It's a GIRL!!!

On Monday, September 26, we receive a call from our adoption agency offering us the referral of this beautiful baby girl.
Evelin Floricelda Tiul, 6 lbs 7oz and 18.5 inches long, was born on September 17 into a native Mayan family to a 13 yr-old mother who herself lived with her unwed 33 yr-old mother. Native Mayan Guatemalans are among the poorest of Guatemala where illiteracy and poverty run rampant. As we began the adoption process, we prayed that God would allow us to adopt a child with genuine need - we feel he has granted this request. If everything progresses according to plan, we hope to travel to Guatemala City some time around Christmas to pick up our little girl. We're still discussing naming options that would be the perfect combination of our tastes and her cultural background. Please keep us in your prayers as we complete the final stages of the adoption process.

suprises

Caleb is big into surprises. A few weeks ago we told him we had a surprise and we took him to see the real Thomas the Tank Engine. He and Elijah both really enjoyed it. So Caleb says we should have more surprises. I've been trying to make more things surprises...

Tonight we planned to go to the Madeira Homecoming parade, I told Caleb we had a surprise for him. When Peter came home he said, not knowing that I had turned the parade into a surpise. Caleb are you ready to go to the parade. At that Caleb replied, no daddy we are going to a surprise. The conversation went on and Peter asked Caleb if he has any guesses where the surprise might be. He said, "NO...but I'll tell you when we get there!"

He makes us laugh all day long! What a sweetie!

Along the adoption rollercoaster we go...the second reading of the law passed which brings it closer to becoming a law. We are still number 2 on the waiting list, however our agency was in Guatemala visiting the children earlier this week and probably brought home referrals. If she brought home 2 girls, one will be ours...if we choose to take it rather than wait for twins. We are still very unsure of things. As you've seen they change daily.

BEES...

Caleb woke up last night crying, very unusual for him. Peter went to check on him and he complained, "It itches, it itches". He was squirming around as if something on the back of his neck was bothering him, Peter thought maybe the tag. Nope. Caleb continued to cry and Peter picked him up and brought him downstairs and in doing so irritated the BEE in his shirt, which then stung Caleb, he screamed. Peter pulled his shirt off, pulled the bee off of Caleb and hugged him tightly. He put some ice on it, but Caleb didn't like it. He continued to squirm, we thought maybe there was another bee? Finally figured out he had to pee! poor guy! This morning when he woke up he had NO recollection of the events, he couldn't even tell me where the bee sting was!

The strangest thing was, I couldn't find the bee sting either? There were a few very small red dots, barely noticeable on his back. I figure one of these must be the sting? It sure didn't look like it. I would have thought I was hallucinating last night but Peter and I both saw it! Well the good thing is we know he's not allergic to bees!

Tonight we all went to watch Daddy coach soccer, Caleb played with his best friend Ethan and Elijah flirted with a gril on the VARSITY soccer team, he knows how to pick 'em!

God is working...in Guatemala!

YEAH...things are looking up! Guatemala was supposed to have a second reading of the law yesterday and it didn't happen! Due to some other businesss, however in the mean time over 200 demonstrators were able to share with congressman the importance of not passing this law. The law would make it much more difficult to adopt Guatemalan children and therefore cause many children to die, be malnourished, or turn to the streets, gangs, etc. We are hopeful that God is continuing to work as we await our adoption. Not sure what this means for timing just yet, things seem to change everyday! We are now leaning towards waiting until Feb. to see if twins are available, rather than getting an infant girl when we are number 1 on the waiting list. We'll see? If you want to learn more here are some great sights on Guatemalan law, these seem to be frequented on a daily basis at our house! www.guatadopt.com www.guatefam.org still trying to make these links on our blog. Haven't figured that out yet.

On another note, Elijah pointed to where daddy's guitar is and said "uh" "uh" "uh", then went to the picture of daddy and said "dada". He doesn't say dada much, usually mama to daddy. He wanted Peter to play the guitar! It was so cute, what a smart little guy.

Continuing in faith...

The Sutton family presents...

wow! so we'll see how this works. This is our attempt to keep you all posted on our family. An idea we thougt of at the beginning of our adoption process and with a little reminder from our friends the walatka's here we go. we are all doing well.

Peter is coaching soccer and loving it! Although he just lost two players to major injuries last week. The boys love to go and watch the games. Peter just came home from weekend camp with the students and had a great time. Caleb wanted to go with him. :o)

Jocelyn is cutting back on babysitting after a very busy summer and just keeping up with the boys and the adoption paperwork.

Caleb is three and so much fun, he makes us laugh everyday. He loves to paint with watercolors and his latest activity is creating a town on the driveway and riding around on his tricycle.

Elijah is right behind Caleb on his little scooter going around the town. He is one, but in his mind he is 3! He has lots to say, his favorite thing to do is point and babble at whatever is in sight. Elijah went to the doctor today, 2 shots, 5oth percentile for height and head circumference, 35th for weight (not quite the butterball Caleb was).

The adoption has been such an exciting and nerve racking experience. Ultimately we are excited to know that God is in control and things will go perfectly according to His plan! It has been exciting to see it unfold. We are probably days away from receiving a referral. (A referral is a picture of our baby, including medical information, possibly video, and any other info they have on our baby) Last week we were #2 and the week before #3 on the waiting list. Guatemala is in process of changing the legislation in regards to adoption. For this reason we will most likely be acception a referral of an infant girl rather than twins. We will continue to post as we receive updates on our adoption process and as our family continues to grow.

Here we go! This is the Sutton family... Peter, Jocelyn, Caleb and Elijah.