Fifth Trip to Guatemala

Jim and I just got back from our fifth trip to Guatemala to visit the kids and as always, had a wonderful time. Here's a quick "run-down" on the highlights of our trip.... For once, our actual flight both to and from Guatemala were fairly uneventful. We arrived at our hotel - the Westin Camino Real - Thursday night at around 10:30 pm and quickly set to work getting unpacked and ready for the kids. Our trip basically fell right in between Carolina and Nelson's birthdays, so we wanted to do something to make this trip seem extra special. Thursday night we transformed their somewhat stiff hotel room into a lively birthday party room with decorations galore ... once we had strung all the streamers and pinned the decorations, I started to worry a little that it might be overwhelming and might actually scare them at bedtime - but they proved me wrong and I think indeed felt that their stay with us was extra special because it was their birthday. When they arrived, they were both a little sick so Jessica discouraged us from taking them to the pool. Carolina and Nelson had been fighting with one another over toys the previous day so they both had a few minor cuts and bruises which was a little disconcerting. Jessica felt very badly about this and even called several times during our stay to express her concern. It is easy to see how arguments over toys can escalate into someone getting hurt when an adult isn't there to watch them all the time. They do have a habit of wanting to play with what the other is playing with, which creates conflict. When we are with them, they are clearly the focus of our attention, but on a daily basis when there are other things that need to be done around the house such as laundry, dishes, cleaning - and add two more kids to the mix - I'm sure it is very challenging. Anyway, while their seemed to be a little tension at the time of their arrival, this soon melted away when Jim and I took them upstairs to the room. They loved their decorations - wanted to touch everything - and more importantly, were very interested in their birthday presents! Jim and I brought a Little People dollhouse and a GeoTrax train set for the kids - both of which they absolutely loved. Nelson was cracking us up during the trip - we repeatedly found him either trying to squeeze his little butt onto the second floor of the dollhouse or sit on top of it... It just wasn't enough for him to play with it, he wanted to be a part of that little house! And the train set.... he was right in there, sitting on the tracks, exploring every nook and cranny. Carolina enjoyed these things too, but was equally happy playing with the puzzles we had brought, the set of plates and plastic food. While the pool was off limits, we must have taken about 10 baths over the course of three days and incorporated many of the toys into the bathtub. At night, we read them bedtime stories which they enjoyed up until the point that it was actually bedtime. "Lights-off" is always the trigger for tears and drama about "pee-pee" and "mommy!" which of course, are very difficult to resist, but with some soothing music playing in the background, we've learned that their tears subside in less than 5 minutes. They are very good about staying in their bed after we've turned off the lights and closed the door between our rooms until it is open just a crack. In the morning, they are always happy to see us and know that all it takes is one mention of "mommy" and I'm there. Mornings are nice... I crawl into their bed with them, we watch some t.v. and play in bed while Jim gets us coffee and the kids some fruit to start off the day. We were less adventurous than on our last trip simply because of the short duration of our stay and the fact that the kids were still a little sick, but all-in-all, thoroughly enjoyed just spending quality time with one another. They both cried when it was time to leave, but I don't think the tears lasted as long as usual. We packed our bags and took down the decorations in front of them and talked about the things that they would have at Jessica's house, so I don't think their departure came as a surprise and by now they are more familiar with the routine. In some respects, we are getting more familiar with the routine also, which is actually part of what made the departure this time a little depressing. Our actual experience with the adoption process has strayed very far from our original expectations. We have no idea how much longer the process will last and no real clear idea how to manage the process towards a faster outcome. All we can do is pray that our children's separation from their "forever family" as they say in the adoption world, won't be forestalled a day longer than is absolutely yesterday.