Full Circle

Life has a funny way of making sense out of things that seem to make no sense. I booked our tickets home for August 25th, 2005. This date would forever be etched in my mind since one year ago on the exact date, Dennis and I were facing the biggest loss of our lives together. We were in Abbott hospital delivering our daughter that didn’t survive. I remember both of us thinking that we would never recover from this experience. The loss was devastating to us. We decided that we would continue to try because we wanted a family. Unfortunately, we went on to lose twin boys 8 months later. I was thinking about everything we have been through over the last year. I realized through these experiences that Dennis and I have grown to understand the importance of family on a level that we wouldn’t have experienced without our losses. I’ve always known that we have a wonderful family and great friends, but I’m overwhelmed by the support and love that has been given to us during this wonderful process. Antigua taught me that wealth is found in your friendships and your family. Every time Mia smiles, I realize how healing her presence has been to us. I know she already has a good sense of who she is and just needs a little guidance along the way. From the moment we saw her picture in the adoption agency, we knew she was our daughter. We owe her more than she will ever know. She has taught us the biggest lesson of life.

Much love,

Dennis+Laurie+Mia

Mia and Daddy taking a nap

Mia and Jack playing footsies

All these toys can make you tired!

Mia playing with her new gifts

Mia and Zeke

The Trip Home

We arrived at the Guatemala City airport early Thursday morning. Our flight left on time and Mia was a trooper. She was pretty good until we started to land and then she screamed for at least 20 minutes. The same thing happened on our flight from Houston to Minneapolis. We arrived in Minneapolis at 6:00pm. I was so anxious to get home. It has been almost three months since I left. I couldn't believe all the surprises Dennis had for Mia and me. Her room was completely finished. Dennis' sister Molly came to help and I was overwhelmed by all of the work and special touches they made for us. Mia adjusted pretty well the first evening. She slept in her own crib (a very big deal for us) and didn't cry. Dennis and I unpacked and had a glass of wine to celebrate. We both are still in awe of this new little life. It was the best feeling to go to sleep listening to her baby monitor. We both have waited so long for this.

Sleeping on the plane

The plane ride home

The Embassy

I moved to Guatemala City on Monday and Dennis arrived just in time to go with us to Mia's passport appointment and to her final embassy visit with the doctor. We had our interview on Tuesday morning and everything went really well. We spent most of the morning at the U.S. embassy. We went back to the hotel and had lunch with our friend Edwin and then just spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing at the hotel. Mia's birth mom had lunch with us on Wednesday and it was great to see her again. Mia really loved playing with her. She is a wonderful woman and made an incredible sacrifice in her life to make sure Mia had a good life. Mia kept taking her earrings out, so when she said good-bye to Mia, she gave her the earrings to keep. It was really touching for us to know that Mia will have this part of her birth mom when she is older and have pictures of the day.

More of Mia and Saundra

Mia and her birth mom

Mia McGrath

The afternoon of our interview.

The morning of our embassy interview

Mia's last appointment at the embassy doctor

Good-bye Antigua

Sorry that I haven´t posted in some time. I moved to a hotel in Guatemala City yesterday and it has been a little crazy. Dennis arrived just in time to go with the lawyer to get Mia´s passport, go to the final embassy doctor visit, and to pick up the pink slip (this allows you to have your embassy interview the next day)
We were running around all day and Mia wasn´t very happy. This morning we had our embassy interview and received the final stamp of approval. We will pick up Mia´s visa tomorrow and fly out on Thursday as scheduled. I´ll post pictures from our big day when we return to Minneapolis. We can´t wait for everyone to meet Mia.

A Wonderful Update...

It looks like our papers were put into the Embassy yesterday. This means we are pretty certain to be coming home on Thursday. I´ve actually booked the tickets and will keep my fingers crossed that it all works out. Dennis is coming in on Monday and we will head off to the passport office for Mia´s big day as a new McGrath.

Congrats to Brad and Melissa and Brian and Julie this weekend. Both of our nephews are getting married and having a reception...we couldn´t be happier for them.

I can´t tell you how excited I am. I´m so homesick and miss everyone so much!

I´ll keep you updated

Hola Grandpa!

Hola Grandpa,

I just saw a picture of you for the first time. Aunt Steph sent a few photos from your birthday party. I can´t wait to meet you and I´m very happy you are feeling better. I know that it hasn´t been easy for you lately with your chemo treatments, but I will give you a big hug to make things better as soon as I get to St. Louis.

Love, Mia

24th?

If all goes well...
It looks like we will be traveling on the 24th of August! We will know for sure this Thursday, but the agency is pretty certain it will be the day. Dennis will need to arrive next Saturday to prepare for the embassy appointments. I can´t believe that we may be home in less than two weeks with the little pickle.

P.S. Mia said thank you aunt Heidi for blah blah-bubba bubba. She is hoping he will eat Oliver before she returns :)