Hello a final time from GC!

Hi Peeps and blogaholics! Sorry that I haven't posted all day until now! This was our last full day in GC and we had it packed to the gills! Overnight last night went ok- Gabriella gets better each night- but we are just beginning transition. Enter a new home tomorrow- enter soon a world where you don't suck on a bottle all night. Enter soon a world where you shouldn't have a bottle at all during the night at 9.5 months old. Enter soon a world where you have your own bedroom. Enter soon a world where no one speaks Spanish, not just your parents. But these things will all come in time. Eventually she will be fine. Poor thing has had a hard week and will continue to have one.

This morning we went off the the zoo to meet Anderson, our Compassion child, his mother and two compassion workers. They took a bus up here with an on site worker. His mother was very sweet- 24 yrs old and has two kids and her man just left her. Rough life. Plus, a one room house, shared electricity with the neighbor, no TV- WHAT?! hahah. We had nice time- it was a little awkward at first, but things got more comfortable. Anderson is a sweet little boy- he is 6. We took him some gifts- he was embarrassed at first, but later very excited to see what we brought him. His mother adored Gabriella- Anderson and Antonio played a bit too, it was cute. Funny enough, Anderson has two cousins- Antonio and Gabriella! We visited for about 4 hours- bought them lunch, took a bunch of pictures, etc. It was really neat to get to meet him and will help in praying for them, etc.

After that, we drove to Antigua to do some shopping. (Antonio took a nap in the car on the way there!!!!!!!!! Those of you that know, this is a small miracle!!) We didn't do any sightseeing there- unfortunately it was too late in the day. Would have liked to have gone to the jade factory and coffee museum, but alas- all I did was spend money on Gabriella and her future. In case you never heard this- we bought 18 gifts for Antonio's next 18 years of "Dia de Milagro" celebrations. Had to do the same for Gabriella, of course! I was let loose in the market doing the shopping, bargaining, etc. I bargained- they might have "taken me"but I didn't pay original price for any of it, at least, so I bargained a little! I got some nice stuff- but didn't get myself any jade- BUMMER!!! I wanted some desperately. Oh well. I have myself a daughter. Maybe she'll let me borrow some of her jade. Haha!

On the way home, it was dark. People walk all along the streets- you can hardly see them. We got into one small town and there was a traffic standstill. Unfortunately it was because there was a dead person on the road- he/she had just been hit by a car and killed. We watched them wrap the body up and put it on a truck. It was very sad. Lots of people gathered around- could see the stain on the road that they didn't clean up, etc. We couldn't tell if it was man/woman/child. Sad regardless.

Then we got stuck in more traffic on the way home, so we didn't get home until way late- like 7:30 or so. Gabriella was hideously tired, cranky, screaming, etc. Boy she let out a screech at the zoo today that shatted the diamond in my ring. Holy smokes. Anyway, poor thing- I am not sure if she isn't feeling well- she had a minor fever last night- doesn't seem to have one today but also still seems a bit out of sorts, maybe only due to the transition, or maybe not feeling well physically either. She got a lot of sun yesterday, so that might have been the small fever. So hard to know what's going on with any small child, especially one you just met!

So, tomorrow morning we get on the adventure of coming home! We are catching a 10:45 am shuttle out of here for a 1 :30pm flight. We will arrive home in Philadelphia at 11:11pm. I am not looking forward to the long day on the road, but at least we will be home sweet home! I am looking forward to getting back to our home, comfort and routine.

Thank you all for joining us in this journey. Life is a wild ride and I am glad we got to take this wildly wonderful detour. Thank you for your prayers, support, excitement for our daughter, financial support, thoughts, cat care, emails, blog posts, etc. You are all wonderful!! Much love,
B, J, A and G