Look at how I'm growing! 8 months on Oct. 7th!

4 weeks in PGN and Lara leaves for Guatemala on October 7th!

Hello friends and family! We apologize for not posting more frequently this month, but with the start of a new school year and everything else going on, we've been so busy! Not to mention that we miss our sweet boy so much. On the positive side, we continue to hear good news about our case moving quickly through PGN. We've made it through an advisor and 2 reviewers who are the main ones to get through. We just need to get this last reviewer's sign off and then our file goes back to the sub general attorney's secretary and then to the actual Sub General Attorney's desk for final signature. Sorry that's a mouthful! I have been busy preparing to return to Guatemala and as of now, my plan is to leave on Blake's 8 month birthday, October 7th. It has been quite stressful starting a brand new kindergarten class and then 3 weeks later preparing for a substitute to take over, but I know it will all be worth it in the end. My 40 day leave will end on Dec. 12 and the children are out for the holiday vacation on the 18th. I will have to use personal days to make up for the 6 days I'll miss when my leave ends. Our plan is for me to return to work full time in January. As much as full time will kill me (being away from Blake) it seems we have to do it financially this year. I'm so excited for my mom to provide childcare for us when I do return to work! There is no place I'd rather have our baby. She is amazing and we know Blake will be in loving hands once again.

On another subject, we're very sad to say that our dear 11 year old friend, Gloria passed away peacefully from Neuroblastoma last Friday morning. Her funeral will be on Thursday and I plan to attend. It will be sad I'm sure, but we are glad she is not in pain anymore and in a better place. What a sweet angel she was. She will forever be in the hearts of many. These pictures of her were taken a week or two before her passing while I visited at the hospital. She was so excited to hear about Blake and in fact, that's all she could talk about. It's amazing that this sweet friend of mine could be lying in pain and hardly breath, yet was still able to express her happiness for us. This was Gloria. Always thinking of others. I don't remember ever hearing her complain until the very end when the pain was too much to take. She touched so many people's lives and I know that seems like what everyone says after someone's passing, but honestly this girl really did. This was apparent by the letters readers had sent into the Seattle Times sharing how Gloria had touched them. I'm still processing her death right now and am finding it difficult to even understand it completely, but in time I know I will realize more clearly how Gloria has changed my life. We all (those that knew Gloria) have been changed by knowing her; that's a fact.

Until October 7th, we will be busy getting ready to return to beautiful Guatemala! We are so happy to be nearing the end. It's hard to believe that this trip will be our "bring Blake home trip" finally!! (it still hasn't really sunk in yet). We love you all! By the way, the picture of the lady with all of the children is Rocio, Blake's foster mother. The older boy and girl (Angel and Karla) are siblings and have just been placed with a wonderful family in the states (they're still with Rocio, but will be adopted soon). The one holding Blake is her biological daughter Susy. Her other biological daughter is Caroline next to her. The other little boy and another girl (not pictured) are also waiting to go home to their families! With her own girls, that makes 7 children in her care! She is a loving and caring foster mother. I talked to her a couple of weeks ago and she was in tears knowing that she didn't have a lot more time with Blake. She was happy at the same time, but I can imagine what a tough job that would be.

Blake is 7 Months Old on September 7th!

Hello! Thought you might enjoy recent pictures received from Blake's doctor in Guatemala! Dr. Montiel continues to say all is well developmentally and that he's very healthy! He is 16 pounds and happy as can be! It is amazing to see how much he's grown in less than a month. Don't you love his little "big boy" shoes?!! We feel like we just left and he's already so grown up. We cannot wait to see our baby again to squeeze and kiss him. Soon, soon, soon. That's what we have to keep telling ourselves. In the meantime, we have to keep faith that everything will continue going well. He is in good hands. Enjoy.

Next Wednesday Makes 2 weeks in PGN!

It is so refreshing to know we are PGN. This sounds so silly to some people I'm sure, but after waiting so long, it is nice to know you are on the homeward stretch. Wednesday, August 29th we were officially submitted so next Wednesday will already be two weeks. We continue to hear good news from those working for us and are hoping to hear information about how it went with our first reviewer in PGN, next week. I have returned to work and have 24 sweet little 5 and 6 year olds that just look at me every day needing love. Although teaching is my life and I love every minute of it, I am CONSTANTLY thinking about our Blake. We now (of course) have pictures of him abounding in the house and in my classroom. The pictures are beautiful and remind us of our trip this summer, but they still make us long to see him and be with him even more. Today, Rocio, his amazing and loving foster mother called us just to update us on how he is doing. What a thoughtful gesture. I can't even tell you how good it was to hear her voice and learn that Blake is growing rapidly, eating like crazy and sitting up on his own! She also went to the doctor with him today for his 7 MONTH CHECKUP!! We can't believe he is 7 months. It is amazing how time flies. Many people have asked us how much longer and although we don't have a definite date, we are hopeful that we're almost done. We began our adoption at the beginning of February, 2007. We are heading into our 7 month now. Blake was just 2 weeks old on February 20, 2007 when we received a phone call and then an email with his darling pictures. We still remember the day we were sent them along with a message that said, "We have a healthy 2 week old baby boy available if you are interested." It didn't take us long to decide this one! :) Fortunately, on another subject, our agency was NOT one of the agencies affected by the recent "raid" in Antigua. Rumor has it that things are not as safe as they were in Antigua and this may affect where we stay when we return shortly to bring Blake home. Please pray for the safety of all the fostering families in Guatemala and for this to pass quickly. We continue to love to read your kind comments. They've stopped a bit since I returned so we'd love to hear from you if you get the chance.