[StephL]

I never thought it would be this hard. I can’t believe we’re celebrating Christmas without our son! I’m pretty much guaranteed to cry like 4-5 times a day, at total random moments. In a shopping store when a sappy Christmas song comes on. Doing laundry and finding one of his little socks that we somehow carried home from our visit trip in October. Even last night, when I caught the last two minutes of my favorite Christmas movie “how the Grinch stole Christmas”, and they are all gathered around the tree singing that Da ho dorey fa ho dorey song. Okay, I can snicker that that now , but last night I thought it was the saddest thing I’d ever heard.
This sucks. And I know there are so many other people fighting to bring home their kids. So I know I’m not the only one who feels this way……..but how can I be happy when I don’t have this smiling little face at home with me for the holidays……….

[Momonthefarm]

Steph~ I understand how sad this time of year can be then to add the wait for your son it makes it that much harder. Take heart in the knowledge that God has the perfect timing to bring your son home and trust that He is in control. It is easier said than done some days but you must believe and keep telling yourself that.

Know that there are lots of prayers from lots of people you never met going up to help you through this time. Renee

[cbmstephanie]

The holidays are so so so so hard when your heart is somewhere else.

Is there any way you can swing a trip to Guatemala for the holiday or even New Years?? If your little one can't be here for the holidays maybe you can be there??

Know there are lots of us that know exactly how you feel and we feel for you!!

[dbkkr08]

We know exactly what you mean! And if one more relative or friend asks "where she is-she should have been home by now", I think I'm going to explode!!! And then to have to explain about the illegal 2nd BMI that was missed, minors section, and so on gets tiresome.

Ok, sorry for the rant. I do believe in my heart that God has a plan for us and for her, and she WILL COME HOME to us! I don't know about your process as we are kinda new to this forum, but wherever you are in your waiting please know that God has a plan for you and for your little one and we will be praying for you.

Even though we can't be with her this Christmas, we know that she is very loved by her foster family, and one day she will be spending the holidays where she belongs....here with us.

Saludos Cordiales y Feliz Navidad!

[Gatos]

I'm so sorry. I suffered through the holidays first without Mindy and then without Joe. It was brutal.

My friend Matt said to me during the process, "They're going to be in your arms so much longer than they were outside of them. It's just a teeny fraction of their life." That actually helped some. And, now that I'm on the other side of it, that's exactly how I feel. The time I pined for them beside their empty cribs was so short compared to their lives with me now.

Hope this helps.

[planemomtosix]

to your aching heart! Thanksgiving was rough but Christmas is going to be much harder, I can already tell. For me it helps to surround myself with family and close friends who know exactly what's going on with our case. They also know my heart and are supporting me with their prayers and kindness. I'm also at that crying everytime I turn around point. Visiting isn't an option for us since our little one has been taken to an hogar where we can't have any contact. We will continue to pray expectantly for timely homecomings for the countless children who are stuck in this political mess.

[dspakowsky]

I really hope you get to be together forever soon!!! HUGS!

[w8ting4Thomas]

It is hard. We were without our little man last year, though those were the days that, while we thought we were being punished, we were bringing home 10-12mos old babies. So in retrospect we had NOTHING to complain about.
I can only tell you this...I read it over and over and would say yeah right. But once we had Thomas the missed stuff melted away. Can't say I don't wish I wasn't there, but it was easier.
In the meantime, know we ALL understand and you can come here anytime...no matter what the rant or emotion. Also, if you can go...even for 1 night (I did that!) then go!!! You will fell better.
Hugs and love and prayers that this will be over for you soon.

[susy...patience]

All I can say is I'm so sorry...

[mksilvermoon]

my heart aches for you all who still wait as these holidays come and go - no easy answers - just genuine sympathy and sorrow for you

MK

[Quesita]

I am so sorry. I know that this will be a very very hard holiday for your family. But next year... when he is home with you, and old enough to be excited, the pain of this year will have faded. I know that these words don't help now.

[avoel]

I am so sorry. I missed both of my girl's first Christmas's too and it was sooo hard. You have nothing but hugs and sympathy from me.

[wadesmama]

I also know just how you feel. Last year I kept saying, "that's ok he'll be here next xmas and we will really celebrate." Well next year is here and he isn't. So its going to be a blue christmas. We are having a small tree, I'm putting blue lights on it and only my favorite ornaments. Two of which are his 1st xmas ornament and this years ornament. Hopefully next year will be better.

[devildogwife]

So sorry. Hang in there.

[foxey13]

I'm with you! I never thought I would miss not 1 but 2 of my little guy's christmases. Strangely enough it's almost harder with our new little one in the house. Everyone is focusing on Forrest and how great it must be to have him, and although I agree, a part of our family is missing and that's so hard.

We just got our third! KO this week, so I feel like we are starting all over again.

Yes this sucks!
s.