Levi Douglas Bradley: Christmas Eve update about Levi

Our Adoption Story

Levi was born on April 21, 2007 in Chinautla, Guatemala, a small town known for pottery. He weighed 6.7 pounds and was 19.7 inches long. He was in private foster care in Guatemala City where he lived for 10 1/2 months with his foster mom, her son and daughter and Isaac, his foster brother. Throughout our difficult adoption journey, Isaac's mom, Nancy and I became very good friends. God placed our boys together and had the perfect plan in place long before we ever realized it. When I was undecided on an adoption agency, I joined an online forum where Nancy provided me with information about her agency and recommended them to us. We decided to sign with the same agency and I emailed Nancy back to let her know. Over a few months we emailed back and forth to learn we were both from TN and lived only 30 minutes apart... we thought wow, it's a small world. Little did we know a few months later we'd both get referrals, earlier than we expected, of 2 beautiful Guatemalan angels. When they turned 2 months old our agency called and decided it was time to tell us that they were in the same foster home together and had been since they were 1 day old. We were amazed they were together. Even more so, God amazed us once again when we learned shortly after that they were born on the same day and were from the same town... no longer a coincidence that was for sure. We were being told by the foster mom how attached they were and acted like brothers. But, Nancy and I got the chance in January '08 to go to visit them and see it for ourselves. It was an amazing time of bonding with our boys that we will never forget. After that trip it seemed when one of us would reach a roadblock in the crazy process of international adoption the other would be delayed with something else. We stayed right together until the very day we picked them both up. We had our US Embassy appts the same day and we flew home through Atlanta on the same flight on March 11, 2008 when they both entered the US as citizens! It was an awesome time for us in the Atlanta Airport when we rec'd the congrats they were official! We've made friends for life with Nancy, Eric, and with Isaac's extended families. We look forward to many years of watching them both grow up so close together. Over the past year, as we went through battle after battle to bring our boys home, Nancy and I both would never think of one without the other in our endless prayers to keep them safe, happy and healthy until they could be home with their forever families. We're finally parents and it's what we've both waited for, for so many years.. our families are finally complete!!!

Monday, December 24, 2007

Christmas Eve update about Levi

Hey, wanted to post that I got to call the foster mom and wish Levi a Merry Christmas on the phone last night. I have to work today (Christmas Eve part of the day so, we called a little early). He listened to me talking and was trying to suck on the phone, how funny! His foster mom said she would take a lot of pictures of both he and Isaac today and tomorrow as their first Christmas pictures for their baby books. She said she had prayed for God to allow he one Christmas with them and that her prayers had been answered. She was sorry that we were saddened that we were not with them on their first but, that we'd have them for many, many more and for the rest of their lives. She is becoming sad too because she feels her time is soon coming to an end with both boys as they will be coming to the US to their forever families. She will miss them terribly. She is very attached to them both and it breaks my heart from every aspect of this whole process. I am depressed because I am not with him but, so understand her too. I know God knows what is best for them both and has it all in his plan when they are to come home and all the details are worked out already so, we have to just trust in Him that we'll be with them soon. As for now, I am packed almost for my trip even though it's about 17-18 days away. I have him so many things already I don't know if I can hold anymore in my bags. I am so dreading leaving Steve behind although I know he'll be fine but, I do not like being away from him and never have been for 15 yrs. It'll be hard to leave him here and then leave Levi again in Guatemala. I hope Nancy knows what a cryer she has on her hands when it's time to walk away and get back on that plane. Christmas just isn't the same this year, no need to even put up a tree. I just knew Levi would be home but, as I was sad on Thanksgiving as it came and went, it seems Christmas will do the same while he continues to wait for us in Guatemala. Merry Christmas to you all and keep praying he's home soon. I think back that this time last year we sat my mom and dad down to tell them we were planning to try to adopt. Little did we know a while year later, here we'd be waiting for a son. - Tracy (aka Levi's mommy)

1 comment:

herronlady said...: I can't even imagine how hard the waiting must be. God is faithful. Soon Levi will be in your arms safe with mommy and daddy. I am so excited and happy for you. May God hold you in the palm of his hands to and from Your visit. Please give Levi a big kiss from his great aunt Barbara.; December 28, 2007 at 6:05:00 PM EST