Thursday, December 18, 2008

2 years ago

Our lives were drastically changed.




On Sunday, December 18, 2006 after 6 hours on a plane to Guatemala, hand picking our baggage off the broken baggage claim, and going around and around the airport deciding whether or not to actually go out, we got a call saying that in 30 minutes our son would be at the hotel.


It was an unnerving moment. I didn't know what to do first, or how we were ever going to be ready to meet this child, let alone be the sole caregivers for him. I believe I took a shower, not knowing what else to do.



These are my two favorite pictures from the trip. The first time Mike ever held Ché. He was definitely holding back tears. The woman in the picture is Ché's foster mother. She was wonderful, and we still credit her with Ché's good behavior.





(Can you tell how scared and confused Ché is? He cried for about 30 minutes after the foster mom left, but then was very quiet for most of the rest of the trip)


And, Ché and I, in front of the enormous Christmas tree in the lobby of the hotel we stayed at. This picture was taken the day we left, and we were waiting for the taxi to take us to the airport.


One thing I've been thinking a lot about, especially now that Ché has been home for more time than he spent in Guatemala, is nature vs. nurture. I think this picture sums it all up.

Can you see it? The facial expressions?

While today is a special day, we've decided to celebrate his adoption on the 21st, which is the day we arrived back in South Bend, and the day our whole families got to meet Ché for the first time.

3 comments:

Mikeropod said...

Oh Happy day. I'm just glad we landed at all!


There's so many wonderful memories from that trip!

Anonymous said...

That picture of you and Che making the same face is so sweet it made me laugh and cry at the same time! Hope you made it back through the ice storm okay! Or maybe there is no ice storm which would be even better :). I'm sorry you missed our christmas party! Merry Christmas!
Suse

AAWG said...

Happy Anniversary! It was tense waiting for so long, but it was so so so worth it!