Hmmm....there are plenty of things to talk about, but where-oh-where do we begin.
First off, I want to share a little about our first family Christmas and our first year with our daughter (one of the reasons that I have NOT updated the site in a while...family comes first!) I am aware that for some, this might be a bad time. For others, I hope that it gives you a little extra *staying* power (as it did for me two years ago).
On Christmas Eve, my parents came over to spend the night and share in Dani's first Christmas. I admit I was more excited about this Christmas than I have been since middle school. My husband and I were quickly inducted into the *some assembly required* mode meaning that you should give yourself 2-3 hours to assemble parts and accept that the manufacturers will always throw in extra spare parts to make you feel stupid. Luckily, our daughter slept deliciously late which gave us some time to pull ourselves together.
The big gift was her play-kitchen. She *loved* it. I was really amused watching a 15 month old child stirring imaginary soup, feeding her new baby doll, cooking various American dishes in the microwave and Guatemalan dishes in the oven. There is nothing more endearing than seeing a child with a huge grin on her (or his) face looking at you with those big brown eyes. This Christmas, she learned how to open presents....and how amazing it is to see her turn to her daddy to open and assemble her new toy. I felt an overwhelming joy at having this child in my life....suddenly, the recent sicknesses, sleep issues, job stresses and TIME stresses just didn't make a dent in our happiness. Yes, this is what we waited for.... And then, the icing on the cake: pointing to the Christmas tree and turning to her granddaddy and saying "Christ-tree".
Most of all, it is the hugs, the kisses and the laughing and the shrieks of joy that keep us smiling...
I hope everyone had a nice holiday....I hope that this new year will bring many more of our children home to cherish and enjoy!
Best of wishes to all.....
Posted by Kelly at December 28, 2003 08:28 PMKelly,
Thanks for sharing a glimpse into your wonderful first Christmas with Dani! I have spent mine dreaming of how great next Christmas will be at my home. As you said it is moments like those that we are waiting for. Have a blessed New Year. We'll keep praying for more children to come home as 2004 dawns.
Kathy in NC (waiting for Eliana, b 12/19/02)
Kathy,
I can say the same for me....I spent my Christmas dreaming about how it might be in the future. It wasn't awful, but not nearly the Christmas I had dreamed up last year! Still, I am grateful that I am waiting for a beautiful child to come into my life. It will happen...it is just a really difficult time of the year. It will pass and things will begin to move forward again. Soon, we will be posting our good news! As always, thanks for this great site Kelly, and congratulations on your wonderful first Christmas with Dani.
Happy New Year to all of us.
Susan (waiting for Andrew, b 4/5/03)
Posted by: Susan at December 29, 2003 06:31 PMKELLY..,
I'M SO HAPPY FOR YOU AND ALL THE NEW MOMS AND DADS WHO WERE ABLE TO SEE THEIR CHILDREN ON CHRISTMAS MORNING ..BUT , WHEN PETER COMES HOME (PLEASE GOD, SOON), WE WILL HAVE OUR CHRISTMAS..WITH TREE AND YES SANTA..THANK GOD FOR ARTIFICIAL TREES AND SANTA SUITS..I'M REALLY HAPPY FOR YOU..MAY YOU HAVE AND EVERYONE WHO READS THIS SITE..A HAPPY AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR....
MARION
Months ago, on the "big list" it was said that there were 1,000 to 1,500 families still waiting.
Does anyone know how many of these families are still waiting?
I want to know as I am keeping them in my thoughts and prayers.
Posted by: EB at December 30, 2003 02:30 AMSure, it's a joy to be able to celebrate that first Christmas with your grandchild, and, of course, Dani is special. She has always appeared to us as a little person rather than a baby.
But, the seldom mentioned joy that grandparents have, is that of watching their children's joy with their own children. And, I must add, the pride of having our daughter provide a service such as Guatadopt to others in the process of adopting a child.
The best we can wish for all of you that have or are in the process of adopting children it that you have the rewards that we have had in the process and the joy that we see in Kelly's eyes and the concern and love of her husband toward Dani.
God Bless You all and have a Blessed New Year.
Posted by: Felix (Dani's Granddaddy) at January 1, 2004 10:52 AMFelix, waht a wonderful e-mail, it's so sweet to hear a daddy and granddaddy view. I just wanted to say how I enjoyed reading your e-mail.
Posted by: ida at January 2, 2004 09:29 PM