Embassy Day: One Year Anniversary

One year ago today, we had our embassy appointment at the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala City.  It is unreal to think about it. 

This week, Michelle's family also celebrated their embassy day anniversary and she said, "I can’t believe it has been a year and that it has only been a year".  That is exactly how I feel.

Last June, we had an incident filled/event filled/tumultuous/crazy stay in Guatemala...  I arrived in mid May and tried to help Emma the best that I could with her transition.  I was able to go to appointments with her...her passport appointment, her embassy doctor appointment, etc.  I also met some wonderful fostering mamas and their babies...so, there were many positive and not-so-tumultuous things about our stay.  However, there were also many crazy, stressful you-can't-make-this-up incidents...  The stove exploded where Emma and I were staying in Antigua, Emma became very ill with rotavirus and dehydrated and we stayed in a tiny hospital in Antigua together for a few days.  We then left the house where we were staying in Antigua about a week early so that we could be in Guatemala City at the Westin hotel, closer to Emma's pediatrician.  Jason arrived a few days before our embassy appointment and we had planned to spend time in Antigua together as a family but Emma was still pretty sick and Jason got sick...he was so sick that the night before our embassy appointment, he was vomiting and passing out (literally) and we had to call a doctor to the hotel.  Oh golly, what a trip!  We had discussions with our agency the night before our embassy appointment about whether or not we should attempt to postpone our embassy appointment because of Jason's illness but we decided to tough it out. 

Embassy day was amazing.  It marked the end of the journey.  The next day, we received Emma's passport and visa...receiving that visa and the "secret" immigration packet was so amazing...it was incredible to think that we were free to leave Guatemala with Emma!  A couple of pics from embassy day...

Our family on embassy day.

Jason and Emma enjoying a few minutes in the pool on embassy day.

Emma, I love you.  You are a treasure and my dream come true.  We will always remember the events that brought you to us...the fun, wonderful, amazing events and the stressful and tumultuous events as well.  You are precious, you are special, you are loved.

God bless,