Guatemala City and final paperwork

This morning we got up and got ready for our tour of Guatemala City, the capital of the country. We started by going into the mountains to the southwest to take some panoramic pictures of the city in the valley below. Victor, our guide and driver, informed us that Guatemalans drive crazy, but they know what they are doing. Next, we drove through a few typical neighborhoods. It was interesting to see electrified, barbed-wire lining the tops of the walls and gates of the homes. We stopped in the central plaza area to look at the National Cathedral and the National Palace (the "Guatemalan White House"). There were a lot of pigeons in the square, and I do not think that David was that impressed with all of the flying around. After making our way to the opposite side of the city, we got to see a relief map of Guatemala that was the size of a city pool. A guy in 1905 took off on horseback to survey the country and make this large scale three-dimensional map of the country. Being a geography teacher I thought that this was really cool. (Did I mention I have seen three volcanoes on this trip!!!!!!!) Victor also identified the area (Copan) where David probably comes from. Finally, we made it to the central market where we bought some decorations for David's room and then left for the hotel.



We ate lunch at a restaurant called Kacao, which was recommended to us by numerous people for having "traditional" Guatemalan food. We were not quite sure what we were eating, but it was delicious! David enjoyed it, but I think the setting was a little too formal for him. To tell the truth, it was a little weird having the waiter watch our every move to see what we needed next. Oh well... maybe I am not cut out to be wealthy and go to these fancy places. :)

The rest of the afternoon was spent killing time until I had to go back to the Embassy to get David's VISA and passport. Surprisingly, it was another quick trip. I think it actually took longer to drive there and back then to wait in line. The rest of the night has gone according to our new routine. Dinner, play, bath time, wind-down time, bed. I think we may be getting the hang of this.

Tomorrow is going to be a long day. We leave Guatemala City at 7:30am and arrive back in OKC around 2:30pm. We are hoping that David handles this new experience as well as he has all the other ones this week. The good thing is the plane to Houston will be loaded with other adoptive parents returning with their kids. The bad thing is that it could be a two and a half hour flight with a plane full of screaming kids! Either way we are ready to come home. Sometimes this trip has felt like a honeymoon and the relationship is yet to grow. We are ready to get back to the house and really begin the hard work of parenting.

As for Guatemala, it is a beautiful country, and we can never express enough what this process, trip, the country, and its people mean to us. We look forward to coming back when David is older and showing him where our family got its start.

See you soon,
Kyle

Antigua, Guatemala

Hello again. Today we went traveling through the beautiful countryside to Antigua, one of the oldest and most visited cities in Central America. We toured several old monasteries, convents and churches, some of which had been converted into luxurious hotels. Our private guide and driver instantly fell in love with David (anyone sensing a theme?), and we all participated in constant conversation about their lives in Guatemala and our lives back home. It was nice to hear a "native" provide the "real scoop" of life here...plus it was just another reminder that, in spite of cultural differences, we're all essentially the same--we're human. Jocoba (Jacob), our guide, did have one really important question for us; he wanted to know why we specifically chose Guatemala for our adoption, and we replied with the same reasons most of you know.
1). I've always known I wanted to adopt, and Kyle and I discussed it as an option before we got married.
2). Being teachers, we witness kids with so much potential, but it is not realized because of a lack of opportunities.
3). Guatemala uses primarily foster homes for "waiting" children versus orphanages.
4). We were too young when we began the process. All countries except Korea and Guatemala required adoptive parents to be at least 30 years old.
5). The trip down here was about only 3-4 hours from Houston, and we weren't required to travel several times for longer periods of time. As teachers, we hate to take off from school more than necessary.
6). Finally, we have a home and wanted to be parents, so it made sense to show love to a child that was already here.
Jocoba's response was simply that it sounded like we had definitely thought this through. Jocoba, I agree! Now, back to the trip!

The winding mountain roads, limitless variety of trees, cobblestone streets, colorfully painted houses and shops, surrounding mountains, the street vendors in traditional dress, and breath-taking views fail to describe the wealth and the poverty of the country. Guatemala seems to be rich in terms of human connection, expression/passion, trees and plentiful vegetation, delicious and natural food, and beautiful landscapes. However, poverty, hard work, and pure survival seem to plague the majority of the country.

Every moment with my new family is a blessing, however I couldn't help but think about the life of the children who came from David's background and how they end up working hard their entire lives, experiencing little to no education, just to make a few dollars. I'm extremely grateful for the potential David will have with us and his new life as an American, but I've seen many, young and old, I wanted to bring back in my suitcase. I don't mean to be "Debby Downer," but when you're away from all you know and you really take the time to reflect about your life, you realize how great you have it and just how connected and alike we really are.

Once we returned from our excursion, we played and ate and played some more. David continues to be a riot, and he's lessening the tears during bath time and taking off his shoes for the night. We've discovered that when our little man is allowed to help in a new task, he's distracted from his real or imaginary fears, and just focuses on being a "big boy," which he is. David's also saying a few more English words, like "please" and "easy," but they both sound like "cheesy." One new word that came up tonight was "bobo." We were eating at dinner, then suddenly he displayed a confused face, put his hand under his bottom, and replied "bobo," which apparently means "toot!" (I realize this is probably a "mom" story and is only funny & meaningful to me, but since I have a captive audience, and this is somewhat a diary for the trip, you have the privilege of reading all my thoughts and experiences. Lucky you!)

Tomorrow is one of last big days because we are taking a morning tour of Guatemala City and then we travel back to the Embassy to pick up his finalized paperwork and Visa so we can return home. Here's to more fun, and can't wait for you all to meet David, our little charmer!

FYI--In case you're wondering why I keep typing DAVID instead of MICAH, Kyle and I have decided that while we are still legally changing his name to Micah David when we get back home, he no longer seems to be a MICAH, and my heart now only knows him as DAVID. Hope that makes sense?! :)

Until we meet again,
Mama Em

The Journey Continues

Well another day is finishing. David is slowly headed towards bedtime. He still gets upset about his shoes coming off, but not as bad as the first night. Also, bath time was not as big of an ordeal tonight. He even helped squirt shampoo into Emily's hands and played a little with his toy boat.

Today we had to go to the U.S. Embassy down the road to get the final paperwork finished and turned into the "powers that be." We left the hotel at 7am packed and prepared for a long day of waiting in a room with a bunch of screaming children. So we were surprised when the process was over and we were back in our hotel room by 9:30am! Our Guatemalan contact/escort seemed surprised as well. Other than a diaper change, it was a pretty uneventful time for David. He did have some cookies thrown at him by a little girl, but he got to keep them so he was alright with the whole thing.

My dad and I went to the bank and had some money exchanged for the tours we will go on later this week. I got to shop for a few souvenirs, and then we came back to the hotel for lunch. The afternoon was spent playing and napping. He really enjoys pushing his stroller around with Curious George sitting in the seat, and when he tires of that, he jumps in and waits to go for a stroll. (It is almost like a dog waiting at the door with his leash in his mouth!) One of his other favorite activities is to show his cars to anyone that will listen to him. His conversations consist of "Hola" quickly followed by an even louder "carro." We went to the playroom again today, and the "toy-stealing" little girls were there. David kept his distance! However, there was another girl that he seemed to be keeping his eye on from across the room. The girl and her mom spoke Spanish, but found out that her name was Jasmine and she is five years-old. She was very helpful in assisting David as he moved things around the room and picked up the toys. He eventually pulled a chair beside her and just set there smiling from ear to ear. What a ladies' man! The four of us have decided that he is the cutest, most well-behaved kid in the hotel, but then again I think we may be a little biased.

Oh yeah... David was introduced to two American staples today: pizza and play-doh. We agreed that the pizza was "rico" (delicious), and we spent most of the play-doh time smelling it over and over again. Next step, making shapes. He also loves to wrestle and rough house. Upside-down, sideways, somersaults, swinging around; it is all good to him! He cracked us up today when the rough housing had ceased but he wanted more; he told me, "manos zapatos," because he wanted me to pick him up by his shoes and swing him in the air and back onto the bed.

Tomorrow we will be going on a half-day tour of Antigua, Guatemala. This is a smaller, traditional city with old churches, ruins, and a central market for shopping. Hopefully all of the stroller training will payoff! Talk to you later.

Kyle

PS-He seems to enjoy watching Curious George and the Backyardigans.

Our First Day

First, let me say that parenting is already taken its toll. (This is Emily, by the way). Every time I heard movement or a sound I woke up! Needless to say, the only reason I'm awake now is survival plus adrenaline. :) David slept through the night in his own bed and woke up with no problems whatsoever; he just played with his carro (car) on his bed and smiled. Then we had breakfast downstairs in the restaurant. Man, can he eat! He loves anything you put in front of him! No picky eater here! After eating, we came upstairs and played until lunchtime, which again, was so much fun to watch. He has some interesting habits already. He uses only adult utensils and cups; he smells his food before he eats it; he takes pieces of bread and scoots it across his plate to capture any escaping morsels of food; and get this: HE DRINKS COFFEE!!! Poppy (Grandpa Ken) had just told us that a Guatemalan co-worker mentioned that we shouldn't be surprised if he drinks cafe (coffee). Sure enough, toward the end of lunch, Kyle and I ordered some, and David gave me his cup, pointed to the coffee cup, and said, "Cafe!" We laughed it off, not sure of what he meant, and David again insisted on his request by pointing to the his cup, then Kyle's coffee cup, then his again. Kyle poured him some water-downed coffee, and sure enough, he downed it like it was pop!! Starbucks, here we come!!!

Another interesting event was playing in the play room with all the other adoptive kids and their families. He loves to pick up chairs and toys and move them around. He also didn't seem to enjoy it when other kids, especially the girls, tried to claim his toys. He seems every bit of two years old. What's his is his.

I'm just so impressed with how smart, beautiful, and pleasant he is. He doesn't seem to know any strangers. He has the cutest smile, long eyelashes, and a laugh that could shatter any frozen heart. He's already quickly picking up English; we simply say things in Spanish and follow up with the English version. He already calls Kyle "Daddy" and me "Mama," and his Curious George is "George." Additionally, he says, "gracias," and "de nada," when he gives or receives things, and he picks up all his toys after he's finished playing. He has amazing manners. He also is extremely cooperative and "knows the drill" when it comes to diaper changes, changing clothes, etc. Like most Guatemalan children, he is extremely attached to his shoes; they only take them off when it's time for bed.

Right now, he's the perfect son, and it's like we've been together all this time. We know there will be some more adjustments when we return home and establish our "norm," but all is well and happy. He is truly a delight and blessing, and I can't wait for you all to meet and fall in love with him like we have!

Emily

The Eagle has landed...

Well, the placement was delayed a couple of hours (go figure), so we did not get Micah until about 5:30. We got to talk with the foster mom about his daily routine and get information about David (his given name, we are going to change his name to Micah David). Emily and I very much got the sense that Micah was one of her favorites, and it was a hard thing for her to walk away from him. She was concerned about getting pictures of him from time to time as the last adoptive family promised to send pictures, but never did. After we finished the Q&A, we took Micah to the other side of the lobby as his foster family left. It was a very emotional time for all.

For the next couple of hours we played, had dinner, and played some more. Micah is a very outgoing kid, as stated by his foster mom. He loved the musical keyboard that we had brought for him and danced the night away; he very much enjoyed pressing the buttons while waving his arms and swaying his head to the music. Micah also loved his cars and wooden blocks. He would push his cars around the floor with lots of vroom, vrooms and beep, beeps. Everything was going well until we took off his shoes to get ready for bed. What happened next is what me friend refers to as a Total Child Meltdown (TCM). We do not know why, but he cried for a long while. Then as quickly as he started, he was done! We slowly wound down towards bed while playing with his favorite red car. As we speak he is sleeping and I am watching the Tech/OSU game in Spanish. Talk to you guys later.

Kyle

PS-The pictures. There are a couple of him playing before the TCM mentioned before and one of us with the foster mom and her family.

We have arrived....

Just thought I would leave a quick message to let you know that we have made it to Guatemala City and are getting settled into the hotel.  We should be meeting with our contact and the foster mom in a couple of hours.  After this get together, Micah will be with us.  It has been a long wait!

The pictures are of us at the OKC airport this morning (4:30am!!) and a view from our hotel.

About the bus picture.... I wanted to show you a Guatemalan bus turn signal. As we came to the hotel, the city buses were running everywhere, but when I looked at them I noticed a man hanging out of the door. I realized he was directing the traffic around the bus (ie-telling cars to slow down so that the bus could move over, yelling the all clear for the driver). I thought it was pretty cool.

Kyle

Beginnings...

Well....  it has been a busy week!  From worrying about paperwork to making travel arrangements, we have been through all sides of the process.  Emily and I are very excited to finally be able to go to Guatemala to complete our family.   This has been a long time coming for us.  We always knew that this would happen; it was just a matter of waiting on God's timing.  

If you had told us when we began the adoption process that it would take three years, you might have heard "No thank you" as your answer.  However, God works in strange ways, and looking back, we would not have had it any other way.  This long wait has allowed Emily and I to grow closer in our marriage, get our finances in order, prioritize, and gain a better understanding of the things that life throws your way and how God wants you to handle them.

We started this page to give us a chance to keep people updated about the trip and the weeks and months to come.  Again, thank you for the support you have given us from the beginning.

Kyle