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On a blustery December day, in early evening, I paced anxiously around O’Hare airport with our favorite photographer and friend, Sylver. We made small talk about the weather, life in general, and the like, while I wrung my hands impatiently, waiting for my husband’s call to my cell phone saying the words I’d be waiting so desperately to hear: “we’re home”. Amazingly enough–and if you’ve traveled anywhere even once you know what an incredible miracle this truly is–the plane arrived early. Kev, my husband, called my phone and said, “Baby, we’re home. Come meet your daughter.”
This event took place in December 2007, but writing that last line brought tears to my eyes as if it took place yesterday. I was about to meet my daughter. My daughter! I grabbed the car seat carrier and took off like a rocket as soon as I saw my husband heading my way, carrying the most beautiful baby girl I had ever seen. My daughter.
Sylver, bless her, kept pace after me to photograph these amazing, priceless moments, and when I finally reached Kev and my daughter, Beauty, I burst into tears the second I touched her. I held her close to me and wept openly as people hurried by in all directions. “Welcome home, baby girl. We’ve been waiting for you all our lives.”
And so began a new life–one that included my husband, son, and finally, my daughter. The months of being elbows-deep in paperwork, and worse yet, the months of waiting, waiting, waiting…they were over. And our family of three was now one of four. With this came new challenges, new trials and tribulations, and more love and happiness than I ever thought possible.
My name is Courtney, and I am an immensely proud “Guatemama”. I’m also the newest addition to the Guatemala blog, and I am positively thrilled to be a part of AdoptionBlogs.com! I have two children–one biological son (Bear, age 3) who was adopted by my husband at a few months of age, and one daughter (Beauty, age 2) who made me the aforementioned “Guatemama” that I am today. We started the adoption process when Bear was a mere two months old so the kids are only 10.5 months apart in age; it does make for a bit of chaos at times but also a beautiful friendship between the two of them.
Ever since we made the decision to adopt from Guatemala, my interest in the beautiful country, culture, and the like has peaked and remained steadfast. I want Beauty to know as much about her birth country as humanly possible. That said, I love to research, learn, and share as much as I can about Guatemala. I’m always interested in “talking shop” with other Guatemalan adoptive families/those interested in adoption from Guatemala and discussing updates on the status of Guatemalan adoptions, ways to implement Guatemalan culture into everyday life, and just swapping those beautiful homecoming stories. I look forward to sharing all that I have learned and will learn with everyone reading here. If you’d like to contact me at any time, I can be reached at courtneyo@adoptionblogs.com. Thanks much for allowing me to share my experiences as a very proud and joyful “Guatemama” with all of you!
Photo Credit: 2009 Courtney O.
That picture is priceless! I’m glad you are with us!
Mandy W
I would like to share with the Guatemalan adoption community the following blog:
http://vcu-wh-guatemala.blogspot.com/