Today Marks One Year......

...one year since we received the call that we had a referral. I remember the day well. I was down in the lab mixing plaster in a stainless beaker with the beater lid on when the phone rang. I saw FTIA on the ID and all other thoughts went out the window. Ellie told me all of the specifics about our new little answered prayer; her birthday, her weight and information about her life up to that date. All the while, my plaster was setting up in the beaker. It wasn't until a couple of hours later that I realized the fate of my whip mix equipment. That cost me a few hundred dollars, but what a wonderful day!

Our sixth child was on her way. I always wanted six kids and now our family was going to be complete. We thought she would be joining us in about six months, eight months at the most. We never imagined that a year would pass and we would have no idea when our precious little one would be home with us.

It has been a very rough last couple of weeks with no news. We have no idea if anyone has been able to check on Nola or any news of what may happen to our case. Frustrating to say the least!

Our agency is sympathizing with us, but that seems to be about all. I'm thiiisss close to jumping on a plane to go down and see what I can find out for myself. Really wish I had retained more of those two years of High School Spanish.

For now we just wait...............and pray our lawyer has Nola's best interests at heart. We're praying he's doing all he can to have her reunited with her foster family until she can come home with us.

Nola then......

.......and now

We're praying you home baby!

Thank You All So Much!!!!

First of all, I have to say a huge thank you to everyone who has posted, e-mailed and called to let us know you are praying for us and keeping us close to your hearts. These last few days have been nearly unbearable but your kindness has been very uplifting.

We have learned where Nola has been placed. She is in Casa El Jardin orphanage in Guatemala City. That, unfortunately, is all we know. We were first told that our lawyer would not be able to get her released from the orphanage and placed back with her foster family, but today we were told that it may be a judges call. There are just so many things up in the air. Our agency is trying to find out all they can and they are supposed to be in contact with our lawyers office daily. I have accepted the fact that information is going to come to us slowly.

I'll post updates as we receive them.

We've Had the Wind Taken Out of Our Sails

I received a call from our agency today. Not the approval call I had hoped for. We were told that the PGN summoned our foster mother to appear before them with Nola. She, of course, appeared as they asked and they took Nola away. We know nothing more than that. Our attorney doesn't know where they took Nola or exactly why. We do know the PGN said they were placing her in an orphanage and that's it. There was also talk of it being a judicial case now. Our agency will find out all they can for us but not until next week since this is Friday. I can only imagine how afraid Nola must be.

What started out as such a beautiful day sure ended up in the toilet.

Please continue to pray for our little sweetheart!

Here's some raspberries from Nola ;)

Maybe she should have given those PGN officials some!

Back Home Again

My, how quickly five days flew by. Maria and I are home again safe and sound. Our time with Nola was wonderful but of course too short. It seems like just about the time things start falling in to place, it's time to leave again. Nola has changed so much since just ten weeks ago when we saw her last. She has two teeth. She is not quite walking, but she is really a climber! Give her some steps, no matter how many, and she'll tackle them. She has also acquired a hefty little attitude! Wow! If she's not happy, everybody knows it! I think there may be something to that "Red Hot Latina Temper" I've heard tell of.

I'm so ready to bring her home and I think Maria may be ready to bring her home too. This visit went really well for the two of them together. Maria loved playing with Nola (as long as Nola wasn't playing with Maria's toys.) It was fun watching them interact. I only had to play referee a few times and I saw lots of hugs and kisses between the two of them.

Below are several pictures. I had planned to do a slide show, but I have tons of work to get caught up on and no time to try to figure out "how" to do a slide show.

One of the very few pics of the two of them.........smiling at the same time..........in the same place

Maria love helping to feed Nola

What a Happy Girl!!!

Our Foster Family with Nola on her birthday

Nola, not at all impressed with the birthday cake.

The birthday girl!

Happy Birthday Sweetie!

We`re Here!

Just taking a very few minutes to say we are safe and sound and all is well. Not much time to be on the computer.
Tomorrows the big birthday. Weve got the cake ordered.........Tres Leches!
Probably wont post until we get back home.

Some Wonderful News To Share!

Praise the Lord, one of our four prayer babies is coming home! Alex's mommy and daddy got the call today. PGN has approved their case. This was cause for some happy tears at our house!
It was just the boost I needed to rejuvenate me and put my mind back in the positive thought mode. Congratulations Steve and Ginger, Alex is really coming home!!! Absolutely wonderful news!

Hold on Kinsey, Melany and Nola. Your days are coming!
Please continue to keep them in your prayers!

It's A New Week!

The Birth Mother Interview deadline has come and gone and the world is still spinning. The sun is still shining, and our hopes are still high. We continue to pray for that miracle!

Today was "Picture Day". I'm sure you know by now, we love picture day! Our little sweetie has had an obvious haircut.............I don't think she sat too still! She is still looking very healthy and happy.

And, can it be..........she's walking????????

If not, I think she's getting close!

Mark got me an early anniversary present (29 years on the 7th....Wow!). He's sending me down in a couple of weeks to spend Nola's first birthday with her. I can't wait! I wish we could go together, but we're hoping he is working by then.

We continue to pray and believe our prayers will be answered.