Our GOD!

So, let's say I got something in the mail today that really upset and worried me. Let's say that it had me on the verge of tears on my way to drop Flor off from school. Then imagine a sweet little brown eyed girl saying, "Moma, you wanna hear a song?" and before I could even say 'sure', she chimes in: "Our God is greater! Our God is stronger! Our God is higher than any other!" (and then of course she repeats because those are the only words she knows. But man, was God comforting me this morning! I've been trying to give it Him and felt better almost immediately. Just now when I left work to come home for lunch, guess what was the first song I heard on the radio... yep. Did I get the message? Its something I've definitely got to do something about, but it doesn't matter how big our problems are... OUR GOD IS GREATER!!

Our day in court

So, again, today was Flor's finalization of adoption. It went very smoothly. We (Chris, Flor, Daddy, and I) met my lawyer in front of the probate office and he told us that the judge was out for the afternoon. Luckily there was someone who could fill in for him in our hearing. She didn't tell me to raise my right hand, but I did swear to tell "the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me God." Chris told me later I should have raised my hand, but she didn't tell me too and I thought about it, but before I could react I was in the middle of being sworn in, then it would've been obvious I had no idea what to do. But anyway, she asked me a series of questions and my lawyer asked me some more, including, "Were you asked to spend an accessive amount of money?", "Has anyone approached you, claiming to be related to her or wanting to adopt her?", and several other questions. I really started to feel hot, like I was in one of those police questioning rooms, where even if you did nothing wrong you were about to get in trouble for something. haha! The cutest thing that I will never forget is how the lady overseeing our hearing asked Flor how old she was. "Five.", "Are you in kindergarten?", "Not yet.",' "Are you excited about it?", "Do you want me to sing my ABC's?", "Of course I do!", "A,B,C,D...," And she proceeded to sing her ABC's very proudly. It was about the cutest thing I've ever seen. So, in about 1/2 an hour we were done and had our pictures taken and hopefully in a few months I'll have 3 new birth certificates for Flor. We celebrated with dinner at Chedder's. :) It was good day.

"the" conversation

I'm having to write this down this second before I forget...

This conversation came a little sooner than I had hoped or expected, but God knows and is control of my little girl's heart, so I trust him to protect her.

Flor asked me tonight if she was in my tummy when she was a baby. I said no. (I should've known that wasn't the end) So of course, she wanted to know whose tummy she was in... I just told her that I didn't know her name, but that she was in Guatemala. I said that she had wanted another mommy to take care of her that would love her very much. Well, she misunderstood me and got the saddest look on her face. She said, "Mommy, I just want you to be my mommy!" I reassured her. She asked if Mama Shyrel and Papa Steve had her in their tummy. I said that the other lady could not take care of her and asked God to help her find a mommy that would love her THE MOST! So, she took her to Mama Shyrel and Papa Steve because they would be able to find the best mommy in the world for her that would love her the most. Then the part that just melts my heart... she said, "I know who it is... MOMMY, IT'S YOU!!!" Then she hugged me so tight and said, "Thank you for coming to get me in Guatemala."

Thank you God for understanding for a 5 year old's heart.

forget bunny ears...

Just wanted you to know that Flor is the biggest girl in the world... she tied one tennis shoe today!! She confidently told me this morning, after I'd already tied on one shoe, "Mama, I can do it myself." Oh, ok, I thought. Then there she goes... tighten, loop, swoop, and pull.... !! Can I just say that it is the understatement of the year to say that I am such a proud mommy!!

Yes, that's right...

I did not take a picture of Flor on Easter.



It could be worse. :)

here's what's happening in our neck of the woods!

Flor can sing her ABC's and it's really cute when she gets to the "Now I know my ABC's" part because then she starts all over again at "H, I, J K, L, MNOP..." She will finally realize the song has gone on far too long and say, "Ya, mama.", ever so calmly and await my "Good job!"... it's really sweet.

She can understand a lot of English, though all she says on her own is, Thank you, you're welcome, I love you the most, now (which she says in the sweetest little southern accent), she also says, "Por favor, Please!" lol.. , she is too cute! She'll repeat anything you tell her too, and every once in awhile she'll belt out a "Alabama, ROOOOOOLL TIDE!!!" She also sings along to a Ray Lamontagne song that I've played in my car over and over again since she's been here. It's been nice that family and friends have been able to communicate with her, even if it's one way for now. I've been trying to speak more English to her at home. Up until the past week or so, it's been mainly Spanish between she and I. I imagined it helped her feel more at ease in all of her new surroundings.

She qualified for speech therapy through the State, and I will start this Friday by taking her to the elementary school that we live near for 30 minutes a week. They aren't sure how much they can help since she does still have an opening in her pallet, but they said they wanted to try. I believe that it can only benefit her. She's doing great in school, and enjoys asking me every morning who it is that will pick her up each day. It's sweet to see how excited she gets each and every time, whether it be Melodie, Gran, or Stephanie... she seems to get a kick out of it! She always asks me why, if someone is coming to visit her or pick her up... she'll ask, "Why?", with her little hands on her hips, then she'll casually answer her own question with this honest answer, "Because they love me a whole lot!!"

So. very. true.

highlights from spring break

Have you ever seen a more adorable Hello Kitty?!? I haven't!!
Flor's daycare was closed for Spring Break, so Papa Mike and Mama Carol kept her for me. I cannot tell you what a blessing this was for me... and Flor! She is in love with them!! And for good reason!! They were amazing! They even came to pick her up in the mornings to give me extra time to get ready for work! I got so spoiled!
They took her to the aquarium in Chattanooga on Tuesday. Just look at this face:

I've got such a clown on my hands!!

She had to stop and primp in the mirror...

And yes... SHE PET A SNAKE! That's all I have to say about that.

I love this next picture... she is having the time of her life!!

Papa Mike, the "other Amanda" and Flor checking out the stingrays!

On Friday, they went to a petting zoo... "Old McDonald's Farm". She loved ALL the animals, she pet goats and rabbits.. but she's scared of dogs and cats!! Seriously?!? I mean, the girl pet a SNAKE!!!

Ok, so she finally warmed up to Scratch on Thursday. She was so funny "almost" picking him up... she would scream and run around laughing hysterically... like she was so excited that she "wasn't afraid" anymore. She informed Carol and I that Scratch was "her cat", but that Mike and Carol could take care of it for her. So sweet of her to let them do that for her. Scratch rode around in the baby's stroller... she. loved. it.

First hair cut!

Well, probably not her first hair cut, but her first with me.. and yes, the lady gave me some of her hair in a plastic baggy! She was such a big girl. Her face was priceless!! So serious watching Lauren cut her hair. We cut quite a bit off because it was just so broken, but it's a cute little bob now that will grow back out quickly, and healthy!

A big girl

The past two days Flor told me that she wasn't going to cry when I left her at school. Let me just say, the girl keeps her word. She went straight into her classroom hugged her teacher, came back to hug and kiss me, then she was off to play!! Thank you, GOD!! It made my day! I was so proud of her! Soooo, I just wanted to brag a little bit.

circus clowns!

We were suprised last night with 2 tickets to the circus from my landlord! I made the mistake of telling Flor right away and she could hardly eat, or do anything for that matter except for ask me when we were going to leave!

This is a video of Flor first taste of cotton candy... it was hilarious!! She liked the taste but couldn't get past the texture and how it melted in her mouth... She makes the best faces.

She was so excited to see the elephants and payasos (clowns), not so much the lions, but we didn't end up staying past intermission, so we didn't see the lions anyway. As far as she knows, we left at the end. She loved it!!

Milestone moment!!

Wednesday nights Ashli comes over and we watch LOST. Last week was hard because I thought I'd just put Flor to bed before it came on and then I could watch it. Well, that didn't go over well with her. She was scared to be upstairs by herself. She cried and ended up sleeping with me on the couch until it went off. Well, tonight I thought I'd just let her lay on the couch and sleep while we watched... about 20 minutes into the show, she asked me if she could go to bed. Of course!! But I explained to her that I was going to stay downstairs with Ashli. She asked if I could turn all the lights on and I said sure I would! So, I tucked her in, turned ALL the lights on upstairs, she told me that she wasn't scared, :), and never heard another peep out of her!! I am so proud of her!! It makes me feel so good that she is getting comfortable in her home and with me.

As for LOST, abc went black about 10 minutes before the show went off, so I'll have to finish it online this weekend... so NO SPOILERS PLEASE!!! :)

It's been almost 8 weeks...

... and a lot has changed! Daddy's been in Colorado on a job since New Year's and Flor and I have been counting down the days until her abuelito came home, and he finally did!! We stayed up last night to meet him at the airport, and that is all she could talk about all day. Of course, she was a little shy at first but it didn't last long... and talked about him all the way home too!

What a busy week!

Flor was so excited yesterday! After she spent the afternoon with aunt Connie (who sent her home with a bag full of goodies!), she got to go play with her "Tete"! She shrilled just at the thought of getting to see Fernanda (aka Tete to all the ol' ADN fam). She has been telling me all week, "Tete es mi amiga." or "Tete es mi hermana." SO SWEET!! They had a great time feeding each other at dinner, then playing with all of Fernanda's toys. (She was so sweet for sharing with Flor). Rosa tagged along as well. Flor said that she was her baby and wanted me to take her home with us! She talked to me all the way home about how crazy Fernanda dances. It amazes me to see these two girls together again, playing just like no time has passed since they lived together in Guate!

This morning was our first time to go to church since we've been home. Flor was all about it this morning, but then a little clingy when it was actually time to drop her in her class. I assured her that after her class and my class were finished that I would be back to get her and she shook her head in affirmation, so I headed to the sanctuary. Well, she made it through worship, then I saw her name flash across the screen. (I didn't even have to check the number, there could only be one Flor, right?) As I passed through the doors, I just followed her crying until I found her snuggled up with one of the children's pastors. He was so sweet telling him that they loved her very much and that we would just try again. Maybe a little each week until she gets used to her class. So, she came into the sanctuary with me, and was really great the entire service. I even noticed her mocking pastor Rusty at one point. Every hand motion he did, she would do. It was quite comical to me.

This week has been good, and a learning experience for us both. "We're" learning boundaries and how no means "no". But she's also feeling more and more secure every day. She stills asks me, or more like makes the statement that I am her mama, several times a day. Also, almost every time we go anywhere she asks me if I'm going with her, if we're going together, then again that I'm her mama. But I can see that she is getting more and more comfortable if I get up, she's not asking EVERY time where I'm going? Where is that? I don't see it.... etc.

That's not to say that I'm not learning and adjusting everyday too. :) I really appreciate your prayers for both of us!

Home at last

What a sweet valentine! Yesterday we played all day, exploring all the new toys in her new room in her new house. My sweet friends "broke" into my apartment and decorated with streamers and balloons to welcome Flor! I have to keep assuring her that this is our house, that I'm staying here too, that I'm not leaving. She sticks pretty close by... right now she is squished up beside me so much I can hardly type with my left hand.

I just had to post this picture from today. She came over and asked me to tie her baby onto her back, just like she's seen the nannies do every day her entire life. She played the rest of the day like this. Everything else she did, she had that baby right there on her back. It was the sweetest thing!!

Can you believe this face?

Well, tomorrow is the big day! We head out tomorrow morning at 10:00am. We've got two lay-overs, Miami and Memphis, Immigration in Miami, a pretty late arrival in Huntsville tomorrow night... so we'd appreciate every prayer tomorrow!!

Embassy appointment... CHECK!!!

The Embassy appointment with (almost) without a glitch. We arrived on time. I only sat in the wrong area for a few minutes. (haha) No problem. Made it to the right place, and started talking to a few other parents that were there with their children waiting on the same thing I was. There was a very nice gentleman (lawyer) with one lady who helped me make sure I had all the right documents in order, which I already knew I did, but it was nice to have someone who has done it before to help. I turned in everything and paid, then waited some more. When we were called back for our first interview, the lady asked me when I first met Flor. March 2006. Well, my NEW passport shows that this is my only trip... soooooo, thank God that I brought my old one. I just know that He put that thought in my head, saying, "I'll need that to prove I've visited before." So glad I listened. Of course, I didn't have it with me!! But the interviewer was nice enough to let me run get it and come right back to her! I RAN out to get a taxi that just would not go fast enough, ran upstairs, burst in the door like a crazy woman, telling Stephanie I NEED MY OLD PASSPORT!!! It was in the first place I looked, thankfully. So here we go again, run downstairs, run outside, grab a cab, and head BACK to the Embassy. I get to go right back to the same lady, which goes so smoothly, then again waiting for the next interview. It wasn't but about 10 minutes before she called our name. I raised my right hand, and there it began. It was short and sweet and I'm pretty sure they fell in love with Flor too! It was all over with an "APPROVED!!" We go back tomorrow for her visa.

All of this was done between 7:15 and 9:15... I was so shocked to get back and see it was only 9:30!! I felt like it was AT LEAST after lunch! It was such a long morning, but other than the passport thing, which really turned out to be nothing because God was watching out for me.

Oh!! Another cool thing was since I had to take 4 taxis instead of only 2, I thought I would run out of cash, but before leaving the last time, I looked and saw I had Q25, and can you guess how much that last taxi ride was? If you guessed Q25, then you were right!! God is good, and He sees even the smallest detail.. and provides!!

What a wonderful night!!

I can't say that I slept well last night, but it was the best night of sleep ever. I shared half of a full size bed with the sweetest little girl! (Not that we didn't have a whole bed to sleep in, but she was snuggled up to me the whole time) It was seriously the sweetest thing I've ever experienced. It was so funny, I would close my eyes for a minute, open them a few minutes later, and she would be staring at me, with the biggest smile. Every few minutes, she would say, "Moma" and put her arm around my neck. After she turned over and over abooooooouuuut.... 27 times, she settled in, started playing with my hair, and dosed off. She sleeps pretty wild, told me "SHHHHH!" at one point, and hit my arm (all while sleeping)...

(She's coloring with Stephanie right now, singing the Barney song.. in Spanish of course... so sweet)

three sleeps!!!!

I bought our tickets yesterday... then I cancelled them and bought some more... LOL.. We're trying to make this as difficult as possible.. :-/ Not really, but instead of flying out of Nashville, we found some tickets out of Huntsville for even cheaper, we'll just have an extra leg of flight in there somewhere. It was a crazy night, but now it's done and we're on our way early Monday morning and coming back Friday night!! I feel a little overwhelmed with everything falling into place, all the details, but I have One who sees all, provides where I am needing, and is strong when I am lacking. He knows how much I need that now. One of my favorite songs by Jennifer Knapp basically says it doesn't matter how much I try and fail, how great my short comings are, how much I try to do it, or figure it out myself.... HE IS FAITHFUL!!!
I am praying today that every does fall into place as needed. Not just for the trip, getting ready, and bringing her home; but also for after she's here. I want to rest in Him, and soak up and enjoy every second of the next week... and the weeks, months, and years to come! My flesh gets in my way ALOT. It is a daily, minute by minute at times, struggle to give it back to Him... again and again.

Thank you, God, for your faithfulness, and mercy, and grace... and love.

PINK!

We're PINK!!!!

I got the email today that I've been waiting on!! Our appointment is for next Wednesday morning!! I haven't bought any tickets yet, but we'll probably be coming home next weekend... hopefully the 13th... !!!!!!!!AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Thank you, JESUS!!!!

I'll post later with more details...

No news today.

Well, it didn't matter how much pink we wore today, the email didn't come. I was really, really wanting to get that email today... as hard as I try not to get my hopes up, I somehow do. I kind of feel a little sick to my stomach now. I guess that's the disappointment, but I truly feel nauseated. I know that it doesn't have to make sense to me. I know that God is in total control. He already knew I wouldn't hear from the Embassy today. Why do I even TRY to guess when it'll be..?!?

It has to be soon. It has to be. I miss my little girl.

Please continue to pray that the timing will work out for every detail and every person involved.