:-D
I posted this at least two hours ago and have been reading it over and over again - breaking only to look at all the pictures again - ever since. Paula and my parents have been asleep for hours. I will be kicking myself in the morning, but I am just so excited!
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From Gilman Girls:
Our Turn in the Green Room!
"Where's your camera?"
We'd been waiting in FANA's green room for a while and the paperwork had all been signed when Maria Teresa de Maldonado finally spoke those words. That's when I knew it was about to happen.
She positioned us on the far side of the room and several of the wonderful women of FANA gathered across from us just outside the door so they could see Paula coming down the hall. A few minutes later she came around the corner with Adriana and WOW did she look beautiful! I instantly engulfed her in a giant hug and - of course - a shower of tears. At that moment I felt like we were the only two people in the room.
She was very emotional as well - because she knew this meant she was leaving FANA. And that didn't even hurt my feelings. It made me even more grateful that she'd spent the past couple of months in such a loving and nurturing environment. FANA is staffed by angels.
After many hugs and thank yous, Maria Teresa de Perez was kind enough to take us on a marathon shopping spree at Exito, which is similar to and bigger than a Super Target! Since we'd arrived so late the night before, we had no groceries in the apartment and the presentation was at noon. We basically got through the entire day on a breakfast of coffee and leftover airline peanuts, a couple of crackers, and a slice of cheese we split three ways!
As soon as we got back to the apartment with our trunk full of supplies, Paula immediately started unpacking her things and settling into her room. It was so cute! She seems to be very organized and likes things just so. I hope that rubs off on me!
The rest of the evening was filled with hugs from Nan E and jokes from Dandad and later some downtime for Paula in her room listening to music. When I went in to check on her, she was making her new Barbies dance to the music! That sure made me smile!
We also got a Facetime call from my niece Leah and got to talk to Tio Tony (my brother), Tia Stacy, and my nephew Wil. Paula was very shy and didn't speak much - everyone was speaking English, after all - but she did seem to be amused by Leah and Wil's crazy faces. We hope to talk to the rest of our awesome family in the next couple of days.
Tonight at bedtime after reading a quick book, she fell asleep with her arm around me - one of my favorite things from her visit in November. Right before she fell asleep I asked "Estas feliz?" (Are you happy?) She smiled and said "Sí."
Yo también, Paula. "Me too."
--
--
From Gilman Girls:
Our Turn in the Green Room!
"Where's your camera?"
We'd been waiting in FANA's green room for a while and the paperwork had all been signed when Maria Teresa de Maldonado finally spoke those words. That's when I knew it was about to happen.
She positioned us on the far side of the room and several of the wonderful women of FANA gathered across from us just outside the door so they could see Paula coming down the hall. A few minutes later she came around the corner with Adriana and WOW did she look beautiful! I instantly engulfed her in a giant hug and - of course - a shower of tears. At that moment I felt like we were the only two people in the room.
She was very emotional as well - because she knew this meant she was leaving FANA. And that didn't even hurt my feelings. It made me even more grateful that she'd spent the past couple of months in such a loving and nurturing environment. FANA is staffed by angels.
After many hugs and thank yous, Maria Teresa de Perez was kind enough to take us on a marathon shopping spree at Exito, which is similar to and bigger than a Super Target! Since we'd arrived so late the night before, we had no groceries in the apartment and the presentation was at noon. We basically got through the entire day on a breakfast of coffee and leftover airline peanuts, a couple of crackers, and a slice of cheese we split three ways!
As soon as we got back to the apartment with our trunk full of supplies, Paula immediately started unpacking her things and settling into her room. It was so cute! She seems to be very organized and likes things just so. I hope that rubs off on me!
The rest of the evening was filled with hugs from Nan E and jokes from Dandad and later some downtime for Paula in her room listening to music. When I went in to check on her, she was making her new Barbies dance to the music! That sure made me smile!
We also got a Facetime call from my niece Leah and got to talk to Tio Tony (my brother), Tia Stacy, and my nephew Wil. Paula was very shy and didn't speak much - everyone was speaking English, after all - but she did seem to be amused by Leah and Wil's crazy faces. We hope to talk to the rest of our awesome family in the next couple of days.
Tonight at bedtime after reading a quick book, she fell asleep with her arm around me - one of my favorite things from her visit in November. Right before she fell asleep I asked "Estas feliz?" (Are you happy?) She smiled and said "Sí."
Yo también, Paula. "Me too."
--