Meabon Family

2008-11-10T18:40:00.001-05:00

With so much to be thankful for this year. I am so thankful for my sweet children, amazing husband and loving family and friends. Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-10-31T16:23:00.000-04:00

Fall is a great season...why must CHILLY winter follow? I must say we had a unusually warm Fall. This warmth has caused extreme shock to me with being indoors all the time with my two sweeties. But we are figuring out a schedule and keeping busy.

2008-10-11T11:44:00.000-04:00

A really fun family day.

2008-09-08T11:22:00.000-04:00

Daddy and me soccer and Mommy and me gymnastics. What incredible memories with our babies!

2008-09-07T11:10:00.000-04:00

Playing at Gamma and Papas

2008-09-01T21:31:00.000-04:00

Gavin and Nadia are loving their schools. Gavin attends Geist Christian Church and Fishers United Methodist. They are great schools and less then 2 miles from our house so wonderful!

2008-09-01T21:28:00.000-04:00

Praying Mantis...Daddy that is so amazing..

2008-08-17T20:56:00.000-04:00

The rest of August was filled with memories of swimming, parks, playing in the yard, and visits from family.

2008-08-13T15:40:00.001-04:00

Saying Goodbye to the Oppold family, was not my idea of a good time. I keep saying good bye to many important people in my life. The Oppold's were our lifegroup leaders and did an amazing job of supporting Mike and I through Nadia's entire adoption. Having them move away was a complete shock and super sad. You guys are still missed. I am thankful though that they are happy and enjoying their new life in Minnesota.

2008-08-09T21:18:00.000-04:00

The Indianapolis FAIR!

2008-07-25T15:30:00.000-04:00

More summer memories!

2008-07-12T14:37:00.000-04:00

Castles, landscape, gardens, Hadrian's wall, sheep, waterfalls, baby Jonah, delicious food from Casa S&K. What a great trip!

2008-07-06T14:59:00.000-04:00

Dublin, Ireland was a wonderful Mike and I got away for 2 nights on our own. Boy did I start the trip off right. I forgot the PASSPORTS at the house which caused us to miss our train, and cost us a lot of $$ to take a taxi to the airport. WOOPSY. The trip was filled with amazing sites and memories.

2008-07-04T07:31:00.001-04:00

Baby Jonah was so sweet and it was amazing to meet him and love on him for the first time in England. Jonah was so cuddly loving and slept a lot while we were there. I hear he has never slept as well again since Auntie Melissa (just kidding)

I have to say that there truly are a couple of similarities between our living experiences with babies in foreign countries (Jonah born in England baby, Gavin and Nadia born in Guate). No car, cobblestone streets, carrying him everywhere, visiting historical ruins, cell phone cards and skyping, converting the dollar but in the complete OPPOSITE of our favor 2 to 1 in England verses in Guate the dollar was 7.5 to 1. But that is about it...we did not have to barter in a different language for food, or scavenger hunt for household items at many stores. (I love SuperTarget by the way sidebar) Jonah we cant wait to hold you again at Thanksgiving I know you are going to be such a big baby boy!

2008-07-03T14:57:00.000-04:00

Our baby is so beautiful..Happy 18month Birthday.

2008-06-25T06:53:00.000-04:00

Enjoying summer fun with our family in Toledo. Thanks for the awesome memories.

2008-06-24T08:22:00.001-04:00

Gavin is quite good at playing frisbee! So much fun being with Papa in Toledo too..We had several trips back last month. One was my cousin's wedding and another was my Grandmother's 60th wedding anniversary!

2008-06-24T08:03:00.002-04:00

It is hard to believe that Nadia is already 18 months! She is walking well and talking more and more. She loves to be held and loves to play. One of her favorite phrases is "I want my Daddy" I guess the "Daddy's little girl starts early."
First smores are a fun time in the backyard at Nana's house..
Sam is so sweet and keeps surprising us with her absolute joy for Gavin and Nadia. Gavin says, each time we see them (which is never enough) "Sam is going to SQUEAL!"

2008-06-22T07:09:00.001-04:00

Happy Birthday Daddy! We love you! Mommy, Gavin, and Nadia

2008-06-10T08:56:00.000-04:00

Welcome Baby Jonah! He is so wonderful and we cannot wait to go and meet him soon..He was born on June 10 in England check out Susanne and Kristian's blog for more photos.

2008-06-07T08:27:00.000-04:00

It was nice to all be together for one meal at my cousin April's wedding. I am next to my brother Matt and his wife Claire who are expecting! Check out their site for updates. My sister Michelle and her husband Tony are in black on the end.
It was really special visiting my Grandparents. 60 years is a long time to live let alone spend your life together. My Grandmother has a large collection of porcelain birds, duck, and chickens. Nadia could not believe all of them and kept screaming "quack, quack. Please continue praying for my grandmother she is not doing well..she is back in the hospital with a bladder infection and and fell. She fractured several bones in her face. My Grandfather is doing well although this is difficult for him of course.

2008-06-03T08:53:00.000-04:00

People loving our kids everywhere! We are so blessed to have so many people that love our kids. This is my Grandma Mae my mom's mother hugging Nadia and Gavin.

2008-05-31T08:12:00.000-04:00

They change so fast! We worked and worked to help Nadia become a walker and it is amazing how subtle yet monumental it is for us to watch her learn little by little. All of us would have preferred her learn a little faster... but she now has it and no one can stop her now!

These moments are so few and I have to take them when I can my angel feel asleep while we were swinging at a memorial day picnic!

2008-05-20T08:39:00.000-04:00

Zoo train..fun times at the Toledo Zoo. The Zoo train was a big part of growing up for me we went to the Zoo sometimes weekly and the train was a must.
Gavin was really lucky to get to go and hang out at the firestation in Oregon one of my bridesmaids Sarah Beavers (congrats on your new baby Sarah)! She is married to a volunteer fireman. He showed Gavin all the fire engines and he had such a great time!

2008-05-11T21:25:00.000-04:00

First STEPS! HORRAY!

Happy Mother's Day! For Mother's day we took a 10 hour drive to introduce Nadia to Mike's Mema for the first time. She loved Nadia and cried when we left. The most amazing thing happened while we were there. Nadia took her first steps! I should be screaming this from the mountain tops but it has been rather anti-climatic because of how busy we have been. Nadia is so cute as she is taking steps you have to count for her and they are the tiniest. Special things we did while we were there are we went to eat at the Golden Corral (which is Mema's favorite place to eat). We also checked out the train coming into the station.

2008-05-05T21:16:00.001-04:00

Hanging out with our neighbors Kevin and Lucy is great fun! Nadia is so cute in her "baby doll" carriage.

2008-04-30T21:08:00.000-04:00

It was fun to see Evie for just bit my best friend Natalie (from the 1st grade) we now have girls the same age.

2008-04-30T21:06:00.000-04:00

Tractor rides at Papa's Nadia was squealing and signing "More, More"!

2008-04-30T21:01:00.000-04:00

Playing video games with Uncle Matt, picnic's at the park with Gamma, Nana, and Chelle. It is so nice that it is SPRING finally!

2008-04-22T21:18:00.000-04:00

My crazy messy eater! Nadia love to eat and boy is she messy..
Woops..Gavin did a face plant down our driveway ouchy...

Two peas in a pod running at the Children's museum with Daddy.

2008-04-22T21:11:00.000-04:00

Here are some great shots of our family at Aunt Mildred's viewing. Nadia is getting so close to walking but does not want to let go!

2008-04-22T20:18:00.005-04:00

This photo was taken in 2003 when Michelle and I took a road trip to visit our Grandpa and Aunt Mildred in Florida. Tomorrow I will attend my Great Great Aunt Mildred's viewing and her funeral on Thursday. She lived to be 100! Well, my Grandfather (my mother's father) is her nephew. He should have died on Saturday. He was wearing a blue Do Not Resucitate (DNR) bracelet on and decided in the middle of the night to have his nurse take it off. He must have known that his breathing was getting worse. By Sunday morning he was on a ventilator and by Sunday at 10:30 his Aunt Mildred had passed away. Grandpa is now already off the ventilator breathing on his own and out of ICU! Amazing..tomorrow I hope to share with him and try and talk to him about his faith. I also get to bring the kids up to visit him too!

2008-04-21T09:45:00.002-04:00

Please pray...I thought I would let everyone know that my Great Great Aunt Mildred passed away yesterday she was 100 years old. I am currently in Toledo with the kids. Please be praying for my Grandpa Miller who is in ICU on a ventilator. His heart is beating strong and on his own. This week I will attend funeral services for my Great Great Aunt my brother will be officiating the service and I will be visiting my grandfather as much as possible. Thank you for your prayers!

2008-04-17T20:52:00.002-04:00

It was so nice to visit with my friend Marissa she and Bridget flew in for the week while the Daddy's were busy working:( The four of us spent many days and evenings together while fostering in Guate together.

Bridget was a visitor at Nadia's swim lesson. The girls thought it was amazing!
Check Gavin out at his swim lesson! Big guy without mommy!

Nadia now says "quack quack" for the duck and so many other animal sounds like: Cow, Pig, Horse, Doggie, Kitty, Sheep and others.

2008-04-08T15:41:00.004-04:00

This is Nadia and Karina meeting for the first time in Guatemala!

Here they are 7 months later!

2008-04-07T21:41:00.006-04:00

This is Gavin and Aaron in Guatemala City last September.
Here they are in Indiana 7 months later!

Aaron and Kristian are complete Star Wars nuts, they really taught Gavin a lot about the force this week. He even learned how to fight with an imaginary lightsaber. Mike could not be more proud. Aaron loves Gavin so much and mostly sat with him and hugged him and read his Star Wars books to him teaching much about "the force."

2008-04-07T21:37:00.003-04:00

Girls just wanna have fun..We had Lauren and Jillian visit one evening and they are only a few months apart from Nadia and Karina I love JAMMIES! Eliana is so beautiful her hair is sooo long now!

2008-04-07T21:27:00.003-04:00

Last week we had the opportunity to host the Gill Family! So much fun had by all..Tuesday-Friday felt like one big playdate. Steve's mother had a successful surgery and could be out of the woods with cancer. It is amazing how kids just pick up where they left off without skipping a beat. Adults can learn a lot from watching children play. Inhibitions and honesty are always out in the open children don't worry about tiptoeing around each others feelings but are ready to just relax together, build, throw, create and imagine together.

2008-04-07T21:02:00.004-04:00

Spring cleaning has begun..so I am TRYING to get organized. Many of you know that this is a lifelong quest for me. Especially my sister who moved out of sharing a room with me when we were 16 and 18 because she could not handle my messiness anymore. I must say beginning this "organization quest" with 2 sweeties around is teaching me patience. But I have embraced their help! Gavin's enthusiasm for helping us with almost everything is delightful I only hope he can keep his momentum into the teen years..hee hee. Mike has joined me on this quest too and I know we are getting closer little by little.

2008-04-07T16:27:00.002-04:00

My schoucher (spelling anyone?). I had to share this with you all since we are soon approaching a time when crawling/scooting will no longer be Nadia's main mode of movement. She will soon be walking and yet another phase will begin! Chasing two? Many of you know that she has been in physical therapy because she was not pulling up and she was 13 months. Being able to pull to stand is kind of important if you want to someday walk. I am so happy with our progress she is impressing us all and will even sometimes choose to crawl traditionally but "normal" is boring right. So here she is scooting her Easter away. She is a total balloon NUT too!

2008-04-07T15:31:00.003-04:00

So, I have been incredibly slow at blogging not sure if there is a legitimate excuse except for as I speak my son is trying to grow out of his nap! I actually had them both napping at the same time which was simply amazing for a while. This is trying to make him nap thing is starting to make me a bit crazy. During his nap time he now: stays in his room, sings, sometimes empties drawers, strips himself of clothing or sometimes his bed. You cannot say he his not creative to say the least. Not sure when to give up.? (giving up has not really been one of my best talents).. I have been actually bribing him with his Easter candy if he goes right to sleep. Speaking of Easter I believe I forgot to blog some photos Mike's parents came for Easter which was very special and they took most of the photos which I do not have as of yet (Papa Dave). Now, I need to go upstairs and once again tell him to rest. We really enjoyed our now becoming annual Easter egg hunt at with the Oppold's (thanks again for hosting and being so amazing Oppold family) So, I just bribed Gavin with 3 fruit snacks and a piece of chocolate we shall see since is has been over an hour since he has been quietly playing in his bed we may need to count that as his nap. Do any mom's have any suggestions for my just turned 3 and opposing a nap? Enjoy these couple of Easter photos. Oh and if you are wondering he is napping now but guess who is ready for her mummy? You guessed my sweet Nadia!

2008-03-19T14:23:00.003-04:00

We spent last week enjoying Spring Break at New Smyrna Beach. We rented a condo on the beach and had a very nice heated pool. Gavin learned to swim with Swimmies. Nadia loved the ocean and playing in the sand and the girls really bonded in such sweet ways. Nadia could have stayed for hours digging if we would have let her! Gavin sang, Peter and James and John in the Sail boat out in the deep blue sea..at the top of his lungs, "Then came Jesus walking on the water." He loved chasing waves, flying kites, eating fresh fish and strawberry shortcake and having so much Gammamma and Papa Dan time. Thanks Mike for letting us go and for all you do for us! The drive all the way down in one day with 7 bodies in one mini van was a bit dicey but worth every minute of "being together" (another favorite phrase of Gavin's). I cannot believe that I can drive 6 hours straight maybe truck driving is in my future?

2008-03-19T14:00:00.003-04:00

This is Aunt Claire trimming Nadia's bangs for the first time at Baby Sam's 1st Birthday party.

2008-03-19T13:56:00.002-04:00

This is what 60 years of marriage looks like! Kind of amazing...I am slow at posting lately (sorry) but I have been a couple of places too in the last few weeks. I had the chance to spend the weekend with my grandparents in Dallas, TX. My Grandma Ruth is improving but is still relearning how to walk. I worked with her a lot that weekend and she continues to learn more and more each day. Grandma you are in our prayers. We love you...

2008-02-26T21:46:00.003-05:00

Happy 3rd Birthday mi amor. It is so hard to believe how quickly each day passes. We love you so much and cannot wait to see you grow but don't grow too fast. We are praying for you each and every day believing that you will become a special person who loves God with all his heart.

2008-02-26T21:40:00.003-05:00

We finished off Gavin's celebration with a day at the Children's Museum with friends. He absolutely loved the George exhibit!

2008-02-26T21:36:00.005-05:00

It felt a little like Christmas morning opening gifts at 7:00 AM! Gavin loves his new ROCKET from the Little Einstiens.

2008-02-26T21:33:00.002-05:00

Celebrating Aunt Susanne and Uncle Kristian's baby shower was just ducky! So much fun we cannot wait to meet you baby bean!

2008-02-26T21:31:00.003-05:00

It was great fun to have Michelle visit us recently we love you Aunt CHELLE and baby Sam!

2008-02-26T20:53:00.003-05:00

My crazy guys..one night Mike asked Gavin what his favorite food was, Gavin replied "BLUE PINAPPLE" so Mike proceeded to make him blue pineapple. So much for keeping Blue Dye number 5 out of his diet. They both thought it was a riot.

2008-02-23T22:04:00.003-05:00

Gavin loved his "Choo Choo train" cake. To make a Train cake you simply: bake the cake in a 13X9 pan, then cut the cake into 3rds long ways, then cut the cake into whatever length of train car you would like. For the engine add a small square piece of cake on top near the back of the car use two large marshmallows with a toothpick on top. I found that putting icing on the tops of the cake cars is easier. Use reeses miniature cups for tires and twizzlers pull and peels for train tracks. Decorate each car with your favorite candies. Gavin's had gummy snakes, m&m's, marshmallows, and of course Winnie the Pooh too.

2008-02-23T21:52:00.000-05:00

It was great fun to bring cupcakes to Gavin's school, he could not believe that Nadia and Mommy came to his class. So sweeet in his little hat!

2008-02-23T21:39:00.002-05:00

Happy 3rd Birthday Gavin! It is so hard for us to believe that our baby boy is already turning 3! WOW this is going way too fast. He is such a joy, he is impresses us each day. We celebrated last weekend in Toledo with the entire family it was really great. Even Mike's sister Susanne and Uncle Kristian were there from England. They actually were in town celebrating their baby shower. Pics to follow..they are having a boy yeah for Gavin a boy cousin. Some sweet things he is saying right now that we love are: "Chey Chey" - Leche, Milk
"Fanditch" - Sandwich a "Daddy Fanditch"-means wrestling with Daddy
"Cabuzz" - Because
"Belly Jeans"- Jelly Beans
"Muffin pancakes"- Cup Cakes (we think the cup throws him off)

It was really special to have my Grandpa Miller come to Gavin's party too. Sadly he is now on Oxygen for the rest of his life and is unable to have a much needed heart surgery. Please keep him in your prayers. He was so excited to give Gavin a truck and helicopter.

2008-02-01T15:04:00.000-05:00

I recieved a wonderful Birthday present today. My Grandma Ruth has broken her back in two places. She had back surgery and has been in and out of the hospital for the past two weeks. Until today I did not know that I would have the chance to speak with her again ever. She has never missed calling me on any of my birthdays. I was actually feeling quite down about it last night. I even said to Mike, "I won't get a birthday call from my Grandmother." Our God works miracles. She has been incoherent and has barley known her name for the past 10 days. Finally we have answers about what has been happening to her; she has had bleeding on her brain and the bleeding has gone all the way down her spine. When she called me today I was so overwhelmed and amazed at how big our God is! She is still in incredible pain from the bleeding. The Neurosurgeon has not ever seen a case this bad, he plans to write an article about her case. Please continue keeping her in your prayers. She is 79 and is in Dallas, TX with my grandfather and two aunts.

2008-01-20T21:48:00.000-05:00

It is so wonderful to have my babies back we are not doing so well in our New Year's Resolution but we will keep trying our best to stay healthy! This is so precious of Gavin and Nadia playing together, a rare but an increasing activity.

2008-01-11T22:20:00.001-05:00

The reality of the situation...so this is what my NEW YEAR has been filled with. Literally. I cannot believe Mike took this picture of me but sometimes being a mom is not always glamorous. We started this year with Jan 2 the illnesses began. We had our lifegroup over for a New Year's Eve party and many of the kids shared in this fun sickness, which included: Vomiting, the runniest nose EVER, coughing, fevers and ear infections. Wow what fun! The kids are on the mend and we are so thankful that we did not contract this virus. Mike chipped his tooth this week and now has to have a crown while Nadia is bringing in tooth #7! It is humbling to me every time they are sick how much they need and depend on us for everything. It is also difficult at times to believe that we are responsible for so much as parents. Not only providing their physical needs but so much of their emotional, social, and most importantly spiritual needs. I am keenly aware of these when they are vunerable or in pain and I want so badly to help them. It is easy to imagine now that I am a parent how our heavenly father feels at times looking down on us when we are struggling or in pain. I'm sure He is trying to guide us and provide us with every tool He can to help us through our pain. I pray that this year I will be able to provide these delicate and every changing needs for them. But that I will find joy in doing so..even when it is difficult. I want to resolve to find the positive and give them all that I can to help them to become the people God intends them to be. 2008 here we come!

2007-12-25T15:26:00.000-05:00

Mike is trying extra hard to get his Christmas present to work! Who knows if it will work or not! Gavin loves the new red "COPTER!"

Look out Mickey!

Christmas morning with two sweet babies. Nadia got a baby doll from santa she squealed as soon as she saw it! Gavin could not stop jumping for his train set. Trains are his favorite thing in the world.

Libby is my brother's doggie she is super small!

Ice sledding is great fun for Gavin and maybe even more fun for my dad.

Making Christmas cookies with Ethan and Ella was great!

Some funny Christmas memories Mike and Michelle are hilarious wearing Gavin's Lightening McQueen hat.

2007-12-15T22:01:00.000-05:00

Gavin really enjoyed the Indiana State Museum and riding the train with his DADDY!

2007-12-10T22:16:00.000-05:00

Visiting my Great Aunt Mildred, my grandfathers aunt who is now 100 years old was really quite amazing. She had many questions for me regarding Nadia's adoption process and was very interested in what it was like in Guatemala. We stopped in for a quick one night trip in Toledo.

2007-12-08T22:19:00.000-05:00

Fun was had by all at her party and she had a great time with her cake too!

2007-12-08T22:03:00.000-05:00

It is amazing and some moments a bit difficult for me to believe how quickly her first birthday arrived. The day was wonderful and to be together as a family back home in Indiana is a blessing I am thankful for each day. Watching her change and learn new things is wonderful and her own little personality is starting to shine through. She is determined and usually easily contented...especially if her busy brother is not bopping her on the head!

2007-12-08T21:40:00.000-05:00

Grandparents LOVE! Wow, it is amazing to have such loving and supportive grandparents in our kids lives. The weekend was full of celebrating when we had Mike's parents, my parents and my grandma mae love on the kids. The ice storm allowed them to stay an extra day. I'm not sure who was more excited about the storm the kid's or the grandparents.

2007-12-07T21:39:00.000-05:00

My proud little chef! Gavin is so great at cooking and enthusiastically asks about every 2 minutes.."I try it?" He is a sweet little helper.

2007-11-20T21:33:00.000-05:00

So, I'm a little behind on bloggin! What exactly am I not behind on...let's see not much. It was great fun having our cousin Jacob and Aunt Deb drop by on their way through town. Nadia loved being held by him. He was stationed in Japan for the last few years but is now going to get to be stateside in WVa. He is so looking foward to bringing his soon to be new family to the US he is engaged and PROUD of it!

2007-11-10T21:06:00.001-05:00

Having Aunt Chelle and Gamma in Indy was wonderful they helped so much with Nadia's room. She now has a whympsical tree, a canopy, a newly slip covered chair and a her sweet self making her room extremely beautiful. The most beautiful room in the house.

2007-11-10T20:50:00.001-05:00

Halloween was a scream from a Lion, a Sweet Pea and a Baby bee my niece Sam!

2007-11-10T20:43:00.001-05:00

Babies in a basket..it is great to have my sweeties together. Each day is a new adventure with two they are such happy and sweet children and they are keeping us on our toes.

2007-11-09T23:15:00.001-05:00

It was also wonderful to get back to Indiana and spend time with our "Life Group" our small group from our church.

2007-11-09T23:10:00.002-05:00

Kid's hanging out together...It was so nice to have Nadia and Samantha my 8 month old niece together to play FINALLY!

2007-11-09T23:02:00.001-05:00

Being away from Gavin for 6 weeks was so incredibly painful. We skyped (webcammed) about 3 times per day. My mom, Mike's mom, and my sister all have webcams. The first couple of weeks Gavin did not want to cam but after that he adjusted and really enjoyed our chats. We even played together for about 1 hour on the webcam. Anyway, when Gavin woke up on the Saturday morning we arrived in Toledo. Mike and I came around the corner in the kitchen of my mom's house. He screamed and began shaking and crying for joy...he gave me one of the best hugs of my life and could not stop screaming, "I found Mommy and Gamma's house!"

2007-11-09T22:58:00.001-05:00

Aunt Michelle and Uncle Matt were so happy and relieved to hold her for the first time! Nadia is just a bit sleepy..in these shots.

2007-11-09T22:11:00.001-05:00

This was one happy moment! Landing on US soil with our baby was one of the greatest feelings ever. God answers prayers! It was unbelievable to us how God continued to protect and guide our steps through the last moments of this incredible odyssey to Nadia. So the last post (sorry for the blog silence our hard drive fried on our computer! not surprising eh? with all that happened) the last post explained that we were getting our visa the next day. Well that was not exactly what happened. Our visa was not ready on Thursday this brought another set of anxiety filled decisions for us to make again! Thank goodness Mike and I were together. We both felt like we were close to our breaking point but prayed and tried to ask our agency for advice. (which was once again a mistake) We find this information out on Thursday at 4:30 PM and the US Embassy is already closed. Basically, our Friday went like this: Our wonderful driver picked us up in Antigua at 5:00 A.M. we prayed this prayer together.."God we need two miracles one from the American Embassy and one from American Airlines." We knew that God would procide this for us because he has provided so much for us all through this "roller coaster." Mike dropped Nadia and I off with our 400 bags at the airport at 6:00 AM he then went immediately to the US Embassy to be the first in line. The day before...which was when we expected to receive Nadia's Visa we were informed that her Visa would be ready Friday at 7:30 AM. Well, cutting this close was the understatement our flight left Guate City at 8:30 AM for an Int'l flight you must check in 1 hour before or they give your seat away basically there was no possible way for them to check us in because we did not have the Visa. My role while Mike waited for the Embassy to open was to BEG and PLEAD with American Airlines to put us on the next available flight out of the city. As I arrived at the ticket in tears already and looking RATHER exhausted from my whopping 4 hours of sleep. The kind lady at the counter interrupted me to inform me that our flight was ALREADY delayed for 1:30! So perfect to think that God already knew this was what we needed was amazing to us. The night before there was a storm which caused the flight to be rerouted to El Salvador which meant the crew had to rest for an extra amount of time the next morning. I immediately called our driver who ran to Mike with his cell phone, the relief in Mike's voice was the such a blessing! He now could have waited for 3 our 4 hours for the Visa. Luckily kind individuals NOT from our agency just kind Guatemalan's helped Mike get the Visa right away. As we checked in at the ticket counter with Nadia's 10 minute old Visa we could not help but smile and smile! God has blessed us with 2 miracles in one morning. We even took our driver out to Pollo Campero Mike's favorite place for breakfast in Guate.

Boarding that plane in Guatemala on Friday put us home in Detroit at 12:40 which was too late for a huge welcoming party and too late for our sweet 2 and half year old but nothing has felt better to me than the good old USA! One of the things people like to ask me now is does it feel to finally be home? My favorite and truthful answer is amazing to be a family and the US just smells good to me..hee hee. Guatemala smelled stinky to me most of the time. Closing this chapter in our lives was not only one of the most rewarding experience but it was an experience that grew our faith, our families faith, and even the faith our friends that prayed relentlessly for us. We continue to be amazed by how many people this journey touched and how many people blanketed us in their daily prayers. God bless each of you. We have so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving.

2007-10-17T16:08:00.001-04:00

It's official tomorrow Nadia's Visa is delivered and we can fly on Friday. What a relief to be finished..it was so nice to hold Mike and he is soo happy to be with his girls now we just need to get to Gavin. We are coming home! We love you all thanks again for your support and prayers.

2007-10-11T17:19:00.001-04:00

We are coming home! I cannot believe it but it is true..we are coming home praise God! On Wednesday October 17 at 7:15 AM we have our U.S. Embassy appointment. The next day our visa will be ready and then we will fly into Detroit on Friday.

2007-10-05T20:31:00.000-04:00

Gavin is now trying to dress himself! Great job a 2 year old skill off the checklist..he is simply brilliant.

2007-10-05T20:21:00.000-04:00

Is he the cutest little man in the USA!

Miss you bad sweet baby boy.

Love,
Mommy

2007-10-05T20:12:00.000-04:00

All I have to say is I miss my little man a lot!

2007-10-05T20:07:00.001-04:00

Gavin...is having a great time with Daddy on weekends and really enjoyed his first camping trip.
Playing at the beach was great too!
Papa's are so important to hug too...
Thanks everyone for helping out..even baby Sam!

2007-10-05T20:03:00.001-04:00

Who says being traditional is always better..Aunt Deb gave Nadia a green bean to teeth on. She loved nawing on the new raw texture. So cute..

2007-10-05T19:59:00.001-04:00

Cutie in the tub! She is so sweet we don't have a bathtub at our new Casa but Nadia loves her bath. She is so fun and such an easy baby. I can't wait for you all to get to meet her SOMEDAY!

2007-10-05T19:51:00.001-04:00

Ok, so I look awful but I absloutely love it when she is a snuggie face! She burrows into my armpit and tucks her tush up in the air like a sweetheart! I love it. We think that Nadia is left handed which would not make her, Nana, Papa, Uncle Kristian and especially her mommy sad since we are all LEFTIES too! Nadia said her first word today Bye Bye, I spend so much of my time connecting with others (especially Gavin) via Skype that now she says Bye Bye after I hang up!

2007-10-05T19:49:00.001-04:00

Leechee's...werid crazy sweet fruit, it tastes a lot like a grape.

2007-10-05T19:43:00.001-04:00

Great fun and momma's making it through this! Lisa, Marisa, and Blair are just a few of the friends we have made here in Antigua. American momma's loving their babies and trying to bring their babies home to the U.S. We are all almost there we can taste the US soil but not there yet.

2007-10-05T19:39:00.001-04:00

The party was super fun Ava is the Birthday girl on the far right and Bridget is on the far left.

It is very nice to have Aunt Deb or Deborah here to help us! She is so sweet and is enjoying the weather, amazing gardens, and the new culture!

We loved the way they actually make the kids work a little for the candy with the pinata!

2007-10-05T19:35:00.001-04:00

Nadia's first friend's birthday party. We were very excited to be invited to Ava's first birthday party! The babies loved the warm beautiful day and loved being together. We loved Nadia's special dress from Nana that Daddy found in her closet it fit perfectly and we were thankful for a new outfit! Mommy is considering burning several of her outfits when she gets home..hee hee a little tired of her wardrobe down here.

2007-10-05T19:33:00.001-04:00

Babies in a bar? Well, it is actually a cafe called Cafe Sky. Nadia and her best friend Baby Bridget enjoyed the big comfy chairs and the mommies enjoyed being out together!

2007-10-05T19:30:00.000-04:00

Hermano San Pedro..I learned a couple of weeks ago that the only Saint in all of Central America is buried here in Antigua. Hermano San Pedro. Kind of interesting!

2007-09-29T01:03:00.000-04:00

This morning as I woke up I had an uneasiness because I had not yet heard about Nadia's birth certificate. Well, in order to proceed to the next step we have to have her birth certificate with our last name to get her passport...in order to submit her file to the U.S. embassy we have to have a passport. So anyway..I being her about 2 months longer than we anticipated and me really missing my boys so much it hurts. I was really ready to get her new Birth certificate. I went to bible study this morning and as I walked back I realized and received such a peace from God as I realized.."Whatever temporary suffering we are enduring as a family is nothing compared to the lifetime of sadness she would have experienced without a family and we also without her." It seems so logical but it is what will help me get through these next few weeks! The great news is that later this afternoon I was able to reach our attorney and he received her birth certificate. Her name on her new birth certificate is: Laura Meabon Meabon, crazy I know but when the process is all over her name will be Nadia Laurabeth Meabon. So, next week will be filled with a succession of appointments but we still have a few more weeks before we can come home with her.

2007-09-29T00:34:00.001-04:00

As you can see Nadia prefers to eat upside down, and it is so funny to watch her legs are almost always crossed..

2007-09-29T00:26:00.001-04:00

Nadia does this really sweet thing when you snuggle her she loves to lean into your face right at your forehead. Well this is Aunt Susanne's favorite thing to do with Nadia. So sweet!

2007-09-29T00:20:00.001-04:00

Babies in a box! I cannot believe that I have not blogged about baby Bridget yet! She is Nadia's best friend and she is Nadia's best friend because her mommy Marisa is my best friend here. We spend almost each day together. They are two months apart but really great friends already they even steal toys from each other. Nadia now curls her tounge exactly like Bridget "who has been called a baby lizard by more than one person" Bridget now squeals like Nadia. They are so cute together and we will miss them a lot!

2007-09-29T00:02:00.001-04:00

Fun Aunt Susanne came all the way from Durham, England to help Nadia and I continue our stay in Guatemala. She accomplished a lot on her stay including:
1. She helped us get out of PGN! Michelle (my sis) says, "it takes an Aunt to get you out" Michelle was in Guate the day Gavin got out of PGN. Which is basically the day she became offically our baby.
2. She became a baby hair stylist. Nadia no longer has the problem of a mullet (no she really had one) now she has pigtails and they are soooo cute.
2. She helped her begin to sign. Nadia loves using her sign language and I am bragging a bit here she is only 9 months!
3. She finished her Christmas shopping...
4. But most of all she ate more of the best brownies in all of Central America then all of my visitors combined.

2007-09-21T10:25:00.001-04:00

WE are out of PGN and she is offically ours! Horray..just a few more steps before we can come home. We miss you all and appreciate all of your prayers.
Love,
Melissa, Mike, Gavin, and Nadia

2007-09-16T22:50:00.001-04:00

So, Nadia is now 9 months and we are still trapped here in Guatemala. There is a hope for the end but it is still not exactly in sight. We are persevering but really ready to be done with this process. Gavin is doing well in the States and is enjoying: being spoiled and loved by all, at the zoo, going camping, swimming, playing at the park and enjoying his daddy!

2007-09-16T22:44:00.001-04:00

These sweet photos were taken the night before Gavin left for the States...he was so sweet and snuggley. It will be so nice to be all together as a family again!

2007-09-16T22:38:00.001-04:00

One great thing about staying in the city that weekend was that we had the opportunity to spend time with the Gills. Fun was had by all, Karinna and Nadia loved smiling at each other, Aaron and Gavin giggled a lot, and Melissa, Steve and Keisa had the opportunity to have a lot of great talks!

2007-09-16T22:31:00.001-04:00

Moving to the hotel was really sad and difficult but we still made great memories. Gavin enjoyed eating his Mac and Cheese from a coffee mug and was fabulous at washing all of our dishes over and over in the bathroom.

2007-09-09T22:51:00.000-04:00

Having Mike here was such a blessing this week. But having him leave was super hard especially since we do not know when he will return to bring us home. But we know this is only a season and we are taking one day at a time!

2007-09-09T22:02:00.000-04:00

Hello everyone..sorry for the blog silence. Nadia and I are still in Guatemala and our goal is stay until the end. She is now 9 months! She is doing so well, she squeals for joy all the time. She is sleeping great, sitting up very well, she loves playing in her rana (walker). Gavin is back home in the States and is doing really well too. Mommy misses him so much but he is simply being spoiled by his Gamma's and his Aunt Chelle.

2007-08-26T22:55:00.000-04:00

As many of you know we sent our little man back to Estados Unidos, to stay with and be spoiled by our family in Toledo. He is safe and really enjoying his time. We skype 2-3 times each day. Gavin is also getting to spend a lot more time with his daddy then he would have if he was still here in Guate.