Love, Hope and Borders

Our baby girl Luisa Corazon Galarza made her grand entrance into this world on Thursday, January 17^th, 2019 at 11:19 a.m. She weighed 5 pounds 9 ounces and measured 18.5 inches. She came about 3.5 weeks early, and the doctors and nurses were impressed with how healthy she was even though she was teeny tiny. I hope that stays with her as she grows—you may be or feel little, but you’re always one fierce, strong girl. Jose and I are beyond in love with her, and we’re soaking in every second we have with her together. Time is truly precious, and it brings me to tears to know that it flies by so quickly. I swear the days are on fast forward ever since she’s arrived.

While this is such a happy, blessed time for us, we also have to continue to plan for Jose’s interview trip to Juarez.

Midchew during dinner one night with Luisa in her bassinet beside us, I started bawling. We were talking about how big Luisa will be this Christmas, and that she’ll probably start to walk around that time. Through the tears, I said, “I don’t want you to go to Mexico.” Jose looked at me like I was crazy for suddenly bursting into tears, but then I could tell that he was starting to fight back the tears, too. Through a nervous chuckle, he told me to stop. He didn’t want to cry. Thinking of things like that make me cry because I don’t know if Jose will be here then. Our time together is the most valuable thing on this planet.

Jose’s trip to Juarez is not something I’m constantly thinking about, but it’s something that’s always in the background. It sometimes catches me by surprise like it did that night at dinner when it came right to the surface. What if Jose is not granted his visa, and what if he isn’t here to watch her take her first steps? What if he misses other markers like her first words? Will she have to say goodnight to her papa over Facetime? I HATE thinking about it. While I have the best family support here in Rockford, it’s hard to imagine what each day would be like without Jose here. I try not to think about it, and to be honest, I can’t wrap my head around him not coming home. I always envision him coming home. But then there’s always the “What ifs” that lurk in the shadows. What if he can’t come home right away? What would life be like without Jose with us in our home for a year or over a year?

We still expect a letter from the National Visa Center by next month although it could be delayed. The letter will inform us when he has to travel to Juarez for his interview date. We will continue to update you as we receive more information. For now, we are going to truly treasure the time we have together. Time is the best gift we can give each other.

Much love,

Haley

P.S. Thank you to Ramsden Photography for the beautiful photos!