One Last Family Photo

Well after spending so much time at home now and not having time to update this blog and yes, I know we have been very tardy with it but you try introducing a 2 year old into the mix at your home and see how much time you have...

Anyway, we are so glad to have Emily with us, and she is adjusting nicely and we are seeing her personality come out. I am attaching some photos and we may be ending the blog for now. If any of you want to stay in touch via email and I hope you do, here are a couple of email addresses for Anne and me.

itsatzu@cox.net

rloeffler2@cox.net

Thank you all SO VERY MUCH for all the prayers and support.

In His great LOVE,

Russell and Anne

One week at home.

Here is my quick update. We have great improvements. Today was the best so far. The big kids had dentist appointments so we were up and out of the house early, Emily did great and had fun at the dentist office. There is a big play house which she actually got out of the stroller to investigate. One of the dentists speaks Spanish so she talked to Emily and was able to actually look at her teeth happily. Emily wasn't supposed to have a check up, but the dentist said if she could take a look to see if there was anything we needed to address right away it would be good to check. She didn't see anything which is good news.

We then stopped at church to say "hi" to some friends. Emily let me carry her and then she ran and ran and ran. It is probably the most exercise she has ever had. She was happy and silly and was very friendly to everyone. And of course showed everyone her shoes. There are many people that speak Spanish so Emily was very comfortable.

It is amazing to see the changes in just a couple days. She says"Abby" very clearly and says "mommy" but looks at Evan. We are working on that. She clearly understands so much already in English. She is acting more and more like a two year old. she likes to throw things, most everything. She loves to give the dog treats. She is really liking the pool now and doesn't want to get out.

We are seeing her personality coming out, now that she is more comfortable here. She is funny and it is so nice to see her laugh.

Well, I guess that is all for now. We are getting more sleep and getting back into normal routine. School starts Monday, so without the big kids we will have lots of bonding time, but I will miss them and their help. They have been such a help especially with playing and being silly.

Thank you so much for your prayers we see the results.

More later, Anne.

Quick update-we are home.

Hi Everyone,

I have only a couple minutes to write something. We have been home since Thursday night and I have to say things are far from what I thought it would be like. Our flight home...yikes. There is pretty much constant crying and no comforting wanted. Emily is not sleeping and because the foster mom slept with her we are doing the same even though she doesn't want us there. Tough being two years old first of all but this adjustment is so huge. Temper tantrums and lots of crying. She will not let you take off her shoes and insists we all have shoes on. She says in Spanish that she wants to go to her foster mom and she makes the sound of the bus that they would ride on. It is really sad and most difficult is that she doesn't want to be held or comforted. So for now her needs are met and she is safe and loved. (though she doesn't want any touching) she wants to sit in the stroller, she has to hold all "her" things. I can't imagine what she is processing. I talked to a good friend that has adopted also and she says it could be weeks before we see a big change. The lack of sleep is really hard on me and Russell. He is going back to work Monday so we shall see how that is. Emily really likes the kids, but they are tired of the crying. (I don't blame them I feel the same). Of course there are so many emotions going on in each of us here. I have had a couple crying episodes, wondering what in the world are we doing, but I know the big picture and I am sure things will get better soon. Abby has been the best sister and helper. She strolled Emily around the house for hours yesterday. We are all affected by the lack of sleep and the crying. I look forward to the day when things are calmer around here.

Well, there is the latest. I apologize that I haven't called many of you. I have really no free time and have found this to be harder than bringing home a newborn. Please be patient with me as far as calls and email returns. Thanks so much.

We love you all and can't wait for you all to meet Emily. She really is a sweet girl and very cute when she does smile.

I'll write more when I can.

Anne.

July 28 - Embassy Appointment

Well the Embassy appointment went well. One of the interviewers actually use to line in Gilbert near where we live. What are the odds. There are 2 interviews of which the first takes about 3 minutes and the second about 10 minutes. Emily will be a US citizen once we go through immigration in Houston on Thursday. I go to pick up her visa and passport tomorrow at 3:30 PM.

Anyway, Emily is with us and Lily went home. That was somewhat emotional as we expected. Emily was ok for about an hour or so and then the first meltdown hit. She is scared and confused and I can't imagine what is going through her head. Thankfully we brought a stroller that Anne got a few weeks ago and she really likes to ride in it. I pushed her around for a while until she fell asleep and slept for about 45 minutes I guess. She was ok for another hour or so and then meltdown #2. Anne is strolling around right now as Emily fell asleep again. I hope there are no more and if there are, they are milder. I guess the stroller will come in handy at the Houston airport as we have a 5 hour layover. We are going to attempt to have some dinner as soon as Emily wakes up. Please continue to pray for peace and wisdom. Thank you all and God bless you.

Russell

Back in Guatemala

Well here we are back in Guatemala, again. That makes 4 times for Russell and 3 times for Anne. We arrived safely last night (Sunday) late and tried to get a good night sleep but there is so much to think about. We are about to add a two year old to the Loeffler mix. Evan and Abby are at home waiting for our return. Our home will have a very different dynamic next week.

Anyway, after having a little breakfast and reviewing some documents and procedures for the embassy appointment Tuesday we sat around and relaxed a bit. Later in the day we went out to Lily's (foster mom) house for a visit. We were treated to a wonderful lunch of Chili Rellenos, tostadas, black beans and tortillas. It was wonderful and I ate way too much. Lily is a wonderful cook. Afterward, a little football (soccer) with the boys (they are twelve and sixteen) and at their elevation of 4000+ ft., it did not take long for me to get winded. Then a little cumpleaños (birthday) celebration for Emily, cake and visiting. We had an absolute wonderful time.

We then returned to the hotel and sat and talked for a while and now it is bedtime. We have to be up early tomorrow for the embassy appointment and will try to update later tomorrow.

Thank you all for your prayers and remember tomorrow is the day Emily will leave Lily, so we will be praying for that time as it will be an emotional time. Would you please remember this in your prayers.

Thank you and buenas noches.

Russell

IT'S OFFICIAL WE HAVE OUR EMBASSY APPOINTMENT!!!!!

TODAY WE GOT OUR"PINK SLIP" WHICH IS THE OFFICIAL APPOINTMENT FOR OUR INTERVIEW AT THE EMBASSY IN GUATEMALA CITY. IT IS JULY 28TH AT 7:30 AM. IT IS SO HARD TO BELIEVE, AND A WEEK AGO WE FOUND OUT THAT SOME VERY IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS FROM THE U.S. SIDE'S VISA CENTER HAD BEEN FORWARDED TO CHINA INSTEAD OF GUATEMALA. JUST ONE MORE THING, BUT THAT WAS WORKED OUT LAST WEEK AND NOW WE ARE GOOD TO GO.

I HAVE TONS TO DO NOW AND WE WILL PROBABLY LEAVE ON SATURDAY OR SUNDAY. TRYING FOR SATURDAY SO WE CAN SPEND SOME TIME WITH EMILY AT HER FOSTER MOM'S. MY MIND IS RACING LIKE CRAZY.

PLEASE KEEP PRAYING MORE THAN EVER FOR THIS LAST WEEK BEFORE EMILY JOINS OUR FAMILY. THE INTERVIEW IS REALLY IMPORTANT AND THAT IS WHEN THEY DECIDE IF THEY WILL ISSUE HER VISA. WE JUST WANT HER TO BE AT PEACE WITH US AND NOT AFRAID. I AM PACKING TONS OF SNACKS AND BELIEVE IT OR NOT, LOLLIPOPS (ORGANIC AT LEAST).

I BETTER SIGN OFF FOR NOW. LOTS TO DO.

WE WILL UPDATE AS BEST WE CAN WHEN WE ARE THERE.

ANNE.

We are getting so close to bringing Emily home!

Here is the latest. As of last Thursday July 9th, Emily has a new birth certificate, passport and her second DNA test has been done. As soon as the results are sent to the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala City we will be given our "pink slip" which is the official notice with the Embassy Appointment time when we finalize Emily's adoption and she gets her visa. We were told that it could be in just two weeks from now. So hard to believe. We will be taking a lot of items to the orphanage again when we are there. We are praying that Guatemala will re-open adoptions soon so that so many of these children can find a loving family. It will be good to see the kids and take new toys and clothes etc... to them.

We will let you know as soon as we have our official appointment with the embassy. Please keep praying for her safety and that the transition is not too difficult for her. I am wondering how life will be with a two year old, a nine year old and as of July 9th Evan is 13, so a teenager. Should make life here very interesting. Emily just had her second birthday on July 10th. We will have a little party for her when we are there. Her foster mom wants to make us a meal and celebrate Emily's second birthday. I have the "2" candle waiting to be packed to go! We are told that she is doing well and is really growing. She also loves fruits and veggies and isn't a picky eater. Good to know.

More to come,
Anne.