Reflecting
Yesterday we met with Dr Figureoa. He was very professional. The clinic he runs is beautiful, clean and modern. Alexander's vaccinations are up to date and he has had all of his well baby check ups.
Dr. Figureoa is really impressed with Alexander's development and special tricks. He was kind and knowledgable. A photo of him and his brother playing doctor at a young age hangs in the reception area. The brother, the other Dr. Figureoa, is the same one who did Alexander's lip surgery free of charge.
After meeting with him we went to Antigua. Carlos drove us in his spotless taxi cab. Antigua is a real jewel of a city. It is a colonial Spanish town, with beautiful cobblestone streets, pastel colored buildings, gorgeous tile work with fountains and flowers everywhere. We stayed at Hotel Aurora which had a scenic central patio and inlaid floors. Huge ornate iron gates adorn the outside.
We visited Caso Santo Domingo, toured the crypts and ruins as well as enjoyed the incredible architecture of the 15th century monastery.
After a great lunch at Cafe Contessa, we hit the artesan market. Women weave intricate designs and sell their handicrafts. Jade, tiger eye and various other stones are crafted into beuatiful jewelry.
Antigua is an international attraction and we ran across people from all over the globe. Carlos picked us up, on time as usual (by US standards) and we enjoyed his company as he drove us back to the city.
When we returned to Casa Grande, we met a delightful trio of Australian grandmothers. They were finishing a two month trip through Mexico and Central America. They shared many stories and laughs as well as great information about Antigua. They were thrilled to meet Alexander when Miriam brought him to the hotel Tuesday afternoon.
Alexander and Miriam stayed with us until Carlos picked them up at 9:30. We shared a wonderful dinner and chatted with other adopting families and guests at the Casa.
We spent time this past week with some very special people; Marilyn and her baby Jhestin, Marilou and her parents who contributed so much as they were very famliar with Guatemala, Jennifer, Braun, Relief and Haydee, Marcos' parents from Missouri and the lovely staff at the Casa.
The nuns and Meridith from the Hogar left a lasting impression. The strong love and fierce protection they show for the children in their care inspires me to be a better mother. The nuns sense of industry and innovation, resourcefulness and the fact that all of them have an intellectual fire that could be used in any capacity, yet they have chosen to serve the voiceless. Truly something special and an experience to be treasured.
Antigua, a city alive with and seeped in beauty and traditon is a place whose memories I will savor.
Friendship and unconditional love and support are epitomized by my girfriends and dear husband as well as the family who have prayed for and supported us during our journey.
Anna's volunteering to come along for the trip, Christine's capacity and cheerful offer to help care for Charlie, Michelle's generosity and the wonderful wardrobe (Alexander is the best dressed kid in Guatemala) , Kelly and Dan's sweet cards, Nicky's thoughtful gifts and listening heart, all of the friends and family who lend a caring ear and encourage us....Rosie's patient second language writing tutorials..... Our parents and Eddy's sister and family who have recently walked the same path... The list of blessings is infinite and this is just a snapshot.
Memories of Alexander are poignant, intense and sweet. His great wide smile, his laugh, content personality, curiousity and the way he strokes my face and plays with my hair. The fact that he will not break eye contact unless he sees a spectacular bird or cloud....his active body and peaceful spirit. He is our little love and we are so grateful for the Lorenzanos committment to give him a better start in life than I even fantasized was possible in foster care. Of course, we are deeply appreciative that his birth mother, Maria Laynez, has blessed us so by his very existence.
The sweetness of Charlie's embrace when I came home and her loving spirit and spontaneous affection, her little upturned face as she said "Mama, I missed you when you were in Guatemama". I do not think life gets any sweeter.
Eddy's enthusiasm and eagerness to hear all about the trip, his trusting spirit and adventurous attitude... Mostly his capactiy for love.
So, this trip was one of the most moving experiences of my life, along with my wedding and Charlie's birth. I could not have planned anything, even the rough spots, more perfectly. So, so sweet. I do not remember which literary type talked about sucking the marrow out of life, but I get what he was talking about in moments like these.
Dr. Figureoa is really impressed with Alexander's development and special tricks. He was kind and knowledgable. A photo of him and his brother playing doctor at a young age hangs in the reception area. The brother, the other Dr. Figureoa, is the same one who did Alexander's lip surgery free of charge.
After meeting with him we went to Antigua. Carlos drove us in his spotless taxi cab. Antigua is a real jewel of a city. It is a colonial Spanish town, with beautiful cobblestone streets, pastel colored buildings, gorgeous tile work with fountains and flowers everywhere. We stayed at Hotel Aurora which had a scenic central patio and inlaid floors. Huge ornate iron gates adorn the outside.
We visited Caso Santo Domingo, toured the crypts and ruins as well as enjoyed the incredible architecture of the 15th century monastery.
After a great lunch at Cafe Contessa, we hit the artesan market. Women weave intricate designs and sell their handicrafts. Jade, tiger eye and various other stones are crafted into beuatiful jewelry.
Antigua is an international attraction and we ran across people from all over the globe. Carlos picked us up, on time as usual (by US standards) and we enjoyed his company as he drove us back to the city.
When we returned to Casa Grande, we met a delightful trio of Australian grandmothers. They were finishing a two month trip through Mexico and Central America. They shared many stories and laughs as well as great information about Antigua. They were thrilled to meet Alexander when Miriam brought him to the hotel Tuesday afternoon.
Alexander and Miriam stayed with us until Carlos picked them up at 9:30. We shared a wonderful dinner and chatted with other adopting families and guests at the Casa.
We spent time this past week with some very special people; Marilyn and her baby Jhestin, Marilou and her parents who contributed so much as they were very famliar with Guatemala, Jennifer, Braun, Relief and Haydee, Marcos' parents from Missouri and the lovely staff at the Casa.
The nuns and Meridith from the Hogar left a lasting impression. The strong love and fierce protection they show for the children in their care inspires me to be a better mother. The nuns sense of industry and innovation, resourcefulness and the fact that all of them have an intellectual fire that could be used in any capacity, yet they have chosen to serve the voiceless. Truly something special and an experience to be treasured.
Antigua, a city alive with and seeped in beauty and traditon is a place whose memories I will savor.
Friendship and unconditional love and support are epitomized by my girfriends and dear husband as well as the family who have prayed for and supported us during our journey.
Anna's volunteering to come along for the trip, Christine's capacity and cheerful offer to help care for Charlie, Michelle's generosity and the wonderful wardrobe (Alexander is the best dressed kid in Guatemala) , Kelly and Dan's sweet cards, Nicky's thoughtful gifts and listening heart, all of the friends and family who lend a caring ear and encourage us....Rosie's patient second language writing tutorials..... Our parents and Eddy's sister and family who have recently walked the same path... The list of blessings is infinite and this is just a snapshot.
Memories of Alexander are poignant, intense and sweet. His great wide smile, his laugh, content personality, curiousity and the way he strokes my face and plays with my hair. The fact that he will not break eye contact unless he sees a spectacular bird or cloud....his active body and peaceful spirit. He is our little love and we are so grateful for the Lorenzanos committment to give him a better start in life than I even fantasized was possible in foster care. Of course, we are deeply appreciative that his birth mother, Maria Laynez, has blessed us so by his very existence.
The sweetness of Charlie's embrace when I came home and her loving spirit and spontaneous affection, her little upturned face as she said "Mama, I missed you when you were in Guatemama". I do not think life gets any sweeter.
Eddy's enthusiasm and eagerness to hear all about the trip, his trusting spirit and adventurous attitude... Mostly his capactiy for love.
So, this trip was one of the most moving experiences of my life, along with my wedding and Charlie's birth. I could not have planned anything, even the rough spots, more perfectly. So, so sweet. I do not remember which literary type talked about sucking the marrow out of life, but I get what he was talking about in moments like these.
posted by Mom to brown eyed kids | 9:20 PM
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