December 26th, 2009

Reflection... I'm sitting here thinking how much transition Andrés is going through right now. He's never had a Christmas with commercialism at the forefront. He's eating "crazy" food, hearing new words all day long, different smells, and unique sights...it's amazing how well he's doing with the changes. I'm almost a little scared...it's been too easy. (Knock on wood!) The biggest issue thus far was a conversation on the concept of gratitude and the proper etiquette of opening up a gift. If he's never had gifts to open then I guess this explains why he needs a little lesson!

We've been on the low this holiday season. Spending time at home and not running around. It's nice. He seems content, too! It works for me!

Everyone passes through bad moments, I'm sure we'll have some soon enough. The thing to remember is that this time will proves how resilient , strong, and tough Andrés is inside! He's a good boy. I wouldn't trade this experience for anything! It's amazing where life takes you. A year ago I'd never paint this picture! Anyway... It's pretty "cool" to know that this is where I'm supposed to be in life. It's just "right".

December 4, 2009

OH YEAH!!!!! Got an email from BVS today saying my letter of offer from Colombia was FEDEXed today!!!! I should get it Monday. This means that things are really rollin'. I can finally forward my I800 and 846W. There actually might be a chance I can go to Colombia on the 13th. ~WOW~ Great way to start the weekend.

December 3, 2009

Good news! Andrés will be spending 3 weeks here during Christmas break. His flight comes into Buffalo on Dec 19th around 10:30am and he has a return flight on Jan. 13th, 2010. If my paperwork is approved in time I can return with him to finalize the adoption. If not, he goes back alone and waits for me. Speaking of paperwork, I'm still waiting on the 1800A. The good news is it hasn't been returned with errors. The bad news is the approval isn't in the mail yet.

So... Christmas is a big thing. I wonder what I should buy him. Any suggestions? I'm thinking a guitar, camera, DS, and some drawing stuff. His ticket here was over $1,000.00. It wouldn't fly if I told him that being with me is his Christmas gift, would it? (LOL)

It appears that I've covered my bases with getting time off from work to go to Colombia. The good news is we'll be covered with my insurance. The bad news is that I'll be taking an unpaid leave of absence. Yeah... if I'm really gone for a month that is an easy $3 grand. I was hoping to get at least my family sick and personal days. A weeks pay would at least cover the basic bills. It's not fair that adoptive parents are still treated like second class parents in the world today. Non adoptive parents get to use their paid sick days. They totally deserve them, but so do I! GRRR. Maybe I should move to DC and lobby for Adoptive parent's rights.

I feel blessed that so many people are giving me their "handmedowns" for Andrés. Most of these clothes are almost brand new. It is a huge help! Those little details make a big difference. The cool thing (at least for now) is that he's just as happy with used clothes as he is with new clothes. :-)

While he's here I'm looking forward to taking him for a spin on the snow mobile. Maybe doing a little snowboarding and REAL tubing. Not in the stupid city of Niagara Falls. (Where I fractured my foot last summer.) I wonder if there are any cool things playing at Shea's he loves music. I'll have to check it out.

Well, thanks for reading... I'll try to be better at updating this. I didn't think anyone actually read it!