The Path to My 2 Angel's

2008-03-01T07:07:00.000-06:00

WE'VE MOVED

COME SEE ME HERE:

http://guatangels.blogspot.com/

2008-02-24T09:10:00.006-06:00

This will be my last post on this blog.

I want to first say... Thank you to EVERYONE who has read this and followed along. I have meet MANY AMAZING people on this journey. If it weren't for my friends and family, I think my journey would have been harder. I want to post special thanks and love you to my family, the last 8 years of illness', deaths, and births, our family bond has grown stronger and tighter than ever before. Granted, we all have our ups and downs, but we are all still holding on to each other as if there were no tomorrow. Thank you for accepting MY children as if they were blood. I see how each and everyone of you, hold, kiss, hug, and bond with my kids- my heart makes leaps of joy seeing the happy faces on the kids and yours. WE LOVE YOU...

A HUGE THANK YOU to my BLOG friends... Each and everyone of you have also made this journey easier... You rejoiced with me when Good things happened, you kicked my butt when I was down and eased my fears. I have so many of you that I want to thank... PLEASE forgive me if I missed anyone... Ginger, Wendy, Angel, Leigh, Princess D, Allen, Corey, Candy, Krystal, Nikki, Crystal, Carrie, Stephanie, Ruth, Melanie, Stacey, Olga, Lori, Michelle, Kim, Kerry, Mindy, Robyn, The Forum... AND Many more... I never realized just how many of you there are until I start listing them ... If I have missed anyone... SO SORRY... I love you all!!!

I am opening a new blog for our journey of life. I hope you will follow it too, as, me being a single mom of 2, I am bond to have ups and downs along the way, and will be open to suggestions~! HAHAHA... Here is the link to the new blog... I love the outlay that my friend Nikki did on it.

http://guatangels.blogspot.com/

See you all there~!

Hugs

Ellie

2008-02-22T10:01:00.002-06:00

FFF

Grandma holding Angelo after breakfeast, showing him all the squirrels in the backyard...

He seems more interested in what I am doing... But, gramma is CLUELESS, until she see this post!

HAHAHA

LOVE YA MOMMA!

Ellie

2008-02-19T11:34:00.004-06:00

Just a Quick Photo Update...

Things going well... Only person still having problems is Angelena, she has a doctor appointment tomorrow... Angelo has his complete physical tomorrow too!

Here are a couple of pictures...

Angelena likes to watch TV in the play room, and thought she would sit in her old bouncer that is now Angelo's....

Bath Time

Will you get that out of my face?

Look... I can still smile

Angelo Clone... She seems to want everything of Angelo's

Cheesen!

HUGS

Ellie

2008-02-15T09:12:00.003-06:00

FFF And Catch Up....

First the Photo of the morning after...

Angelena: Mommy, I am being cute, you better only be getting my picture.

Mommy: Angelena, be nice to Bo Bo, he loves his big Sissy..

Angelena: I am keeping him at arm distants, be cramps my Cuteness

Mommy: Acutally Angelena, nothing can cramp your cuteness... You are MY CUTEST LITTLE GIRL

Angelena: Mommy, I am your ONLY LITTLE GIRL!

Mommy: (Thought to self... How did this little girl get so smart?)

Now the catch up...

Well, lets just say, we are on round 2 of the Flu... ALL OF US... Including Angelena... I have already called the doctors, and they say as long as they are getting fluid in, keep an eye on them. We have appointments for complete physicals next week and if need be, they can see them sooner.

I found out yesterday that my mom, sister and her boys, were giving me a suprise baby shower on Sunday, but it is not going to happen. "SUPRISE" Not only are we sick, but my sister and one of her boys are sick too... So I think we are just all passing it around right now. So, we are off to make phone calls to let people know it is being cancelled and changed for a couple of weeks out.

Well... I am off to try to sleep a little more.

Hugs

2008-02-09T18:29:00.000-06:00

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

2008-02-09T06:31:00.000-06:00

PICTURES ARE WORTH 1000 WORDS...

Meet Angelo, my little big man that has just seen his Foster Mother for the last time...

After a few hours of crying, the finally was content... (or exhausted)

The next morning... A very smiley little man... (even though he was sick... I will save those pictures for his wedding!)

Look, I actually liked those Green Beans....

Guess what.... I Am all up in Arms... I am going home!(AND DID I MENTION... THE GIANTS WON THE SUPERBOWL! I GOT TO WATCH MY FIRST SUPERBOWL WITH MY MOMMY)

This is Tuesday, after the Embassy Appointment...(I don't see any pictures on Monday... Wonder where that day went? I think my mommy and I were VERY under the weather) Gosh Mommy... You don't look bery good here... BUT YOU WERE HAPPY!

Saying good Bye to my Country Guatemala...

Hello Mr. Airplane... You are taking me to my new home... So Hurry up aready and let us on!

Look, I got to be in my own seat on this plane... No one sat next to me...

YEA WE LANDED IN HOUSTON, and HAD FRIENDS WAITING FOR US!!!
This is my mommy's Friends Wendy with her daughter and son Levi and Katie! (Wendy has a blog, and is adopting Ahren and PBJ from Guat too!)

My Levi is great with kids... He is going to be an awesome big Brother... And Ms. Katie... She ALREADY IS A GREAT BIG SISSY, LOOK AT THESE TWO LITTLE MANS CHEESEN FOR THE CAMARA!

There FIRST MEETING! Mind you it is 1 am in the moring!

WOW.... I LIKE THIS ... It lights up and makes music

WHY IS THAT KID IN MY OLD WALKER? MOMMY, I WANT IT BACK!

WHAT? TEACH HIM... OK, THIS IS GOING TO BE FUN!
SO, do you think, she has accepted him? TIme will tell... Yesterday was a very long day... But we got through it, and are ready to start again today!

I have more pictures, but this is the basic run!

Hugs
Ellie

2008-02-05T11:43:00.001-06:00

No Luck with Pictures....

But, just wanted to give a little update...

Angelo and I had our appt. this morning. Even though we were #15, the Embassy took us first...

Because both of us are having issues... Needless to say... Yesterday was a big blur, and yes, be BOTH are drinking Pedilite...

Now onto Angelo...

He is amazing, regardless of how he is feeling. He has his ups and downs, and today, I have found out what his giggles and laugh sound like. You know it... Just like Angelena...But, you all know our little fiestY Angelena... Well, I am happy to say... Angelo will balance out the house... He loves to snuggle, he blinks his eyes at you like as if he is winking, he shakes his head as to say no, but it is a game... He giggles, wiggles, and yes, wraps his arms around you and kisses... He amazing....

Well that is enough for now... As soon as I get home I will post some pictures of Angelo...

Hugs
Ellie

2008-02-03T13:56:00.000-06:00

OK, I won't say much right now... Just know, it was a VERY LONG NIGHT...

Now, for a few pictures, if this will let me...

OK... That was a bomb...

Lets just say...

MAJOR BLOW OUTS..... NOW STOP.... WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE RUBBER GLOVES, GARBAGE BAGS WORK!

Today, he is much happer, but the blow outs seem to be more...

I will try for pictures again later...

GRANDMA.... Kiss Angelena for me.

Hugs Ellie

2008-02-02T14:33:00.000-06:00

I AM HERE....

Edited to add- YOU ALL NEED TO REMIND ME GUATEMALA TIME!

It is now 430 and Angelo is still not here. I just called and they are chenging the time to 5... Dang... I could have gotten 2 hours of sleep...

T minus 24 minutes an counting... Till Angleo is in my arms forever!

Wait till you see the picture view I have from my room... OMG...

CAN YOU SAY ............. BEE U TE FUL!!!!!!!!

HUGS... I am going to go drink some coffee... I only slept for 2 hours on the plane...

GRANDMA~

GIVE MY LITTLE SNUGGLE BUG A BIG KISS FOR ME... GOOD I ALREADY MISS HER!

Love Ellie

2008-02-01T10:06:00.001-06:00

Yep... I HAVE BEEN TAGGED~BY JENNIFER~

This is Jennifers Blog - http://www.lifewithfishers.com/ Why don't you all go give her some love! Jennifer and Derek are adopting from Guatemala... Like me, they will have 2 Guatlings in there house soon... They have Elena (GOOD NAME- We have a few Elena's in our family) and are waiting on Brandon (yep, yet another good name - we have one in our family too!)

OK, so here is how it works.. The rules are to link the person who sent this and leave a comment on their blog so their readers can visit yours~Post the rules on your blog~Share 7 strange/weird facts about yourself~Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and link their blog~Let each person know they've been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.So, here are 7 wierd/strange facts about myself.

1) Before I was a mommy... I was AFRAID of Poopy Diapers... Yes, I even wore rubber gloves when I first had Angelena... I just didn't want to get that stuff on my fingers... But, now... Out with the GLoves, on with the Hazmat mask! No, just kidding... The only time I use gloves now is if there is a MAJOR blow out... when it is everywhere, out of the diaper, in the clothes... THen I throw everything out... I will not wash the that stuff in out... TOO YUCKY! Lucky me, Angelena has only had 1 MAJOR BLOW OUT since she had been home from Guat...

2) I live on Coffee... I used to go to Starbucks drive thru in my PJ's in the morning, cause I couldn't funtion with out an EXPRESSO... Now, I have actually bought a Starbucks Expresso Machine and make my own in the morning...

3) I never wanted kids, cause I was the youngest of 5, and my siblings had kids and I used to borrow them for a few days and then could send them home... As I got older, and my nieces and nephews got older and started having kids, I would borrow them... Then, I realized I need my own kids... And TADA! I NOW HAVE 2!!! I never new the love in my heart would be like it is when you have your own...

4) I EAT CHEESE ON EVERYTHING....

5) I have to sleep with the TV on cause I have night terrors.

6) I believe in Ghosts and Spirits. I believe that they are among us everyday, and they show us signs that they are here. It is up to us to acknowledge them, or ignore them. I tend to acknowledge them and talk to them. (NO, I am not a freak... And no, I don't hear people in my head... They don't talk to me, they just make their presents known...)

7) I LOVE-LOVE-LOVE FRIED PICKLES WITH JALOPENO RANCH DRESSING FROM THE REST. BLACK EYE PEA... Now I am in CA, they don't have this resturant, and I have been CRAZING these for MONTHS... You would think I am preg. or something!

OK there you have it... Now for my TAGGING!

1) Ginger - http://www.meandmygirlmaya.blogspot.com/
2) Wendy - http://adoptingahren.blogspot.com/
3) Johanna's Mommy http://johannafaith.blogspot.com/
4) Ella's Mommy http://dawsondaetonemmyella.blogspot.com/
5) Muriel - http://tiarasandtutus.blogspot.com/
6) Nikki - http://fromguatemalatonj.blogspot.com/
7) Leigh - http://bodegalee-bodegalee.blogspot.com/

Happy Tagging! And... NOW THE NEXT POST WILL BE FROM GUAT! IF I can get connected!

HUGS... ELLIE!

2008-01-31T07:39:00.000-06:00

Last Post till Guat

OK... So tomorrow I will be leaving... I am so nervous and don't know why... It isn't like I haven't traveled to that country before... I can't sleep, I can't stay focused, I can't think...

I went to bed at 8pm last night, passed out... 10:56 I was wide awake, and my mind running circles, I finally fell back to sleep about 12, then woke up in a panic at 2am... Litterly sitting straight up on my bed trying to catch my breath from hyper ventalating... I had a very vivid bad dream... fell back to sleep abut 3:30 and woke back up at 4:30... Pretty much said forget it, and got up and made a cup of coffee... I cannot figure out what is wrong with me... I didn't have this much anxiety when I picked up Angelena... What is going on in the back of my mind that won't relax? I finished all my paperwork that need to be done prior to going to Guat, and sent it to my corrdinator to double check it cause my mind is being really flighty... She send me a LIST... BIG LIST... of stuff I have to redue on them... Out of 8 different forms, only 1 was right...

Anyway... So, here is another part of my plan... I will be taking my laptop, and if I can get Internet Connection at the hotel, I will post from there... But I am sure it will be only a little, as I am sure I will have my hands full with Angelo.

Well this will be my last post on US soil... So, thank you everyone for all your support, and I will talk to you later... Like, when I am a mother of 2! hahaha... OMG... Do you see that... of 2??????

HUGS

Ellie

2008-01-27T08:42:00.000-06:00

I AM SO IN LOVE...

Everyday I feel so blessed to have this little girl in my life... I never knew the kind of Love I have for her ever exsisted. The look she gives me, the hugs and kisses out of no where, the grins when she is doing something bad and knows it, the smelly things that come out of her...The way she curls up on my lap..

She is getting more and more independent, and when she gets herself into something she can get out of... The "HELP ME" yell is adorable... She is talking so much more... We have been working on numbers...

Here is how the numbers go:

ME: One

Ang: Two

ME: Three

ANG: GO

I can't seem to get her to do 4... She thinks it is a game... Which it is... But, at least she knows 123 GO!

Or, another favorite, she will drop something and go to look for it, and can't find it... She will pop her head up with her arms out and say "Where it go"... I would tell her, I don't know, and she will say it again, "Where it go".. it is soooo dam cute.

As we crawled into bed last night, I looked at her and said, baby, this is our Last Saturday Night together with out your brother... She looked at me and said... OK... NITE NITE... As if she really did know what we were saying. We cuddled up and started to fall asleep. Then she jumped up and crawled up on top of me and got right up into my face, and said... MINE... I thought what are you talking about, and then she kissed me, and laid back down and went to sleep. I just wonder if she really knew what I said, and was thinking about it, wanted to tell me, I am her's... I will never know... But these are the kind of cute and adorable things she does...

Anyway... I will close for now, and say as I have always said... I LOVE MY LITTLE GIRL WITH ALL MY HEART... SHE IS THE BEST THING THAT HAS EVERY HAPPENED TO ME, and NOW, I WIL HAVE ANOTHER BEST THING HAPPEN TO ME IN A FEW DAYS...

HUGS
ELLIE

2008-01-19T19:22:00.000-06:00

Travel Plans Set!

I will be leaving Sacrmento Saturday Morning (Friday Night) Midnight... Going to Houston, changing planes and arriving in Guatemala Saturday 12:33pm. I have asked that they bring Angelo to me that day. As, I can't wait to get my hands on him...

Here is our sch.:

2/2 Arrive in Guat

2/5 Embassy Appointment

2/6 Visa Appointment

2/7 RUN LIKE HECK AND COME HOME

We will be staying at the Grand Tikal on the 9th floor... Already confirm the reservation.

Angelena's foster mother will be coming to the hotel for a visit. She does know I am not bring Angelena, but she still would like to see me... So her and her daughter will come and spend an afternoon with us.

We were hoping Ginger was going to be able to come with us, but it doesn't look it is going to happen. She has recently moved and is starting a new job. She is planning on coming to CA, when Angelo is home, that way she will be able to see both my Guat Tots together at last.

There is so many people going to Guatemala around the time, I am sure we will be fine. I even know someone that will be there Monday moring to visit her Guat Tots and will be staying at the Grand Tikal... We have became pretty good friends of the last year or so.

I have meet many many family's through my adoptions, they have been a tremendous support. They know the ups and downs, and understands them. They don't give you comments that they just don't understand about. THEY ARE COMPLETE SUPPORT... AND I COULDN'T HAVE DONE THIS WITH OUT THEM... I LOVE YOU ALLL!

I also have a wonderful family that has been there through this with me, especially my mom. SHE IS ONE OF MY BEST SUPPORTS in these adoptions... She has been my bouncing board, for the good and yes, the bad too... I am SO SORRY MOM... I only hope I can be as big of an insperation to my children, as you have been to us. I know no one stronger than my mom... It takes a lot to take her down, and going through these 2 adoptions, I have been able to do that.... I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO SORRY MOM... I know you have been my source of strenght, and I feed from you! When I felt that I just wanted to give up, you would tell me... Look at that little girl, and tell her you want to give up.... You have a cure for everything! Now in a few (HOPEFULLY) short weeks, we will have the newest little Guat Tot in our home.... AND I PROMISE HE WILL BE THE LAST! MY NEW MIDDLE NAME IS: NOAHAMORE... get it... No More!

HUGS FOR NOW!

Ellie

2008-01-18T14:51:00.000-06:00

PINK PINK PINK PINK

I recieved my PINK slip for the US Embassy...

Angelo is coming home, He will be placed in my arms forever on Saturday, 2/2 or 2/3, our Appointment is for the 5th, and our Visa Appointment is the 6th, and we will be coming home on the 7th!

Now, off to planning...!

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE FOR ALL THERE SUPPORT!

2 ANGELS WILL BE TOGETHER FOREVER!!!!!!

LOVE YA!

2008-01-17T07:33:00.000-06:00

THE PACKAGE ARRIVED IN GUATEMALA!!!

The DNA results arrived in Guatemala yesterday at 4:06pm. I have a copy of the DNA results, and they are 100%, no doubt that Angelo is the original child givin up at birth. No switching here... But we all know that, cause whats the chances of another child looking exactly like Angelena and not be related?

So, do you realize what my next post will be?

Got any clue?

Yep, you guessed it... WHEN I GO AND PICK HIM UP...

Now, here is the kicker, the US Embassy has 4 days to issue you an appointment, if you don't get it in 4 days, you can start stocking them. Well yesterday somones posted that their DNA was recieved at the Embassy on Monday, and the US Embassy issued them their Appointment Slip yesterday. Almost 48 hour apart. Their Appointment is on 2/1. So, now if I am so lucky... Our appointment can be either the 1st or 4th... IT JUST HAS TO...

So, keep your eyes open and keep checking...

HUGS
ELLIE

TIME IS TICKING SO SLOW

2008-01-15T17:32:00.000-06:00

TIME IS TICKING SO SLOW

The next four days are going to be getting the best of me....

I have so much to do. Yet, I can't funtion.

I want this to hurry up, yet, I don't have enough time.

So here is my OFFICAL perdiction...

US Embassy received the DNA 1/16

US Embassy matches file and issues the Appointment Slip 1/18 - 1/22 (they have a 4 day waiting)

My appointment could be: 2/4-6

I can't even make my travel plans until they issue the appointment. I do know where I will be staying... Same place I stayed when I picked up Angelena...

Grand Tikal in Guatemala City.

I really like this place, and the people were friendly. They have an indoor swimming pool.. (not that I will go in it), they even had an underground mall that is attached to the hotel. Lots of places to go...

I JUST NEED TO KNOW WHEN!

2008-01-14T12:55:00.000-06:00

2nd DNA SAMPLES ARE AT LABCORP

Edited to add: RECIEVED EMAIL THIS MORNING FROM PAT...

Hello Ellie-GREAT FANTASTIC NEWS

results are going out to the embassy today Fed ex tracking number ********** you can track them at www.fedex.com congratulationsI hope you will be bringing Angelo home real soon...send me an email if you get a chance when you get him back to the states...

YAHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Results should be sent back to the US Embassy sometime this week. Once the US Embassy has the results, they will match them with our Case File, and issue us an appointment to come and pick Angelo up...

Can you believe this...

Angelo will be coming home in a few weeks....

Yahoo!!!!!

2008-01-10T07:59:00.000-06:00

My Little Busy Bees.... And other Odds and Ends....

This is my nephew Johnnie, and My stinky butt Angelena... Here is the thing with this little peanut... Her Heart is as big a the world! She is a little helper... ANd if you don't let her help, she gets mad at you... Working with the Dolly Truck is her favorite, you see... We would take boxes in or out of the house and when the dolly was empty, she would through a fit to get on the dolly and go for a ride to get more boxes...

We were moving BOXES out of the house so we could bring the Christmas boxes in before Christmas... Now, look at her poss in this picture... She has the hip action working already... Oh, boy... AM I going to be introuble...

Let me tell you, this child amazes me every day... Something new comes out of her mouth... And yes, sometime you can understand her, and other time... WHO KNOWS! She sees people talking and she joins right in... What is so funny, is she has discovered her tongue... She is trying to use her tongue to say everything... And I think that is why half the stuff she says don't come out right.... Last night before I took her to bed, I told her I had to heat up her bottle (YES I STILL HEAT THE BOTTLE, ONLY AT NIGHT) (YES I GIVE HER A BOTTLE WHEN SHE GOES TO BED), she looked at me and said... BLAH BLAH BLAH BOBOL... I said yes, I am heating you Bottle... She looked at me and said... OK... WHAT??? When did she learn that... She ALWAYS says UHHA... And half the time it is NO, when she means yes... BUt, OK... OMG... She is like a little sponge... Takes everything in... I can hand her something and say, go give this to Grandma... She will run and give it to her... (of course I follow her, cause sometimes she gets losts)... She is getting so much better with the "Please" or as she says it "PEAZ", Thank you - TANK OU... Welcome... and Many Many more... She is my sweet little angel... That is growing up right before my eyes... PAUSE... Nope... Didn't work... Still growing!

Something that she hasn't stopped doing since day 1... Puts EVERYTHING IN HER MOUTH... My cousin says she is a little billy goat... She ALWAYS fines paper and tries to eat it... Some of her Hard CardBoard Book have cornors chewed off... I can't get her to stop... All I have to do is say... Whats in you mouth, and if there is nothing she will open her mouth wide so I can see there is nothing... BUt the minute she has something in there and I ask... She RUNS and tries to hide under the tables... She even likes to get into her diaper bag and chew on the velco ends of the diapers... Any suggestions would be helpful, except for Hot Peppers, that is just down right mean...

On to Angelo... He had his DNA done yesterday, so the results should be back to the EMBASSY next Friday... Once the embassy records them in, they will issue us an appointment to come and get him...

Now, I am on a mission this weeked to go shopping... I have to get BOY clothes... Diapers... Wipes, and other stuff that I will need for the trip, and when we get home... At this point, I wonder what he will look like in Pink... HAHAHA.. JUST KIDDING! I wouldn't do that...

2008-01-08T07:32:00.000-06:00

A House Never Empty

No matter what we have to do, we always find time for family. When we were in TX, the only time any of the kids would come out there was durning their vacations. Now that we are shoulder high in boxes, don't even look in the garage... We always have family with us durning the weekends. It is amazing who much these kids get along... or rather say, don't have boxing matches.

When I first brought Angelena home she was afraid of everyone. Including the kids, she had to be clung to me the whole time, (which I didn't mind).... Now... when they walk in the door, she runs in circles, yells, jumps with excitement... Mommy who... Yep... I am a thought in the dark at that point... But that is good...

I love to see just who much these kids love each other. I told all the kids, Angelo will be home in a few weeks, and Oh Boy... Excitement in the house... We all sat down and watched the video I got of him last week, and were talking... The boys all agreed they were going to teach him boy stuff, cause me not being married, he needed a boy roll model... I thought that was so sweet... Later that day, the kids were playing XBOX, and I heard one of them say the "F" word... I called him into where I was and by the time he got there he was crying... I told him, I am not going to hit you, or yell at you, I am just going to talk to you... And I explained, I don't allow that in this house. Does he want Angelena walking around saying that word? I told him I don't want to hear that ever again... He was ok, and said sorry... Then I said... Are you going to teach Angelo those words? He started laughing and said, he can't speak english...

I busted out laughing, and didn't even get a chance to explain... That is another day...

I know that these kids love each other so much, and this is what I wanted for Angelena even before I knew about Angelo. I was on a mission to bring my family back together, and it appears to be working... Now, in only a few more weeks, Angelo will be coming home! Yahoo...

The suspense is killing me!

HUGS

2008-01-05T09:43:00.000-06:00

Thoughts....

Have you ever just laid in bed and watched your clild sleep? You wonder what she is dreaming about, you watch her facial expressions, you see her burst out with laughter.... But, you really don't know why... So why would you start laughing with her? I think I figured this out at 3 am this morning.... Your heart lights up cause you see your child in her most inoccent moments in life, and you know they are happy, which makes you happy...

On the flip side, what about those nights when she is sleeping and she has a frown on her face? or when she yells out... NO... Do you wonder what is going through her mind then... Yes... Do you want to wake them up cause they are having a bad dream... Yes... But do you wake them up... NO... (NEVER WAKE A SLEEPING BABY, THEY GET MORE PISSED OFF AT YOU!)

Do you ever wonder what they are trying to say to you, when they babel? You ask them what are you trying to say? And they repeat exactly what they said prior... SO you know in their minds they are saying the say thing... But what is it???? Why do after they repeat it 2 times, you still have no clue, but answer them YES? What if it was No Answer? What if they are saying "Can I go play in the middle of the street?" I have a new answer... I love you too!... Better safe than sorry!

Do you ever wonder... (OF COURSE... that was a stupid opening...) what are they going to be when they grow up? A Doctor, Lawyer, Teacher, stay at home mommy... Which ever it is, you KNOW she will be successful, cause you are instilling values in her now...

I so wish I could see in the future, read minds, understand babel talk... If only my crystal ball could tell me the answers, my magick wand helps me provide the saftey and understanding, I would be rich...

I have been taught that things happen for reasons, I have said this many times, aloud and on this blog, to friends and family.... Now, I do believe this, but now, I want to know the reasons. I have also always said, we may not know the reasons now, but someday we will find out the reasons.... Someday is here - SO TELL ME! WHY, WHY WHY...

Why is the sky blue

Why can't I sleep at night

Why can't my WHOLE family be safe and happy

Why can't we have perfect world

Why can't we have everything we want

Why can't we see the future

Why does it hurt so much when we don't have what we want now... (ANGELO - Granted he will be home in a few weeks)

Why is the Guat Gov being STUPID for all those kids waiting to come home(for those who read this that don't follow the Guat Adoptions Laws - major changes have taken place, and all the kids that have been waiting to come home have pretty much hit a wall, pending more stalled time)

Why do things change from hour to hour? Roller Coaster ride after Roller Coaster ride...

In my closing of thoughts... I know what is going on in Guatemala will not effect Angelo coming home. BUt is has effected 1000s of children waiting to come home... And I know many of these families, and can only pray that Prayers will be answered... The torment that the Guatemala Government is putting these family though is unbearable at times to say the least. I feel that many of these families are a part of my family, and those kids are like my nieces and nephews...

So with this I want my "Family" to know, I am with you all 100%

HUGS
Ellie

2008-01-03T17:45:00.000-06:00

DRUM ROLL PLEASE...

We have word that the Birth Certificate has been issued...

We have word that the Passport has been issued...

OUR DNA Payment will be processed tomorrow....

DNA will be taken the beginning of next week....

Once the DNA come back, which will be about 2 weeks, we will know the date we go and PICK UP ANGELO!!!!

OMG... WE ARE SO CLOSE!!!!!

2008-01-02T07:55:00.000-06:00

THE NESTING STAGE

Now, let me remind everone that we moved middle of Nov. Angelena has been sleeping with me , and we have been using her room for a "Catch All"... With the unexpected news we are out of PGN on 12/17, we figured we needed to get working on the kids room!

Here is a before:

More of Before:

And After:

Mind you, we are still in the process of getting it all together, but I must say, it is a pretty good start... I still can't find the boxes for the beddings, curtains, and all the Pooh stuff... But, heck, any improvement at this point will do... Just don't look at my room now!

HUGS

2007-12-28T08:46:00.000-06:00

Christmas Morning

In our house, Christmas isn't just Christmas... It is Grandmas Birthday too! So the first present that is opened is Grandmas birthday present. Once grandma is done we start Christmas... Well, little Miss Angelena felt the need to stand on top of Grandmas present and clap as grandma opened the rest....

Now that she is up there, even though is is only a few inches of the floor, she can't seem to figure out how to get down!

Little miss TIDY, opens her presents SO Slow... and hands me every piece of paper as she pulls it off.

She moves on to the Ball... Question to everyone... How are you suppose to wrap a ball?

Won't put that ball down, still has more open... She became a pro at opening presents 1 handed... But the neatness started to fade!

Now, mommy is on the floor trying to put together the new Dora Big Wheel... And of course, Little Miss Angelena is all into helping! I still can't figure out where she came up with an extra part!

More to go, but not till the rest of the family get here... Baby Cages come in handy when you don't want little hands opening present that don't belong to them, and talking all the little balls of the tree and throughing them! And, a side note... Santa is a good babysitter... He has a motion senser, so if you get to close he will start to dance and sign... Needless to say... Angelena tries to stay FAR away... HEHEHE...Cheap Babysitting!

TADA! Big Wheel Motor Cycle Mamma can't even reach the pedals... But she loves all the little lights and noises it makes!

After an exhausting morning of opening presents, I put her in her High Chair with a bottle as I fixed her something to eat... She never made it to the food... I put a blanket over her and she sleeped for 2 hours... Enough time for me to get the Turkey and Ham into the over!

And then a little Shower and Shine, and we have little RED RIDING HOOD, with her PINK basket Ball!

Thats all for now...

We had a wonderful Christmas, and I keep telling Angelena, enjoy it now little girl, cause this is the last one you will be the only child! Next year Bo Bo will be here!

HUGS and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Ellie

A midnight Letter to Angelo

2007-12-25T06:52:00.000-06:00

Angelo,

As I sit here a write this, I wonder what you are doing... Who is holding you, loving you, whispering in your ear, telling you all about us. I always thought you would be with us by now, and spending your first Christmas with your Forever family... But things didn't happen the way they were supposed to... So, last night, I sat wrapping presents, getting food ready for Christmas day and decided to write you a little note.

My Angel in waiting... I have held you in my heart from before you were even born. The brief encounter we had when you were only 7 weeks old felt like a dream. I loved you from the moment the thought of you had entered my mind... I cherished you the moment I met you. I never realized just how big my heart was until I looked into that little face that laid in my arms and asked you... "If you want to be with us, be a strong little man, and you will come home." My heart broke when I had to hand you back. I was afriad that I would never see you again. All I could do was Pray... Wonder... Hope... Dream... I needed you with us so you would have the best possible care. I dream of the day that I will hold you forever in my hands... I dream of the day we are reunited again... I dream of the day your Big Sister will finally meet you.. I wish I could just swope down hold you and run home. Someone, somewhere had a plan for us. We are seeing it through, and will be together forever! So, my little Angel in waiting... On this day, you will be in our hearts and on our minds all day... Knowing that in just a few weeks, we will all be together again, FOREVER.... I know your are with a very loving family that only wants the best for you... They will truely miss you, as I do now. We love you so very much little man.

Merry Christmas -

Love your Forever Mommy

FFF = FAVORITE FRIDAY FOTO

2007-12-21T08:57:00.000-06:00

ENOUGH SAID!!!

2007-12-17T15:56:00.000-06:00

GUESS WHAT!!!!!

Here I am being GOOFY~ Cause this is the last time anyone is going to have to come to Guatemala and get updated pictures...

DO YOU KNOW WHY?????

Because the next time you see me, I will be in my mommy arms forever...

YEP... THATS RIGHT! WE ARE OUT OF PGN...

I will be coming home!~

2007-12-14T13:11:00.000-06:00

FFF

Little Miss America in her Christmas Digs, and she will not let me put her hair up to get it out of her eyes... - ON THE RUN!

AND THE NEW MR. AMERICA... Looks like he is on the run too! Do you all think that because these two look so much alike, that they are Telapathic and Angelena is telling him to be just like her???? Lordy save me...

He don't look like anything is going to stop him!~

2007-12-12T10:26:00.000-06:00

SUPRISE!!!!

Well Lookie here... My Big Little Man... Angelena's Look A Like, with Side Burns, and Attitude... Yep... They SURE are Brother and Sister!

Angelo Edward 7 months old... Ok, now... I HAVE TO GO TO GUATEMALA... I need to squeeze those little chubby cheeks. - And, shall I mention that hair!

I can't wait to get home today to show Gramma and Angelena... We have been waiting for over week, cause we knew we would be getting them. Every morning... Did you get an email today... Well this morning, I got 39 Pictures!

He is getting so big, and he looks VERY healthy...

HUGS

ELLIE

2007-12-11T12:18:00.001-06:00

The Long Awaited Down Load from Camara!

This is Angelena's Best Cousin, sharing her food... Note: they are only 2 months in age different

This was taken on the day we went had her Photo shot with the Photographer with Celebrating Adoption... This poor child was so tired when it was over with... Yes the balloon is tied to her dress...

Here she is just cheesen for the Camara

This was 2 night ago, this dog barks and sings jingle bells... Mind you she will hug him, dance with him, but the minute he starts moving, she RUNS... Big CHickeN!

This was last night, she was playing with her Santa Hat... See her nakedness... Guess why.... CHICKEN POX! That sure was a suprise last night... So far she has 5 big pus spots - under her arm, chest, back and side flank... I am praying this is just a small spot of it. She was vaccinated for Chicken Pox, so I really don't understand why she has them.

This is her Halloween Custom.... See how late I am!

Here, even later... THis was when she was Baptized 10/27/07... Look at my little princess.... She did SOOOOOOOOOO Good, I am so proud of her... This is my Brother and Sister, her offical, Nina, and Nino...

And last for today... Her sleeping in her Toddler Bed...

That's enough for now!

More later... On Friday... I may have a VERY SPECIAL SUPRISE IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS....

Keep checking!

HUGS

2007-12-08T09:30:00.000-06:00

OK.. OK.. OK...

We have some news to share...

1) I recieved an email from the Orphan Office in Oklahoma City yesterday, saying that my EXPIRED 171H has been extended, and I should be recieving it in the mail in about 10 days..... (Note: these are basically saying I can adopt from Guatemela, and when I adopted Angelena I was approved for 2 kids... Remember my posting way back... They are only good for 18 months... well my just expired 11/18, so I had to have it extended for another 18 months..) Here is the kicker... Remember when I was doing it way back... My moms finger prints are not readable... Guess what... AGAIN... We have a criminal in the house... HAHAHA Just kidding... Well anyway, we had to get Clearances from City, County, and States for where she lived in the last 10 years AGAIN... Boy that was fun... I recuited friends, and got all the paper work, and presto.... DONE!~ It only took.... 4 months... Imagine that!

and on to some better news...

I recieved an Email from my Agency yesterday... My case is going back into PGN on monday... YA... Everything has been cleared up, and things are starting to look on the bright side again...

2007-12-07T09:26:00.000-06:00

FFF

This week I thought I would go back to the very first time I meet Angelena. It was a visit trip to Guatemala 8/06.

This was my little miss america sleeping by the pool at the Westin in Guatemala City.

My next photo is of 2 of the MOST IMPORTANT PEOPLE IN MY LIFE... Everytime I look at this photo, I think... Look at these two faces... I unknown was about to unfold, and these 2 life's have fallen madly in love with each other... Out of all the pictures I have... This is the picture I carry around in my wallet... In fact, it is the only picture in my wallet...

Then you have me and Angelena... Here is something I haven't told anyone before... When I was first handed Angelena, I was so afraid to kiss her. I know that if I did, I worried about rejection. I was afriad, I would fall more madly in love with her, and then have to hand her back... Then as we were sitting by the pool, my cousin wanted to get a couple of pictures of us together, and we started to pose, and then bam... She put her little arm up around my neck, and I just couldn't stand it anymore, and smuggled into the side of her face and kissed her... And it was caught on tape... I LOVE THIS PICTURE. The inoccents of love.

AND then, last but not least... My friend Ginger had planned a trip to Guatemala to see her first referral. Then about 2 weeks before the trip, she lost her refferal, but she still decided to go. Even if it was just to see the country. Well, I know how heart breaking it was for Ginger to see me accept Angelena for the visit, and her have no baby to hold. So later that day, Ginger came to our room, and I handed her Angelena, and said, "Here Angelena, this is Aunttie Gin..." I know in my heart that it was VERY hard for Ginger to hold Angelena. But at that moment, there was no stopping the bond these to hold for each other. And the look on thier faces in this picture is priceless..To this day, when I talk to Ginger on the phone, I will put the phone on speaker phone and she will talk to Angelena. And yes, Angelena get excited when she here Ginger Voice.

So this will conclude my Favorite Foto Friday this week...

2007-12-05T10:19:00.000-06:00

THis is TOO FUNNY...

About a year and a half ago, I seen a person very similar to the people on this video, actually... I seen 2... And they were both women... one of these women was my cousin that went with us to Visit Angelena for the first time...

My My how 18 months can change things so quickly...

Ginger, Allen, Wendy... I know you all know who the other person is~!

ENJOY!

Info and OUR HERO

2007-12-03T15:46:00.000-06:00

Info and OUR HERO

First I would like to give you all an update to Angelo's Case...

We still have not been resumbitted into PGN, apparently there is yet another piece of the puzzle missing. Something from the Birthmothers village where she was born. I am not really sure what, but I am thinking it may be her Birth Certificate, cause that is what I was originally told why I got Kicked Out...

I really don't know at this point... THis is what was said... "IT IS NOT BACK IN PGN YET.. THIS IS MY CONVERSATION WITH THE LAWYER.. HE SAYS... I NEED A DOCUMENT FROM QUICHE.. AND THE MAYOR IS IN ECUADOR AND ONLY HE CAN GIVE THE DOCUMENTO.. HE RETURNS THURSDAY. MY SONS GODFATHER IS ON CONGRESSMAN IN THAT AREA.. AND HE IS HELPING ME GET THE DOCUMENT"

So in Guatemala time, that means 6 months... HAHAHA... Just kidding, but you know what I mean. This is oh so very fusterating...

Now on to another special story...

In the blog world, I have meet many people, and we have been communicating with some for well over 2 years... We have grown to love some of these family as if they are right next door, even if they are thousands miles away, or even in different countries (do you here me Kate)... Well, this one family, has done a wondeful slide show for everyone... She is always thinking of others... When I read her blog last night, it brought tears to my eyes, as I watch it, I seen many family in there that I have come to known very well... On to top this off, this person did this slide show, and called it a Gift to my Hero's... Little does she know... She is Our Hero...

Take a look...

A Christmas Present For You- My Hero

My hero is not a star in Hollywood. My hero is not a politician or a member of the royal family. Many of you reading this today are my heroes. You are world changers. You see what you want the world to be and you decide to BE the change. You aren't content to close your eyes to it. I am so deeply grateful to be a part of such a dynamic group of people. Today I have a Christmas gift for you. This is especially dedicated to all the mommas out there opening their hearts and homes to little ones who have no greater wish than to have a family. It WILL be a merry Christmas for so many little ones this year because of you. YOU are my hero.

If you would like to follow her journey, and watch how beautiful she and her family is, growing every year ;), here name is Angel... Kind of fitting don't you think!

Here is her blog: http://thevoiceofadventure.blogspot.com/

Thank you Angel~

HUGS
Ellie

2007-11-30T15:31:00.000-06:00

FFF

This was a picture of Angelena when she was 2 months old. Look at how much she has changed in a year...

I LOVE YOU HONEY!

2007-11-29T09:59:00.001-06:00

Ok... WHAT A DAY... and Night~!

Fist let me start by saying... Yesterday was a very long day... And then when I got home from work, the plumbers were there, they didnt' leave until 5:30 ish, and will be back today... Hopefully to finish up... Not to mention, we have been living out of an Ice Chest for about a week already... Our frig went out... Called MAYTAG, and they had someone come out and check it out... Apparently the MOTHER BOARD went out... and they have to order a new one. It takes a week to come... They will be coming back on Monday... Went to get something to eat... I figured out, I just can't stomach Fast Food... Angelena went with me, passed out in the car, I ate, changed her, did a few things around the house, and we went to bed... The night has started... Angelena tossed and turned all night... Need to be touching me the whole night... Not really sure what is going on... But I am thinking it is teething, as she is GRINDING HER TEETH... ALL NIGHT... She finally feel deep asleep about 4 am this morning...

Now for some pictures...

This is Angelena and her Cousin Danni. This was taken last year at Christmas... They seem to like each other then... Now... THEY LOVE EACH OTHER... They are only 2 months a part, and yes they fight like sisters... They pull eachothers hair, sucker punch, whack each other with toys... But when all is said and done... They ALWAYS KISS AND HUG AT THE BEGINNING OF THE DAY, AND AT THE END! They sure are great pals!

This next picture is when Angelena first came home... This is how she got her strength in her legs... This little bouncy can BOUNCE! As you can see, she wore herself out all the time when she was in this.

And this little picture was when we were doing Cheese Pictures right before Christmas last year... I love this smile... To this day, she has this same smile. It is so innocent, honest, and loving... I just love this little girl~! AND... I MUST SAY... SHE IS THE CUTEST LITTLE GIRL I HAVE EVER SEEN! (YES I AM HER MOMMY, I CAN SAY THAT!)

Well that is all for now. These were a few pictures I ran into when i was looking for some picture the other day... And... THis little girl is the Sunshine of my life!

HUGS

2007-11-28T10:36:00.001-06:00

Happy Birthday Cindy

Well every year round this time... Thanksgiving, we would always celbrate Cindys birthday. This Thanksgiving, well let us just say, was different. We usually have a pray before we eat, or go around the table and share what we are Thankful for... Not this year... Don't get me wrong.. Thanksgiving this year was fun. Everyone got along, everyone eat... ALOT... Everyone pitched in and helped with Dishes, kids, food, etc... Then the dessert came out... We used to gather around the table and sign Happy Birthday... Not this year... I couldn't bring myself to even mention anything.

So, on this DAY, CINDY'S Birthday... I want to Celbrate and Be Thankful... So here it goes:

I am Celbrating the Life you had on this earth Cindy
I am Celbrating the Life you gave, Christina and Christopher
I am Celbrating the reunion of you, Christina and Christopher again in Heaven
I am Thankful for all the love we shared
I am Thankful you ARE a part of my family
I am Thankful you were there for Angelena's 1st Birthday
I am Thankful you we were not only In-Laws... But TRUE SISTERS
I am Thankful you came when ever we needed help
I am Thankful you aloud us to be a part of your life
I am Thankful we had so many years of being being a family - 30 years!

So, Cindy, I look around my house, and see TONS of boxes, with your writing on them. You are right there with us as I open each box to see what is really in it... Most of the boxes are marked storage... Because that is where they went... It never dawned on us to say Bathroom, Bedroom, etc... But, hey... We still had fun packing some of those boxes... HAHAHA... I can still hear you... "What the Hell is this?" I would answer... Don't know, just throw it in the box...

This year has been a long hard year. Wanting to be close to family, you were on of the people who came out and rescued us from TX... Drove back to CA with me... And, have been there for us... Now, I am here posting this for YOU...

Love you man... HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY SWEET SISTER...

2007-11-19T09:56:00.000-06:00

BIG WEEKEND....

The movers came, and the head one has the nick name of Papa Smurf... And yes this name fit him completely.

The other mover was great to WATCH!!! You know what I mean!

They along with a few family members loaded and unloaded the truck at the new house....

We put up alot of the furniture, including a big girl toddler bed for Angelena... She don't like the crib, and has been used to sleeping in Momma's big bed, so what the heck... Well, needless to say... She LOVES the Toddler bed, but don't want to sleep in it... This is something we need to work on...

Our first night in our new house, was just Grandma, Angelena and ME... Then about 7:30pm on the second night... We had Angelena's cousins come and stay the night... 3 of them... HEHE...

Granted the house if full of boxes, the garage is packed to its seams, we still have our family around us. It was kind of sad to be leaving my sisters house, but it was good to be able to see all our stuff come out of storage.

Now, here is some ironic things that happened this weekend...

I walked into the house to shut off lights and lock up to go get some food for the house, and when I opened the door, Angelena's glider as rocking... I didn't say anything to anyone, and just giggled to myself... Then, of the um teen hundred boxes that weren't marked, the 2 main boxes that I really wanted to find; my 1 box that had my iPod and alarm clock, and Angelena's 1 box that had the 2 1/2 cases of diapers, wipes, socks and her favorite blankie that has been in storage for 5 months. Well, lets just say... these 2 boxes were in the correct rooms... Mine was in my room, and Angelena's was in her room... It was as if someone knew that I really needed these two boxes...

All weekend it felt weird. Cindy, my sister in law, would ALWAYS come and help us when ever we needed help. She was there when mom had surgry in TX, when we moved, when Angelena came home, Angelena's birthday, she came and helped us pack to go back to CA... Well, this time, with the move, I kept wanting to grab the phone and call her for help... A lot of the boxes were marked Storage, with Cindy's writting on it. It was so odd to see her writing, and now, I don't want to get any of the boxes... Well, right before I went to sleep last night, it dawned on me... Now that Cindy is in heaven watching over us... She is; 1 Laughing at us cause she didn't have to help... and 2 She made sure those 2 boxes were put where we needed them... I said, out load... Thank you Cindy, and I miss you so much... And I started to cry... and fell asleep. Last night was the first time I actually have come to realization, Cindy is no longer with us... I have been in denial...

Then I get to work this morning and get this amazing email.....

**We hope the necessary document will be in hand on Tuesday. I will let you know when the case is back in PGN. I will see and video her child on my December trip***

**I have no doubt that Ellie's case will be completed.. it wont’ be done by Dec 31 but this child will come home***

Thank you OLGA!!!! WE LUV U MAN!

2007-11-16T09:05:00.000-06:00

FOTO FRIDAY...

I know I have posted this before, but this is my MOST FAVORITE PICTURE IN THE WORLD... Don't get me wrong, I love a lot of my pictures... But this one takes the cake...

Angelena had only been home 6 weeks when this picture was taken with my mom. The look on Angelena's face show the love for Gamma... And Gamma is so proud to be holding her youngest grandchild (AT THAT TIME)...

It is amazing to see them now, the love has even grown stronger... I walked in the front door the other day after work, and there was a picture I wish I could have gotten... Angelena and Gamma both asleep in the recliner... Angelena was cuddle up in Gamma's arm and they were both out cold! At night, I tell Angelena to go give Beso's for ni-ni, and she runs to Gamma, and acks as if she is going to give a kiss, and then starts to tess gamma, as if she isn't going to, but she eventually does, and gamma says wheres my hug... And sure enough, Angelena wraps her little arms around gamma's neck and lays her head on her shoulder... It is amazing...

I love my little peanut so much...

OH - More words I forgot to mention the other day...

Tank ou - Thank you

PEAS - Please

Ewww - Ewww

I am sure there is alot more, and when she says them I will be remembering them... Execpt for those that I caught her repeating me... Opps....

Have a great weekend everyone!

2007-11-14T09:28:00.000-06:00

Angelena's Vocabulary...

With Angelena being 18 months old... You would think she would start putting words together... Some words are working for her... But she has this uncanning problem with GRUNTING and talking with her month closed... You see the way she holds her mouth above? This is the postition when hold it when she says YES... or better yet... uhha - meaning yes...

But with her mouth open she talks up a storm...

What she says = what it means

Bo ba = Bottle

Uic = Juice

NO = NO/YES

I Momma= I love momma

dawng = dang

wuv u = love you

De De = her cousin Danni

D'sa = her cousin Dasia

D'rse = her cousin Darius

Gama = Grandma

PaPa = her uncle Papa

NaNa = her aunt Nana

Ball = Ball

PeePee = Pee Pee

Duck = EVERY AND ALL BIRDS

Elmo = Elmo

Fart = Self Explainitory... (THANK YOU FAMILY)

Buggy = Buggers

Dog = Dog

Fuffy = Fluffy

Adios = Good Bye

Nite Nite = Good Night

Hola = Hello

Azul = Blue

Sit = Sit

Bo Bo = Baby Brother

and then of course all her non verbal hand motions and grunts... She points and grunts... Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with her...

Put it like this... I am holding her hand and ask her...

Angelena, do you have mommy wrapped around this finger(pointing at her finger)... her response.. Uhha... then next finger... Uhha... and so on... She know exactly what you are saying to her... She is amazingly smart, but she knows what she can get away with...

Now that we will be in our own place again, things are going to be changing... No more, running away from mommy, no more grunting... Girlfriend... You know what you want... say it~ AND THE MOST IMPORTANT THING OF ALL...

She seems to be needing to to hold her every minute she is awake.. I have no clue where that came from? I walk in the house... She does this little dance, says Hi Momma... and then comes straight to me and DEMANDS TO BE HELD... She will grab my legs, start yelling and screaming, and stomp her feet until I pick her up. Sometimes I try to just hold her hand and tell her to walk with me... But no... She WANTS UP...

So, you see we have some issues to deal with. I just hated to make alot of changes right away, but once we are settled down in our own place, with our own stuff, and our own dog... (YEP HONEY IS COMING HOME), this will change. Just wait...

As for my previous post... Thank you to all the emails and comments. I realize that people in the Adoption world understands and feel the same way about alot of stuff... I THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT... WE LUV YA MAN~

HUGS
Ellie

2007-11-09T09:17:00.000-06:00

FOTO FRIDAY

OK... Foto Friday...

I am trying to get my Happy Back... So it dawned on me... Foto Friday... IS for BOTH MY KIDS!!!

Angelena is carring her small ball, trying to see around it! She loves this ball... I have more pictures of her with this ball, but they are in my camara still!

And the next picture is Angelo, when I went to see him at 7 weeks old. Not many people know Angelo was not feel very well when I went to see him, and he didn't sleep much. But when he did, I took AMPLE pictures.

I wish I could post more current pictures of Angelo, but my agency has been able to obtain updated one for me recently. So, the only real pic's I have are from when I went to see him, his newborn pics and his Doctor appoint the first week on Aug.

Now onto more news...

We still have not been resubmitted to PGN, we are waiting for the SWI (social worker interview) in Guatemala...

Something has been really bothering me... Granted some people just don't understand the "Guatemala Adoptions" and "3rd World Country" statistics, and they really don't know what to say... But it really hurts when you hear comments and you feel you have to defend and explain to people consitantly... Lately, I just don't feel like I have the energy anymore...

These are some of the comments:

Why does that lady keep having babies? (THIS ONE JUST PISSES ME OFF… Are people that ignorant… We are talking 3rd world country)
You know she has to be paid for having kids?
Are you sure Angelo is still coming home to you…Did they give him to someone else?
So you are not in PGN anymore? What is the reason today?
When is he coming home?
Is he ever going to come home?
Why are you putting yourself though this again?
Isn’t Angelena enough?
Just wait; you don’t know what it is like to have 2 kids…
So is he all grown up now?
Just think, by the time he gets home all you will have to deal with is college…
It’s said that you are missing the entire first with him…

My head is hurting now, so I am going to hung up!

HUGS and HAPPY FRIDAY!

2007-11-07T11:12:00.000-06:00

A GRAIN OF HOPE....

This was posted on the JCICS Webpage today...

November 7, 2007
Joint Council has continued to advocate for a rational and child centric transition to the Hague Convention in Guatemala. During our recent presentation at the Adoption Ethics & Accountability Conference in Washington, D.C., Joint Council called for the completion of adoptions in-process, the implementation of the Conventions core elements, an effective implementation date of April 2008 and funding for capacity building. We have continued to work with our colleagues in Guatemala along with members of the Guatemalan Congress in developing a functional child welfare system.

We can now report that members of the Guatemalan Congress, including numerous party chiefs, have submitted a new legislative proposal which;
- Includes a strong ‘grandfather’ clause,
- Designates April 30, 2008 as the effective implementation date of the Convention,
- Allocates $5 million Quetzales ($650,000 USD) for the creation of the Central Authority
- Allocates a percentage of the total government budget for child welfare services
- Creates a new government entity to act as the Central Authority in Guatemala
- Provides for private non-profit accredited entities to provide services to children,
- Allows single potential adoptive parents to apply for adoption,
- Creates a functional process by which children can find a permanent, safe and loving family.

The new legislation is scheduled to be introduced to Congress early next week. In line with our mission of advocating for the right of each child to a permanent family, Joint Council will continue to work with our colleagues in Guatemala towards a positive and child centric implementation of the Convention.

In otherwords, they are going vote on this, but it won't go into effect until 4/1/08... That give us some time, along with the New President of Guatemala being in office!

2007-11-05T15:20:00.000-06:00

How did I do it last time?

My Mayan Calender just keeps moving, round and round...

It doesn't stop, yet time stands still,

Every moment I know nothing,

seems like a life time of waiting.

Knowing the Unknown,

Hoping for the Unknown,

Needing time to figure time,

The web that was woven,

Promises Broken,

Dreams Fading,

Prayers Saving,

Heart Aching,

Not Knowing,

Hoping,

Wishing,

Praying...

When will it end...

I have been filled with 1000 times of emotion, not knowing what to say, or how to anwer people... The past 3 months seem to be never ending, Constant Disappointment, Constant Lose...

I find thing to look forward to, and then have hope, then... BLAM..

Hit in the face...

I think I need a break...

I need a friendly face...

I feel like I am going to crack...

But guess what...

I don't have time for it~

Imagine that...

We will be moving in a couple of weeks, so this will take my mind off of things...

I am staying strong for my baby girl... And everytime I look into those beautiful Dark Brown Eyes, I say a little prayer that one day she will finally meet her siblings.

For, I am the youngest of 5, and wouldn't know what to do without my brothers and sisters. Granted, they don't all live close, and we don't talk on a daily occurance, but I know they are there.

Family is family...

Once I get my computer back up and running, I will be posting OH SO MANY PICTURES... My little princess is getting so big... And talk about her personality... I could go on and on with that one!

Just know... She is my Angel and my light! And yes, I am wrapped around her little finger... Index finger... Middle finger... Pointer finger... and yes even thumb... If I know what to call all her toes, I would say I am wrapped around them too!

She has been to a birthday party, her baptism, just playing with her cousins... SLEEPING... And of course her new funny face... She know what the word Fart is, and she make this really funny face, and pushes as if she is trying to break wind... I wonder which uncle taught her that???? OR, who taught her what a BOGGIE is...

Yes, even in church, she decided to dig for gold... OMG... OMG... Yes...

2007-11-01T16:37:00.000-05:00

Broken Dreams....

I found out that Angelo's case has been kick out not for a cross out, or anything like that...

But--- This is word for word...

"PGN asked for an amplification of the home study (the one done there) and the case was in the first family court and this is the one that is most difficult to work with so we are working on getting what PGN needs.. until then, it won’t go back in"

I have been told that the Social Worker on the Guat side is the hardest to work with. They have NO time when this will be correct...

And Amplification...?? What could have been said that they need to have Amplified?

This is not happening....

It looks VERY grim that Angelo will be coming home anytime soon.

So, I am off to put on my Happy Face for Angelena... with my broken heart hidden.

2007-10-30T09:25:00.000-05:00

Guatemala Adoption Lingo.....

PGN = PGN

KO = Kicked Out

PGN= Equivalent to the Attorney Generals Office in US

KO meaning=Your paperwork that was sumbitted into PGN had something wrong with it

Now you ask me: Ellie, why are you giving us a lesson on this nasty two letter "KO" that everyone in the Guatemalan Adoption world hates to hear?

Ellie's Answer: BECAUSE, ANGELO'S CASE WAS KO ON FRIDAY FOR A STUPID MISTAKE...

Now for Ellie's little RANT:

Before you turn any of your paper work in to Guatemala, you go over it with a fine tooth comb, making sure everything is in order, they the cordinator goes over it, then it is sent to Guatemala for Translantion... So everything I and my wonderful Coordinator did was good. Once it is done being translated, it moves thought several places...

My case was at the last place, prior to the Adoption Decree being Approved, and we get a KO for a cross out on some paper work... A CROSS OUT... NOTHING WE DID, CAUSE ALL OUR PAPER WORK WAS RIGHT! IT WAS SOMETHING FROM GUATEMALA... Now, why wasn't this caught before it was sumbitted? Why wasn't it checked and checked again? Why were we so close, then get Angelo's case tossed out? Why once it is fixed, will we have to start the waiting ALL OVER AGAIN? With the end of the year coming in fast, we may not be out of PGN before the end of the year. Why did I have my heart set that Angelo would be coming home and not not be caught up in the problems that are going to be happening at the end of the year... Is Angelo really going to come home? Is this really going to happen? Is his case going to be stuck in Guatemala forever? Do you see all these questions.... GUESS WHAT... I DON'T HAVE ANSWERS... NO ONE DOES...

Yes, this is CRAP... Yes, we are doing everything we can to bring him home. Yes, my heart is aching, and YES, I FEEL LIKE CRAP and no I have NO ANSWERS...

My only mission in life now is... GET THAT LITTLE BOY HOME TO BE WITH US... HE NEEDS US... HE IS 6 Months old... Angelena was home when she was 5 1/2 months... SO YOU SEE... THERE ARE DELAYS...

Ok, now I will get off my soapbox, crawl in a corner and finish crying... Before Angelena see me!

2007-10-26T12:37:00.000-05:00

Kisses in the Wind

I hold you in my heart and touch you in my dreams,

You are here each day with me, at lease that's how it seems.

I know you wonder where we are... what's taking us so long,

But remember child, I love you so and God will keep you strong.

Now go outside and feel the breeze and let it touch your skin...

Because tonight, just as always, I blow you kisses in the wind.

May God hold you in His hand until I can be with you.

I promise you, my darling, I'm doing all that I can do.

Very soon, you'll have a family for real, not just pretend.

But for tonight, just as always, I blow you kisses in the wind.

May God wrap you in His arms and hold you very tight.

And let the angels bring the kisses that I send to you each night.

--Unknown

Just a little something for Baby Angelo...

I am so wishing you were here with us right now.

I love you bery much, and want you to know Momma and Sissy will be coming for you someday soon.

2007-10-24T09:34:00.000-05:00

Angelena's Special Day

With everything that has been going on resently, I forgot to post...

On Oct 27, 2007 - Angelena will be Baptized! We have a wonderful day planned out.

Saturday we have to be at the church by 9:45 am, and then once it is over, we will be having the reception in the Parish Hall.

I pretty much have everything that can be done, done... I have to go to reherrsal Thursday night, decorate the hall Friday night, pick up the food Saturday morning at 8:30am, take it to the hall, get Stinky ready and be in the church by 9:45.

Angelena's God Parents are my Sister Kathy and Brother Kevin.

Nina Kathy bought Angelena the most beautiful dress for this special occasion, along with a little tira! I still have to figure out how to do the her hair... I sure do hope it isn't a bad Hair Day for her!

Also, when I was in Guatemala visiting Angelo, his foster mother took him to a priest to be blessed because he wasn't doing to well, and she was worried. She had a Baby Rosary on him, and I had asked her if I could have it and bring it home, she said yes. I origianlly wanted to have Angelena and Angelo baptized together, but he won't be home soon, so I said I would go ahead and have Angelena done. I plan on pinning Angelo's Baby Rosary onto Angelena's dress somewhere, so she will have a part of her Brother with her.

I looked and looked for form Baby shoes for Angelena, and just couldn't find the ones I wanted, I went to a "Special Shoe Store" and found some White Baby HIP TOPS, with Silver bars on the side, I didn't buy them, but OH SO WANTED TO! They looked so cute, but for $75.00 don't think so! THEN 2 weeks ago, Erika and Joey were at the Farmers Market, and there was a shoe man there and they found the perfect pair of shoes for the Baptism. They are white with Silver writting on the top, in spanish - MY BAPTISM.

When we first brought Angelena home from Guatemala, Auntie Kathy bought a gold braclett that Angel spelt out. IT was way to big for her, but I have kept it in my drawer, and guess what... IT FITS HER PERFECT NOW... So she will also be sporting a gold braclett...

Grandma, Angelena, and myself set out on a mission last weekend to find the perfect Candle and Sash. Sure enough... FOUND IT... It came with a little Shell for the water, and a little rosay, and a childrens bible in spanish.

Let me tell you, with Angelena only being 18 months old, I have saved so much of her "FIRSTS" that I am going to need a BIGGER trunk to store them all in.

I have the outfit that she was handed over to me in, her home coming dress, first pair of shoes, Guatemalan Blanket from Guatemala, her first Guatemalan Outfit, her Helmet, her favorit toys, etc... Let's just say A LOT OF STUFF.

Something I acutally even started for Angelo. I already have the outfit that he came home in from the hospital. His foster mother bave it to me when I was there. I have his DVD and Pictures... NOW ALL I NEED IS HIM!

And now ~ I am having issues with getting my I171H extended. It has taken me since July 14 to get that straightened out, and it looks like it should be done 11/2. We have to go to Sacramento to do a Sworn Statement infront of Home Land Security, because mom's finger prints are not readable.

Anyway... I don't know when I will be able to post again, so I just wanted to let everyone know what was going on.

2007-10-19T09:04:00.000-05:00

FOTO FRIDAY~!

~NEW CAPTION~

"PLEASE SENOR PGN MAN LET MY BRO BRO OUT SO HE CAN COME HOME"

(Doesn't it look like she is praying? This is actually her 1st Birthday as she was wearing... I mean eating her birthday cake)

2007-10-17T15:04:00.000-05:00

GOTTCHA DAY!!!

One year ago today, Angelena was placed in my arms forever.This day seems only like yesterday. It has been an amazing year. I will cherish every moment, and have a BOOK of pictures to document it.

I love my little girl, and wouldn't know what I would do with out her.

I am a single Mom, and come to realize my life will never be the same again, and I LOVE THAT THOUGHT...

BUt, here is a few things I never realized would happen:

I can never go to the bathroom by myself

I never thought I would change a dirty diaper without gloves(that was short lived)

To hear thoses magically words just grabs my heart - I WUV MOMMA.

A child can NEVER have to many clothes(mom's habit stopped, baby's habit began)

I can't wait to get home to see her everyday

and last but not least -

I would have never believe you if you told me a year ago, that I would be in the process again for her baby brother!

THANKS FOR THE AMAZING YEAR PEANUT! MOMMA WUVS YOU SO MUCH~

2007-10-16T09:35:00.001-05:00

My Princess...

(WITH HORNS and a FORK!)

First, this is one picture I DID NOT CHOOSE... But, hey, I love them all~ The winner was:

#14 - 28 votes total - So, I have ordered that, and the Slide Show, so I will still get them all... So if anyone is interested in the Photographer, she did an amazing job, and is in Northern CA. Please send me an Email!

I have been TAGGED.... By GInger

JOBS THAT I HAVE HAD:
Telesales for Insurance Company

Cook at Bowling Alley

Bank Teller

Inventory Supervisor

IN/OUT Cash Balance for Bank

Merchent Card Banking

Tax Preparer

Operations Manger for Tax Company

Research Rep for Law Firms

Service Rep for Law Firms

PLACES THAT I HAVE LIVED:
ILLINOIS
CALIFORNIA
TEXAS

FOODS THAT I LOVE:
CHICKEN
CHEESE
MEXICAN

PLACES THAT I HAD RATHER BE:
HOME WITH MY FAMILY
GUATEMALA PICKING UP ANGELO

MOVIES I LOVE:
DIRTY DANCING

SHERK

T.V. SHOWS I WATCH:
NOTHING PARTICULAR

BOOKS I LOVE:
FICTION

I AM TAGGING:
WENDY - Ahren & PBJ

ALLEEN - GABRIELLA's Mom

COURTNEY - MY BLOG BUDDY

AUNTIE G - Johanna Faith MOM

2007-10-08T15:44:00.000-05:00

ANGELENA PHOTOS

http://www.sarahmetzphotography.com/angelena/enter.html

Please go to this link and check out either the Slide Show or the Gallary, and tell me which you pictures you like....

I can't decided... I like them all!

As for my previous post...

Cindy is now with Christina in Heaven. Thank you to everyone for your prayers!

Ellie

2007-10-01T10:10:00.000-05:00

WHY GOD?

It took me a very long time to find God again. I lost my faith, years ago, and finally found my way back to him. I have taken him into my heart, because he make me who I want to be.

I questioned my faith in the past, turned my back on it, ventured out to other religions, but found my way back.

Now GOD is testing my faith again.

No more TEST... I am here. I need you... WE NEED YOU now more than ever. I have prayed all night, asking for Miracles... I have faith in Him to do what has to be done.

I know that when it is time for people to go, HE take them... Please don't take this now, not yet, not this way. I am not questioning my faith, I am embrassing my faith.

Please everyone, anyone, please pray for my sister in law Cindy. The next few hours are critical.

Thank you

2007-09-28T10:01:00.000-05:00

Guatemala Adoptions - MAY SHUT DOWN

Many of you who read this blog know what is going on - you can skip this post!

For those of you who are friends or family that read this, there are some major problems going on in Guatemala right now.

We've all known that the Guatemalan adoption program could shut down in the future. No one knew for sure, but it was going to be a possibility.

The current (and outgoing) President of Guatemala is trying to get his hands on a major amount of UNICEF money and in exchange he is to shut down intercountry adoption out of Guatemala. (that's a whole other post but if any of you give ANY money to UNICEF at Halloween I'll come hunt you down!!!!)

President Berger has said that starting January 1st, 2008 there will be no more adoptions. The scariest part is that he is also saying that there will be no grandfathering. So, if someone's adoption is in process, but not completed by January 1st, the adoption will not be able to go forward.

No one knows for sure that this will actually happen. The President doesn't have the power to do this on his own, but no one really knows what will happen.

As you can imagine, for those of us who are still in process, this is a very scary time.

According to the JCICS there are 5,000 children that are currently in process. This would be 5,000 children who would not be able to come to their forever family, 5,000 children who would then be sent to orphanages (that really don't exist) in who knows what kinds of conditions.

You can read more here http://www.jcics.org/Guatemala5000.htm including what you can do to help.

There are a few Petitions that I BEG OF YOU TO SIGN.

Here are the links:

http://www.petitiononline.com/41203gm/petition.html

http://www.petitiononline.com/foafoa1/petition.html

I've have been thanking God so many times in the past couple of days that Angelena is home. Just one year - if this happened one year ago - I'd won't have her... And now with this... I may never have Angelo...

I am so afriad of not having Angelo Home. The thought of this is killing me. I need him, Angelena needs her little brother... The family needs him...

PLEASE HELP!!!!

2007-09-28T09:22:00.000-05:00

FOTO FRIDAY~

These are pictures of Angelena with OUR Bestfriend Jasmine. The weekend before Jassy Passed...

Yes... They both are spoiled!

Gotta Love them!

2007-09-27T10:33:00.001-05:00

I lost a week...

So, here is a l picture of Angelena that I will charish for the rest of my life...

The look on both Angelena and my mom's face don't any words to explain.

2007-09-14T10:21:00.001-05:00

Friday Post...Picture day...

Tomorrow we are going to be having a VERY busy day... Angelena will is getting professional Pictures done, compliament of http://www.celebratingadoption.org/ Celbrating Adoptions. You should check it out... We were originally going to have them done in the Park, but it seems that is will be a little chilly tomorrow morning, so the Photographer suggested we do it in her studio... I think the Photographer is just as excited as I am about this. I picked out about 5 different outfits, and we will see what we end up with... I am even taking the Dress she worn on her Re-Adoption day in Dallas. Back then it was really big on her, but now it is her size! Imagine that... We are taking her Pillow Case Dress I got for her on Easter.

Angelena's will be getting Baptized on 10/27, we were going to wait for Angelo to get home, but I think they need to have thier own special days, so he will be Baptized later...

And a REAL SPECIAL THANK YOU TO MY SBP! I recieved a package in the mail the other day, it has a Sticker of the US and GUAT Flags Crossing like an X... This is symbolic for a US/Guat Adoption... I love it! We also rec. a Onsie for Angelo, that says "GUATPO" on it... and a Cute Bib for Angelena that has Mommy's Lil Princessa. **WINK**WINK** LOVE IT!

Message to SBP - Please email me though the email!!!!

For those who don't know what a SBP is: Remeber back when you were in school, and you and a Secret Santa before Christmas... Well, this is a Secret Blog Pal... SBP... But it is year round. Every few months they are reveiled and the rounds start over. You meet many WONDERFUL people that have or had gone though the same things you are going through...

2007-09-11T14:47:00.001-05:00

Angelena has an annoucment to make:

MY BABY BROTHER IS 1 STEP CLOSER TO COMING HOME!!!!

We reiceved the PA today, and will be going into PGN tomorrow or Thursday!!!

I am getting so excited... OH... AND SO IS MOMMY~~~

2007-09-10T11:50:00.000-05:00

ANGELO UPDATE!!!!!!!!!

AUG 9 DOCTOR APPOINTMENT

11.5 lbs...

He is getting to be a very BIG boy...
*His weight very is adapted for its stature, his stature is within limits for its age.
*Hernia does not have complications by umbilical his, and this is corrected with the nonamerita age
*He maintains either its head and it very moves or its legs and arms*His muscular tone is very good.
*His neurological development is good
*First dose of vaccine was applied

He has changed so much. I wish I could reach out and really touch him. Angelena is getting so excited, but I honest don't think she really understands, but she does know something is going on.

Here are a couple of Pictures...

2007-08-30T10:13:00.000-05:00

Yesterday Marked 3 years....

Ok.. for those who don't want to read sobby stuff... YOU CAN STOP READING FOR NOW!

Back in June I posted a little about my Niece Christina who had passed away. Well yesterday was the 3 year mark of her passing... Some poeple call it an Anniversery Date... Well to me Anniverserys are for Celbrating... This was not a day of Celebration...

Anyway... Christina was not very Religous through life, but was trying to find her way to God towards the end... Instead of having a priest doing a service it was family, and I was the one that did it at her grave site.

I still have the letter I wrote and read... it is as follows...

“Season’s Change”

By: Aunt Ellie

Spring brings us new life; Summer is the time of growth,

Fall brings us through maturity; And Winter is the time of dormancy.

This is the Cycle of Life.

Some people have longer Summers and Falls,

And unfortunately some have shorter ones.

Everything happens for a reason,

We may not like, agree, or understand why,

We sit here and wonder with a great sigh,

Why did the season of winter come so soon for you?

This question will never be answered for us.

But, you have done the work that was needed from you here,

and you were called home.

I know that you are surrounded by many loves one that have proceeded you,

including you twin brother Christopher.

I know you waited so long for a miracle to come, you told everyone to be strong.

Now, Can you touch the soul of heaven?

you have taught us a scared lesson,

you heard the universe calling, and went.

Even with the shortest seasons you had,

You had a full life,

experiencing things that not many people would in a life time.

From ballet, modeling, skiing, scuba diving, fishing, hunting, a college degree, living on the west coast to the east coast, and back again, going out of the United States, living on an Island in the middle of the ocean, and creating a new beautiful life, Kristen Rae for the seasons.

As I sat going through hundreds of pictures,

I realized, that life passes us by so quickly, and some how,

we seem to forget a lot of stuff that has happened in the past.

Once I started looking at the pictures,

a flood of memories come rushing back.

I am going to miss you more than words could ever say. I

have not only lost my niece, but I have truely lost my best friend.

I admire the desires and strength you had in you.

You are a remarkable woman.

Life is the precious gift that is given to us at birth,

you came into the world fighting for you life, and won.

For the last few years you fought the toughest fight of all,

All the way to the end, and you never gave up.

I promise you will never be forgotten, your voice, smile, laugh, hugs, jokes, tears, love, happiness, will always be with me.

Granted, I will miss our daily emails and phone calls,

to see what is bringing in the new day,

but now I have you next to me all the time.

You have been one of my Princesses,

and now you are one of my guardian angles.

And boy, with you on my side, I have nothing to worry about!

I just hope when my season’s change,

I have the strength and courage you have shown us.

You have taught me a very valuable lesson, never give up.

We weep in sorrow for our loss,

but we will celebrate your life everyday.

Your memories and spirit will be kept alive for your daughter, and family.

Good-bye is the hardest words to say.

Now that I have to say these words I will cry,

it breaks my heart to see you this way and say good bye.

So its not good-bye,

but until we meet again.

I Love You

Aunt Ellie Puls

2007-08-23T08:52:00.000-05:00

INQUIRING MINDS WANT TO KNOW....

GINGER NEWS...

She is home, with Maya... YEP.. I broke down and tracked her down last night... She is doing wonderful, and is VERY HAPPY THIS IS OVER... But little does she realize...

IT HAS JUST BEGUN!!!!

She doesn't have access to a computer where she is and said she will be going out today to try and post something...

But, she is ok and VERY HAPPY!!!

Welcome home MAYA... WE LOVE YOU!!!

AUNTTIEE ELLIE, ANGELENA, and ANGELO!!!

2007-08-22T17:47:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday to me...

Boo Hoo... I can't believe that I am 40 years old today...

And now I am suppose to be all grown up... So why have I been crying all day???

2007-08-21T08:42:00.000-05:00

POST OF A LIFE TIME!!!!

WELL IT IS FINALLY OVER FOR GINGER AND MAYA!!! As I type this they are in the air (hopefully, wouldn't you know it... HURRICAN WEATHER) on their way to the USA!!! Just look at their faces... They are SO HAPPY... I have been waiting to post this for a few weeks, because I KNEW they would be coming home.

Not only is this going to be a historical day for Ginger and Maya, but it is a historical day from the Weather... Hurrican Dean made land fall at a Cat 5 along the Yuktan Penninsula... Just north of Guatemala, it was thought that Guatemala is on the safe side of the Hurrican... But, heck, the only safe side, it NO SIDE AT ALL! Something Maya and Ginger can say... Even weather couldn't keep them from coming home!

Congrates to you and Maya, may your travels be safe, and WELCOME HOME... The newest Little American!!!!

2 Down, 1 to go...

HUGS TO YOU BOTH!

2007-08-14T10:13:00.000-05:00

The PeePee Dance...

Ok... As many of you know already, when we made the transition to CA, we didn't go into a house of our own. We are Temp. staying with my sister until something happens to the house in TX... Sell, Rent, BURN DOWN... What ever.... JUST KIDDING!

Anyway... I don't really know what has gotten into my little Angel... She has been changing SO much, and growning up right before my eyes... Where is the Pause Button...

You know how when come home from work, and your dogs see you... They get really excited, run in circles and prance... Because they are happy to see you... Well, guess who is doing this...

Angelena... She runs in cirlces, stomps her feet, raises her arms up and tries to jump all at the same time... And of course she thinks she is talking... But nothing but baby talk comes out... IT is quit commical.

I want so bad to get this on video tape, but of course, my video camara is packed away... So all I have is my Digital Camara, and NO cable for DOWNLOADING the pictures. I don't even have a Computer to dump my pics in. I have to go to Wolfs just do download...

2007-08-08T17:32:00.000-05:00

GINGER IS PINK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MAYA IS COMING HOME!!!!!!!!!!

Just found out... Her appointment is set!!!! Stay tuned for details!~

2007-08-07T09:51:00.000-05:00

Somber Day...The ups and downs in life

Well, all was going well yesterday when I got home from work. I rush out to the mailbox, to see if the LabCorp package was there (even I already knew the results)... It sure was... I have the picture of a lifetime for Angelo. His birthmother is holding when the DNA was taken. She hasn't changed much, her hair a little longer, but she still has that Not So Happy look on her face. Which I completely understand. And, Angelo is wearing the one of the outfits I took to him when I seen him. I am so glad that these kids don't really remember the pain and heart break that is around them when they are so young. I have thought about asking to meet the Kids Birthmother when I go to pickup Angelo. I am not sure about that yet... So back to the evening... I am in my bedroom looking at the results with my mom, and my cell phone rings...

First let me explain my sitituation... When we moved from TX, we put all our stuff into storage, and am staying with my sister. Where we are located, no animals are allowed. So, I ask my bother to keep one of my goldens, and my aunt to keep another. All was going well. Until my it was getting a little rough on my Aunt... So, I had called a long time family friend Penny and Bonnie, which happened to of had Jasmine's (my dog) Grandmother. They were willing to take Jasmine until my house sold in TX, and we found a place here in call. Last week, Penny emails me and joking around she indicated that she was going to put Jasmine in diapers. I asked why because I knew she has Liver problems, but if it was starting to effect her kidneys. Penny said no, she is just getting lazy and does her duty by the back door that is open, instead of going all the way out side. I kind of thought that was odd, because Jamine is well house trained, and when she does something like this, there is something wrong, including being depressed. Penny said she was fine, not to worry about it. Ok, back to the phone call.

Penny calls and asked me if Jasmine has ever had Grand mal seizures. I confirmed no. Well apparently she was having one, and it was extremely violent. So I told her I was on my way, and she was calling her Vet to see if she could come over. I get up to Napa , and Bonnie is sitting on the floor with Jasmine by the front door. Jasmine looke a little perky, but I noticed that half her face was drooping. I mentioned, she looked like she had a stroke. So I get down on the floor with Jasmine, and start talking to her and petting her, and she starts to have another seizure. Bonnie helps me and holds on to her, I tried to pull her tounge out of her mouth, but couldn't (note to self, NEVER stick you hand in a dogs mouth when they are having a seizure... Their mouth's have teeth). This seizure lasted about 3 minutes... We get her camled back down. Penny tries to call the Vet again, and appearently she is in San Diego. She suggested that we see if she has another, and if she does take her to the emergency vet, otherwise if she stops, she will see her in a few hours when she gets back into town. The vet hangs up and Jasmine goes into another seizure. This one isn't as rough, but it is longer. I couldn't stand to see Jasmine go though this again. She was my baby, she was my best friend, she was 16 years old, and had a wonderful life. So, we get her into the car, and I drive like a mad women to the Vet, I carry her half way in, and they come out with a gourney, and take her the rest of the way in. (I don't know where I got the strength to carry her myself, she is almost 80 lbs. I just scooped her out of the back seat, and started walking. Well, after a few discussions with the Vet, I called my mom and we thought the best thing for Jasmine was to let her go. This was one of the most hardest things in my life that I had to do.

This is one dog, that will truely be missed... I love you Jazzy....

2007-08-03T12:52:00.000-05:00

One Year Ago Today...

Was the day Angelena was put into my arms for the first time. Our eyes meet and we had a very intense emotional moment, that I will never forget. She looked at me as if to say... Who are you? What is going on? Where is this going to lead? Then I place her in Grandma's arms, and the looks started again.

It was an amazing feeling that feels just like yesterday... Here is the post from that first meeting...

">

"There is so much I can say, but don't really know where to start. Angelena is Amazing, Healthy, Happy, Adorable, Sweet, Precious, Cute... I can go on and on...
We arrive in Guatemala at night went though customs, collected our belongings, and made our way through the crowds at the enterence of the airport to the shuttle bus and off to the Hotel. We checked in and went to bed... It was a very long night, knowing that I will be finally holding Angelena in my arms in the morning.
We were in the lobby by 9 am and waited and waited and waited... I ahve been told people in Guatemala have no sense of time... I finally called the interpiter 11:30 am and was told that they had been trying to call the room. Well guess what... We were told to wait in the lobby!!! Apparently there was a problem with the foster mother and she wouldn't be able to get to the hotel until 4:30 that afternoon.... So now what??? I know.... SHOPPING!!! Everyone knows me by now... My stress releaser is SHOPPING.. We walked to a Mall, and checkout some things, but alot of the stuff we could get here in the states, I wanted to buy some Guatemala stuff... So we went to a another section of the city and did some bargining!!! I got a couple of really cute Guat outfits and a blanket. They we went back to the hotel, waited some more, and then.............THERE SHE WAS 5:30 pm... I had my baby in my arms for the first time! OH MY GOD.... What an amazing feeling. Works just cannot express the feelings. We talked a little while with the Foster Mother, and then she left, and we had Angelena the whole time. I didn't let her leave my sight. It was so wonderful to bond and hold her. We went swimming, played in the community room, went for walks through the hotel, meet alot of wonderful family, had fashion shows, and just enjoyed our time together, getting to know each other. She is one of the sweetest and happiesst babies I have ever seen. She was even happier once she did #2!!! I changed the first one, Aunttie Ginger Changed the second one, because Cousin Lizzie Ran from it, and I sort of changed the 3 rd one... It was going on when she was in the bath... Lucky me! But, it wasn't really that bad. She does who ever like to be clothes free... I think because it was just so hot... Anyway... She slept anywhere form 7-10 hours a night. On the shorter nights it was becasue I was making noise to wake her up so I could play with her (haha). She even does RASBERRIES and makes lots of bubbles... I think she is starting to Teeth too! And that hair... It goes everywhere! She has so much of it!
The hardest part of the whole thing was handing her back. It completely broke my heart, and that is something I will never forget. My heart feels so empty without her, but I know she will be coming home soon. I do have that to look forward to.
I have well over 500 pictures, and 3 hours of video. I look at the pictures everyday, but haven't broke out the video's yet. I am saving those for the days that seem completely unbearable..... Well thats all for now, I will post more pictures later!!!"

A little tid bit... I NO LONGER USE RUBBER GLOVES TO CHANGE HER DIAPERS!!! Well... mostly... now I only use them when she has complete blow outs... And not only do I need rubber gloves, but I need HAZ MAT SUIT!!!!

2007-07-31T12:20:00.000-05:00

99.99%...

So can it get any better than this?

DNA Results were emailed to me just now! It is official... There is NO TURNING BACK NOW!!!

Do you hear that Angelena.... YOUR BO BO is in no Doubt your Biological BoBo....

Let the official Rat Race and Stocking begin!

HUGS

2007-07-27T15:27:00.000-05:00

PICTURE DAY....

Well this was surely a suprise, after I have HOUNDED everyone for a month.

Here are Angelo's legistic's

Are you ready for this??????

9 lbs - 4 oz

21 Inches Tall

This little boy is 2 1/2 months old, and has almost doubled his weight...

As for him being under the weather:

He has a small hernia, that they are hoping will resolve itself before he is a year old? No surgical procedures were necessary. He had "Flu"ish symptoms and had "Anti-Flu" meds. He is Neurological healthy, and is growing accordingly.

I am getting to where this process can't go fast enough! But you know, I have only been in this rat race for 3 1/2 months now... Not even comparable to other people... I guess I am just being selfish. BUT GUESS WHAT.... WHO CARES! HAHAHA...

I was going to update my blog this morning, with a big black hole as a picture. With the title "the unknown"... I got busy and saved it instead of posting it... THEN I got the email and had to revise my posting... I like to end the week with a postive note!

Do you realize, that: Angelena is 15 months old today... and she only weighs 18 lbs. Her little brother is already 1/2 her size... Sure do hope she has a little BIG brother! She will need that protection from all those little boys out there that will fall in love with her.... HAHAHA...

Anyway... Enjoy!

2007-07-13T16:38:00.001-05:00

NEWS NEWS NEWS...

My Credit card has been charged... DNA HAS BEEN COMPLETED FOR ANGELO...

Now we sit and wait for the results... Should be about 2 weeks...

His birthmother got to see him and still is willing to let him be raised with his sister...

The day I left Guatemala, I was told they were doing DNA pictures. Well, it has been confirmed that the DNA was completed.

This is a very Happy and Sad moment. Happy, because this is one step closer for Angelo coming home... Sad, because DNA means, his Birth Mother had to sit there with him on her lap, get swabbed, with the baby, to prove that she gave birth to him, and is now giving him up. This also means that the The Birth Mother only has to sign off 2 more time... I couldn't imagine having to go through this... But this is her second time... Which to me would be double hard.

On a good note: when I left Guatemala, I had given Angelo's foster mother a photo book for her to share with Angelo. She asked if I minded that the Birth mother see it, cause they were going to the Attorney's office to do the DNA that very moment. I thought that was sweet. Angelo and Angelena's birth mother would get to see pictures of Angelena and how well she is doing. After I got on the plane, I started thinking... What if she changes her mind... What if she didn't like the pictures she see's... what if... I know it is only normal to feel that way, but hey.... I am a Mommy...

So here is the adoption poem for Angelo... I know I posted this a long time ago for Angelena, but it is now Angelo's turn...

Not flesh of my flesh

Nor bone of my bone,

But still miraculouslyMy own.

Never forget

For a single minute:

You didn't grow under my heart,

But in it.

--Fleur Conkling Heyliger

2007-07-09T10:22:00.000-05:00

No News is Good News....

I haven't heard on how Angelo is doing... But I thought I would share a few of my favorite pictures...

2007-07-06T10:01:00.000-05:00

News....

I recieved some news late yesterday... Which I pretty much knew already... Angelo is not feeling very good. He is being well taken care of.... So please keep him in your prayers.

I am getting the pictures of him downloaded and will share as soon as possible. He is my son, and he WILL come home.... He is a little fighter, just like his mommy and big sister... More to come later.

Ellie

2007-07-02T06:20:00.000-05:00

The Anticipated Hand-off....

Well it is about 5 am and Angelo is finally asleep. We resorted to hanging out in the bathroom so Aunttie Gin and Aunttie Deborah could get some real sleep! Do you know what you can do in a bathroom, in a hotel, with a 7 week old baby? HAHAHA.. First MAKE COFFEE.... then sit and talk to him... rock... sing... look at the walls... and do your own business... ONE HANDED OF COURSE! Motherhood is bliss...

Now back to the title... They are coming to pick up Angelo at 4pm today. When I first got him, I knew we would be handing him back, and I know from past experience, it would be tough. I figured that because I have done this before, it should be fairly easier.... But, now as I have got to know Angelo, I am already crying... He is an amazing little boy, that has the biggest, sweetest, content attitude.. He tells you what he wants or needs, and then is pretty much laid back. He isn't feeling very good, but for what he is going through, he is a tough little squirt. God, I never new I could love him this way so quickly.

I know you want pictures, but my camara will not down load on this computer, so it will have to wait till I get home.

My trip here was painful... Delays after delays, I was supposed to be here in Guatemala at 6:45 am on Friday, but didn't get here till 9:30ish, and they were to bring little Angelo to me at 10. Well, the Delays after Delays, didn't stop at the airport, it even happened with them bringing me Angelo... Needless to say... PEOPLE FORGOT! I finally got to see that sweet little small fry around 4pm in the afternoon, and then we had a dinner date with Maya's Foster Family at 5. So it was really busy. We finally got to the room and tried to go to sleep... But small fry wouldn't have it.... Accordingly to the Foster Mother, he has been extremely constipated... She was right, I would rub his tummy, push his feet into his chest, warm water, everything... Nothing would work... He would sleep maybe an hour at a time... This has continued all weekend... He finally got his equipment working a few times, and felt alot better yesterday... So guess what he did... SLEEP! ALOT.... WHICH MEANS... That is why he refused to sleep from about 2am this morning till a few minutes ago.... He is laying flat on my chest as I type this...

There has been alot I learned about him... Like... He loves to lay on his side... He loves to be held against your chest... He loves to take bathes... He looks SO MUCH like Angelena, it isn't even funny... His little facial expressions and movements when he is sleeping, they must dream the same things... They is other things I found out about him too.... Like what kind of milk he like!!! He is soooo tiny, but mighty!

God I love him so much, and for those of you inquiring minds, that knew I was thinking about changing his name....

Here is what his name is and fits him PERFECT....

ANGELO EDWARD...

Yep... Not changing a thing!

more to come later.... Angelo is call.....

2007-06-27T17:12:00.000-05:00

OMG... I CAN'T BELIEVE I AM OUT OF HERE TOMORROW!!!!

These were the latest pictures I recieved of Angelo.

Notice he isn't as Yellow as he was in the first sets.

Yep... Same nose as Angelena... OH and did I mention the hair?

Look you can BARELY SEE HIS EYES OPEN!!!

YEP... SAME POUTTY MOUTH AS ANGELENA!

What are they doing.... Hello Kitty Blanket, Pink Blanket....THIS IS A LITTLE BOY!!!! I need to take some Boy Blankets!

I am packed... Ready to go... Wishing I was there already!

Come on CLOCK... I FEEL LIKE TIME IS STANDING STILL...

What else can a girl to do?

HUGS

2007-06-26T10:11:00.000-05:00

In Memory of my Best Friend...

When I was 5 years old, I meet my neice for the first time. She was a little baby that had struggled to survie when she was born, weighing less than 2 lbs... Her twin brother didn't have the strength...We grew up together, she lived a full life... When she was 27 years old she was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. She was strong willed, and faught the toughest fight of her life, but unfortantently, she lost the fight 3 years later.

She has in her own way shown and taught me alot. The most important NEVER GIVE UP... I see little things in life that reminds me of her... I keep her close to my heart, and will never forget her... Today she would have been 33 years old. She left behind a little girl, Kirsten Rae. I see Kirsten and she is just as amazing as her mother!

My Best Friend, My Neice, is in the Arms of the Angels, watching down on us... I can see her smile in my dreams, and her laugh is in my heart. I know she has always wanted me to have kids, we talked about it many times, and she knew I would never be able to have them except by Adoption. She gave me the strength that I never knew I had, and I have succeed with bring Angelena Christina home... And, now I will have the strength to bring Angelo Edward home.

This post in in Honor of my Sweet Angel in Heaven Christina, I love you and MISS YOU...

Happy Birthday Princess

Love you Aunt Ellie

2007-06-25T10:15:00.000-05:00

Do They Really Remember?

Here is something that happened last night, that broke my heart...

Friday I received a video of Angelo, we got all excited and watched it... Angelena didn't really want anything to do with it at that time, she was more concerned about playing with all the kids. (her cousins were there visiting).... Anyway, by brother in law came home from camping, and he is fluent in spanish, so I told him, Angelena need him... So we all sat down in front of the TV, of course, I am up close so I can start and stop... Angelena in sitting on my lap...

We watch about 3 minutes of it, and I pause it, and my Brother In Law repeats what is said. I tell Angelena look there is Bo Bo... A nickname for now... and i notice her eyes are all watery... Then I start it again, for a minute then pause for more translation...

Well, to make a shorter story, Angelena starts SOBBING, not one of her normal crying, a sobbing... I wasn't sure why, and I turned to look at grandma, and grandma said do you want gramma? So I let her off my lap, and she ran to Grandma, she picked her up, and she turned to me and put her arms out to me. Grandma put her down and she ran to me sobbing... I just held her and rocked her... I started the movie again, and she CLUNG to me, and would take her eyes off of it.... I realized then, she either was frieghtened or remembers... Maybe because they were speaking spanish? Maybe it was the corrdinators voice she remebers... I really don't know what it was... I ended up crying, and felt completely guilty... But I know I shouldn't have felt guilt... Maybe it was because I didn't want Angelena to be upset....

Do you really think they remember? I pray to God that she don't regress after seeing it... I just want her to get used to the idea of her being a Big Sissy.

She has been home for 8 months now, and I know she knows I am her mommy, and would do anything in world for her... Yep, she has me wrapped around her little finger... And I wouldn't change it for the world!!!!!

So, here is a poll...

DO YOU THINK THEY REMEMBER THEIR TIME IN GUATEMALA, WITH THE FOSTER FAMILY?

Hugs

2007-06-22T11:13:00.000-05:00

HO DOWN AT THE OL CORRAL

!!!!!!!!!!!!!BREAKING NEWS!!!!!!!!!!

There's Gonna be a Party.... At the Marriott in Guatemala!

DO YOU KNOW WHY????

MAYA HAS HER PINK SLIP TO GET OUT OF THE OL CORRAL!

Thats right Maya is coming home, and I am going to be there to witness this!!!!

Congrates to my dear friend Ginger and the newest addition to her family,

MAYA GRACE!

HUGS TO ALL....

Ellie, Angelena & Angelo!

2007-06-19T17:29:00.000-05:00

For my Angelo

It started out a slit of light.

Stubbornly, it grew to a crescent.

In this June-July sky,

while I wait to see you for the first time,

its progress seems painfully slow.

Three-quarters now,

it will be full in three nights.

Then in reverse, it will shrink to a crescent before I travel.

Eleven long nights.

I have no power to speed the earth's shadow as it moves across the moon's face.

I think that I may notice each degree of progress.

The moon will be gone, the sun will rise,

They will bring you to me.

Is it true? I will hold you close to my heart,

I will feel you breath and finally believe,

You belong to me....

Until we meet sweet little baby boy....

Love mommy

2007-06-14T14:08:00.000-05:00

I AM ABOUT TO POP!!!!!

First let me start by saying here are a couple of NEW PICTURES of Angelena....

Here she is IN A BIG BOX Looking up at me!

Here she is opening a Birthday Present I brought back from NY from My cousin Lyn and Kim

Looky here... Can you tell she LOVES THESE KINDS OF BOOKS?

Here is when we went to her cousins Hockey Game at the park! She still isn't that sure of grass... DID I MENTION.... THIS IS ONE OF MY FAORITE PICTURES!

NOW ON TO THE NEWS.....

What does all this make you think of????

I have a VERY VERY GOOD FRIEND, who will remain namelss (but you could figure it out in a minute) Is going to pick up her Daughter in Guatemala 6/28-7/3..... And has so graciously offered to pay my way... (If you have been reading my blog, you already know who it is!)

Anyway... It is only fitting, she was with me when I first met Angelena, and I was with her when she first met her daughter, she was with me when I picked up Angelena, and I will be with her when she picks up her daughter.... AND, she will be with me when I first get to meet Angelo!

Yep... I am going to be able to meet my son! Someone pinch me! Please.... I have never had a friend do something like this for me before... I am so greatful to her. The really funny thing about it, I sent her 3 gallon size bags to take with her, cause they were going to have the foster mother come and pick it up. So, now I have to go get more stuff for the trip, cause I will be there for a few days... WITH MY SON.... Yep.... MY SON... MY ANGELO... ANGELENA'S LTTLE BRO BRO.... MY NEXT PEANUT!!!!!

THANK YOU SO MUCH GINGER... WE LOVE YOU!!!!

Ellie, Angelena, and Angelo!

2007-06-10T09:27:00.000-05:00

A Week Away...

Angelena- Have I mentioned lately... I LOVE MY PEANUT... She is an amazing little girl. She seems to grow up, and learn so much, so fast, and she retains it so well... Her little brain functions so fast, that her feet are starting to keep up with her. Her few steps have been changed to a ton. I think I will go and get her hips check again, I really don't think anything is wrong, they still click, not as much. She seems to be walking with her hips more than her knees. If that makes any sense. She like... what you would say... Wobbles as she walks... Kind of cute, but I just want to be on the safe side! This is something really fun... When she picks up something on the floor, all I have to do is say "Thank you" and she will had it to me... Well, now she is catching on, if she want to keep it... I would say "thank you" and she would go to hand it to me, then she clutches it against her chest, and turn around an run... I tell her, I am going to get you, and she starts running, laughing hysterically. She gets laughing so hard, her little feet get left behind, and she falls, rolls over on her back continuing to laugh, and then I start tickling her... She LOVES this game... She is the GREATEST THING THAT HAS EVERY HAPPENED TO ME... Guess what... I wake up this morning BEFORE she did! Now as I type this, I look at her little sleeping face, and her cute little hand, and just want to wake her up and play... BUT, I WON'T... She would be grumpy and I don't want that... We are going to go shopping this morning to to get Angelo so things... Aunttie Ginger will be taking them!!!! YA!!!!

Angelo- I did get a message from the Agency, they have a Video they are sending out to me. I haven't gotten it yet, but can't wait! From the other 14 second video I received, I was able to hear, "He was delivered C-Section" not really sure we know why, but maybe the video will reveal that. I am getting so excited about Angelena is getting to be with her little brother... FOREVER!!!! And, I will have my dream when I was a little girl... TO have 2 kids!!! A LITTLE BOY AND LITTLE GIRL!!!!!

New York-I have sent the week in NY training... SO MUCH FUN... I couldn't wait to leave, I missed Peanut so much. I had an early flight out, and was to be home by 10pm.... GUESS WHAT!!!! IT DIDN'T HAPPEN! First, we were told the plane had mechanical problems, so we had to switch planes, they had to move the luggage, then we all had to go to a different terminal, and wait for 45 minutes for a new plane, then we get loaded, and pull out and sit on the run way for 2 hours... The Pilot informs us that it is because there was a back up on the run way, and then, we are told we are next, then all of a sudden, the engines are turned off, and we are told everyone was grounded and we weren't sure how long it was going to last. Come to find out, the FAA computers crashed and the backup systems weren't working either, and they had to manually enter all the flights into the systems... I think I was pretty lucky, at least I was on a plane out on the run way, come to find out, there were a ton of flights that were cancelled... All in all, I ended up getting home at 2 am...

Family- While I was in NY, I had an oppertunity to visit and have dinner with a very special Cousin, I haven't seen her in about 4 years... She is an amazing person... I had the oppertunity to see the most amazing look of happiness and peacefulnes on her face. It is something you don't always see now adays in people. People are always in a rush, and don't take the time to live life... I think she is living her life to the fullest! I just love talking to her and her friend. I talked about a lot of stuff... Our minds were going 100 miles an hours trying to catch up on things. IMPOSSIBLE!!!! THEY ARE AN AMAZING AWESOME COUPLE... They would send Angelena gifts from the very begining... Home Coming, Christmas, Easter, Birthday... When I was in NY they gave me her Birthday present, and whe I got home, I let Angelena open it, and she got the cutest little smile when she opened ther Tails Book! I got it on camara, and will post it once I get my pictures down loaded... We went to dinner at the FABULOUS RESTURANT.. 79 Candles... I WOULD RECOMMEND ANYONE THAT GOES TO NY, to got to this restuarant. FAMOUS PEOPLE EVEN GO THERE!!! You know when you are in NY, and you see famous people, you aren't suppose to approach them... IT is some silent rule... Anyway... This was a very awesome night! Which brings me to the next topic...

Vegan- For someone that is a meat eater, like me... more of a white meat eater... The restuarant we went to in NY was Vegan... I LOVE IT! It actually gave me something to think about... As long as you don't know the really name of things, and just eat it... It is really good! Then when you start to discuss why are some of the reasons people are Vegan, it really gets you thinking... I think I could handle eating like that... And the next day when I went to eat... I felt GUILTY! Kind of like, looking at the food in front of me, and wonder, what were and how was this food had gotten to this place... That is all I am going to say on this topic. I am going to look more into this, and try a few things! I will keep you posted! I am not saying I am going to be Vegan... or at least not right now....

Pictures- I have pictures of Angelena and the kids and will post some soon... I have to get them down loaded...

Milk Update- Angelena is up to 4 oz of milk and 4 oz of formula mixed... We are proceed well... But I can tell you... THEY MAKE BIG MESSY DIAPERS!!!! Or it could all the Human Food she has been eating lately... Not really sure.... But.. Boy, "Stinky Ass" sure is keeping her END of the bargin... And most of all Keeping that NICK NAME!!!!!

That is all for now.... GUESS WHAT>.... SHE IS STILL LAYING NEXT TO ME PASSED OUT! I was able to type all this with out her help!!!!

HUGS

2007-06-02T07:39:00.000-05:00

Questions and other thoughts...

First... HOW DO YOU GET A BABY OFF FORMULA?

The doctors told us to start givining her whole milk... SHE DON'T LIKE IT... she would rather have the formula... This is a fighting battle in the house... AND WE ALL KNOWS WHO WINS THESE BATTLES....

Paper work... After all my paper work has been completed for Angelo, sent off to the state for them to Certify it and then to get it Authenicated... GUESS WHAT... I get a call Friday on my cell phone for the Secretary of State, and of course I don't have my phone on, and don't realize there was a call until late in the evening... All the messages says is, who it was and she had something to discuss with me about my paperwork... And here I was thinking it was already on its way to Guatemala... Oh, and did I tell you... It is Friday... Don't know if you all remember back when I started Angelena's adoption... Weekends in the Adoption world SUCKS... Everything stops and days are wasted.... So now we have to wait till Monday to see what the heck is going on...

Angelena... Have I mentioned lately just how much I love this little peanut? She has an amazing little spirit... Or should I say HUGE SPIRIT! She loves to kiss, smile, laugh... oh and RUN!... She knows where my buttons are and yes she KNOWS how to push them!!! She even knows how to push the buttons on the computer when I am trying to type!!! She is my little goof ball! I so love to wake up on a Saturday Morning with her face looking at me... Like... WELL, are you going to get up and play with me? She kisses me until I wake up, this morning, I fate sleeping to see what she would do... And guess what... She stood up and leaned over and kissed me, and then thought she was going to get off the bed... All I said was... what are you doing, and she started to laugh! Opps... I slipped... Yes she is sleeping with me in my bed... I don't know where to start on this one.... When we were in TX, she would take naps, and sleep at night by herself in her own room, with her night light on. When I finally got to CA, she wouldn't let ANYONE put her in her crib, she sobbs when you put her in there... It breaks my heart, so I started to let her sleep with me... Then in the middle of the night, I would put her in her crib... OF COURSE, if she ALLOWS IT... Sometimes she will have a fit and want to get out of it, and I give in... I was told this change was due to a few things... 1) the seperation from her Birthmom, 2) then the seperation from her Foster Family, 3) then when we moved to CA, I sent her and grandma ahead and meet up about about 2 weeks later... So, it seemed that everytime she felt secure, something would change... Now not only did she miss me, but her room has changed, and yes even her crib... (I broke her crib so I had to get a new one)... She is even throughing Temper Tantrums, yes... she thoughs herself on the floor, and screams and kicks... Kind of Cute, but not good... I think everything is going to just take time again to adjust and she will be fine. Today we are going to go a watch Angelena's Cousin John play soccer. Then we have to come back home and do some things around the house to get ready to go... see below....

New York... Well I have been back with Angelena now for 3 weeks, and now I have to leave her again for a week... I am going to NY for some training. I will be there for a week, and then fly home Friday night... Can't get home fast enough...

Angelo... I wonder what he is doing, what changes has he made. I did get an update and was told, he lost a little weight, he is now 5 lbs. The doctors gave him some Iron and Vit. for him to start to grow. They also indicated that he had New Born Jaundice, and shouldn't worry about it, the foster mom was directed to put him in sunlight. I am starting to get the itch of going for a visit, but financial I just can't. I DO GET TO SEND A PACKAGE TO HIM... MY VERY GOOD FRIEND GINGER, will be going to pick up her daughter Maya in Guatemala at the end of the month, and the agency has agreed to let the foster mother pick up the package... Ginger will be there waiting for her to come, and she may be bringing Angelo, and Ginger said she will get TONS of pictures for me! Kind of exciting, happy and sad, all in one... Exciting - someone is able to actually see how he is doing. Happy - Aunttie Gin will get to be the first person that will get to meet him... Sad - I wish I could be there to meet him too.... Ginger was with me the first time I meet Angelena, I was with Ginger the first time she meet Maya, and Ginger was with me when I picked up Angelena... I only wish SO bad that I could be there when Ginger picks up Maya, and meets Angelo.

CA... I am home, and am SO happy to be here... I get to see all my love ones, and not rush to see them... We actually get to have time to visit. Everyone is getting so big.... I was asked yesterday how old one of them were... I said I really don't know, I have lost 2 years... I don't even know what schools they are in anymore... Kind of crazy I know... But weird... And, there are HILLS.... LOTS OF THEM... I go across the bridge everymorning, and think, I have lived her for 30 something years, and never really appreciated the views... I have come to realize that I took alot for granted, and then realized how much I really missed CA... The green hills that turn brown in the summer, the days you can drive your car to work with your sun roof open, I was here when the newest bridge opened, and I get to be here when the next new bridge opens latter this year... I get to go to the Pow Wow downtown, the famers markets, flea markets, hearing the dolphins and seals in the winds in the early morings, (we live closed to Marine World), wake up in the moring hearing the birds sing and the wind chimes chiming...I see the ships coming into the bay and docking, I read the names on them and see where they came from. I see the Moth Ball Fleet a float, and think, there is alot of storys behind each and everyone one of those ships out there, I got to be here when Delta and Dawn found there ways under the bridges and back out into the ocean... (Whales that were lost and swam up the Sacramento river). I only thing that I really miss alot is my dogs. We couldn't bring them were we are staying, so my brother and aunt has been so gracious to allow us to leave them with them until we can get out own place. Jasmine is 15+ years old, and has some health problems. I need her to be with me, as I know her time is going to a close soon, and she was one of my first baby's.... Honey is starting to get artheritis in her front legs, and needs to take medicine now. I look at there pictures all the time.

TX... Almost a good bye, but not completely. The house still hasn't sold. And I have friends that I will always love... And only wish I know why people change over night... It seemed that the minute a few people found out I was leaving TX, they became distant. But, that may just be a way they cope with things... Kind of sad, but understanding. And, my BLOG FRIENDS THAT ARE IN TX!!!! MANY HUGS TO THEM TOO!

Thats enough for now.... As I said above, I will be in NY for a week, and will not have much access to the computer. SO HUGS TO ALL, and will miss you!

2007-05-27T09:00:00.000-05:00

The Secret Revealed

First let me start by explaining who is in this...

The people in the chairs in the beginning, is Aunttie Kathy, and Grandma... The people at the end are, Cousin Shannon, and Cousin Danni (Diaper Girl)... Cousin Shannon is holding a Reeces Peanut Butter Cup in her hand...

I am doing the camera!!!

Can you believe this... Only home 7 months...... MY PEANUT CAN WALK...

She now will walk a little, then fall down on her butt, and crawl... She crawl faster than she can walk!!!!

My baby is growing up!!!!! WHERE THE PAUSE BUTTON???? I want her to stay like this alittle longer!!!!

HUGS

2007-05-24T16:40:00.001-05:00

I have another secret!

I can't tell you I want to show you... So who ever reads this...

"Tell me how to post a video so people can see it"

The video has something to do with:

Reese Peanut Butter Cups and Bribery!

Can anyone guess???

Here is a clue....

YESTERDAY IS A MILESTONE DAY FOR SOMEONE!

2007-05-22T11:03:00.000-05:00

Let me Intoduce....
ANGELO EDWARD

MY 2 ANGEL'S

Now tell me... DO these to 1 week old pictures look like eachother? Can you tell they are brother and sister! It is amazing the comparision...

They both have the same:

Nose

Eye Shape (closed)

Mouth

Turtle Neck

Hair (lots)

and it appears... they both know how to sleep though getting thier pictures taken...

This is the first time I was able to lay my eyes on my Angelo... I have about 25 pictures and a video. I never could figure out how to load the viedos so I have given up. I can't wait to share it with Angelena...

Also, I think we need to change this back ground of the blog... Angelo is a boy, and we have pink. So Angelena's Jounrney is going to be changing soon. So anyone with any Ideas of the new name, and color, feel free to suggest!

Today is a GOOD DAY!!!!

2007-05-15T09:36:00.000-05:00

BIG SISTA!!!!!

Yep... I am a big sister... The long awaited news came to my mommy on the day she drove into CA!!! I have a little brother!!!! His name is:

ANGELO EDWARD

Born 5/9

5lbs. 8oz.

Healthy

That is all the news we have so far. We are waiting for a Medical Report, Pictures, and the Power of Attorney so we can get the ball rolling on getting Angelo home!

PS... My mommy and uncles made it CA safely, and I am so happy to see my mommy... I missed her so much... I just can't stop giving her kisses...

Thats all for now!!!!

HUGS TO ALL:

Angelena

2007-05-02T06:46:00.000-05:00

What a Night....

We are almost packed to leave Texas and move on back to California. Angelena and Grandma left yesterday on a plane. I missed her even as she was being carried away from me going through the security line. I know this is only temp. but, I still miss her SO MUCH....

After the airport run yesterday, we came home and packed a while, went to dinner, and then decided to relax. I rec. a call from my mom and she was asking me weird questions... like, what did we feed Angelena that was yellow... I thought about it for a few minutes and went down the list of what she had eaten over the last few days... I also, noted to her on Monday, she went and had her 1 yr shots, and blood work done. She proceeds to tell me they noticed on the plane that behind Angelena's ears were yellow, and the palms of her hands were yellow... They had already called her doctor, here in TX, and they told her it could be something she ate. To feed her some green stuff... As long as her eyes don't have any yellow in them she should be fine. The doctor is going to call in the morning (which is today) to check on her, and hopefully the blood work will be back from monday. So, now... I am 1750 miles away from my baby, crying my eyes out, because I am not with her, and something maybe wrong. I just want to walk away from this house, my stuff, to go be with my baby, and now I have to go to work... HOW AM I SUPPOSE TO FUNTION? WHAT AM I SUPPOSE TO DO?

My mom said not to worry... HAHAHA... HOW IS THAT SUPPOSE TO HAPPEN? My sister said, she is fine, she is acting just like herself... Nothing is wrong with her.... Angelena will see me when we get there next week... She isn't running a fever, no cough, running nose, or loose (you know the diaper thing)....

Something I noticed on Monday, she looked like she was getting a little tan... I hope this is all it is... Anyway.. I am going to be calling her doctor this morning at 8:30 when they open, to see if the results are in...

GOD I MISS MY LITTLE PEANUT... THIS IS INSANE....

2007-04-27T22:58:00.000-05:00

ONE YEAR AGO TODAY...

A little MIRACLE HAPPENED... She was brought into this world as the innocent one. Not know what was in stored for her. This is the very first picture I ever had seen of a perfect baby... In my eyes... it was my

"ANGEL"

MY life has NEVER been the same since... I have realized the true meaning of being a mother, feel the love, that I never even knew excisted. The precious little fingers, then sweet little hands, the little bird lips, and the cute Big Little nose.... Arms over her head..... THIS PERFECT LITTLE PRECIOUS THING... WOULD I HAVE EVER IMAGINED SHE WOULD BE LIKE THIS????

Meet the TRUE little Mischievious Precious Sweet, little ANGEL....

Lets see just what I can do with out hearing the word, NO....

2 fingers... Pretty good... Still not a no.... Maybe it is ok to do this....

Lets see what else I can do...

PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!PARTY!!!!!

DEAR GOD.... PLEASE DON'T LET MOMMY SEE WHAT I HAVE DONE... I PROMISE I WILL BE A GOOD GIRL..... BUT FIRST I SHALL FINISH MY CAKE..

UGGGG... THIS SUGAR IS GIVING ME A BRAIN FREEZE.... COME ON SHAKE OUT OF IT...

MUCH AFTER MY ENJOYMENT OF: THROWING CAKE, FEEDING CAKE TO DOGS, FEEL IT SQUISH BETWEEN MY FINGERS, FEEL IT IN MY HAIR, EYES, EARS, NOSE, and OF COURSE IN MY MOUTH! MOMMY DECIDED I HAD ENOUGH FUN... Mommy stuck me in the bath.... AND HERE I AM AGAIN....

TA....DA.....

SEE.... I AM AS INNOCENT AS MY MOMMY!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY... I LOVE YOU...

2007-04-14T22:34:00.000-05:00

I have some news.....

No, the house hasn't sold.... No, the baby hasn't been born, or at least that we know of....

Bodegalee.... Princess D.... I believe my first stop will be to put my feet in the PACIFIC!!! YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN????

HUGS!

2007-04-13T06:39:00.000-05:00

Angelena has something to tell!

I am going to be a big sister! Yep, you heard it here! Mommy is going to be getting me a little brother or sister... Here is the most important kicker of all....

It will be my Biological Sibling!!!! That's right! Can you imagine... If everything goes as planned, my lil baby sib will be home next year.... I just couldn't hold it in anymore... I have been dancing around the house like crazy!!! We will know in a few weeks exactly what I will be a Big Sissy to, a boy or girl... Mommy, Grandma, Aunt Kathy, Cousin Dasia and Danni, helped me pick out the names... We will not reveal until my lil baby sib is born... So, keep you eyes open for more postings!!!!

LOVE TO ALL....

BIG little SIS... Angelena!

2007-04-09T06:35:00.000-05:00

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND....

Little MISS KISSY.... THIS LITTLE GIRL WANTS TO KISS EVERYTHING...

When you are just hold her talking to someone else, she will lean in and kiss you... She loves her puppies, guatemalan dolls, her new BUNNY, her Dasia, grandma, Danni... She just loves everyone... I wonder where she gets the Kissy thing from? SHE is also a little THINKER.... I was finally able to get it on camara. Something she has learned form Danni... WHO TO SQUEAL when she wants something... BOY, these two little girls have VERY GOOD LUNGS....

A little story about Saturday... We had to leave the house cause someone was coming to look at it, so we went to breakfast... We are standing in the diner waiting to be seated, and are looking out side... GUESS WHAT.... IT IS SNOWING.... IN TEXAS, IN APRIL....

Talk about HELL FREEZING OVER!!!!

I thought it was petals falling off the trees cause it was so cold outside... Doesn't that show how much I am a CALIFORNIA GIRL....

2007-04-08T18:55:00.000-05:00

HAPPY EASTER

Well, we have been VERY busy in our house hold... We have family visiting from CA... AND BOY ARE WE HAVING FUN!!!!

Here are our little beauties.... Wishing EVERYONE A HAPPY EASTER...

Miss Angelena....

Miss Danni....

Miss Dasia...

ALL THREE... HAPPY COUSINS...

Danni and Angelena are 2 months apart... Dasia is 6 years old...

THESE ARE MY LITTLE TINKERBELLS!

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE...

More pictures will follow soon.

2007-03-30T23:12:00.000-05:00

WHAT'S A GIRL TO DO????

Ok, I have to admit, I am hooked... Adicted... Stressin....

My morning ritual...

Alarm goes off.... It is my IPOD Receiver... Guess what I wake up to EVERY MORNING.... NURSEY SONGS... Here is the story on that... I cleaned out my Itunes on my laptop, and thought I would load a couple of Angelena's CD's so when we are in the car she can hear her songs... So, I load them onto my laptop, plug in my iPod and start down loading the songs... Guess what... It whipped out all 800 songs I already had loaded, and now only has Angelena's 3 CD's on it... So, trust me... I don't even waste my time with the dam snooze button... This morning I woke up to "Go Tell Aunt Rosie"... Ok so you get my mood.... Then I walk my but into the kitchen turn on the Coffee machine, let the dogs out, make a bottle, finish making my coffee, drink it, make another cup, wake up Angelena, change her diaper, give her HUNDREDS and HUNDREDS of kisses, put her back in her crib, and giveher the bottle... She will be asleep in 10 minutes flat for another couple of hours....I walk into my bedroom, with my 2nd cup of coffee, turn on the shower, drink more coffee, and pretty much finish getting ready for work.... THEN, I make a TO GO cup of coffee in my travel cup... SO YOU SEE.... COFFEE IN MY MORNING RITUAL...

So this morning, it started out like any other... BUT, when I went to fill the hooper in the top of the Cappacino Machine, I opened my container and found it empty! I went to the Pantry and found the LAST BAG that I have.... These are not going to be good mornings in the near future... I NEED MORE GUATEMALA COFFEE BEANS FROM GUATEMALA...

I have tried the:

8 O'Clock Coffee... NOT THE SAME

Arabic Coffee Beans... NOT THE SAME

GUATEMALA COFFEE BEANS FOR STARBUCKS... NOT THE SAME...

SO, I am now on a mission.... The next time one of my friends go back to Guatemala, I am sending money... Maybe they will smuggle me a 1/2 ton back! HAHAHA Ok, maybe, I can get a bunch of people bring me back a couple bags...

SO with that....

ANY TAKERS???

OH... AND GINGER.... I know you are going in 2 weeks, but not sure when you are coming back... So, I will send you some $$$ and wait for you return with MAYA to pick it up!

HUGS

2007-03-27T06:41:00.000-05:00

POST 100...... AND A GOOD ONE!

POST DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND

ANGELENA'S 11 Month BIRTHDAY

Not only is this the 100th posting, but it is Angelena's 11 Birthday today. SO first I would like to say....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY!

Now... Here is something I don't think I have posted before... Angelena's step mommy's, Jasmine and Honey.... Talk about giving baby space... They seem to mind their own business, unless Angelena cries, or plans on invading their space...

Notice, they are both (not Angelena) lying down by the back door enjoying some R&R..

With a little movement, due to an invasion of Angelena, they settle down again... HOW LONG WILL THAT LAST???

NOW that she has their undivided attention.... She will leave them now.... Imagine that!

Oops... Wait... Honey's tail is moving... Something she has to stop and check out!

That was the end of the Dog Pictures...

Now onto the newest sleeping position...

Yes, she is still a sleep....

Yep, still breathing.... Hey what is that under her arm....

Her Unicorn.... Got to hold onto it so she can have a restful sleep!

And now a Sunday morning wake up call from Mommy...

First you have my sleeping beauty....

MOMMY, get that camara out of my face and pick me up... Now that you woke me up!

AND NOW THE BEST FOR LAST>>>>>>>> First a little story...

When I first decided to adopt, or rather, first decided to tell my family about it, one of my brothers made a comment.... Invest in a Harley... Yep, a Harley Davidson Motor Cycle... Now why would I want to do that? I think Motor Cycles are dangerous... Unless they have Training wheels on them! Ok... Now, Angelena's Uncle, had just bought himself a Harley... So, you see where his mind was.... SO these PICTURES ARE FOR HIM!!!

Meet the newest "WEST COAST CHOPPER FAN"

Need to check under the hood.....

Man... This thing isn't moving very fast....

I am now thinking of a good get away plan....

DUMP THE BIKE AND USE THE KNEES.... MUCH FASTER!!!!

HEY... MOMMY HAD TO STILL MAKE ME LOOK LIKE A LITTLE GIRL.... CHECK OUT MY BLACK PATTEN LEATHER SHOES!

BYE FOR NOW!!!!

2007-03-22T08:43:00.000-05:00

Friends Need Help!

I am posting this on behalf of Erin and Cheri (both in my blogworld if you want to see their original posts click here: http://www.sunflowersandladybugs.com/ - Cheri, http://jesuswasnotarepublican.blogspot.com/ - Erin). Please help them if you can.
There is something you can do to help if you so wish. If you are ADOPTING FROM GUATEMALA and you are with an agency or facilitator that is not HAPS or For This Child, PLEASE EMAIL THE FOLLOWING LETTER TO YOUR AGENCY. If you are NOT ADOPTING but you have a blog, please POST THIS REQUEST ON YOUR BLOG.
*************************
Dear [agency-name],

If your agency has a case in process that contains a Guatemala City cedula or birth-certificate that is missing the Civil Registry signature (usually the mayor’s signature), we have important information to share.

According to PGN, if your case has not yet received a previo for the missing signature, it will. The letter from the Civil Registry and/or the Mayor of Guatemala City is no longer sufficient to satisfy the previo. The four PGN assessors have made a joint decision that these unsigned documents MUST be signed. However, at this time there is NO ONE in Guatemala City with the authority to sign these documents!

We are Cheri xxxxxx and Erin xxxxxx, in the process of adopting Guatemalan babies through For This Child and HAPS, respectively. After many months working on this issue separately, our agencies are now collaborating to find a solution. They have discussed this with the PGN reviewers, Barrios, and the Mayor of GC directly. The conclusion is that the mayor does NOT have the authority to sign a document issued under another mayor’s tenure. Therefore, we must file an acta with a different branch of PGN that will require the Civil Registry of GC to 1) designate and authorize a person to sign these documents, and 2) order that person to do so.
The PGN reviewer on Erin’s case currently has 12 cases that have been kicked out for this reason. If all 8 reviewers have a similar number of cases, that means 80-100 cases are in this same predicament! We have been advised to find as many of these other cases as possible so that we can ALL file the acta together. We have strength in numbers.

If you have, or know of, a case that contains a Guatemala City cedula or birth-certificate that is missing the Civil Registry signature, please contact:
Karla Ordonez, with HAPS: cell 5555-3610, office 2332-9040Traci Orr, with For This Child: US #214-370-8436, traci@forthischild.org

Thank you for your time,Cheri and Erin

2007-03-21T06:23:00.000-05:00

How do you spell relief...M.I.R.A.C.L.E

Let me start by saying I am ok... So now on to the soga...

Back in Sept, I was having some back pain, and I called my doctor for some meds, thinking I had a bladder infection... They said I had to come in and give them a sample... So I went and did the little test, and low and behold, it WASN'T a bladder infection... So they sent me to the hospital, for an XRAY, and that showed I had a mass on my kidney. We thought the cancer I had 5 years ago had come back. Well, I didn't want to tell anyone, because I was right at the end of the adoption, and I didn't want to make things more complicated. SO, I was sent for more test, to see if it was cancer or a cyst. I actually have a copy of the MRI showing the mass. After about 10 different test, they still hadn't a clue. The specialist said, well it doesn't have the chariteristic of a cyst or cancer, and we didn't want to jump to any conclusions. She also said she didn't want to do a biopsy because if it was cancer it would more than likely spread. She also said she really didn't think it was cancer. But, she can't be 100% about what it is. So, here was my choices: do a radical surgery and remove that 1 kidney, or wait 4 months and re-due the test to see if it has changes. I took the later part. OK... now we are up to speed to this week.

The doctors office called and left a message for me to call in Jan. I didn't call. Then in March she called and said I have set up the appoint for the test to call her for all the info. So I guess I didn't have a choice at this point. So I went and drank the YUCKY stuff, had the chemicals shot into my viens so they could do the CT SCAN... When I was done, I asked the lady, can I come and look at the test, she indicated that she couldn't tell me anything, and wanted to know if I knew what I was looking for. I said after all the research I did a few months ago, I am sure I will know what I am look for. GUESS WHAT... I didn't see anything... The lady said that she really didn't know what they are looking for, but didn't see anything... So I called the doctors office and told her I wasn't coming in, and to have the doctor look at the test, and call me if she thought I needed to come...

WELL, let me tell you, the doctor called herself, and said... What ever it was, it is gone. There is no scientific explaination of what it was. If it was a cyst, there should be some type of scar tissue. SHE said "I AM SPEACHLESS, I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY. I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS, AND HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS." I told her, I really don't care what it was, and I don't want to know, I just care that it is not there anymore. All I can say is,

MIRACLES DO HAPPEN....

2007-03-15T06:19:00.000-05:00

Catchin' Up.... And other what NOT's

First let me startby saying... The 24 hours that I left Angelena went pretty good. Yes, I missed her SOOOOO much, but I had a little fill in... My sister Kathy brought her 3 grand kids to the hotel and spent the night with me... So we had a 7 yr, 5yr and 1yr... And my cousin that lives closed to where I was came over with her daughter 12yrs. So you see... I WAS NOT ALONE... And had kids to pass the time... No news on the out come of my trip, but I will keep you all posted once I know!!!!!!!!

This is a picture of Angelena Hanging out with Gramma.. Notice the little pink slipper on the other side of gramma's leg... SHE HAS ANGELENA Trapped! YOU GO GRANDMA!!!

NOW... HERE IS SOMETHING ELSE!!! We submitted this photo below into a contest, and we received conformation that we have made it into the Semi-Finals, and they want to put publish the picture in the 2007 Photo Book! I just love this picture.... AND LET ME TELL YOU... She is HIGH MAINTANCE... I love the look over the glasses, the poot on the lips, and of course... THIS IS HER ALL THE WAY>>>> WONDER WHERE SHE GETS IT FROM???

Now on to some what NOT's....

I always try to keep this BLOG a neutral place... But I have witnessed a little back lash to a freind of mine, and I thought that a little BLOG Etiquette is needed....

I firmly believe that everyone is entitled to their own opinion... I also firmly believe, that if I don't agree with someone, I may just give my opinion and then have a DECENT conversation with them to explore everyones views. It doesn't mean that anyone is wrong... Just your own belief's. I feel that, because there is so much you put on your BLOG, that not everyone will agree with you... That is their option... They can just move on, or leave a comment. Some people go into private, which means that you have to be invited to be able to read the blog though a link. People ask to be added, and it is the Bloggers choice to add them or not. This way, the whole world don't have access to your blog, and you can add more intimate information if you feel like it... It is called PRIVATE... And the people that the blogger invites in should respect the blogger, because it is simple.... YOU ARE IN THIER WORLD NOW... OK, now I am rambling again... BUT YOU GET THE JIST OF IT... So with that said, my turn....

As I mentioned above... Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but there comes a point, that people need to back off... If you like or dislike someone, that is you, but DON'T consitantly hound someone because they feel different about someone. Great- Voice your opinion, but don't go back and keep sending them email's telling them how wrong they are... You may have only seen one side of it... YOUR SIDE... OPEN YOUR MIND, GET OFF YOUR HIGH HORSE, and allow people to feel what they feel. Just because you got the warm and fussy's doesn't mean everyone else does. And, if you want respect, give it, especially if you were personally invited to a private blog.

All of us in the Adoption Community, have ups and downs, we tend to share our feelings with each other, because not everyone really understands what we are going through. This is a HUGH support system, that I find valuable, it is would be a real shame to know people have given up their Blog, because people think they are above them, or better yet... IGNORANTE.

Ok... I am done...

2007-03-07T07:55:00.000-06:00

Leaving on a Jet Plane...

Well, Friday I will be making a little trip to CA, and returning on Saturday. This is going to be the first time I will be away from Angelena for a whole night. I am already getting a little worried... I won't get my daily kisses in, and I am going to miss her SO MUCH...

I know that this trip is VERY important, and has the possiblities of changing our lifes in the very near future... So I am going to suck it up...

Well, more will follow later... AND DON'T FORGET....

MAYA IS COMING HOME!!! HIP HIP HORRAY FOR GINGER!!!!

2007-03-05T07:44:00.000-06:00

GINGER IS OK!!!!!!!!AND OUT OF PGN!!!

Just to let everyone know Ruth was so gracious to call the Hotel and spoke to Ginger... All is well, she don't have her PC with her, so she can't send pictures...THANK YOU RUTH!!!!

I am beginning to wonder if I have been dialing the right cell phone number... Cause, now it says it is disconnected, and my cell phone is dead to pull the number off.....

ALSO- GINGER CALLED ME THIS MORNING.... SHE IS OUT OF PGN.... MAYA IS COMING HOME!!!!!!!!

BUT ALL THAT MATTERS IS GINGER IS WITH MAYA, AND THEY ARE HAVING TONS OF MOMMY TIME!!!!

Enjoy Ginger.....

HUGS
ELLIE

2007-03-03T19:00:00.000-06:00

Just some CHEESEN' PICTURES

The camera is out... The Flash is on... AND THE SMILES START!

THIS IS A PICTURE I WILL CHERRISH..

WE JUST FOUND OUT SHE WILL NOT BE IN A CAST...

EVERYONE WAS HAPPY, INCLUDING ANGELENA!

THE MAD DASH TO THE AIRPORT, SO WE CAN SEE GINGER!!!!

AND LOOK... ALL SMILES!!!

AFTER A BATH, CLEAN... NO STINKY BUTT!!

A BEAUTIFUL BLANKET THAT AUNTTIE LIZ MADE FOR ANGELENA...

(don't tell Aunttie Liz, but mommy uses it more that Angelena)

NOTE TO ALL MOMMIES: SEE THE HEAD BAND ON ANGELENA... AFTER HUNTING HIGH AND LOW FOR A GOOD HEAD BAND THAT DON'T STRECTH OUT OF PLACE AFTER 10 MINUTES... I FOUND 1...

GO TO WALMART IN THE WOMENS SECTION, BUY A 5 PACK OF WOMENS WHITE TROUSER SOCKS, SEW THE TOE TO RIGHT BELOW THE RIBS ON THE SOCK, CUT OFF THE RIBS, ATTACH ANYTHING YOU WANT TO IT...

TADA... YOU NOW HAVE 10 HEAD BANDS THAT STAY IN PLACE, AND DON'T STRECTH OUT... AND IT IS ALL UNDER $5.00! YOU CAN EVEN PUT A LITTLE VELCRO DOT UNDER SIDE AND IT HOLDS IT INTO PLACE EVEN BETTER! SO YOU SEE, IF YOU MAKE CHEAP HEAD BANDS, YOU CAN BUY MORE CLOTHES!!!

HUGS

2007-03-02T08:56:00.000-06:00

PIT STOP!!!

Well, after running around all day yesterday, we went and made a pit stop at the airport... TO SEE WHO?????

GINGER and DEBRA

On their way to Guatemala to see MAYA!!!

It was great. I haven't seen Ginger since she went with me on the Pick-Up.. And let me tell you... ANGELENA remembered her...

Angelena is very picky on who hold hers, and don't let anyone else hold her execpt Me and Grandma... Angelena went to Auntie Gin, NO PROBLEM, infact, AUNTIE GIN held her as we walked though the airport. Then when we were in the car going to the International Terminal, she was still in AUNTIE GIN's arms, then when we parted, she was still with Auntie Gin and Debra... Smiles and All... We have pictures, but I haven't downloaded them yet...

SO, it is now 9:20 in the morning... So that means Ginger now has Maya in her arms. I am SOOOOOOO GLAD that Ginger is holding her precious little angel right now... And trust me when I say this... SHE AIN'T GOING TO PUT HER DOWN... Opps... Except to change in into those 50 something outfits she brought with her!

Now, as for Angelena... ALL WENT WELL... NO HARNESS, NO CAST... JUST TIME... They are going to watch her, because they know that she was delayed when she came home, and she is now pulling up and trying to walk. So they think her hips can tighten up a little. We are to get her checked every 2 months... Unless we see that is not improving.

Well that's all for now... As, I will still will be going private. I have eveyone's info that requested to stay in tuned. If anyone else wants to be added, just let me know.

Hugs

2007-02-27T06:44:00.000-06:00

GUESS WHO IS 10 Months old TODAY!!!

Happy 10 Month Baby.... MOMMY LOVES YOU