Six Months Ago Today...

We loaded everything up and headed from the beautiful Guatemala City Marriott to La Aurora Airport. We were coming home...as a family! I will never forget the feeling as the plane took off and we began to soar high above the gorgeous landscapes of Guatemala. Then, a few hours later, we saw land out the window....AMERICAN soil. Our daughter was about to become a citizen. There was no greater feeling then landing in Houston, knowing that the very last leg of this long journey was about to start...and soon end. With only moments to spare we caught the flight to Cleveland and made a quick call to our parents telling them we were on time and that we would see them soon...they were about to meet the newest member of their family in mere hours. The excitement was uncontrollable. It was overwhelming. My heart has never beat as fast as it did when the snow covered neighborhoods of Ohio came into view outside my airplane window. Was this really happening? I had dreamed about this exact moment for months. And it was here. I quickly laid Mikayla out on the airport seats to change her diaper as the people in the front of the plane began to get off. We were in the last seats! I smoothed down here hair, damp with sweat from the nap she had just taken in Kris' arms. I stared into her eyes and thought about the people waiting inside. People that had prayed for Mikayla's arrival home since the day we received her referral. I teared up. I was crying and we were not even off the plane! The walk from the terminal to the exit was filled with so much anticipation and excitement. And then, there we were...all FOUR of us. And there they all were...our family and friends! Camera's flashed, signs waved, balloons flew, and tears of pure joy fell...from nearly everyone's eyes. It was one of the most emotional moments I have ever experienced. I am sure the people watching this all happen could even feel the love and emotions coming from all of us. It was an unforgettable moment. And that night, as Kris and I dressed her in a sleeper that has been waiting 7 months to be worn, we watched her sleep. We stood over her crib and relished in the moment that she was here, in her room, in her bed, and she was peacefully sleeping like she had been there all along.

The past six months have been filled with so much happiness and joy. We have watched our infant become a toddler. We have seen her flourish in our home and embrace us with open arms. How is that we have already been home for six wonderful months? Has it really been that long? I can't believe that it really has. I know I say it over and over but my family is my world and I love them more then life. I am so fortunate to have the blessings in my life that I do and it is on anniversary days, like today, I am reminded of what an amazing life I have been given. Thank you Lord, for blessing me with a husband who is my best friend, children that amaze me daily, and a future that is bright.


I am posting her Welcome Home Video again because some of you have only just started to follow our journey might have missed it the first time. And even if you have seen...watch it again:-) You better believe I watch it all the time!

Our Adoption Story!

Earlier this week I was contacted by someone who runs the website http://www.northcoastmoms.com/ about the possibility of writing a story about our adoption. She had come across my blog somehow and wanted to know if I would be interested in doing this and that they would feature the story on their website (which is affiliated with Channel 3 News out of Cleveland). I told her I would love to share our story so off to the writing pad I went. Today it was uploaded on their website and will be the feature for the week! I am so excited that I was able to share our story and show the positive side to International Adoption....especially with so much negativity right now in the news about IA. I hope that you will take a minute to read it:-)

http://www.northcoastmoms.com/

In crazy other news...I was stung by a bee at the Adoption Picnic on Sat. I have never been stung before so I had NO idea how I would react. Well...I reacted. HAH. My entire foot is swollen to the point where I can not wear shoes and is itchy, red, and painful. It is SO bad that I went to Statcare today. They said I needed to take steroids to help get rid of the reaction so I started those tonight. Please pray that they help because I am one itchy woman. My poor foot.

Alec and Mikayla have now come down with my lovely cold. I guess I should have expected that. Why do I even wash my hands ten thousand times a day when I am sick and Lysol everything because my kids always end up getting it anyway!!! So Mikayla is miserable and so is Alec. Poor kids! I, however, am much better....except for my gigantic foot!!!!!!!

Mikayla is taking more and more steps lately. She is getting SO sturdy on her feet and I am so proud of my little sweetie! I just want to freeze both my kids in time. They are getting big WAY too fast! Alec's Fifth Birthday Party is in TWO weeks and we are excited for it. It's a Finding Nemo theme this year and I am having it at Sippo Lake so the kids are all going to fish and such. Should be a good time!

Ohio Guatemalan Adoption Picnic 2007

Today was amazing. It truly was. There is nothing better then being in one place with so many beautiful children, in which we have been blessed with, from the gorgeous country of Guatemala. There was so much laughter and joy that my heart is full for a very, very long time because of this one incredible day. We all know that adoption is an unbelievable experience. It brings people together that may have never crossed paths. It molds families and creates common threads. Today, we celebrated together. We celebrated the joys of adoption. We watched our children play together, smile at each other, stare at each other...our children that used to be so far away from us all. I couldn't help but think back to our first luncheon when most of us were there together pining for our children to come home. In the past 6 months we have lifted each other's spirits, been a source of support for each other, and been each other's number one fans! We have watched child after child come home and we wait with and support those who are still waiting to bring home their children. We are....one big happy adoptive family now. Truly...so many of you feel like my family.

So today at 1:00 pm the cars started rolling in and the the celebration began. The food was wonderful , the weather (although VERY sticky) was beautiful, and the park couldn't have been nicer. We visited, we laughed, we talked, we admired all the children. It was a GREAT time. All the efforts that went into making this event possible were worth every second. I am so excited to have started this wonderful tradition. I can't wait to watch our children grow together for years and years to come.

I know MANY of you that were there read my blog and I just want to thank you all for being a part of today, for making it possible, for taking the time to make this picnic all that it was and more! To my friends...you are all the best...and I mean that from the bottom of my heart!

View from the little bridge you cross to get to the picnic

The "location" LOL

Just a few of my wonderful fellow Guatamommy's

The best husband in the world....who supports me and helps me make all my "ventures" like this one possible. I love you Kris! OH....and this is her beautiful dress we bought her while in Guatemala. It is all hand-stitched!

Gina~without your help I couldn't have done it! You are one amazing person...a true best friend in every sense of the word!

Look at this amazing cake! Thank you to the wonderful people that donated the money so that we could get this beautiful (and yummy) cake. You know who you are and trust me when I say that I appreciate it so very much!

Almost time to eat!

Camille is ready to PICNIC!

Just a few more fellow Guata-families!

Picnic Shot Take #1

Picnic Shot Take #2

Mikayla and Devon checking each other out. Mikayla is admiring Devon's awesome outfit and Devon is admiring Mikayla's Hairbows!

Look at sweet Devon....she has been home around a month!

Grabbing the loot after breaking the first Pinata!

Mikayla gives it her all!

She is waiting on her little brother to come home from Guatemala! They have PINK and will be traveling to bring him home very soon! Another baby will be joining the group!

Go Christian GO!

Sweet Camille!

Alec has the BEST time today! There are A LOT of big brothers to little Guatemalan sisters and they were ALL at the picnic! What GREAT big brothers they are too!

My beautiful daughter...I love her so much! Melissa...do you recognize anything??

Another sweet shot!

We looked over at her and she looked up at us and then laid her head down and went to sleep! It was sooooo cute! She was so good today...ALL the kids were good today and trust me when I say it was HOT and MUGGY there!

Sleeping Beauty!

Group Stroller Shot!

Gina and I :-)

FIRST STEPS

Mikayla started taking steps last night!!! For the past few days she has been standing herself up on her own so we knew she was close. She doesn't need anything to hold on to or anything...she just stands herself up! Then she tries REALLY hard to walk. Tonight I caught her taking a few steps on the video I am posting below! She has a "waddle" kind of walk! Sooooo adorable!

So these pictures are not very good because guess what!? I AM SOOOOOO SICK. I have a terrible sinus infection that has moved into my lungs. It is SO bad that today I went to the DR who put me on a whole bunch of "stuff" and gave me a breathing treatment. So when mommy is sick...Mikayla doesn't look her best because mommy doesn't do her hair! LOL. OH...and of course the picnic that I have worked SO hard on is this SATURDAY! So...say a prayer for me. We have 18 families coming to the picnic and not only am I sick...but it's supposed to be the first rainy Saturday of the summer! What luck I have!

I promise better pictures soon!

Hmmm...I think I might walk!

I am CONCENTRATING!

All Smiles!

Daddy...I love you!

Alec and Haylee...sitting in a tree:-)

OK so they are not quite THAT age yet but they sure do have the sweetest friendship! Alec was born in August of 2002 and Haylee was born a few months later in January of 2003. We visited Haylee two days after she was born in the same hospital where Alec was delivered and the two have been friends ever since. In fact, Alec spent the night with Haylee before he was even ONE. They get together quite a few times throughout the year to spend the night with each other and they never miss each other's birthday's. They are friends for life I think. I truly do think that and they are SO adorable together. It is so funny to listen to them talk back and forth about things. Sooooo funny. What a fun age this is.

Haylee's mom dropped her off this morning around nine and we headed up to the Akron Zoo around noon because Haylee had never been there. Alec was sure showing her the "ropes" of the Akron Zoo since I think this was his fifth trip there this summer. It's always a good time even though it was PACKED today since the weather was so beautiful! Here are the pictures from today:-)

On our way to the ZOO!

Isn't this the SWEETEST picture!?

Welll...they sure don't weight much!

Ringing the bell in the train:-)

Checking out the turtles

Haylee has her eyes closed but this is still a cute picture

Alec loves crossing this rope bridge!

This thing was sticking it's tongue out at Alec! He was feeding it crackers.

Looking at some HUGE birds and I have no idea what they were...sorry! LOL

Haylee wanted this picture with Mikayla. She ADORES Mikayla and keeps talking to her and such and Alec tells her she is NOT allowed to talk to Mikayla because she is HIS friend...not Mikayla's! HAH!

Haylee just threw her crackers at the animals. She was a little scared of them.

Mom...the sun is TOO bright for a picture!

After I took this Haylee said...I think I am going to look BEAUTIFUL in that picture!

This is another pretty shot!

Silly Friends!

Hey mom...are you going to take my picture too?

I can't believe you took me back to this zoo AGAIN! How many times am I going to have to go to this place?!?!?

PICTURES!

OK so here are your pictures:-) I promised and I have delivered! Gina and I had a good time out shopping getting everything for the picnic and the guys had a good time golfing...well...Alec had a good time I think. LOL. Not sure how that went....BUT...Alec seemed to have had a good time:-) Here are some shots of the kids!

Alec posing for a picture

Gina you are SOOOO funny!

Here I am with my big brothers police radio and he's not here to stop me THIS time!

Hang on mom..I need to do my hair please

It's just about ready...one more minute...

MOM...HELLO...I am fixing my hair...QUIT taking my picture!

Gina did Brandy's method for "getting close to Mikayla" and guess what people...it worked. I was not one BIT surprised. Mikayla has never liked people in her face. Gina let Mikayla come to HER when SHE was ready and it didn't take that long and it worked! Gina was VERY happy and was able to hold her the rest of the day!

"Future American Beauty Queen"

Hmmmm...what should I play with next?

OK...I will play with whatever SHE is playing with!

SIDENOTE: Look how long her hair is getting!

Gina...you KNEW I couldn't resist...this picture is too cute and too funny!

They are still cute...even when it's just the backs of them

TICKLE TICKLE!

I LOVE this picture of Christian!

I was trying really hard to get a picture of them. It was NOT working out.

Ummm....no....still not working out

This picture of Mikayla cracks me up. We would get one child to look and then the other one wouldn't and TRUST me...I TRIED!