Solamente una mas noche antes de nosotros viajar a Los Estados Unidos!

Or...only one more night till we travel to the United States!

So much has happened since Saturday. Shannon arrived around 4pm, tired but so happy to see us, which we reciprocated. Owen was amazed by him, and kept an eye on me most of the time when Shannon played with him. He´s getting more and more used to Shannon, though, and they play all the time! Shannon has to prop that bum ankle up often, so Owen sits on his chest or they play on the bed together.

Sunday, we didn´t do much...there was an amazing rainstorm and it was very soothing. We did a little shopping, and mostly lazed around playing with our son! Hold on, I want to write that again: OUR SON.

Monday was our Embassy appt.! It was a little nerve-wracking, getting there. We left our house in Antigua at 6am. I told the driver we wanted to go to the airport to pick up Shannon´s late baggage...but I said the Spanish word for ¨before¨ instead of äfter.¨ So we were about 10 min. late for our 8am appt. at the Embassy.

Fortunately, I hyperventilated for nothing, because we were number 23, meaning 22 other families were ahead of us for THEIR 8am appts. There were babies everywhere!! There was only 1 window open for the Embassy appts, while usually there are 3, so we were there till 11:30. But it was went fine, and the interview itself was very simple and pleasant.

We came back, ate ice cream with Sharon (see link to her blog!) and her daughters Bella (14 mo) and Irene (15 yrs). They have all been just wonderful to us. Owen and I shared the upstairs and a bathroom with them all month while we were in Antigua, and we had a blast. We sunbathed, let the babies play in the baby pool, and laughed a lot. Irene spent lots of time making signs reminding me to unlock their bathroom door, because I had a tendency to waltz out through my bathroom door without unlocking their side. I mean, I did this a LOT, like 10 times.

I did it again right before we left today. Didja notice, Sharon? Didja laugh?

Today we left for Guatemala City at noon. It was a really sad goodbye...I´ve only been here a month, but we´d settled into a routine and felt totally comfortable.

That said, I can hardly believe we´ll be in the USA tomorrow! And, Owen will be a US citizen as soon as we land in Houston! Holy cripes!

Shannon went and got Owen´s visa today, too, while Owen and I napped at the Radisson. He was a bit fussy this evening, although hmmmmm, I suppose it could be the incredible amount of stuff we´ve done in the last 4 days!!

We´ll arrive in STL Wed. afternoon (call Ida or Ardie for times, or email me!). Wow.

There is so much to be grateful for in the world, so much beauty. Owen has become the most beautiful thing on Earth for us, and we are so grateful to God for allowing us to become his parents. We are also so grateful for all the support we´ve gotten through this process. It´s been a long haul, but the sadness and struggle of the wait and paperwork is already fading as we prepare to voyage home where we belong.

We love you!