Sunday's are becoming my favorite day in Nicaragua. I LOVE going to church at El Canyon - like my last Sunday's blog - it is crazy, fun and inspiring. Today was special to me because Pastor Josue was back from a trip to Germany and he led the service today. He is an amazing man - he always speaks from the heart. He talks about how it doesn't matter where we live, what we have or who we are....we are all God's children. He makes me feel like I am home and completely welcomed.
Pastor Josue is known to cry from time to time (actually it's pretty much every time he gives a sermon) - as I said, he speaks from his heart. As a fellow crier - I completely relate and never let him cry alone. He cried once today and it was when he said he could picture me walking hand in hand with both Martita and Lucie at our home in Virginia. He gets me every time!!!
I saw Pastor Josue last Friday and was so happy to see him. He only speaks Spanish - so our communication is short and to the point!! When I saw him - I had a very good Spanish speaking roll and told him how much he was missed, what was going on with Martita and Lucie and my husband and how we were so looking forward to coming home. At the end of my rampage - I asked him "Me tiendes" - in English "Do you understand what I said?" He smiled and said "Si, su Espanol is perfecto" - My Spanish was perfect!! We both laughed at that.
So on Sunday, Pastor Josue started to tell everyone my story - how I was here to take Martita home and he asked me to come up and talk to the congregation in SPANISH!!! I was shocked and completely unprepared.....who knows if today is a good Spanish speaking day for me or not!! I walked up to the microphone and immediately got emotional and said (in Spanish) "I love the people of Nicaragua - you are so good to me and my family. You are all family to me. I am so happy to be here in the final steps of our adoption. I thank God for making this work and ask that he blesses us all. I wish you all a happy Mother's Day and thank you". Not too bad - right!?! Well, Pastor Josue prayed for us then - with his hand on my shoulder - he asked that we be taken care of - watched over and to give us strength for our entire family - There was a lot more said but I only caught a few words - I thought then, O.K., God must be hearing this!!! And I am so glad I came today!!
We again, served lunch to the community and then I hung out with Maria Jose and all the kids - it was a great day!!
We went to dinner with several of the families from Condo Allyson - as well as Maria Jose, Allyson and William from the orphanage - we went to a restaurant called "Asado" which means "grill" and the food is FABULOUS!! We were all eating and enjoying our time when I overheard Lucie ask our friend Michele (who happens to be a pastor's wife) "Do you like alcohol?" She said "well, not really Lucie" and Lucie replied "My Mom LOVES alcohol"!! Of course, everyone heard and laughed and I really didn't know what to say. I had thoughts of killing my daughter and then again of screaming "don't judge me" but instead said "Well, I savor it, that's for sure" and then Lucie said "Well Mommy you drink beer upstairs every night!!!" Can someone seriously shut this kid up!!! Albeit my daughter has quite the exaggerated version of my drinking patterns in Nicaragua - I do so enjoy a glass of wine or a beer at the end of the day. It is because of HER that I LOVE ALCOHOL!!!!
On the adoption front - the Consejo did not meet in May - so we have two options - this "may" buy us the time we need to get into the next Consejo in early June OR we may be pushed until July!!! Of course, we prefer the first option. So tomorrow, I am back to the grind stone - I will be sitting at Mi Familia to meet with Arle - to convince him to consider us and to beg for another home visit before the Consejo meets - so please, keep us in your prayers that this indeed happens.
I wanted to thank you all for reading my blog - you have no idea how much it means to me to have my loved ones support me from a far - your comments bring such joy to me and without them, I don't think I could keep my positive attitude and to find the blessings in this process. So keep those comments coming and happy reading. Love and Blessings to you all!!
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Feliz Dia de Madres
Today is Mother's Day in Nicaragua. I actually received a text message from the telecommunications carrier that said "Feliz Dia de Madres"!! I didn't get out much today - we stayed at the house for most the day but we went out to dinner and our cab driver told me how he cooked breakfast for his wife and made her a cake. He continued to tell me how in Nicaragua - Mother's Day is a BIG deal but Father's Day...not so big. I told him that it is really the same in the states.
I know that this day is a marketing dream - so many cards and gifts purchased for Mom's, Grandma's, Sister's and wives. But it is a day I always look forward to - My husband and children take very good care of me on my special day - My Mother's Day this year was rushed - we celebrated early because I was in Nicaragua for the actual day - and albeit, it was wonderful to hang out with my family and receive cards and lots of love....it wasn't the same. I feel the day more today because it is celebrated here and it has made me very homesick. Where is my husband and my first born???
This is my first Mother's Day without my Grandma and I miss her so much. She had a chance to meet our Martita and even though she thought she was a boy at first (don't judge her - she was 92!!!) she warmed up to our girl and had a twinkle in her eye when she watched her. I think my Grandma is laughing at all my experiences now and thinking I'm a little on the crazy side - I think she always thought that about me!! I also think she was right!!
I had my first Mother's Day with Martita - which is so awesome. I think about her future - I know she will grow up with love and support of her family but now she has so many opportunities. She can truly be whatever she chooses to be.... I wonder if she will like Math - be a Daddy's girl - go to college. Will she come back to Nicaragua and have an impact on her country? Will she move far away from me - as I did to my own Mother? O.K. I'm already trying to make her feel guilty and she doesn't even speak English yet!!!
Most of all I wonder how can I give her what she needs to feel totally loved and a part of our family. Lucie has said a couple of times that she wishes she was adopted. She sees the love these families have for these children and she wants some of it!! But it won't always be this easy - Martita will have struggles and challenges and I pray that both Tim, the girls and I can give her what she needs to become the woman God intended for her to be.
I guess these are the thoughts all Mom's have about their children - I have such a beautiful family and am so blessed - Feliz Dia de Madres' all my dear loved ones - I hope your day was as special as was mine!!!
I know that this day is a marketing dream - so many cards and gifts purchased for Mom's, Grandma's, Sister's and wives. But it is a day I always look forward to - My husband and children take very good care of me on my special day - My Mother's Day this year was rushed - we celebrated early because I was in Nicaragua for the actual day - and albeit, it was wonderful to hang out with my family and receive cards and lots of love....it wasn't the same. I feel the day more today because it is celebrated here and it has made me very homesick. Where is my husband and my first born???
This is my first Mother's Day without my Grandma and I miss her so much. She had a chance to meet our Martita and even though she thought she was a boy at first (don't judge her - she was 92!!!) she warmed up to our girl and had a twinkle in her eye when she watched her. I think my Grandma is laughing at all my experiences now and thinking I'm a little on the crazy side - I think she always thought that about me!! I also think she was right!!
I had my first Mother's Day with Martita - which is so awesome. I think about her future - I know she will grow up with love and support of her family but now she has so many opportunities. She can truly be whatever she chooses to be.... I wonder if she will like Math - be a Daddy's girl - go to college. Will she come back to Nicaragua and have an impact on her country? Will she move far away from me - as I did to my own Mother? O.K. I'm already trying to make her feel guilty and she doesn't even speak English yet!!!
Most of all I wonder how can I give her what she needs to feel totally loved and a part of our family. Lucie has said a couple of times that she wishes she was adopted. She sees the love these families have for these children and she wants some of it!! But it won't always be this easy - Martita will have struggles and challenges and I pray that both Tim, the girls and I can give her what she needs to become the woman God intended for her to be.
I guess these are the thoughts all Mom's have about their children - I have such a beautiful family and am so blessed - Feliz Dia de Madres' all my dear loved ones - I hope your day was as special as was mine!!!
Friday, May 29, 2009
What's the plan?
I always have considered myself a planner....I thrive on having a full schedule - one that has some room for relaxation but always a plan. I LOVE my phone with it's calender and that makes it easy for me to PLAN! I know who I'm meeting, where, when and why - isn't that the way life is suppose to be?
How is it possible to function in a place with no plan - no phone with a calender - no plan for next week - no idea of when, what, who and why?
I am living that life now - right now, I have plans for next Thursday - I'm going to the beach with other adoptive families and then saying goodbye to the Rodriguez's. Tomorrow, I am suppose to be doing something with Maria Jose (director of the orphanage) but have no idea what or when or where. She was suppose to call me but hasn't. There is no plan!! I don't know when I will be leaving this place - when my husband will be with me - or when I will look back on all this and laugh. There is no plan!!
I planned on doing laundry today - only because the garbage bag that has all the dirty clothes in it is completely stinky and almost full - so when I had time today - which was about 5:00 this evening - I started the process. I have to clean everything in the outdoor laundry room - first I soak the clothes in the sink with detergent to hopefully get the smell out - then I scrub them on the built-in scrub board - then rinse - then ring out and finally hang them to dry. My little helpers are more for decorative charm then for helping but I love having them. It took us about an hour - I then thought - well, it's time for dinner - so I made that on our gas stove and we went upstairs to relax.
As soon as we sat down to watch Transformers, I heard a loud noise - I asked Lucie "is that rain?" She said "I think so Momma" - I ran downstairs and out the door to the laundry room and it was pouring!!! I quickly grabbed all the clothes off the line - was handing them to Martita (Lucie was still upstairs watching Transformers - hello) and got completely soaked - I rang the clothes out again in the kitchen sink and started to hang them to dry in different spots in the house....the dining room chairs - the railing of the stairs and any knob I could find.
Then my friend Carlos is at my door asking to borrow a bottle opener (don't judge him!!!) and Lucie yells down that Daddy is trying to Skype - she answers the Skype but can't turn off the movie - CHAOS!!!
I talk to Scarlett and Tim and then put the girls to bed and then the electricity goes out!! I brought with me ONE small flashlight and some candles. I "feel" my way downstairs to find the flashlight and the candles and come back upstairs to find both girls out of bed and completely freaked out - when the electricity goes out - that of course means the wall unit air conditioner units stop working - so about 5 minutes after the lights went out - we were all hot, uncomfortable and a little cranky. I put some candles on the floor next to the girls' room, so they would go back to sleep and waited patiently for the lights and fans to come back on. Why is it so scary when it's dark? I guess I will never stop feeling that fear - but I continued on my lap-top and within an hour.....we were back in business.
I am so transitioning into a person I don't even know....I smiled when I knew my husband was on the computer and the movie was still going.....I was patiently waiting for the electricity to come back on - I laughed at myself and thought - what will happen to us tomorrow?
I may not be the successful planner I have been all my life but I am learning....learning to go with the flow, learning that nature doesn't cooperate often and that whatever my plan is, very well may NOT be the actual plan!!
How is it possible to function in a place with no plan - no phone with a calender - no plan for next week - no idea of when, what, who and why?
I am living that life now - right now, I have plans for next Thursday - I'm going to the beach with other adoptive families and then saying goodbye to the Rodriguez's. Tomorrow, I am suppose to be doing something with Maria Jose (director of the orphanage) but have no idea what or when or where. She was suppose to call me but hasn't. There is no plan!! I don't know when I will be leaving this place - when my husband will be with me - or when I will look back on all this and laugh. There is no plan!!
I planned on doing laundry today - only because the garbage bag that has all the dirty clothes in it is completely stinky and almost full - so when I had time today - which was about 5:00 this evening - I started the process. I have to clean everything in the outdoor laundry room - first I soak the clothes in the sink with detergent to hopefully get the smell out - then I scrub them on the built-in scrub board - then rinse - then ring out and finally hang them to dry. My little helpers are more for decorative charm then for helping but I love having them. It took us about an hour - I then thought - well, it's time for dinner - so I made that on our gas stove and we went upstairs to relax.
As soon as we sat down to watch Transformers, I heard a loud noise - I asked Lucie "is that rain?" She said "I think so Momma" - I ran downstairs and out the door to the laundry room and it was pouring!!! I quickly grabbed all the clothes off the line - was handing them to Martita (Lucie was still upstairs watching Transformers - hello) and got completely soaked - I rang the clothes out again in the kitchen sink and started to hang them to dry in different spots in the house....the dining room chairs - the railing of the stairs and any knob I could find.
Then my friend Carlos is at my door asking to borrow a bottle opener (don't judge him!!!) and Lucie yells down that Daddy is trying to Skype - she answers the Skype but can't turn off the movie - CHAOS!!!
I talk to Scarlett and Tim and then put the girls to bed and then the electricity goes out!! I brought with me ONE small flashlight and some candles. I "feel" my way downstairs to find the flashlight and the candles and come back upstairs to find both girls out of bed and completely freaked out - when the electricity goes out - that of course means the wall unit air conditioner units stop working - so about 5 minutes after the lights went out - we were all hot, uncomfortable and a little cranky. I put some candles on the floor next to the girls' room, so they would go back to sleep and waited patiently for the lights and fans to come back on. Why is it so scary when it's dark? I guess I will never stop feeling that fear - but I continued on my lap-top and within an hour.....we were back in business.
I am so transitioning into a person I don't even know....I smiled when I knew my husband was on the computer and the movie was still going.....I was patiently waiting for the electricity to come back on - I laughed at myself and thought - what will happen to us tomorrow?
I may not be the successful planner I have been all my life but I am learning....learning to go with the flow, learning that nature doesn't cooperate often and that whatever my plan is, very well may NOT be the actual plan!!
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Through her eyes....
Hello loved ones!!! I had a very good day today - a friend of mine, Trisha asked me to go to a local mall with her to shop my blue's away from yesterday - so we ventured out to the "Galleria" mall - it's about a 30 minute cab ride - I have learned that if I set the stage for my girls....letting them know what the day will entail....they do a little better enduring. So I explained to them - this is a day for Mommy to relax - a day for a little patience - a day to not ask a bunch of questions and just go with the flow (not easy to describe to my Spanish speaking daughter but I think she got the main points).
We arrived around 11:00 and immediately I remembered the first time I had been here - On my very first missions' trip to Nicaragua - we had stopped at this mall in the food court and I remember how happy I was to use the bathroom in the mall (it was clean and they actually have running water) and the food selection was AWESOME!!! Chicken, pizza, Burger King - yyyeeesss!! Now I was really excited.
I wasn't the only one excited - our sweet Martita giggled every time she went up the escalator - she talked non-stop when we went into a toy store - Momma, Momma, Momma.....She even learned the assumptive close (I too, am very good at this) - She would grab a toy and say "Thank you Momma" before I ever said she could have it!!! Needless to say, she scored today!!
Even when I was trying on shoes (I found the cutest pair of sandals) she would try on a pair and pose in front of the mirror and smile. We ate lunch at Tip Top (much like Kentucky Fried Chicken) and I got her chicken nuggets and fries and it came with a plastic watch. She was so excited and kept saying "Thank you Mom" "I love you Mom"!!! She would show me her watch and I would ask her "what time is it?" and she would say 1:00!! Then 2 minutes later, she would show me her watch again and I would ask the same question and she would get a big smile and tell me "1:00"!!
She is so excited about things that I so take for granted. A free toy - an air conditioned mall - trying new things - riding on an escalator - wanting something and actually getting it and being part of a family!! Her enthusiasm is contagious and both Lucie and I enjoyed our day with our Martita.
I told my husband tonight that I catch myself looking at her and watching what she's doing - how happy she is....her beautiful smile and always wanting to please attitude - she has the most loving heart....I look at her and can't believe that she's mine!! Martita is my daughter!! She will always be my daughter -
This time is tough and challenging but it is a small price to pay for our precious treasure....
We arrived around 11:00 and immediately I remembered the first time I had been here - On my very first missions' trip to Nicaragua - we had stopped at this mall in the food court and I remember how happy I was to use the bathroom in the mall (it was clean and they actually have running water) and the food selection was AWESOME!!! Chicken, pizza, Burger King - yyyeeesss!! Now I was really excited.
I wasn't the only one excited - our sweet Martita giggled every time she went up the escalator - she talked non-stop when we went into a toy store - Momma, Momma, Momma.....She even learned the assumptive close (I too, am very good at this) - She would grab a toy and say "Thank you Momma" before I ever said she could have it!!! Needless to say, she scored today!!
Even when I was trying on shoes (I found the cutest pair of sandals) she would try on a pair and pose in front of the mirror and smile. We ate lunch at Tip Top (much like Kentucky Fried Chicken) and I got her chicken nuggets and fries and it came with a plastic watch. She was so excited and kept saying "Thank you Mom" "I love you Mom"!!! She would show me her watch and I would ask her "what time is it?" and she would say 1:00!! Then 2 minutes later, she would show me her watch again and I would ask the same question and she would get a big smile and tell me "1:00"!!
She is so excited about things that I so take for granted. A free toy - an air conditioned mall - trying new things - riding on an escalator - wanting something and actually getting it and being part of a family!! Her enthusiasm is contagious and both Lucie and I enjoyed our day with our Martita.
I told my husband tonight that I catch myself looking at her and watching what she's doing - how happy she is....her beautiful smile and always wanting to please attitude - she has the most loving heart....I look at her and can't believe that she's mine!! Martita is my daughter!! She will always be my daughter -
This time is tough and challenging but it is a small price to pay for our precious treasure....
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
I give up....
Today was another crazy day - O.K., when are my days suppose to be slow and boring?!?!? Not happening to us yet!! We had an appointment at 8:30 AM today at Mi Familia with the boss - Arle. Arle is a very nice man who wants to help us in the process with adoption - he really has made a difference as to how often the consejo meets and how the process works - He was our last chance to state our case and get into the May consejo - which is happening tomorrow.
Well, if caffeine isn't enough to get you going in the morning, I suggest moving to Nicaragua!! For a slow-pace relaxed 3rd world country - this place can be extremely stressful. My taxi driver, for whatever reason, thought he would pick me up at 8:30 AM instead of the 7:30 AM time we had agreed upon the night before. So the girls and I waited for about 20 minutes before I called him and asked "Donde esta" Where are you?!?!?! Many apologies and 20 minutes later - he showed up!! Then he proceeded to drive faster than anyone I know (including myself) down these roads that are beat up, have no lanes, where people and livestock are constantly crossing the street - it was like driving in a video game!! Turn left quickly to avoid the cow in the road - watch out for the pot hole - speed around the car that's broken down!! The girls kept saying "whoa" and I did my famous "uuuggghhhhhh" a few times - Lord, no more caffeine for me!! And by the way, why didn't I take another pill this morning?!?!?
We arrived 10 minutes late - which is completely acceptable here in Nicaragua - 30 minutes late is acceptable (I'm not kidding) - went directly into our meeting with Arle where I stated our case the best way I knew how - Tim gave me some good suggestions and I gave him the best pitch I could - however, I don't think we closed the deal. The agenda has been set and we are not on it!! I held it together until I got out the door and then I started to cry - Martita started to rub my leg and kept looking at me....Lucie paid absolutely no attention to me (she is used to her Mother crying).
Well, what does this mean? It means we wait until the consejo meets in June to give us an official court date - we have another month to wait and worry about when and if the consejo meets in June. So I made a decision today - my husband and I have done everything we can to make this happen and there is nothing more we can do...so I give up.....Jesus take the wheel!! Seriously, it is all in God's hands and I feel much better letting him drive than myself or my cab driver!!
Well, if caffeine isn't enough to get you going in the morning, I suggest moving to Nicaragua!! For a slow-pace relaxed 3rd world country - this place can be extremely stressful. My taxi driver, for whatever reason, thought he would pick me up at 8:30 AM instead of the 7:30 AM time we had agreed upon the night before. So the girls and I waited for about 20 minutes before I called him and asked "Donde esta" Where are you?!?!?! Many apologies and 20 minutes later - he showed up!! Then he proceeded to drive faster than anyone I know (including myself) down these roads that are beat up, have no lanes, where people and livestock are constantly crossing the street - it was like driving in a video game!! Turn left quickly to avoid the cow in the road - watch out for the pot hole - speed around the car that's broken down!! The girls kept saying "whoa" and I did my famous "uuuggghhhhhh" a few times - Lord, no more caffeine for me!! And by the way, why didn't I take another pill this morning?!?!?
We arrived 10 minutes late - which is completely acceptable here in Nicaragua - 30 minutes late is acceptable (I'm not kidding) - went directly into our meeting with Arle where I stated our case the best way I knew how - Tim gave me some good suggestions and I gave him the best pitch I could - however, I don't think we closed the deal. The agenda has been set and we are not on it!! I held it together until I got out the door and then I started to cry - Martita started to rub my leg and kept looking at me....Lucie paid absolutely no attention to me (she is used to her Mother crying).
Well, what does this mean? It means we wait until the consejo meets in June to give us an official court date - we have another month to wait and worry about when and if the consejo meets in June. So I made a decision today - my husband and I have done everything we can to make this happen and there is nothing more we can do...so I give up.....Jesus take the wheel!! Seriously, it is all in God's hands and I feel much better letting him drive than myself or my cab driver!!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
"Don't Judge Me" Volume I
A very good friend of mine has said to me a time or two...."Don't judge me" when she may be indulging in a vice or two (or three). Well, this is Volume 1 of Lesa's "Don't Judge Me"!!!
We had an appointment with our social worker this morning, Maria Renee at 8:30 AM - so I got up at 6:00 AM to prepare - I cleaned the house (as best as I could around the live insects and bugs), got the girls and I cleaned up and then prepared them both for who was coming and why. Basically my instructions were "act like you love each other and smile all the time". I received a call from another adoptive mother who lives in our little community and she had just been in my house the night before - she called to give me a little advice - she told me it would probably be a good idea to remove the bottle of white wine on top of my refrigerator before the social worker arrived - (Don't Judge Me). I actually thought it was EXCELLENT advice and of course, it didn't even cross my mind. O.K. now I was completely ready for our visit!!
At 9:15 AM (yes, 45 minutes AFTER our appointment was to begin) I received a call informing me that our social worker would not be able to meet with us today and would call us later to schedule an appointment for Thursday - Albeit, this is typical behavior....I lost it!! I already had my translator in my house - my girls and I were actually clean and having this appointment was our best bet to get to the consejo this month. So immediately I searched the house for those little pills my doctor gave me that I take when I go to get my annual Mammogram - to calm me down - a generic form of Xanex and popped one (yes, just one) in my mouth - "Don't Judge Me"!!
I called my translator immediately to explain my frustration and apparently he knew immediately how upset I was because he cut me off and said he would take care of it - 20 minutes later, they arrived!! I know.....I am bad to the bone!!! ;D
The visit went great - we answered some very basic questions and I think our social worker saw a clear view of how our family interacts.....even when we are clean AND nice AND Mom is taking prescription drugs (Don't Judge Me)!!
Love and Blessings - Lesa
We had an appointment with our social worker this morning, Maria Renee at 8:30 AM - so I got up at 6:00 AM to prepare - I cleaned the house (as best as I could around the live insects and bugs), got the girls and I cleaned up and then prepared them both for who was coming and why. Basically my instructions were "act like you love each other and smile all the time". I received a call from another adoptive mother who lives in our little community and she had just been in my house the night before - she called to give me a little advice - she told me it would probably be a good idea to remove the bottle of white wine on top of my refrigerator before the social worker arrived - (Don't Judge Me). I actually thought it was EXCELLENT advice and of course, it didn't even cross my mind. O.K. now I was completely ready for our visit!!
At 9:15 AM (yes, 45 minutes AFTER our appointment was to begin) I received a call informing me that our social worker would not be able to meet with us today and would call us later to schedule an appointment for Thursday - Albeit, this is typical behavior....I lost it!! I already had my translator in my house - my girls and I were actually clean and having this appointment was our best bet to get to the consejo this month. So immediately I searched the house for those little pills my doctor gave me that I take when I go to get my annual Mammogram - to calm me down - a generic form of Xanex and popped one (yes, just one) in my mouth - "Don't Judge Me"!!
I called my translator immediately to explain my frustration and apparently he knew immediately how upset I was because he cut me off and said he would take care of it - 20 minutes later, they arrived!! I know.....I am bad to the bone!!! ;D
The visit went great - we answered some very basic questions and I think our social worker saw a clear view of how our family interacts.....even when we are clean AND nice AND Mom is taking prescription drugs (Don't Judge Me)!!
Love and Blessings - Lesa
That's a four letter word!!!!
It's official.....every bug or insect is living in my townhouse!!! We were missing lice - but hey, Lucie decided to house them as well!!! All are welcome...Bienvenidos!!! L I C E !!! Ewwww!!!
Lice has always been a big issue at the orphanage - the main reason Martita never has long hair is because about 3 times a year, they have a lice issue and with 40+ kids, it's just easier to cut hair than to clean it!! Now I understand after spending an hour combing through Lucie's!! You have this tiny little comb that you have to comb through each hair from root to end. It's a long and painful process (for both Mom and Lucie).
Leyla - one of the girls from the orphanage - was playing with Lucie's hair (everyone here is obsessed with Lucie's hair) and started to show me the little "nits" - I couldn't see anything!! I am always looking for the little black bugs myself - but I guess that comes later. If you are completed FREAKED OUT at this point - I don't blame you - so am I!!! Just writing it down gives me the chills - eeewwwwww!!!
So of course, I attacked this issue full force. I hand washed every sheet, pillow case and stuffed animal that the girls sleep with - I did my hair and Martita's just in case and sprayed every surface with Lysol. You are suppose to use extremely hot water to kill the little suckers but all we have in Nicaragua is cold water - yes, that's right....there is no hot water here!!! So the detergent I use has bleach in it and with the sun drying everything, I am praying we have killed the little suckers for good!!!
I was schooled on what not to do to avoid getting lice in the future - Do not lay on any of the beds at the orphanage - do not use any of the girls' combs and brushes - and then I was told that hugging the girls is an issue because many times your heads touch - hair touches and that's when the lice jump over to you - YES they jump!!!
Well, I'm willing to give up a lot here but not willing to stop loving on our kids and having a blast at the orphanage. So albeit, I have avoided lice all these years - I'm afraid this may not be our only appearance. I know......eeewwwwwww!!!
Lice has always been a big issue at the orphanage - the main reason Martita never has long hair is because about 3 times a year, they have a lice issue and with 40+ kids, it's just easier to cut hair than to clean it!! Now I understand after spending an hour combing through Lucie's!! You have this tiny little comb that you have to comb through each hair from root to end. It's a long and painful process (for both Mom and Lucie).
Leyla - one of the girls from the orphanage - was playing with Lucie's hair (everyone here is obsessed with Lucie's hair) and started to show me the little "nits" - I couldn't see anything!! I am always looking for the little black bugs myself - but I guess that comes later. If you are completed FREAKED OUT at this point - I don't blame you - so am I!!! Just writing it down gives me the chills - eeewwwwww!!!
So of course, I attacked this issue full force. I hand washed every sheet, pillow case and stuffed animal that the girls sleep with - I did my hair and Martita's just in case and sprayed every surface with Lysol. You are suppose to use extremely hot water to kill the little suckers but all we have in Nicaragua is cold water - yes, that's right....there is no hot water here!!! So the detergent I use has bleach in it and with the sun drying everything, I am praying we have killed the little suckers for good!!!
I was schooled on what not to do to avoid getting lice in the future - Do not lay on any of the beds at the orphanage - do not use any of the girls' combs and brushes - and then I was told that hugging the girls is an issue because many times your heads touch - hair touches and that's when the lice jump over to you - YES they jump!!!
Well, I'm willing to give up a lot here but not willing to stop loving on our kids and having a blast at the orphanage. So albeit, I have avoided lice all these years - I'm afraid this may not be our only appearance. I know......eeewwwwwww!!!
Monday, May 25, 2009
Crazy busy Sunday!!
Since I have been in Nicaragua, I have been attending a church down the street from where I am staying - the service is in English and many of the missionaries and adoptive families who live at Condo Allyson - attend this service together. Yesterday, however, I went to church at El Canyon - right across from the orphanage - I have been there several times.
First let me describe the actual church - it is a pretty small building made of cement with a tin roof (why they use tin, I don't understand because every time I would look up, I could feel heat radiating from the ceiling on my face), red tiled floor and they have two doors that are closed by a gate - so plenty of air can get in (I ALWAYS sit next to the door to get any air possible). It's basically a "hot box" that is "almost" unbearable.
The members are the extremely poor people from the community - and the kids from the orphanage. I know many of the people and all the kids. As soon as I walked in, Esaul who is 4 years old (very animated and wild) says, "Lesa, Lesa, Mireme, Mireme" (Lesa, Lesa, look at me, look at me) - he runs across the church and finds these two armchairs that are against the wall - he climbs on top of them - confirms I'm watching - then poses with with one leg in the air. This is all happening DURING church - when someone is speaking and we are "suppose" to be paying attention. Of course, I cracked up - so Esaul comes running back to me - laughs with me and then takes off again saying "Lesa, Lesa, mirame, marame" 8) This went on for quite some time!! I also have 2 girls sitting on my lap - Heyling and Carolina who are drawing all over my notes and playing with my hair - Angel, our other sweet "angel" has decided to out-do his buddy Esaul and climbs up the door like a monkey!!! He actually got in trouble....picked up and taken out of church - I have never seen that type of discipline before....busted!!
It's basically complete chaos and I am the rock star!! I am surrounded by kids I love - sweating like a pig and understanding about every 5th word in Spanish. It is one of my most favorite places and events!!
As soon as church is finished - we walk across the street to the orphanage and we made ice-cream cups for everyone in the community - we also passed out little bags for all the children - they had a small stuffed animal and candy in them. By this time it is 12:00 - I am covered in ice cream and my two children look even dirtier than me!! It was so hot and we were ready to get into the pool - so I asked if I could take 5 of the older girls with me back to our house and go swimming.
Cynthia, Julissa, Leyla, Arlen and Areyles came home with us to go swimming. Our cab driver came to pick us up and had his wife and child with them - so they sat in the front - the rest of us, in the back seat. We had 8 girls in the back - 11 in total!! This is something that is quite normal in Nicaragua - there is no limit to how many people can ride in a car - but you will get pulled over for not wearing a seat belt if you are sitting in the front (crazy laws). It's a short ride to Condo Allyson - thank goodness and we made it safe and sound!!
We changed and spent a couple of hours at the pool - it was very refreshing and so good to spend some time with the older girls. They found a mango tree and picked some mango's - they eat them, skin and all and like salt on them as well.
It was very hectic in our small house with all the girls running around - asking questions, laughing and checking out all our stuff. I think often of how difficult it must be for them - the older girls. They are very seldom considered for adoption - and often see many of the younger ones going to families. They are growing up and trying to sort out all their emotions - they are beautiful girls - inside and out - and I feel that this time I am spending with them is time I am really getting to know them - a true blessing!
After the pool and fun - the girls had to go back and my girls' and I went to dinner with the Rodriguezes and the Divens' - both Lucie and Martita fell asleep in the cab TO the restaurant - so we were all exhausted - the food was good but we were ready to be home -
Sunday nights are when my small group gets together. There are four of us -- Leigh Ellen, Trish, Michele and myself - it is a great time to just hang out and hear about each other's struggles and support each other - these women are so important to me - they have been true friendships and I believe ones that I will continue to have and grow as time goes on -
I only got to Skype with my husband and Scarlett for a couple of minutes - that was the only negative to my day - well, let me correct that - I have one more negative....Leyla was playing with Lucie's hair and informed me that she has lice.....I will have an entire blog dedicated to that alone....but today was a day of love, support, laughter and fun for me. It always end with sadness because I am away from my husband - but it was a good day!!
Love and blessings to you all and I hope your Sunday was as good as mine!!
First let me describe the actual church - it is a pretty small building made of cement with a tin roof (why they use tin, I don't understand because every time I would look up, I could feel heat radiating from the ceiling on my face), red tiled floor and they have two doors that are closed by a gate - so plenty of air can get in (I ALWAYS sit next to the door to get any air possible). It's basically a "hot box" that is "almost" unbearable.
The members are the extremely poor people from the community - and the kids from the orphanage. I know many of the people and all the kids. As soon as I walked in, Esaul who is 4 years old (very animated and wild) says, "Lesa, Lesa, Mireme, Mireme" (Lesa, Lesa, look at me, look at me) - he runs across the church and finds these two armchairs that are against the wall - he climbs on top of them - confirms I'm watching - then poses with with one leg in the air. This is all happening DURING church - when someone is speaking and we are "suppose" to be paying attention. Of course, I cracked up - so Esaul comes running back to me - laughs with me and then takes off again saying "Lesa, Lesa, mirame, marame" 8) This went on for quite some time!! I also have 2 girls sitting on my lap - Heyling and Carolina who are drawing all over my notes and playing with my hair - Angel, our other sweet "angel" has decided to out-do his buddy Esaul and climbs up the door like a monkey!!! He actually got in trouble....picked up and taken out of church - I have never seen that type of discipline before....busted!!
It's basically complete chaos and I am the rock star!! I am surrounded by kids I love - sweating like a pig and understanding about every 5th word in Spanish. It is one of my most favorite places and events!!
As soon as church is finished - we walk across the street to the orphanage and we made ice-cream cups for everyone in the community - we also passed out little bags for all the children - they had a small stuffed animal and candy in them. By this time it is 12:00 - I am covered in ice cream and my two children look even dirtier than me!! It was so hot and we were ready to get into the pool - so I asked if I could take 5 of the older girls with me back to our house and go swimming.
Cynthia, Julissa, Leyla, Arlen and Areyles came home with us to go swimming. Our cab driver came to pick us up and had his wife and child with them - so they sat in the front - the rest of us, in the back seat. We had 8 girls in the back - 11 in total!! This is something that is quite normal in Nicaragua - there is no limit to how many people can ride in a car - but you will get pulled over for not wearing a seat belt if you are sitting in the front (crazy laws). It's a short ride to Condo Allyson - thank goodness and we made it safe and sound!!
We changed and spent a couple of hours at the pool - it was very refreshing and so good to spend some time with the older girls. They found a mango tree and picked some mango's - they eat them, skin and all and like salt on them as well.
It was very hectic in our small house with all the girls running around - asking questions, laughing and checking out all our stuff. I think often of how difficult it must be for them - the older girls. They are very seldom considered for adoption - and often see many of the younger ones going to families. They are growing up and trying to sort out all their emotions - they are beautiful girls - inside and out - and I feel that this time I am spending with them is time I am really getting to know them - a true blessing!
After the pool and fun - the girls had to go back and my girls' and I went to dinner with the Rodriguezes and the Divens' - both Lucie and Martita fell asleep in the cab TO the restaurant - so we were all exhausted - the food was good but we were ready to be home -
Sunday nights are when my small group gets together. There are four of us -- Leigh Ellen, Trish, Michele and myself - it is a great time to just hang out and hear about each other's struggles and support each other - these women are so important to me - they have been true friendships and I believe ones that I will continue to have and grow as time goes on -
I only got to Skype with my husband and Scarlett for a couple of minutes - that was the only negative to my day - well, let me correct that - I have one more negative....Leyla was playing with Lucie's hair and informed me that she has lice.....I will have an entire blog dedicated to that alone....but today was a day of love, support, laughter and fun for me. It always end with sadness because I am away from my husband - but it was a good day!!
Love and blessings to you all and I hope your Sunday was as good as mine!!
Saturday, May 23, 2009
There's no place like home
I grew up watching the Wizard of Oz and loved it!! I remember it showing on T.V. once a year - this was way way before Tivo and rented movies....Lord, I am aging myself!! My Mom bought me ToTo (the small cute dog) stuffed animal and I remember bringing it everywhere with me - it was my favorite toy. I loved the music, the dancing and the story. I think what I loved most about it was the adventure that Dorothy went on....seriously, she was a little bored on the farm and she had the most exciting experience!!
I never gave too much thought to her always wanting to go home - I mean seriously, she just got there - right?! She kept saying how long it had been and how desperate she was to get home - She basically got there and wanted to go right back home!!
This is so much like my life now - I can totally relate!! I am having the adventure of a life-time but want so badly to go home!! I of course, have some of my family here and I am so enjoying them but so many times throughout the day, I hear and feel things that I want to share with home - it's all so difficult!
Everyday Martita becomes more of my daughter - I heard her and Lucie just belly - laughing today and thought "we are so blessed to have her in our lives" - So many people tell us how unselfish we are to be adopting our girl - But we haven't sacrificed anything. Having Martita in our family is a BLESSING TO US!!! She is a joy and we love her so dearly.
This time, right now, in Nicaragua - away from my husband and daughter, is the sacrifice. This is what we are willing to pay for our girl. I want so badly to click my flip-flops together and be home!! As my Mom advices.....I'm taking a day at a time and always remembering that there is no place like home!!!
I never gave too much thought to her always wanting to go home - I mean seriously, she just got there - right?! She kept saying how long it had been and how desperate she was to get home - She basically got there and wanted to go right back home!!
This is so much like my life now - I can totally relate!! I am having the adventure of a life-time but want so badly to go home!! I of course, have some of my family here and I am so enjoying them but so many times throughout the day, I hear and feel things that I want to share with home - it's all so difficult!
Everyday Martita becomes more of my daughter - I heard her and Lucie just belly - laughing today and thought "we are so blessed to have her in our lives" - So many people tell us how unselfish we are to be adopting our girl - But we haven't sacrificed anything. Having Martita in our family is a BLESSING TO US!!! She is a joy and we love her so dearly.
This time, right now, in Nicaragua - away from my husband and daughter, is the sacrifice. This is what we are willing to pay for our girl. I want so badly to click my flip-flops together and be home!! As my Mom advices.....I'm taking a day at a time and always remembering that there is no place like home!!!
Friday, May 22, 2009
Handsome Boy
Today was a lazy and relaxing day for us - we had one action item....find the water man when he gets here (shows up at any time during the day on Tuesday's and Friday's) and get our water dispenser from him!! We have two big jugs of water but no dispenser - so every other day - I have to buy more water. Due to my paranoia - I use bottled water for washing food, brushing my teeth and for all cooking and my coffee - so it goes very fast in our casita.
So after our run and park time - the three of us headed to the pool for a little relaxation - and every 15 minutes I would look down the street to see if I could see the water man - when I did finally see him and attempted to communicate - I was told that they won't have the dispenser until next week - which is what they told me last week - I explained this to the manager of the water boys but he said as soon as he has one, he will bring it. So it will be interesting to see how long that takes!!
The biggest impact on me today was missing my husband. It's official - the longest I've been away from him and it really isn't any fun. I am a strong person and put on a good front - but I miss my handsome boy (this is how Lucie greets Tim every morning - "good morning handsome boy"). I miss so many things about him....
I miss telling him every detail about my day and how he just completely gets me and thinks I'm funny. How he listens to me so intently and I know he truly respects my point of view. How he partners with me in parenting and makes it so much more fun. How he smiles and how he laughs. I even miss the way he chews...which is very loudly....Martita was chewing quite loudly today and I looked at her and smiled because I was thinking about her Papa.
I think it has hit us both that we will be separated for a very long time - we know why and are 100% behind the reason but I am two weeks in and cannot really imagine 2 more months (maybe longer).
So here is a blog dedicated to my Handsome Boy - thank you for being the best thing that has ever happened to me - thank you for being the love of my life - my best friend and my one true partner - I miss you more than words can say - and love you with all my heart. I thank God for you everyday - good night handsome boy!!! Love you!!!
So after our run and park time - the three of us headed to the pool for a little relaxation - and every 15 minutes I would look down the street to see if I could see the water man - when I did finally see him and attempted to communicate - I was told that they won't have the dispenser until next week - which is what they told me last week - I explained this to the manager of the water boys but he said as soon as he has one, he will bring it. So it will be interesting to see how long that takes!!
The biggest impact on me today was missing my husband. It's official - the longest I've been away from him and it really isn't any fun. I am a strong person and put on a good front - but I miss my handsome boy (this is how Lucie greets Tim every morning - "good morning handsome boy"). I miss so many things about him....
I miss telling him every detail about my day and how he just completely gets me and thinks I'm funny. How he listens to me so intently and I know he truly respects my point of view. How he partners with me in parenting and makes it so much more fun. How he smiles and how he laughs. I even miss the way he chews...which is very loudly....Martita was chewing quite loudly today and I looked at her and smiled because I was thinking about her Papa.
I think it has hit us both that we will be separated for a very long time - we know why and are 100% behind the reason but I am two weeks in and cannot really imagine 2 more months (maybe longer).
So here is a blog dedicated to my Handsome Boy - thank you for being the best thing that has ever happened to me - thank you for being the love of my life - my best friend and my one true partner - I miss you more than words can say - and love you with all my heart. I thank God for you everyday - good night handsome boy!!! Love you!!!
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Cold and Dry
Well today was a very "interesting" day for us!! We started off the day as usual, a run/walk for Mom (to keep her sanity throughout the day) - some fun in the park for the girls. We made a trip to the orphanage from 10 - 2 and then had to be back at the townhouse to have someone look at our refrigerator (again)!!
Ever since we moved in - our refrigerator has been a little troublesome. It would occasionally make a very loud motoring noise - which I think now, looking back, that meant it was actually working. If you gave a little kick or punch to the front of the refrigerator, the noise would stop. So that's how we functioned.......loud obnoxious noise, strong kick, quiet again....repeat....repeat....repeat. Until about 3 days ago I realized there were no more noises and no need for kicking. Then I also noticed that my ice wasn't freezing, my milk went bad and all the meat I had frozen was thawed!! So immediately I asked our manager, Giovonne - HELP!! He came with an assistant, checked it out for awhile and told me he would be back the next day at 2:00 - which is today. His goal was to look at the refrigerator again and hopefully, this time fix the problem.
I was home by 2:00 and kept my driver - Herman (don't you just love that name) around to help me communicate with Giovonne - his English is non-existent and my Spanish vocabulary doesn't include "frozen" "loud rumbling noise" or "all my meat has gone bad" - well, actually I think I can say the last one. So Herman talked to Giovonne and explained that "no, coming back tomorrow and bringing a different guy to look at it would NOT work" - thank you Herman - So we had to go to the vacant apartments - find a refrigerator I liked and one that worked and then we moved it down a long road to my townhouse!! I am NOT kidding!!
We plugged it in...moved the existing foul smelling food into the new fridge and put all my pictures back up and we were in business. Lucie took one look at it and said "wow Mom, it has a light when you open the door!!!" Obviously, our first one didn't because it was a piece of crap!! Am I allowed to say "crap" on a blog? Anyway, we are in business.
Another major change in our lives today....a new shower curtain. When my husband was here we had to buy two shower curtains for the bathrooms - little did we know they were made of paper and hung from the top of the shower to the middle of the shower - basically to your knees. So when you get out of the shower - you step into a puddle of water in the bathroom that just about dries up when you are ready to take your second shower of the day in the evening. Nasty - wet and gross!! I have been to three stores and no shower curtains to be found. My friend Leigh Ellen said "hey, I have an extra one that might work" so I put it in MY shower today - it hangs to the floor - YES, HANGS TO THE FLOOR and I am so happy about it!!! No more wet floor - no more soggy feet - thank you Leigh Ellen!!
So I am dry (at least for 5 minutes after getting out of the shower) and my food is cold and frozen, when applicable - I have had an AWESOME DAY!!!
Love and Blessings to you all!!!
Ever since we moved in - our refrigerator has been a little troublesome. It would occasionally make a very loud motoring noise - which I think now, looking back, that meant it was actually working. If you gave a little kick or punch to the front of the refrigerator, the noise would stop. So that's how we functioned.......loud obnoxious noise, strong kick, quiet again....repeat....repeat....repeat. Until about 3 days ago I realized there were no more noises and no need for kicking. Then I also noticed that my ice wasn't freezing, my milk went bad and all the meat I had frozen was thawed!! So immediately I asked our manager, Giovonne - HELP!! He came with an assistant, checked it out for awhile and told me he would be back the next day at 2:00 - which is today. His goal was to look at the refrigerator again and hopefully, this time fix the problem.
I was home by 2:00 and kept my driver - Herman (don't you just love that name) around to help me communicate with Giovonne - his English is non-existent and my Spanish vocabulary doesn't include "frozen" "loud rumbling noise" or "all my meat has gone bad" - well, actually I think I can say the last one. So Herman talked to Giovonne and explained that "no, coming back tomorrow and bringing a different guy to look at it would NOT work" - thank you Herman - So we had to go to the vacant apartments - find a refrigerator I liked and one that worked and then we moved it down a long road to my townhouse!! I am NOT kidding!!
We plugged it in...moved the existing foul smelling food into the new fridge and put all my pictures back up and we were in business. Lucie took one look at it and said "wow Mom, it has a light when you open the door!!!" Obviously, our first one didn't because it was a piece of crap!! Am I allowed to say "crap" on a blog? Anyway, we are in business.
Another major change in our lives today....a new shower curtain. When my husband was here we had to buy two shower curtains for the bathrooms - little did we know they were made of paper and hung from the top of the shower to the middle of the shower - basically to your knees. So when you get out of the shower - you step into a puddle of water in the bathroom that just about dries up when you are ready to take your second shower of the day in the evening. Nasty - wet and gross!! I have been to three stores and no shower curtains to be found. My friend Leigh Ellen said "hey, I have an extra one that might work" so I put it in MY shower today - it hangs to the floor - YES, HANGS TO THE FLOOR and I am so happy about it!!! No more wet floor - no more soggy feet - thank you Leigh Ellen!!
So I am dry (at least for 5 minutes after getting out of the shower) and my food is cold and frozen, when applicable - I have had an AWESOME DAY!!!
Love and Blessings to you all!!!
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Journey of Change
As slow as change seems to take....it is always so sudden.
I just heard today that a very dear friend of mine - JJ got in a horrific motorcycle accident. Thank God he will be fine - but literally one moment he is riding his cousins' new motorcycle and the next, skidding across pavement and doing serious damage to his body. An instant.
I feel that way about our adoption - so much work - so many tears - frustrations. The amount of paperwork and broken promises and commitments.....we continue to do what we have to but it is painful and exhausting. Then we get the call - our adoption has been approved and we need to come to Nicaragua... An instant.
I hear so often that people don't like change - but all we ever hear from others, and ourselves, is how we will change. I'm going to get in shape this summer - I'm going to finish that course in Spanish - I'm going to stop all my bad habits (don't want to be too descriptive on my bad habits....may shock a few people)- and on and on.... We see ourselves as someone different than who we are today - someone thinner, smarter, prettier.....
I too, fall into this trap. My goals for going to Nicaragua were to become a better Mom, lose weight, speak fluent Spanish.....all these changes!!
My very dear friend, Sue Jones, gave me a bracelet before I left on this trip - on one side it reads "Life is a Journey" and on the flip side it reads "Not a Destination" - I have heard this saying many times and thought that I understood it's meaning...but I think now in my life, I am starting to truly understand what it means to me.
Change is something that happens weather we want it to or not. I went on my first Missions' trip, met Martita and my life was changed. In an instant. Through this adoption process and the struggle, I have met incredible people who share this experience with me. I have seen the love and support from my family and friends. I have learned to be patient and more understanding. I have learned that God has a plan for me and all I have to do, is follow it!!
My journey of change has been amazing....of course there are difficulties and challenges but I am here now and I am experiencing a beautiful place and beautiful people. I am now the official Mom of our sweet Martita - and I am going to do my best to enjoy each day of this journey of change!!
Love and Blessings!! lesa
I just heard today that a very dear friend of mine - JJ got in a horrific motorcycle accident. Thank God he will be fine - but literally one moment he is riding his cousins' new motorcycle and the next, skidding across pavement and doing serious damage to his body. An instant.
I feel that way about our adoption - so much work - so many tears - frustrations. The amount of paperwork and broken promises and commitments.....we continue to do what we have to but it is painful and exhausting. Then we get the call - our adoption has been approved and we need to come to Nicaragua... An instant.
I hear so often that people don't like change - but all we ever hear from others, and ourselves, is how we will change. I'm going to get in shape this summer - I'm going to finish that course in Spanish - I'm going to stop all my bad habits (don't want to be too descriptive on my bad habits....may shock a few people)- and on and on.... We see ourselves as someone different than who we are today - someone thinner, smarter, prettier.....
I too, fall into this trap. My goals for going to Nicaragua were to become a better Mom, lose weight, speak fluent Spanish.....all these changes!!
My very dear friend, Sue Jones, gave me a bracelet before I left on this trip - on one side it reads "Life is a Journey" and on the flip side it reads "Not a Destination" - I have heard this saying many times and thought that I understood it's meaning...but I think now in my life, I am starting to truly understand what it means to me.
Change is something that happens weather we want it to or not. I went on my first Missions' trip, met Martita and my life was changed. In an instant. Through this adoption process and the struggle, I have met incredible people who share this experience with me. I have seen the love and support from my family and friends. I have learned to be patient and more understanding. I have learned that God has a plan for me and all I have to do, is follow it!!
My journey of change has been amazing....of course there are difficulties and challenges but I am here now and I am experiencing a beautiful place and beautiful people. I am now the official Mom of our sweet Martita - and I am going to do my best to enjoy each day of this journey of change!!
Love and Blessings!! lesa
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
I love Lucie!!!
Doesn't that title make you think of the show "I love Lucy"? It does me....and today I laughed so hard when our little dark Martita was running after Lucie - saying "come on Lucie - come on Lucie" - she sounds just like Ricky Ricardo and it makes me laugh!! Now I need to teach her to say "You got some explaining to do!!!" 8)
The Lucie I love and adore was back today!! She woke up with a smile and a big kiss for her Momma - she wanted a big breakfast and told me that she felt GREAT today!! I told her we were going to the orphanage and she was very excited - when we were there - she had all the kids laughing because she was helping everyone with their chores and making funny faces. She helped me serve lunch to all the kids, pick the little ones up from school and played so well with her sister. She was amazing today!!
We were eating dinner at the pool tonight with some friends - there was some thunder and lightning in the distance and Lucie was talking constantly through dinner - she was telling us that she likes to tell scary stories at night, that she knows all about how to do well in school, that she can make Pizza at Ms. Amy's, that she loves to swim and dive and play and ....... Lord, I must have told her 3 times "O.K. honey - eat your dinner" and then she looked up at me and said "Mommy I want to go home NOW before the storm hits here" ;) she was so nervous, she just kept talking and talking!!! We got home way before the storm hit and she informed me that she might have to sleep with me tonight - if the storm came back - so we shall see!!!
We submitted some additional paperwork at Mi Familia today to back up our request to limit our fostering period - we had copies of our passport pages and a letter from the director of the orphanage to support the amount of days we have spent with Martita these past couple of years - 74 days!! 9 trips to Nicaragua and of course, one trip to the states. Looking back at all that time - I realize what a long process this has been.
We not only survived today but enjoyed each other so much!! Martita kept "catching me" looking at her and she would smile so big!! She is such a loving daughter and sister - she is bringing out the best in both Lucie and I!!
Now we wait....we wait to hear when the Consejo will meet in May and "if" we will be heard then - PLEASE keep us in your prayers. And of course, I will let you know as soon as I hear anything. You are all such a blessing to me and my family - thank you for following my blog - for your awesome comments and your love and support - I cannot survive without it!!
Blessings and Love - Lesa
The Lucie I love and adore was back today!! She woke up with a smile and a big kiss for her Momma - she wanted a big breakfast and told me that she felt GREAT today!! I told her we were going to the orphanage and she was very excited - when we were there - she had all the kids laughing because she was helping everyone with their chores and making funny faces. She helped me serve lunch to all the kids, pick the little ones up from school and played so well with her sister. She was amazing today!!
We were eating dinner at the pool tonight with some friends - there was some thunder and lightning in the distance and Lucie was talking constantly through dinner - she was telling us that she likes to tell scary stories at night, that she knows all about how to do well in school, that she can make Pizza at Ms. Amy's, that she loves to swim and dive and play and ....... Lord, I must have told her 3 times "O.K. honey - eat your dinner" and then she looked up at me and said "Mommy I want to go home NOW before the storm hits here" ;) she was so nervous, she just kept talking and talking!!! We got home way before the storm hit and she informed me that she might have to sleep with me tonight - if the storm came back - so we shall see!!!
We submitted some additional paperwork at Mi Familia today to back up our request to limit our fostering period - we had copies of our passport pages and a letter from the director of the orphanage to support the amount of days we have spent with Martita these past couple of years - 74 days!! 9 trips to Nicaragua and of course, one trip to the states. Looking back at all that time - I realize what a long process this has been.
We not only survived today but enjoyed each other so much!! Martita kept "catching me" looking at her and she would smile so big!! She is such a loving daughter and sister - she is bringing out the best in both Lucie and I!!
Now we wait....we wait to hear when the Consejo will meet in May and "if" we will be heard then - PLEASE keep us in your prayers. And of course, I will let you know as soon as I hear anything. You are all such a blessing to me and my family - thank you for following my blog - for your awesome comments and your love and support - I cannot survive without it!!
Blessings and Love - Lesa
Monday, May 18, 2009
119 minutes too long!!
Happy Monday!! We had a very busy day today - we had to go to Mi Familia first thing this morning and sign off on some paperwork that they were "suppose" to bring me last Friday - we also wanted to take this opportunity to meet with Arly - he is the boss and we had submitted a letter to him asking to waive our fostering time (usually 6 weeks once you have custody of the child) since we have been in the adoption process for so long.
Well, we arrived at Mi Familia at 9:00 AM sharp - signed our document and then waited for Arly to come back from a meeting. It was so hot today - that they shut the doors and turned on the air conditioning!!! Seriously, I think it was better with the doors open. We were all sitting in chairs in the center of the office - me, Martita, Lucie, Carlos (interpreter) and Nubia (lawyer). The girls were so sweet to eachother for about 2 1/2 minutes. I remember thinking, "aren't they the sweetest thing?" Then minute 3 began and Lucie decided she didn't like Martita and was yelling "no mas Martita" - Martita thought that was funny and started to pull Lucie's hair - I was giving them both the "drop dead eye lock" however, they didn't even look at me!! So instead I reasoned with them like those perfect Mother's you see on T.V. about how they were not making the right choices.
It is a challenge to dicipline Martita - she has received very little dicipline at the orphanage and I don't have all the right words to explain to her what I expect. If she doesn't like what I say - she turns her entire body around and ignores me. I don't know how to threaten her yet (I'm sure I will come up with a few options very soon....a couple are coming to me now) or to let her know that her behaviors have consequences.
For over 2 hours we waited and this behavior persisted - so much so that I had taken everything possible away from Lucie that I could! I even started to threaten to go buy her new toys and then give them away to the kids at the orphanage - her tears were in some way, comforting to me because she was driving me absolutely CRAZY!!
Our meeting with Arly went well - he is a very nice man - but we have a very short time-frame to get a lot of details to him. I want to do everything possible to ensure we are in the May Consejo and can be home by mid-July - I will keep you posted on our progress.
Coming here, I knew that Martita would be a challenge but I didn't give much thought to my Goose. Lucie has always been so close to Martita - so sweet - and so secure in our relationship. I think she can sense that this is different - that Martita really is her sister and that she doesn't know where she fits. She's hot, she's not at home, she misses her Dad and her sister and her dogs - she always has this look on her face like "Can someone get me out of here?" Then I get her back to the townhouse and to the pool ......and the Lucie I know and love is reborn.
So I have to come up with some alternatives on these meetings...our wait time was about 119 minutes too long!!
Buenos Noches
Well, we arrived at Mi Familia at 9:00 AM sharp - signed our document and then waited for Arly to come back from a meeting. It was so hot today - that they shut the doors and turned on the air conditioning!!! Seriously, I think it was better with the doors open. We were all sitting in chairs in the center of the office - me, Martita, Lucie, Carlos (interpreter) and Nubia (lawyer). The girls were so sweet to eachother for about 2 1/2 minutes. I remember thinking, "aren't they the sweetest thing?" Then minute 3 began and Lucie decided she didn't like Martita and was yelling "no mas Martita" - Martita thought that was funny and started to pull Lucie's hair - I was giving them both the "drop dead eye lock" however, they didn't even look at me!! So instead I reasoned with them like those perfect Mother's you see on T.V. about how they were not making the right choices.
It is a challenge to dicipline Martita - she has received very little dicipline at the orphanage and I don't have all the right words to explain to her what I expect. If she doesn't like what I say - she turns her entire body around and ignores me. I don't know how to threaten her yet (I'm sure I will come up with a few options very soon....a couple are coming to me now) or to let her know that her behaviors have consequences.
For over 2 hours we waited and this behavior persisted - so much so that I had taken everything possible away from Lucie that I could! I even started to threaten to go buy her new toys and then give them away to the kids at the orphanage - her tears were in some way, comforting to me because she was driving me absolutely CRAZY!!
Our meeting with Arly went well - he is a very nice man - but we have a very short time-frame to get a lot of details to him. I want to do everything possible to ensure we are in the May Consejo and can be home by mid-July - I will keep you posted on our progress.
Coming here, I knew that Martita would be a challenge but I didn't give much thought to my Goose. Lucie has always been so close to Martita - so sweet - and so secure in our relationship. I think she can sense that this is different - that Martita really is her sister and that she doesn't know where she fits. She's hot, she's not at home, she misses her Dad and her sister and her dogs - she always has this look on her face like "Can someone get me out of here?" Then I get her back to the townhouse and to the pool ......and the Lucie I know and love is reborn.
So I have to come up with some alternatives on these meetings...our wait time was about 119 minutes too long!!
Buenos Noches
Reason, Season, Life
I am entering this blog the day after....long and great day but was exhausted after Skyping with my husband last night - he is quite the sneaky planner - he organized and paid for a surprise Birthday Dinner party for me!! My taxi driver Herman and his family were there, Jason and Michele, Leigh Ellen, Trish, Allyson, Carlos and all the kids - It was awesome!!
It amazes me how close I feel to these people who I just met a week ago!! We all have something in common...adoption. We all have our stories - our challenges - our successes but we know we are all in support of eachother and can lean on eachother - what a blessing it is to have them in my life! I think about how I would feel if I was here by myself, attempting to complete this adoption without any support - It would be so much more difficult.
Today, after church - Leigh Ellen, Trish and I got together to talk about our challenges - read scripture and vent. One of the things we discussed was our support system. It was very emotional for my friends to discuss the lack of support they are receiving as time goes by in Nicaragua. Many of their closest friends - surprise them - how can they be so close to them and not understand and support them through this process? They often hear things like "This time will go by fast and then you're entire family will be together" - well, when you are here trying to get through each day - this sentiment is not appreciated.
I look back on my life and I have definitely had friends of all kinds - I think the saying goes "some friends you have for a reason, some friends for a season and some friends for life" (I always mess up these sayings, so it is probably a little off!!) but this has been so true for me. I used to always want all my friends to be for life.....but it doesn't work out that way.
I have only been here a week and have already been "surprised" by my friends and family!! A very new friend of mine has been extremly supportive and I think is in this for the long haul :D Some friends I haven't heard from and some, no surprise at all and continue to be supportive. But I don't know what's in the future. More surprises?
We have such high expectations of our loved ones and of our friends - I already feel "let down" by some of mine - is that fair? Why are some of our friends/family there for us and some are not? Do they love us less? If the roles were reversed, would I meet their expectations? Am I a friend for life? How do I or should I - set this experience aside and continue my friendships when I get home?
Our expectations of others ALWAYS lets me down - maybe not immediately but eventually. God is the only one who doesn't let me down - even though I question His timing as well from time to time!! I know as time goes on, my family and friends' support will mean even more to me - I pray that I receive what I need to not go to a funny farm straight from Nicaragua!!
My husband asked me last night "How are you REALLY doing?" It made me laugh because I cannot lose it YET!!! But I like that question and as long as I have love and support - I am doing just fine!!!
Ciao for now.....
It amazes me how close I feel to these people who I just met a week ago!! We all have something in common...adoption. We all have our stories - our challenges - our successes but we know we are all in support of eachother and can lean on eachother - what a blessing it is to have them in my life! I think about how I would feel if I was here by myself, attempting to complete this adoption without any support - It would be so much more difficult.
Today, after church - Leigh Ellen, Trish and I got together to talk about our challenges - read scripture and vent. One of the things we discussed was our support system. It was very emotional for my friends to discuss the lack of support they are receiving as time goes by in Nicaragua. Many of their closest friends - surprise them - how can they be so close to them and not understand and support them through this process? They often hear things like "This time will go by fast and then you're entire family will be together" - well, when you are here trying to get through each day - this sentiment is not appreciated.
I look back on my life and I have definitely had friends of all kinds - I think the saying goes "some friends you have for a reason, some friends for a season and some friends for life" (I always mess up these sayings, so it is probably a little off!!) but this has been so true for me. I used to always want all my friends to be for life.....but it doesn't work out that way.
I have only been here a week and have already been "surprised" by my friends and family!! A very new friend of mine has been extremly supportive and I think is in this for the long haul :D Some friends I haven't heard from and some, no surprise at all and continue to be supportive. But I don't know what's in the future. More surprises?
We have such high expectations of our loved ones and of our friends - I already feel "let down" by some of mine - is that fair? Why are some of our friends/family there for us and some are not? Do they love us less? If the roles were reversed, would I meet their expectations? Am I a friend for life? How do I or should I - set this experience aside and continue my friendships when I get home?
Our expectations of others ALWAYS lets me down - maybe not immediately but eventually. God is the only one who doesn't let me down - even though I question His timing as well from time to time!! I know as time goes on, my family and friends' support will mean even more to me - I pray that I receive what I need to not go to a funny farm straight from Nicaragua!!
My husband asked me last night "How are you REALLY doing?" It made me laugh because I cannot lose it YET!!! But I like that question and as long as I have love and support - I am doing just fine!!!
Ciao for now.....
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Celebrating my birth!
Well, today is my birthday and it was very busy!! In a very short time - I have made some good friends in Nicaragua - and while my husband was here, he was doing a little organizing on my behalf!! So I had a great day out shopping and site-seeing, a cake and a cook-out!! Didn't have enough time to feel sorry for myself and miss home and family and friends.
I was brought up to play up birthdays as much as possible. It is MY day! My Mom always tells me about the day I was born and I feel special - I don't want anyone else to have this day....it's mine!! So of course, when I know I won't get presents, cards and completely spoiled all day - I think "that just sucks!!!" So yesterday I started to think, why does it suck to be here on MY special day?
Birthday's are a celebration of birth - right? Am I celebrating my birth? I have the husband of my dreams - gorgeous children on the inside and out - a new addition to my family that we have worked so hard to get and family and friends who love me dearly. God has been so very good to me!!
I started the day with a run, listening to Chris Tomlin - If you don't know Chris Tomlin - he is so AWESOME and my spirit was so high - the best way to start my day. I laughed with my girls - Martita was helping me with the laundry and she is always talking but seldom making any sense - when I heard the word "Chi Chi's" and looked over and she was washing my bra :D I had good conversations with friends, who I cherish and watched the wackiest video from my family!! Lucie swam up to me at the end of the pool and kissed my leg and said "Happy Birthday my beautiful Momma"I had an awesome day!!
My husband celebrates the entire month of November as his birthday and I think he has the right idea!! So I leave you with this thought .... celebrating birth is something we should do more often - not just on our special day. Celebrate your life - what are the good things that happened to you - the good things you did, the people you made smile - who did you show love and kindness to. Then at the end of the day you can say "I celebrated my birth today"!!
I was brought up to play up birthdays as much as possible. It is MY day! My Mom always tells me about the day I was born and I feel special - I don't want anyone else to have this day....it's mine!! So of course, when I know I won't get presents, cards and completely spoiled all day - I think "that just sucks!!!" So yesterday I started to think, why does it suck to be here on MY special day?
Birthday's are a celebration of birth - right? Am I celebrating my birth? I have the husband of my dreams - gorgeous children on the inside and out - a new addition to my family that we have worked so hard to get and family and friends who love me dearly. God has been so very good to me!!
I started the day with a run, listening to Chris Tomlin - If you don't know Chris Tomlin - he is so AWESOME and my spirit was so high - the best way to start my day. I laughed with my girls - Martita was helping me with the laundry and she is always talking but seldom making any sense - when I heard the word "Chi Chi's" and looked over and she was washing my bra :D I had good conversations with friends, who I cherish and watched the wackiest video from my family!! Lucie swam up to me at the end of the pool and kissed my leg and said "Happy Birthday my beautiful Momma"I had an awesome day!!
My husband celebrates the entire month of November as his birthday and I think he has the right idea!! So I leave you with this thought .... celebrating birth is something we should do more often - not just on our special day. Celebrate your life - what are the good things that happened to you - the good things you did, the people you made smile - who did you show love and kindness to. Then at the end of the day you can say "I celebrated my birth today"!!
Friday, May 15, 2009
All in a shoebox
Buenos Noches!!! Hoy es una dia muy importante para mi familia - today is an important day for my family! We had the official "Legal Exit" and Martita is now in our custody from this day forward!! Pretty awesome....I still don't think it's hit me yet but everytime I look at her - I smile :D
We spent the entire day at the orphanage - it was awesome!! I ate lunch with Marina and had a back rub from Julissa - had my hair done by Leyla and then our big news was......the only horse at the orphanage died today....yes, it died today!! There was a bunch of men running around and Cynthia - who is in charge - looked worried - she told me the horse got out and then we saw one of the guards run out of the kitchen with a knife!! A VERY LARGE KNIFE!!! I asked Cynthia....what does he need a knife for?!?!?! And she replied - I have no idea!! Next thing we knew, the horse was dead (apparently from some type of disease and NOT the knife) and all the older boys and men workers were digging a big hole at the far end of the property. They put a rope around the horse and pulled him towards the big hold - Lucie was very upset that they were hurting the horse and I explained that the horse was already dead - she thought for a minute and then said "Well God made him so God can take him back" :D She makes me laugh!!
We waited until our appointment at 2:30 and the day seemed to drag at times - I was very anxious - they didn't have our paperwork (2 copies of the previous families' but not ours) but said everything was O.K. since it was their fault - we just have to go again on Monday to sign the document - this stuff happens all the time - it is VERY difficult to get your hopes up because nothing is certain!! I just sat and cried - thinking we were not going to be able to take her and then realizing we were - just a flippin' emotional roller-coaster!!
Once we got the approval - our cab driver was ready to go - I was rushing around trying to get Martita's things together and when I asked the director to get Martita's things together and she handed me a shoe box........ can you imagine leaving your home after your entire life.... almost 6 years with only a shoe box? It has some stickers, a small doll and a plastic necklace. Martita was thrilled to get it - I, on the other hand, was speechless. I thought about the suitcase I packed for Lucie for a few weeks in Nicaragua - the toys, the pictures, the clothes, the books.... and so many things left at home. But Martita --- all in a shoe box.
I realized that Martita has been and will always be our family - her things, her pictures, her loved ones are all in Virginia - there will be no more living off of beans and rice - getting rashes from not washing (she has one now on her bum), not having her own space and her own things but most of all....she will always have her dignity. That she will always have with us!!!
It will not be easy - we are already struggling with sharing, cleaning and communication - but we are on our way....we are actually on our way!!!
We spent the entire day at the orphanage - it was awesome!! I ate lunch with Marina and had a back rub from Julissa - had my hair done by Leyla and then our big news was......the only horse at the orphanage died today....yes, it died today!! There was a bunch of men running around and Cynthia - who is in charge - looked worried - she told me the horse got out and then we saw one of the guards run out of the kitchen with a knife!! A VERY LARGE KNIFE!!! I asked Cynthia....what does he need a knife for?!?!?! And she replied - I have no idea!! Next thing we knew, the horse was dead (apparently from some type of disease and NOT the knife) and all the older boys and men workers were digging a big hole at the far end of the property. They put a rope around the horse and pulled him towards the big hold - Lucie was very upset that they were hurting the horse and I explained that the horse was already dead - she thought for a minute and then said "Well God made him so God can take him back" :D She makes me laugh!!
We waited until our appointment at 2:30 and the day seemed to drag at times - I was very anxious - they didn't have our paperwork (2 copies of the previous families' but not ours) but said everything was O.K. since it was their fault - we just have to go again on Monday to sign the document - this stuff happens all the time - it is VERY difficult to get your hopes up because nothing is certain!! I just sat and cried - thinking we were not going to be able to take her and then realizing we were - just a flippin' emotional roller-coaster!!
Once we got the approval - our cab driver was ready to go - I was rushing around trying to get Martita's things together and when I asked the director to get Martita's things together and she handed me a shoe box........ can you imagine leaving your home after your entire life.... almost 6 years with only a shoe box? It has some stickers, a small doll and a plastic necklace. Martita was thrilled to get it - I, on the other hand, was speechless. I thought about the suitcase I packed for Lucie for a few weeks in Nicaragua - the toys, the pictures, the clothes, the books.... and so many things left at home. But Martita --- all in a shoe box.
I realized that Martita has been and will always be our family - her things, her pictures, her loved ones are all in Virginia - there will be no more living off of beans and rice - getting rashes from not washing (she has one now on her bum), not having her own space and her own things but most of all....she will always have her dignity. That she will always have with us!!!
It will not be easy - we are already struggling with sharing, cleaning and communication - but we are on our way....we are actually on our way!!!
Edward, Chester and Bubba
We have named the Geckos in the house - Edward (since Twilight - we name everyone Edward), Chester and Bubba - we thought maybe one was a girl....but girls NEVER eat bugs - so we are sticking with the boys!! We love our Gecko friends even though from time to time - they sprint out in front of me when I walk in a room or turn on a light - Chester is quite small - maybe a "baby" but we always greet them with smiles and pray they eat ants too!!!
Well, today is Friday May 15th and we have a big day ahead of us - we will be meeting with the social worker at the orphanage to take our girl home with us!!! Our fostering period offically begins and we are hoping to get our two site visits in before the next consejo!!
We are also going to Mi Familia (adoption agency) to give them some paperwork - just hope that everyone who is suppose to be there, is there and that all goes smoothly!!
I think it has been good to get a little settled before our sweet girl comes home with us - It is a big adjustment for us all - In Nicaragua, the most time I have ever spent with Martita is a week - so I cannot imagine what she must be thinking/feeling. We will actually have her FOREVER after today!!! AMAZING and UNBELIEVABLE!!!
Trying to perfect the sleeping arrangement with the widow AC - I turn it on about an hour before I go to bed and it's nice and cool in my room - but then after a couple of hours of sleep - I'm cold, so I turn it off, then a couple of hours later, I turn it on because I'm hot - HELP!!! Tonight I will try the lowest power to see if that works - I really like the noise it makes as well as, the cool air!! These are the big decisions I am making in Nicaragua!!! :D
Love to you all - Blessings and talk to you tomorrow (it's my birthday) 8)
Well, today is Friday May 15th and we have a big day ahead of us - we will be meeting with the social worker at the orphanage to take our girl home with us!!! Our fostering period offically begins and we are hoping to get our two site visits in before the next consejo!!
We are also going to Mi Familia (adoption agency) to give them some paperwork - just hope that everyone who is suppose to be there, is there and that all goes smoothly!!
I think it has been good to get a little settled before our sweet girl comes home with us - It is a big adjustment for us all - In Nicaragua, the most time I have ever spent with Martita is a week - so I cannot imagine what she must be thinking/feeling. We will actually have her FOREVER after today!!! AMAZING and UNBELIEVABLE!!!
Trying to perfect the sleeping arrangement with the widow AC - I turn it on about an hour before I go to bed and it's nice and cool in my room - but then after a couple of hours of sleep - I'm cold, so I turn it off, then a couple of hours later, I turn it on because I'm hot - HELP!!! Tonight I will try the lowest power to see if that works - I really like the noise it makes as well as, the cool air!! These are the big decisions I am making in Nicaragua!!! :D
Love to you all - Blessings and talk to you tomorrow (it's my birthday) 8)
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Good news....bad news
Good Morning!!! I am still on East Coast time and up by 5:00 AM everyday - It gives me a lot of extra time in the morning ;D but I am sure as time goes on, I will get on track! Yesterday was a big day for us - we had a meeting with a social worker at Mi Familia - this was the official meeting where our fostering time starts with Martita. The social worker was explaining Martita's health and behaviors (as if we haven't known her for 3 years)! It was a little comical but the fact that it's official - is nothing short than awesome!!
We were allowed to have Martita over night - so we came home and I made dinner for the four of us - Tim is leaving today (bad news) and so it was very nice to hang out together as a family. Leigh Ellen and Patricia came by with a Key-Lime Pie they bought from Price Club (yes, there is a Price Club here and it kicks butt) to say "goodbye" to Tim. They also invited me over for dinner tonight - they are very sweet and know that I will be sad to see my husband leave. They both have experienced the same thing - their husbands leaving, they kids leaving. It's tough!! We were discussing how everyone has to sacrifice - it's difficult to stay here, it's difficult to have to stay at home - I am blogging all my experiences and my husband will have just as much of an adventure at home, I'm sure!!
We are getting settled - we have a Taxi driver named "Herman" who is very nice - he tries to speak English but he helps me with my Spanish - which I love!! He is a very sweet man and extremely cost effective - he charges us $5 an hour! So he will pick me up and take me to the orphanage for 2 hours and it is $10 - not bad. I have been searching for a mirror since I arrived - there is not ONE in our house - we went to several stores with no success. Then after dinner, Herman shows up at our house with his wife and 2 boys and a mirror in hand!! He put it up for us and wouldn't let me pay him!! I feel very comfortable that he will help take care of us when my husband is gone!
Carlos is our interpreter and is also awesome! He has a really good relationship with our lawyer Nubia and he talks to her constantly - about our case and others as well - he calls in the evenings to give me status and to wish us a good night - he too is very sweet and helpful - I thank God for the people He has put in our lives to get through this process.
Either today or tomorrow - we will have full custody of Martita - so she will not have to go back to the orphanage - We have to submit 2 letters to Mi Familia today - one that explains why my husband has to go home to work and to care for Scarlett and the second explains how long we have known Martita and the time we have spent with her (84 days before arriving on this trip) to ask them to shorten the fostering time. So that is a BIG deal!! If they shorten the fostering time, we will be home sooner. Will be praying for that.
How I'm feeling? I'm excited about our adventure - I know that I am really getting back to the basics - cleaning our clothes - teaching my girls - lots of time alone with God - and that is exciting to me - to minimize my life and the simplicity is attractive.
I'm sad about my husband leaving - who will I talk to? He is my partner in this and I wish he could stay and experience every moment with me - He is also in charge of cleaning up bathroom duties (which Martita has several issues with from time to time) and that will now fall on me!! :D And I'm a little nervous about being here and taking care of the girls on my own - I always pride myself on being strong but this is a little scary to me.
I'm already sick and tired of the ants in the house!!! We asked Leigh Ellen lastnight - "what do you do about the ant situation" and she replied "I name them"!!! Love her!! I guess I have to keep my sense of humor as I am stepping on them, smashing them, KILLING THEM!!! Tim says if he sees me on Skype with my hair out of control and a strange look in my eye...he will know that I've lost it!!
Well, Tim is about to take Martita to school with our friends Jason and Michele. I will go for a run and then we will get Tim packed and ready for the airport - we leave at noon and his flight is at 3:00 PM - his time here has flown by - miss him already. :(
We were allowed to have Martita over night - so we came home and I made dinner for the four of us - Tim is leaving today (bad news) and so it was very nice to hang out together as a family. Leigh Ellen and Patricia came by with a Key-Lime Pie they bought from Price Club (yes, there is a Price Club here and it kicks butt) to say "goodbye" to Tim. They also invited me over for dinner tonight - they are very sweet and know that I will be sad to see my husband leave. They both have experienced the same thing - their husbands leaving, they kids leaving. It's tough!! We were discussing how everyone has to sacrifice - it's difficult to stay here, it's difficult to have to stay at home - I am blogging all my experiences and my husband will have just as much of an adventure at home, I'm sure!!
We are getting settled - we have a Taxi driver named "Herman" who is very nice - he tries to speak English but he helps me with my Spanish - which I love!! He is a very sweet man and extremely cost effective - he charges us $5 an hour! So he will pick me up and take me to the orphanage for 2 hours and it is $10 - not bad. I have been searching for a mirror since I arrived - there is not ONE in our house - we went to several stores with no success. Then after dinner, Herman shows up at our house with his wife and 2 boys and a mirror in hand!! He put it up for us and wouldn't let me pay him!! I feel very comfortable that he will help take care of us when my husband is gone!
Carlos is our interpreter and is also awesome! He has a really good relationship with our lawyer Nubia and he talks to her constantly - about our case and others as well - he calls in the evenings to give me status and to wish us a good night - he too is very sweet and helpful - I thank God for the people He has put in our lives to get through this process.
Either today or tomorrow - we will have full custody of Martita - so she will not have to go back to the orphanage - We have to submit 2 letters to Mi Familia today - one that explains why my husband has to go home to work and to care for Scarlett and the second explains how long we have known Martita and the time we have spent with her (84 days before arriving on this trip) to ask them to shorten the fostering time. So that is a BIG deal!! If they shorten the fostering time, we will be home sooner. Will be praying for that.
How I'm feeling? I'm excited about our adventure - I know that I am really getting back to the basics - cleaning our clothes - teaching my girls - lots of time alone with God - and that is exciting to me - to minimize my life and the simplicity is attractive.
I'm sad about my husband leaving - who will I talk to? He is my partner in this and I wish he could stay and experience every moment with me - He is also in charge of cleaning up bathroom duties (which Martita has several issues with from time to time) and that will now fall on me!! :D And I'm a little nervous about being here and taking care of the girls on my own - I always pride myself on being strong but this is a little scary to me.
I'm already sick and tired of the ants in the house!!! We asked Leigh Ellen lastnight - "what do you do about the ant situation" and she replied "I name them"!!! Love her!! I guess I have to keep my sense of humor as I am stepping on them, smashing them, KILLING THEM!!! Tim says if he sees me on Skype with my hair out of control and a strange look in my eye...he will know that I've lost it!!
Well, Tim is about to take Martita to school with our friends Jason and Michele. I will go for a run and then we will get Tim packed and ready for the airport - we leave at noon and his flight is at 3:00 PM - his time here has flown by - miss him already. :(
Monday, May 11, 2009
Buenos Dias!! It is Day 3 here for us and we are so happy to be in Nicaragua!! We arrived at noon last Saturday...uneventful travel with very few people so our day went so smoothly - we were afraid to say it outloud because that is not our usual experience!! All our luggage arrived and our translator, Carlos was at the airport to pick us up. I had only seen Carlos one time before and told Tim "I'm not sure what he looks like!!" AAAHHHHH!! But I waved at a possible suspect and he waved back!!
We went directly to Condo Allyson to drop off our bags and check into the townhouse - we were pleasantly surprised - it is a very large place (for a 2 bedroom) and we have an upstairs where the bedrooms are and after a thorough cleaning - I feel at home!!
Tim is here to set up my laptop, cameras, phone.....what would I have done here without him? Just having him here makes me feel safe and loved. He leaves on Wednesday and I am dreading it - this will be my greatest challenge!!
After we set up our townhouse, we went to the grocery store and bought soap, cleaners, food, water....everything we think we needed - of course, we will be back soon!! ;D We then started to get everything organized - what a chore but of course, I had to get it all done before I went to bed - so by the end of the day - we had been up since 3:30 AM (1:30 AM Nicaragua time) and in bed by 11:00 PM Nicaragua time - so almost a full 24 hours!!
Sunday was Mother's Day and I felt very torn on how I was feeling. So blessed to be here with Lucie, Tim and Martita but missing Scarlett more than I ever have before. It seems un-natural to be here without her. It is also the first Mother's Day since my Grandma passed away and I thought of her and Mom constantly - what beautiful women they are!! Generation after generation - how we evolve and how we love....changes the world. I kept looking at Martita and thinking - "Wow, I am her Mommy" it really is an amazing thing. I have such love for her in my heart and we are so ready to have her a part of our family.
We went to a church down the street from our house - it is full of Missionaries and the service is all in English - we met a lot of people and are starting to hear of activities that they have here - bible studies, dinner, support groups etc... Looking forward to getting to know some of the people better and to hear their stories...some amazing people here!! Many of the attendees also stay at Condo Allyson so I am sure to get to know some of them better - we have friends here already; Susan Belt who we have know for 2 years now - she leaves on Friday but it has been good to spend some time with her. Jason and Michele are adopting Jonathan and they are in the same place in the process of their adoption as we are - they are wonderful people and I am so glad they will be here with us!! Leigh Ellen is adopting Maria and Maria is Martita's best friend - so glad she is here too - Leigh Ellen always gives me good advice and is a great support to me - Again, I am so looking forward to creating strong bonds with all our new friends!!
After church - we went to the orphanage and talked Nubia into letting us take Martita for a few hours - we cannot have her in our care until the end of next week. So we brought Martita back with us to the house and went swimming for a few hours - we then went to a FABULOUS restaurant called "Asada" which means "grilled" in Spanish. We had amazing food and great company - Martita ate and ate and ate. That girl can eat!!! Lucie was attempting to clear her plate by putting some of her food on Martita's plate and Martita was more than happy to take it!! The two of them are quite a pair!!
Keeping the house clean is a challenge - we sweep and mop daily so far and use bug spray downstairs every night - a lot of red ants (that apparently don't bite) and bettles and lighting bugs ....slept with one of those last night. So I am already getting a tough exterior!! There is not ONE MIRROR in this entire house - so I am a sight for sore eyes and we are definitely going to buy some today!!
Sorry for the long blog - had a few days to catch up on - shorter more entertaining blogs to come!! Blessings to all my loved ones...miss you dearly!!!
We went directly to Condo Allyson to drop off our bags and check into the townhouse - we were pleasantly surprised - it is a very large place (for a 2 bedroom) and we have an upstairs where the bedrooms are and after a thorough cleaning - I feel at home!!
Tim is here to set up my laptop, cameras, phone.....what would I have done here without him? Just having him here makes me feel safe and loved. He leaves on Wednesday and I am dreading it - this will be my greatest challenge!!
After we set up our townhouse, we went to the grocery store and bought soap, cleaners, food, water....everything we think we needed - of course, we will be back soon!! ;D We then started to get everything organized - what a chore but of course, I had to get it all done before I went to bed - so by the end of the day - we had been up since 3:30 AM (1:30 AM Nicaragua time) and in bed by 11:00 PM Nicaragua time - so almost a full 24 hours!!
Sunday was Mother's Day and I felt very torn on how I was feeling. So blessed to be here with Lucie, Tim and Martita but missing Scarlett more than I ever have before. It seems un-natural to be here without her. It is also the first Mother's Day since my Grandma passed away and I thought of her and Mom constantly - what beautiful women they are!! Generation after generation - how we evolve and how we love....changes the world. I kept looking at Martita and thinking - "Wow, I am her Mommy" it really is an amazing thing. I have such love for her in my heart and we are so ready to have her a part of our family.
We went to a church down the street from our house - it is full of Missionaries and the service is all in English - we met a lot of people and are starting to hear of activities that they have here - bible studies, dinner, support groups etc... Looking forward to getting to know some of the people better and to hear their stories...some amazing people here!! Many of the attendees also stay at Condo Allyson so I am sure to get to know some of them better - we have friends here already; Susan Belt who we have know for 2 years now - she leaves on Friday but it has been good to spend some time with her. Jason and Michele are adopting Jonathan and they are in the same place in the process of their adoption as we are - they are wonderful people and I am so glad they will be here with us!! Leigh Ellen is adopting Maria and Maria is Martita's best friend - so glad she is here too - Leigh Ellen always gives me good advice and is a great support to me - Again, I am so looking forward to creating strong bonds with all our new friends!!
After church - we went to the orphanage and talked Nubia into letting us take Martita for a few hours - we cannot have her in our care until the end of next week. So we brought Martita back with us to the house and went swimming for a few hours - we then went to a FABULOUS restaurant called "Asada" which means "grilled" in Spanish. We had amazing food and great company - Martita ate and ate and ate. That girl can eat!!! Lucie was attempting to clear her plate by putting some of her food on Martita's plate and Martita was more than happy to take it!! The two of them are quite a pair!!
Keeping the house clean is a challenge - we sweep and mop daily so far and use bug spray downstairs every night - a lot of red ants (that apparently don't bite) and bettles and lighting bugs ....slept with one of those last night. So I am already getting a tough exterior!! There is not ONE MIRROR in this entire house - so I am a sight for sore eyes and we are definitely going to buy some today!!
Sorry for the long blog - had a few days to catch up on - shorter more entertaining blogs to come!! Blessings to all my loved ones...miss you dearly!!!
Monday, May 4, 2009
Preparing to leave on our big adventure
This is my first entry - setting up my blog - my husband is "training" me on how to download pictures, use the video phone and how to blog - what will I do without him? :D So excited to be able to document our trip! More entries to come....
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