Let's hear it for our other boy!!

We got our Embassy appointment!!! Mateo is ready for us to pick him up! We found out this morning that our appointment is June 11th at 7:15am. We are leaving on the 7th and we will be back on the 13th. We are still working on when we are going to get to see Ellie but we are just so thankful that the end is here and now we are on our way! We will keep you updated but this is by far the best birthday present that Scott could have asked for!

Let's hear it for the boy!

Happy Birthday Love!!
My amazing husband turns 29 today! I am so blessed to have been able to spend the last year with this man of God. He has been such and encouragment and support this year during the ups and downs of the adoption. I am so in love with this man and can't wait to see what God brings into the next year of his life.

Fabulous weekend getaway!

So we are back from our weekend getaway in up nourth and Beaver Island, it ws wonderful! We left on Thursday and had a short jaunt up to IKEA in MI. We met my mom, Sarah, and Krista there for our shopping and lunch and got some amazing things for the kids rooms! Then we went to Scott's family for birthday celebrations. Our trip to the island was full of rest, biking, reading, good food, and more rest. It was a great time to reconnect and to get ready for the coming of our boy! The latest we have heard from our caseworker is that we were submitted on Tuesday to the US embassy! That means that next week we should have our appointment and can get our tickets to Guatemala.
I'll try to post some pictures from the weekend, we got some good ones!
Laura

We got Mateo's BC

So we learned that Mateo's birth certificate was completed last week, and they were supposed to apply for the passport on Monday. That was great news let me tell you. If they got the passport on Monday and get it translated in yesterday or today then we may be sumitted to the US embassy for our Pink appointment. First it is called a PINK appointment because it is issued on a pink paper. If all this ifs happen this week then we could know when we are going to pick Te up in a week or so! Yeah, it is getting so close, I can't wait! We are in the process of moving right now and this weekend we are headed north for our last parentless weekend away. We are going to Beaver Island and going to bring our bikes! We are also stoping at IKEA on the way. Trouble I know, fun times will be had. We will keep you posted!
Laura

Blessed beyond measure!

The shower could be summed up in one word WOW! My mom and sisters did such an amazing job and blessed us beyond measure. At last count we had almost 60 people at the shower! There were people from over 2 hours away that came, friends, neighbors, family, and almost all my sisters were there. It was an amazing time to celebrate all that God has done and how he has used so many people to help us get this far. We talked and ate amazing food and then I got to open a huge amount of gifts. People went above and beyond gift giving at the shower. We got the cutest outfits, some great toys, diapers, bath supplies, books, tub toys, gift cards, and not to mention a highchair, wagon, car seat, backpack carrier, and bike. Our children are going to be as overwhelmed as we were with all the things we were given. I think even beyond the blessing of the gifts was the blessing of all the people that came and in doing so showed the amazing support we have had in bringing these children home. I know I have put this on the blog before but God is so big! This journey to adoption has been up and down but we have continued to see his faithfulness at work. I was just talking to my friend Rebecca tonight and whenever I get to review the adoption and the last year I am reminded of all that God has done and I am so thankful that he chose us to walk through this to know him better and to be refined in our walk with him. There is also the most awesome thing that comes from all this… our children! So overall it was a perfect weekend, one I will treasure for a long time.
Thank you to everyone that came and made this special night happen.

Case Updates

We got case updates today, first Ellie is still in PGN but we are hoping that will change soon! Also Mateo's facilitator broke her foot, but she said that the birth certificate is not done yet but if it does get done this week then they will apply for the passport next week. So that is what we have heard and will keep this up to date as we wait for when we can get on that plane and pick up our son! So no new news but still on the right track!
Have a great day!
Laura

Momma misses her girl!

First I have to say that we get more excited each day to know that our little boy will be home sooner than later and that an end is in sight. Even that excitement though does not replace the ache that is there for our little girl. With Mateo we have had such great contact with his foster mom that we get pictures and updates at least once a month if not more. With Elisabeth we don’t get any, I just have to keep looking at our visit trip pictures that are now four months old, and guessing how she is doing. All of you know how much children change in that much time, I can’t even imagine what she looks like now, and what she is doing. Thankfully we will see her when we pick Te up but that will be in at least another month and then she will be over 10 months old on her way to her first birthday. I know that this is a bit of a wining post but this is my blog so I am going to have a bit of a pity party sometimes! The thing that I go back to that I HAVE to hold onto is that God knows our future and what our children need, we have seen him work in some many ways on behalf of our family and children and I know that he will continue to do so, this is just one of those harder days to hold on to that faith and to trust completely. We keep pressing on and praising the Lord that his hand is at work and we will be going to Guatemala soon!
Blessings on this beautiful Tuesday,
Laura

Garage sale fever

Yesterday we went garage sale shopping for the kids. There was one neighborhood that had 50 families participating! My wild husband got the crazy idea at around 12:30 that we should get up at 6:30 to hit the first sale at 7am. So we rolled out of bed, threw on our clothes and off we went to find the deals. Well I should say only after a pit stop at the local donut shop for Scott. We got some fabulous clothes for both kids, a tickel-me-elmo for Te for .50, some books, and a crib mattress for $12! What great deals! With the adoptions being so expensive we have decided that all the things we need for the kids will have to be second hand or craigs list items if possible. We have been so blessed again by people's generousity with giving us items and having showers for us. My mom and sister are planning a big shower for this coming Friday, I am so excited to see so many friends and family and I it is just another opportunity to celebrate all God has done on our behalf for these two adoptions.
Waiting to see what this week holds,
Laura

We have the final signature!

So we just got the word that the birth mom signed off for the lat time on Sunday! I am so relieved and thankful that this last and very important signature is done. Our lawyer also said that the the information was submitted for Mateo's bith certificate which will read, Rodolfo Ontonial Powell!!! (we have to have his named changed when he gets home.)
So we are moving again, we have to wait on the passport and then all the documents have to be translated back into English before it can be summitted to the US embassy. We are so excited that each day is bringing us closer to bringing our boy home. Thanks for the prayers this past week!
Laura