WE HAVE OUR EMBASSY APPT. AND ARE REALLY COMING HOME THIS TIME!!!

Hallelujah! We finally received our Visa/Embassy Appt. on Thursday morning!!! This is the VERY LAST THING we have to do before coming home. Our appointment is set for Monday, February 4th (in 16 days and yes, we're counting them down), which is not too far out. We were hoping for sooner, but apparently the holidays have backed up the embassy's appointments. We will hang in there though. Of course we've already emailed them to see if we can get an earlier appointment or be put on the cancellation list, but we haven't heard back yet. That probably won't happen though so we'll just enjoy our last couple of weeks in Antigua. We can't even imagine what it will be like to be at home now. Every adoptive family here says, "Until I'm on that plane, I won't feel like we're really going home." This is so true. It often seems like things will always go on and on and you'll never see this day. It is actually here for us. Our plan is to go to the embassy for our 7:15 AM appt. on Monday, the 4th. Then, Blake's Visa will be available for pick up after 3:00 the next day. Therefore, we will fly back home on Wednesday, February 6th!!! And, this is 1 DAY BEFORE BLAKE'S FIRST BIRTHDAY!!!! It will be exactly one year since he was born that we have been going through the adoption process. Wow! This has been an amazing journey. Blake is SO WORTH everything we've gone through here. Yes, it has been VERY frustrating and emotionally draining at times, but for the most part, the things we have experienced and seen in Guatemala we are so lucky to have been a part of. How often can you wake up in the morning to sunshine and the sound of doves in the trees? How often can you say "Buenos Dias!" to every person that walks by and have them respond happily? How many times can you see pigs wandering through the streets like dogs and walk on a beach with your baby on your back? (yesterday's trip to Monterrico beach). How often can you make friends with and directly help a child in need by walking to the nearest park? How often can you order any type of fruit smoothie just by walking up to a bar in a cafe? The list goes on and on. We are SO thankful for Blake and this trip. We have been able to foster Blake for 5 months and we can't imagine life without him. At this point, we'd like to take 3 children home with us when we go, but that's impossible. All we can say is that if you are even the slightest bit interested in adopting, DO IT!!! You will never regret it. Yes, it can be trying, but like I continue to say, SO WORTH IT when you see that little smile every morning! Anyway, we're hoping to post more pictures soon. I'm taking my new fancy disposable camera to the camera store today so look for new ones tonight! We can't wait to see you! Chris said he's planning on kissing the airport floor as soon as we walk off the plane (hee, hee)!