Memories

This weekend was JAM PACKED with visiting the girls everyday! Friday Doug and I met the girls for the first time. Eliana sat quietly on the floor just taking everything in. Esther clung to an orphanage worker. Both had just been awoken from their naps and were not quite ready for new faces. We gave them their bottles and then Esther wouldn't let go of me. Eliana errupted into a ball of play and inhabition. After a little while Esther warmed up and they both played and we had fun tickling them and hugging.

Saturday, Doug and I visited again and the girls didn't seem to have any issues with coming to us for their bottles. We fed them their milk and then walked them to a "park" of sorts. We played ball and blew bubbles before returning to the orphanage to play out in the front "yard." One memory I don't want to ever forget, was my feeling when the girls snuck around the corner to try to enter the orphanage to be with their friends and "aunts." My heart sank thinking, "wait, you're mine now and I'm not ready for my time with you today to end." Then I heard one of the "aunts" tell them to go play with mommy and daddy. It was then that Esther came running around the corner. I held out my arms and she came running to me arms outstretched and grinning from ear to ear. Then immediately after that Eliana did the same. My heart was full at that moment!!

Yesterday, the whole family went to visit the girls. Caleb and Hannah watched and tried to make eye contact as we fed the girls their afternoon bottle of milk. Then we went into the back yard of the orphanage to play. Caleb and Hannah did a great job of playing and helping the girls. It was so neat to sit back for a moment and watch my FOUR children at play together. What a blessing!!
After playing for about an hour and a half the "aunts" had a little going away party for the girls. During this time, one of the "aunts" told me that after Doug and I had left on Saturday the girls were playing and pointed to the door asking for daddy and mommy. Then my heart was filled again with emotion and a little bit of heart break when we had to leave. Not necessarily because we had to leave again, but because from her high chair, Esther raised her hands and said, "vamos." (Let's go.) I had to tell her tomorrow my love. She started to cry softly.

Now, "tomorrow" is today. The "future" is now. Today is the day we meet the judge and petition for foster care custody until we can get full custody when the adoption is finalized in just a few short months.
God is AMAZING and we continue to pray that GOD RECEIVES THE GLORY!!!

We have LOTS of pictures but we can't post any publically until we get foster care custody. Tune in later today or tomorrow for pictures of our BEAUTIFUL family!!