Processing

We're OUT of PGN! Wahooo! (Please to insert crowd noises and cheering)

Ok, but what does that mean? I understand, with my brain, that it means our adoption is complete. But my heart is still in shock. I've lived here for over fourteen months and my "baby" is now seventeen months old. I only know how to be a mom in Guatemala. I don't know what kind of stroller I'll need in the U.S. or how Bella will react to being in a car all the time. I don't know what I'll do during the day when I only have to make one trip to the grocery store a week, instead of every single day like I do here because I can only carry so much home. And trips to the store won't kill as much time either because we can drive there instead of walking.

Will I be lonely? Will I be bored? Will I feel safe without men armed with machine guns on every corner? Will I still like Starbuck's coffee? Where will I buy the banana leaves to make tamales with?

How will it feel stepping off of the plane in Virginia instead of Spokane, without all of our friends and family to greet us?

Where are we going to live? (Greg's working on this one)

And we still have one final piece of the puzzle to fit into place. Our house in Spokane has not sold yet. Until it does, financially, we cannot buy another house or make any trips home to Washington. Could you all please pray that the house sells VERY soon? I really have my hopes set on Christmas at home in Spokane, surrounded by family and friends who have been waiting a very long time to see this little girl!

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In other news, my allergies, I suspect, have caused a sinus infection. I've got lots of pain and pressure and some other symptoms too yucky to share publicly. Going for more meds today.

And, of course, Bella now gets to leave the house! On our first day out, we went to lunch at Pollo Campero where we enjoyed some fried chicken, french fries, and playtime on the outdoor play toys. After lunch we picked up chillers at & Cafe and relaxed on a bench in Central Park. Bella took it all in stride, which was sort of anti-climactic after being stuck inside for almost two months!

Leaving the house for the first time in two months!

Mmmmm. French fries.

Posing - such a ham!

Taking a nap in Central Park

Look out USA! Here they come!