Ecuador Day 2

It has been another full day. We did finally realize that the breakfast buffet was included as part of our stay so we finally ate a good breakfast. We were off to see Marcelo at 8:30 this morning. He was much more ready to see us and spent the first hour on our laps coloring or playing with cars. It was very relaxing and we can feel him coming closer to us. We played with sidewalk chalk that we had brought and traced eachother as you may be able to see in the picture. We fed the chickens, geese, and even a stray cat some popcorn which he loved. All the other kids were at school, it's the "semana de deportes" which is like field day at school all week long. We went to the school and watched whih was fun. They played basketball and soccer, it was good to know basketball has been introduced.

After lunch we returned and he was waiting for us with a big smile. Marcelo is much more comfortable walking farther from the home and exploring the grounds with us. Yesterday he looked back a lot making sure others where around. Today his comfort level has definitly increased. It's a unique experience bonding with a 5 year old who you only met a couple days ago. And yet the bond and love begins as it does with any child, with sacrafice and hard work. We've seen that love can trancend both language and culture. It's not measured in outward appearances or money. We have been awakened to the need to spend more time and energy with all of our kids. So many times other things take precedent that the kids are the last to receive whatever energy may be left. It was a very good day and there may be a chance he comes to the hotel with us tomorrow and sleeps away from the only home he's know. As we left today he told us for the first time "te amo", "I love you". It was very sweet and sincere and he was much more comfortable as we left knowing we'd return.

Thank you all for your prayers. We surely feel them and need them. May God bless us all especially as we enter in this Christmas season. May we all remember the child born in Bethlehem who taught us that sometimes we have to leave the ninety-nine to go after the one. There are a lot of "ones" out there. We love you all and think of home often. Carry on!

Rich and Jill

What an emotional and wonderful day. We met with the local social worker and our lawyer this morning. They prepped us on what to expect and an approximate time line of things to expect. Before we knew it (like within 30 minutes) they said, "all right, lets go". We of course had a bunch of emotions, excitement, nervousness, and happiness all mixed together not really knowing what to expect. The orphanage (Hogar Maria Bordoni) is only about 5 miles from our hotel. It's up the mountain and has an amazing view of the whole city of Loja. We kept imagening this small town up in the mountains but there are over 100,000 people that live in the city. We're at about 8000 ft. above sea level and the clouds hang over parts of the mountain peaks. Absolutely beautiful. Upon arriving we sat down and met with the nuns prior to meeting Marcelo. A few minutes they brought him out. He was emotional and anxious wondering if we were taking him immediatly. But after playing a little and going outside he warmed up very quickly. We played on the playground at the Hogar and as we left for lunch the main nun Hermana Conchita said, "give your Mom and Dad a hug and he came over and even gave us both kisses on the cheek. A very sweet and heartwarming moment for us. We came back after lunch and he met us at the door. We took a walk to his school and met his teachers. They showed us some of the work they have been doing and he showed us where they play. It was fun to get away from the Hogar and see where he goes for school. We went back and played with balloons and bubbles we had brought. They were a hit with all the kids. He is now calling us Mami and Papi whenever he wants to show us something. By the end of the afternoon we had quite a few quiet moments with just him walking, coloring, or reading to him. It was nice since we have had all the kids following us around. They are so sweet and precious. As we were leaving Marcelo sat in Jill's arms and kept saying, "no te vayas, no te vayas", which means "don't leave, don't leave", it was very emotional and also rewarding to know he felt that closeness after just one day. We are so blessed that he has been in this place where he has received wonderful teaching and most importantly they have given the children love. What a great day.

We got back to the hotel exhausted but got to talk to the rest of our kids via skype. It was great to see them. We miss them so much as well. I was emotional seeing them as my perspective of the importance of family has changed since the day began. What a blessing a family is!

Rich

P.S. We can't post pictures of Marcelo until we're all home, but there are a few back shots and scenery that we'll post. Thanks everyone, we love you all.

We were told to be at the airport at 3:30 for our 5:45 flight, just to find out the doors didn't even open til 4:30. So, after getting about 2 hours of sleep at our friend's home(they were so nice) we waited at the different part of the airport. On our way to Loja we saw part of the Andes mountains out the window of the plane(so beautiful).
The picture of Rich and I lookin very tired is us on the plane. We arrived in Loja to a one lane runway and it didn't look very long, But all was well. We stepped out to the most fresh smell I have ever smelled. We drove 40 min. to the actual city of Loja. We both collapsed on the bed for a very long nap....We walked around the city. It is so beautiful. The other picture of us is at the "gate" for the city. We then went to watch a soccer game that a bunch of guys were playing. We are so excited to see Marcelo. We are having to wait till tomorrow to see him, but we feel it has been nice to have a rest day before we start our wonderful adventure.

Sarah's 8

Sarah turned 8 in November. This is an exciting time because she got baptized. She was so excited and ready. I have never seen another kid so excited and focused on getting there and having this neat experience. She got baptized by her Daddy. Her friend, Spencer, got baptized too by his Dad, too. It was nice to visit with family and celebrate this special day.
Sarah is suchh a fun girl. She keeps all laughing and keeps us on our toes. She doesn't miss a beat. Her heart is so tender and sensitive, although she tries so hard to be strong. One thing I admire about Sarah is that when she wants to learn how to do something she gets focused and tries and tries until she can get down. She has shown this by learning to do the splits, cartwheels, and jump rope. She feels like she is so small, but I say her spirit is more of a giant. I love Sarah so much....she is my angel.

Ok Rich and I decided to keep a blog on our new adventure of bringing another boy into our family through adoption. We are leaving today for Ecuador to get our son Marcelo. He is in Loja. We started this journey a year ago. It has been such an amazing process. I have felt the Lord's hands in my life guiding us in every step. I have learned so much about children and being a mother. I have learned to trust those "special feelings" and trust in the Lord.
It has been such a rollercoaster of emotions this past week. I have prepared my home for me being gone for so long and realizing I will be gone from my kids for so long. ( I really love them).
I am emotional of missing my sister's wedding and missing the Christmas season at home. I love this time of year.
We related the story to our kids of how Christ left the 99 sheep and went to go get the ONE. I have a different understanding of the emotions that come with that. How sad to leave the others knowing what you will miss, loving them, but knowing that you love this one that is lost and how important to bring this one home.
The kids really liked that. Knowing if they were or ever lost we would do what ever it took to bring them home. Marcelo is apart of our family and we are so excited about bringing him home.
I hope he can and will feel our love and excitement to have him in our family. I wonder how he will adjust to a whole new life. He is losing everything around him that is familiar to him. I can't imagine what that is like for a 5 year old boy. He is my little hero.

I wanted to update on Kiefer and Caleb. I didn't get to write on their birthday and I couldn't update until I spoke a few words of praise to these two good and funny boys. I think back 4 years ago and how tired I was and how it was all about survival caring for two babies and now I look at us now and I am amazed. I love these boys so much. They are so sweet. I love watching them play together, how they know what the other is going to say, how they watch out for eachother, and how they love eachother.
Kiefer is so silly. It seems like he is always doing something goofy, coming up with funny sayings. He loves dora and diego. He loves to eat all day. He loves his sweets. Kiefer loves playing with his brothers. Kiefer loves to play games on the computer and on his sister's DS. Kiefer also just loves his baths as well. He will play all day in the bathtub if I let him. Such a fun boy.
Caleb is so sweet. He loves helping. He helps bring in groceries, fold clothes, put socks away in drawers(not matched up, but who can correct such sweetness), cooking.....you name it he is helping. He loves to color and really use every color and so neat about it. (kiefer uses one or two colors and it is everywhere :) ) Caleb is such a loving brother and at the same time such a boy. He loves to see how fast he can run. What a fun boy.
Needless to say I really enjoy having these two boys home with me all day. I feel very blessed to be their Mom.