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[Games] Re: Tiff107's Stary Congrats Round 4
UN: Yolanda
LN: Smith
DH: William James (30)
DW: Bailey Christine (30)
DD/DD: Amelia Grace/Emelie Rose (8)
DD/DD/DD: Anna Mae/Lauren Eve/Kate Olivia (6)
AD: Gabriela Sophia [Chile] (5)
DD: Felicity Anne (3)
DD: Madelyn Joy (nb)"Bailey, I'm heading down to Chile for two weeks with my husband Chris. Would you and Bill like to come down with us? You know, just get away for a while?" asked Natalie, Bailey's roommate from college."I would love that. I'll have to check with my Mom to make sure she could watch our girls. I've always wanted to see your country. I am so excited! Oh, I hope this works out", replied Bailey. Natalie's family (on her dad's side) was from Chile.That evening after Bill read a bedtime story to their five girls and Bailey tucked them all into bed, they discussed the possibility of going to Chile. Bailey's mother had already agreed to watch the girls. Now, the couple just had to decide if they had the money and if Bill could get off from work. The following day, it was official. Bill was able to take off for the two weeks from his job at the United Nations and they had money left over from last year's vacation fund. (They didn't go anywhere since Felicity was only a baby.) The time in Chile was wonderful. The water was as blue as an aquamarine gemstone and they could see to the bottom (and it was the first time Bill and Bailey had seen the Pacific Ocean, since they lived near the east coast their entire life). The weather was sunny and warm. They ate fresh mangoes, tangerines, and plaintains and drank delicious wine. They spent a night in a dormant volcano, visited San Pedro de Atacama to view some Incan architecture, sailed to Easter Island, and went skiing in the Andes mountains. They even had the opportunity to watch a couple rodeos (the national sport) and a soccer match. A trip was made to Argentina, too where Bill & Bailey had the opportunity to learn the Argentine tango. However, the most memorable part of the entire trip was a visit to the orphanage run by Natalie's uncle. Bill & Bailey spent the day just holding children and babies in their arms and loving them. They played and told stories to them. It was delightful to be with children again. This was the longest amount of time they had been away from their own children. They wanted to take all the children home with them, but there was one in particular. She was the first one they met and maybe that is why she had a hold of their heart. Or maybe it was the joy she had running into their arms, a stranger's arms...just anxious to be held and loved. Or maybe it was the childlike faith she shared with us when she said that God was going to give her parents again, she knew he would. Or maybe it was her million dollar smile or her love of laughter. Or maybe it was her big brown almond-shaped eyes brimming with tears when they had to leave. But whatever it was, Bill & Bailey knew they wanted her in their life...no NEEDED her. They talked to Natalie's uncle about the possibility of adopting her. He said the government had not allowed any children to be adopted outside of the country in five years. They had very strict rules. But after looking at Bailey's face at this news, he said "but I can try". Bill & Bailey filled out all the paper work necessary for an adoption and began the waiting process. They waited and waited and...waited. A year and a half after their meeting the little girl, Natalie's uncle called and said, "It's a miracle. The government is allowing you to adopt her. I don't know why or how. Just come down before they change their mind." By the end of the week Bill & Bailey were on a flight down to Chile. Once they arrived there, they ran into a battle with the government...they changed their mind, there was to be no adoption. Bill & Bailey fought the government for an entire week and tried to find loopholes and prayed and prayed. They still remember the day and time when they received the phone call with the go-ahead. Bill had answered the phone. It was December 20th at 2:00 in the afternoon. As soon as he hung up the phone he began crying with joy. He shared the news with Bailey and she collapsed into his arms with relief. Little Gabriela Sophia was theirs. When they met her at the orphanage she came running out with her million dollar smile and brown curls bouncing, arms spread open wide and embraced them with a hug. "I knew God was going to give me parents again. And I knew they had to be you." That night when Bailey tucked little Gabriela into bed, she turned to Bill. "Gabriela is such the perfect name for her. She is our little angel."The other girls loved Gabriela. She was a new playmate and there was an intrigue about her because she came from another country, another lifestyle, another culture. And they loved her joy in everything. She was rarely ever sad.A year after Gabriela's adoption, Bailey became pregnant again. This time they were really hoping for a boy. They didn't want to know the gender of the baby this time. They wanted it to be a surprise. July 8th seemed like it would never come, but it finally did. And Bailey, right on schedule started with labor pains. Only eight hours later, they had yet another baby girl. They had already decided if it was a girl her name would be Madelyn, but they had not been able to find a suitable middle name. After seeing her though, Bill said "Madelyn Joy...because I am full of joy to have another baby girl". He kissed little Madelyn Joy on the head and held Bailey's hand as they looked at their new beautiful baby that God had given them.
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