MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR~

WE are off to CA for 2 weeks!

ENJOY YOUR HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!

Pictures!

Ok... We were able to squeeze a few pictures out of the camera last night, so I thought I would post 2 Pictures!

BEFORE

After

I know you can't really tell, but her hair is in Pony Tails coming out of the helmet. She doesn't look really happy here, but trust me... SHE WAS HUNGRY, and TIRED...

LOOK AT THE BLING!!! Her name is spelled out in Pink Crystals!

Now she doesn't really pay much attention to it.

2 Months of Love

It has been 2 months today since I have actually had Angelena in my arms. I went back to work Part -Time until Next Year... 1/8/07.. The first day of work, I couldn't even function, I missed her so much... I drove like a bat out of hell just to get home, and I only worked 4 hours.

In the mean time, we are getting the house ready to sell. We have had a handyman in the house last week and part of this week. Which is why I haven't been able to update with pictures and entries... The computer is under tarps andI can't even check my email right now. He should be finished up this week, and they when we get back from Christmas Vacation, we are putting the house up for sale.

Now, more about Anglena.She is getting so SMART, and full of affection. She has been to the doctors for check-ups, shots, and blood work a few times, and is doing well. Just a few little things we are watching. When she was in Guatemala, she seemed to like to sleep on one side of her head, which has made that side of her head flat. We have been going to a place called Cranial Tech. They are the doctors that help re shape the babies heads. They casted and mold of her head, and are making a helmet - band for Angelena. AND GUESS WHAT! Today is the day she gets it! We will be going to Hobby Lobby or Michael's to get something to make it look pretty after the appointment. She will be wearing the Band, 23 hours a day, which is why we have been tring to keep hats on her so she will get use to it... Once I am able to download pictures I will post them, but for now, this is what the band looks likes.

I sure do hope is is as happy as these kids with it.

On the lighter side of things.... GINGER IS GOING TO VISIT MAYA IN GUATEMALA. She leave on 12/20 and returns on 12/27! Here is a picture of Maya... SHE IS GETTING SO BIG!!!

Well that is all for now.

The Family Portrait

Once upon a time a Canvas was set.

Long before we ever met,

God placed it on the Easel.

He waited.

A special Portrait would be Painted.
He set aside a Palette of Colors,

He knew just how to use them.

God waited till the Time was right,

then He began to choose them.

Placing His brush upon the Canvas

God painted an image Extraordinaire.

The details seemed faint at first,

but the Picture was truly there.

A Portrait of a Family;

a mom and a child,

This painting had something Extra,

God used everything He had.

His Palette was full of Colors,

He knew just what it would take.

Each Stroke was deliberately brushed in place.

A Special Portrait He would make.

He blended dark shadows with subtle hues of Gold.

Using the richest colors, a picture began to unfold.

One very special child, The image began taking shape,

with such beautiful colors.

Splashes of Love outlined colors of Pain.

Shades of Joy and Sadness

were mixed throughout the Picture,

among Stripes of Sorrow and Gladness.

The Portrait was finally complete,

He gently framed it with His Heart

He hung it in the Halls of Faith . . .

A Priceless Work of Art.

© Monica Palmer

This is a part of my life that I never thought would ever happen. I see, I feel, I hear so many different things, words can not express them.

I am so in love with Angelena...

OH and did I mention.... SHE IS A CUTIE!!!!

SO, JUST HOW TO MAKE A BABY SMILE....

NO matter what you do to have a baby smile at the camera, IT DON"T WORK! We took over 100 pictures, and the only time we could bet Angelena to smile was if one of us weren't in the picture.

And then, try to get her by herself... We have discovered who is boss in this house... I had a remote control to take the pictures when all 3 of us were in the pictures. I would put her Winnie the Pooh taking bear infront of us that is activated by a remote. She wanted nothing to do with Pooh, Angelena was controlling the show... NEXT YEAR, we are going to a real photo place... They should have better luck.

Enjoy... THOSE were just a couple of the fun ones!

Where has time gone???

Angelena is 7 months old, and is doing wonderful. She has 2 teeth, and is rolling over. Mommy is doing great to, and so is grandma! Here are some more pictures....ENJOY!

OMG... WHAT A TRIP!

This is the start of the trip to California on the airplane.... Mind you, we have been up since 4 am, and mommy just wanted to sleep for 5 minutes... But not Angelena!!!




We are back from California after 3 weeks. The trip was amazing. Angelena got to meet so many people, family and friends. We didn't get to go see everyone we wanted to, but will catch up with them when we go back for Christmas. So everyone mark your calenders, we will be back Christmas Eve through the 5th of Jan.

Angelena seemed to adjust to the time change while we were in CA very well. Early to bed early to rise... So now we are in TX, and she is Late to bed and early to rise... HAHAHA... That is something that needs to be fixed.

Well, lets see.... We got most of the kids together and got pictures done. All the kids together are so cute. Angelena looks like she belongs... Don't you all agree!

This picture doesn't have all the kids in it. There are 2 more kids, but were not avail at the time of the picture. To top this off, this is just the kids that were under 15 years old.... Yep, there are more, some of them are the mommy and daddy's of these kids!!!

Here are some more pictures... Enjoy!

In Less than 24 hours

Angelena will get to meet a LARGE part of her family. We are heading to CA for 3 weeks. The last week or so has been so much fun.
She is doing great, and is adjusting very well. She loves to play in her Jumper... I think if she should live, sleep, eat and get her diaper changed in it she would.

The dogs, Jasmine and Honey, love her so much already. Right now, Angelena sleeps in my room at night in a pack & play, and Honey sleeps right next to her. Everytime Angelena starts to fuss, or even move, Honey jumps up and looks in the crib to make sure she is ok. It must be the mother instinct in Honey. Jas can't hear very well any more, so she gets excited when she sees her, but doesn't do much else...
She loves to take a bath. She is fasinated when the water comes out of the spout. She tries to catch it, and thinks really hard about it... I think she is trying to figure out where the water goes when it goes over her hands.
AND HER HAIR... I just don't know what to do with her hair... I have even tried styling gel... Her hair goes every way except the right way... I have been able to pony tails on the top of her head. This is something her Foster Mother would do to keep her hair out of her eyes. I have even bought some head bands to use, but for some reason they keep getting flung across the room... Wonder who does that? I have tried to use baby brushes, guess what.... DON'T WORK... Grandma had a little brisle brush and it seems to be working better... Grandma keeps saying I should trim the hair around her face so it stays out of her eyes.... I just don't want to cut her hair yet...

Life with my little Pumpkin....

No words can express what the past few days have been like.... We have been so busy... Going to doctors, getting tests done, bonding, and learning each other. Angelena is very sweet, and loveable. She even knows how to givc kisses... At first I thought she was shy, but now.... She is full of laughs, kicking, smiles, and just plain goofy... She is a little jokester... She loves to keep you guessing... One minute she is fussing, and you look at her and tell her that is enough, and she starts to laugh at you... She whines, and thinks she is getting one over on you... Guess what... IT DON'T WORK... I just start playing with her, and she starts laughing. She has brought out a side in me that I haven't ever felt... It is amazing... And to say to her, mommy is coming... or come see mommy, or wheres momma's girl... It is kind of hard to believe that I am actually saying that about me.... AND GRANDMA.... hahaha... Little Tinker, has Grandma wrapped... She may say she's not... But, trust me, when you see them together, she is so WRAPPED around her little finger... But, who isn't!!!

Watch out CALIFORNIA here we come...We are going to CA for a visit 11/2-11/19. Family and Friends are going to be meeting Angelena for the first time... And Angelena will get her 2nd Airplane ride!!! This time, I will be sure NOT to give her a bottle right before boarding... That way she will have a settled tummy!

Well thats all for now... She is sleeping, and mommy realizes, that she needs to sleep when baby does, cause if she don't, she don't get any sleep!

Good Night!

As Promised.... A few more pictures

Where do I start....

Well, We are home... What a great feeling it is... Our trip was amazing, and I wouldn't have changed it for anything... Angelena has an awesome disposition... Or better yet.... she IS a "PULS" ... you all that know us, know what I mean! She has no problem telling you what she wants, and DON'T want... HEHEHE

Not only was it an amazing trip for me, but Ginger, my friend got to meet her daughter Maya for the first time also... Maya is so cute, sweet, and not even close to being as noisy as Angelena.... Unfortunately, Ginger had to leave her precious little angel in Guatemala for now. But she will be going back to visit, over Christmas...


It was a little scary in Guatemala. We stayed at the Grand Tikal, in Guatemala City, it reminds me of the Embassy Suites here in the states. Where there is an atrium on the main floor, and the elevators are glass where you can see out. All the floors surrounded the main floor to where you can look down into the lobby... Also, there are lower levels to this hotel which is a mall. We were warned not to go down there, it wasn't safe. At one point I looked over, and there were "police" in the lobby with machine guns.

Well got to go baby crying... more to come when I get a chance...

HUGS

"LIGHT FOR FLIGHT"

Hi Everyone-

Just wanted to send out a reminder for everyone who has the candles that I made to get ready to light them!!!!

We will be filing home Friday Morning, so for those who work, fire them up Thursday Night!!!

HUGS TO ALL.... AND THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT THOUGH THIS WONDERFUL LIFE EXPERIENCE!!!!

I love you all!!!

HUGS
ELLIE

Well here it is Sunday, morning.... Early... REALLY EARLY... How can anyone sleep? I will be going to Guatemala tomorrow to bring home my Angelena... I can't sleep, I an full of anxioty... I never thought this day would ever come.

Friday the 13th... Could it have gotten any better? First thing in the morning... The agency calls, then later in the afternoon, my work gives me a Baby Shower, and we had a suprise guest... My Mom... It the World to me to have my mom there with me. Angelena got alot of things. It was great! The area that they had it in looked amazing. They decorated with balloons and streamers. They hug a Pink Umbrella form the ceiling upside down and filled it with balloons too! They had purchased a beautiful cake and it was EXCELLENT! Once I get the pictures I will post them.

So, lets see... I will be going to work in the morning, they leave around 1pm, I have to pick up Ginger at the Love Field Airport, then, we have to rush to the DFW International Airport for our flight... I am really concerned about Gingers Flight coming in on time, we are scheduled to have Thunder Storms, and I am already getting paniced... For the drought season we have been having here in TX, why of all days are we going to get rain like they are perdicting... I guess you can say, NOTHING IS GOING TO STOP ME from getting Angelena...

Now, as for Angelena.... I have thought alot about her name, and thought, going though life "Angel" maybe a little hard to cope with... I also thought about, Lena.... But, I really like - ELENA... and it is the beginning of my name... HAHAHA, I just noticed that... Maybe I need to go back to the THINKING BOARD.... So forget this part of the post...

Anyway, I bought this car seat yesterday, because I had to have it for Angelena's ride home from the airport... Well, I opened the box, and guess what, it was completely assembled... How much better can it get! I pull out the little booklet and read it from front to back. Take the seat to the car, spend 1 hour putting the car seat in... Well sort of... EASIER SAID THEN DONE... "Latch Hooks vs' Seat straps" what a joke... I can tell you the seat is IN the car, but as for being hooked up right.... Well lets just say, I shut the car door and walked away... I think I will be visiting my local fire department once daylight hits.... Well, I think I am going to try to sleep again...

So, if you don't see anything posted for a week or so, you will know why.... I am having Mommy time...

SHE IS COMING HOME!!!!!!!!!!!

I am going to pick Angelena!!! I am flying out Monday and will have her in my arms FOREVER TUESDAY!!!!! Embassy appointment is Wednesday and Thursday, and we are flying back home on FRIDAY!!!!!

DOING THE HAPPY DANCE!!!!!!!!!

BC FORM GC!!!

Say that 100 times over....

What does that mean... We have recieved the new Birth Certificate from the Guatemala City Registery... IT IS OFFICIAL... NO turning back now.... ANGELENA IS MINE... We are being submitted to the US Embassy in Guatemala for the appointment to go get her... We are estimating the appointment to be the week of 10/23. This is refered to as the "PINK". She will be in my arms forever...

HAHAHAHAHA

I am about to bust... This is so exciting....

Well that all for now!!!!

Hugs

Almost there.... FATE STRICKS AGAIN

I recieve an email form the agency on Friday, saying the US Embassy in Guatemala is requiring additional forms before they will issue the appointment date. So paper chased this weekend and is over, everything will be FedEx on Monday, we should be submitted for "PINK" Tuesday or Wednesday at the latest, and maybe by Friday, we will know our appointment date.... For those who don't know the meaning of "PINK", it IS actually a PINK PIECE OF PAPER that your Embassy Appointment is on. And, that is when I am going to have Angelena in my ARMS FOREVER!!!!!

Also, we have the actuall copy of the "Adoption Decree" from Guatemala, and yes it is in Spanish... I have completely translated it to English. Angelena's Adoption Decree states the Adoption is as of: August 22, 2006... You know me with dates and how I say everything correlates... Let me tell you... FATE HAS STRUCK AGAIN.... Angelena's adoption is final on the Guatemala side on my Birthday.... Now all we are waiting for is the US side...

Well that's all for now... Here's to the next "PULS" driver!!!!

Pregancy of the Heart...

When people adopt, the child is part of the family the minute they decide to adopt. A love fills in heart, and aches till your child is born, pictures make it more real, and the love grows stonger. It is adoption of the heart, or Pregancy of the Heart... You are in the gestation period of the adoption, and extended 9 months from start to finish... I think that is EVEN HARDER!!!

Our Family Tree
We've added to our family tree
A stronger one to make
A child from another plant
Has become our new namesake.

Just as a limb is grafted
From one tree to another,
It alters and improves the plant
Making it, uniquely, like no other.

Our family tree has been improved
Adoption made this so.
For love, much more than bloodlines,
Makes us thrive and grow.

We chose to share our life and love
And all the joys to come
Our "family tree" has blossomed
With the arrival of our cherished one.

I found that poem, not sure who has written it, but I think this explains feels very well.

WE ARE OUT!!!!!

ANGELENA IS COMING HOME!!!!!!!

The biggest roller coaster ride of all .....

Picture this... Tuesday afternoon my home phone rang and I wasn't home. No one left a message. I check caller ID, and it is the Adoption Agency... I worry all night, send emails trying to find out why they called. Wednesday morning Olga from the agency calls, and said that a very good source indicated that I sould be getting out of PNG sometime this week. So, great that sounds good, but in the back of my mind, I am thinking, ok the end of the week in Guatemalan time is 2 weeks... Thursday mid morning, I get an email form Olga and she sends it out to everyone that is working with the agency - about a concern.... This is a part of the email....

"Dear Families!
We are well aware of what is about to hit all the big lists today about Guatemalan adoptions. We know that there will be a panic among the families whose cases are in process. The Guatemalan government has tried to slip in some legislation to stop all adoptions, even those in process. This is what happened. There is a new piece of legislation which will halt adoptions, which in on the president’s desk waiting for signing. Somehow, one of the adoption attorneys got a hold of this document (this was obtained unknown to the president) and the ADA (Association for the Defense of Adoptions..i.e. adoption attorney group) called an emergency meeting last night with any adoption attorney who could get there, to discuss their attack. There is no way at this moment to know what the outcome will be, and if we find out that families need to do anything, we will let you know. Guys, we have good people working with us in Guatemala. They need our support to fight their cause and we are prepared to assist. JCICS, the agency’s professional organization, may also be making a public statement about what exactly the situation is. Therefore, we encourage everyone to PRAY and to keep your spirits up…because this is more than a social attack.. it is also a spiritual attack."

OK, can you say PANIC.... I completely flipped out, started crying etc.... Of course I am work, I get up and walked out of the office and try to compose myself.... I finally come back into the office and re read the email in full... As I am re-reading it, Olga calls.... She says... Ellie, are you sitting down, I said, yes I just got your email and am flipping out... She said, I figured you would, but I wanted to call you and tell you, YOU ARE OUT!!! I couldn't breathe, I kept crying, couldn't talk, all I could do is say thank you... She said she had a copy of the Adoption Decree and would forward it to me.... IT IS OFFICIAL.... ANGELENA IS COMING HOME!!!!!

OMG... I have so much to do, and am so excited, I keep crying everytime I think about it.

We Start the long Path from here

I hope you will enjoy your walk as we journey along the path of Life.

The Path can take many turns and many crossroads,

from the day we are born we start along it never knowing where its going to lead us next.

All through life we will pick up knowledge as we walk the great path,

learning and seeking it out from whatever path we are on.

So come walk with me along this great path as I share with you some of what I have learned

So this is what is next:

The Birth Mother signs the final adoption decree

A New Birth Certificate is issued

Complete Case file is Translated to English

Everything is submitted to the US Embassy

They issue an Appointment for me to come and sign

Pickup the Visa

COME HOME....

Estimated time table... 3-4 weeks!

BREATHE...