It’s Saturday, and after a grueling week at school, I’m off to visit Nancy. Caitlan is coming along, and I can’t wait to leave school behind for a little bit. In addition to fighting a cold last week, I had to get 30 fifth graders ready to put on a readers’ theatre presentation for our board of education, travel to another school to put on 7 arts/humanities presentations, and then come back to Lebanon Elementary to do the same thing on Friday. All this while trying to get all the books checked back in at both schools. Whew! So this morning I left Kelley Ridge and went to Lexington early to have breakfast with KK and her friend Alex Smiley. Alex will be getting married next January 3rd, and Caitlan is going to be one of her bridesmaids. We met at Panera Bread, had a little breakfast, and caught up. Alex was my student at St. Mark, both in 3rd grade (she was actually in 2nd) and in middle school. She is a lovely young women now, pursuing her masters in English at UK. It was great to see her again.
Then KK and I headed down the road to Champaign, IL. We only stopped a little while in Louisville so that Kyle could give Caitlan her present–a Barak Obama long-sleeved tee that he got at the ribbon cutting ceremony at the Barak Obama headquarters in L-ville (somehow he got to help cut the ribbon). Our drive to Champaign was uneventful, and we ended up meeting Nancy around 4 our time. We are staying at Homewood Suites, and this place is very impressive. The rooms are beautiful, we have a nice kitchen, and a spacious bathroom ( I think that may be because we are in a handicapped accessible unit). We took in a planetarium show at Parkland College, and listened to William Shatner tell us about the seasons to Vivaldi’s score. We also ate ribs at Famous Dave’s–Pretty Yummy!

What a wonderful time with all my sisters!! And what a wonderful Mommy I have!
For more pix, go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/7136010@N02/

I didn’t look at the clock, but I think they rolled in around 6:30 p.m.. She was asleep in her carseat, so Jerome and Janet came in and made over the dogs for a little bit first. Then Jerome lovingly got her out. After a while she let me hold her, and I made her laugh when I batted the “Welcome Home” balloon that Rita and Seth brought her at the airport. Connie reluctantly said her goodbyes. She sat in her highchair and ate a cracker, and then Mr. Money (Poppy) and Mrs. Money (DoDo) came over, and Mr. Money gave her a bottle. She has already learned how to make her baby toys play music and squeek. She says “Mama” for Janet and “Dada” for Jerome. Oh, and did I say that her eyes are liquid pools of bittersweet chocolate? I’m in love.

Jerome called about 12:30. They are in Houston and all is well.
Pressure bothered Juliana Molina some but she let him massage her ears and she was ok. Several other couples, believe 3, on plane too with their babies and they said their goodbyes and plan to keep in touch. Jerome will call Joan when they get to Louisville. Asked about weather in Louisville. Said ok here but Louisville may have some snow. Thank the dear Lord, they are soon home. Love to all. Mombo

She loves her bath!!

Jerome called me yesterday on the way back from Danville. Mombo and I had just enjoyed POLLYANNA at the community theatre and saw Bruce and Lee perform. It was wonderful to hear Jerome’s happy voice (even though he still sounds a little hoarse). I could hear Janet and Juliana in the background. He put her on the phone with me and I told her “Hola, nina.” He said she wanted to kiss the phone. I want to correct what I said in the last post. He says that indeed, she has been held a great deal and has not been down and able to learn to crawl about, but for that reason she has been spoiled into being held all the time. She does not want to be put down. So he said, “We didn’t get the chance to spoil her–she already is spoiled.” I’m sure that she just needs the chance, and she will quickly learn how to be mobile. They go today to get her visa. I know they are anxious to get her home. They have not been able to get out much, even though the weather has been nice. The adoption company will not allow them to take the baby out of the hotel. Meals have been ordered in for the adoptive families. Or they can eat at the hotel restaurant. Juliana is sleeping and eating well, so they have been able to get rest as well. They will call when they get into Houston tomorrow. Pray for their protection. They will soon be on their way home.

I love you above all measure. Know that even though he has been gone 15 years, your dad loves you today as then, he prays for you daily, he watches over you in every way possible. I hope you prayed for and to him today. I hope you went to Mass and remembered him. If not, just remember that you can find a Mass this week, go and receive the Eucharist, and be in communion with the man who gave you life and delighted in your every accomplishment. He still does. Find a church. Pray with your daddy. We may not understand why he was taken away from us, but I believe that he does. And that he is with us still.

is what he calls her. Jerome called Mombo again today. She has her first nickname. She also has her American name: Juliana Molina Dixon. She has called Janet “Mommy.”

The Embassy is not open on Monday due the Presidents’ Day holiday, so they cannot get her visa until Tuesday. She has done well taking her Nestle’s formula in her bottle and has slept through the night. Connie has been a godsend helping out. She is so good with her that someone from the adoption company asked if she wanted to come and work for them. Jerome thinks she has been held or confined a lot–now that she is allowed a little freedom, she doesn’t want it taken away!! One of the officials said that they were making a liar of him. He said that everyone comes in talking about how beautiful their babies are–the most beautiful anyone has ever seen. And he always has to say–“Yes to you she is the most beautiful baby in the world.” But in this case, she just might be the most beautiful baby anyone has ever seen.

Come home, little princess Juliana. Come home.

This really isn’t my update, but Mombo’s. I just passing it on.

Dear Clan,
Molina is theirs. Jerome called about 2:30 p.m. today. They are in the Hotel, have a cell phone and have Molina with them. They got her at 9 this morning. She is doing fine, takes the bottle ok, checked her, thought she might have a temp, checked that, probably just teething. He said she is playing and has her own personality. He put the phone up to her ear, and I talked to her and I could hear her babble at the other end. Jerome said she kept looking at the phone. They have a cell phone, and he gave me the # if we need it for an emergency. He said it would be very expensive to call there. Better for them to use the phone that they got down there. I asked about her name, and Janet said they had it down to 3 and will decide by tomorrow. Ha, first he said 2 and Janet said 3. Connie is a very big help for she use to work at a care center and knows how to quiet babies down. He said they got some video but lighting not good. They are both very happy and excited. What a wonderful Valentine’s Day for them and for all of us. Thank you Lord Jesus for this special day. Love to all. Mombo/Grammo

Mombo got a call from Jerome from the Houston airport at around 10 a.m. Everything is going fine. They were ready to board the plane for Guatemala City.