, 3 on bottom) and no molars yet. He sleeps in their room with them and I assured her that we plan to do the same thing when he gets home, at least initially. After looking through some paperwork, we took the party upstairs for them to meet the clan.
Still Gideon slept.
We introduced everyone to the whole family. The kids were great. Both Ilse and the foster mom were so impressed with how well behaved they all were and how they weren't jealous. I think the foster mom was a little concerned with how Gideon would be received. She was pretty impressed I think. After a little while Gideon woke up. He was a little scared at first, but he warmed up to all the kids quite quickly. Before long he was playing and smiling just like I remembered him doing.
We took lots of pictures and videos. The foster mom said lots of sweet things about our family. I am glad because I wanted her to feel comfortable with us. I really believe she did. She was so concerned for Gideon. She didn't want him to see her cry. Even when she left she didn't want him to be distressed and she snuck out. She didn't even kiss him goodbye because she didn't want to disturb him.
They asked us what we were going to name him and I told her. She asked why we didn't tell them sooner because they would have called him that. I felt really silly for not sharing sooner, but I was afraid they might be offended. I should have known better. Gideon has always been their TOP priority. They would have done whatever was best for him. I told them we got his name from the bible and they wanted to hear the story, so I told them. Through that I found out that Ilse is a Christian and the foster family is Catholic. She seemed happy that we knew of the bible.
*****INTERMISSION****
I have to go, but I will write more later!
Julie
Around 10:15 we got a call from Ilse, our facilitator. She was in the lobby waiting for Gideon and he wasn't there yet. So, Ryan I went down and waited with her. About 10:45 she called our attorney and apparently there was a miscommunication and they thought the meeting was to be at 11:00. So, we waited and about 11:15 I saw Jorge (Gideon's foster brother) walk through the lobby. I guess they went to the baby lounge because that is where we met last time.
So up the elevator we went and when we arrived, Gideon was sleeping in his foster mom's arms. We hugged immediately. Gideon's foster mom has such a sweet sense about her.
We went into the baby lounge and small talked quite a bit. We talked again about what Gideon's schedule is, what he likes to eat, etc. He has 7 teeth (4 on top, 3 on bottom) and no molars yet. He sleeps in their room with them and I assured her that we plan to do the same thing when he gets home, at least initially. After looking through some paperwork, we took the party upstairs for them to meet the clan.
Still Gideon slept.
We introduced everyone to the whole family. The kids were great. Both Ilse and the foster mom were so impressed with how well behaved they all were and how they weren't jealous. I think the foster mom was a little concerned with how Gideon would be received. She was pretty impressed I think. After a little while Gideon woke up. He was a little scared at first, but he warmed up to all the kids quite quickly. Before long he was playing and smiling just like I remembered him doing.
We took lots of pictures and videos. The foster mom said lots of sweet things about our family. I am glad because I wanted her to feel comfortable with us. I really believe she did. She was so concerned for Gideon. She didn't want him to see her cry. Even when she left she didn't want him to be distressed and she snuck out. She didn't even kiss him goodbye because she didn't want to disturb him.
They asked us what we were going to name him and I told her. She asked why we didn't tell them sooner because they would have called him that. I felt really silly for not sharing sooner, but I was afraid they might be offended. I should have known better. Gideon has always been their TOP priority. They would have done whatever was best for him. I told them we got his name from the bible and they wanted to hear the story, so I told them. Through that I found out that Ilse is a Christian and the foster family is Catholic. She seemed happy that we knew of the bible.
*****INTERMISSION****
I have to go, but I will write more later!
Julie
Sunday, October 7, 2007
We are Here!!!
Hey everyone! Well we made it here without a hitch. Everything went pretty smooth, even the flights. The only bad thing is that we can't get Gideon today. :( They called about 2:15 and said something about him not having his embassy medical done yet and they needed to get that done first. So he will be here tomorrow at 10:00 am. So, not the end of the world, but a bummer none the less. I was totally geared up to get him today! So, tomorrow it will be I guess.
Our rooms are excellent. We have a bi-level suite that is twice the size of our last room. Man, we just have so much space compared to last time!
Well, I just wanted to check in. Maddie and I are here in the baby lounge while everyone rests a little before we go to the grocery and dinner.
Keep praying and I will keep updating!!!
Julie
Our rooms are excellent. We have a bi-level suite that is twice the size of our last room. Man, we just have so much space compared to last time!
Well, I just wanted to check in. Maddie and I are here in the baby lounge while everyone rests a little before we go to the grocery and dinner.
Keep praying and I will keep updating!!!
Julie
Friday, October 5, 2007
And away we go......
Well, we leave tomorrow for Columbus. Our flight leaves first thing Sunday morning.
I am so so so excited!! I have been packing a little bit all week, but today was super busy. I thought I had everything in with some room to spare, but then I went upstairs and realized I hadn't packed anything of Leah's. *Sigh* I had set all her stuff out already it just never made it to the suitcases. So now they are crammed. There's a lot of them also. Unfortunately.
I am feeling pretty good though about all I have done. Pretty much all the packing is done. We aren't leaving until tomorrow afternoon, so we will have a little time to pull a few last minute things together.
I would really appreciate your prayers! I am a little nervous about traveling with all the kids. Don't get me wrong, I am super excited everyone is going, but it will be a little tough. Also, I am pretty nervous about the "hand off." Gideon's poor foster family will be very sad to see him go.
Well, I am sure I will blog some while we are there. So until then....
Julie
I am so so so excited!! I have been packing a little bit all week, but today was super busy. I thought I had everything in with some room to spare, but then I went upstairs and realized I hadn't packed anything of Leah's. *Sigh* I had set all her stuff out already it just never made it to the suitcases. So now they are crammed. There's a lot of them also. Unfortunately.
I am feeling pretty good though about all I have done. Pretty much all the packing is done. We aren't leaving until tomorrow afternoon, so we will have a little time to pull a few last minute things together.
I would really appreciate your prayers! I am a little nervous about traveling with all the kids. Don't get me wrong, I am super excited everyone is going, but it will be a little tough. Also, I am pretty nervous about the "hand off." Gideon's poor foster family will be very sad to see him go.
Well, I am sure I will blog some while we are there. So until then....
Julie
Monday, October 1, 2007
Some pictures in honor of our pick up trip!
In honor of our upcoming pick up trip I thought I'd post some photos of Gideon from our last trip.
I crack up every time I see this picture of Gideon. Oh my goodness, he can have the funniest smiles!
One of the few times he was in the stroller!
With a buddy at the Marriott. Her mama was so sweet and was on the same flight home with us!
I don't think he found the humor in the bow.......
Just being his adorable self!
Gideon with my good friend Jen that traveled with me!
Just another cute one of Gideon playing in the baby lounge.
Soon, I will be with him again! They are suppose to bring him to our hotel around 2:00 on Sunday afternoon!
I crack up every time I see this picture of Gideon. Oh my goodness, he can have the funniest smiles!
One of the few times he was in the stroller!
With a buddy at the Marriott. Her mama was so sweet and was on the same flight home with us!
I don't think he found the humor in the bow.......
Just being his adorable self!
Gideon with my good friend Jen that traveled with me!
Just another cute one of Gideon playing in the baby lounge.
Soon, I will be with him again! They are suppose to bring him to our hotel around 2:00 on Sunday afternoon!
Julie
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)