the stars of our 4th of July party
Jimmy came for a surprise visit...it worked!
Lake Atitlan 
our boat dodging a rainstorm
Erick was thrilled to have Pat here to carry him around his shoulders all week! I was pretty psyched, too. Our 13th anniversary is July 8, so it was great for us to be able to be together this week. We had our first overnight outing with Erick at Lake Atitlan, about a 2 hour curvy drive from here. I can tell vacations are going to look different from now on! We spent most of the first day tag-teaming on taking naps (my close friends will be shocked) and watching Erick. The "r & r" just isn't quite the same! Definitely more tiring, but loved every minute...other than Erick throwing my cell phone into the toilet as soon as we got there.
I think this trip was a little harder on Pat and me both. Harder on Pat as he's watching Erick grow and learn new things and not be here for all of it, and harder on me because it makes me homesick for us all to be in KC together. That was part of our decision, though, in choosing to be apart from each other to foster down here. I'm super blessed to be in a great marraige and to have a husband who would let his wife be away like this. It's definitely worth it to have this kick start on being with Erick. We'll be home in a few months.
Our friends, Beth and Kimberly, hosted a 4th of July gathering for our fostering circle of moms and dads. We were craving American fare so I made baked beans and Emily made a delicious apple cobbler. It fit in amazingly well with the guacamole! Emily's mom sent down little USA tshirts for the kids, who wore them proudly. Thanks, Kyle! We also saw nice fireworks from our balcony. It doesn't seem like fireworks, or firecrackers anyway, are as special to the Guatemalans as they can be heard going off at ALL times of the day and night. We've heard the Guatemalans shoot them off at birthday celebrations--not sure if that's true. If so, do they really need to celebrate at 11pm or 6am?
Four foster moms moved in around the corner this past week. It's been great getting to know them and having other kids for ours to play with. They're mostly from the south--funny to hear that southern girl twang! :)
13 comments:
Great pictures, Lake Atitlan looks beautiful. We hope that you and Erick can return home soon so Pat can start enjoying those precious moments with you.
P.S. I love your hair:)
Heather
I continue to pray for you all. I know it has to be extremely difficult to be away. I would miss Greg and home terribly. I'm positive it won't be much longer. I loved the pictures. Did you get a haircut? It looks great! :)
Felicia
We love your pictures! :) You guys are such a sweet looking family!! Please know we continue to pray for the movement of the process and your return to the USA with your precious son(and Sam's favorite buddy), Erick!
Love,
Bill & Kyle
That hammock picture is incredible! I'm sure that was an unforgettable moment for both of you. We continue to pray for speed in the process.
LeeAnne-
That is the best picture of Pat and Erick in the hammock. I am glad you got to spend your anniversary togather too. Can't wait for you and Erick to be home and back at Gateway, we miss seeing you!
Love
Brian, Nicole & Taylor
LeeAnne,
Your hair is so cute in those pictures, I LOVE it! We miss you so much and can't wait for your return. Those pictures with Pat and Erick warmed my heart. Erick is so blessed that God chose you and Pat to be his parents!
Love you lots!!!
Charla
Hey LeeAnne
Greg & I just celebrated our anniversary on July 8th :) too!! We pray for your marriage and your family and your adoption process and for your health and for your joy. I pray that this time apart solitifies everything good about your marriage and that you will draw back on this time for years to come...trials and challenges are most often are best reminders in the future. Choose joy today and I pray that the God of ALL will renew your strength and endurance as you walk this journey to completion.
Ally
Found your blog doing a Google search. I fostered our daughter in Antigua last summer, and have friends in process now. Your photos are great! Could you please email me at msblakely@hotmail.com, as I am trying to locate an adoptive family mentioned in one of your recent blog posts?
Thank you,
Shelley
I absolutely love the pic of Erick on Pat's shoulders!! That is the best for daddies and their little guys! It brought tears to my eyes! What a great week with Pat! You and your family have been on my heart...Praying for you guys. You are an amazing family!
Take care!
Hey LeeAnne! The pictures are a treasure to see, especially, the hammock pic of Pat and Erick! I know you desperately miss the baseball season; therefore, I'll give you an update! The fireworks show after the game is still the best part of a Royals game! Justin Morneau of the Twins won the Home Run Derby! The Tampa Rays are the surprise team of the year. And Josh Hamilton of the Rangers is having an MVP season! I know you probably hear this often, but we all truly miss your smile and servant heart! Keep pressing on in the adoption process and may God do immeasurably more than you can imagine!
Joey
isaiah 40:31
leeanne, great update with pics. i can't imagine how homesick you are by now. we're all praying for you.
love lisa
my favorite picture is pat and the baby sleeping in the hammock. erick looks so tiny there! remind me again how old he is??
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