El Salvador Update – Month 3
Posted November 16th, 2009
Hola, it’s been a while …
Frankly, we’ve been busy… and, in all honesty… we’ve had our hands full.
For what it’s worth, we’re learning that parenting an adopted child–especially one who is 8-years old–is so much different than parenting your biological kid. I won’t say 180-degrees-different, more like 180,000 degrees different. (Is their such a thing Math Teachers?)
No dig on the social workers or psychs reading (Sidebar: I remember when we first got home one telling us, “You parent the same way you’d parent Matthew”).
Uh-huh.
El Salvador Adoption – Home 1 Month
Posted September 14th, 2009
Yes, this past weekend marked one month we’ve been home as a new family.
Hard to believe.
I pause and reflect on just how far Nestor has come in the past month…. another one of those ‘I still can’t quite get my head around it’ moments.
So I thought I’d share 20 facts about Nino Escogido you may not have known about him.
- Nestor sleeps a solid 10-12 hours every night, in his own room, and rarely ever wakes up. In his former home, he shared a three- bedroom house with 8 other kids and slept with 2 other boys in one room.
- He never knew what grilled-cheese sandwich was. He’s hooked now.
- He doesn’t know how to ride a bicycle… but he’s learning.
- He loves horses and dogs.
- He loves to swim in the pool… but he doesn’t know how.
- After only a month in Estados Unidos, he automatically puts on his seat belt without being told. The use of seatsbelts in ES was non-existent.
- He is intrigued by a flashlight… I don’t think he had ever seen one before. He especially enjoyed shining it Mateo’s eyes at 7am.
- He’s really good about trying different foods. Rarely will he say he doesn’t like something without trying it.
- He’s in second grade with about 20 kids in his class… 4 are fluent Spanish speakers, like him. All his studies are in English. He has an ESOL teacher who checks on him and works with him, daily.
- He’s phenomenal at Soccer and really good at baseball.
- Favorite time of the day: (tie) When Papi gets home so they can play baseball; reading together in bed.
- Favorite characters: Spiderman, Batman, Superman
- Favorite fruit: Watermelon, Pineapple, Cantelope, Apples, Grapes.
- Favorite movie: Lion King, Spirit
- He doesn’t fully understand the concept of school shoes/ play shoes; school clothes/play clothes. But he’s getting it.
- He calls cereal “Corn Flakes” regardless of the type, or flavor.
- He knows how to work. He works a mean broom and knows how to work in the yard and sweat. He dislikes hot water and hot showers. All cold for him!
- He has already learned his alphabet in English, and can count to 20.
And the final two, (for now)…
19. He was abandoned around 18 months old. When they found his biological mother, she didn’t want him. They never found his biological dad, but found his dad’s mother: She said she couldn’t afford him.
Until now, he has had no relatives or family for his entire life.
And last but not least…
20. Si! Si!. Te gusto hueves verdes con hamon, Juan Ramon!
Yes, Yes. I do like green eggs and ham, Sam I am.
Green Eggs and Ham, a favorita! Thanks Mami!
El Salvador Adoption – Home – Through Week 3
Posted September 6th, 2009
Author’s Note: I feel like we should rename this journal blog, ‘Stark Reality of International Adoption…’ or something like that.
Hi again–
A thought to open with:
Don’t tell God how big your problems are. Tell your problems how big your God is.
Uh-hem…
Well, I had good intentions of updating this journal every week after we returned home. After all, we managed nearly a daily update while we were in ES, so weekly oughta be a cinch, right?
Not as easy as I thought.
Here’s why…
We’re Coming Home! – Day 16
Posted August 11th, 2009
We’re all smiles today.
First, remember this number: 1,023. I’ll get back to it in a ’sec.
Because the one thing about international adoption is your countenance changes like the wind, hour by hour.
Happy, frustrated… bummed, excited.
Nestor’s Visa was issued at 3pm after us sitting around all day just waiting for the phone to ring. I so hate being unproductive.
El Salvador Adoption – Day 15
Posted August 10th, 2009
Daryl writing today.
Check this out…
So I say to Beth around 5 o’clock today, “Hey honey, you want to write the update today?”
And… over her purple beverage of choice with cheese, and in between stuffing orange Churrito’s (cheetoes) down Nestor’s mouth, she says… “If you write it, will you be more positive than me?”
And that about sums up our day.
El Salvador Adoption – Day 14
Posted August 9th, 2009
Two weeks folks.
Okay, we’ve lost two soccer balls in two days. Hope we can make it until bedtime!! Sheesh.
El Salvador Update – Day 13
Posted August 8th, 2009
Great day on Saturday! Well, at least it turned out that way…
Matt wants to share his comments with you.
Part of the genuiness of this journey–and writing them in diary form–is that our thoughts and comments are captured in real and raw form. One day, it will be pretty cool for Nestor to be able to read through how much his family loved him, and what we all went through
That said, I have no idea what Matt wants to write. I think he just needs to express himself to y’all. He hasn’t adjusted yet, and he’s been bugging me about it today. So take it away numero uno son, and I’ll be back shortly.
El Salvador Adoption – Day 9
Posted August 5th, 2009
Just so you know that we’re real people doing our best in unchartered territory, let me sum up Tuesday: Roughest day yet.
After I posted that scripture verse yesterday about Jesus and not worrying, I think we both had to go back and read it a few times. We’re normal people just like you, doing the best we can.
Here’s Tuesday’s summary.
El Salvador Adoption – Day 8
Posted August 4th, 2009
“You never know what to expect…”
…here in El Salvador.
This country–and the adoption process–keeps you on your toes. It makes everything a little more spontaneous. If you’re the type of person who doesn’t deal well with spontaniety, or your personality requires you to be in control all the time, stay away. You won’t make it on a trip like this.
- Photo: Nestor’s laundry room (the washer) in his former home. (Dryer: Outside… a clothes line.)
I often think the English translation of the word El Salvador means Faith Walk. (Actually, it means The Savior.)
Which reminds me of Jesus’ words:
“Then Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?’” (Luke 12:22-26, NIV).
I’ve got a question for you: Anything you’re worried about, right now, in your life?
Hold that thought as I tell you about today.
El Salvador Update – Weekend Days 6 & 7
Posted August 3rd, 2009
I’m writing Sunday and the boys are still sleeping. The birds are chirping like mad, and it’s nice and cool after a BIG tropical rain storm last night. This is the “winter” season here, aka: rainy season. Big thunderstorms with magnificent thunder and sideways lightning, typically during the early evening hours… and worse than at home! Weather is a mild mid-80s, with very little humidity and cool breezes.
We’ll be walking 2 blocks this morning to the Union Church for worship. There are many U.S. Embassy families here that attend this un-airconditioned church (windows are open, and there’s a gentle breeze), and the services are in English. (I visited when I was here last August.)
Check out the view from inside the church. There’s a bit of a glare in my photo, but look close behind the altar and you’ll see a large, lush volcano through the glass. It’s amazing to worship God and see this beauty.
We offered praise and thanksgiving to God for all He has done in our adoption. Just one year ago, I sat in this same church, with the same view, wondering if our adoption would EVER happen.
El Salvador Adoption – Day 3
Posted July 29th, 2009
Okay, it’s official. We are officially overwhelmed.!
Whew! Everyday when we come back to this small outdoor, tropical hotel/motel our heads spend. We don’t really care about things like what’s for dinner, the hassles of our day at work, the 20 things we have to do this week, schedules to keep, activities we’re commited to, paying our bills… and all the other basura that occupies our lives (and yours!) back in the U.S.
Today was no different.
El Salvador Update – Adoption Day 2
Posted July 28th, 2009
Today’s post is from Matthew (scripture verse and all) who is with us on the trip. Since today’s my birthday, I’ve got the day off from posting. Nos vemos mañana! –BBL
Feliz Cumpleanos a Mis Dos Hijos!
Posted July 15th, 2009
Translation: “Happy Birthday my two sons!” or… Feliz Cumpleanos Hijos (Happy Birthday sons!)
Wow, it feels surreal saying that.
Today is July 15th, and Matthew’s 12th birthday!
We have a fun evening planned, and more fun coming up this weekend to celebrate before he and I head off together for our last summer camp in Leesburg, and then the big trip to El Salvador.
- Today is also the birthday of our new son, who is waiting in El Salvador. I told you before, they BOTH have the same birthday! How cool is that?!
El Salvador Travel Set
Posted July 9th, 2009
We’ve waited a long, long time… and we’re getting closer and closer.
We’ve confirmed the majority of our travel to El Salvador for the adoption.
We Have Our Adoption Court Date!
Posted June 22nd, 2009
We have received our court date for our El Salvador adoption:
Thursday, 7/30/09
(Two days after my birthday! What a crazy-good present! Thank you God!)
There are still details to be worked out, including our travel itinerary… but here’s what I can tell you, as of today.