Home Sweet Home!

Hello! We have been safely back at home since the evening of 3/13. Sorry to have kept you all waiting, but we have just been enjoying our time with Mason and letting everything else go! I know you are here for details and mostly pictures, so I will try to keep this brief!

Now that we are home, I can give you more details about our actual trip. We left for Guatemala at the crack of dawn on Sunday, March 9th. We had Mason in our arms FOREVER within a couple of hours of landing in Guatemala City. Our embassy appointment was on Tuesday, March 11 and we were able to pick up Mason's Visa the following day. Then, we flew home at the crack of dawn on Thursday, March 13. Really, the trip went very well. Flights were on time, embassy appointments went well. I became ill during the night on Wednesday and was not 100% yet on Thursday, so it was a VERY LONG flight home. My husband's parents traveled to Guatemala with us, and I am SO thankful that we had the extra support and extra hands!

Mason's Status: ABSOLUTELY PRECIOUS! His eyelashes are amazing. He is very happy and easily entertained. He did AWESOME on the flight home! He has had a cold for a few days, but seemed to be feeling a little better yesterday. He is so little...all the clothes I took were too big, so thankfully the EN brought a few of the care package items I had sent. He was 8 months on March 5th, size 6 months seem to fit best...he can still fit into a few 3/6 month outfits as well.

THANK YOU to everyone who has followed us on this journey. We appreciate all the prayers and support. This journey has been absolutely amazing...the highs and lows, the tears and smiles...all completely worth it! My prayer for the last several months has been for this child to be in our arms forever and that the Lord's name would be glorified throughout this entire journey. The Lord's presence has been so evident, I am so thankful for his faithfulness.

To those of you who have called me, and haven't heard back from me yet....SORRY! I am thinking of you and will get you called back. To those who are wanting to come visit, please do! Just give me a call and we will make arrangements. We are extremely proud and love showing him off! To the EN families (and other waiting families) who are waiting to bring their babies home, my thoughts and prayers are constantly with you...I know how hard the wait is!

Our Family of Three... My first bath at home... Mommy loving on me in Guatemala... More lovin'... My first swim with Daddy... My first swimsuit... Getting ready for the Embassy... Ready to go to the Embassy... Mason loves his thumb and blankie... One cool little boy... My first evening with Mommy in Guatemala...Wake up Daddy, I am ready to play... My first dinner out...Our first night in Guatemala. Being a big boy, sitting in the hi-chair at my first dinner out... My first meeting and bottle with Daddy..."For this boy I prayed, and the Lord has given me my petition which I asked of him. So I have also dedicated him to the Lord; as long as he lives he is dedicated to the Lord." 1 Samuel 1:27-28

March Maddness!

Hello! Today Mason is 8 months old! We received new photos and a health update today. Mason does have a cold right now, so we are praying he is feeling better soon. His weight is now 16# 7 oz and he is 26" long.

I have completely lost my mind due to anticipation and excitement (hence the title of this post!). I should not be allowed to operate a vehicle until after he is home...I have stopped at green lights, ran red lights and completely bypassed my turns multiple times in the past week. By the grace of God, I have not injured myself, anyone else or received a ticket! I have been popping flintstones and vitamin C to keep myself from getting sick (I swear nearly everyone around us as fallen ill to the flu or the respiratory junk). I have Mason's suitcase and the donations/care pkg's packed (down to 2 suitcases!). I even managed to make a few ice cube trays full of homemade baby food! Yes, me! Look out Martha Stewart! :)

We are now counting down the DAYS until Mason is in our arms FOREVER!

Please pray for Mason's health and safety (as well as ours), safe travels and a happy union of our family! We pray that our family will attach and bond in a healthy and quick fashion. Also, hold the other EN families and babies in your thoughts and prayers. There are several families still in process, who ache to have their babies home soon. There are also still babies at the EN who have not been matched with forever families due to legal aspects of the current adoption process.

Guess What?

WE ARE PINK!! Now picture us with huge smiles and tears of joy! We are just so grateful for this news. God truly his faithful. He lead us to this journey and will certainly see us through it! Amazingly, I have accomplished quite a bit this afternoon...

Hotel Reservations......CHECK
Flight Reservations.....CHECK
Pediatrician Appt.........CHECK

Yes, I am a complete spaz right now! We just want to say THANK YOU to all the love, support and prayers that have been offered to our family these past several months. We continue to pray for Mason's health and safety & safe travels. We also ask God continue to work on us...all 3 of us...for our family of 2 will soon be 3! God is good!

(I realize I haven't mentioned travel dates...since this is a blog that anybody can view, I don't want to post those for security reasons. I have sent emails to many of you w/ specific dates, so you can pray during our travel. Thx!)

"This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes." Psalm 118:23

A Pleasant Surprise!

Yesterday we came home to find an unexpected package in the mail. It contained 2 disposable cameras! I had sent the cameras down in care packages several months ago. So, of course, I ran straight to the one-hour photo counter to have them developed...the girl at the counter knows me by name (I am not kidding)!

Quick update: Still praying for PINK. I have officially become COMPLETELY and TOTALLY consumed with waiting for our pink slip. For me, it's no longer "Pretty in Pink" but more like "Psycho in Pink"! We did receive confirmation that the US Embassy has our DNA and all paperwork from the DHS. We should receive the much anticipated, long awaited and faithfully prayed for PINK either Friday or Monday.

If we don't get it tomorrow, and I have to face the weekend without it....say a little prayer for me! Now, enough of my silliness and on to some cuteness...MASON!

Hello Mason! It's your Mommy! (edited to add pics)

Hello! I received a surprise phone call on Saturday...from Mason! Ok, he had a little help calling. There is currently a mission team at the EN from our area. I happened to meet the gentleman heading up the team about a year ago (still amazes me how God works like that!). Anyway, he called me and said he had somebody who wanted to talk to me!

Apparently there were several mamas around him trying to get him to make noise and laugh, they put the phone up to his ear and he was crying (a combo of overstimulation and naptime I am certain). I was lost for words (yes me, lost for words!) and all I could say was "Hello Mason, it's your Mommy. We love you." I didn't even care that he was crying, it was just wonderful to hear him! I am so, so thankful for the time and thoughtfulness that was put forth in making this call.

Now, what you are really here to find out...we are waiting for PINK. We received our 2nd DNA results today (which were fine). The results were sent to the US Embassy on 2/15. The Embassy was closed yesterday, so the results should have been delivered today. Our agency said we should receive PINK this week...by Monday at the latest.

We have been making the most of the time we have left to prepare for Mason's homecoming. The wardrobe and toy chest are in place and full! We just need to hang the valance and pictures. I indulged in a little retail therapy this weekend! I have 3 suitcases packed so far. 1 w/ a care packages and donations for the EN and 2 for Mason. Trust me, I tried to get all his stuff in one but it just wasn't happening! All that little stuff takes up space.

Pray that God continues to prepare Mason and us for the day we finally meet. Pray for the health and safety of Mason, along w/ the other children and staff at the EN (and our health too! lots of crud going around!). Pray we receive PINK soon and without incident. Also, pray for safe travels for the local mission team that is currently at the EN.

Also, EN families wanting to send care packages...leave a comment and try to get the packages to me as soon as you are able. To those who have traveled to Guate in the past...I would love any tips/advice you have to offer. If you stayed at the Holiday Inn, leave a comment and let me know how it was. Thanks! :)

By special request, I have edited this post to add pictures from our baby shower. Enjoy!

Surprise Shower w/ Women's Bible Study Group
Couple's Shower...Modeling his "Daddy Tool Belt"!
Couple's Shower...special little friend who helped w/ gifts! ;)

Couple's Shower...Us...You had to be there.... :)

Couple's Shower...Super Cute AND Super Yummy Cakes!

Couple's Shower...Us and our 2 little helpers!

Couple's Shower...Us & the anxiously awaiting Grandparents!

Couple's Shower...Another shot of us and our helpers.

Hubby, Granny, Papa and Me

Papa, Granny, Auntie D, Me, Hubby, Auntie A & Uncle L

Work Shower...Adorable Cake...Ridiculously Delicious!

Work Shower...Me opening gifts

Things To Do While Waiting For The Adoption To Be Complete...

I came across this "Things To Do" list when we were very early in the adoption process. It still cracks me up, so I thought I would share it with you. What's even funnier is that these are sooooo true. I am guilty of most of them! ;)

Teach yourself to knit…by the time the adoption is complete, you can have an entire wardrobe complete for your child - through age 12 (ok, I didn't take up knitting, but have a closet stocked of 6-24 month clothes...I am NOT kidding)

Stalk other people’s blogs and compare timelines (guilty)

Obsessively check message boards/forums to check up on gossip and compare timelines (guilty...I am a Guatadopt and Adoption.com addict)

Rearrange the furniture in the nursery weekly (once again, guilty! wardrobe and toy chest to be delivered tomorrow...then I can finally make up my mind)

Go to the mall and stalk families with children who look like they might be internationally adopted.

Stock pile diapers, baby wipes, baby lotion, and baby soap. (Yep! Stages 2-5 diapers...all different brands)

Launder the wardrobe you have purchased for your child repeatedly then reorganize the closet and dresser. Again. (I actually held off on removing tags or washing anything until we were out of PGN)

Practice your glare in the mirror for anyone to who dares to ask if you have heard when your child will be coming home. (I haven't done this one)

Learn Spanish. Impress the kid at the Taco Bell drive thru by ordering in Spanish. (NOT guilty)

Practice Car Seat installation drills. Try to get your time down to 45 seconds for correct installation. (Please don't give my husband any ideas...)

Get used to the feel of the Baby Bjorn carrier by carrying the cat around in it. (Ok, I have tried it on, but haven't put the cat in it. Again, please don't give my husband any ideas)

Check email for 37th time for messages from your agency. (This one is soooo true!)

Seek medical attention for the scratches from the cat.

Replace shredded Baby Bjorn.

Call husband and ask him to send test email to ensure email is working. (I have actually sent "test" emails to myself!)

Call husband and ask him to leave you a voice mail to ensure it is working correctly.

Check voicemail for the 24th time in case agency called while you were checking email.

Check voicemail again in case agency tried to call while you were talking to your husband.

Take deep breaths and try not to come unglued when people tell you that you have to keep living your life normally until you get “the call". (Yeah right! Stressed, anxious? Not me!) :)

"Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable...dwell on these things." Philippians 4:8

Moving Right Along...

Things continue to progress on our case! Mason had is 2nd DNA test completed today. It will take about 7-14 days for the results to arrive to the US Embassy. Once the results are received and reviewed by the USE, we should receive "PINK" just a few days following. Mason turned 7 months old this past Tuesday. We received updated pictures and new stats. He weighs 15# 12oz.
This week has been wonderful...2 baby showers and another one on the way. Earlier this week a group of women from my Bible Study surprised me with a shower...THANKS LADIES! Tonight, work had a shower (I work with a wonderful group of people by the way)...THANKS CO-WORKERS! We have a third shower this Sunday, it's a couple's shower, which is being hosted by 2 dear friends of ours...THANKS JEN & JEFF. I am very excited for this shower, because our parents (among other family members) will be in town to celebrate with us! Plus, we will be among friends!

I have gotten quite a bit done w/ the nursery...clothes and blankets washed, starting to stock up on diapers, wipes and formula, etc. We are having a couple of pieces of furniture made (wardrobe & toy chest) and they should be delivered to our house sometime next week. Once these pieces arrive I will need to arrange the furniture, hang a few things and finish up organizing the room. I have several "to do" and "to pack" lists already started. Which reminds me...any EN families out there that want to send down care packages, leave me a comment and we will connect somehow.

Now, what you really stopped by for....THE PICTURES!

The overalls were a pair of my nephew's (Big D)...so these pictures are extra special!

We continue to pray that these last few steps go smoothly and without incident. We pray God will continue prepare Mason and us for the day we become a forever family!

"Give thanks to the Lord Almighty, for the Lord is good; His love endures forever" Jeremiah 33:11b