Smiles, Giggles, and Thankful Hearts

It may be an incredibly blurry and zoomed in screenshot, but THIS is us getting to talk with our little princess for the very first time via Skype. (Oh how I'd LOVE to show you the precious face on the other part of that screen!)

Haha, in this moment we were actually all cuddled up on the bottom bunk because I had just finished reading her one of our favorite Spanish books and she was showing us a picture that she had colored of us. It was adorable as she pointed out her "manitas" (aka hermanitas or sisters) and we all got a little giggle over Ben's rainbow stripe hair.

Leading up to this call, we were all so excited and honestly I was rather nervous too. I had no idea what to expect of how she'd react or if she'd understand me when I spoke to her. During all this pandemic stuff, if you have had to sit with children on a zoom call of some type, you know it can be a challenge! I wasn't sure how it would go with two on our end and trying to interact with her on the other. But, her caregiver was incredible and we shared lots of smiles and several laughs too.

When the call first started, somehow our video was turned off... so, we began saying hello only to be told that they couldn't see us, HA! So I fixed that issue and then I just melted as I watched her bashful little smile when she saw our faces. I was so impressed with how quickly she began to answer questions and smile and laugh. From what we could tell her biggest question/request was that she would get to sleep on the top bunk... as she repeated "arriba" many times while we discussed her room and bed. Then, as we toured some of the house the "muy grande" Christmas tree was a big hit too. We're hoping that the ornament with her photo will arrive before next week so that she can tell us where she wants us to hang it on the tree.

The whole thing was just incredibly beautiful and special for us all, and we are so thankful for the opportunity and technology to be able to do this, the support of everyone who is caring for her right now, and these little moments of connection that we can have while we wait until we can actually be with her.

So when DO we get to be with her? Well, there isn't an official date just yet, BUT we did get our I-800 approval. So that means we're waiting on article 5 and preparing our visas and bags! Due to the amount of time it takes to finish the process in country and the weeks that courts and offices are closed for the holidays in Colombia, we're likely looking at traveling the second week of January. While this mamá heart feels like that is much too far away, I also know two things to be true. God's timing is ALWAYS perfect, and this time of year things always move quickly and it'll be here before we know it.

Psalm 136:1-4

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.

His faithful love endures forever.

Give thanks to the God of gods.

His faithful love endures forever.

Give thanks to the Lord of lords.

His faithful love endures forever.

He alone does great wonders.

His faithful love endures forever."