Elias Journey to go Home

And now for the video postion LOL

2008-10-22T10:53:00.000-07:00

Elias mini vacation

2008-10-21T08:10:00.000-07:00

Click on the photos to see the Big Picture

Elia with her Mom and Dad took a quick trip to Myrtle Beach South Carolina to visit her Daddy's Mom. They did many fun things there.

The weather was still warm enough for a trip to the beach.

And as you can see on her way back home while reading a book about Airplanes that her grandma had bought for her, one of the stewardess heard her joy and thrill over planes and all kinds of info. Before leaving the plane she met the Captain, sat in the Co-Pilots seat and learned about and tried out many of th controls. The Captain signed her book for her and told her she had earned her wings. Needless to say this is one very excited little girl.

Elia's Early Halloween Dance

2008-10-05T19:30:00.000-07:00

Grammy has me hooked up to a Web Cam

2008-07-14T19:26:00.000-07:00

A visit with a 3 year old in Tucson

2008-06-28T08:24:00.000-07:00

A memory slideshow of my trip to Tucson this week. When you click play it may start automatically but if not, click on the first picture of Becky Eric and Elia's home. It will enlarge and you will see captions. From there you can choose slideshow and it will play for you OR you can choose next and watch at your own pace. Hope you enjoy, I know we surely had a great time. There is also a fullscreen option

Upcoming Trip to Arizona

2008-06-17T06:05:00.000-07:00

HINT If you don't know Elia's story you can click on the title to this thread Upcoming Trip to Arizona and read all about my wonderful Grandbaby girl.

Next Monday June 23 I will be flying to see my Grandaughter Elia and of course her Mom and Dad too. My daughter has sent me the latest Airline rule changes so that I will be good to go. Here they are Attendant: Welcome aboard Ala Carte Air, sir. May I see your ticket? > > Passenger: Sure. > > Attendant: You're in seat 12B. That will be $5, please! > > Passenger: What for? > > Attendant: For telling you where to sit. > > Passenger: But I already knew where to sit. > > Attendant: Nevertheless, we are now charging a seat locator fee of $5.> It's the airline's new policy. > > Passenger: That's the craziest thing I ever heard. I won't pay it. > > Attendant: Sir, do you want a seat on this flight, or not? > > Passenger: Yes, yes. All right, I'll pay. But the airline is going to> hear about this. > > Attendant: Thank you. My goodness, your carry-on bag looks heavy. Would> you like me to stow it in the overhead compartment for you? > > Passenger: That would be swell, thanks. > > Attendant: No problem. Up we go, and done! That will be $10, please. > > Passenger: What? > > Attendant: The airline now charges a $10 carry-on assistance fee. > > Passenger: This is extortion. I won't stand for it. > > Attendant: Actually, you're right, you can't stand. You need to sit, and> fasten your seat belt. We're about to push back from the gate. But,> first I need that $10. > > Passenger: No way! > > Attendant: Sir, if you don't comply, I will be forced to call the air> marshal. And you really don't want me to do that. > > Passenger: Why not? Is he going to shoot me? > > Attendant: No, but there's a $50 air-marshal hailing fee. > > Passenger: Oh, all right, here, take the $10. I can't believe this. > > Attendant: Thank you for your cooperation, sir. Is there anything else> I can do for you? > > Passenger: Yes. It's stuffy in here, and my overhead fan doesn't seem> to work. Can you fix it? > > Attendant: Your overhead fan is not broken, sir. Just insert two> quarters into the overhead coin slot for the first five minutes. > > Passenger: The airline is charging me for cabin air? > > Attendant: Of course not, sir. Stagnant cabin air is provided free of> charge. It's the circulating air that costs 50 cents. > > Passenger: I don't have any quarters. Can you make change for a dollar?> > > Attendant: Certainly, sir! Here you go! > > Passenger: But you've given me only three quarters for my dollar. > > Attendant: Yes, there's a change making fee of 25 cents. > > Passenger: For crying' out loud. All I have left is a lousy quarter?> What the heck can I do with this? > > Attendant: Hang onto it. You'll need it later for the lavatory.> > Some days there won't be a song in your heart. Sing anyway. >

Christmas 2007

2007-12-24T14:48:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas everyone! This is my third Christmas with mommy and daddy! I can’t believe two years ago I was at an orphanage! Now I am home and love my family. This is my Christmas dress. I know it’s a little dark, but I am two, so mommy and daddy couldn’t take many pictures because I kept moving. This is the best one. They did the best they could. I have been very good this year. I watched Elmo’s Christmas tonight. Daddy asked if I wanted Santa to bring me an Elmo doll. I said yes! I sure hope I get one! Well, Merry Christmas everyone and a Happy New Year! I love you all.

Elia

Halloween

2007-10-30T10:56:00.001-07:00

Well last year she was the cutest Little Pumpkin UNLESS you tried to get her to where her hat. This year she is very excited and all smiles to be a Doodle Bob.

Happy Halloween Sweet not so "baby" Girl.
Grammy loves you!!!!

Memories from 2007 time spent with Elia

2007-09-22T13:33:00.000-07:00

Click to play |

And THEN she came home

2007-04-21T05:17:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone:

Can you believe it's been a whole year? I can hardly believe it! Time has gone by so quickly. It seems like yesterday that we met her at Asilo Madre Conchita. The adoption process seemed to go on forever and ever, and now she's been home a year!

I remember April 18th last year when I got the phone call from the INS. It was right before lunch. I was teaching my class at WCMA when my cellular rang. I usually don't answer a phone call during class, but I recognized the number and I knew we would be receiving a call and SOON! The INS worker said that Eric and I were due in Tijuana on April 19th at 2 p.m. to work on her visa.

I teared up and jumped for joy. I called Eric and told him we had to leave in the middle of the night. I left WCMA and headed for the local human resources dept. and finished my maternity leave request. I was going to have a baby!

I went home for lunch (Eric's dad and step mom were visiting). I told them the news. It cut short their trip, but they were sooooo happy for us (as were several hundred family and friends all over praying for us: like YOU). Eric had a concert that night. He told the kids that he wouldn't be there the next day. He was getting his little girl. They surprised him by playing Lullaby for him (a song he wasn't sure was ready). Eric was speechless. He tried to tell the audience what was going to happen, and made me go up and tell them instead!

I had called the orphanage. I could tell that Madre Maria was happy and sad. I'll never forget her voice when I called.

We went home that night and tried to sleep. At 2 a.m. we were up and running. We hugged our family at 3 a.m. and headed to Mexico. We called Madre Maria before we left so that she would have Elia ready for us.

When we arrived, Elia was wrapped in a blanket and asleep. Madre Maria was sitting on the couch holding her. She had gathered her remainder of formula, a pair of shoes, a couple of jars of baby food, and a spoon. (We, of course, had run to the store the day before and stocked up!). She quietly prayed over Elia and then blessed her. Tears were on her cheeks. Oh how she loved her! I was soooo excited to have her in my arms where I would never have to let go of her again, but I was sad for Madre Maria. Elia had won her heart. But, she knew that Elia would be loved.

And then, we were off! We drove through the night and into the next day before we arrived in Tijuana. We ran late, but we made it to the American Consulate. We stayed in Tijuana for 2 days. We were there the afternoon of the 19th, 20th, and the morning of the 21st. On April 21st, we received her transit visa. We were off!

Eric and I recorded her coming into the country. It was a long drive home. I remember the hours and hours in the car. I was very car sick, but Eric and I wanted a video of Elia going into the house for the first time. We met a friend (Nicole) down the street and passed off our camera. We started driving down the street and I couldn't believe my eyes. My house was covered in posters and tee-peed with streamers! Banners were everywhere! I got out of the car and started laughing. It was as if I was never ill. Eric grabbed Elia and we proceeded to look at the photos and head inside. Little did we know that once we opened the door, every room would be filled with posters, streamers, glitter, etc! (Way to go guys: you all know who you are!).

I just knew that Elia was very loved. She will never remember her homecoming, but we will. Our first day home, we met up with the praise band from our church and practiced "Held" for the next day's service. We were surprising our church. Uncle Gerry came and walked her down the aisle. I think people thought he was late and was just bringing in one of his own grandchildren. Then he headed onto the platform where we were performing with a slide show going on behind us (thank you Gene). The church applauded. I still get choked up when I think about it.

Eric and I are just so very thankful for all of the love and prayers that brought her home to us! There are soooooo many people who helped to get her here, or to pray her here! Now I look back at the baby photos and see that my girl is growing up! She will be exactly 22 mo. old on the 21st (probably when you read this). She is a toddler and running around like crazy. She has gone from not talking to talking a lot! (She takes after her mommy!). She couldn't crawl and now she walks and runs! She ate baby food, and now she eats people food. The list goes on!

Thank you everyone for everything that you did to get her home. Thank you mom (Gloria) for the beautiful website and journal for us. Thank you mom (Patricia) and Tim for helping with the crib, clothes, toys, etc. Thank you mom and dad (Jim and Kathi) for the wardrobe, clothes, toys, etc. Thank you all moms and dad, and Tom for the financial support to help get her home. Thank you Uncle Gerry for knowing the "system" and creating a wonderful spot in our hearts that will forever be "uncle". Thank you entire First Baptist Church for your prayers, financial support, baby shower, and blessings bestowed upon us. Thank you music staff for your baby shower and love (and decorations: Lorena and Nicole). Thank you choirs in the NUSD program for your baby showers, "A Mother's Prayer," support in my churches shower, and free babysitting! Thank you NHS orchestra for your "Lullaby" for my husband. It meant the world. Thank you to all our friends and family for your Blogs, prayers, journals, etc. Thank you Madre Maria, Madre Tere, and Madre Adela for loving Elia and for taking care of our baby girl. Thank you everyone. I know the list is huge and I have to be forgetting something. If you received this e-mail, then thank you. You were integral into getting our Elia home! We love you from the bottom of our hearts.

Sincerely,

Eric, Becky, and Elia Krell

My Guess is some of you will enjoy remembering some very special moments along Elia's Journey of Faith. Here are a couple of links with a movie in the middle if you want to look back with us for a little while.

1. OOOHHHSSS and AAAAHHHHSSS

Elias Church Surprise

2. Putting the pieces together for Elia

The web page has been downsized some but still holds lots of special memories and the entire BLOG Journey that many of you helped to write for Elia; and lots of the first photos. Elia also has the entire website in print for when she is older.

Here is the website

All Night all day angels watching over me my Lord

Easter with Elia

2007-04-09T10:32:00.000-07:00

Last year Easter Sunday was spent at a motel near the orphanage. The week would bring a sudden call and a long trip to Tijuana and the final arrival of Elia to her home.

This Easter finds her Home with Her Family

A spring visit with Elia and her Mom and Dad

2007-03-14T17:00:00.000-07:00

Just the Beginning of Christmas with Elia and Mom and Dad

2006-12-28T10:41:00.000-08:00

Santa this is Elia

2006-12-03T06:57:00.000-08:00

Lights Parade with Mom and Dad in AZ. Dec 2, 2006.

Elia this is Santa. Santa this is Elia

Merry Christmas Sweet Baby Girl!!!!!

Thanksgiving

2006-12-03T06:52:00.000-08:00

Elia loves Cranberry suace. Good for you Elia!!!!!Well actually she is a wonderful eater and loves most things. She added a very special touch to Thanksgiving this year!!!

My First Halloween Costume

2006-11-01T08:50:00.000-08:00

Ok So she is the cutest little Pumpkin ever, BUTPumkins do NOT need hats.

Seriously Is this Happy Halloween, well sorta of: at least sometimes! LOL

Just wait til Next year!!!!

A visit to Grandma and Grandpa in South Carolina

2006-10-21T08:43:00.000-07:00

Well Elia took her Mom and Dad to South Carolina over their Fall Break from school this month. Here is one of the latest pictures I got of this prescious little girl as she continues to charm all who meet her with that wonderful smile and personality.

One Year Later

2006-09-07T12:31:00.000-07:00

Dearest Elia,

Wow, I can't believe it's been a year. One year ago today, your father and I went to meet a little baby we had heard about at an orphanage across the line. A good friend took us there. Your father and I desperately wanted a family and we came looking for you!

I remember sitting in the waiting room of aisle Madre Conchita with butterflies in my stomach. I am sure daddy felt the same way. We met Madre Maria and she asked us a bunch of questions. It was very apparent that she loved all of you and was NOT going to put one of her girls in a home that she was not comfortable with!

We met the other kids at the orphanage first. You were sleeping. I just said, I wanted to see you. She allowed us into the room where you lay in a bassinet. You were dressed in pink and were sooooooo tiny. I looked at you and said that you were the most beautiful baby I had ever met, and then I cried. I wanted to hold you so badly!

We went back to the waiting area and continued to visit for awhile. Then you woke up. Madre Tera brought you to us with a bottle. Your father and I took turns holding and feeding you. It was your daddy's first time he had ever held a baby that small.

We were then told to see a lawyer and to visit you weekly. That's when it all started! We couldn't wait to come back and see you. You fell asleep in your daddy's arms at the next visit. He just melted! We were both so in-love with you. We just kept waiting for Madre Maria to give us the blessing to adopt you.

We eventually visited you 3-4 times a week for months. Those months seemed to drag by and we did paperwork, paperwork, paperwork. Many times we sat at home and cried. We never knew when you were coming to our house.

Now you are here, and I can't believe it's been a year. Now it seems fast all of a sudden. I look at you and I see love in your eyes. I didn't know it was possible to love another human being so much! You are the best baby a mother and father could ever wish for.

My wishes for you are: love, health, happiness, a love for God, success in life, and many life long friendships. May you always feel the love of those around you, as hundreds of prayers are what brought you safely home.

I often wonder what your birthmother is thinking or doing. I don't know the answer to that, but I do know that she must have loved you a lot! She could have aborted you, but she loved life! As a result, she carried you and then she did what she knew best. She left you where she knew you would be taken care of. She knew someone would come for you and love you like she did. I am sure she still does love you! She loved you enough to say Goodbye, so that you could say Hello to us!

Thank you God for this woman. Without her, we would not have our Elia. She is a blessing to us daily. May her birth mother feel a sense of peace today to know that she did the right thing. May Elia feel an extra amount of peace and love and know that she is loved immensely and always will be. Take care of her. God, help us to take care of your child and to raise her right. Give her many blessings in this world. Never let her have a moment of doubt. She is so blessed and so are we! We love you Elia Carolina "Faith" Krell Amen

Mommy and Daddy a.k.a. Becky and Eric

Below are pictures of her on the first day we met, and this morning as she was dancing to the "Wiggles" before we left for work. Enjoy!

2006-09-04T07:10:00.000-07:00

Elia has pretty much got this walking thing polished!!

This little one is cruising and keeping mom and dad very busy. Notice she can even sneeze without landing on her butt. That is an important skill, because life sends a few sneezes along the "Walk" of life". Loving you Elia.

2006-08-20T21:14:00.000-07:00

Elia is walking

She is just so much fun!!!!

Aww Isn't she cute!!!

2006-08-19T15:09:00.000-07:00

Elia's Mommy and Daddy have returned to teaching school now and Elia has made lots of new friends at her baby sitters. This weekend the Krell Family 3 is going to Tucson for the night to enjoya get away time together. Here is a really cute picture I got today of Elia as they prepared to leave for a fun time Just getting away from it all for a few hours.

Elia loves her Dollie named Giggles, She also is an absolutely awfully cute litte bundle of giggles herself.

Elia's visit to Grammy Keeslar early July 2006

2006-07-30T20:56:00.000-07:00

Elia gets to meet people who love her from all over Illinois

2006-07-15T17:35:00.001-07:00

These are just the pictures taken by Grammy Keeslar so far BUT I will add others from the trip all around the state once I receive them.

Celebrating Elia

2006-07-02T17:26:00.000-07:00

Thanks for stopping by here to see some of our celebration for Elia's Dedication and First Birthday Celebration. I would invite you if you have not seen it to also visit the Web page which gives lots more detail of a couple of special events leading up to this day.

The next Loop is captured from the video taken by a friend as the completed their 22 hour round trip from Tijuana and brought Elia to her home to stay!!

Please feel free to leave a comment here, you do not have to have a Blogger account to do this. Just click right below here where it says number of comments and add yours. Please leave your name at the beginning or end so we will know you were her.

If you prefer to sign Elia's Guestbook located on the Home Page website listed above.

Thanks for joining us over this past year, and especially sharing in these Special Days!!!

Church Surprise Elia is home!!!

2006-06-26T20:28:00.000-07:00

Dailymotion blogged video
Church Surprise Elia is home!!!
Video sent by glo77

After a 22 hour round trip to Tijuana in the middle of the week, a Home Church is "Very surprised to find out that this morning's "Special" is much more than just a pretty song about Love.

This church family as well as many other friends and family from around the country prayed for and supported this young couple through their adoption of this baby girl. At times it seemed like an endless journey. There were lots of "pretty difficult long weeks, that seemed to never come to an end".

And suddenly almost out of nowhere, they were to get their baby at an orphanage at 3 am on a Wed morning, and make that dirve to Tijuana and then home on Fri. Saturdaythey still found the time and energy to put together a wonderful moment of praise and celebration for their Church family.

Their prayers and the prayers of many many others had been answered. The man in the video who makes the surprise entrance near the end of the song is someone Elia's family has now named "Uncle Jerry".

The song is by Natalie Grant entitiled ..Held..and is being sung by My daughterBecky... Elia's Mommy , the pianist is my son-in-law ...Elia's Dad.

If you listen all the way through I think you will agree ; this church family is absolutely and very pleasantly surprised at what has unfolded in front of them this Sunday morning.

Elia's Birthday is this Wednesday.

2006-06-19T19:21:00.000-07:00

She will be one year old. I will fly into Tucson on Wednesday, and instead of having to go to the orphanage and see her and then have to leave her after just a few hours, I get to spend a little more than 4 days with her. One of the fun things we are going to do is go swimming. Here is a picture of Elia in her swimsuit.

I am told she just loves the water. I am planning on getting wet long before I thought I would!!!LOL

I am so excited!!!

Guess Who's coming to Grandma's house.

2006-06-02T19:03:00.000-07:00

July 8th I will meet Elia with her Mom and Dad at the airport. I can hardly believe I will have that beautiful baby with that wonderful smile right here to brighten up every corner of my home. I will be visiting her first to celebrate her Dedication service and her First Birthday, and then a couple of weeks later, she will be here. Several friends and some family also live here in ILlinois, so it will be a sort of whirlwind visit. I shall savor each and every second. I will even try to squeeze in a few comments about Mom and Dad every now and then LOL.

I am typing on a new computer and haven't downloaded any pictures yet. I may try to install the scanner later this weekend and put a picture of Elia at 10 months that I received a beautiful 8 X 10 of in the mail this past week.

A new standing table, and child prodigy

2006-05-29T11:07:00.000-07:00

Elia is not only crawling anywhere and everywhere she wants to go, she also has a new standing table. It has all kinds of wonderful things to explore and learn about. colors, textures, sounds, numbers, letters, when I go to visit I am sure I will learn much more about what it actually does, and enjoy watching her play with it. It is very good for her to stand and play here as one of her little legs turns out more than it should, and Mom says while she is standing and playing they kind of just happen by and straighten the leg out. They are noticing she too seems to be balancing and holding it in where it needs to be much better now.

here she is at the standing table. She is gaining weight nicely and growing herself a head full of cute little curls. align=baseline border=0>

Yesterday while I was talking to her she played me alittle tune on the piano. I suggested maybe a phone picture while we talked and learned that on these camera phones, you can't talk and take pictures at the same time. Oh well I did get to hear her play a little tune, and I think we are well on our way to a child prodigy "again"!! LOL.

There is also a picture of our little prodigy in training, not long after she got home . I had originally put these images in a larger format, but having a sick computer right now means doing this very quickly from work, so have not worked at all with sizes etc. You can still tell she is absolutely wonderful!!!

Now that Dad is off from school too, and they get to be a family all summer long, perhaps I can get a picture of Mom and Elia doing something fun together and get a picture of the two of them on here updated as well.

Crawling

2006-05-19T10:53:00.000-07:00

One of the things we learned as my daughter chose to adopt from Mexico, is that in that culture or at least that particular part of Mexico where Elia’s orphanage was, baby’s are never encouraged to crawl, but rather to walk. Becky and Eric were discouraged from putting her on the floor and encouraging the crawling movements when they began to see them. A few things come to mind:…The floors are cold and it was winter in an unheated orphanage, some of their homes also have dirt floors, that part of North America is home to such things as scorpions and tarantulas which also enjoy walking on the floor. So anyway, Elia did learn to enjoy time in a walker. Now that she has been home for a while though. The floors are warm and carpeted. There is great traction, and lots of things to get to, that you just can’t reach by sitting there, and she hasn’t learned to walk yet. If she isn’t in her walker and she wants to move, what can she do? She can crawl

Elia's Mommy had an "ooopsie"

2006-05-18T08:23:00.000-07:00

Please watch your step!!!!!

On Monday while Elia's Mom was hand carrying some invites to a celebration/birtday party she is having after her dedication on June 25th, she fell over a stone in a parking lot while carrying Elia. The good news is, Elia only got a scratch on her arm, the bad news is, Mom has a bad ankle, a pretty smashed up knee and very sprained if not broken wrist. Mom ended up spending 3 hours in emergency, and finally returning the next day for x-rays and a splint for her wrist. As far as I know this morning nothing is broken.

Now this fall would have been exactly one week after Elia's last fall, which happened in Juarez Mexico, when the Visa photographer had them put her on this stool for her picture and then told dad to back away as he needed out of the picture. Within a blink the baby was on the floor with a split lip. So they spent the first half hour or so processing out of Mexico in the Emergency room. Dad spent the rest of the day with blood all over his shirt, and Elia spent it in a onesie with shorts.

One of their good friends who went to court as their witnesses for the adoption proceeedings told them "If Elia falls again, we are calling the orphanage"!" Then the friend proceeded to practice falling holding her baby in case the same thing should happen to her. LOL. Whatever works I guess. I would think a 10 pound sack of potatoes with a dozen eggs would have acomplished the task just fine.

Of course it is only a chuckling matter now becasue Elia did not get hurt thanks to the fact that Mom did take most of the fall on herself. Pray that she does heal quickly. It hurts to walk AND it hurts to pick up Elia the many times in a day when she has to do this!!! Also Mom is an accomplished pianist and Music teacher. She really needs this wrist to be Ok, and the sooner the better.

First well baby visit.

2006-05-12T18:42:00.000-07:00

Elia has gained 2 lbs and grown 2 inches in the 3 weeks she has now been home. The Dr gave her all of her baby shots as he is wanting to repeat them to be sure he knows that the quality of the shots are up to our standards in the US and just said overall he would be more comfortable starting her shot record over again knowing what and when she received her immuniazations. She did very well with her first shots.

A Mother's Heart

2006-05-11T17:59:00.000-07:00

My daughter Becky has never posted to the BLOG on the website I have made for Elia. She did however email to me all of the information in the BLOG and all of the pictures in the albums there. When I came home for lunch today to check the BLOG, I found this written from her to her new daughter Elia...it so touched my heart!!!

My mija
Elia, As I write this, I sit and listen to you breath as you sleep. One year ago today, I lost a precious baby. You have a brother or sister that you will meet in heaven. I know that he/she is so proud of us that we have a baby to love. However, if your daddy and I had not lost our baby, we would not have met you. You are God's gift to us. He wanted you to be with us. I am so glad that this Mother's Day will be a day of celebration. Mija, I loved you from the moment I saw you. As you grow in this home, I pray that you will see our love for you, our love for God, family, and friends. Welcome home little one. Mommy loves you!

Posted by Mama

I am starting a New BLOG and hilighting this one

2006-05-11T17:36:00.000-07:00

I want to leave what I did on here waiting for Elia to come home, as it is. Since her Mom and Dad have completed the adoption, I still want to continue on blogger. I have lots of blogs now that I enjoy following, and actually I like the sense of connection to others who also are enjoying this part of technology.

So now I have decided to also BLOG about my own journey through life. I am not sure where each day will take me. I do think though it may be fun to keep a record over the next few years. As I look back over the last couple of years it would have been fun to have had some kind of journal of many of those events. BUT it is not too late now, so today, my journey continues with my friends and family and of course our newest little member Elia. My new BLOG is titled On the go with Glo...you can visit it here

News about Elia can and will be found in both places. Big moments like, walking and saying "grammie", blowing kisses, giving hugs, patting the dog, sleeping through the night, well you get the idea, if its really really cute and needs a spot of its own, it will be here, many times with a photo too. If it's part of everday, I called and talked to Becky and she said Elia...it will probably be a part of my newere BLOG.

Confused yet LOL. You'll be able to tell pretty easy if its a "Grandma thing" or a Glo thing LOL.

Elia's Adoption is complete.

2006-05-11T17:32:00.000-07:00

Our Journey of Faith to a completed adoption of Elia was finished on Monday about 5pm Juarez time.

Some of you may remember that last year about this time , Becky was pregnant. She would begin to miscarry the Friday before Mother’s day. It was a very sad time for all of us, but especially of course for her, and for Eric.

As I look at the timing and many of the unexpected glitches and hold ups in this adoption, I can’t help now but stop and marvel at how the timing has played out for this week. Look at Becky and the beautiful Mother’s Day weekend she has coming and the beautiful baby daughter she will get to share it with. If you could talk to Eric I am sure he too would tell you what a difference this child has made in their lives, and how very different his experience will be this weekend over what he too was dealing with last year at this time.

Doggie Hair cuts

2006-05-05T20:48:00.000-07:00

Look what she did to us. She said its really hot in Arizona in the summer time, so she had to practice short haircuts on us in case we move there in a year or two to be closer to some baby she seems to be absolutely crazy about these days.

Has anybody got a hat and sweater we could borrow, it's going down to freezing again here tonight.

Dexter and Daphne.

Celebrating Christmas in April with Elia

2006-04-28T04:54:00.000-07:00

Well tomorrow a group of friends are coming over to my daughter and son-in-law's to celebrate Christmas with Elia. They had hoped to have her by Dec 20th. They have left the tree up waiting for the celebration.

I am so glad they did this and tomorrow is a very special day. Elia's First Christmas may have happened in 2005, but Christmas at home with her family will be April 29, 2006.
Merry Christmas to the Krells. I love you guys so much. Hug and kiss that sweet baby girl extra special for me tomorrow. I am so glad yu waited until she got home aand can finally have your Christmas Celebration together.

Surprising the Church Family

2006-04-25T14:20:00.000-07:00

Becky and Eric attend a fairly small family oriented church near their home. This church has followed and prayed for them through a couple of years of infertility, a preganancy follwed by a miscarriage, and this year through their adoption from Mexico of Elia. It was friends from this church who first mentioned 4 orpanages within an hours drive of the Border close to where they live. It was one of their friends from this church who told them about the small baby at the orphanage where they first went to see Elia.

This church has thrown the orphanage an early Christmas party and put on a puppet show for all of the kids there. This church donated blankets this winter for every child there as the orphanage has no heat. This church has prayed for them and supported them through many difficult times, like when the first target date of Dec 20 fell through. One man in particular later dubbed "Uncle Gerry" came along side them in a very big way from that point on. He is bilingual, and very familiar with the court system and legal workings of both side of the Border. He did lots of advocacy with and for them when it was called for especially with the attorney who just didn't quite seem to have his act together on more than one occasion.

It was this church who would ask for updates weekly and constantly ask "have you heard anyting etc...You all know how that starts to feel when the waiting gets longer than expected etc. It was this church who thought the Sunday would come when they would be asked to pray for a safe travel sometime during the upcoming week, as Becky and Eric travelled to the orphanage which is maybe 8 miles from their home, pickk up Elia and then travel what we originally thought would be Juarez for a VISA. Well that trip is still on the schedule for May 8. HOWEVER

Because the travel plans happened suddenly last Monday afternnon, and the left for Tijuana (not Juarez) as planned suddenly at 3 a.m. Wed morning, very few people from their church knew what had taken place during the week. They had previously rallied a couple of friends to help them pull of this surprise whenever it happened, so those people were aware and preparing their part for Sunday morning.

After their 22 hours in a car round trip to Tijuana with a baby who had "almost" never sat in a car seat before, they arrived home Fri night as many of you know.

Sunday morning would find them entering the church from a side door, and sneaking Elia into the arms of the friend "Dubbed Uncle Gerry", and then proceeding around front, parking the car and entering as usual on Sunday morning.

Becky mentioned that as she was walking in a lady approached her and said "So mama sita, how are you doing "? Becky wasn't sure if she had heard something they were trying to keep secret so she said "Why do you ask"? The lady must have wondered about Becky's strange response then, but just answered her and said "Well I know you are so anxious to get Elia and all, I just wondered if you've heard anything about how much longer it will be"?. Becky said she just smiled and said "Soon!"

Not long into the service a slide show that Becky had prepared and left with a friend, started to play. Eric came out and sat at the piano, and Becky picked up a microphone to sing. A couple of others from their "praise team" were on their instruments. The song was Natalie Grant's "Held"...The theme is the idea of "This is how it feels to be held, to be loved etc. The church wouldn't really have thought anything unusual yet, and were probably anticipating a prayer request for a Travel date, or even prayers for safe travel. They may have just thought it was the Music special for that morning. They never would have been thinking she was there in the building. So Becky sang and the plan was close to the end of the song Gerry would come walking out with Elia. He got about 3 steps out onto the platform when everyone just started clapping...they were all so surprised and thrilled to see that family's and their months of prayers had been answered and Elia was home. Becky said, she still had a little more of the song to sing, so she just took Elia, and finished singing it to her. They have a video of it, and I might get a small clip from it, or I might have to wait until I visit in une to actually see it al. It was described though as a very special time, and a really fun way to say Thank You to lots of church family who had supported them on their adoption jouney.

Celebrating the Family

2006-04-23T18:31:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple of fun pictures.

Crossing the border from Tijuana to SanDiego

Elia with her Mommy and Daddy in her room

Talked with my daughter some this evening. Elia is doing very well adjusting to her new home. She has some new little furry friends and Pedro their little dog and Elia are already really good friends. I should get some pictures of that soon. She is eating well. Loves all the new and interesting toys she has to play with. She went to church this morning and Mom sang Natalie Grants "Held" while Dad played the piano, and a slide show played in the background. This would NOT be anything strange and new, as they both do a lot musically for thier church all the time. Most of the people in the church did not know Elia was home yet. Near the end of the song, A wonderful friend who has helped them deal with a couple of sticky points during the process, as he knows the courts and legal system, also the highways around Mexico etc. anyway he was dubbed "Uncle Gerry" back around Christmas time. He got to walk out with Elia and hand her to her parents as the song was nearing an end EXCEPT the song wasn't really ended, and as he walked out the people caught on and they all started to clap, so he just handed her over to Becky and she finished singing the song while she held her.

Can you help me rally some to celebrate.

2006-04-21T15:20:00.001-07:00

As you know my daughter and son-in-law ave adopted a baby girl from Mexico. They have several friends and family of course who have been supportive along the way, and also at times frustrated at how l-O-N-G this takes, why there is "no news" for long perieods of time etc. I am wondering two things...If You would go to the BLOG post linkedbelow if you are reading this...AND If you would ask others rom the International Adoption Community which you know to also go to this link. Because they did an independent adoption as they were only a few miles from the orphanage where Elia was left, they did not have access to a group of people to celebrate this part with the kind of understanding that you have. Thanks to anyone who will take the time to help them to celebrate. If you leave some kind of contact info I am sure when they get rested up you will hear from them. If you are not comfortable leaving contact info then just let me thank you now for joining our celebration. I won't be going away i will be joining your celebration as well!!!
This is a surprise BLOG entry. They have no clue I have put this on their BLOG today.

here's the news and the link.

They left San Diego about 11 am California time and are expecting about an 8hr drive.

I have put a surprise slide show on the BLOG site sharing some of the memorable spots along the way. You can see her from age 2 weeks to 10 months...and watch as differnt "small hurdles" get crossed. leading up to this day . Pray for a safe arrivel and a wonderful first weekend in their home as a family.

If you don't know Elia's journey OR want to reminisce with us just a bit, take a peak. This takes you directly to the slideshow post.

Remembering our journey

Tagged to be weird!

2006-04-20T14:03:00.000-07:00

I've been tagged by Jon and Karen to reveal ONLY 6 weird things about myself.

1. I detest watermelon...I've tried it every way imaginable and I don't even like to be in a room where I can smell it.

2. I have almost 200 gallons of fish water in my livingroom. You'll have to figure it out or I could post some pictures. My daughter says if we have an earthquake I will drown.

3.I love to Square Dance!!!! My kids say "That's great mom, glad you like it, but its just not for us...They still picture it is something they HAD to do in gym class when boys and girls still had "cooties" and they hated it. If you don't understand that statement, remember...this is an entirey different generation you are dealing with.

4. I may not be a geek, but I am the most computer literate person in my family and circle of friends that I know.

5. I am afraid of snakes, spiders and scorpions and am seriously trying to convince myself "I want to move to Arizona" to be close to Elia and watch her grow up.

6. I might watch a total of 3 hours of TV a week.

OK So now I get to tag 6 people to share their weird things. This could take the rest of the evening or week or month!!!! Let's see...

1.Stacy

2.Faith

3. Mildred and John

4. TC

5. Amy and AJ

6. Eliza2006

If you have already been tagged or you don't believe in this sort of thing, don't sweat it. Otherwise, give us the weird and then pick six people to do the same.

Have some fun with it...I did. It's a good way to pass time!!!!

Wed early am Tijuana bound with their baby girl!!!

2006-04-17T14:12:00.000-07:00

Nothing on the BLOG at the website yet. yet. Will wait for Becky to send me what she wants, or set me free to write it up myself. She is SO-o-o-o-o busy now, LOL....So this time I am NOT encouraging you to go there to respond to this LOL

Although

I would love you to go there to see how really cute Elia looked for Easter. I put her picture right at the BLOG so you don't even have to go find it in the photo album while you oohhh and aaaahhh over the other 200 plus pictures!!!! I feel better, can you tell!

6 am Wed morning they will head for Tijuana with Elia. To make a long story short they should be able to cross her over in San Diego on Fri and bring her home. They then will have 30 more days to make the trip to Juarez,so they are kind of doing there farewell tour, broken up in pieces. They are very excited.

Having said that thought he timing is not real good for Eric's Dad and step-mom who have just come in from IL and will go to the orphanage to see her the first time today. They were staying til Thurs morn and the plan was they would spend Wed at the orphanage with Elia, So now they will need to choose to get in the car and head to Tijuana too, and get to enjoy all of this, or head home a day early with little time for Elia. SIGH, the main problem is leaving from San Diego on Fri sometime will put them quite a lot behind schedule and Kathy has a rather mean boss so that might not be an option. I kind of feel badly for them if they can't stay to enjoy all of this, after driving all that way. I would love to be there. SIGH again!!!

So that's the news.

Prayers for safe travel please, and the best decision regarding extended family.

Thanks
Glo

Special Lovedones!!!

2006-04-16T13:11:00.000-07:00

Link to my grandbaby's website

2006-04-13T15:19:00.000-07:00

I guess maybe some of you have tried to find Elia's website and it is kind of hard to locate from blogger. I haven't quite gotten the layout of this, yet I have had a wonderful time making Elia's site since Sept. anyway. The picture and profile as well as the link section are all down near the bottom of the page as you enter my bLOGGER site. I can't figure out how to move it up to the top LOL

I made a link to the site off of my links...scroll to the bottom of my BLOG page here. If you see their picture and profile, scroll down another inch or so, and you will see a link that says http://journeyoffaith.zoomshare.com That will take you to Elia's site. Actually if this post turns in to a link, clicking on this will work too. LOL hmmm!!!!

The Blog is the 6th one down on the left side. If you have time to visit one of the pages...try OOOHHSS and AAAHHHSSS 2 Has 2 videos lots of pictures, and exciting things that have already happened. Thanks

A little discouraged and a whole lot FRUSTRATED!!!

2006-04-12T10:38:00.000-07:00

I get to write what is happening inside f me here in this BLOG as my daughter and son-in-law do not know this one exists. It is a good place for me to get out my own frustrations etc. as to them I always try to be strong and encouraging, but it doesn't always feel that way, as I watch and listen to this journey. That also means anything you right on here about your own experiences is not realy shared with them, but they do have a BLOG on the website I have made for them throughout this journey as well. That is pretty much their support system in cyberspace. This is mine LOL...aren't you all lucky!!!

I am not at all surprised things didn't work out for Tuesday or Wednesday. I would have been much more surprised if they had gone smoothly. Almost nithing from Dec. on has gone smoothly out of mexico, and with this immigration deal betwwen us now everywhere, I do think it has in fact caused problems that Elia and her parents have no control over, and no part in th e making of, but alas are somewhat anyway along for the ride!!!
Anyway the latest follows!

WEll, we didn't go to Juarez. Here's the scoop. We have found out that we need an additional document sent to Tijuana. I am sending them a bunch of info. but there is an important letter that must be sent to wrap this baby up and bring her home! I should receive that document today and I will overnight it to the person in charge in Tijuana. Then, I am suppose to make contact on Monday regarding the finalization and trip. We may or may not have to go to Tijuana and then to Juarez. We are hoping that we only have to go to Juarez. Yesterday was the first we had heard about a trip to Tijuana from anyone. We are a little confused, but the trip (whatever it is) will be in a little over a week. She said she will get it set fast. She was sorry that we couldn't get Elia home before Easter, but they just have to do all the legal stuff, which I completely understand. However, don't be too disappointed. She will be home in a little over a weeks time and this will be over. We will let you know more as we get the info. I still don't have pictures. I will send those tonight. I brought the wrong photo disc to transfer pictures. Oops. Elia slept yesterday. She wasn't feeling very good, so we are hoping she feels better for Thursday's visit.

There is a link to their website for Elia off of my profile, if you have encouraging thoughts or words for them, please feel free to visit.

Thanks for listening to grandma

Passport is in their hands..Contact from Juarez

2006-04-10T13:44:00.000-07:00

The passport is in their hands. They have talked to Juarez and they have all the paperwork. So evidently NOW we wait again hopefully just hours but maybe days for Tiawana to issue OK to release Visa, and then they get their travel date to Juarez.

They have asked to consider this week as Eric's Dad and Step-mom are coming for Easter. Lily Perez the lady who has talked with them from Juarez said she would mention that to Tiawana so go ahead and pray for a miracle...She was BOTH calling and faxing whatever Tiawana needed today, but it could be anywhere up to 2 weeks to travel. Either way we are now down to weeks and days (no more months) as it sounds anyway!!!
I am still going to wait for a travel date but then I will be purchasing a ticket for the weekend after Father's Day for the big Celebration, Baby Dedication, Birthday and Carni Asada ? whatever ?means we get to eat at Burger King!!!! LOL Actually a wonderful family from their church owns a Burger King right on the Border. They have let them park there for free 2 to 3 times a week since Sept. They are catering this upcoming celebration as a gift to them. They promised it wouldn't be hamburgers.

Just wanted to keep many of you updated on what we have learned today.

We have a passport

2006-04-07T17:42:00.000-07:00

Well sort of...It is being typed up etc, and will be handed over to them on Monday. They did get Elia to her destnation, took pictures there etc. She left several fingerprints and a toeprint electronically, as her little fingers were so small the electronic reader couldn't pick up her print, so they did the toeprint too. LOL

Little thing took it all in stride , similar to her really cute Birth cert. photo. She is so good natured!!!

Thanks to all of you who did respond with your encourageing words and prayers. I know they were so needed and appreciated today by both Becky and Eric. They did have extra paperwork to do via a request from Mexico City and the Mexican Consolate ....and Madre Maria sign offs...date Becky and Eric signed on etc...., but ran around and got it all completed and to the Consolate with their baby girl...and all her prints LOL.

Of course if you've ever driven in Mexico or from what I have read anywhere out of the country, that runaround can be a little breath taking in itself.

Thanks so much for all of your responses

Passport Woes...not at all a good day..they need encouragment

2006-04-06T19:37:00.000-07:00

My daughter left the orphanage in tears tonight. They have been refused a passport for Elia unless they go to Mexico City (which will take 2 to 3 more months) because they are "North American"...There is NO other reason!!!! All of the papers are there and in order but they refuse to give Elia her passport from Nogales Mexico..which is a Border town and caught up in all the Immigration stuff happening these last two weeks. From the orphanage they somehow got to talk to The Mexican Consolate on the Nogales AZ side of the border before coming home. He ( a mexican himself) said...All the paperwork is fine. There is no reason to NOT get a passport....What they need to do to see him tomorrow is to get an escort across the border with Elia...They will fingerprint them all...and do her passport right then and there. Sounds easy enough...well 2 weeks ago it wouldn't even have been necessary ...as they would not have been called North Americans and told NO go to Mexico City!!!!Prayer request is ,,,that they will be able to find an escort tomorrow to take Elia to the Mexican Consolate on the US side of the border. They will not be able to carry her across the line either way...they will have to turn her over to the escort and meet them at the Consolate etc...then get her back on the other side of the border to bring her back to the orphanage. If they can get this done, she will get her passport tomorrow.They are expecting the paperwork from the National Visa Center in New Hampshire to be in Juarez by next week for sure. It was the Consolate in Juarez that told them to go ahead and get the passport done this week. Once they have the passport, they trade it for the Visa in Juarez and can take her home...This passport (in the middle of all this immigration stuff) has got a small family of 3 innocent people trapped in national problems not at all of their making. Please pray for my daughter, son-in-law and grandbaby Elia... Thank You so very much.

Most of you have this bookmarked but in case...here is the site

http://www.journeyoffaith.zoomshare.com

Passport next Wed 4/5/2006

2006-04-01T08:32:00.000-08:00

Heard from my daughter today that Juarez has not heard anything from National Visa Center yet. They have had the INS approval now for a little more than 3 weeks. Whoever she talked to there told her to go ahead and get the passport done for Elia and had them fax some paperwork there to Juarez yesterday. That lady said she would check with New Hampshire to see the status of their case etc, and get back, but this way once NVC sends the documents, the passport which takes a week or so will be all done. She will get them an appointment ASAP once the other stuff gets in from NH. Encouragingto get any news at all. Once again though it was my daughter making the calls for the information, not INS or Juarez calling her. Kind of scarce on the info...which gets nervewracking after a while. It was good to get some direction to progress forward with the passport anyway. Still a positive step in the right direction as far as we can tell.

100_0801

2006-03-30T18:04:00.000-08:00

Dailymotion blogged video
100_0801
Video sent by glo77

Veggie puffs are great!!!!

Solid Gold waltz

2006-03-19T20:41:00.000-08:00

Dailymotion blogged video
Solid Gold waltz
Video sent by glo77

Solid Gold weekend March 2006

Phase 2 waltz Run for the Roses

The tree full of eagles as seen in Video Blog from this day.

2006-03-15T17:39:00.000-08:00

I can not begin to count all of the eagles soaring in this video. I did walk over to snap a phot or two ( ok many photos) of a tree absolutely full of them. You can see them soaring in and out of this tree on the video.

right in front of me

2006-03-15T17:30:00.000-08:00

Dailymotion blogged video
rightinfrontofme
Video sent by glo77

Eagle soars about 10 feet in front of me

eaglesitesandsounds

2006-03-15T17:23:00.000-08:00

Dailymotion blogged video
eaglesitesandsounds
Video sent by glo77

More eagles in flight than you can count. Sounds too!

For Skye and my other wonderful friends from WOF forum

Elias Journey Our Prayers a video

2006-03-05T13:17:00.000-08:00

Dailymotion blogged video
Elias Journey Our prayers
Video sent by glo77

A video of our Journey to Elia. The story of the adoption of my grandbaby Elia from Mexico

Elia has Mom a Dad and a Birthday.

2006-03-04T14:36:00.000-08:00

Well it took her 8 months to get what most of us get within a few hours, but Elia now has a Birth Certificate. This is such a prescious moment to me. It is almost as though she knows what is happening. Look at that prescious expression.

The first time I saw her

2006-02-27T08:15:00.000-08:00

We rang the doorbell. The nuns were expecting us. The door opened. My camera is propped and ready. I want to share with all of you the moment I first laid eyes on my prescious grandbaby. Here it is. What I didn't know was the nuns are almost never in a photo...they avoid it always in newspapers etc. Too late. I have it captured. Elia and I will both know forever what that moment loooked like. I seemed to get along OK with Madre Terra so I think she forgave my ignorance and just let me "us" enjoy our time with Elia. I am so!!! in love with this little baby girl.

Jerking our chains some..upcoming visit

2006-02-19T08:16:00.000-08:00

Fri the kids went in to sign that they agree with the judge's decree that they will be good parents for Elia. Hmmm now what were they supposed to say No we don't agree with that? He is jerking their chains I think because a friend has come alongside and jerked his some to get him off his duff and proceeding with HIS part of the work for the adoption to take place. Angers and scares me to reflect on this stuff.

Wed. I will fly to AZ and then drive across the border with my daughter and son-in-law to meet and hold Elia for the very first time. We will meet on Thurs. Fri we will return to the orphanage to spend the night and take her downtown on Sat to spend more time with her. This is all very exciting, yet because of the attorney there is an edge of uncertainty as to when or how it will all end. I hate that he is adding this stress to an already very stressful situation to begin with. I hope next week will bring some good news. I know it will bring some wonderful times and memories that I only hope and pray will be allowed to continue to grow throughout the years with the parents and extended family that have so grown to love her.

Just a place to air my thoughts hopes dreams and concerns.

Some progress BUT attorney has attitude

2006-02-17T19:15:00.000-08:00

Well my daughter and son-in-law went in to sign some paper saying they are aware that the judge has signed the decree and found them to be fitting parents etc. A few days ago we were told the only signature needed was that of Madre Maria the like Mother Superior of the orphanage where Elia is. Now we are told there is some other lady higher up than the judge who needs to sign it, and she comes in one Wed. so the attorney thinks. He however tells them he will not make any calls to the courthouse, it is the court house who will call him and let him know when that is done. The next step then is the Birth Certificate. In Mexico it will be Elia's thumbprint that they will take. We are progressing at a very slow snails pace with an attorney with a huge attitude towards his local court house.

email directly to BLOG

2006-02-16T15:44:00.000-08:00

Did you know you can send email directly to my BLOG without actually visiting it. If you want the email directly to blog address, just email me and ask me for it.

Thanks

Thursday Feb 16

2006-02-16T14:06:00.000-08:00

Well it has continued to be a quiet week in the story of this adoption. I kinda feel a little like my life is on hold. I get kind of exhausted waiting for news that the decree is completed, and we can get the papers to INS and get Elia home soon.

I am going to visit her next week. will actually meet and hold her for the very first time. That is very exciting to me. I so hope the decree is signed before I hold her. I get scared someone could still rip her out of our lives until that happens. I might not be the only one who gets a little bit scared about that right now, just no buddy actually says so to each other.

I first found blogger last week trying to pass some time. Looks like I still have more time to pass.

This picture is about 2 weeks ago. I think its beautiful except it makes her look like she has big feet, which she doesn't lol.

Thanks for visiting. Glo

Sunday Feb 12, 2006

2006-02-12T12:04:00.000-08:00

Elias Journey to go Home

Well I have spent a lot of time on Sunday morning reading other people's adoption stories. Leaving notes of encouragement or messages of congratulations. I do not know if I will everh ear from any of them, although I have saved several of their links and will watch as some go to get their child,others finish their journey to him.
I no longer at least get the sense that we are kinda alone on this part of the journey. We are surrounded by couples behind us, with us and ahead of us...and lots of beautiful children finding families.

Elias Journey to go Home

2006-02-11T21:47:00.000-08:00

Elias Journey to go Home

Still learning my way around this site, but I have read some wonderfully inspiring stories. I no longer even feel so alone in this waiting part of the journey to bring Elia home.

Grammie to International Adoption

2006-02-11T16:55:00.000-08:00

Hi I am a "Grammie to be" to the cutest little baby girl. She is currently in an orphanage in Mexico, but hopefully she will soon be in her home in Arizona with my daughter and son-in-law.
I am widowed fairly young actually, and both of my adult children do not live any where near me. My support system is some wonderful friends, but they do not have much of a clue about the adoption journey and International Adoption in particular. I am wanting to link with others on this journey. I want to share your days and I want someone willing to share mine. I will go to work on my profile tonight and hopefully will find a place there to post a picture of out Sweet baby girl...just waiting to come home.

I am so amazed at the number of couples out these who are waiting and yearning for the completion of this long jorney to adoption. I hope that you will welcome me as a "Grandma" on the journey. I want you to share our story with us, and I want to enjoy watching you fulfill your hopes and dreams of adding a child/children to your family as well.
I have made a website for our whole journey "Keeps me out of trouble, during those waiting times" I would love for you to visit. the website is
http://www.journeyoffaith.zoomshare.com