Ecuador day 8 Monday

Today Adriana and I slept in while Zac worked...slept till 7:45! So nice!! We hung out around the apartment most of the morning and got everything prepared for Adriana's going away party at the orphanage. We put her down for an early nap since the INFA social worker, Carmita, would be here at 2:00 to take us to get cake and ice cream for the party.

When Carmita arrived, she had another lady with her, who also didn't speak English...so we grabbed a taxi and off we went to the orphanage with our gifts and donations. We first stopped at a bakery to pick up cake and ice cream for the party....we didn't realize we were feeding the entire orphanage..$35, two cakes, and three pints of ice cream later we were on our way(that was the amount Carmita suggested). We first had to stop and pick up Carmita's granddaughter because she was going to sing for the children and also help serve as a translator.

Adriana was extremely clingy at the orphanage...wondering if she was worried we were going to leave her..not sure...they had all the children and adults from the orphanage there in the lower common area and all the workers and volunteers. We handed out stickers and balloons and blew up some beach balls we had brought. Priscilla, our lawyer, was also there as well. Adrianna stayed pretty close to Zac and I most of the time...She was very happy to see Theresa, her groupa mother, which was sweet and sad at the same time....she wanted to go up and see her groupa, Casa Aguilla, so we did...it was very nicely decorated with streamers and balloons and signs that said Chow Adriana.

The director from the orphanage welcomed us and we enjoyed our cake and ice cream with the others. There was a older boy who had a lot of fun interacting with Zac. After the party we went into a room to talk with all person involved with the adoption process from the orphanage. Zac, Adriana, and I, Priscilla, Jackie, Laura, Carmita, her granddaughter Michelle and the other INFA lady, and the couple who are the directors of the entire OSSO orphanages...can't remember their names now...but very nice couple.

Jackie presented us with all of Adriana's medical records, echocardiograms, CT scans, ultrasounds.all of it. So thankful for that. She also gave us a pillow case that the volunteers made for Adriana. Then Laura presented us with a CD of pictures that had been taken of Adriana over the last four years!! And a photo book of pictures of memorable moments...firt steps, first birthday etc...so thankful for all of those things as I know many adoptive families get nothing.

Then we all had to sign the document of responsibility of Adriana....pretty much states that we are her guardians and that we have a pending court date..etc...in case someone asks or she needs to see a dr or something..

When the meeting was done we went up to Casa Aguila to give Theresa a gift and to take a group picture of the kids. Adriana was happy to be in the room...but really didn't have much of a desire to leave me...so that was a good sign. It was then time to say goodbye...so so so soooooo very hard. Theresa was crying, volunteers were crying, I was crying...but Adriana was such a trooper...she hugged everyone without even leaving my arms and waved goodbye as if she knew exactly what was going on and that she had a forever family...it was a very emotional time. We said goodbye to Laura who had taken such good care of us and was becoming like a friend.

We got a taxi ride back (it was not a yellow cab, However, Carmita did give us permission to start using Adrina's name and pictures!!

Adriana did so well...such and anwer to prayer as that is a lot for a little kid to go through! I made a successful dinner of cream of chicken soup with veggies and Adriana went to bed easily.and tired.

I had an emotional evening that I think was just a culmination of the day on top of really starting to miss Addie terribly and the anxiety of the looming 5 more weeks ahead. After a good cry, spending time with the Lord, and Skyping with Addie I was feeling much better and was more confident that I'd be able to tuff out 5 more weeks. Addie is doing so well at home with my parents, and I am so very thankful for that.

And the massage lady never showed today... But my back is feeling soooo much better! Thank you for your prayers!