Bringing Gabriel Home

Blog is Going Private

2010-10-16T13:14:00.002-04:00

I realize I haven't posted in awhile. It's just that we've been busy, but I plan to keep up with this blog. I have decided to go private with the blog as our adoption is over and we really don't need to keep everyone in the loop including strangers we don't know of our day to day lives.

If you wish to keep reading, please email me: terps1026@gmail.com and I will be happy to add you as a reader. ;-)

Goings on...

2010-05-14T20:48:00.002-04:00

Wow, it's been awhile since I've posted more words than pictures. Since the last time I blogged, my due date for baby #5 came and went with no baby, Greg and I celebrated 7 years of marriage, Gabriel turned 3 and we celebrated one more Mother's Day. Phew, that's a lot going on in the first week of May for our family! Then May 9th was Gabriel's referral date -- 3 years ago on that day, we learned that we would be the proud parents of a little, Guatemalan boy.

There are those that wonder how we've made it through five losses and a bunch of other things that are too private to share, but this is where we learn about grace, forgiveness and what "love" really means. Matthew 6: 14 - 15 says "For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins; your Father will not forgive your sins." That is how Greg and I have chosen to live our lives following Christ and how we are raising Gabriel.

So that's really all that's been going on in our household. Enjoying the spring weather here in FL and looking forward to the summer.....fall. I'm not a big fan of hot, stifling weather, which probably makes you wonder why we moved to FL....but I'll take a couple months of humidity over shoveling snow, anyday!

Have a great weekend! :-)

He did WHAT?

2010-04-28T20:01:00.002-04:00

So last weekend Greg went and bought some doughnuts from Dunk's. Gabriel absolutely loves them, but he hates having dirty hands. So as you can see, he found something to wipe them with -- the white arches in our house. Ah yes, the joys of having an almost three year old!

Guat Fun!

2010-04-28T19:54:00.003-04:00

Two weeks ago we had some close friends over that adopted a little girl from Guatemala named Meliza. We got to meet her for the first time and she's an absolute doll. They also have another girl, Kasenia, which they adopted from Russia. It was great watching Gabriel interact with another little child from his own country.

Israel

2010-04-28T19:49:00.002-04:00

Below is a beautiful, intricate model of Israel. It was incredible to see the workmanship that went in to creating this model.

Holy Land Experience

2010-04-28T19:31:00.008-04:00

Greg and I recently took a trip to Orlando to visit the Holy Land Experience where they reenact the Passion of Jesus Christ. It was incredibly moving.

A Little Further

2010-04-13T18:33:00.002-04:00

"It ain't how hard you can hit; its about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward"
---Rocky Balboa

The more I try to follow Christ and allow Him to be the leader of my life, the more I find the above quote from Sylvester Stallone's character is relevant to my walk. The more steps I take on faith, the more punches I take. In Romans 7, Paul writes "For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh)nothing good dwells, for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice."

I have gone through some dark nights of the soul, searching for God, finding Him, and then letting Him slip through my fingers. Even still, when I fall, when I lose heart, faith, and courage to move on, when I lose sight of Him, there is always something that pulls me back to Him. He is there. He is faithful even in my wretchedness. Always pushing me to go just a little further.

I have been hit hard, I have been shaken, but I am standing. Beaten and bloodied, but still standing, still moving forward.

--Greg

Disney 2010 in pictures...

2010-04-12T20:03:00.007-04:00

Toddler Bed...

2010-04-12T19:21:00.003-04:00

Well the time came for Gabriel to get a toddler bed so we just got this in a couple weeks ago. He loves to sit in it and watch his cartoons, if only he'd sleep the whole night in it....we'd be pretty happy. :-)

Forgiveness/Restoration

2010-02-02T14:01:00.002-05:00

There are few things that matter beyond forgiveness, forgiveness of other’s as well as forgiveness of oneself. If you are a Christian, that is the example that you are given by Christ, and that is a command you must be willing to accept if you are to expect Christ to forgive you. If you are seeking mercy, you must show mercy. If you are seeking love, you must show love. If we desire to be forgiven by Christ, we must show forgiveness to those who have wronged us.There are times of pain, times in which you may not think you can forgive, where even the thought of forgiveness seems so far removed from your circumstance that you may feel forgiveness is impossible. It is at those times we must turn toward Christ and the finished work of the cross.

The spirit of forgiveness is one of the few things that truly free us to totally surrender and submit to God. And it is here where we can experience what is unexplainable to those who do not believe in the power of Jesus Christ to change lives...it is here we are free to experience restoration.

For years Maria and I went through a sort of spiritual darkness, covered by attempts to follow Christ and outwardly, I'm sure it looked like we were doing a good job. We weren't, and it has been the forgiveness and mercy of a loving God that has brought us to a place where we can drink the restoring waters of the spirit.

For us, though we've been married for six and a half years, 2010 marks the first year that we are truly broken and surrendered to God...take us Lord and make us what you want us to be....

The lyrics to the song below are for my wife...whom I love and adore...you can hear the song itself by clicking on it on the playlist at the bottom of the page....

Call My Name

It's been so long since you felt like you were loved
So what went wrong?
But do you know there's a place where you belong
Here in My arms?

When you feel like you're alone in your sadness
And it seems like no one else in this whole world cares
And you want to get away from the madness
You just call My name and I'll be there
You just call My name and I'll be there

The pain inside has erased your hope for love
But soon you will find
That I'll give you all that your heart could ever want
And so much more

When you feel like you're alone in your sadness
And it seems like no one else in this whole world cares
And you want to get away from the madness
You just call My name and I'll be there
You just call My name and I'll be there

Oh, you just call My name
If you just call My name
Call My name, say it now
I want you to never doubt
The love I have for you is so alive
Call My name, say it now
I want you to never doubt
The love I have for you is so alive

You just call My name
You just call My name
You just call My name

The love I have for you is so alive
The love I have for you is so aliveYou just call My name
You just call My name
You just call My name

-GREG

Pain

2010-01-16T08:23:00.003-05:00

Pain is all relative and sometimes it takes tragedy to occur to realize this all the more. It is no secret that 2009 was a difficult year for our family. 2010 will be our year of hope, restoration and renewal. As I have gone about the last couple days with all that I have going on lately, I stopped to think of how much I have to be thankful for. I have a husband that loves me, a gorgeous son that I adore, my parents, a job, a home, our health. I have so much and yet, there are days I have taken all of that for granted. We all have.

When I read the prayer below this morning, it was another reminder that I have everything I could ever want and need to open my eyes more often and realize that I must not take anything for granted anymore because it could be gone in an instant. An instant.

Lord, I just want to say thank you, because this morning I woke up and knew where my children were. Because this morning my home was still standing, because this morning I am not crying because my husband, my child, my brother and sister needs to be buried out from underneath a pile of concrete, because this morning I was able to drink a glass of water, because this morning I was able to turn on the light, because this morning I was able to take a shower, because this morning I was not planning a funeral, but most of all, I thank you this morning because I still have a life and a voice to cry out for the people of Haiti.

Lord, I cry out to you, the ones that makes the impossible, possible, the one that turns darkness into light, I cry out that you give those mothers strength, that you give them peace that surpasses all understanding, that you may open the streets so that help can come, that you may provide doctors, nurses, food, water, and all that they need in a blink of an eye. For all those that have lost family members, give them peace, give them hope, give them courage to continue on. Protect the children and shield them with your power. I pray all this in the name of Jesus.

In an instant.

2009.....2010

2009-12-31T23:39:00.002-05:00

Well as this year draws to a close, I could not be happier to bid 2009 goodbye. It's been a trying year in our household to say the least. No need to recap all that happened. I look forward to what 2010 has in store for our family. I have a feeling 2010 is going to be a very good year.

Happy Almost 2010.

Christmas...

2009-12-31T23:38:00.003-05:00

I hope you all had a nice Christmas. We enjoyed ours in Miami this year and Gabriel loved all his gifts as usual. Although we all agreed that we should have just bought him action figures and he would have been just as content.

Two years ago, WHAT?

2009-12-06T15:06:00.004-05:00

Yes, two years ago today we landed in Ft Lauderdale with Gabriel -- our forever family. Our adoption process that had taken soooo long, had come to an end -- right there in the airport. I have a hard time wrapping my mind around the fact that it has been two years already.

During our adoption process I remember reading other people's stories. Their stories all talked about how time had flown by once they brought their children home, but I never really thought too much about it being us because we were going through so much paperwork and more paperwork to make all this happen. These stories all belonged to other people, not us. And then one day, December 6, 2007, our story began.

I have realized that there are moments that you will never forget. Some you wish to forget them while they are happening and others you hope they never end. Picking up our son in Guatemala will forever be one long moment in my mind. But two years ago, during our Embassy trip, I experienced a moment that I relive quite often because it is a daily reminder for me of how incredibly blessed Greg and I are.

We were sitting in the waiting area of the US Embassy with Gabriel and Colleen, our adoption facilitator in Guatemala, waiting to be called for our appointment. Colleen turned and said to me, "...you are one of the fortunate families...do you have any idea how blessed you are to be bringing Gabriel home for the holidays? Any family here would give anything to be in your place" at which point, I was left breathless and started to cry. I couldn't even say a word but I could tell she knew that I completely understood. I felt all the emotions of the last year and half come crashing down in one moment and I was so overwhelmed with emotion that all I could do was take that moment in.

Shiny gifts are nice for Christmas, but two years ago today, I got the best gift of all -- our son.

Halloween 2009 ~ Spidey Style

2009-11-01T18:54:00.008-05:00

Atlantic Beach Wedding Weekend in Pictures

2009-10-26T18:37:00.006-04:00

2009-10-26T18:13:00.003-04:00

It's funny how dogs and human finds each other even when you think you don't need another dog in your life. We already had two dogs and you would think that would have sufficed. Sadly, Eastwood had been abandoned and desparately needed a new home. Shortly after finding him, we suffered the loss of our fifth baby. Little did I know how much I would need Eastwood and what a comfort he would bring my broken heart.

He might have needed a loving home, but I needed him even more -- to help me realize that life does go on and that there is happiness on the other side of those tears.

Thank you, Eastwood. ♥

And one more makes three

2009-10-17T07:46:00.003-04:00

And now for some happy news -- let me introduce you to the newest member of our family.

He is a 6.5 year old German Shepherd that was abandoned in a subdivision where someone brought him to a local k-9 rescue service. We met him one weekend in September and absolutely adored him. He has an amazing personality, loves Gabriel and fits perfectly in with rest of the pack. Everyone that meets him simply adores him. I got to name him this time and picked Eastwood and everytime we tell people his name, they ask, "like Clint?"

Yes, like Clint.

Untitled

2009-10-17T07:22:00.004-04:00

I realize it has been over two months since I last posted and unfortunately I have a good reason for it this time. Shortly after my last post, I learned that I was pregnant. For those of you that know me very well, you all knew that after my loss in 2005, I never ever wanted to be pregnant again. But when I tested positive, I knew I had to do everything possible to keep this pregnancy. I went on blood thinner injections twice daily in my stomach, increased folic acid, had to see the doctor weekly and have my blood tested repeatedly, etc. I knew that if things didn't work out, at least I gave it my best try and there would be no regrets.

Unfortunately, my best was not good enough and now God holds one more of my angels in Heaven.

I'm sorry, sweet little one, whose hand I will never hold and face I will never touch. I'm sorry that my best was not good enough to keep you on this side of Earth. But I will carry the sound of your heart beating with me -- forever.

A Case of the Mondays....

2009-08-03T19:35:00.003-04:00

Well today started off normal up until we got a call from daycare that Gabriel had what they believed to be pink eye. So off I went to pick him up, drive him to the pedi in Neptune Beach to get a script and spend the day at home with mama. He had it in one eye and that lasted a short while until he rubbed his good eye with the mung in his bad eye and now it appears it has spread.

Let's just pray Greg and I don't get it. It's one thing to be two and have it and it's a whole 'nother thing to be an adult with green pus pouring out your eye -- not so cute! The good news is that Gabriel's ears continue to be clear of any drainage and aside from his eyes, he is doing very, very well.

I'm back....

2009-07-21T07:46:00.004-04:00

Wow, I can't believe it's been over a month since I've posted to my blog. I started a new job on 6/1 and I am finishing up the training this Friday. So friends, that's why I've been MIA. That should give you an idea of how busy I have been. Plus my regular hours will be 10am - 7pm four days a week and every Saturday from 9am-3pm. Good times....

Here are some pictures of Gabriel that are absolutely adorable of him trying to walk in his daddy's shoes. Need I say more?

Having Fun In Miami

2009-06-16T19:26:00.002-04:00

Feliz Cumpleaño, Gabriel!

2009-05-05T21:08:00.003-04:00

Today we celebrated Gabriel's 2nd birthday -- It truly is hard for us to believe that two years have gone by in the blink of an eye. Gabriel has brought us so much happiness that we never knew we were lacking in our lives. He is a blessing beyond measure and a gift from God we treasure daily.

Happy Birthday, sweet little Gabriel -- Your mama and daddy love you very, very much. ♥♥♥

Space Shuttle - 03/15/09

2009-03-22T16:25:00.002-04:00

We are able to see the Space Shuttle take off from our house everytime which is definitely very cool. At night it's even better!

Sunday Best

2009-03-22T16:19:00.003-04:00

My parents bought Gabriel this adorable linen outfit in the Keys a couple months ago and due to the chillier weather, we had no put it on him yet. Until a couple Sundays ago for church. He looks absolutely precious in this outfit.

First Trip to Dunk's

2009-03-22T07:24:00.005-04:00

Mmmmmmm grits!

2009-03-01T13:40:00.005-05:00

Gabriel adores grits just like his mama. There is no denying that. Maybe it's the texture. Or the yummy warmth in your belly, but we sure do love grits. After church today, we went out for brunch to our favorite neighborhood breakfast place. This is one of many restaurants that Gabriel goes to where the wait staff adores him. Once we arrive, they already know to bring him (and me) grits.

My Water Baptism

2009-03-01T13:25:00.003-05:00

Today I was water baptized at Journey Church by our dear friend and pastor, Eric. It was an experience I will never forget. I was honored to have Eric perform my baptism as he and his wife Mary Jo were instrumental during our adoption and helped us pray Gabriel home. They are our family as much as we are theirs and we will forever be grateful for them and their love. They were there for us during the bleakest of days when we weren't sure how Gabriel's adoption would end. Thank you, Eric and Mary Jo for always being there.

I was baptized in the Catholic church as a baby, but today's baptism was by my own choosing, for the repentence of my sins, a reacceptance of Jesus as my Lord and Savior and acknowledgement of my continuous walk with the Lord.

Today is a new day.

Before

After

San Marco

2009-03-01T13:22:00.003-05:00

Well, yesterday, we went to the San Marco Arts Festival here in Jax since it was such a beautiful day. On the way there, Gabriel passed out. He must have been exhausted because he fell asleep maybe five minutes after we left the house. At the time he was sucking on a lollipop that the nice ladies at Hair Cuttery gave him. In the first picture you can see the lollipop tucked away on his left side. He feel asleep with it in his hand and eventually let it go.

A Mother's Love Thirty Years Apart

2009-02-27T18:34:00.006-05:00

I had been meaning to add these two pictures to the blog for awhile now.

In the first picture, that is my mother holding me. As I had previously said in my earlier post today, I only have one mother and that is her above. I am a couple months old, if that, in this picture. The picture below that, is me holding Gabriel in Guatemala on our first visit down there in May 2007. He was two weeks old at the time. When we tell people that Gabriel is adopted, they usually respond with "Oh but he looks just like you!" Yeah, I know. It's funny, isn't it? I've also been told that I am just like my mom which is oh so true even though she's blonde and I'm a brunette.

For those that might be wonder why I said I have only one mother, that is my personal opinion and to each their own. My birthmother gave me life and I am grateful for that, but my mama (and dad) raised me. There is a big difference in my eyes.

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band

2009-02-27T15:44:00.008-05:00

As if it wasn't evident enough that Greg and I are huge Bruce fans, we are already training Gabriel for when he joins the E Street Band. Granted, the current members will be in their 70s, but that's just a technicality, right? I also heard that they are ok with potential band members bringing their Leap Frog guitars for their auditions, so it sounds like we are all set. Now we just wait for them to call on Gabriel. :-)

A Friend

2009-02-27T14:33:00.002-05:00

Well, I have a friend who recently adopted her first daughter and baby Charlotte is absolutely a precious gift to them and all around her. She and her husband know what it is like to be at their lowest low like Greg and I, and all those who have walked before us who have suffered loss after loss, only to walk away victorious. Greg once described my miscarriages as tasting the dirt beneath your feet as you plead to God wondering why us, again. That image has never left me.

Aside from our own adoption and two other friends (adoption and pregnancy), I have never prayed for another person like I prayed for my friend. I watched her go through hell to become a mother and two weeks ago after so many years of trying, it finally happened for them. They finally arrived at home last night and I am beyond elated for them to all be under one roof where they belong. It's funny how not only becoming a mother, but adopting a child can bring you so close to other adoptive mothers. Some of my closest friends are adoptive moms -- we share a bond that not every one has. This particular friend of mine, I have never met face to face but I would do anything for her.

I was once told that I was fortunate to be adopted because my birthmother loved me enough to want a better life for me and gave me up for adoption (or created an adoption plan as that is the PC way to phrase it nowadays) and my adoptive mom (which to me is my only mom) desired a child so much she (and my father) saved up for 14 years to adopt me. It was then that I realized how fortunate I was to have been adopted and one day I will share all my history and Gabriel's with him -- who better to share that with him than his own mother who experienced it all before him.

What is even more special to me is that my mom and I share that bond, not only as mother and daughter, but as two adoptive mothers. Funny how that turned out. Once again, God having His hand in things way before you ever knew how your life would turn out.

Short Update

2009-02-27T14:27:00.003-05:00

Well, when I last posted, I had recently been laid off and Gabriel's ears weren't doing so well. We actually received the news of his potential permanent hearing loss and my job loss all in the same week! Since then, I am employed and Gabriel's ears have improved drastically. We went in for his appointment on 2/12 and the doctor was very happy to report that his hearing had improved.

The job is going alright. With all new jobs, there is always a learning curve but not one that I won't catch on to. It's a bit far from my house (40 minute commute vs a 15 minute one I used to have), but with the economy, I am not complaining. A job is a job and it will help pay our bills and I am truly thankful to have a job.

We were both overjoyed with these news and indeed know that God is good -- all the time.

Adventure man!

2009-02-27T14:16:00.005-05:00

It is no secret that Greg is a huge lover of the outdoors whether it involves hiking, camping, whitewater rafting, being one with nature, etc. I couldn't be more different. My idea of adventure is none. I do not like adventure at all. Not only do I like to be in complete control of my situations, I don't like anything that will in essence throw me a curve ball. The idea of being out in the middle of nowhere freaks me out whereas Greg seeks that and actually finds it fun! Relaxation for me is to go away to a bed and breakfast, have massages and facials done at a spa and then wine and cheese watching a sunset from the balcony of our hotel. Funny how two people so different came together, right?

Well, Gabriel, I think is going to be more like Greg. He craves adventure and loves to play rough with Greg and that is all part of having a boy. We have some friends that gave Gabriel a backpack with his own sleeping bag, canteen, compass, flashlight, etc so that he can be just like his daddy. Soon enough Gabriel will be caught up on all Man vs Wild and Survivorman episodes on Discovery of which his father has seen ALL of them. Recently Gabriel allowed us to put this backpack on him and he weighs enough where the pack doesn't bring him down! So here's a picture of our little adventurous Guatemalan. :-)

Untitled

2009-02-11T16:05:00.005-05:00

I realize I have not blogged in a couple days and I apologize for that. My world has been turned upside down a bit by my recent lay off. So I am quickly trying to find a job which is incredibly time consuming, as you can well imagine. I am trying not to stress out about it, but that's not very easy with the given economy.

Gabriel goes back for his doctor's appointment tomorrow to check on his hearing once again. We are praying that they find he is hearing a bit better this time now that the infection has cleared out.

My parents will be in town this week/end, so I will upload some new pictures of lil' G who is growing up all too fast on us!

That's all for now....

My 2009 "Maria" Song

2009-01-30T09:17:00.003-05:00

Okay, as most of you regular readers know, Maria and I are political conservatives, however, we do not fall into the category of "I am never going to watch a movie or listen to the music of a liberal again". If I'm honest, we would probably be left with very little entertainment at all if we did that. In a larger sense, it illustrates the greatness of our country, but that's a topic for another time.

So, with that said, we have also been big fans of Bruce Springsteen's music for years, as you probably also know-- if you even visit the blog for 10 seconds you can figure that out--Bruce has a song on his new album which sums up very well what I feel about my wife...so, the lyrics are below...sorry its too new to get the tune on the blog yet, but I'm sure its coming...

My Lucky Day

In the room where fortune falls
On a day when chance is all
In the dark of this exile
I felt the grace of your smile
Honey you're my lucky day
Baby you're my lucky day
When I've lost all the other bets I've made
Honey you're my lucky day

I've seen strong hearts give way
To the burdens of the day
To the weary hands of time
Where fortune is not kind
Honey you're my lucky day
Baby you're my lucky day
When I've lost all the other bets I've made
Honey you're my lucky day

I have waited at your side
I've counted the tears you've cried
But to win darling we must pay
So don't hide your heart away
Honey you're my lucky day
Baby you're my lucky day
When I've lost all the other bets I've made
Honey you're my lucky day

Risky Toddlerness...

2009-01-27T12:52:00.005-05:00

Sorry I haven't blogged in a week, but since our adoption journey has ended, life has become more about spending time with Gabriel than actually blogging about it. Time is flying by and soon enough we will be planning his 2nd birthday. It doesn't even seem real to us yet. Gabriel is such a joy to raise, with everyday toddler challenges and tantrums, but we wouldn't have it any other way. Life before him was very vanilla.

To keep you up to speed -- Gabriel had his tubes put in on December 15th and we are going for a follow up today to the doctor since he has had some ear discharge or as I call it, ear mung, coming out of one side. That and a horrendous cough that leaves him gagging, gasping for air and tearing up. Poor bubba. So that's 3pm today.

I did want to post some pics of him from the other night when his dad was getting him ready for a bath and he came out running looking like Tom Cruise in Risky Business. :) Sorry if some of these are blurry, but it's hard to catch a picture of a still toddler! Does one even exist?

Naptime Rules!

2009-01-21T09:03:00.003-05:00

I wanted to share two really cute pictures of Gabriel sleeping at daycare. I happened to go by and see him during his naptime and captured these. He looks so peaceful without a thought or care in the world.

Cantina Laredo - Jax

2009-01-11T20:02:00.002-05:00

Friday night we had dinner with Amy, Mesa and family. Unfortunately we did not take any group shots, but here are some early ones of me and G.

My First Post

2008-12-24T08:03:00.002-05:00

For the past 18 plus months, Maria has been posting on this blog. Well, as we close in on Christmas, I am taking my turn. Over the past five and a half years I have been married to the most wonderful woman on the planet and I am grateful for her everyday, although often times I don't show it as I should. She is truly a blessing and a gift from a loving God. She is a fantastic wife and an amazing mother to our handsome little boy, Gabriel.

There are so many examples of her love and kindness that those who are privileged to know her have come to understand. So, as we look back on the past year, and forward to another, I am thankful for several things....I am thankful for the faith that saves me, I am thankful for the pain, the struggle, and the blessings this life brings, and I am thankful for Maria and Gabriel, the two most precious people in my life.

A year down...

2008-12-22T14:41:00.005-05:00

Sorry I haven't been around to post the last week or so, but I have been busy getting ready for the holidays and spending time with Greg, Gabriel and my parents who are in town through New Years.

I sit here and still cannot believe that it has been a full year since Gabriel came home. It is hard for Greg and I to remember a time when he has not been with us. We will never forget the journey it took to bring him home, but over time those long days of not knowing his fate and wondering what if this and what if that, slowly fade away. I never thought I wanted to be a mother -- it was a role I didn't think I was truly ready or cut out for. But I jumped in not knowing what I was headed for only to uncover a love like no other. A love that must be experienced to fully understand.

I will find myself trying to remember what life was like before Gabriel came home and all I keep remembering is an emptiness and loneliness that is no longer there. Surely Greg and I were a happily married couple, but after three miscarriages (in two years of marriage) of which the third one truly rocked me to my core, you can't help but wonder if someone would ever call us Mom and Dad. Unfortunately those losses are a part of us and while the pain dulls over time, you never truly let it all go. But through those losses, I learned how much I wanted to be a mother and how that love had been hidden within me all that time. When we visited Gabriel at 2 weeks old and had to say goodbye, I knew right then and there, that my heart was no longer my own and that this little boy would forever change my life.

This year, when I reflect on what I am thankful for, there simply are no words to explain the happiness in my heart when I look at Gabriel and know that our family is now complete. It might have taken Greg and I awhile to get here, but Gabriel was worth every night we worried, every tear we cried and every prayer we prayed.

Shopping for a tree!

2008-12-15T19:48:00.000-05:00

Heading home with our tree....

New Look

2008-12-13T10:10:00.003-05:00

Hi Everyone,

If you are reading this blog right now, you might notice we have a new look! The blog is still a bit under construction, but Danielle is almost done. We want it to look just perfect and that takes tweaking. I cannot rave enough about Danielle, her work, her customer service and her kindness.

For more about Danielle and her blog designs, please visit her site: blogsbydanielle.blogspot.com

Ladies and Gentleman, Welcome to Ft. Lauderdale...

2008-12-06T19:46:00.004-05:00

Today we celebrate one year since Gabriel arrived in the United States! What an amazing feeling it was to touch down on American soil and know that he had become a US citizen and that no one could take our son away from us. The adoption journey had truly ended and that was where we began a whole new phase. I cannot believe that a year has gone by and in a couple weeks we will be sharing our second Christmas at home with our son.

God indeed is very, very good. There were so many reasons why we shouldn't have gotten out of PGN in seven weeks and five days, but by the grace of God, we got out unscathed. We are living proof that God laid his hands on Greg and I (and Gabriel) during our journey -- we have no doubt.

Overlooking Ft Lauderdale, FL

Touching down at Ft Lauderdale's International Airport!

At my parent's house in Miami right before we left for the long drive back to Jacksonville.

Results of First Haircut

2008-12-03T21:15:00.001-05:00

And here he is after his first haircut sporting his new style in his then new stroller! Our sweet little guy.

G's First Haircut

2008-12-03T21:05:00.005-05:00

Well shortly after Entrega Final, Gabriel was in dire need of a haircut! So we rushed him over to the barber in the hotel who seriously gave not only the nicest haircuts but also the best shaves according to Greg and my dad.

When we would receive Gabriel's surprise pictures or doctor's reports, we would always wonder why his hair was so long and no one would cut it. Only to find out later that we would have had to have told our agency that we wanted his hair cut. So there he is a few days shy of being seven months old, getting his first haircut.

I laughed when other moms aked me if he had had his first haircut when he was a year old. Yeah, at that point, he had had four or five haircuts!!

What a day!

2008-12-03T20:33:00.005-05:00

Well, I couldn't let today go by without a post. Today marks one year, that's right, one year that Gabriel was placed in our arms FOREVER. What an amazing year it has been! I seriously cannot believe it has been a year. So much has happened, yet it seems like just yesterday we were waiting to hear from PGN, waiting to hear about Pink, waiting for his birth certificate. And yet, here we are, all under one roof and a baby boy in his room sleeping the night away.

This story could have ended very differently, but thankfully did not. What a journey it was to bring Gabriel home, but we would do again in a heartbeat. That child is beyond a blessing to us and we give thanks to God every day for him, for the sacrifice his birthmother made and for allowing our journey to end happily.

That picture above was taken during Entrega Final which translates to final handoff. In case you are wondering what happy looks like, you can see for yourself.

Seventeen months from beginning to end only to prove that slow and steady won this race.

Gabriel's First 12 Months

2008-12-01T00:23:00.003-05:00

Gabriel at four days old
Gabriel ~ One Month Old

Gabriel ~ Two Months Old

Gabriel ~ Three Months Old

Gabriel ~ Four Months Old

Gabriel ~ Five Months Old

Gabriel ~ Six Months Old

Gabriel ~ Seven Months Old

Gabriel ~ Eight Months Old

Gabriel ~ Nine Months Old

Gabriel ~ Ten Months Old

Gabriel ~ Eleven Months Old

Gabriel ~ Twelve Months Old

Contact Us

2008-12-01T00:20:00.000-05:00

If you have any questions, regarding Guatemalan adoptions or simply want to reach out to us, please email us!

To contact Maria, please email her at terps1026@yahoo.com

To contact Greg, please email him at terps717@yahoo.com

We look forward to hearing from you!

About Us

2008-12-01T00:19:00.000-05:00

- Coming Soon -

50,000 - Check It Out!

2008-11-23T20:05:00.004-05:00

Do you own a pair of shoes? Chances are you own more than one. Have a blog? Want to have it redone?

Check out this worthy cause! Danielle, who redoes blogs beautifully, is offering to redo people's blogs for $55 and donate $5 towards this charity that will provide shoes to those who don't have any.

If you wish to simply donate $5 which will give two pairs of shoes to needy children, here is their site: http://www.50000shoes.com/

I already emailed her to redo mine! I can't think of a better cause to donate money towards. People need shoes.

Ever Try Something for the First Time???

2008-11-23T17:33:00.003-05:00

And absolutely LOVE it?? Well that's what happened when Gabriel tried scrambled eggs for the first time last weekend! Not sure at first. They're kind of squishy and then devouring them.

Prayers Requested

2008-11-18T19:23:00.004-05:00

I normally don't post asking for prayers, but my heart is breaking for this family. A family I don't know. A family I most likely will never meet. But I am human and right now I cannot possibly imagine their pain. Her blog is below if you want to read about their journey. The bottom line is that they were ready to take their adopted child home and the birth mother changed her mind at the last minute. Having gone through an adoption myself, that concern was always there until the last moment when the adoption became final.

Please keep this family in your thoughts and prayers.

Their blog is: http://our-journey-to-parenthood.blogspot.com/

Gabriel Walking For The First Time!

2008-11-12T20:17:00.002-05:00

Below is a YouTube video of Gabriel walking last Tuesday for the first time all by himself. Of course he did it at daycare and we didn't get to see it. But I captured it on video to watch this moment over and over again. Does it possibly get any sweeter than this??

Gabriel had been walking with us while holding our hands. But he tooks his first steps all by himself last Tuesday, Nov 4, 2008. To say that watching this video moves me beyond words, is putting it mildy. Watching him take those steps are simply priceless. You might not see what I see, but that is why we love our kids above anyone else's. The smallest of achievements are like winning gold in the US Olympics.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWel4CHqf30

Truly Quite a Mess!

2008-11-12T19:41:00.003-05:00

Pasta Disaster!

2008-11-12T19:40:00.002-05:00

Check me out!!

2008-11-12T19:36:00.002-05:00

2008-11-05T19:59:00.000-05:00

Baby Dedication

2008-11-05T19:54:00.002-05:00

Halloween!

2008-11-05T19:50:00.003-05:00

Some New Pictures

2008-11-05T19:48:00.002-05:00

Fall Picture Day!

2008-10-22T20:16:00.003-04:00

Well today was fall picture day at daycare so we had to schnazz him up for his special day! I think we succeeded! From what we were told, Gabriel was a total ham for the photographer and they even heard a lot of belly laughs! Apparently he was the best behaved child during pictures today!!

Brrrrrrrr....

2008-10-22T20:14:00.001-04:00

Monday was definitely cooler than most mornings here in Jax. So we wanted to make sure G wouldn't get cold. Look at that smile!!

Church day

2008-10-22T20:12:00.003-04:00

Gabriel had on his Sunday best for church which was simply the most adorable outfit. Thankfully when he got too vocal, I gave him my keys to keep him quiet -- for maybe five minutes! The back of that blue vest has the most adorable Kenneth Cole crest. I hope he doesn't outgrow it too soon!!

Hmmmm.....an everything bagel!

2008-10-22T20:08:00.002-04:00

After pumpkin patching, we got hungry and went to Panera where Gabriel proceeded to talk my other half of my everything bagel -- the better half too, which would be the side with all the seeds and salt. He wouldn't give it back and held onto it for dear life, even to the car in the rain, out of the car and into Books - A - Million! Now I now what to give him to keep him quiet!!

More Punkin Patch Pics

2008-10-22T18:57:00.002-04:00

Punkin Patch!

2008-10-22T18:50:00.003-04:00

This past Saturday we took Gabriel to the Punkin Patch in Mandarin and had a blast! They had these red wagons that you could borrow to pull around to put your pumpkins in and Gabriel loved being pulled up and down the rows.

Going to the Park

2008-10-22T18:43:00.002-04:00

We took Gabriel to the park after work last week. He always enjoys going -- don't let the first picture think he didn't want to go. He just gets crabby from time to time.

And my favorite pic from our trip is...

2008-10-16T20:50:00.000-04:00

More Savannah

2008-10-16T20:48:00.002-04:00

Trip to Savannah

2008-10-16T20:43:00.002-04:00

Another Before Daycare Photo

2008-10-05T21:33:00.002-04:00

Before Daycare

2008-10-05T21:29:00.002-04:00

These pictures were taken right before daycare on Wednesday. I love his little red socks with those cute shoes I got for him!

Publix with the Grandparents

2008-10-05T21:26:00.002-04:00

My parents were in town last week and this was Gabriel's first ride in the big carts! He absolutely adored it! The only downside is that navigating that cart through the aisles can be quite interesting!

Pictures at the Park

2008-10-05T21:23:00.003-04:00

We like taking Gabriel to the park when we get home from work. It's a close distance from our house so we try to make it a daily thing. He enjoys walking there and once we arrive, he loves kicking his ball around or laughing at the bubbles we blow.

Following My Blog

2008-09-18T10:08:00.003-04:00

Blogger just added a feature where you can click and follow this blog. Please note the gadget to the right of this post. I'd love to know who is following my blog. If you want to follow our journey, please click there. :-)

Thanks!

Lack of Posts

2008-09-18T10:07:00.002-04:00

Sorry I haven't posted in the last couple days, but I've been sick since Sunday with a terrible cold. I'm hoping to kick it soon so that I can continue to post pictures and updates of Gabriel. :-)

Cough.....cough.....cough....sniffle.

Who Won the Super Bowl???

2008-09-13T19:14:00.002-04:00

In case you forgot who won the Super Bowl this past February!! We are ready for football season now! Go Giants!!

Crying it Out...

2008-09-13T19:07:00.005-04:00

We are finally putting Gabriel's crib to good use even though we brought him home from Guatemala nine months ago. It was time for him to learn the term "cry it out". Tonight is Day 4 of CIO and we are going strong! Sometimes for the sanity of everyone involved, it's best to pull it off like a bandaid and make it through that first night of crying. After that, it's all downhill! Now we put him in his crib and within ten minutes he's down for the count! Here's to getting some good sleep again!! We were beginning to forget what that was like.

Dr. Voss

2008-09-13T19:04:00.002-04:00

Greg's brother, sister-in-law and niece gave Gabriel this awesome doctor's kit. He's already putting it to good use! Thanks guys!!

9/11/01 -- Seven Years Later

2008-09-11T06:44:00.004-04:00

There was no way today could by without a post. Seven years ago today we experienced the most horrendous, disgusting, vile attack on American soil that unfortunately one day Gabriel will have to learn about in school. Greg and I will have to explain to him that we were living in the DC metro area at the time and I lost co-workers from National Geographic that day -- including a class of school children that were on their way to California for a special trip because they had gotten the best grades. Their plane crashed into the Pentagon. I will never forget a single detail about that day. Every year when the 9/11 anniversary comes around, I relive all those details all over again down to remembering the exact clothes I was wearing.

To all the Bush haters who read my blog -- You can hate on him all you want, but you can't deny the fact that he has kept you safe ever since 9/12/01. I am thankful for President Bush, for the fact that he holds national security so high on his agenda and the fact that he won the re-election in 2004. There may be a lot of important items on your list for the next president, but if national security isn't at the top, healthcare, gas prices, economy, social issues, etc. won't matter if you're dead because we got attacked again.

All pictures are from www.radified.com

Hmmmm....

2008-09-09T20:30:00.002-04:00

I would say that Zeke is fitting right it in Charleston, wouldn't you? :-) While we miss him terribly, we know this was the right choice and knowing that he likes it there, makes us very happy.

Mama's Favorite Time of the Day...

2008-09-09T19:45:00.002-04:00

I love my son dearly, but peace and quiet is wonderful every now and then, especially since he's no longer a baby and now a toddler! I can get a lot done in these 2 hours!

For my 200th post...

2008-09-09T19:41:00.004-04:00

I just had to show a picture of our little man wearing my favorite hat! This was a gift from a very dear family friend. :-) When we first got it, he was 7 months old and it was too big. Now it fits just perfectly.

"Ike"

2008-09-05T19:10:00.002-04:00

If you read my blog, I ask that you keep my parents in your thoughts and prayers as they are in the projected path of Hurricane Ike -- which appears will hit South Florida as a Cat 4. Shutters are going up tomorrow, cars are being moved, gas has been pumped and money has been taken out. Now, just pray and wait that this blows somewhere else and out of harm's way -- to anyone.

Happy 16 Month - a - Birthday!

2008-09-05T19:06:00.003-04:00

Well guess who turns 16 months old today?! Wow, how time flies by. To think that we have been home for the last 9 months!! That seems absolutely crazy to me. Yet we feel he has *always* been here with us. An absolute blessing and a daily reminder of what is important in life.

A Sad Day

2008-09-05T18:51:00.003-04:00

Well yesterday we had to do something very sad -- say goodbye to our dog and sweet companion, Zeke. Greg and I had to find Zeke a new home because ever since we brought Gabriel home he hasn't really adjusted. We miss him terribly and pray that he begins to love his new forever home. Here are some pictures from the moments right before Greg loaded him up in the car for the long ride to Charleston.

MORE RAIN...

2008-08-24T18:32:00.001-04:00

So we heard that by Sunday, the rain would be long gone and headed towards Tallahassee and Alabama. Well somehow we managed to get hit with more rain, thunder and lightning. Check out my yard. This all accumulated in less than thirty minutes!

R.L.

2008-08-24T18:31:00.001-04:00

Some colors look really good on people with olive skin. Orange is one of those colors for Gabriel. I just love this Polo shirt. He pimps the preppy look all too well.

Some Fay

2008-08-24T18:28:00.002-04:00

As some of you know, we got hit with Tropical Storm Fay this past week and it has been raining ever since. Here are two pictures of our backyard during the storm and Tino's reluctance to go out and do his business.

"Fat Pants"

2008-08-24T18:24:00.003-04:00

In our house, we have what we call fat pants. These are comfy pants we wear when we either don't feel well or we simply want to veg out and relax. This is one of Gabriel's fat pant outfits. In this sequence he was recovering from his recent ear infection and bout with stomach issues due to his antibiotics.

Extreme Measures???

2008-08-22T12:28:00.003-04:00

Let's see....Gabriel has a walker, a pack-n-play, a crib in a beautiful nursery, a "baby jail" and dozens of toys. What happens when he doesn't want to hang out in any of them or play with his baby toys??? Well, you resort to extreme measures and sit him next to you on your desk to play with YOUR toys. And apparently Gabriel is also a fan of QVC! Hahahahahahaha!

Right Before Daycare Pics...

2008-08-20T07:00:00.003-04:00

So every morning before Greg drops Gabriel off at daycare, I take pictures of him. Here are pics from the last two days...

Verdict is in...

2008-08-13T15:00:00.002-04:00

What Gabriel has is an ear infection! Poor little guy. So he is now on anti-biotics and taking it easy. But that doesn't mean he won't ride around in his favorite walker. :-)

Cough, cough, sniffle, sniffle

2008-08-11T21:26:00.004-04:00

I just wanted to update and let you guys know that Gabriel has been under the weather with a cold he most likely caught at DC and has had a fever off and on. It seems to have cleared up for the most part. But that is why I haven't posted in the last couple days.I'll get some cute pics of my big boy this week to share! We are doing to the doctor on Friday for his 15 month shots. I'm sure that will go really well. :-)

Second Day at Daycare

2008-08-06T18:25:00.004-04:00

Well, today was Gabriel's 2nd day at daycare and it went very well. He is quickly adjusting to his time there and really likes his caregivers. Above are two pictures right before Daddy dropped him off this morning and two shortly after we picked him up. A 1/2 day of play really wipes a little guy out!

Name THAT Dog! - UPDATED

2008-08-06T16:06:00.008-04:00

8/11/08 - Name has been chosen: Dog will continue with the name, Branson. I suggested Phoenix, but apparently that didn't cut it. Branson, it is.

My in-laws recently adopted a gorgeous 2 year old, Labrador and are in search of a name. He is currently named Branson right now as he was rescued from the floods in Branson, Missouri and rescue workers named him that. But they are not going to keep that name. Names not to suggest because they have already been held by previous dogs: Doc, Dakota, Thor, Freckles, Pups, Shannon (male dog), Riley, Duke, Tino, Rocky, Zeke, Lucky, Fluffy, Lexie, Alfie, Tillie, Taz and Reeces. Anything else is fair game, as long as it's a male name. :-)

Please post your suggestions in the comments by this Saturday at which point a decision will be made. I will post the final name.

Thank you!!

Happy 15 Month - a - Birthday!

2008-08-05T20:39:00.003-04:00

Where has the time gone? Today, Gabriel turned 15 months old which means that tomorrow will be 8 months since we have been home with him!! Yesterday was his first day of daycare. It was supposed to be a trial, but Monday turned out to be his first day and it went SO well! It made me so sad to see him sitting there with all his new buddies, looking like such a big boy. It hit me suddenly and I disolved into a puddle of mama tears. I just couldn't help it. My little baby is no longer a baby anymore.

Tomorrow is day #2. Let's hope I do better. :-)

Daycare Visit

2008-07-30T00:01:00.006-04:00

Today, Greg and I are going to meet the daycare owner and visit Gabriel's soon to be new DC facility. We are very excited about this! I am in the process of looking for a job outside the home and once that happens, G will begin daycare fulltime.

It's pretty amazing that on 8/6, it will be 8 months since we brought Gabriel home. Time has definitely gone by very fast. I can hardly believe it and we have been enjoying every minute of it. This little boy is a pure blessing and we simply cannot picture our lives without him. It is like he has always been a part of our home and especially a part of our hearts. I seem to find myself telling Greg often, that I don't remember what life was like pre-Gabriel. When I think too hard about it, I realize how empty our lives really were before him. Life will never, ever be the same as it was once pre-May 9, 2007 and we wouldn't have it any other way.

Please note: For obvious reasons, the name of the daycare will not be mentioned nor ever referred to by name on the blog, for security reasons. In the future, it will simply be referred to as DCP (daycare provider) or DC (daycare).

GUATOBERFEST 2008!

2008-07-29T15:50:00.004-04:00

For more information on this year's Guatoberfest, please check out this link. This is the 2nd annual one and it's expected to be a bigger one that last year! What a great time to meet other families who have adopted and meet those you have been getting to know all during the months of your adoption process! We can't wait!